voices. • the third book in the mute. series • muke au

lies.

Michael.

I wake up in an unfamiliar place. It was defiantly a hospital, but not like the one I was in before. The walls were a pasty white, and the window had bars over it. I wasn't in a hospital bed either, it was just a normal bed. There was a stack of blankets on the end, and sheets.

All of my jewelry had been removed, my earrings, my bracelets, even my eyebrow piercing. I stare down at my marked wrists in shame. They were dark, and deep. Still raised...

 In the far corner was a desk, plain. There was nothing on it, just a brown desk and a matching chair. I was beyond confused...was I in some sort of jail? I mean, there were bars on the damn window. I stare at the blank walls, noticing a camera in the corner beside the door.

I stare into it for a few moments, waiting. Will someone come? Will they see I'm awake and explain everything to me?

When no one does, I get up myself, my shoes were still on.

I trudge to the door, locked. I tap on it softly. Is there even someone out there? I knock a little harder. My ear presses to the cold wood. I hear nothing. I go back to the bed and sit on the edge, waiting for something to happen.

Nothing does.

They probably forgot about you already. You'll be here forever.

Shut up.

No one will come for you, I mean, the person you thought you could trust put you in here. You are never getting out.

What the hell? The person I thought I could trust...

I jump at the sudden knock at my door, my heart pounding. A man walks in, holding a clipboard and a white coat.

"Hi, Michael, how are you?" he says kindly. He actually does seem nice.

"Confused." I admit, looking at my black boot clad feet.

"Do you remember what happened Michael?" he asks, pulling out the chair from the desk and sitting down.

I shake my head, waiting for him to finally give me some answers.

"Well, your friend was concerned. He cares about you, you really shouldn't get upset with him. He was only looking out for you, he recommend that you see a therapist while you were in the hospital. You were being recorded and before the therapist came in, you started talking to yourself. You thought you were talking with a therapist, but there was no one there. The room was empty, and well, the hospital called your parents and they left the decision up to your friend. He told us to bring you here."

"W-Who?" I feel tears stinging in my eyes.

"Ashton Irwin."

I knew it, I fucking knew it. did he not understand that being with Luke was the only thing that could help me? He took me away from him, he doesn't understand what he's done.

Yes he does, he wants you to rot in here. The world will keep turning and you will never see Luke again. He's probably already forgotten about you.

"Why?" I whisper, "why here?"

"Ashton was actually a patient here, he said that we helped him alot. He told us that you hear voices, just like he did, well does. Ashton was successful in learning to suppress the voices, but never fully getting rid of them. He thought we could help you too. And we are going to try, but Michael, you are not a danger to society, we aren't forcing you into anything. Ashotn told us that if you want out, he will sign the papers to get you out, he has the power to. But he really wants you try." the doctor explains.

"Can I talk to him? Ashton..."

"Yes, he's here now actually. He wanted to make sure you didn't get upset and want to leave, before trying anything out. We can go see him now." he stands and I follow him, we walk down the halls, we pass doors and other patients. They all seem completely normal, I don't understand...

"Excuse me?" I ask softly to the doctor, he stops for a moment and turns to me.

"OH, I supposed I never introduced myself, I'm Dr. Philips."

Your fucking crazy Michael

I clear my throat and shift awkwardly.

"What kind of hospital is this?"

"It is a mental institution, not exactly a hospital, but similar I suppose."

"But, no one seems..."

"Crazy? That's because they aren't. The people you'll see are all patients that are here for trying to commit suicide, or because they hear or see things. They aren't crazy, they are just a little different. You'll see what crazy is if you go to the other wards, but not here. These people are like you Michael, just different. But that's not always a bad thing." he continued walking and I follow, most of them are teenagers, or people close to my age. We walked passed an open spaced room. Filled with people, all doing different things. "Some people use their differences to make art," he gestures to a girl painting, and another drawing. "Some write, some read, some make music. Others just distract themselves, they watch tv or socialize." he gestures around the room.

Damn, never thought I'd so many psychos in one room.

We are walking again, passed more rooms. He turns to tell me something again.

"These rooms are for Private therapy sessions, we have many different therapists, but Ashton did recommend one for you, his. But you always get a new one, or see more than one, whatever helps you. There is also groups therapy sessions available if your more comfortable with that."

We past a large desk area, nurses sat behind the counter.

"Hello, Michael and I are going to visit his friend." he informs the nurse. She nods and presses a button, making a loud buzz erupt from somewhere and the door clicks open. "Thank you Catherine." he says, "After you." he gestures towards me. I step through the door warily.

I still wasn't sure of my feeling to Ashton, should I be pissed? Or grateful? I was just a huge bundle up jar of emotions my mind couldn't pick one.

I see him. I still don't know what to feel. I sit across him, a table separating us.

"Hey Mikey." he gives me a sad smile, the doctor is gone. It's just us.

"Do you understand what you've done?" I whisper.

"Michael, I'm trying to help you, I promise. I know how this is-"

"No, you don't." I snap. " The only thing that can help me right now is Luke. He's all I need. Then I'll get better, I won't hear them anymore. I need him, and now I'm here..."

"Micheal, they will still come. I know, I still hear them. I have Melissa, and they still come. They might even get worse when your with Luke, who knows what they'll tell you? You need to know how to suppress them, like I can."

"But Ashton, I need him, I can't be without him any longer." I begin to cry, "I love him so much and I just... I can't do this without him."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry Michael, but I know they can help. I promise they will." she assures me, I only nod.

Liar

"Have you talked to him?"

"No, he won't answer his phone, neither will Calum. But don't worry about that, he's fine. Don't you trust Calum?" he asks, my fists clench

Lies, I bet he's talked to him. He's lying to you.

I only nod, I don't want to explain the whole thing going on with Calum right now. I still didn't understand it myself. I just want my kitten, I want my Luke.

"Trust me, this will be good for you." Ashton tells me.

Lies.