I am not insane (open)

[Isolde Cantington]

At the moment, Isolde was curled up in the fetal position on the floor. She had been in this position for an hour or so and it had attracted much attention. The curious looks that were shot her way just served to make her already unstable state of mind even worse. A hand wrapped itself in her thick mane of hair and she pulled it tight around her wrist.

Today was not a good day. She had woken up and thought one of her roomates was standing over her with a knife. Isolde had promptly started to shriek with fear until someone had slapped her. It had taken her a moment to realize that no one was trying to murder her. The hallucinations had been getting worse. Her mind was slowly starting to take her over, her disease was now in total control. It was really depressing.

A strangled sob came from her parched lips and she croaked out, "I'm not insane. I want to die." It was mostly in answer to the voices that constantly teased and taunted her.

[Justine Torrance]

Whenever Isolde got like this, everyone avoided her like the plague. Everyone, that is, except for Justine, who had, on occasion, had similar meltdowns. It didn't help that their two roommates, Ophelia and Leilani, were two of the most perfect, beautiful, and perky blondes in the entire school. Justine felt inadequate just hearing Ophelia's name. And to make it worse, Ophelia was even nice most of the time, if a little shallow and selfish.

Justine liked Isolde, but she also knew that when the girl got like this, it was difficult to talk to her. She had spent the last 10 minutes or so trying to decide if she should go find an adult or take Isolde directly to the hospital wing. But the counselor, Erica Raines, had been away for the last few weeks, and Justine wasnt sure if anyone else could help her.

Finally, after hearing a few cruel whispers from her house mates, Justine decided to go over and talk to Isolde.

"You don't want to die," she said in a light tone. "That's my thing, remember?"

[Isolde Cantington]

Isolde released her hold on her hair immediately and clutched the other girls hand. Justine was nice to her. She understood her and there was no one else who was brave enough to approach her. Her heart stuttered and stopped before beating more strongly. The contact with another human being was making her feel better but she could still hear the voices... Always whispering, telling her things she did not want to hear. The stares were getting to her.

"I know. I don't want to die. I'm afraid of death... I just. They keep on talking to me. They say things and I hate it," she admitted in a hoarse whisper.

[Justine Torrance]

Justine wondered what it would be like to hear voices in one's head. She supposed it wasn't the same as the inner commentary that the ordinary person might have--the everyday thoughts and worries and doubts. The voices that Isolde seemed to hear were different, and they frightened her.

"What do the voices say?" she asked, unable to help her own curiosity. "Do they tell you to do things?"