“How are we today Elizabeth?” The nurse stepped into my room a fake smile plastered on her face. I could see the fear in her eyes and I knew she was judging me.

“I’m fine.” I didn’t bother with smiling back at her because I knew it wouldn’t be genuine. I returned my attention to the project laid out before me. I heard the retreating steps of the nurse and my door silently closed. ‘Good riddance’ I thought. I hated the nurses that acted super sickly sweet. If I’d been allowed to own scissors I’d probably have stabbed her. It’s not like I had to worry about going anywhere, I was never leaving this place.

I set back to my work. People tended to think that those of us in the asylum were isolated and had no contact with the outside world. It was far from true. I received presents on a weekly basis. Now, you are probably wondering what is being sent to me. Dolls. Dolls of all shapes and sizes. Baby dolls and Barbie's. They arrive in great big boxes that takes two orderlies to carry into my room. I smile every time I see a delivery truck parked outside the hospital.

I had the dolls laid out before me. I grabbed the smallest one a blond Barbie. I grabbed my paint brush and quickly dabbed red over the eyes. I smiled at the naked doll for a second admiring the perfection my paint now added. I grabbed the head of the doll and twisted. The head popped off with ease. The Barbie dolls were always easy to dissemble. The real struggle was in the larger dolls. I quickly dismantled the doll. All limbs now separated.

I grabbed my ball of twine wrapping a large loop around the head. I glanced around my wall looking for a space to hang it. There wasn’t much room left. Over the years I had been sent many dolls and had put them all on the walls of my room. I found a clear patch and gently placed the dolls head there. I smiled at the newest addition to my room. 

Turning back to the box that sat on my bed I pulled out another doll admiring the features. I grabbed my paintbrush and dabbed it in the black paint. I colored over the eyes making big black circles that completely obscured the bright blue of the doll. I painted a sinister grimace over the happy grin. I decided to leave this doll intact. I wrapped my twine noose around its neck and strung it up in front of me. I tacked it to the wall having to use duct tape to hold it up. 

They wouldn’t let us have anything sharp. Which meant no nails, not even thumbtacks. Tape was what was holding all of my lovelies to the walls. I stepped back from adding my latest masterpiece a smile making its way across my face. I put my hands up to my mouth my eyes starting to water out of pure joy. I laughed slightly clapping my hands together.

Another knock at the door. The doctor stepped in this time a clipboard in his hand.

“Hello Elizabeth” his smile was kind and genuine. “Nurse Emma said you were doing good.”

“Yes Doctor Rivaira. I just got a new package in and I am quite happy with the result.” I smiled and pointed to my newest dolls that I decided to feature on my walls.

Doctor Rivaira nodded his head stepping closer to inspect the doll I pointed to. He turned back to face me his face serious.
“I’m sorry to have to come with such bad news when you are happy. But this was the last box you are to receive. I’m sorry.” He tenderly patted me on the shoulder as he left my room, unaware of the fact that his words had sent my world crashing down around me.

The door clicking shut was my undoing. I screamed with undiluted rage. My throat searing with the pain of my anguished yells. I put my hands to my thin straw colored hair grabbing fistfuls. I had no sorrow, no tears to shed. Just the pain. I ran at my walls, pulling down years worth of dolls. Banging my fists against the wall until they became swollen and bloody. My dolls had kept me sane and knowing they were gone caused my last sliver of sanity to escape.

I thought back to the last time. The reason I ended up here in the asylum…

I could hear the police banging on my door demanding entrance. I ignored them turning back to my guests. We sat around the table enjoying our coffee and cake. Jane with her emerald green eyes. Her make up looking a little to plastered on. Wearing a dress of pale blue. Then there was Victor, looking absolutely dashing his his dark blue tux. A perfect contrast to Jane. The two of them holding hands with their free hands.

Next to me sat Adam. We had contrasted colors as well. I wore a dark purple dress, he wore light purple. The four of us were waiting to leave for prom. The limo would arrive any minute.

The police grew more urgent with their shouts. I could hear the loud thumping of the door as they tried to break it down. I knew they were going to succeed but I was determined to enjoy my company. I held on to Adam’s hand and stared into his gorgeous hazel eyes. I leaned in giving him a small kiss upon his cheek. 

I heard the door splinter as the police came crashing in. The pointed their guns at me shouting to “Freeze!”

I looked at them serenely. I gazed lovingly at Adam one last time before slowly rising, my hands held high. A police officer approached me. Yanking my hands behind my back and shackling me. He grabbed me roughly by the shoulders and led me away from my company. As I was being moved out the door I looked back one last time.

My three friends still remaining in their frozen state. Unaware of the police surrounding them trying to straighten them out from their seats. Kind of difficult to do since rigamortis had set in. I smiled at them, their pale dead eyes having the same glossy look as the thousands of dolls that had surrounded them.

I laughed all the way to the asylum.