Tap, tap, scratch. Tap, tap, scratch.

Rene snapped up wide awake at the sound. Rubbing her eyes with her thumb and index finger of her right hand, she tried to get her bearings. It really was a episode in futility. What was there even to ground yourself with in the pit? "Michael?" Her voice came out quietly and more shaky than she cared for.

Rene cleared her throat carefully, "Michael?"

Nothing greeted Rene but the abyss. She spoke louder, "If this is some kind of joke, it's not funny." Silence. "Alright fire boy, if you don't say something right now I'm going to introduce my foot to your boys downstairs when I get out of here."

Death. That was her first thought to the quiet continued ensuing silence. Death had come calling to the pit's door. If Michael had been out there he would have not been able to hold in, at the very least, that laughter of his to her threat. Rene shifted her position so she could press her ear to the door. Tap, tap, scratch. Tap, tap, scratch. What the freak was causing that sound? Then again maybe the more important question was who. Had the guards come to drag her to her end at the chair? It seemed to be the only logical explanation. Rene had no idea what time it was or how long she had been in here. The pit was almost a universe unto itself. Time flowed differently here. It slowed to a near stand still, trying to squeeze all the sanity from its latest victim. An anaconda, the pit was darkness itself personified to suffocate you with barely a thought or effort by those in charge. So unless Rene had really jumped the sanity boat and was hearing the grim reaper outside the door, here for what was left of her soul, it was time for the chair. She'd rather take her chances with the reaper. Oh well, it appears they'll be meeting soon enough. Rene frowned pressing her ear even deeper to the metal as though she could phase through to the other side. Where's a cup when a girl needed one? Wait, was that singing?

"Who's afraid of the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf? Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Tra La La La La." A sickly sweet voice sung softly from the other side in time with the noise. Tap, tap, scratch. Tap, tap, scratch.

Rene scrambled backwards away from the door as quickly as possible. Granted, there really wasn't anywhere to go in the pit, but she knew being next to the door was still idiotic. This crap was straight out a horror movie and now came the part where the blonde died. The blonde always dies for, let's be honest, being stupid. Separated from her by mere concrete was something far worse than the chair or the grim reaper coming calling, someone far crazier had decided to pay her a visit. Ironic, huh she had just come up with that nickname for her earlier today and here she was singing a calling card for Rene. How sweet. Freakin' irony. All sounds abruptly ceased. Oh crap now what? Rene shakily stood up gazing intently at the general direction of the door. Had she imagined it all? Don't be stupid, stay still. Don't be the horror movie girl, remain as far away from the door as possible. And for God's sake don't be Red Riding Hood and walk straight up to the wolf to be eaten. Silence. One heartbeat, two. Son of...she had to know if it was all in her mind.

Rene crept carefully edging along the wall back towards the door. The only sound that assaulted her ears was her own heartbeat. The stupid thing was wild and erratic. Dang it. Rene tried to take a calming breath. In through your nose, hold, out through your mouth; what could be a helpful technique that surprisingly Miss Rachel taught her. It sounded more like a fish out of water gasping desperately for life. She really didn't want to be a dying fish. Keep moving, slowly inch towards the door, that's it almost there. No sound greeted her. Perhaps it was just her crazy mind hearing voices again. She could live with that. Better than the alternative anyway, which may actual kill her given the chance. Rene clenched her hands into fists as she approached the last foot from the door. No matter what she'd be ready. Screw the new strategy. It was time to go down swinging and end the game with a bang.

Rene position herself slightly to the left of the door. Taking a deep fish gasping breath, she set her feet shoulder width apart and brought her hands in front of her face. Whoever, came through that door was going to get a roundhouse that'd even make Chuck Norris jealous. Fake it till you make it. Right up to the bitter end. Rene perked her ears and closed her eyes focusing on what could lay on the other side. One heartbeat, two...Tap, tap, scratch. Tap, tap, scratch.

Now that was no imagination. Her eyes snapped open and Rene swallowed painfully. Her organs felt rearranged from the stress. Her heartbeat seemed to be coming from her waist and her stomach boiled the bitter acidic taste of vomit right in her chest. Well, this really wasn't going to end well. Time to go down in a blaze of glory or at least a spark of defiance. "Hey Kristy darling, long time no see. Not that I can actually see you in here. How are things? You still a stuck up, rich girl with daddy issues?" Rene called out testing the waters in what she hoped was a confident tone.

Silence. One heartbeat, two, three. Slam! A force rocketed against the door pressing itself into the metal. Rene took a shaky scoot back remaining fighting ready. The pit was meant to hold people in not the other way around. Finally an answer rang through echoing inside both the pit and Rene's mind. She could practically feel it vibrating the molecules of the room and air. "Oh you know. Same old, same old." a twinkling laughter leaked out from Kristy, "Same asylum, same pills, same annoying girl that has gotten on my nerves since the day she arrived."

If that laugh didn't scream creepy and psycho, Rene didn't know what did. She bent her knees slightly, rolling through the rest of her muscles. The movements gave her time to prepare and give a calculated response after spinning it through her head. See all the pieces, all the challenges and paths than play the game smart. A fast mouth and her anger were the enemies here. There was a difference between pulling the enemy off balance and shoving them over the edge. "Well I'm sorry to hear that. I couldn't imagine anyone being stupid enough to be giving you trouble. What did you say this girl's name was?"

"I didn't. But let's be honest, we both know I wouldn't be standing outside just anyone's door in the middle of the night."

"How sweet. I'm surprised you care this much. Is this visit concerning leisure or simply business?" Rene's eyes were glued to the handle as she waited for the telltale click of the lock. She needed to keep talking in hopes of holding her off until a guard came. The odds were definitely against her though. Kristy wasn't an idiot.

"This was a purely business trip." Kristy voice's came out calmed and clipped, what a professional.

"Shame. I was hoping for some good old fashion female bonding time. But if you're too busy for that I suppose we should get straight to it then."

Click. Rene was pretty sure her heart stopped with that. The handle turned painstakingly slow. Time leaked by disappearing into the darkness. She stood frozen. She needed to move. Do something idiot, lean on the door and hold the handle in place. For God's sake don't just stand their awaiting death! But she couldn't force her body into action, Rene just stared horrified as the door swung inward, partially obscuring Rene, to reveal Kristy in all her psychotic glory. Kristy's normally perfect hair was still a wild and erratic mane. Her eyes burned holes into the pit scanning mercilessly for her prey. The worst was her smile though. It was a diseased smile of someone who no longer held humanity in their heart. It was a killer's off-kilter grin. It matched the large kitchen knife gripped in her hand. Yep, Rene was going to die. The reaper must be laughing now.

Kristy glided forward like death itself. The streaming light of the hallway even gave her an unearthly glow. How kind that the universe decided to let her murder look good while doing it. Perhaps Kristy was an angel of death coming to collect. Rene shook her head angrily. Quit thinking like that. Fight damn it! The movement caught Kristy's attention causing her to zero in on Rene. One heartbeat, two...it's now or never. They moved at the same time. Kristy screeched an animal howl as she brought the knife arching up at Rene's chest. Rene jumped back pulling her stomach in to avoid the swipe. Adjusting her weight, Rene swung her back leg around looking to nail Kristy with a roundhouse to the head. The girl easily dodged and came rushing at Rene again trying to keep the fight close range. The knife was deadly but it actually had to be able to reach Rene's lifeline to bleed it out. Rene brought up a knee and slammed it into Kristy's side giving her more wiggle room. She followed it with a thrusting kick to Kristy's stomach forcing her back and hopefully knocking the air out of the conniving, little killer wannabe. "Kristy, I know we are close and all, but I'm a really big fan of the whole personal space thing. So let's just say stay out of my bubble and this won't have to get any uglier."

Kristy stumbled back glaring at Rene as she started circling. "Hmph, so I've heard. Never touch Rene she's too good for that; but little Miss thorn in everyone's side has been digging into people ever since you were born no doubt. On the count of things getting uglier, have you seen yourself lately? I really don't things can get any worse." Kristy countered.

"Well that's just mean. Got me right in the feels Kristy." Rene let the sarcasm flow. It was nice not to have to bite her tongue for once, "Perhaps when we finish with this unpleasantness you can give me a makeover."

Both of them knew it was all bravo, the taunting. Kristy definitely had the upper hand with the knife. Still psychological warfare would no doubt play a part in a battle of two unhinged individuals, both with rage issues that could rival the Incredible Hulk. Kristy changed directions continuing her prowl. She was looking for the opening, the weakness. Be strong. Don't be the victim again. This is different from last time. She wasn't helpless anymore just a bit unevenly matched. A fair fight would be boring anyway, so been there done that. Rene turned in sync with Kristy, keeping her eyes locked on hers. The eyes would give her away. The wolf versus... how about the lioness. Yeah Rene could be a lioness strong and fearless, most of the time. Her peripherals caught the twitch of eyes to Kristy's target on Rene's body came a second before the swipe. She brought up her forearm to protect her throat. The blade slide through her skin like butter. Rene couldn't stop the hiss of pain as she fell back. There was no where to retreat to though. Kristy made sure to remain between Rene and the only exit in the room. Even if she managed to escape, who would help her before Kristy chased her down.

The blood flowed freely from the cut in her arm. All things considering it was fairly superficial, maybe stitches would be needed. Nothing compared to the scars already lacing her. Rene dropped her arm refocusing. It was time to stop being afraid. Pain was inevitable, after all she had brought fists to a knife fight, but dying was not. "Alright Kristy. Let's end this once and for all. It's game over for one of us tonight. Between you and me though, I hate losing."

Kristy's face twisted into the face contouring madness cracked smile again. She giggled manically. "Neither do I. And between you and me Rene, I cheat."

She lunged. Rene spun, but again feeling the bite of the blade on her stomach this time. Shallow and painful but livable, Rene could keep moving. She retaliated with an upper cut to Kristy's jaw. The satisfying snap of Kristy's teeth jarring together gave her hope. She followed with a quick scrapping of her shins before grabbing Kristy's knife-wielding arm and twisting it up behind the girl. "Now be a good girl and drop it." She hissed emphasis her words with a wrench.

Kristy laughed spasming. Rene clutched her tighter, white knuckling to keep the bucking girl in her grasp. Kristy was giggling uncontrollably enough that she was actually spitting and foaming at her mouth. That definitely did not inspire confidence about Rene's win. Damn it. "Kristy! Enough is enough! Drop the knife and leave. We can pretend this whole thing never happened. No one has to die tonight!"

The laughter dropped off abruptly as it started. Its echos still haunted the pit. Kristy tilted her head up at Rene. There was no fear or remorse in her face, all that shone back at Rene was insanity and violence. Rene couldn't control the shudder that passed through her. Was this her future? This face that was more animal than human. A person without any real thoughts of their own, just instinct. Were there really only two options at the asylum: become a numb zombie or a rabid nightmare? Shocked, Rene released Kristy stumbling back towards the wall. No, no she didn't want this. She didn't want to be a monster. She couldn't kill Kristy, even to save her own life. If she did she'd just fall into the darkness and never reemerge. She was already broken, so full of cracks. What would having blood on her do to those? Blood was thicker than water right, and a little water could create the freakin' Grand Canyon with time. Ending Kristy, it would fracture her down to her very core.

Kristy stood up fully. She brushed herself off slowly and unconcerned. She knew she had won. Game over. Rene clutched at her chest, feeling her heartbeat. She didn't want to die. Despite everything, all the darkness and pain within her life here at the asylum, she didn't want to die. What would happen to her friends? Poor, sweet Cassie with her ever constant love and affections that Rene never openly returned. She was the sister Rene never had. The family she didn't know she missed out on. One that accepted her no matter what. Would she know how she had helped make life bearable? How she had given Rene a reason to have hope? And what about Danny? Would he be able to keep up the pill ruse without Rene helping to cover his tracks? He really did have a brilliant mind and the world deserved to have it unclouded. He was the real master mind behind the game. If anyone survived her, she had always assumed it would be him. Then there was Michael, that idiot, who in the brief time had come into her life like a tornado demolishing her game. He was someone she had begun to consider an ally, possible even a friend. He reminded her there was more to life than just surviving. She didn't want to die. Rene meet Kristy's eyes feeling her own prickle with all the unshed tears.

Kristy's cold gaze was unwavering. She smiled and brought the knife up to rest lightly on her chin. "You know Rene. We're really not that different you and I. Of course I'm far prettier than you, and smarter, and..." Kristy tapped the knife gently against her skin in thought, "Well let's just say I'm like you but better. The deluxe package if you will." She brought the knife down to gesture at herself as though showcasing a rare and valuable treasure. "The point being if you would have just fallen in line like a good little girl we wouldn't be having this little misunderstanding. You could have stood by my side and watched me rule this place like the queen I am. Now I'm afraid that's no longer an option."

Rene gritted her teeth. Screw her. "I'm not your fangirl Kristy and I never will be. You give crazy a bad name. You and I can never be alike because I actually have a conscious still."

"Pity. We could have had fun together."

"Burn in Hell."

"Already there, Rene dear. Now back to business." Kristy drifted forward eyes alight. A predator in the night, there was no need to rush.

There was no knight to save her. Rene was no damsel in distress. This was no fairy tale, then again she had heard the Grimm brothers could weave a gruesome web. Kristy ran her tongue over her teeth, the unhinged grin returning. My Kristy, what big teeth you have. Who's afraid of the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf, the big bad wolf? Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Tra La La La La. Rene most definitely was afraid, terrified even. She knew there was a reason she always hated fairy tales.

Rene looked down. She didn't want to see the end, especially since it was being delivered by Kristy. That complete madness in her eyes would not be the last thing she saw. Her eyes found the twin dragons on her arms encircling one so small and weak. They were power and strength. Things she constantly strived for, she thought they'd help her to be somebody, to matter in a world where she was fighting to not disappear without a trace. Apparently she was wrong. Oblivion was knocking at her door curtsy of the reaper's new bestie. Songs would not be sung about her and no stories told. She'd be snuffed out like a candle and that would be that. The dragons blurred for a moment. The tears spilled over raining onto her arms splattering them. She'd die here all alone. Had even the voices given up on her? The water continued falling. Each drop seemed to cause the dragons to become more vivid. It caused the contrast of them against her scars to become more apparent. Her scars.

Rene felt cold against her throat. She looked up to realize Kristy was now right in front of her. They were breathing the same air and if someone came in they could even be mistaken for lovers stealing a moment in the night. That is unless they saw the blade pressed to Rene's throat and the expression on Kristy's face. Shadows danced across both of them. Neither was fully in the light or in the dark. The light streaming through the open door was trying desperately to fight back the all-consuming darkness of the pit to no avail. She stared at it. Rene had been in the darkness for most of her life. It had seeped into her very soul and mind. It rotted her from the inside out. But there was light within her too, and it fought back tooth and nail to keep shining. She had scars from the darkness, both inside and out, that would never completely go away. However, they proved her battle and her ability to survive. She could not lose the game not when she had come this far.

"Any last words?" Kristy sweetly inquired while digging in slightly to cause a small bead of blood to trail down her neck.

Rene blinked slowly emerging from her head. "I always thought last words were rather cliche myself."

"True. Not like anyone is ever going to know them anyway right? It's just you, me, and the pit and we both know how well the pit keeps secrets."

Rene didn't say anything for a moment instead she met Kristy's eyes again. One heartbeat, two, three, four... "How about this then? Game over."

Kristy raised an elegant eyebrow with a giggle, "Game over indeed. How appropriate for the pathetic mess that was..."

Rene cut her off with the only thing she could think of left to do. She head butted her. Surprised, Kristy fell back onto the ground with a groan. Rene immediately reached up to check her neck. The move had deepened the cut on her throat. She could feel her hands quickly become slick. Still, it was better than being dead. In fact her head hurt more than her neck. Rene grabbed the now abandoned knife off the ground. Kristy had managed to regain her bearings before going wide-eyed at the sight of Rene gripping the knife. "Don't worry. I might be crazy, but I still have morals." Rene muttered. She twirled the knife around before slamming the handle into Kristy's skull.

The girl crumpled to the ground. Rene leaned over Kristy listening for her breathing. Good, she had just blacked out. Hopefully she'd stay there until the guards came. This was definitely going to be an interesting one to explain. Rene used the knife to cut a stripe off her shirt which she secured carefully around her throat to help stop the bleeding. Her other cuts were slowing on their own, more scars to add to her patchwork. She wiped the blade on her pants to remove her own blood. Covered in her own blood, this was becoming a bad habit.