Chapter Two
It was a large, brick building. Inside, I met a woman with shoulder-length light brown hair and brown eyes. "I'm Molly," she introduced herself, leading me down a long, white corridor. Soft music was drifting from a room near us and Molly peeked into the doorway.
"Carey! What are you doing here?" I peered over her shoulder and saw a boy with longish blond hair playing the guitar.
"I feel so musical today, Molly!" Carey exclaimed with a wide grin.
"Not today," Molly said in a no-nonsense tone. Carey's shoulders slumped and he scampered out the door. Molly sighed and continued walking, and I followed her.
"I want my f***ing clothes!" someone screamed from the adjoining room.
"Well, then you'll have to eat something, won't you?" Molly said to another blond-haired boy who somewhat resembled Carey. Then, turning to me with a sweet smile, "I'll show you your room."
I followed her hurriedly, now feeling overcome by terror. These people gave me the creeps. What kind of nutcase would be my roommate?
Molly opened a door that revealed a tough-looking man, who appeared to be in his forties, who was lying in his bed reading a book. He had a beard and mustache, and I found myself terrified of him already. He was the kind of guy who could probably hold me up with one hand and throw me across the room.
"Hi, Ned," Molly greeted him.
Ned glanced up from his book and gave a big grin. "Hi!"
"Ned's a wonderful roommate," Molly said, turning to me. I still stood in the doorway, afraid to go in, and Molly gave me a little push before leaving the room and closing the door.
I was trapped.
Ned followed me with his eyes as I walked over to my own bed. He was smiling, but saying nothing. I threw down my suitcases and pulled out my life box, which was where I kept all my special memoirs. "Neat box," Ned commented.
"Uh… uh… thanks," I said nervously. "It's my… life box." I continued to unpack and then looked at Ned, who was still watching me intently. Not wanting to stand there in silence, I glanced over at his book. "Oh, I can't wait till the movie comes out," I said.
Ned nodded. "Yeah, these are my favorite series. I like this book the best. Harry's a little bit older in it." He smiled.
I turned back to my suitcases and placed my belongings in their rightful positions. Ned didn't seem so bad after all, I realized. Then, I heard what sounded like screams coming from outside and glanced out the window. Ned soon came to my side and I could see the fear in his eyes as we watched some of the orderlies try their best to hold onto a kicking, screaming girl with long, dark hair. I watched them lead her into the building until she was out of sight.
We quickly ran to the door and pulled it open a crack. I could hear the same shrill shrieks, now magnified in volume, coming from down the hallway. Soon I saw her clearly, and she looked at me with a long, deadly stare. Ned slammed the door shut and ran back to his bed and sat down, pulling his knees up to his chin, terrified.
"What the hell was that?" I demanded, just as the door flew open.
The girl slammed me against the wall with her hands on both my shoulders. "Who are you? Where's Candy? WHERE'S CANDY?" the girl screamed in my face. I stared at her with wide eyes, unable to speak. Even if I was able, I probably wouldn't in fear that she would kill me then and there.
"FIONA!" Molly yelled, barging into the room and dragging her away from me with the help of other attendants. They closed the door behind them and I shot Ned a questioning look.
"That was Fi," he said in a small, timid voice, as though he was about to burst into tears.
"And Candy was your roommate?"
"Candy was Fi's best friend." Ned swallowed hard. "She was upset when Fi ran away, so she… jumped out the seventh-floor window."
Oh God, oh God… I could feel my stomach tying up in knots. I glanced around the room frantically. Where was my panther when I needed him? My heart beat harder. I needed to find him! I needed him to protect me! Then I looked back to the bed and exhaled deeply. My panther was still here—he was just taking a nap on my bed. As long as I had him with me, I would be safe.