Page 46 of Her Wicked Plan

“Patients aren’t allowed in that wing.”

“Does that mean if we were, you’d take me there?” Her tongue pops out and glides along her bottom lip.

“I wouldn’t.” I attempt to change the subject. “Don’t you have a letter to write?”

Her mood immediately changes.

Honestly, I’m not sure which one I want to deal with more. Veronica’s anger or her flirting. I tell myself it’s the former, although a little part of me likes the back and forth of the latter. Even the thought of that is so goddamn wrong.

“What makes you think I haven’t written it already?” Her arms fold over her chest.

“Have you?” She chews on the inside of her cheek, not providing me with a verbal answer. “That’s what I thought. Go write the letter, Veronica. I’ll see you at our next session.”

CHAPTER 13

Veronica

“Go write the letter, Veronica. I’ll see you at our next session.” I mock his words with bitterness as he strolls out of the room. “Dick.”

I swear, if he weren’t so damn attractive and needed for my plan, I would have already done something crazy to get him out of this place. Given the number of doctors I’ve been through, it would be easy enough for me to have him thrown out.

Fifteen doctors.

In my two years in this lovely facility, many doctors have come here, hoping to make me a better person. Some have lasted a few days, others weeks, and some were lucky enough to last a month.

At this point, the asylum should install a revolving door. Doctors come and go easily for me. Once I figure out which buttons to push with them, it’s too simple to send them running.

But then there is Leo, who is about to hit his one-month mark.

As I sit in my chair, the clock ticking is the only sound in the room, thanks to Leo. Eliza sits at a table with another patient now, and they have been playing a game of cards instead of playing the piano.

Maybe this girl she is sitting with will be friends with her. Then she will leave me alone.

Expelling a breath of boredom, I remove myself from the chair and wander the halls. Technically, it’s not really wandering around because I know exactly where I want to go.

With my journal tucked at my side, I check the hall to my right and left before departing the common room.

If there is a wing meant for nurses and doctors, where would it be? There is no way it’d be buried deep within the building.

Dr. Bennett would want them to be somewhere they could remain safe, somewhere that if something serious goes down, they would have an easy escape.

An easy escape. Ha! Must be fucking nice.

Finally making a choice, I turn left and head towards the front of the building. I don’t come up this way too often, but some patients like to sit in the lobby, read a book, and relax. I couldn’t sit in there knowing the front door was right there.

The door that separates me from my freedom. It would taunt me. Tease and laugh at me, knowing I’m trapped within these walls. That I can’t type in a damn code or swipe a card to get out.

I’ve thought about it before. Stealing one of the nurse's badges. It would be simple. I’ve taken things without them knowing before, but if I were to do that, then what?

The door would open for me, and where would I go? I’d run my ass off, that I know, but… what would wait for me beyond the trees? The thought is scary yet exciting at the same time.

After being locked in here for two years, I am sure nothing has changed beyond those trees. It doesn’t mean I remember the way to go. When I was transferred here, it was in a van with no windows—creepy, I know.

It wasn’t one of those white vans lurking on the streets. This one was an official Black Lake Asylum van. I saw the logo decal on the side when they finally let me out.

The vehicle had no windows, so it was on purpose. They didn’t want us to see where we were going; if we were to succeed in escaping, we would have no idea where to go. Part of me believes I could figure it out.

The memories of being shoved into the back of the van flood my mind. I fought one hell of a fight, clawing at one of the guard's necks and breaking skin. My parents watched in horror as I struggled.