Prologue

Insanity.

What did it really mean? Was I insane? Had I already crossed that line, long ago?

I sat here, tucked away in my little asylum, tucked away from the world. It didn't matter if I was alive or dead. Nothing mattered now.

But I couldn't be insane. They told me I was, each and every one of them. "Mary Alice," they said, "you are a crazy little creature." That's what I was, a creature. I was a disgrace. But, I was not insane.

My nails delved deeper into my already destroyed kneecaps and I hummed to myself to keep from screaming.

"I'm not insane… I'm not insane." I whispered it to out loud, trying to convince myself. But, the tears wouldn't stop. They trickled down my cheeks, splashing the cold cement.

Another vision came. They meant little now. Often, I didn't know the difference between my premonitions and reality. I never knew of the outside world. I was alone, deserted. Stranded. The ominous shadows danced on the brick walls, taunting me. The told me things. They told me that I was mad, and they told me that no one cared. They reminded me quite often.

A piercing cry filled the air. To my surprise, it was my own. The scream bounced of the walls, echoing in my mind. The scream had released it all, tears poured out like a waterfall. I was sobbing now, moaning. I had tried to contain myself, to have some control on my emotions, but I hadn't succeeded. I was no longer in control of myself. Insanity was gnawing at my very flesh, like a starving pack of wolves.

Then I knew it. I, Mary Alice Brandon, was insane.