A Surprise Visit

It was Saturday morning and I hadn't slept a wink last night. I was too afraid that if I fell asleep I'd wake up being experimented on or something. So by my reasoning, if I just stayed awake that wouldn't happen. Luckily, weekends in the asylum were more or less like every other day during the week except there was no therapy on the weekends. Thankfully. Instead, recreational time was extended.

I was lying on my cot reading one of the corny romance novels I'd gotten from the rec room, trying to take my mind off of everything that's happened in the past 24 hours, when I notice someone standing in front of my cell. I immediately felt a surge of terror pass over me, which was only intensified when I saw that that someone was Lyle Bolton.

"Get up." He demanded. Apparently, he wasn't in a good mood. There's no way in hell you're getting up. "You have visitors." That got my attention. It's Saturday- visiting day. After the past few days I've had, I had completely lost track of time and forgot about the upcoming visiting days. It was like I was moving on autopilot. I dropped the book on top of my cot and moved towards the door. I let Bolton put the cuffs on me-which I assumed was a precaution or for show in front of visitors-all while feeling disgusted that he was so close to me. I didn't want to think about what he could have seen Strange doing to me in that room. I glanced over at Roman's cell and saw him leaning against the glass watching Bolton. I looked away before he caught me staring.

Bolton held my upper arm in a too-tight grip and pulled me along beside him through the halls. He said visitors. He said I had visitors.Plural. It had to be my mom and dad. I felt a bubble of hope swell in my chest. I wasn't sure why, but the sudden prospect of seeing my parents made me feel like my life wasn't a complete piece of shit. It made me remember I wasn't just an animal locked in a cage. I just wanted them to take me away from this place and never come back to Gotham City for as long as I lived. Well that's not going to happen and it never will now.

We walked until we were in front of one final set of doors before he stopped me and said, "You have one hour to visit." Then, he leant in towards me and said, "If I were you, I'd be careful what I said to them." Taking that to mean the blackout period I had the other night, I just nodded before being pushed through the double doors. The sight in front of me immediately made me stop in my tracks.

It wasn't my parents. Well, not both of them. "Harper?" Sitting behind a sheet of glass were my mom and one half of my best friends. I felt myself smile before I could stop myself, but it was dampened a little when I thought about where my dad was. This really shouldn't surprise you.

The "visiting room" was really just like any other visiting center you'd see on tv. There was a row of chairs on either side of a bulletproof sheet of glass. I walked forward and sat down in the cold metal chair bolted down to the ground in front of the glass on my side. "Hi mom." I realized I hadn't addressed her since walking in; I was too shocked at seeing Harper there to say anything else. Where was Channing?

"Hey, honey. How have you been?" She was smiling, both of them were, but I saw concern in their eyes. I did look like hell. I knew this.

I made myself smile, for both of their sakes, "I'm fine. As well as can be expected." I chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood a little. It sounded forced, even in my own ears. "How have you guys been? What's been happening? Harper, what are you even doing here?" Then realizing how that sounded I corrected, "Not that I'm not thrilled to see you!" I was finding it easier to smile now than I had in a long time.

Harper, looking as beautiful as ever with her fair hair and bright blue eyes, answered, "I live in Gotham now!" Well that was unexpected?"I've lived here for a few months now actually." And she waited until now to see you? That doesn't matter.

I looked at her a little closer. There was something different about her. She looked bigger. Not like she had gained weight, more like she had gained muscle. I found that weird, since Harper had always been anti-working out. I guess things change when you haven't seen people in half a year. "What do you mean you live here? How did that happen?"

She smiled, "I decided to go to Gotham U to study criminology. I kind of got into it after being here the last time." She trailed off, and I figured she thought my arrest was a sore subject.

"That's great, Harper!" I meant that. My life was in the shitter, but I was glad she was happily living hers. "Where's Channing?" I asked, wondering why her other half wasn't sitting next to her.

She paused, biting her lip. Something was wrong. "Oh, she's still in Connecticut. She decided to go to Yale."

I could tell there was something bothering her, "What's wrong?"

She glanced at my mom who smiled sadly, "Well, my parents don't really approve of me going to school here. They think it's a waste of time." Gotham U was a damn good university to get in to. It wasn't Ivy League, but a degree from there could get you places. "They don't really agree with me wanting to stay in contact with you either." Oh. That's why Channing wasn't here.That hurt more than it should have. "So, I told them to basically piss off and they've left me alone for the most part now."

I smiled at her. She had definitely changed since the last time I saw her. She had always been the more outspoken of the twins, but her speaking to her parents like that was basically unheard of. They probably cut her off. "Thanks for coming Harper." I really meant that. It was good to know I still had one good friend outside of this place.

I then turned to my mother, who, upon closer inspection, looked just as tired and worn as I did. That wasn't a good sign. "How've you been mom?" My smile faded from my face upon asking her. I realized I was scared to hear the answer.

"I've been fine sweetie. I'd rather hear about how you've been though. You look tired." She's avoiding the question. Had that much really changed since I'd been in here?

"Mom, where's dad?" I swallowed, watching her face as closely as possible. She was always a strong woman. Even through the death of my sister, she handled it better than my father had.

"I really didn't want to trouble you with this today, Violet-" She spoke in her soothing mother voice, but I didn't want to hear it.

"Where's dad?" I asked again, more blunt now.

She sat up straight. Harper looked awkward sitting there, which I guess I couldn't really blame her for. I would feel awkward too if I were in her position. "Honey, we've been going through a little bit of a rough patch." My vision started to go in and out. This is your fault. "It's not your fault at all, and I don't want you to think that." It is. And even she thinks that. My chest was tightening up. "We've decided that it was best for the both of us if we separated." I wanted to cry. This is your entire fucking fault. You ripped their life apart and then their marriage.

"W-" I started to ask, but choked, "What?" First you kill their favorite daughter. No, I didn't mean to do that! Then you drag your family basically through the dirt since their second daughter is a fucking psychopath. I'm not crazy though! Aren't you? Somewhere in front of me my mom was still speaking.

"Honey?" She sounded worried. Why was she worried? Because you destroyed her life. And your own. Sounds like Harper's too at this point.

"SHUT UP!" Everything was starting to blur and I realized I had tears streaming down my face. You should just kill yourself. No one would miss you. Hell, your parents would probably be so happy they'd get back together! "NO! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" The voice in my head was quickly becoming overwhelming. It was louder than my actual voice was now. I grabbed fistfuls of my hair. Why?! Why did you have to just ruin everything good in your life? You could have been successful. Could have had a normal life. But instead, you're going to lead a pathetic existence locked in a cage. That's why you need to get revenge.

I felt strong hands grab me from behind and drag me from the room. Somewhere it registered in my mind that my mother was demanding to know what was happening, but I was being pulled back through the doors-away from her.

"We need a sedative over here now!" The man behind me yelled. I started struggling and screaming, wanting nothing more than to die right now. It's what you deserve after all. Tears were streaming down my face and my vision was blurring again. What was happening to me? I felt a stinging in my neck and looked over just in time to see a syringe being pulled away. After that, I sank into darkness.

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I wouldn't open my eyes if I were you. You are me. I kept my eyes shut regardless, trying to figure out my surroundings while staying as still as possible. At first, everything seemed to be on mute, but then I started getting my senses back, especially my hearing. I could now clearly hear the conversation taking place no less than five feet away from me.

"It would seem that the tests are not having the desired effect on her." I knew that arrogant voice anywhere. Strange. Good thing I kept my eyes closed because I felt like I was about to hear something interesting. "She has too much willpower. She is fighting it."

I didn't know whom he was speaking to, but I had a good idea. My guess was affirmed when I heard Bolton, "Has she reported that she's hearing voices too?" How did they know I heard things in my head? I hadn't told anyone about that. I hadn't even really accepted it myself. I knew I wasn't schizophrenic for sure. I attributed it to the stress in this place. No, you're crazy. Don't. Start.

"No. But after her outburst a few hours ago, I have no doubt that the drug is affecting her just the way it should in that respect. Voices included." They didn't speak for a moment. What drug? The stuff they've been injecting me with? "Perhaps it is time to move forward with the alternative. If she continues to fight the drug, we can't be sure of its success."

"Are you sure the alternative is a good idea?" Bolton was talking again. "I have a bad feeling about this one."

"Your bad feeling is what gives me hope. She will make the perfect specimen when her free will is taken away." I'd heard enough. This was enough for me to realize that I indeed did need to take Roman up on his offer to get me the hell out of here. I'd worry about avoiding him afterwards, once I was free. You'll never be free.

I made a point of moving my head back and forth a few times and generally acting like I was waking out of a stupor. I opened my eyes and saw Strange and Bolton standing at the bottom of the bed. I glanced around and saw I was in, I assumed, the asylum's infirmary.

"You're dismissed, Mr. Bolton." Bolton may act like he's the king of the castle here, but Strange ran the whole show. He waited until Bolton walked out of the room and shut the door before addressing me. And you thought he was a stand up doctor. Bravo. I guess I wasn't the best judge of character at times. "How are you feeling Miss Morgan?" He still stood at the foot of my bed, his hands behind his back.

"Alright. What happened?" I faked like I had no idea what was going on.

He tilted his head slightly. I didn't like that look. "You had a slight breakdown. I was afraid something like that may happen if you saw people from your past." He moved a hand up and adjusted his circular glasses.

"Am I okay?" I just wanted him to tell me what was going to happen next. I knew he wouldn't tell me exactly what he was planning, but paired with the information I just heard, I might be able to deduce something on my own.

He shook his head dramatically. Lying bastard. "I had hope that our sessions were getting you somewhere, but after your reaction this morning, I can see that that was foolish thinking on my part." He paused for effect. Part of the show. "I think it would be best if we went in a different direction with your treatment."

I nodded gravely and said, "Whatever you think is best, doctor." He could switch it up as much as he damn well pleased, but I didn't intend to stick around to find out what his alternative treatment was. I was getting the hell out of Arkham Asylum, no matter who I had to use in the meantime.

A/N: Thanks again to everyone who has continued to review/favorite/follow this story! Now that we're really getting into the plot, things will start to speed up and get more interesting! Please leave a review and let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is more than welcome!