Confinement

The sterile smell of disinfectant and the hum of fluorescent lights were all Wren Green had known for nearly a year. The asylum's cold, grey walls had become her reality, a constant reminder of her confinement. She sat on her narrow bed, staring blankly at the wall as she mentally counted down the minutes until her daily exercise break. Her eyes wandered to the small, barred window high above her bed, where a sliver of sunlight peeked through, casting a faint glow on the cold, grey floor. At seventeen, Wren had thought her life was already over. But being locked away in this place had made her realize just how small her world could get. Her rebellious spirit still simmered beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to erupt. She thought back to her life before the asylum, to the memories of her family and friends, and the life she once knew. The pain and anger still lingered, but she had learned to channel them into a steely determination to survive and escape. The door to her room slid open, and a nurse, Emma, entered with a tray of food. "Time for lunch, Wren," Emma said, her tone a mix of warmth and firmness. Wren raised an eyebrow at the unappetizing mush on the tray. "How's the special diet coming along?" Emma asked, as if Wren's sarcastic response was never an option. Wren shrugged and took the tray, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of her favorite pastime – annoying the nurses. As Emma turned to leave, Wren called out, "Hey, can I get some actual food today? You know, something that doesn't taste like cardboard?" Emma's expression faltered, and for a moment, Wren saw a glimmer of the person she used to be – the one who laughed and joked with her friends, not the sullen, angry teenager she'd become. The sound of footsteps echoed outside her room, growing louder with each passing second. Wren's instincts kicked in, and she prepared herself for another visitor. The door slid open, and a woman in a crisp, black suit entered. Dr. Kim, her psychiatrist, smiled warmly, but Wren wasn't fooled. She knew that beneath the friendly demeanor lay a calculating mind, one that was determined to keep her contained. "Hello, Wren. How are you today?" Dr. Kim asked, her eyes locked on Wren's face. Wren shrugged, playing it cool. "I'm fine." Dr. Kim nodded, taking a seat in the chair beside Wren's bed. "Good. I see you're still taking your medication as prescribed." Wren forced a nod, all too aware of the scrutiny she was under. These daily sessions with Dr. Kim were part of her 'treatment plan,' a way to keep her in line and prevent any... incidents. As Dr. Kim chatted on, Wren's gaze drifted to the small, metal table beside her bed. On it lay a single sheet of paper and a pen. She picked up the pen, her fingers twitching with the urge to create, to express herself. Dr. Kim noticed and quickly snatched the paper away. "Not today, Wren. Let's focus on your progress." Wren's eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance igniting within her. She knew that Dr. Kim was hiding something, that there was more to her confinement than met the eye. And she was determined to find out what. The door slid open once more, and a different nurse entered. "Time for your exercise break, Wren." Wren stood, her eyes locked on Dr. Kim, a challenge brewing within her. As she followed the nurse out of her room, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror hanging on the wall. Her eyes seemed to flash with a fierce, inner light, a light that she knew was still there, waiting to be unleashed. Little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would bring her face-to-face with the very person who would change her world forever – Alexander Hayes Astor.