NOTE: This chapter switches POV's to show each person's part in the "plan". Aiden's is the longest because I felt he needed a better introduction than the silent boy. Enjoy (: xx
✖ Chapter 10 ✖
☯ AIDEN ☯
IT WAS ODD to be a part of something as risky as escaping a mental institution. However, my stay of three years was in desperate need of an end, so it didn't take much time to agree. I didn't have many special qualities to help, but if there was one thing I was good at being, it was this:
Suicidal.
A strange thing to admit to, yet the perfect opportunity for distraction. I would start thrashing around, kicking and screaming. They would drag me to the seclusion room where I would be engulfed in white - the padded walls, padded floors, padded door, and of course the straight jacket. I was ashamed to say I was well accustomed to routine.
But if the plan went correctly, I would be saved before I got locked into that torturous room, stuck with my thoughts and the voices in my head. The ones I know are there, but are also the reason I ended up getting thrown into this asylum. The only thing people believed about me was that I was crazy - that's all they'd ever believe.
I watched Harry's lips as he ran over each detail, amazed at how someone could be so composed would speaking of a potential war. Megan fantasized about him far too much, but it was considerably reasonable. He was good looking and he was courageous - two main qualities women tend to look for in someone.
Running over my part continuously, I still thought of the endless doubts. What if he wouldn't make it in time? What if I was thrown in and they had no key to get me out? What if they simply wouldn't care and abandoned me altogether?
Excluding the thoughts from my mind, I tried to remind myself that Megan would come for me, if no one else. She had been there since I first arrived here and walked me through every awful step. She helped the voices go away, she helped the pain subside, and she even took pieces of my heart but I would never dare tell her that.
Another thing worrying me was the fact that we weren't doing this at night, when everyone else was sound asleep. No, we would be doing this during the day. Right after lunch sometime tomorrow. It would all be real then, and I needed to muster the strength for it.
So the next day I spent my time evening my breath. I tended to get anxious easily, so a few breathing exercises were quite necessary. I could already feel my hands beginning to shake as my guard came to escort me to lunch. We were all reasonably quiet at the table, though trying hard not to draw too much suspicion.
Harry and I would be showing our rabid sides today - acting or not. I was slightly relieved that I wouldn't be the only one lashing out, but also envious because Harry could actually defend himself. The best I had was my fingernails that I grew out specifically to scratch my arms when I got nervous. Though it might dig out an eyeball, the therapist usually made me cut them. So again, my thoughts decided I was practically rendered useless.
They each gave me a slight nod when lunch was over, our table being one of the last intentionally. My guard came over, gripping under my arm and hauling me to my feet. I tried to walk normally though a bit rugged. Rigid movements were never a good sign from anyone.
When we were out the cafeteria doors, many people had already dissipated back to their cells. I was grateful for the lack of audience as I yanked my arm, trying to snatch it from his grip. The guard snapped at me before tightening his grip.
I took a deep breath before fully putting the plan in action. I threw my elbow back, my lack of experience in fighting doing little to make it a powerful impact. But it caught the guard off edge and he stumbled away from me.
However, pretending I was having a meltdown was terrifying considering my mind may be too persuaded. I didn't want to go through a real one. It had been nearly two months since my last one. I didn't want to relive that pain and agony.
The guard's arms are quick to wrap around my waist as I screamed at the top of my lungs for "them" to leave me alone. The bulk man yelped for backup and footsteps grew louder by the second. Instead of shouting words, I full out screamed at the top of my lungs, the intensity of it leaving my throat raw. I hoped Harry and the rest had heard, yet it was intent they hadn't.
And even as I pushed my legs on the tile, keeping up with the role play, I still couldn't help but to fear getting trapped in the seclusion room.
☯ DANIEL ☯
The scream that flooded through the halls was alarming until I remembered it was only Aiden. Which meant it was now my turn in Harry's thrown-together plan. Though it was clever, was it clever enough to get us out?
Here goes nothing.
I tapped the guard on the shoulder, earning a grunt in reply. "I have to use the bathroom."
"Sounds personal."
"Which is why you'll take me before you're drenched in urine," I spat, my growing confidence no doubt from being around Harry all the time. I was proud of the new quality.
He groaned before rolling his eyes, rounding the corner towards the restroom. I walked closely behind him mustering the courage I needed to fulfill my part of the plan. Once we were at the restroom door, I looked around before taking my only shot.
When he turned to look at me, I took his head and slammed it against the brick wall with all the strength I had in me. I was surprised when he collapsed immediately after, slumping against the wall. I stood in shock for a moment before snapping out of my haze and pulling him into the bathroom, tucking him in a stall and sitting him on the toilet. That way people would see his feet, at the least, and wouldn't get curious.
Hopefully.
Considering I haven't shifted into anything in quite some time, it took me a moment to get his facial features down. But once I did, I checked in the mirror and smirked. I still had it in me, and that was extra motivation to get out of this place.
I started my way down the hall.
☯ HARRY ☯
After hearing Aiden's piercing scream, I gave Daniel about five minutes to do his part. As long as I could before my guard and I were standing in front of my cell. He nudged my shoulder as if pushing me forward, but I kept my feet planted.
"Well, go on." His eyes narrowed at me. "I don't have all day to play the babysitter of the cry-baby who isn't ready for a nap."
Shrugging, I smiled. "Good, you don't have to."
When his face twisted in confusion, I took advantage of the fact I had no shackles on, hardening my stare on his face. He fell to his knees almost immediately, and it was clear he wasn't blessed with any sort of power. A regular human being at my mercy - some things never change.
However, now was not the time to get cocky.
I grabbed him by the collar, slinging him into the cell and pushing the button on the keypad to close the door. He was too late to get to his feet, banging on the glass and I flashed him an innocent smile, wiggling my fingers at him in a departing wave.
Then I took off down the hall.
☯ MEGAN ☯
Adrenaline pumped through me after hearing Aiden's scream. I had never been the one to be in charge of anything, and though I still wasn't, I was apart of something exciting. Not the chess club at school or the babysitter at home. Something dangerous.
It was hard to hide my smile, to say the least.
The guard was quick to notice just as we reached my cell. "What's with the-"
"I've been wanting to do this for a long time," I said, cutting him off as I faced my palm towards him, slowly lifting it in the air and his body following, feet slipping from the floor.
He went to scream and I flicked my other hand, his lips smashing closed as he struggled to open them. I grinned, pushing my palm out and his body followed suit, crashing into the soundproof glass of my cell. I hadn't used my magic in so long and I forgot how incredible it felt to be empowered - to be feared.
"Now," I said in a quiet tone, tilting my head at him. "You're going to unlock the door and throw yourself in. Simple, right?"
He struggled against his own will as I focused my thoughts on him, forcing him to poke his fingers in the correct numbers. I smiled when the door slid open and he turned to me, eyes widened. I shrugged before flicking my wrist, his body falling inside and I hit the button to close the door, releasing him from my control.
"It's unfortunate he wouldn't be able to hear my colorful vocabulary," I muttered to myself, huffing before facing the door out of the hallway.
Suddenly the siren began blaring, piercing my ears and I groaned before glaring up at the one in this hallway. It shattered, the sound diminishing and I repeated the method as I weaved through each corridor, heading to Aiden's rescue.
Unfortunately, we all knew it wouldn't be that easy.
(this is short because it is simply showing each person's role in their escape plan. the next chapter will be strictly Harry's POV again. thank you for reading! xx)