DISCLAIMER: All rights belong to Deborah Harkness. Just borrowing the characters for an alternate universe fan fiction story.
CREDIT: A huge thank you to Shawna! I wouldn't be the author I am without your editing help, suggestions and ideas! Thanks to my pre-readers, RD, and Lady Lazarus de Clermont!
Author's Note: I currently have 6 Chapters completed and will try to keep to a weekly posting schedule.
Chapter ONE: The Prologue
By: Goode Girl
~TIOAC~
The air smelled stale and dank, and the only light in the room came from a small barred window on the far side of the cell. Diana's head felt fuzzy as she rubbed at her left temple, an ache present. Turning her gaze to the light outside, she assumed that it must be early evening.
"What, where am I?" She murmured into the emptiness of the musty room, confusion clouding her thoughts.
She was lain on a small cot with a scratchy blanket over her. The metal frame was cold to her touch as she moved to stand. Her legs felt weak and she wobbled for a moment before finding her footing. Diana cast her eyes around the solitary cell in which she found herself, trying to remember how she got there. Looking down at herself, she noted that she was wearing what looked like a hospital gown.
Moving on unsteady legs, she reached the door and started banging. "Please!" She yelled. "Is someone there? Where am I?" She added. Her voice echoed down the corridor and she waited to hear some sort of retort.
Various voices filtered back at her. "Shut up!" called one. "No, no, no, no, no…", replied another, frenzied voice.
"Is someone there?" She called again as she stood on her tip toes to look through the small pane of reinforced glass.
When no one replied, she sat herself on the cot as she still felt rather weak. A few moments passed before she heard the echo of footsteps coming down the hallway. Springing from her seat, she almost tripped as she tried to peer through the glass once more.
"Ms. Bishop, glad to see you are awake." A male voice announced.
Diana stepped back as a face filled the window frame of the cell door. Recognition fluttered through her thoughts, but she couldn't quite place where she knew this man from. He was middle-aged with slight balding at his hairline. He had small, beady blue eyes and tiny tight lips set in a rotund face.
"I know you." She stated as she studied his visage.
"You should, you've been a patient of mine for well over six months now." He replied with conviction.
Diana was in disbelief. The last thing she remembered was studying a manuscript. She had no memory of this place or any details of the man currently in the window. A pain radiated from her head and she moved a hand to rub at her temple again, in an attempt to ease the ache. It was as though she'd been hit with something.
"Why am I locked in here?" She posed; her eyes focused on the man's face.
"You had an episode. It's customary to isolate when that happens so you have time to calm down." He stated. "Do you know who I am?" He added.
Diana racked her brain, trying to remember before she shook her head dejectedly.
"You will remain here until tomorrow morning, and I will evaluate you then. Your dinner will be delivered shortly. Good evening, Ms. Bishop." He stated with finality before turning and walking away.
"Wait! Please, what is this place?" She called after him, only to hear his retreating footsteps in response.
With nothing left to do but wait out the evening, she sat once more on the cot in the room. Twenty minutes passed before she could hear noise in the corridor once more, and determined that dinner was being delivered. She moved closer to the door when they could be heard approaching. A slat opened and a tray offered up. Placing it on the floor, she peered through, her hands resting on the ledge of the opening.
"Hello?" She offered politely.
"Miss," A new male voice replied.
"Can you tell me where I am?" She whispered, as bright blue eyes met hers.
"You won't remember much right now, they drugged you." He explained softly.
"Who are you?"
"William, miss." He offered with a smile. "Don't worry Diana, we'll get you out of here." He reassured.
"You know who I am?" She questioned in surprise.
"Of course, I do, and once the drugs are out of your system," He started, before looking around and down the corridor. "You'll remember too." He added, when he deemed it safe to continue. "If they give you more meds, tongue them and spit them out later." He advised. "If you're compliant, they won't drug you intravenously." He added, and she nodded in understanding.
"I will, but, where am I?" She asked, a frightened tone in her voice.
"La Pierre Asylum. But, don't worry." He comforted; his large hand moved over one of hers in reassurance. "Just go along with things for now, tell them what they want to hear." He added, pulling his hand back.
She nodded once more as she rubbed at her sore head again.
"Matthew knows you're here, and we're working to get you out." William stated.
"Matthew?" She replied in confusion.
William smiled ruefully at her for a moment, "Like I said, the drugs will wear off, and it will come back. Trust me." He reaffirmed, with a wink.
"Thank you." Diana responded quietly.
"Diana," He whispered, and she looked back at his bright eyes.
"Just…" he trailed off. "Think. Stay alive." He encouraged before his head disappeared from her view.
William left after closing the latch on the door and Diana listened as the wheels on his cart squeaked all the way down the hallway.