The asylum's halls were suspiciously empty as we made our way through them, silently navigating the seemingly endless twists and turns it took to get us to the entrance. Faded placards guided our way, though it felt like we were walking in circles, seeing the same dirty, painted cinder block walls and posters to remind you to take your medication, drink water, and trust in God.
Truthfully, I wasn't trusting shit.
Apart from the earlier brawl, and our daring escape, things were going far too smoothly for my liking. Not that I wanted leaving this place to be difficult, of course; but something wasn't sitting right. Mainly, the lack of orderlies, or any staff in general, but that didn't seem to bother Gary or Cora. Both of them pressed on, determined to leave this shithole and return home to the comfort of another, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't missing my creaky old bed in the dorms. How we would explain our return? I suppose that would have to wait for later.
Now, the double doors, sat underneath the exit sign lit like a beacon, were only a few feet away. The waiting room held only a few patrons, family members waiting to see their resident psychos, and they paid us no mind as we waltzed through the room, clad in dingy scrubs and thick socks, completely unprepared to face the harsh cold that awaited us outside. Neither of us had any money for the bus, or a cab, and that meant trekking through town all the way back to Bullworth without being seen by the police, or caught by nosy passersby.
"Good fucking luck," I mumbled to myself.
"What?" Gary appeared at my side, a scowl carved deep into his face, his anger near stifling. His dark eyes narrowed at me, and he continued speaking. "Talking to yourself, Kastner? I think you belong here with the rest of these lunatics."
I rolled my eyes. "Really? This is coming from the person who was locked up in a straitjacket? At least they let me loose right away."
"Oh, good for you! You got let out of your cell so you could go color with the other mongoloids. Congratulations, Erin, really!" Gary sneered.
Cora sighed. "Can you two cut it out? I'd rather be admitted again than listen to you guys."
Gary whirled on his heel toward Cora, pausing before the front doors. His eyes narrowed as he pointed his finger in her face, glancing between the two of us. "Who the hell is she, anyway?"
Cora shoved his hand aside. "I'm right here, you know."
"I don't care and I didn't ask you," Gary snapped. "Who's this?"
"Her name is Cora. She helped me find you and get us out, so try to be a little nicer, will you?"
"Nice? You want me to be nice after we—"
"Well, well. Looks like we finally found our little escapees."
Silence fell over our group as Mendel's deep voice echoed through the room. Collectively, we turned to face the man that had held us here, drugged and caged us like animals. Would he do worse now that we tried to leave?
What could possibly be worse than that?
A pair of orderlies stepped out from behind Mendel and gestured toward the men and women for them to follow, leaving us alone with Mendel and the lone nurse behind her desk.
The doctor crossed his arms over his broad chest, a crooked smile on his face. "I must say, you three have caused quite a bit of trouble today. A fight in the common area, a chase through the halls, stealing from the nurse's station…I should have you all placed back in your cells. Sedated. But I won't. Not this time."
"No, this time I'm going to send you all back to Bullworth. But you'll be under strict supervision. Mandatory medication and counseling with the academy's new on site therapist, provided by the asylum," Mendel said. "Things are going to be very different now, but I promise you, they'll be…so much better. Now, off you go. There's a cab waiting to take you back. I hope you've enjoyed your stay, children. See you again soon."
A nurse stepped out from behind her station, several bags in hand. She distributed them to us; our belongings that were taken when we arrived. I stared down at the plastic bag in my hands, the blue and white uniform I'd have no chance to change back into. So much for retaining a shred of the dignity I had left.
I could just imagine the three of us arriving at Bullworth—oversized scrubs, thick socks wet from the snow, no coat to protect us from the cold. The other students would undoubtedly give us shit for it, and I wasn't ready to deal with the incessant bullying. All I wanted to do was go back to the dorms, shower, and crawl into bed and never leave again. I had a feeling though, that it wouldn't be that easy.
Nothing ever is in this place.
. . .
"So…I guess I'm enrolled at the academy now. I always thought I'd be homeschooled forever," Cora said, breaking the silence. "What's it like there? Is it as bad as the stories I've heard?"
The three of us were piled in the back of a musty old cab, with torn fabric seats that reeked of cigarette smoke, a thin layer of plexiglass glass separating us from the driver. I sat in between Gary and Cora, neither of whom seemed interested in talking to each other, but through me, like a petty, fighting couple.
"Can you tell your new friend to shut up?" Gary hissed.
"Can you quit being a bitch?" I looked at Gary, who stared straight ahead, his eyes narrowed, lips curled and teeth bared like an animal about to bite. "What's your problem, anyway? We're out of there, so you should happy."
"Oh, I'm ecstatic. I can't contain myself," he spat. "I'm so happy and grateful that we're returning to the worst school on the east coast. I can't wait to get back!" His voice was dripping with sarcasm. I'd never seen him so angry.
I sank back into the seat and sighed. "That makes two of us."
For the remainder of the ride, we sat in an uncomfortable silence, staring forward, listening to the muffled din of the radio and the tapping of rain against the car's hood. The sky grew dark as we neared the academy, and I checked the time; it was well past five o' clock, and by the time we reached the gates, we'd arrive under the cover of darkness. A discreet entrance I knew full well wouldn't happen, but still I clung to the hope that we'd simply be able to slink away, and go on as if we had never been taken. Business as usual.
. . .
The brick walls and massive gate came into view as we rounded the corner, lit by the gentle glow of the lanterns. Rain had turned to snow as we travelled through town, a storm growing worse as we neared Bullworth. If I was smarter, more poetic, I might've found some meaning in this maelstrom heralding our return. But all I could think about was getting out of this shit, and into bed where I could hide under the covers, warmed by the furnace, set far too high for comfort, usually, but not now, as the bitter cold seeped into my bones.
The cab pulled up to the gates, and we all glanced out of the foggy window, trying to make out just who would be waiting for us. Normally, a prefect would be there, keeping a lookout for any students who dared to leave campus after hours, but they were missing. Replaced by men in dark attire, dressed more like soldiers than our normal guardians.
They flanked either side of the gate, arms crossed, eyes hidden behind black glasses, though I could feel them staring. Watching us with the same kind of contempt and scrutiny the orderlies at the asylum did.
Was this part of Mendel's plans? Was he trying to take over the school? And for what purpose?
I shoved the thought away; maybe I was just being paranoid, but then again…perhaps not. Briefly, I thought to ask Gary, wondering if he too thought the same. But by the time I turned around, he was already out of the car, heading toward the gates. Cora was next, flinging the door open and rushing out.
The driver cleared his throat. "Any day now, kid. Unless you're paying me to take you somewhere else."
"Do you take IOU's? Cause I'd like to go as far away as possible."
The man huffed a laugh. "Get outta here. And good luck."
"Good luck?" I asked. "What's that supposed to—"
A sudden knock on the roof of the car startled me, and I jumped, turning to see who it was. One of the guards stood outside, gesturing for me to hurry. "Don't have all night. Crabblesnitch is waiting. Let's go."