𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦 & 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 21: ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜱʏʟᴜᴍ ᴘᴛ 3.

*Artwork by: Deaki.Art on Artstation | Please ask this artist for permission before reposting their work.*

(Please don't roast me on typos. I'm going to go back and re-edit this again but not right now. I'm pretty sure I failed this quarter lol. My addiction to this book and cod men is beyond overwhelming, but that's okay. In the end, we all are addicts, that's why we're here....right? Also that airsoft guy....he fell off. He couldn't handle me fr. He was a fun phase tho 😔😔. ENjoyyyyyYyY!!!)

*SETTING: PARKING LOT OF ASYLUM*

I crossed my arms and began itching my elbows. I was growing more and more anxious by the minute. One part of me knew that I had to walk over there, and that there could be, nor would be, any way that I was escaping it. But the other part of me just wanted to run away and hide under some pillows. I took a deep breath and turned to face Horangi who was still standing behind me, looking as worried as ever. "LT, are you sure you're okay?" He asked, his voice matching the expression on his face a little too well.

I cleared my throat and nodded, before turning back around to gaze out into the parking lot. "Let's go." I ordered, trying to keep my voice as still as possible. As both Horangi and I made our way through the almost empty parking lot, I felt my stomach begin to turn with nerves and I let my gaze drop down to my boots; feeling all too nauseous to keep my head level.

   All of this felt like it was happening so fast. Today was the day I was finally going to see König again after....how long? A week..? Or two? However long it was, it didn't change the fact that I was nervous and even a bit scared to see him again. 'Would he be the same caring and sweet König...or would he have truly lost it..?' Part of me was scared to know the answer to that question.

The sound of Laswell's clear voice broke me out of my thoughts. "Belledonna!!" she exclaimed, rushing over to me with open arms. I jogged a bit to close the distance and almost leapt into her arms as she embraced me with one of the warmest hugs I'd ever felt. "I hope you've been okay honey." She murmured. I nodded in her embrace and looked up to see that Price had made his way over to me as well.

   He was clutching his hat in his hands and was looking at me with eyes full of both guilt and pity. Knowing that he felt bad for what happened to me, brought upon a feeling of nausea and also warmth. I closed my eyes and sunk more into Laswell's hug, until she broke it. She pushed me back from her and held my shoulders, making me look at her. "I heard what happened. That man in there....he it wasn't him who hurt you was it?" She asked, well more like told.

   She seemed to have already firgured out that König meant no harm; to me at least. I shook my head profusely, "Of course not. If anything, he saved me." I said, in a jittery tone. Laswell continued to observe me with watchful eyes, seemingly testing my resolve, until she finally had enough to go by. "Alright, I trust you Belle. I sure do hope you aren't lying to me." She said, releasing her grip on my shoulders. "Of course not ma'am!" I said. She gave me once last glance before turning around and walking back in the direction of the entrance of the hospital.

I turned to look back at Horangi who I realized had been frozen in his tracks all this time. "Horanigi? Cmon let's go. Why are you just standing there...?" I questioned. He jumped a bit and quickly made his way over to me. When he caught up, the both of us exchanged looks and painstakingly made our way over to the rest of the Captains. I formally greeted Price and Horangi went over to greet his Captian.

   All the while, I tried my hardest to ignore the piercing gaze of Ghost. I payed him no mind, even as KorTac's captain was introduced to me by Horangi. Even when the same captain began questioning me on König 's behavior, I still payed him and his soul-piercing stare no attention. Eventually, the group made it's way into the Asylum. It was then that I realized the stark difference between the outside and the inside of the place.