Chapter II:

I Think We're Alone Now

Chloe awoke to a resounding bang on her cell door, demanding her immediate attention and she knew it was time to wake up. They weren't considerate about the wake up calls but this particular morning gesticulated Blaire was sending a reminder regarding last night's encounter. Her sneer was ruined by a yawn, as she shook that groggy feeling when medication was still in the body and it wanted one thing: coffee. The one thing she missed, if anything about being out in the "real world," was the privilege of waking up to a white mocha latte made with that single shot that was enough to rejuvenate and prepare her for the day ahead. Unfortunately, that's not what they served here. If you did request it, you were given imitation. The menu here wasn't the greatest and it forced Chloe to choose wisely. Some days she didn't eat at all, and when she did, the food was bland, subpar, bullshit. Imagination did wonders. At least she had the day to look forward to. As part of her therapy, dear Dr. Carl suggested she take interest in a hobby or two. The asylum didn't offer much but a gym and sew machines sufficed and some of the doctors assigned to observe weren't bad; some let her tend to her work, allowing her complete focus on projects. Basketball was old favorite of hers, playing alongside her brother and cousins during birthday parties in the summer. However, since her admission, it had become a solo activity and the last few months found her losing passion for it. Interestingly, she picked up yoga after discussing it in an interview with a Murkoff Success Counselor. Sewing on the other hand was activity she picked up from her grandmother and great-aunt, who insisted she learn the trade and Chloe would later praise their persistence. Awaiting her door's unlocking patiently, Chloe leaned against the wall deciding which two activities she wanted to pursue today. Since the gym was unisex and would only be available to her for one physical activity, it would be between yoga and basketball. And after the intensity of last night's events coupled with four months of sexual frustration, yoga was a no-brainer.

"What are you going to make today, Chloe?" Dr. Carl was making a guest appearance at her sewing session and to be honest, it came to Chloe's relief. The scientist selected to observe was indeed doing just that and a bit too closely. Given the location, she wasn't exactly comfortable with the gentleman but the previous yoga session effectively carried away concern and before she knew it, dear Dr. Carl had paid her a visit. "Oh, the usual. A hat. The weather seems to be shifting through fall rather quickly. You wouldn't happen to want one, would you?" She replied as she casually turned her head to meet his gaze and nodded in a polite gesture. Dr. Carl turned out to be the only person who became uninterested in knowing her crimes after being denied half a dozen times. Being her authorized doctor naturally gained him a bit more access about her than other employees, but she liked the fact that he wasn't offended nor pushy about her perplexity. It's as if he accepted it just as she had. "No but I appreciate the offer. I wouldn't be allowed to accept it either way but I'm sure the men could use a few accessories." He replied blankly and Chloe fought back a small chuckle. "I'll let you get back to it. Keffler, I'm sure they've already gone though the procedures but please refrain from disturbing Ms. Wahl. She doesn't like uninvited distractions."

"I remember one particular boyfriend of mine, at a time where I was considered the black sheep out of my friends. Their bodies had blossomed over time, where it seems like mine took ages to develop. Looking back now, I wish I could tell myself how unworthy boys are at that age. Their bodies are going through changes as well and those changes tend to lead to physical activities that I was obviously unprepared for. We all knew about sex - biologically, chemically. What hormones were and the changes they brought. But I wasn't ready and he wasn't exactly boyfriend of the year. But he was still a boy. He proposed we go further, I said no. He tried to arouse me. Again, I declined. But he persisted, his hands already under my skirt, where two fingers penetrated me. I almost didn't feel real for a moment as I tried to understand what was happening and suddenly, my hand was around his wrist. I technically don't know if what he did can be construed as rape although I said no. But since that day, I promised myself that I would have sole control in the bedroom."

Chloe strolled the corridors of the women's ward after dinner, proudly sporting the beanie she had completed earlier. There wasn't anyone in particular she cared to show it off to but that didn't stop her from wearing it as if she were modeling for the Cosmo cover. Her runway of the hallways were almost barren with select doctors and scientists in various rooms as they prepared to leave for the day, head back home to awaiting family and friends. The day was ready to end for her as well and she knew soon, she would have to return to that awfully small cell for evening medication. A sudden rush of hysteria struck, overlapping with words exchanged the previous evening, inspiring her legs to pick up pace towards the one room she knew would serve as the perfect hiding spot before lockdown.

"You'll have no choice..."

"You'll have no choice..."

"Attention: Lockdown is now being paged. Patients, please proceed to your living areas... "

Quietly, she sat under a sewing table, envisioning patients dressed as herself walking monotonily to their cages with security personnel patrolling to ensure all areas were clear. A few more moments passed and Chloe considered herself in the clear, crawling off her hands and knees to observe the room. She gleamed at this small victory and fashioned herself a small work area complete with a desk lamp as she pondered a new project. Perhaps a scarf and gloves to match her hat. The only loose end remaining was the location of the fabric. There was a storeroom somewhere around but thanks to her chaperons, she never ventured the way she preferred. In the back of the room stood a large opening which appeared to lead to a separate room and Chloe figured this would be the best place to start. It looked just like the last room, except lined with steel shelves stocked with unmarked boxes. She picked one up in her hands and brought it down to the floor for a better look, taking a second to wipe the dust off her hands. Yet to her surprise, inside folded neatly were clean sheets of fabrics and linens. The boxes were shitty but that had nothing to do with what they contained; someone took good care of such plain fabrics.

"Excuse me, may I ask what you are doing?" Chloe dropped the flowered and solid sky blue fabrics she had been holding and jumped immediately to her feet in the direction of the visitor. Fear subsided at the sight; it was another patient, a man dressed similarly to her. He was maturely handsome, tall and athletically built with black hair shaved on the sides. Chloe's jade greens met his ice blues and for once, she was speechless. It was her first encounter with a patient from the male ward and he happened to sound just as well mannered. "I, er, didn't want...wait. You're not supposed to be here, guy so spare me the interrogation." Chloe replied testily as she put the box back in its original place quickly before facing back to where she'd left him. Rain pattered against the nearby windows, creating a surprisingly gentle atmosphere and Chloe's guard softened in confusion. "I'm Chloe." The stranger raised his eyebrow at her first response before giving her a confidently charming grin. "I'm sorry if I startled you, Chloe. My name is Eddie. This just so happens to be my...home in a horrific place such as this. Hopefully, you understand my intrusion." Chloe bit her tongue, her body sharply heating up in embarrassment, forgetting that she was technically in the male ward and she instantly marched past him. "Sorry. I ought to get back." It hadn't occurred to her that, in a place of the criminally insane, she might not be the only one walking the halls. "NO. Don't leave." His voice seemed to boom, demanding her attention and possibly anyone else around. "Do you want to get caught?!" She growled as she stormed at the man, shoving him against the wall. His eyebrows raised curiously, again their eyes meeting. A mutual attraction passed between the two, a mutual respect that two of them had rebelled against the system and were now here in a dark room full of sewing machines. And empty tables. Alone. "Are you scared darling?" Chloe considered his question as she stared at him with unwavering confidence. He spoke intelligently but he was here at Mount Massive for the Criminally Insane so she knew screws were loose. "As a matter of fact, I'm the complete opposite. The rainfall creates a tranquil ambiance." She explained, fidgeting with empty belt loops as her insides began to melt, picturing her guest sweeping her up in his arms and using her entire body as a tablecloth. "Heh, it is quite stimulating, hm?" His deep chuckle followed his question and instanteously, the insides had reached the maximum capacity and it was now or never. "It is. But I have to go. It was nice to meet you, sweetheart." Chloe bid him a final salute and twirled on her heels moving swiftly for the exit. Eddie stood there alone, inhaling the last of her scent and his attention was now drawn to the table light his guest left on. "It was intoxicating to meet you, Chloe. I have faith we will meet again."

Author's note:

Thank you guys for the favs, follows, and reviews! Really inspiring, I'm hope you guys are enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying writing it.
Btw, she's a sex fiend so a Chris Walker scene is not out of the question, so if it happens, it's going to be totally sick. ;) But her main antagonist will be Eddie.

Until next chapter, xoxo.

- FLCN