Italics: Flashback/Dream, Bold: Thinking, _Words_: Texting, *Words*: Sound, "Words": Speech

((Words)): Author notes, Words*: ((may have more than 1 *)) Translation at bottom

Alfred sat shotgun in Matthew's electric Zenn ((dude, look it up it's a Canadian car)). His bag was in the trunk and the spell book was in his lap. Alfred stroked the book absentmindedly. He held his iPhone 5 ((coming in March/June 2012)) in his hands and played Angry Gil-Birds, a Prussian game by Gilbert Beilschmidt. They drove silently, listening to I'm Gay by Bowling for Soup, until they reached the institution.

Suddenly they took a sharp right, then went about 5 miles down a dirt road. The road turned to gravel, the trees thinned, and a huge castle came into view. Matthew muttered something about the place being out of the way and pulled into a small parking area on the right side by a tall battlement. Matthew got out and went to the trunk.

Alfred stepped out of the car and clutched the book to his chest. Arthur drifted through the roof of the car and waited silently beside Alfred for Matthew to get the bag. Alfred once again picked up his phone.

_Hero: This is the asylum?_

Instead of sending he shoved the message under Matthew's nose. Matthew skimmed the screen then nodded and said "I know it looks wierd, but trust me this place is world famous for success stories! You'll be fine." Alfred looked skeptical, but followed a few yards behind his brother through the large hardwood doors. Alfred's eyes fluttered about the main hall, examining the decor and finally settled on a woman standing under a great arch.

She spoke worrisomely, "Hello, I-I'm Mona. I come from Monaco. I'm the attendant of the patients. There are just a few others, I'll introduce them later." Her skin was light and seemed to flush pink every time she would go into thought. Her hair was tied hack in a lond and loose braid, with a red bow and barrettes accentuating her brow. Dainty glasses graced her nose and behind them held beautiful saphire eyes. She wore a long, flowing, pink coat, and dusty brown boots.

Mona led them along hallway that seemed to go on forever, they reached a staircase a few minutes later. They were led up a few flights, then Mona began an explanation quickly. "From here up is what we use. The kitchens, cafeteria, dorms, examination rooms, gym, art rooms, music rooms, and library are from here up. I'll take you to the Doctor, then you can do your own exploration after his examination of...Alfred."

Alfred's eyes watched Arthur as he gleefully flew this was and that into rooms Alfred himself hadn't yet seen. Arthur began to chatter to him about the different places, promising a full explanation later. Alfred nodded at the ghost, and smiled. Mona whispered something to Matthew, to which Mathhew grimly nodded.

They entered a large office. The carpet was burgandy and the walls were painted black. The desk was made of rosewood and holly, so was the chairs and bookcases. The room was decorated with strange black and red accents, the black as dark as night and the red as deep as blood. Alfred swayed uncomfortably, he hated those colors, they reminded him of that day. On the desk was a name plate. Dr. Roderich Edelstein.

Is this guy Austrian? Whatever. I just need to prove these guys wrong. Iggy's right here. Alfred stared at Arthur, to which the latter responded with mutterings about how he was so offended that they couldn't believe he was a ghost. Mona's strange, why won't she stop looking like I'm an abandoned puppy? They must need someone with a sense of pity here...I wonder who everyone else is.

Dr. Roderich walked through the doors now. He glanced at Alfred's blank face with confusion. Mona spoke up, "Uh, sir? This is Alfred the newest patient. He seems to be delusional from what his brother says." I'm not. They just don't see it. The doctor responded snappily. "Ah! Might be schizophrenia...Anyway! Mona how about you and Alfred's brother go take a tour of the premises, to reassure him of our effectiveness. I'll stay and diagnose Alfred. Matthew left Alfred looking quite sad.

No...don't leave me with him. I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to type about it. I want to keep things as they were! Don't let me stay with this guy! Alfred looked anxiously back to the door, but sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs in front of the desk while Dr. Roderich walked about the room with his hands tucked behind him. Alfred took out the phone ready to type, the book stayed in his lap.

"So Alfred, why is it that they brought you to me?"

_Hero: Arthur is here with me._ He pointed beside him.

"Who is Arthur?"

_Hero: A friend who died last year. He came back to me about a week after he died._

"Really? And how did he die?"

_Hero: No. I don't want to talk about it._

"Why not?"

_Hero: I saw it._

"Saw his death?"

_Hero: That and what caused it._

"Very well. I don't believe you see Arthur's ghost."

_Hero: I do._

"How can you prove it?"

_Hero: I've been tryind to think of how._

"What does he tell you?"

_Hero: A lot._

"About what? What do you do with him?"

_Hero: Everything. He talks and stays with me through everything._

Dr. Roderich nodded. "That's enough. I'm sure you have schizophrenia. You will stay."

Alfred wilted, he already hated it here. Matthew came in without Alfred's bags. "Sorry bro, but this place seems right for you. You have to stay." Alfred nodded slowly and followed Mona to his new room.

The room was bare with stone floors and walls, but it wasn't cold. The bed was plain with white blankets and sheets, with a nightstand and a lamp next to it. The desk was simple with just one pen. The book case was full of books on different psychiatric cases and diseases. The dresser was bare on top, but was already full of the clothes Alfred had packed. Alfred's bags sat empty in the corner.

Mona smiled pleasantly, her eyes closed and she spoke cheerily. "Turn in early. Tomorrow you can explore and I'll introduce you to the others." She left the room, locking it behind her from the outside. Alfred flopped back on the bed and sighed. Arthur whispered sadly in his ear, "I'm so sorry poppet. I just wanted to see you one more time, but..."Alfred nodded and his eyes showed that he understood. Before bed, Alfred set the book in his dresser, changed clothes, and took off his glasses. He lay in the bed, the phone resting on the nightstand, he typed one last message before bed, but didn't send it, it was for Arthur.

_Hero: I'll go through this for you Arthur. I'll love you always.