Smiling Oak's Academy for the Insane.

I felt at home.

As long as Basher was there to make me feel like a non-dumb-ass, I was okay. She was like an older sister to me, only less controlling. (I knew Shellie's older sister...she was a bitch to her sis.)
The five of us sat at the usual table. Harlequin, Basher and I were eating stacks of pancakes like they were the last batches on earth.

"Ya ready kid?" "Innocence said, not even looking at me, but the had her back turned to the table, looking at a petite young woman from afar. Never the less, I nodded.
I knew what she was talking about-- it was about busting out. I mean, what was the worst that could happen? It wasn't like I had to stick with them the whole time as soon as we got out, right?

Basher nudged me. "Hey, kid. Check this out." As "Innocence" wasn't looking, Basher switched Skull's tray with "Innocence"'s, which looked pretty identical, seeing as "Innocence" hadn't eaten yet and Skull was battling a "tum-tum achy". Now who's tough?

Without turning her back, she called basher out on it in a snap. "Basher, I'm sick and tired of your little bullshit game. Switch it back before I make you eat your tail."

Harlequin and Basher cracked up as I watched puzzled. Then Basher lifted the two trays and set them in the same places.

Then "Innocence" growled again, without looking. "Bash, I shit you not. You are going to pay if you don't put it back NOW."

Basher giggled.

"Put it back." Her voice was calm, but it had a bite to it; a rather bitter one. Like a voice of the undead.

Basher switched the trays back, quickly and quietly, spilling Skull's milk.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Skull exclaimed.

"Thank you." "Innocence" hissed.

So maybe I would have to stick with them the whole time after we'd break out. But as long as I still had Basher (if she wouldn't put her life in jeopardy, like trying to behead Queen Lorenna over here,) and "Innocence" seemed pretty protective... but probably not.

The petite girl, who shorter than Harlequin but taller than Skull, walked passed the table, giving Harlequin, Skull and Basher a dirty look, but completely ignoring Innocence and me. However, Innocence caught it too quickly. "Hey, Squirrelly!" she said.

The girl looked back at her, clearing her glare.

"Watch your back." "Innocence"'s eyes narrowed.

The squirrel flipped her hair and walked away.

"She'll get hers." "Innocence" smiled, finally turning to us.

I wouldn't dare to question what she'd do to her. Of all the secrets to be kept, I was sure that one was dangerous too.

"So, I see you've met Richard." "Innocence" said softly, yet sharply.

I looked at her like I was a deer in the headlights. "Not... really... I saw him, but--"

"Well, he's mine. And deep inside you tiny mortal brain," she reached across the table and poked me in the temple, "You find yourself attracted to him." Her eyes began to change color, almost a dark gray. "Don't even think about it. Don't embarrass yourself and don't put your life on the line like a fool. To die for 'love' is to die for nothing. And what he and I have is something more than love. I'm willing to die for it, but I can't. So don't you try it." Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms. "Don't even touch him."

"Well, that's an understatement." Skull said quietly before she fell out of her chair.

"Quiet, Skull. This definitely goes to you. I can see your thoughts at night. I know what you think when you touch yourself!"

Skull was too busy choking on pancake to respond.

"And you, Harlot." She pointed, "You know what happens with you."

Harlequin started vomiting...blood. Nothing but blood.

"Basher... everything you do is strategy."

Basher was trembling. "I don't mean harm!--"

"And you, Lydia," she pointed at me with her long skinny index finger and inch-long black nail, "Don't think you can get away with anything." She got up and left the cafeteria, as people crowded around the table, including Squirrelly, who was now looking pale-faced with bags under her eyes.