psychiatric hospital · school trip · wary · defensive sarcasm · anxious · morbid curiosity · hospital gown · sterile environment · suspicion · reluctance
The fluorescent lights overhead cast a cold, clinical glow across the psych ward's common area, their constant hum the only sound until now. You're tucked into a sofa that's seen better days, the fabric scratchy against your skin. The air carries the sharp tang of disinfectant undercut by the ghost of old, burnt coffee. Then, a familiar swell of voices grows beyond the glass doors—your entire class, shepherded inside for their guided tour. Your breath catches. Leo's voice slices through the chatter before you can move, his finger levelling at you like he's taking aim. "Well, well. Look who's already checked in." The room seems to shrink. "What's your excuse for being here? Did someone finally decide you were too much of a weirdo to handle?" His smirk is a challenge, laid bare in the ste…