Where the Insane Belong (MATTHEW)

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Seven days and seven nights without her. He'd never felt so alone. In the past seven days his emotions had gone so wild that he'd chained himself up. The iron shackles he'd found, don't ask where probably stole them from the Joker, had cut deep into his wrists, and the scabbed lines along his wrists and ankles were all that was left of the torture he'd put himself through.

But the dull prick of pain was nothing compared to the agony piercing through his heart. Alyss Jay Blake-Wayne was gone, the true love of his life. Lye, that dreadful poison, had taken away his only reason to stay sane. So why not just loose control and go insane? To tell the truth he didn't want to hurt anyone, he just wanted to die in a corner and pretend he never existed. Perhaps the world would have been a better place if he was dead.

Bruce Wayne certainly would have been happier without a son who couldn't even keep himself from wanting to stab himself through the chest with a knife whenever he lost control. Then again, Bruce Wayne would have been better off if he had never met the woman who had become his wife because Hailey Wayne was gone too. As was Bruce's other son, Alexander.

To tell the honest to God truth, James had spent hours sobbing over the deaths of his wife, his mother and his brother. All the news hit him at once and he'd fallen to the ground, weeping. Alyss had died alone, puking up blood and he hadn't been there just to hold her. Hailey had died in Bruce's arms as James's father begged her not to leave. Alex had died instantly, a bullet to the head as he stole his wife's golden necklace back from a robber.

Jamie felt the tears prickling against his eyes now as he picked his way through the darkened early morning streets of Gotham, street lights glowing dimly but casting large shadows across the ground. The Wayne boy sighed, his bottom lip quivering as he released the shaking sigh. He bit down hard against his lip, drawing blood and tasting the copper in his mouth. The ache in the small gash distracted him for a brief moment from the bullet in his heart.

The young man stopped, staring up at the menacing building before him. Arkham Asylum. He'd heard stories about people going in there and never coming back out. The worst of the worst, the ones who were insane, went there. It was where the insane belonged. Where James Thomas Wayne belonged, locked away from the world forever. He couldn't harm anyone if he was in a room with only him and his mind. He could only kill himself more everyday mentally.

He took a deep breath, swallowing and made his way forward towards the building he was positive he belonged in. His shadow stretched out before him as he neared his destination, the sun rising in the clouded sky behind him the rise coloring the horizon in a blurred paint palette of golds, reds, pinks and oranges, as constant as James's string of emotions.

His mind wandered to all the people he knew that they'd lost. John Blake, Amelia was broken; gone from Gotham. Alyss Wayne, James couldn't cope; Amelia had moved away. Hailey Wayne, Bruce was a wreck; James couldn't sleep at night. Alexander Wayne, Bruce was broken; James missed their teasing, hated himself for never saying three simple little words to his brother.

He was there, at the door, staring at it with emotionless eyes. He placed his hand on the door and opened it, entering the building, never planning to come back out. He marched himself to the desk. "I'm turning myself in." his voice was blank and his eyes flashed red just to prove that he should be here.

Because this was where the insane belong.

[[notes-655 words, you don't know how much I love this post]]

Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Matthew Reid]

Staring at the wall on the other side of his office, Matthew daydreamed while resting his chin in his hand and his elbow on his desk. He barely blinked behind his large glasses as he watched the somewhat unloved wall with a blank expression. In his other hand, a pencil tapped on the desk slowly and quietly, the wood-against-wood noise barely making its way into Matthew's brain to register. He'd done all that he needed to do so far this morning, though none of his patients were supposed to have any interviews with him today. All he'd needed to do was to finish off any paperwork for the patients he'd spoken to the day before, and that had happened while Matthew had been in the possession of a warm Starbucks coffee. The coffee was gone now, though, as was the to-do list he'd written up the night before.

The phone on his desk rang loudly, breaking Matthew from the disappearing thoughts in his head. He put the pencil down and picked the phone up, trying to ignore his heart as it thudded uncomfortably in his chest at the thought of talking on the phone. The receptionist of Arkham Asylum was on the other end.

"There's a future patient here. Need you for paperwork."

With that, the other end went dead and Matthew ended up blinking at the phone with confusion before he gave a small sigh and put the phone down. Standing, Matthew tried to wipe the look of needing sleep off of his face - though the dark circles around his eyes, caused by dark eye syndrome, didn't help - and made his way down to the entrance of the asylum.

As he got there, Matthew had perked up a little from the bored individual from the office. He loved psychology and found it fascinating and Gotham seemed to just be full of insane people. It was odd and Matthew sometimes found himself wondering how on earth they managed to get enough staff for the asylum. He pushed any thoughts like that aside as he caught sight of the receptionist, though not of the 'future patient'.

"You called?" Matthew asked with a hint of a smile on his lips. The receptionist smirked and nodded before indicating to the person Matthew hadn't noticed.

"Future patient, meet future doctor."

Turning, Matthew smiled at the other male while trying to be as friendly as he could. He recognised this guy but he couldn't place where.

"Hi. I'm - um - doc... Doctor Reid." God damn his nerves. "Sorry, um. We just need to fill in some paperwork and then... Um... Yeah..." He trailed off and turned back to the receptionist, about to ask the person he was more familiar and comfortable with about the forms. Finding her already holding them out for him, Matthew smiled gratefully and stole a pencil from her desk to fill them in with. Why did the name 'Wayne' seem to suit this guy?

"Name's James Wayne."

Another grateful smile was sent the receptionist's way and he nodded while scribbling down the name. That would explain why 'Wayne' suited him... Looking back at James, Matthew pushed his glasses up his nose a little and dampened the middle of his top lip almost nervously before asking James the basics about him and writing down anything that the young man could tell him.

((Notes: Sorry, I rushed the end but Matthew is so damn easy to write for it's ridiculous.))

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

James watched as the receptionist picked up the phone, dialing, eyeing him with distrust. The Wayne boy didn't blame her. He wouldn't have trusted himself either. For all she knew, he could be a part of the Joker's gang and this could all be some sort of plan. Then, James was sort of a part of the Joker's gang but this wasn't some sort of plan, this was James's doing alone.

James looked up as another man strode into the room. The boy's icy eyes narrowed slightly as the other man walked closer, and the Wayne boy looked away, focusing on the ground. He hardly heard the words exchanged between the doctor and the receptionist. He didn't care anyways. He just wanted to sit and stare at the empty white walls in a cell, wait until he lost control.

Doctor Reid began speaking to James and the boy had to tear his gaze from the floor and pull his mind back from the dark corner where it had retreated to. He focused on the clipboard in the Doctor's hands sighing and for a moment he remained quiet, not answering anything and then he sighed starting to speak,

"My name is James Wayne, I'm nineteen years old and I have-...had, a brother, Alexander. My parents are Bruce and Hailey Wayne. My...wife is dead...killed by lye... I...I can control minds, plant thoughts into the heads of others that would make that one want to straggle the one they love, plant disturbing images into one's head so real that they scream in pain or fright,"

It's sad to say that James was actually enjoying the description of his powers. Was it wrong that he suddenly wanted to hurt people, to watch them scream as the hallucination took over them? Was it bad that James wanted to watch them beg for death? To be honest, James didn't care if it was a bad thing, he'd lost everything. His brother was dead, his wife was dead, his mother was dead, John was dead, his father hated him. So why not? Why not pay a visit to the dark side?

"I can manipulate minds, read them and turn into a black wolf," he paused, looking Doctor Reid full in the face, his eyes glowing that deathly hue of scarlet red and a wicked smirk curving his lips, "with glowing red eyes."

James thought for a moment and then added, "And it's impossible for me to control my powers, and my Bi-Polar condition, which doesn't agree with my powers."

Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Matthew Reid]

As the boy blurted out all of the information Matthew needed, he stayed determinedly silent while writing. The receptionist stared open mouthed at James while Matthew kept his head down and just wrote out the information, trying very hard not to ask any questions. When the boy began describing his powers, though, Matthew couldn't stop himself from looking at the boy with somewhat surprise before glancing momentarily at the receptionist, who was still staring at the boy as though he'd grown another head. Matthew had heard of people with powers, certainly, but he'd never actually met one. Well, this would be... Interesting, if nothing else. Matthew quickly bowed his head again, continuing to write as he heard 'read them'. Here's hoping he didn't go poking around too much in Matthew's. While he rarely thought of things that were particularly bad, if reading minds meant being able to go through memories then... Well... It could get unpleasant and awkward, at best. At worst? Who knew? Matthew certainly didn't.

As he paused, Matthew glanced at him and wished he hadn't. He tried to keep any fear or emotions off of his face, though, as his gaze dropped down to the paper in front of him. The boy's eyes had been glowing. Matthew felt himself swallowing what felt like a large lump in his throat while he tried to ignore his heart thudding against his lung uncomfortably. Maybe this place hadn't been the best place to work... It'll be interesting... And possibly highly terrifying but mostly interesting. Matthew's brain tried to tell him as he kept his eyes on the paper with determination, not really seeing the pencil words on the page. His attention came back from the thoughts of 'I really don't want to be here' as he heard the other male speaking again. He blinked a couple of times behind his glasses and nodded along while writing again, his scribbled writing somewhat untidy. Lack of control, bi-polar disorder, powers. Seemed like a piece of cake...

Looking at the receptionist, Matthew gave a soft cough to try clearing his throat of the lump that had settled there and watched as she seemingly came back to the world.

"Can... Can you get this into a... Um... File for me?" He asked her, trying his hardest to not freak out in the middle of the entrance. Despite not normally bothering with professionalism, Matthew was currently forcing himself to be professional just to keep himself from making an excuse to leave the soon to be patient. As he handed over the paperwork that needed to be completely by him at the moment, Matthew watched the receptionist hand a form to James and took a couple of deep breaths before looking at him, though not letting his eyes meet James'.

"You just need to sign this. It's - um - basically to say that you agree to... Um... Everything there..." He said, licking his lips somewhat nervously once he'd finished speaking. That was probably the least professional thing he'd said since meeting this guy. Well done, Matthew. "Once this is signed, we can assign you a cell and a doctor." He added before taking another deep breath in an attempt at calming his heart down. Why the hell was it going so damn crazy, anyway?

"You're gonna be his doctor, Reid. Tough luck." The receptionist said, seemingly joyful that she got the chance to tell him this. It felt a lot like his heart had dropped into his stomach, now, and he nodded while trying to ignore the feeling of dread. It would be interesting. If he repeated that in his head enough then he might actually start believing it...

((Notes: Awww, poor Matthew. Hurhur.))

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

James kept his eyes firmly on the doctor as he spoke, a smirk curling his lips as he sensed the sudden change in Reid's demeanor. He made sure that his eyes kept glowing when the doctor looked up at him. The boy was taunting him with the glow of his red eyes, wanting to feel the fear rolling off him. It wasn't quite there yet, more of a discomfort not fear.

'Are you afraid?

[/color]' James' voice hissed into Doctor Reid's mind, the boy's grin sinister as his lips moved not at all but yet his voice was heard, but only by Matthew. A chuckle left James's mouth, but then it didn't it was only in Reid's head. James decided that this was going to be incredibly entertaining. He could only imagine what trouble he could cause with this man as his doctor.

The raven haired boy took the form when it was handed to him, smirking at the doctor. He scribbled his name out, passing it back to Reid. He smirked further when the receptionist, who had been gaping at James only moments earlier (which had give him a great deal of amusement) proclaimed, with joy in her nasally voice, that Reid would in fact be James's doctor.

'it would be interesting[/i']' The Doctor's thoughts boomed from his head, repeated over and over. James laughed at that, his eyes glowing again, since he'd let them fade to their normal milky blue when he had signed the papers. 'It'll be interesting alright, Dr. Reid.' James sneered into the other man's head, laughing both in Matthew's head and out of it.

Oh god was he going to have fun with this.
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Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Matthew Reid]

As the voice that was most certainly not that of one of his own thoughts hissed through his mind, Matthew jumped in surprise and looked at James with wide eyes. Where Matthew hadn't been obviously scared moments before, he was now. It was now pretty damn obvious that he was somewhat scared... Ha, somewhat. No. He wasn't 'somewhat scared'. He was extremely scared and just about ready to get the hell away from James and leave him here for someone else to deal with... At the chuckle, Matthew tried very hard to ignore it. It will be interesting. It will be interesting. It had to be interesting otherwise Matthew was an idiot for deciding not to just tell the receptionist that someone else would have to be this guy's doctor - and he was very close to doing that, too.

Ignoring the smirk to the best of his ability, Matthew momentarily let himself think that this guy had stopped with the mind stuff for now. That would be very nice, if he did. It would make this whole thing less like torture and more like a doctor taking a patient to a cell... As he was thinking that it would be interesting, though, he was proven to be wrong at the laugh, then the thoughts. Was this guy actually going to try driving Matthew insane with this? Well, nice knowing you, Sanity.

Glancing at him as he started laughing, Matthew swallowed hard again and looked at the receptionist for some form of distraction. He could feel his heart now seemingly jumping around his ribcage with something - it may have been terror - and it was getting a little bit difficult to concentrate on what he was supposed to be doing, which was now finding out while cell would be James' so that he could take him to the cells and hopefully hand him over to the guards in order to not have to deal with him anymore. Matthew was beginning to silently dread what the sessions would be like... When Matthew would be trying very hard to actually help him and James would probably be trying to drive Matthew to the brink of insanity by plunging head-first into his mind and having a very warped version of fun.

"What's his assigned cell?" He asked the receptionist, surprising himself with how steady his voice was as he watched her look at the screen for the information. His glance turned to James momentarily, merely out of curiosity as to what he'd be doing while Matthew waited for the answer. His thoughts began to drift from the 'it'll be interesting' before he realised that he couldn't even think of any form of revenge, because James would know about it... Unless...

What happens if there's too many thoughts at once? He wondered, hoping that James was still listening. Hey, he may as well learn a few things before it came to the sessions. Despite the fact that Matthew was pretty sure his hands were shaking a tiny bit, he'd just considered that this might be quite helpful. He should probably write a book... 'How to deal with mind readers in one step.' Sounded like a plan...

As the receptionist answered, Matthew looked at her and nodded silently, now repeating the answer in his head. He knew where that was. This would be easy. It was one trip. One small trip. It should be easy. No. It would be easy.

"Please follow me." He requested, not entirely sure he really wanted this guy to follow him and momentarily wondering if he could get out of leading him to the cells. Once they got to the cells, Matthew knew that he'd be able to leave James there and let the guards take over... It was the trip that he was dreading, though... Matthew was beginning to feel a bit sick just thinking about it and attempted to concentrate on his breathing, now counting in his head to entire that he could keep his breathing calm and hoping that it would help to, therefore, keep him calm...

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When Doctor Reid jumped in fright, James surprised himself by feeling bad, instantly regretting his choice. It had been obvious that the man had been incredibly nervous, and yet James had went right ahead and done that. What made him do things like that? Had he wanted to put Reid on edge like that? Why did this part deep inside him want to watch this man suffer while another wanted to apologize?

The boy sighed, looking down at the ground, sinking into himself. He blamed his unpredictableness on the fact that his family was gone. Alyss. It was horrid, he didn't even want to think about Alyss...there had been so...so much blood when he walked inside, he hadn't known why he'd come home, he'd been supposed to be doing something for the Joker but instead found himself at his front door. He went inside and there she was, laying in her own blood. He had sobbed at her side, vowing to avenge her, but he never did find out who'd done it. Instead he sent himself to Arkham, hence the reason he was standing where he was standing.

Alyss hadn't deserved to die like that, no one deserved to die like that and it killed James knowing that he hadn't been there for her, to hold her while she choked, perhaps he could have helped. He knew he wouldn't have been able to but if he'd been there maybe it would had lessened the pain. He never even got to tell her he loved her before she died.

And then there was Alex, shot in the head, killed instantly. James would never forgive himself for showing nothing but evil to his brother. Never once had he told his brother he loved him. It hurt knowing that Alexander might not have known when he died, stealing Avery Rogers's golden necklace back from a thief.

Then his mother, Hailey, slaughtered in their own home, there were blood stains in the carpet on the landing outside his father's bedroom. His father had been there for her, cradling her as she died. He had never seen his father cry other then that day. He'd been watching from the next room. He hadn't cried. Was that bad that he hadn't cried when he learned of all their deaths? Was it bad that he didn't cry until a day later when it finally hit him and he sobbed endlessly?

Then of course there was John Blake, Amelia's husband who had been stabbed defending her. James missed him, hell he missed everyone. James knew, despite the fact that John was often hesitant to allow Alyss and James to actually meet and see each other, that in the end John had always cared for the Wayne boy, mainly because he was Bruce's son and James had always felt that John accepted him despite his Bi-Polar and his powers.

His eyes stung, he had to force himself not to cry.

Reid's thought pulled him from his world and he looked up at the doctor, his milky eyes empty. '...well...if I read too many thoughts at once it's likely I'll get a headache. Other then that, probably very irritated...be glad you can't hear thoughts, it's not the easiest to control... especially when you're....erm....a freak....like me...'

James regarded him for a moment and then nodded, allowing Matthew Reid to lead him to his assigned cell, picking up that the doctor just wanted to get this done and over with and the Wayne boy felt that flash of regret once more, causing him to sigh.

Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Matthew Reid]

Matthew frowned a little as he heard the answer. He was frowning more at the word 'freak'... Matthew had never met someone who he could consider a freak, really. There might be someone one day, but not today. He more considered James to be gifted. There was a difference between someone being a freak and someone being gifted. A freak usually meant someone who looked unusual, not a human who just so happened to have abilities beyond that which was considered normal. Normal was extremely relative anyway... He didn't say anything, though, deciding against it while he subconsciously searched his memory for anything to do with the word freak. How Matthew managed to figure out what most of his thoughts meant half the time could be a mystery to anyone who knew what his mind was currently doing, though it was very simple, really...

Only once they were away from the receptionist did Matthew even think about talking. He could have just thought what he wanted to say to James, but he decided against it. The silence between himself and James was bothering him a lot more than either of them talking, and since the last thought, Matthew had managed to calm himself down quite a bit...

"You're not a freak." He finally said, his voice quite quiet and soft despite the obvious want Matthew had for James to believe him. "The first recorded meaning of the word 'freak' was 'a sudden capricious turn of the mind', which is a whim. The actual origin of the word is unknown though it might be related to the Old English word 'frician' which meant 'to dance'. It was never recorded in Middle English but it may have survived through speech. The word 'freak' could also be related to the Middle English word 'frek', which meant 'bold, quickly', or the Old English word 'frec', which meant 'greedy, gluttonous'..." He rambled, barely paying attention to where they were going, though going the right way. He knew the layout of Arkham Asylum extremely well, seeing as how he had an eidetic memory and could remember anything he saw. He had a mental map of the asylum and the only blank spots were places he hadn't been.

"There's also the German word 'frech', which means 'bold, impudent'. In 1784, it meant 'unusual thing' or 'fancy', which was followed by the meaning that a lot of people now use the word 'freak' to mean, which is 'strange or abnormal individual'. 'Lusus naturæ' is the Latin for freak, which meant 'freak of nature' in 1847, though that meaning wasn't used in English until the 1660s..." He continued, not noticing quite how much he was rambling and having still not finished. "If you're thinking in the sense of 'a freak of nature' then yes, you are, but nature is quite strange anyway. There are creatures that most people would consider freaky if they weren't natural - like the platypus - but because they're something we're used to then we don't pay any attention to it and just accept it." He said, giving a shrug now as he continued to lead James to the cells. He still hadn't realised that he was rambling, though at least he wasn't scared anymore.

"It also depends on the meaning you're going for. There's three meanings for the word 'freak' as a noun. Something highly unusual or irregular, which could be an occurrence or an actual thing, an abnormally formed organism, for example a person or an animal, which is regarded with curiosity or monstrosity, which something as natural as a two-headed lion could be considered as being despite the fact that it isn't really as unusual as it seems..." Matthew continued to ramble, looking ahead of him as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "And 'a sudden capricious turn of mind; a whim', which Maurice Collis used when he said 'The freaks of the psyche can no more be explained than the Devil'. It's also an adjective to mean something highly unusual or irregular and then there's the slang meaning, both for the noun and the adjective uses of the word 'freak'. As a noun, it can mean a drug user or addict, an eccentric or nonconformist person, which is primarily used to describe a member of a counterculture - which is a subculture whose norms differ from that of the majority of society, such as 'goth' - or an enthusiast, which was originally from 1908 when it was 'Kodak freak', which is basically a camera buff."

"The slang meanings of 'freak' as an adjective are more to do with experiences, behaviour or emotions and are all linked to the phrase 'freak out' or 'freaking out' or 'freaked out'." He finished then bit his bottom lip and looked at James uncertainly. "S-Sorry. I didn't mean to - uh - ramble. It... I can't help it and I'm sorry if it happens during our sessions." He tried, frowning as he looked away. Well, this was going swimmingly.

This is going to be awkward... Normal. Do you even know what that is, Matthew? Normal is... No. Stop being smart with yourself. He mentally scolded himself, frown deepening a little. What the hell is wrong with you, Matthew? He wondered, though his thoughts stopped as he realised something which made his frown disappear and his eyes widen again. You just heard all of that, didn't you? Damnit. Matthew could feel himself blushing now and he looked at the ground, determined to not look at James at all. He knew what would happen if he did and that would not be good nor fun and definitely not something that he really wanted anyone to bare witness to. Normally he didn't have to stop himself from silently panicking, but it wouldn't be silent to James and that was not the kind of thing anyone wanted their patient - oh, that seemed weird - to be a witness to... To be honest, none of that was and now Matthew couldn't raise his head because he was pretty sure his cheek were glowing with the blush that had risen in them.

((Notes: I warned you. NOT SORRY AT ALL. This was fun. OVER 1000 WORDS! HELL TO THE YES! 1018 to be precise.))

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

James glanced at him when he saw the doctor frown. What reason did he have to frown? Nothing James had said concerned him. He had blocked out Reid's thoughts, he didn't want to be rude, for James that feeling of not wanting to do bad things was new. He didn't exactly want to get off on the wrong hand with the man that he would be stuck with as a doctor, that didn't work well at all.

To tell the truth, James didn't dislike Matthew Reid, he was just trying to take out his feelings on someone. He wasn't very good at speaking what was on his mind and how he felt about certain things. He was going to speak, at least try and tell Reid that he was sorry, to tell the truth the silence was bothering him. Just as he was opening his mouth, Matthew did as well and beat him to speaking.

For some reason the words 'you're not a freak stuck out to James despite the fact that he'd been told he wasn't a freak from most of his family members for as long as he could remember. Well, all his family other then his father who had once or twice thought it, but James had pulled back, blocking his father's mind before he detected the regret for thinking that and he was too busy looking away while his father tried to catch his eye apologetically.

But for some reason, when Matthew told him that he wasn't a freak it stuck. James didn't understand it, Alyss had told him thousands of times and yes he believed a man he hardly knew. The boy glanced over at the doctor as he rambled on about the origin of the word 'freak'. To tell the truth, despite his dislike for the studies he was taught during his home school sessions, James found it quite interesting, but he chose to keep his face masked as they walked, Matthew leading the way without even the slightest bit of hesitation. He obviously knew Arkham like the back of his hand.

James couldn't help but smile at the doctor as he apologized for rambling. "I don't care," he said rather softly, "I actually found it quite interesting." The Wayne boy glanced up as the thoughts flew through the air and he frowned. "There's nothing wrong with you." James said, looking forward but risking a glance over at him. "I actually find it quite intriguing that you could remember the whole history of the word 'freak', it's pretty awesome." James smiled softly glancing over at Matthew.

Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Matthew Reid]

Matthew couldn't help a small smile curving his lips as James told him that he'd found it quite interesting. He was sure James was just being polite, though gave a nod regardless. It was possible for it to have actually be interesting, Matthew supposed, but his brain wouldn't believe it. It was a mystery as to why, given that James seemed to be telling the truth... Matthew said nothing about it, though he didn't doubt that James would know anyway.

As James said that there was nothing wrong with Matthew, the doctor glanced at James silently. Matthew was sure there was probably something wrong with him, but the didn't like the idea of self-diagnosing. He would rather have it diagnosed by another professional, even if he knew he'd never actually go anywhere to get diagnosed. Maybe all of the stuff with his mother had given him a dislike of going to a psychiatrist... Ironically.

A small laugh escaped Matthew as James told him that it was intriguing as to the fact that Matthew could remember the origin of the word 'freak'. He nodded again while looking at the floor with a very small, rather pleased, lop-sided smile.

"Thanks. Thank you." He began, still not looking at James. "I - uh - have an eidetic memory... Means that I can remember anything I see or hear with a lot of detail. It's also known as - um - pho-photographic memory. Only three percent of the world's population have it and 0.249238509346% of American's have it... " Matthew stated before glancing at James. " Which makes it slightly less rare than your abilities." He joked quietly. That had probably been a terrible joke - and probably be terrible thing to joke about - but Matthew hoped that James would see the funny side. No, now Matthew felt bad about that. " Sorry. That - That - I - Sorry."

He bowed his head again silently, the smile having gone from his face. Well, at least Matthew wasn't actually trying to be professional. That would be a failure if ever there was one... He couldn't remember if he'd ever been able to be professional, actually... Aside from today, that is... He could remember one of the other doctors at his mother's hospital asking him if he actually had the ability to be professional, which he had answered with an 'actually, I can't.'... He could remember that exceptionally well for two reasons, the first being the obvious that he had an eidetic memory and therefore would be able to remember it clearly, and the second being that the other doctor had been his ex-girlfriend's sister. Strangely, the two had got on rather well considering the fact that her sister had cheated on him and gotten herself pregnant then tried to tell everyone that the child was Matthew's... He could remember finding that out, too. That dance had been one to forget... And the entire football team had by getting completely drunk...

"As, um, Lesley said, I'm going to be your doctor... I'll schedule a session for the earliest empty slot and hopefully we'll be able to keep on topic..." He glanced at James out of the corner of his eye while saying this. "Though if we don't then it won't be too bad. The only person who listens to the interview tapes is me and that's just to write out comments and things that I've noticed..." He continued, hoping that nothing else about the rather terrible joke would be mentioned ever... At least only Matthew and James had any idea about it, though... If Lesley - the receptionist - had heard it then Matthew knew he'd be getting teased about it for a week or two before she'd move onto something, and probably someone, else...

((Notes: Sorry this took so long. D: ))

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The dark haired boy didn't catch the smile he was working to control himself, he could already feel his brief happiness sliding into him, his eyes flickering from blue to red beneath his closed eyelids. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides as he stopped walking. He would not shift in the middle of Arkham Asylum hallway. He wouldn't allow himself to. God dammit, James!! Control yourself you stupid weakling! A taunting voice screamed through his head, and he dropped to his knees, slamming his palms against his ears trying to block it out. You'll never be normal you freak!

[/color] The voice continued to shout.

James was on his knees, his hands shaking now as they winded into his hair, his fingers pulling at it. He broke into seizures, his hands falling from his hair and convulsing against the floor. His eyes snapped open, his eyes blood red. His body continued to convulse as he tried to hold it in. Not here! Not now!! He pleaded, but his brain had other choices. His body stretched and his mouthed opened in a silent scream as pain rippled through his body, he had never tried to stop a change before.

His humanness was ripped away from him, pain shooting through him and he was a big, broad shouldered wolf, shaking slightly in pain. His eyes fluttered open, they were all red, every part of them were red. He growled as he stood, baring his yellowed fangs and his tail lashing.

'Put me out,' he growled into Matthew's head, growling as he squeezed his eyes shut. 'Do it, now! I won't be able to control myself! I..I don't want to hurt anyone anymore!' He cried in pain, a yelp of pain exiting his muzzle. 'Just stop me before I hurt you! Please!' His eyes flickered open, they were blue and pleading. Then he snarled, his eyes turning blood red again. He snapped his jaws, his ears flat against his head, saliva dripping from his razor sharp fangs.
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Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Matthew Reid]

Matthew didn't notice anything at first, though did when he realised that James wasn't next to him. He turned with a frown and realised why as his gaze fell on the younger man. He moved back over to him as he tried to remember how to help someone having seizures. Move things away that someone could hurt themselves on... Well, there wasn't anything to move away... Matthew realised that this wasn't a normal seizure after a moment... Normally, people ended up on the floor during a seizure, which is why it's advised to put something soft under the person's head due to the fact that they could hurt themselves during because of their head possibly bouncing off of the floor...

Kneeling down on one knee, Matthew made sure not to be too close in case it turned into a normal seizure and kept his gaze on the other male, concerned about him but saying nothing about his concern...

"James?" His voice was a little shaky, despite Matthew's calm demeanor. "Are you okay?" His words stopped being shaky as he shifted slightly, though he practically jumped to his feet and stepped backwards in surprise as he saw the other person beginning to stretch. This was not normal. Human anatomy didn't just stretch. Okay, Matthew may have been extremely confused and panicking a little now. It was hardly surprising, though, given that he was kind of witnessing a transformation... Which reminded him of what James has said earlier... 'turn into a black wolf.'

Oh.

Hearing the growls, Matthew was pretty sure his heart was going to wear itself out. Wait, how could he put James out? What did that mean, anyway? It wasn't really like that mattered, though, because Matthew didn't think he could breathe right now, let alone do something. Why did a panic attack have to come along now? Why now of all times? It could have come along earlier but no, it had to be when there was a large wolf growling into his mind. Brilliant. At least it wasn't fatal. Unless he managed to pass out and crack his head open - which was highly unlikely - then it was just unpleasant and rather terrifying. Why had he come into work today?

Just calm down.

Matthew wasn't sure who he was telling to calm down - himself or James - but he hoped one of them did. It was unlikely to be him, granted, but if one of them could calm down then it would count as progress... It would also count as progress if, despite how it felt, Matthew didn't fall over. His legs felt like they couldn't support him but he really wanted to move or to get out of the situation. When it came to stay or run away, then Matthew would always pick run... So long as it was just him in that position... He gently put a hand against the wall, though still couldn't control his breathing, which was quite heavy, or remove the extreme sense of panic running through his brain. Wonderful.

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A snarl slid through the wolf's lips, the sound low and grumbling up from deep in James's throat. His black tail lashed and his muscles coiled beneath his thick layer of midnight fur, a color so black that raven's would be jealous. His beady red eyes shone brightly despite the light above him. They glowed an unearthly shade of blood red that could send shivers up the spines of even the bravest men. Deep inside, James was struggling for control of the beast within him, he hated this. He didn't enjoy seeing the panic flashing through Matthew Reid's eyes. Nor did he enjoy the stench of fear wafting from the doctor's body.

"Do something!" he begged Matthew, loosing his grip on his own beastly side. "This is a mental hospital, don't you have like sedatives or something for the patients that get out of control? That could hurt themselves or someone else!? Put me out with one of them, I can't hurt you if I'm not awake! Stay calm, the trick is staying calm! You can do this! I believe that you can!

[/color]" For a moment the wolf's vivid red eyes flashed blue, the light sky blue of James's eyes. Then they were red again.

He couldn't control anything. His powers were running wild. He could hear every though in Gotham. Six o'clock doesn't work for me! Doesn't he ever lis-, Stupid son of a-, What does he think he's doing? It-, Right...then left...then left again then-, Oh why do these directions have to be so confu-! All of them raced through his head at the same time, slamming one after another, cutting off some and picking up randomly with others, nothing made sense, it was chaos and he couldn't stand it.

"DO SOMETHING!![/color]" the shout was shoved to Matthew as he struggled, his brain feeling as though it was going to explode.

Now he was forcing random people to do things completely out of character. The old woman down at Main Street Books was shouting at a little kid for being too loud when he was barely talking over a whisper. A dentist down on First pulled out a tooth that didn't need to be pulled. Jennifer Sanders, a sales worker, jumped through the glass and off the tenth floor of a building down town. Winifred West, a Gotham City reporter, started swearing at the camera. Andrew Fray, a well known firefighter, put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.

It was too much.

"Calm down!"

James couldn't hold himself back much longer, it was so hard as it was not to attack Matthew or to allow his powers to cling to the only man that had shown him kindness in some time. He didn't want to make Matthew do something, didn't want to read his thoughts. He just wanted to leave the man alone and ask for a different doctor. James didn't believe Matthew deserved a nut job like him. Despite all his flaws, James wasn't a bad kid, he just had a few control and anger issues.

...Yes...

...Just a few...
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Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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[Matthew Reid]

Dizziness was beginning to creep in, heightening the panic. Matthew had never passed out during a panic attack before, but now there was the idea that he could and the dizziness was simplystrengthing that idea. Somewhere amongst the panic and fear, there was a small hint of calm. A very small, almost silent thought that was very hard to listen to and even harder to go with.

Just calm down. Everything will be fine...
Except that huge wolf.
That huge wolf who is trying to tell you how to make the situation better.
It's a god damn wolf.
He is a wolf, but with any luck he can get back to being a human.
That doesn't help! Gonna die. Gonna faint and crack my head open. Oh shit shit shit what if I'm going insane?!
You're not going insane.
But what if? What if I'm going to die?!
It's highly unlikely.
So's someone turning into a wolf!

Why his brain was arguing with itself was beyond Matthew, but then again, so were a lot of things at this particular moment in time. His gaze turned to the floor as he tried to focus on something other than the feeling of nausea now rising. Everything was beginning to feel a little surreal, even moreso when the voice of James came back with the questions.

You may believe but have you actually been paying attention?!

"W-We... We are-aren't... Gi-given anything like that..." Matthew stuttered quietly, not about to even begin trying to apologise for the thoughts seeing as how they'd probably be there forever if he did. "Ar-Arkham's track record w-with d-doctors isn't the best... W-We... I-It's for health a-and safety." He almost laughed, though his voice was still rather shaky. Squeaking at the shout, he jumped and ended up a little closer to the wall - though that was the least helpful thing that could have happened.

What do you expect me to do?! Accio some sedative? Maybe I'll magically stop having a panic attack because you obviously think I can. His thoughts were snappy, unable to remain calm with the panic and the being shouted at by a telepathic wolf animagus. This was just too much. Way too much. This whole situation was making him feel like he must be asleep, but the chest pains told him otherwise and everything was just too much for him to deal with in a controlled or calm manner. Granted calm was very difficult for him right now but regardless, the entirely situation wasn't helping.

"Calm down!"

There was a momentary pause in Matthew's thoughts completely, somewhat like a very stunned silence, before...

Are you fucking kidding me?!
I'm sorry! That was out of order and--
You're going to kill me. Oh shit. No thank you. Please don't. I can't-
--I promise this will stop soon. Panic attacks usually only last for five to twenty minutes...
-help it. It's not fucking stopping.

Shaking, Matthew continued to stare at the floor with the extreme feeling that he was about to burst into tears, though it didn't happen. He was well aware that everything could get worse - in fact, his thoughts were responsible for Matthew being aware of that - but also knew that he couldn't do anything to stop it. Actually, he just generally couldn't do anything. No matter how hard he tried to force himself into moving, he couldn't. It may have been from the fact that his thoughts were getting distracted by things that Matthew would usually dismiss as impossible or illogical (or just unlikely) and it felt a lot like his throat was closing up. Things were just going to go from bad to worse, he could tell...

((Notes: I'M LAUGHING AT HIS THOUGHTS AND I SHOULDN'T BE BUT OMGHISTHOUGHTSAREBRAVERTHANHEIS.))

[James Wayne]

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[/style][style=font-family: georgia; font-size: 40px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -5px; color: 232D54; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 0px; line-height: 25px; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left:1px; text-align: left;]seven devils in your heart

Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn't keep me out I don't want your money I don't want your crown See I've come to burn Your kingdom down Holy water cannot help you now See I've come to burn your kingdom down And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See they were there when I woke up this morning I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cars crashed into other cars, the sounds loud and piercing. The breaks squealing and the screams of the passengers reached James's ears. He groaned. Crash after crash happened outside Arkham, each one injuring or killing. He couldn't take it. He didn't want to do this! He couldn't believe Matthew's own thoughts were arguing with him.

'YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DIE!! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!!' James shouted, growling.

James growled, trying hard to shut everything down, but he couldn't. He couldn't control himself at all. This really was the right place for him. He was insane. That much was clearly obvious. He belonged here, and no one would be able to tell him otherwise. Not even Matthew.

The boy let out a strangled growl. 'Then hit me with a fire extinguisher!' He told Matthew. 'Knock me out with something! I'm still the boy that was standing here only moments ago, I just look different. Think of it that way. I"m not a wolf I'm the kid you were just talking to.' He hoped that would help a bit.

'I can control this body, I just can't control the powers! I could hurt you or someone else if I let go of what little control I have, knocking me out with something is really all you got.' James told him, 'And don't tell me to ram my head into a wall, because I'd just break through the wall.' He growled softly as he heard the sirens outside of Arkham. He hoped some of them lived. Some? Most.

James sighed. 'How are you arguing with yourself?' he growled out.

'I'm not going to attack you or eat you, so stop thinking that. I'm still James...just as a wolf. Come on Matt, do something! I don't know what... bash my head with a clipboard for all I care!' He was slowly loosing hold on his powers. Soon people were going to killing and going on rampages. Some had already started breaking into stores. He could only imagine what would happen if his mind touched that of a prisoner in Arkham...

Seven devils all around you Seven devils in your house See I was dead when I woke up this morning, And I'll be dead before the day is done Before the day is done And now all your love will be exorcised And we will find your sayings to be paradox And it's an even sum It's a melody It's a battle cry It's a symphony Seven devils all around you Seven devils in my house See, they were there when I woke up this morning And I'll be dead before the day is done - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/style][style= width: 200px; font-size: 09px; font-family: arial; padding: 5px; color: 6a6a6a;]thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

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