"Hope you're well rested Doc. You like your new place?"

I watched the white picket fences, the well cared for front lawns and close-knit style community blur past in the SUV, an uneasy peace as I stared at the fading small town as we drove off.

"As well as I could sir." Was my reply, barely looking away from the window. Parents, mothers were shoving kids in the cars, shoulders hunched from the heavy bags, lunch bags in their hands. The SUV stopped a couple times to allow kids to cross roads to get to school.

7:45AM

"The place is...different." And it was. It really was. It was unnerving for me. Living in a big city, there was no real routine, it was chaotic and alive and home for me, born and raised. I liked sticking to my roots. It would time to get used to this new closed in feature. Neighbors at every step, your business belonged to everyone else, everyone knew everyone. I would be new face and curiosity. I wasn't excited for that. But I could avoid them for most days at least.

Add to the fact this town believed that several miles out was a military base when it was more a military prison, but for who though? That was the big question. Sitting in the back with Mr. Brooks, the Handler, the big guy who had been part of Olympus Asylum's creation and caretaker of the patients and the man to refer to til my job - whatever it was - was completed.

"Plenty of questions to ask I assume." Brooks chuckled, easily watching out the window as we left behind the community and into the barren wilderness. The dry rocky ground made my throat dry for a couple reasons;

One, just looking at it made me thirsty and reach for the large water bottle I was always took with me and sip the icy, refreshing water. The cubes of ice clattering around as I tip some into my mouth. Condensation dripping onto my dark grey work pants, the air con still working to beat off the heat inside the car.

Two, the thought of being out in this barren desert away from civilization was enough to make any person think carefully about every step they would take. It also served a reminder that I was about to work with military, which was new but I wasn't dumb enough to think this was going to be safe by any means.

Opening my bag, I pulled out the folder with the non-disclosure agreement and quickly skim through it again even though I've read it several times once it was handed to me.

"So, can I ask?"

Brooks glances at me, brow raised high as he waits for me to continue.

"I am being escorted to a private and heavily guarded asylum that belongs to the military and under orders from the Government. The asylum is not labelled anywhere, its just a military base so people close by don't need to panic should anything go wrong."

"Okay," Brooks nodded slowly but I wasn't done yet.

"It's an awful lot of work to hide an asylum from the public especially if you don't want people worried or better, a unique tourist attraction. Yet, bringing in a complete stranger is outside of your normal work." Glancing at Brooks as I appraise him and think through the last couple meetings in the last couple days.

"You are a simple character, but you are good at hiding how you are feeling. You're nervous, you're worried and these two," I gesture to the two soldiers in the passenger and drivers seat. "Are on edge, like you and the General. Whatever big thing you're protecting, I'm guessing shit got real and you have reason to be worried."

There was immediate silence as no one spoke. Brook's chuckled quietly suddenly, slumping in his seat, scratching the back of his head.

"I guess I don't have to wonder if you were a good or bad choice. Straight to the point and I can tell you'll be quick to say what you think."

"It's part of my job sir. So, for my sake, I believe I'm entitled to know exactly what I'm dealing with. Are talking your normal but ten times in lethality?"

The chuckles continued from Brooks and the drivers before going silent.

"Lethal? Yes, very, without a doubt. Normal? Definitely not normal. These patients are...far from normal in anyway."

"Why is this a temporary job? What's the rush and why me?"

"We've considered bringing you in for a time. We've looked into your work and you're held in high regards and solving cases with the FBI and police. We could use your help for one such case."

That I wasn't expecting.

"You do realize I am a psychologist and not a detective. I assist in cases. Not solve cases."

"We are aware." Brooks hummed, looking at the drivers seat in front of him. "As you have been told, whatever happens while you are here, will not be discussed ever with anyone. For your safety, your loved ones and your reputations sake."

"I am well aware of how this works. I don't need the reminder of what's on the line. I'm here to do a job and get it done, despite how vague this all is." Brooks nodded in reply and pulled out a manila folder, a photo clipped on the corner of a man in army uniform.

"Medical Officer Johan Greeves. Been at the Asylum for close to fifteen years. No family to go back to and was recruited when the Asylum was opened. He is the medical examiner of patients and the soldiers." I took the file handed to me and Brook's voice grew sharper. "He was killed six nights ago."

I glanced at Brooks and he stared back intensely, tired grey eyes sharp and the unease all over his face.

"And we believe it was one of the...containments."

"What? Containments?" I frowned, finding the word more wrong than I was expecting. It sounded so...inhumane, so experimental. Like rats in a lab.

"Prisoner didn't seem to fit. And containment was a chosen name for them that didn't come from me." Shaking my head, I fiddled with the file before turning to my confidant.

"What happened?"