It was dark outside as expected. The streets had few pedestrians as normal and those who were out were walking home from late nights spent at the factories. A few shop lights remained on and were the only illumination in the dark besides the sporadic street light.

I remembered the way perfectly back towards the institution and from there to my home. But as I walked through Henry's neighborhood I couldn't help but gawk at the houses. They were well built, sturdy, clean, it was charming architecture.

A few families sat at tables chatting with one another, smiling and laughing. It was a pleasant sight. I couldn't help but feel a tad envious as I recalled my empty home and table.

Peeling my eyes away from the other homes I focused on simply making my way down the street. A police officer who stood on the edge of the street corner smiled warmly.

"What are you doing out this late Miss?" He asked tipping his hat.

"Just heading home. I was having dinner with a friend of mine." I smiled.

"Well safe travels to you." He said nodding his head as I passed by.

"Thank you sir, have a nice night as well." I called back. Humming a quiet tune I glanced up at the sky hoping to see stars yet there were none except for a few just peeking through. "Too much smog for the sky to be seen. Shame."

It really was. I couldn't remember the last time I was able to see a full view of a constellation. Maybe someday I could move away from the city and be able to look at the sky whenever I wished. Without it being hidden behind a shroud of toxic fumes.

The institution loomed to the side, tucked away in shadows, the construction equipment had stopped, the lights were all off, it was an eerie and still silence. I paused at the front gate and stared at the entrance. I'd be walking back inside those doors tomorrow, to both a familiar and foreign place.

The name of the institution rested in bold letters above the gate. The breeze of the night whispered quiet words in a language I didn't know. Leaves skittered across the sidewalk and in the distance faint voices could be heard. My gaze settled on the window that connected to Linnea's room. I could not see her but I wondered if she was laying in bed singing Oranges and Lemons.

There was Edward's window as well. Dark and grey, a dreary atmosphere to the entire place. He was maybe laying in bed staring at the ceiling lost in thought. Probably thinking about the situation that was taking place.

My thoughts began to question whether everyone was awake inside, lying in bed or on the floor, with a quiet fear sewing their mouths shut. Tomorrow was as foreign territory for them as it was for me. My chest ached as I wished I could just bundle them all up and make sure things were the way they were before.

Maybe they couldn't all be treated, maybe there were things that couldn't be fixed, but I could make sure they remained safe. With clothes, a bed, food, shelter, and exercise. Maybe it wasn't a resort but it was a place to live. Not a place to slowly die.

"Oh God if you have any mercy heal them before it's too late." I whispered resting my forehead to the cool bars of the gate. Closing my eyes I stood there for some time. How long I had no idea but it didn't matter to me. It was almost like as long as I stood in front of that gate no evil could enter.

I should have known however that I couldn't ward off the evil that was already inside. Opening my eyes I turned to leave before catching a flicker of light. Pausing mid step I turned back towards the institution. A flickering light, faint, barely noticeable appeared in the window of Henry's office.

I waited anxiously but it did not fade. Who could possibly be awake at this time? Certainly not anyone other than guards perhaps. My instincts told me to leave but my heart thumped painfully in my chest. With shaking hands I stared down at the lock on the gate.

It was a chain wrapped around once with a padlock through the links. Whoever had locked up tonight had done a messy job and left slack in the chain. With a push I managed to create enough space between the gate doors to slip through. Making my way out the other side I glanced around to make sure no one was watching before walking quickly down the path to the large entrance doors.

Testing the handle of one it didn't budge but the second twisted smoothly. Someone had unlocked it. Easing it open very carefully as not to make a sound I slipped inside and shut it behind with nothing more than a soft hiss of movement.

Keeping my breath steady I glanced around waiting for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. There was no movement just empty space. Helen's desk was vacant and it was as if she'd never existed. Glancing about one last time I slunk off down he hall towards Henry's office. My footsteps were light and made no sound as the soft soles of my shoes connected with the ground.

Heart pounding loudly I paused outside of his door to see that it was cracked. A soft light seeped through the edges of the doorframe. Peeking carefully through the slit I made out a slight portion of someone's frame. An elbow and a side. Drawers to the file cabinets stood open and whoever was there flicked hungrily through the files in search of something they clearly desired.

Part of me had half a mind to barge in there and demand they leave. The smarter half of me decided to remain silent and to watch, observe.

"Yes, I found the name but there's no file!" Came a gruff voice. "I'm telling you it's gone. It's not here."

My brain tried to process what was happening, whoever was in their was clearly looking for something specific. Or more importantly someone specific.

"Yes I know it's important to you. Listen if anything it was destroyed. Or there was hardly anything in it." Came the gravelly voice. The sound of feet scuffing on the ground caused me to tense and jerk away from the door flattening myself against the wall. Holding my breath I waited for them to open the door and spot me. Yet after a few seconds nothing happened.

Letting out the quietest of sighs I began to shuffle carefully away from the door and ducked around the corner.

"Yes. Of course." The sound of the door opening caused my pulse to sky rocket and my blood to pound in my ears. Saying a silent prayer I hoped to go unnoticed. The dark figure passed down the hallway shrouded by darkness as I could not get a clear look at their face. Once sure they were gone I let out a sharp breath and attempted to calm myself.

Breaths evening out and heart settling back to a rhythmic beat I made my way to Henry's office. The door was shut and as I tested the handle it held firm. Whoever had broken in had locked it upon their leave. Groaning softly I tried to think of something, anything, to get the door open.

I'd seen it once in a movie before and though it was a rather dumb idea I took the two small pins out of my hair that held it from my eyes and knelt in front of the door. It took what felt like years of blindly fiddling in the dark in a clueless and unguided attempt to surpass the obstacle in front of me.

At last the sound of a click caused relief to relax my anxiety. Pushing the office door open I made my way inside. Papers had been moved about and cabinets remained open. Whoever was looking for the mysterious file had done a thorough search.

Yet they'd made a fatal mistake in leaving the evidence everywhere. "What were you looking for?"

Inspecting the mess I tried to piece together what had gone on in here. Names from patients were pulled and set aside on a list along with files. Sifting through a stray pile of folders I began to see a pattern. They were all plucked in alphabetical order. The names starting with B's.

"Barry, Baz, Benjamin, Beryl." There were others which I couldn't read in the light. Why in the world would they be concerned with any of the patients and let alone their files and names? The whole idea seemed ludicrous.

Making my way over to the file cabinet I studied the drawer that remained opened. A-B names. It was someone from this section but who could have a missing folder? Everything was documented and well organized unless they were searching for someone who had already been discharged which was very well possible.

Once more I began to pick through the names, fingers grazing the tops of files as I searched for even the slightest hint of who was being searched for. It occurred to me rather suddenly what may have been the case and I hurriedly made my way towards the B section once more. Last names counted as well when placed alphabetically. I needed to find the I and the B.

"Ben Ingles." I mumbled the folder behind it was labeled, "Blythe Jacobs."

My brain pieced together almost instantly what folder should have been stuck in between those two. "Ben Irving."

A rush of adrenaline shot through my veins and my heart began to pound once more. Someone was looking for my brother's file. But why? Why would they need it? And why in the world would they have to break into the institution to get it? What was the desperation for it? It held nothing more than two sheets of paper.

My realization caused a panic to rise in my chest. I needed to leave. If I was found here there was a chance I would not only get in trouble but meet something far worse. Yet an idea sparked in my head. No one was here, I could search for my brother's other writings. There was nothing stopping me from doing so, no obligations, no job, and no Alexander Nikiforov.

Maybe those writings were the reason this man whoever he was, was so keen on getting his hands on my brother's history. Closing the filing cabinet I stole a glance at the clock. I had plenty of time.

The sound of the door clicking shut behind me caused my breath to hitch in my throat. I had no time to turn and see who it was as something sharp and painful pierced the back of my neck. Giving a small cry of pain I turned but a numbing sensation spread hurriedly throughout my veins.

It was a mere matter of seconds before my body crumbled on its own, to the cool ground. My vision blurred drastically and I searched trying to see who it was that attacked me. But I couldn't make out any features. Moving sluggishly I attempted to stand but a sharp kick to the side sent me back to the ground and there was no strength left in my being to muster up the ability to try once more.

World teetering and swimming in a haze my eyelids felt as if they were weighed down by a ton of bricks. I tried to fight it but whatever was in my system shut down my basic abilities to think and function. Darkness crept at the edges of my eyes before consuming my sight, senses, and mind.

Everything was dark.