The fluorescent lights flickered a little too brightly, buzzing with an almost mocking persistence. If my life had a soundtrack, this would be it. An endless, grating hum of artificial light and bad decisions.
But today? Today, I was going to escape.
At least, that was the plan. And what a brilliant plan it was. I mean, who wouldn't trust Ezekiel? A doctor of the very asylum I was trapped in, helping me escape said asylum.
It was either the setup for a tragic betrayal or the most unhinged rescue mission ever.
I pulled the hoodie Ezekiel had given me from the bed. It wasn't the most convincing disguise, but in a place like this, where everyone looked equally miserable, a hoodie was apparently the universal uniform of authority. I slipped it over my head, the stale scent of detergent and synthetic fabric filling my nostrils. Somehow, that was oddly comforting.
Then came the wig. I ran my fingers through my tangled hair, considering for a brief second how much easier it would be to just shave it all off. Not that I had a choice. Razors weren't exactly part of my luxury treatment here. The asylum gave me one haircut a year, ,a birthday gift, they called it. I couldn't even remember when the last time was. Months ago? Years? Time blurred in here.
I held up the cheap black wig, trying to feel its shape. Was it on backward? Lopsided? I had no idea.
No mirror to check. They never let me have one. No need for vanity, Noah, they'd say. Right. Because personal reflection was a dangerous privilege in a place like this.
Next were the red contact lenses. Yeah, no. That was where I drew the line. I'd never worn lenses before, and I wasn't about to start now. My eyes weren't anything special, and I doubted anyone would be scrutinizing them up close. Hopefully.
Finally, I swapped my worn hospital pants for black jeans. I couldn't see myself, but I could imagine it well enough. It had been years, but I still knew one thing: I was handsome. My parents' genes weren't for nothing, after all.
I glanced at the watch that was also packed in the bag. Fifteen minutes until go-time.
My eyes swept across the room one last time. The sterile bed. The monitor stand. The small table with two chairs, like a sad attempt at normalcy. At first glance, it looked like any regular hospital room. But the shackles at the foot of the bed, the faint rust-colored stains on the floor, the too-clean white sheets that were changed after every procedure, those were the only memories i had of this place.
I hated it.
I lowered my gaze to my hands. Would I ever use my fire again? Would it still answer me? And if i ever were to return, could i burn this room to the ground?
I exhaled sharply. No time for that now.
It was time to disappear.
—
"Okay, no pressure," I muttered, adjusting my sleeves. "Just act natural. You totally belong here."
I cracked the door open and took a cautious breath. Then, immediate regret. What if someone looked too closely? What if I did something off? I wasn't exactly the type to stand out, but sometimes that was worse, being almost invisible, but still there.
Still, the thought of staying here any longer, rotting away in this cage disguised as a hospital, shoved me forward.
I stepped into the hallway, throwing my bag over my shoulder like I had just clocked out of a long shift at the world's worst job. The first test came quickly, a passing nurse. She barely spared me a glance but gave a small nod of acknowledgment. I nodded back, casual. Too casual? No, just enough.
I followed Ezekiel's instructions. Left at the first intersection. Then a right. Then another left.
My pulse pounded in my ears. How had he made this sound so easy? Was he testing me? Was this a trap?
The walls all looked the same, washed-out gray, blending together into an endless, mind-numbing loop. Was I walking in circles? Was the asylum moving? No, that was just my paranoia talking. Probably.
A guard passed me. No recognition in his eyes. Just a brief, uninterested nod.
"Hey. Stop."
I kept walking. Maybe she wasn't talking to me. Maybe she was.
Ezekiel had promised this would work. He wouldn't have sent me out if it wouldn't..right?
"Hey, newbie. I told you to stop, didn't I?"
I felt the tension coil in my chest, but I kept moving. Maybe if I just-
A hand landed on my shoulder. Cold dread washed over me. Slowly, I turned.
A woman stood before me, a head shorter, with sharp eyes that pinned me in place. She wore a nurse's uniform, small and fragile-looking, like a gust of wind could knock her over. But the grip on my shoulder was firm.
I flicked my eyes to her nametag. Hannah.
That name. Why did that sound familiar?
Oh. Right. I was supposed to follow her. Instead, I had gone completely off-script and gotten myself lost. Brilliant.
I coughed, trying to force my voice lower than it already was. Even if she wasn't my nurse, I didn't want to risk her recognizing me.
"Yes?" I asked, keeping my tone steady, meeting her gaze like I had nothing to hide. I probably looked more like a guilty kid caught stealing candy.
"You're the new guard, right?" she asked. "Doctor Ezekiel mentioned you. Damien, was it? What are you looking for?"
Ezekiel. If I ever made it out of here, I was going to kiss his hands. That absolute genius.
"Yes!" I said, too quickly. Clearing my throat, I steadied myself. "Uh, I just finished my first shift, but I have no idea where the exit is. Would you mind helping me, ma'am?"
"Doctor Ezekiel told me you tended to do that."
"Huh, do what"
"Get lost." My jaw almost dropped. Forget the earlier comments. damn you Ezekiel. Why are you talking shit about me behind my back. I dont get lost at all. im simply being misplaced.
"Come with me, i was planning on leaving anyway right now and as the Administration most likely already explained, theres only about 4 minutes left before the door vanishes again. Its all because of these crazy people trying to leave this place all the time, that the building had to get this system. And dont get me even started on....."
Forcing out a small smile, i nodded as i listened to her rambling as we walked down the corridor. Seems like she had a lot to unpack huh. I wonder how she would react if she knew that she was helping one of these "crazy people" right now.