• The small room was icy cold and thick blankets covered the body of the frail woman that occupied the bed. They were not enough to keep her warm and in an attempt to get some heat running through her body, the woman rubbed her feet together. Pale light shone in from the frozen window and beyond the unbreakable glass, the world was covered in snow and ice. England was cold around this time of year, the usual steady rainfall replaced with its white equivalent and the small lakes that surrounded the Midnight Rose asylum had frozen over and were safe enough to skate on.

      It was the first time in three winters, that Rouge had a permanent roof over her head. No more searching for abandoned houses, or researching when inhabitants would go on a holiday. And while this asylum would mean no more freedom, it also meant not having to be hungry again.

      Blonde hair peeked out from under the blankets that were pulled up to the height of the girl’s eyes, feet now wrapped into the covers in another attempt to warm them. Every now and then her freckled nose would peek out to sniff the smell of the food being prepared in the cafeteria. And while not in the possession of any item that could tell her what time it was, Rouge knew it to be somewhere between six and seven in the morning. It was only her second week in Midnight Rose, but the routine was strict and easy to get used to. It was only a matter of time before the doors of the rooms would open and the inmates would emerge for their daily routine of morning gymnastics, showering and breakfast. Then after breakfast, all the inmates would have to line up to receive their medication and the tedious group or individual therapy sessions would start. So far, Rouge had only had individual therapy, but today she was to join a group for the first time.

      Huddled between her sheets, the blonde reached out to grab the outfit she'd prepared the day before, changing between her sheets in order to stay as warm as she could. A shiver ran through her frail body when she took off her night gown, replacing it with black sweatpants and a striped top. Before getting out of bed, she slipped on her thick woolen socks and her favourite red sweater. At least there'd be a smaller possibility to get cold like this. She'd only just put on her shoes when the buzzer went off and the aqua doors opened to the insanely white corridor. Time to start the day.

      Morning gymnastics basically meant jumping up and down until you could feel your toes again and if you had enough energy you were supposed to run a few rounds. Since she was still underfed and extremely anemic, Rouge managed a few jumps, feeling only little heat streaming into her body, before she had to sit down and take a breath in order not to faint.
      Closing her eyes, the sound of her breath between her ears seemed amplified and closing her mouth momentarily, she swallowed hard, trying to make her head stop spinning. That was when Vera, the nurse with the strange accent, crouched down next to her. "Hey, will you be fine?" the woman asked softly. "Want me to help you to the doctor's office?" At that question, Rouge's eyes shot open: "No." Rouge's voice had been harsh, anxious and her breathing sped up once more. With a deep sigh, Vera closed her eyes for a moment. "Okay, have it your way. Just take it easy for now, but you're going to see Doctor Jones this morning either way, I'm writing you down for 10 15." There was no way she'd get out of this, so Rouge frowned, but silently succumbed to the nurse's verdict.

      Out of all the meals they received during the day, breakfast was Rouge's favourite; today they served freshly baked muffins, warm vanilla pudding, French toasts and cinnamon tea. The latter was her favourite beverage and looking at the canteen lady sweetly, she managed to get herself two cups of her loved brew. Shuffling towards a small table in the corner of the large dining area, the blonde made sure to keep her eyes on the floor, before sitting down at the table by herself, back towards the others.

      They're watching you, they always are, they'll see every calorie you gain from that muffin.
      The raspy male voice in her head was a familiar one from the past and as usual it criticized her, making her insecure about her surroundings. Pulling up a knee, she rested her chin on it, prodding the muffin, before leaving it alone and sipping at her tea. Wrapping the blueberry muffin into a napkin, Rouge slipped it into the pocket of her oversized jacket and decided to peek over her shoulder to take in the sight of the other patients. They were all strangers and she hated it. '

      Shuffling along amidst a small group, fists buried deep in her pockets, Rouge managed to smuggle the muffin out of the canteen and slipped down the hall, hoodie pulled down into her face. She didn't want to see anyone, and if she couldn't see them, they couldn't see her - or something like that. After the morning medicine line-up, the lone blonde made for the doctor's office and leaned against the wall opposite the door, seemingly careless, while inside her head, there was a turmoil of voices, making her once again feel faint - though that could also be blamed on her lack of food. This would be her first time seeing Dr. Jones, last time she'd been in the hands of Dr. Underweather, who was a female. The fact that she'd be in the hands of a man now, gave Rouge the chills and made her shiver as if she were cold. "I really don't want to be here," she whispered desperately.