1 Prologue: The Job

"The cliff side, eh? Seems like a good place to hold a place for the crazies," Mienai remarked.

She had heard of this building before. Its reputation was not the best. Known for housing the craziest of criminals, from mass serial killers to cannibals. This hellhole was where Mienai would be working for the next year.

Why had she chosen this place out of all the other normal jobs in her city? Even she wasn't entirely sure. Her body kept telling her it was the pay. The average salary consisted of at least $1,000 a week.

"The motive doesn't matter," Mienai muttered, sipping her drink.

The club was especially busy today. The strippers posing and showing off on the poles. The top dogs smoking their cigarettes and sipping even rougher drinks. Mienai was sickened by the thought.

She scoffed. "I'm gonna get out of here. I reek of smoke buds already."

She waved to the bartender, who she was on good terms with. The man, with the longest beard she had ever seen, smiled humbly at her as she left the crowded, humid space.

The street was quiet. The street lights above flickered. Somebody needed to take a look at them.

Mienai started walking down the sidewalk towards her car. She felt an intense amount of dread. Of laziness.

"Get to the interview and nail it," she kept telling herself.

She climbed into the drivers seat of her shiny, white Chevrolet. She put her key in the ignition and began to drive off.

The grey clouds seemed to appear at the perfect time. She stared at the windshield as clear, wet raindrops took their places on her window. Her eyes wandered as the windshield wipers scooted the drops away from her view.

Mienai drove past the bridge and approached the cliff side. Her heart seemed to drop. She was nervous.

The building reminded her of an abandoned schoolhouse. A large clock was on the very top, along with a bell tower. The windows were too big for comfort. She could just picture one of the crazies peering through the window, their beady eyes stealing her soul.

She pulled into the parking lot. She stepped out of the car and opened her black umbrella. Anxious to get this over with, she made a beeline for the entrance. She pushed open the white doors.

The room was bright with white walls. There was a registration desk at the front. The woman working the desk was wearing a doctor's mask and big, black glasses.

"Hello. May I help you?" the woman asked.

Mienai sighed. "I'm here for a job interview. As a guard."

The woman smiled. "Ah, you must be Mienai Nakunatta. Welcome. That door to the left will take you to the Warden's office."

Mienai eyed the doors. She felt like she was walking into her own execution. With huge hesitation, she opened the door and stepped inside.

The Warden was sitting in a magnificent, leather chair. He had dark brown hair that was slicked back with an unnecessary amount of gel.

"Welcome, Mienai. Take a seat."