Author's Note: I'm actually pretty proud of this one since the prompt is so different than what I'm used to writing. Clocks by Coldplay was very inspiring while I was working on it.

Kayoko x Mitsuko

Prompt: I'll write my character is in an insane asylum and yours is the doctor or vice versa.

Kayoko Kotohiki rubbed her eyes sleepily and glanced at the clock. It was almost two in the morning. She wasn't sure why she kept volunteering to take the night shift at the asylum — all she knew is that the longer she worked there, the harder it became to stay away.

"Kotohiki." Kayoko glanced up as her supervisor called her name.

"Sir?" she replied politely.

"I need you to check in on the patient in 441," he informed her. "She just woke up, and she probably shouldn't be alone."

Kayoko nodded warily. "Yes, sir."

Room 441 was just down the hall, but a part of Kayoko wished it were further away. She did her best to suppress that feeling as she knocked and poked her head through the door.

"Miss Souma!" Kayoko greeting the patient brightly, as always. "How are you doing today, dear? Feeling alright?"

Mitsuko Souma would have been a beautiful girl — Kayoko could easily see that much. But her sunken cheeks, empty eyes, and hollow expression had long taken over as her dominant features. She flinched as Kayoko addressed her, her expression transforming into one of panic. "Get them away!"

Kayoko's smile faltered. "Get who away, dear?"

"Get them away!" Mitsuko shrieked, beginning to hyperventilate. Kayoko rushed to her patient's side and took one of her bony hands in both of her own.

"Shh," she whispered. Mitsuko trembled, looking around wildly.

"Away…"

"Did they leave?" Kayoko asked gently. Mitsuko nodded slowly, seeming to calm down.

Kayoko felt a lump forming in her throat. She reached to brush a lock of hair from the girl's forehead, where beads of sweat were shining. Mitsuko's eyes fluttered closed and her breathing slowed. For the first time in Kayoko's memory, she looked… peaceful.

"I'm sorry," Kayoko whispered. Eyes prickling, she left the room.