A clinic, her mother had called it. Vanessa had always liked London, that was true enough. But this wasn't the way she'd wanted to see it. Nor was this the way she was going to see it, either. She'd be trapped within these walls.

She wasn't mad. She didn't have epilepsy, or any of the conditions the doctor had attempted to label her with. There was nothing wrong with her. Not medically, at least. The thing that was wrong with Vanessa wasn't her at all. It was something unspeakable. Unnameable.

That thing was what attacked the doctor in his office within this 'clinic'. It was that very same thing that was dragged away kicking and screaming, then restrained and put into an ice bath. And then bound to a bed and given a sedative. Only then did Vanessa calm. Because she was forced to.

When she came to, she was no longer on the bed she'd been strapped to. Instead, she was held in an upright position, her hands locked in a cuff against the wall. Her legs, still weak from the sedative, slumped likely beneath her. The room was white and plain, spacious. It made sure that there was plenty of distance between Vanessa, and whoever entered.

When someone did enter, it was usually a member of the asylum staff. They'd walk in, pick up a hose that connected to the source of the water for the room, and then spray Vanessa relentlessly with the frigid liquid. She could do nothing about it, of course, except move her head away, coughing and spluttering against the onslaught. When it did eventually end, she was simply left there again.

By the time the next person arrived, Vanessa had long grown tired of this routine. This constant barrage of torment. Hadn't she been through enough? She was adorned in these drag clothes, her hair a damp mess, her face sullen and exhausted, and tear-stained. She could hardly bring herself to even look this member of staff in the eyes. But she did. A small act of defiance with the little energy she could muster.

This person was new. Or at least new to Vanessa. They didn't seem quite like the other members of staff. They'd been straight to the point; enter, assault her with the barrage of cold water, and then leave. But this one didn't. This one seemed to.. observe her, almost. Like someone of the upper class would observe an exotic animal in a zoo. Vanessa wasn't sure whether to be glad or not that they hadn't picked up the hose. There was still time.