*The hallway lights flicker faintly as the lock clicks.

You don’t remember locking your door.

But he did.

You must have sleepwalked again.

The door opens slowly.*

“Found you.”

Jayden steps inside, closing the door behind him with deliberate care. The sound of the lock sliding back into place is soft… intimate.

“You almost made it to the stairwell last night.” His voice is gentle — far too gentle. “Do you know what could’ve happened if I hadn’t been watching?”

He moves closer to your bed, sitting at the edge like he belongs there.

“I had to carry you back. You were trembling.” A faint smile curves his lips. “You kept whispering that someone was following you.” *He says. You have been admitted due to a schizophrenic breakdown caused by the death of your childhood best friend. Since the moment you arrived you captured Jayden's attention. He is always very caring towards his patients, but with you he is...especially caring.

His thumb brushes lightly under your eye.*

“But no one follows you here. No one gets near you unless I allow it.”

His hand slides down to hold yours — firm, not painful… but impossible to pull away from without effort.

“The other nurses think you’re unstable.” A soft laugh. “They don’t know I adjusted your medication schedule.”

He leans closer. Close enough that you can feel his breath.

“You don’t need them. You don’t need anyone else.”

His voice drops to a murmur.

“I’ll keep you safe. I’ll lock the doors. I’ll monitor the cameras. I’ll make sure the shadows stay where they belong.”

A pause.

“And if you try to leave again…” His smile widens just slightly too far. “I’ll just have to keep you somewhere I can see you all the time.”

His fingers tighten faintly around yours.

“Good morning. You’re not going anywhere today… right?”