Beautiful Nightmares (The Asylum Trilogy) by Lauren Hammond Read Free Book Online Page A

a firm grip on the pan handle and he turns it in the opposite direction. For a minute, I have no words. I just gawk at him. Then finally I greet him with a smile and say, “Good Morning, Dr. Watson.”
     
    He surprises me when he moves closer and places his palm flat on my stomach. “Is she moving a lot this morning?”
     
    I smirk at him. “She?” There’s a playful tone in my voice.
     
    He laughs, a deep booming laugh. “I figure if you have a gut feeling about it, well, you just might be right.” I giggle, set my plate of food on the edge of the table and slide my hand over top of Elijah’s.
     
    Pulling me close, Elijah places a kiss on my temple and I think to myself, how’s that for making progress?

 
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    ~After~
     
    Days pass.
     
    Then weeks.
     
    I’ve been everything I said I would be.
     
    The best fucking psycho the staff has ever seen. I’ve adapted the; I mumble and drool persona along with a melancholy nature. I remain lax when they escort me to my appointments and giggle softly like my last shred of sanity has finally snapped. Then I stare at the staff members soullessly, like there is nothing behind my eyes because my brain is Swiss cheese.
     
    They are starting to believe it.
     
    In me.
     
    They are starting to believe that I am the fucked up robot that their pills and methods of treatment have turned me into.
     
    And what angers me to the point where I almost snap on them is that they seem happy about it.
     
    A high five to Adelaide!
     
    Good girl! You’ve finally embraced the Insanity!
     
    Here, would you like a treat?
     
    The only thing that keeps me in check is the thought in my head of uncovering the secrets of my past. The only thing that pushes me forward is knowing that truth lies in one of those manila folders I see the staff members carrying around. So as much as I’d like to rebel against them, I know that I can’t.
     
    And that I won’t.
     
    I haven’t bitten any of the staff’s fingers in a while.
     
    I’ve turned down the suspicion.
     
    I’ve turned up the crazy.
     
    Now, I blend in. Aurora was onto something when she told me I should showcase my nut…nut…nutty side. I should have taken her suggestion into consideration sooner. It’s because I don’t fight them that they give more freedom.
     
    More time to roam the halls.
     
    More bathroom breaks.
     
    More recreational time.
     
    I use this time to my advantage to study the staff member’s schedules. When they come in. When they take their breaks. Which one is on this shift and who replaces them when they’re done. I keep track of the time and pay attention to what time the doctors leave their offices to go home for the day and which orderlies and nurses do the evening strolls through the halls. I’ve even studied the lock to my cell so I’ll know how to pick it when the time comes.
     
    During Daddy’s tyrannical rule, I had to learn to pick a lock or two. Especially if I wanted to see Damien. Yes, there was a window. And yes I climbed out of it. But there were certain days where Daddy didn’t sleep heavily. I feared the creaking and snapping sound of the window opening might be enough to wake him so I’d pick the lock on my door and sneak out the front door instead.
     
    I’ve been watching Vivian Swell lately.
     
    She’s my main concern.
     
    Why?
     
    Because she’s so on point.
     
    There have been times where I’ve been in crazy mode, casually casting a glance in her direction while she’s leaving her office and she always catches me. Her eyes snap to me. They narrow into a suspicious glance and out of panic and fear, I quickly turn my attention toward the wall and begin to trace the shadows with my fingertip. On a few occasions, she brushed by me, offering me a cold greeting, “Adelaide.”
     
    My response….?
     
    I never speak, but I usually peek at her out of the corner of my eyes and nod in her direction. And a few times, I’ve even mumbled. Once, I