Rapunzel

There are no windows in this room. Only stone walls. And there is only one door, hidden in one of the walls, but I do not know which one. Mother always makes me close my eyes and cover my ears whenever someone comes in or goes out through the secret door. If I try to peek, she punishes me, either by swatting me or not feeding me or taking away my art supplies. She says it's for my own good.

I only see two people in this place: Mother and Belle, my tutor. They both come every day. Mother comes to me three times; one visit with each meal, and makes sure I take my medicine. Belle only comes once, during my lunch, and mother always stays to supervise my lessons. I don't think she likes Belle very much. Mother has never liked it when I have visitors aside from her. I don't know if it's because she's overprotective, or jealous of someone else holding my attention. But since she has been right in the past about how cruel people can be- though I don't remember exactly how, I do know that a past trauma is the reason for mother keeping me here- I have trusted her judgement without question. Apparently, my medicine makes it easier for me to listen to her and trust her. I like how strong our relationship has become as a result. Mother and I need each other.

However, I do like Belle a lot. I think I'll be very sad when she's no longer my tutor. (I'm turning 18 soon and will no longer require schooling, according to mother.) Belle is very kind, and smart. Smarter than I could ever hope to be. And she doesn't talk down to me, like other adults have, like mother still does. Belle is the closest thing to a friend that I've ever had. I wish I could see her for more than an hour each day, and that mother wouldn't lurk and watch like she does. But mother doesn't trust Belle for some reason, and mother is an excellent judge of character, so I don't try to argue with her about it.

I do sometimes wonder why mother is so worried about me interacting with other people. I haven't been outside since I came to this place, almost a year ago. This room is all I've known for that long. I haven't seen anything else of this hospital other than what I glimpsed on my first day as mother lead me to this room. Sometimes it feels like a prison cell, other days a creative haven. I like it most when Belle's here, but I also crave solitude. At times when my mother is here with me, I feel...aggravated, somehow. I like to be alone so that I can read, and paint. Those are the only two of my many past hobbies that I've been allowed to keep up, because they're silent. Sometimes I get to sew or knit, when mother can bring me supplies. And every once in awhile,we play chess. But cooking, baking, playing instruments and singing have been forbidden to me since coming here. Mother gets especially upset when I sing, even when I hum. I miss music.

Mother tells me that she doesn't like me being around people because they're all bad, and they want to hurt me. She says it's happened before, but I don't remember because of my medicine, and that she brought me here to keep me safe. I do feel safe, I admit. But I also feel achingly lonely and sick most of the time, and also quite tired. Sometimes I resent mother for bringing me here and locking me up, but I know that's not fair to her.

Every day, after each meal, I have to take my medicine, and it puts me to sleep. I don't like this because every time I wake up after, I feel much weaker than before. Mother says it's a side-effect of the medicine and makes me drink plenty of water to keep my strength up. But I don't understand. Isn't medicine meant to make you feel better?

Merida

Belle's in quite a mood today. She's just come back from tutoring Rapunzel, and every day she comes back from seein' the girl, her mood gets just a wee bit worse. I'm usually the one who has to guard the hidden door to Rapunzel's room- either me or Flynn- and I have to admit that it's a depressin' job. But I haven't seen Rapunzel since her first day here, when she was a happy and cheerful girl, all sunshine and rainbows with an infectious smile. Now all I know of her is what Belle tells me of her deterioration, and it's enough to make me stark ravin' mad! But since I don't see it for myself, it's easy for me to remember her as the sweet girl she once was.

"It just isn't fair, Merida!" Belle sighs in frustration as she paces in front of me. I smirk to myself; whenever Belle gets especially nervous, she takes on some of Jane's mannerisms. But never when Jane's actually around to see it. Belle continues, "I understand Gothel being protective of her daughter after... After what happened. But this is no way to help Rapunzel! She's wasting away up there, and what can be done about it? Nothing! Until she turns 18... But then what? The girl's become so complacent that I can't imagine her ever being able to make a decision on her own. Gothel is just drugging that girl so that she can control her completely! And that's not all that's going on, Merida! I know that the abuse doesn't stop there. Rapunzel is being ruined by her own mother, and under my watch!" Belle groans and sinks into the seat next to mine, hiding her face in her hands. "What am I to do, Merida?"

"I could go to my dad, get Scotland Yard on it." I offer. After my family came here from Scotland, my pa decided to get involved and worked his way to become the Chief of Police. I worked there myself for awhile, before being assigned here because dad was worried the work environment of the police station was too "rough".

"No, no..." Belle shakes her head and sits up. "We can't involve the police. It's against Helena's policy."

I scrunch up my face in confusion. "Whatcha mean by that?"

"Doctor/patient confidentiality. Gothel is Rapunzel's doctor, and whatever happens between them must remain private, and- by extension- we other doctors cannot interfere with it." Belle explains in obvious displeasure.

I scoff. "And who allowed Gothel to take her own child as a patient? That's hardly professional." With a personal interest like that, of course Gothel is inclined to make questionable treatment decisions.

"Gothel specifically requested it, and Helena allowed it out of the goodness of her heart." Belle replies flatly. Then, she frowns at me. "You don't know what happened to Rapunzel do you? Why she's here?"

I shake my head. "No, and I don't wanna know."

Belle nods and stands up again, pacin' before me once more. I hear a commotion across the courtyard and turn to see Alice and her friends playin'. Gaston seems bothered by the noise and moves to stop them, but then spots me wavin' him off. Let the kids be kids, for Christ's sake! He rolls his eyes and storms off, but only after givin' Belle a measured look. She doesn't notice him. Her eyes are focused on one of the frosty windows of the asylum: the window to Jane's office.

Jane and I have made up since our argument, but still haven't talked much since then. I try not to think about her like Belle does, but worry still gnaws at me from time to time. Jane only seems to become more anxious and uptight as the days go by and she continues to fail to make progress with Alice. Then again, everyone here seems a bit worked up lately. I myself admit to being a bit tense; I know that I should have handled myself better when Jane and I had our argument. We both only want what's best for Alice, but how can we ensure that the girl prospers unless we work together?

There's a strangeness in the air in this place. Everyone's been acting uncharacteristically ill at ease. I wonder if there's something in the water?

"She's not doing well, you know." Belle says quietly, still staring at the window. "Jane."

"I know."

"I fear for her, even moreso than I fear for Alice." Belle admits. "The situation is making her...antsy. But there's something else. I think..." Belle glances around to be sure no one is listening in. Then she sits next to me and whispers in my ear, "I think Helena has it out for her."

I give her a skeptical look despite myself. Helena may be a piece of work, but conspiratorial dictator? I can't say I buy it. But Belle is determined to prove me wrong.

"I haven't been able to speak to Jane recently, but the other doctors have been on her case quite a bit, usually on Helena's behalf. And a few members of security have been...well...particularly brazen."

I nod in understanding. Clayton's always been interested in Jane, and Gaston is a brute who views pretty women as playthings. Rourke is a misogynystic pig himself, but he and Helga almost seemed joined at the hip, and she's a no-nonsense kind of woman, so maybe that's changed. However, Clayton and Gaston together are enough to intimidate any woman.

"I just think that someone has it out for her. They're purposefully making it harder for her to treat Alice properly, she's finding threatening notes and other messages in her office, and she's finding herself avoiding interaction with other staff members at all cost. She doesn't even trust me completely any more..." Belle sighs hopelessly and gives me a sad look. "I just feel that something very bad is going to happen to our friend."

I shake my head and pat her hand, giving her the softest expression I can manage. It's the best I can do when it comes to physically comforting people; I've never really been the cuddly type. "Listen now, my girl. As troubling as all that seems, have ya' witnessed these things yerself? Or has Jane only told ya' of 'em?"

Belle rears back from me a bit. "Well... I am relaying to you what she's told me, yes. I haven't really...seen anything."

"Right, well... Perhaps the stress of workin' in a place like this is startin' to get her, hm? Perhaps she's just... What's the word? Projectin'?"

"You think Jane is imagining all this? That she's blaming others for her own faults?"

"I think Jane's in dire need of a break from trying to save Alice while the girl only fights her at every turn. That's what I think."