• Chapter 23 "Performance Art"

    Chiako opened her front door, her eyes wide, surprised to see Gus standing on her porch. She smiled and stepped aside, offering him entrance. He smiled and walked past her, hearing her shut the door behind...

  • Chapter 22 "I'm In A Bad Place"

    Melanie couldn't believe her eyes. Standing there in the hallway, her eyes wide, her jaw somewhat slack, she almost wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming or something. She wanted to...

  • Chapter 21 "The Jester & The Princess"

    "It's nice to see you have friends who visit you regularly," Leah said, "I mean, it's good that you have that support system." Leah knew Mel had friends, of course - after all, she'd been recommended...

  • Chapter 20 "The Future Mrs. Demures"

    "Emma." Emma didn't respond. How could she? She was utterly lost in thought while she pushed her salad around endlessly in its bowl. "Emma?" Now she looked up, her thoughts ended by the voice speaking...

  • Chapter 19 "It Takes A Village"

    "So, tell me about Melanie as a child, what was she like?" Karen Irres was seated on the couch that was in the room Leah was given to perform her therapeutic duties at the mental home. Seeing as she...

  • Chapter 18 "Things Are Tough All Over"

    "Tell me," Doctor Linquist asked, "How are you feeling today?" It had been about 4 months since Melanie had come to stay at the mental hospital, and since then, she'd been undergoing therapy regularly...