A little tale of madness I just felt like writing. Tell me what you think!

There was a certain amount of pride that went into being a counselor to the deranged and dangerous. A certain sense of accomplishment. The mad man's mind was a jigsaw puzzle of epic proportions, and you put it together with the ease of a champion. Still, helping the person in need took priority. It was what he joined the profession for, and what he wanted more than anything. To help, to heal. Deep down, Tobias knew the feeling was vain, selfish even, but it was one of those feelings that kept him going through college. A gleaming counselor certificate stood a testament to that hard work.

It was hard to believe this would be Tobias' first official day in a legitimate hospital, or as legitimate of a hospital that one taking care of the world's most dangerous minds could be. Hard enough for him to wake up nearly two hours before his alarm went off, only to have a staring match with the ceiling. He sat up from his bed, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, and yawning, running his hands through his straight, deep blue hair.

A quick shower and freshen-up session later, Tobias was staring at himself in the dusty mirror with the standard-issue white button-up and slacks, realizing just how real this was now. His finger tapped against his thigh anxiously, his legs feeling like they had weights strapped to them. Through sheer force of will, he managed to inch his way to his car and drive off.

The two-hour drive to the facility felt like it lasted an entire year. It was strange. The facility was out in the middle of nowhere, with some of the most luscious, green, flower-filled plains, stretching out as far as the eye could see. The sunlight glittering off the morning dew just painted a picture worthy of a prodigy artist. Those various flower petals were downright mesmerizing- a full-on rainbow of colors that held a magnet grip on his eyes, enough that he had to tear it away to avoid crashing into oncoming cars. Although it was easy to notice that after a while, the cars that passed by on the lone highway slowly started to diminish until for the last half hour, not a single one was in sight.

A few minutes of radio silence passed on, and the building was in sight. St. Arthurs Hospital.

The facility looked haphazardly tucked in the middle of this massive meadow scenery, like a toddler dropping a toy block in the middle of a flower patch. No, that was certainly what it looked like. A thick, grey rectangle of concrete with windows crudely plastered on, and a heap of raw iron that shouldn't even be called a door. Around the facility was a towering fence that stood taller than the building itself, with several watchtowers, guards armed to the teeth patrolling regularly. Barbed wire? Electrified? This place just seemed like a prison with a fancier name.

"I'd probably go mad if I were stuck here too." Tobias mused to himself, pulling into the front of the gate. One of the many faceless, helmeted guards approached the car, tapping his window with a nightstick. He gulped, fumbling with the right papers, nearly scattering them all around the car. The guard impatiently tapped his window again before he rolled the window down. "Sorry for the wait, sir. I'm the new guy. The counselor for the highly dangerous criminals?"

The guard seemed taken aback, or as taken aback as you can with that large helmet squishing his brain. He read the papers carefully before looking back at Tobias, then curiously back to the papers. "You're the new guy?"

Tobias nodded. "Weren't you expecting me?"

"I was expecting someone that looked older." The guard checked the papers again, turning his head to the checking station desk. "Is the new guy supposed to look like a baby deer?"

Tobias pursed his lips at that comment, but let it go. The guard inside tapped away at his computer, muttering to himself and dragging his finger along the screen. "Yup. That's the new guy. Tobias Darnell." The guard scoffed. "Kids a professional at his age?"

"Just another one of those college boys. He should be out of here within a week." The front guard said bluntly.

"H-hey-"

"Get. Going." The guard pressed, tapping his baton against the top of Tobias' car. It didn't take much more than that to send him on his way as the gate opened. As he parked, he sighed, leaning his head on the steering wheel.

So far, not so good as far as first impressions go. The slightest tap of that baton and the man nearly jumped through the roof of his car. Frankly, it was just plain embarrassing. Maybe try again and not become the human rabbit the next time someone so much as scowls at him. He ruffled his hands through his hair, scolding himself for not getting over his nerves and fears. He was supposed to help the patients. Start helping the patients. With that mental pep talk, he pushed out of his car, and into the chilling building.

White. So much white. The entire hall was a blank canvas with tile grooves stamped on it. Everything, right down to the handrailings, was bleached white, with the faintest coloration being some dirt here or there, and the reception desk. It was hard on his eyes to the point of making him squint for a bit until his eyes adjusted. Everything seemed sterile, and far too organized, as if it were all perfect by design. It was strange, but this sort of organization was maddening. Like your mind was racing to find one blemish, one single gash in the wall, or a dirt stain, or heaven forbid, blood drop, but you always end up coming short.

The receptionist, a blonde middle-aged woman who seemed almost invisible through her misty specs, was nonplussed to see a hapless twit just standing there, interrupting her game on her scroll. She gestured absentmindedly to the desk. On instinct, Tobias pointed a questioning finger at himself, and the receptionist sighed. "Yes, you. This isn't a sanctioned day for visiting. If that is what you're here for, then please be on your way." And back to her scroll, she goes.

Tobias' jaw ticked. The nerve of this woman. "Actually, I'm here to see doctor Hanibal. I'm the new Behavioral Counselor."

That little revelation seemed to earn some attention. She peeked an eye up from her scroll lazily and looked him up and down. "You? Really?"

Tobias sighed. He was probably going to get that a lot. "Yes, ma'am."

She sighed. "They will eat you alive." She pushed the button on her intercom. "Paging Doctor Hannibal. The prospect is here to see you." She spared one last disparaging look at him. "I still don't know why we need a Behavioral Counselor for these animals. It's not like they're going anywhere. You must be crazy."

Tobias let out a faint chuckle. "I would say you're about half right."

The double office doors flung open before Tobias could let another breath. A man in a lab coat and slacks, slicked-back grey hair, and a wide, wrinkled grin chirpily strode over to firmly shake his hand. Tobias blinked. It was so fast like the man was running on fast-forward. "Mornin', Mister Darnell. You're pretty early- we weren't expecting you for another hour. Holy shit, you're a tall man. Ladies must love you."

"Uh, sir?" He managed.

"Oh right. You don't know me just yet. Doctor Clarence Hannibal. Chairman of St. Arthurs Medical Facility, general practitioner in the medical field, and genuine bona fide wackjob. You would be Tobias Darnell, right?" Tobias was still processing when he finished. Hannibal's mouth was a formula one racer, running hyperspeed laps around his brain. "You are, aren't you? Or did Donna just send me over to take care of a visitor? Speaking of, Donna! Look alive! Or better yet, look anywhere but your goddamn scroll! Aren't we worth talking to?"

The receptionist named Donna, sighed, putting her scroll down and mumbling an apology.

"Right then. Tobias Darnell, right?"

Processing complete. "Yes, sir. I'm the new Behavioral-"

"Right, right, right, you're the craziest man in this building. Especially with a baby face like yours. What, did you step into a time machine?" Hannibal burst in, striding back to the office doors. Tobias had to jog to keep up with him. The office seemed stagnant and bare, just with the essential collection of desks and computers separated by slider walls. Maddeningly blank and bland. The main office wasn't much different. Just larger, with a few encased degrees lining the shelf, and a bobble-headed poodle on the corner of the desk.

Hannibal crashed into his swivel chair, spinning himself around for a bit before aligning himself properly at his desk, and typing away.

"Right then. Name is Tobias Darnell… age is Twenty-five… hmm…" Hannibal clicked his tongue, looking presumably at Tobias' application. He bit his lip at the thought of it. It was a tad nerve-wracking having him look at that while the newcomer was right there. "Height is six-three? Hoo man, someone's been drinking their milk. And it says here you are a graduate of Beacon? Huh… weird choice comin' here when you could've been a Huntsman."

Tobias shrugged. "Life had other plans for me, sir."

"Ah-ha, I like that attitude. Closing one door and opening another without hesitation." He grinned at the prospect, typing at a frightening pace without breaking eye contact. "I could go on a little interview asking about what made you come here, or where you see yourself in the next five years, but let's be real. Neither of us gives a flying fuck about those details. You're here now, for whatever reason, and you're doing your job. Now let's get you equipped for the job."

He dug into his filing cabinet, while Tobias gave him a curious, cock-eyed stare. "Equip, sir?"

Hannibal poked his head out. "You did bring your weapon, right?"

Tobias' eyes widened, taken aback. "I didn't think I'd need it for a hospital."

"Ooh, tut tut, my friend. If you want to work here, you need to be thoroughly prepared. In this building are some of the most dangerous criminals in the world." He mused nonchalantly, throwing every manner of things on his table. "They will kill you without a second thought, especially after being cooped up here for too long. Just fair warning."

Tobias gulped. "No one died in this position, have they?"

"No one that you might know about." Hannibal remarked, digging one last black box out of the cabinet with a triumphant 'Ah ha', and slamming it on the table. Tobias' eyes squinted. "Oh, this? Don't mind it. It's just your lifeline. You won't survive without what's in this box. What? Are you really surprised? You know the people you are trying to help, right?"

Before Tobias could answer, the crazy doctor dumped the contents of the box on the table in a bit of a clutter. A small yellow, black striped remote with a single button, just small enough to fit in your pocket. A pair of gravity dust-infused handcuffs, a security card with his picture on it, a stun rod, and last of all things, a gun. He stared, mouth flapping open and shut, unable to think of what exactly to say. Hannibal raised a brow as Tobias cleared his throat. "Sir, I thought this was just a hospital."

"The public says it is anyway. Whatever keeps the business flowing, I guess." Hannibal said absentmindedly. The amount of ease and nonchalant in his voice was unnerving. Like the people's livelihoods and emotions were nothing short of routine. It wasn't pleasant to say the least. "Now, down to business. You have right here your security badge and clearance. Don't go anywhere without it, and for the love of God, don't let the prisoners take it. We don't want another riot. Took us two weeks to clear up all the bodies."

"Excuse me, the what now-"

"That security badge will access just about any door in the facility that your clearance goes up to. I would say you're level two, staff level. Good for the cafeteria, file room, patient access, the works. Now, my favorite." He presented the remote with an oddly proud smile on his face. "You see, to keep the peace around here, each of the patients has a chin inserted into their spines. Once it traces an aura shield or semblance being activated, it delivers a controlled shock, shutting down all muscle control. Should things get nippy, push that button, and just watch the fireworks."

Tobias hesitantly took it and pocketed it. That fireworks comment stuck in his head, hoping it didn't mean what he thought it did. "And the rest of these, sir?"

Hannibal waved his hand dismissively. "Standard issue shit. A stun rod for when things get nasty, a pair of handcuffs pulled straight from Atlas tech, designed to hold even the strongest of hunters, and my personal favorite classic arm, 611 Berth spiral-barrel pistol. Never jams, excellent range, and is even capable of firing high-caliber dust rounds." He kissed the barrel, getting a little grimace from Tobias. "And now for the tour."

The double doors stood before them as they exited the office. Large, imposing, looking as if they were made of pure sheet metal, several inches thick. Not a dent or blemish in sight. It seemed way too excessive. A guided missile couldn't take this thing out. Once it opened slowly with a flick of his security pass to the scanner, it could only be described as complete and utter bedlam, but not in the sense that Tobias would have expected.

The hallway down was lined symmetrically with thick doors, with two corridors at the very end, splitting off to the left and right. Stark-white walls, squeaky-clean floor, and dusted vents, along with the blinding white lights made this room far more sterile than it had any right to be. It was dead silent. The massively thick cell doors must have been soundproofed. The pressure in this corridor was almost completely overwhelming.

His heart began to pound in his chest. This space was far too lifeless, far too isolating. It was no wonder the residents were crazy. He would've gone crazy himself if he was stuffed in this sterilized death trap for long enough.

"Yeah, we still need to do some touching up on the walls, but hey. Clean enough," Hannibal mused, guiding Toby in by the tie. "Shit, forgot to ask, are you assigned to anyone?

"Y-yeah," Tobias swallowed. "A young woman by the name of Neo?"

Hannibal's face blanched. "Oh balls, you're stuck with that bite-sized disaster?"

"Sorry?"

"I dunno if you've heard much about her, but the girl a walking danger magnet. Just last week, she led an entire section-wide prison escape to clear the rooms out so she could find the bitch that took her teddy bear. Seven people were stuck in the med bay for a week, and half the district burnt down," He explained.

Tobias sighed. "That does sound like Neo."

"There's also the little things that little shit likes to try and get away with," He growled. "Like stealing stuff from the kitchen and burning her uniforms because she doesn't like wearing all white apparently."

All white? In this blindingly white room? If this was some sort of subtle psychological torture, this man was the most ingenious sadist he had ever met. And by the gods, was that a hard line to cross. "Yeah, I can't imagine why," He mumbled in a rare show of sarcasm.

"You talk as if you know the bitch."

"She's not a… 'bitch', thank you," Tobias corrected quietly. "She's just… lonely."

"You speak as if you know her," Hannibal prodded, raising an eyebrow.

"You can say we have some history."

"Whatever you say. Anyhoo, this is her cell, don't take anything sharp in there, because by god, she will kill you. I really don't want to have to clean up another body off the premises so soon. The paperwork is ridiculous," Hannibal groaned, taking Tobias to a room down on the left corridor. He rapped his hands on the iron, thick door and opened the small grate. "Hey, midget, you're new doctors here. Gimme your hands."

The sliding gate at waist length opened up, and two small, delicate hands poked through. Hannibal took his handcuffs and the wrists together and tugged them experimentally. Tobias frowned. "Do you think that's necessary?"

"Buddy, friend, love of my life, you're throat will be on the wall of I let her loose on you," Hannibal reasoned. "Good luck to you." He pats his shoulder like he was saying goodbye for the last time, and walked off, handing Tobias the key to her door.

Here goes nothing…

With an ungodly screech of metal in desperate need of lubrication, the door slid open to show a room straight out of a circus. The walls were splashed with a myriad of paint- splotches of every color under the rainbow splattered all over every surface in reach. Adding to the mess was a collection of art pieces, like a large heart on one of the walls made of collected napkins, and childishly drawn cartoons made on printer paper.

The marvels of the asylum cell didn't stop there. No, not by a long shot. Standing in the middle of the room was Neo. Short, petite, and drop-dead gorgeous, and with a pleasing mesh of pink, brown, and white hair, she stood with her hips tilted and a smug little grin on her face. Her hands were cuffed, much to his chagrin, but not to hers. In fact, she looked like she just got a new toy. And to add insult to injury to Toby's self-control and wellbeing, she was naked. Stark naked. A uniform lay in ashes in the corner of the room, forgotten about.

Tobias sucked in a deep breath. This was a job. This was a job. This was a job. He had to push on and focus on that, and try his hardest to ignore this beautiful woman's mischief. He opened his eyes and gave her a polite smile.

"Good morning, Neo. It's been a long time. I'm missed you so much,"