CHAPTER THREE
LANA WINTERS

Eve's eyes fluttered open, the woman sharply inhaling a breath as she woke up.

It took her a few seconds to fully register her surroundings, Eve's eyebrows furrowing in confusion as she frantically glanced around the small room she was in, her eyes darting around the space quickly.

She was strapped to a steel table, her ankles and wrists tied down to the sides, and a thick leather strap tightened around her forehead, preventing her from moving her head.

Eve felt her claustrophobia start to kick in, the woman's palms and forehead starting to sweat, her mouth going dry as her heartbeat quickened in anxiety.

She frowned as her eyes flickered to an electro-shock therapy machine placed next to her, Sister Jude and two orderlies standing by it.

Eve's heart dropped in trepidation at the knowledge of what was about to happen to her.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Eve started as she felt her cheeks heat up, the woman feeling her heart start to race in immense fear.

Ignoring her question, one of the guards walked over to her and took the thick strap off, Eve slightly raising her head instinctively, the other guard then grabbing her forehead and holding it down firmly, the back of Eve's head slamming against the table at the action, the woman wincing in pain.

The first guard then put an earmuff-looking device around her head, Eve widening her eyes, as she knew what the device was for.

Before Eve could scream for help, the second guard quickly grabbed a gag from the side table and roughly shoved it in her mouth, Eve choking at the action, her eyes tearing up involuntarily.

"Did you, or did you not kill your boyfriend and your dog last year?" Sister Jude questioned belligerently, Eve shaking her head quickly and mumbling something incoherent, her words muffled due to the gag in her mouth, tears now freely slipping from her eyes.

"Just give her one volt for now." Sister Jude turned to the first guard as Eve's eyes went wide, the woman beginning to sob as she tried pleading in desperation, her voice still indistinct, Sister Jude glaring at the younger woman at the action.

"Stop your whinin', Miss Brooks, unless you want two." Sister Jude spat, Eve sobbing louder at the words.

"Oh for Heaven's sake, just do it already." Sister Jude scoffed as she glanced at the guard, the man nodding as he flipped a switch.

Eve's body would've jumped off the table at the electricity if her ankles and wrists weren't tied down, her back arching and tears streaming down her face as she yelled, her voice still muffled, and now extremely shaky.

Eve's hands tensed against the table, her fingers slightly raising from it as her palms stayed rigid against the metal.

Her body began to convulse as the electricity ran through her body, the gag still preventing her from loudly yelling, her pained, shaky cries inferring how much anguish Eve was experiencing.

Eve's head began to feel light, her temples burning at the agonising sensation of the electricity coursing through her body.

Sister Jude's narrowed eyes remained fixated on Eve, the nun making sure she was suffering, as she truly believed Eve killed her boyfriend and her dog.

As one of the guards turned off the machine, Eve's—still convulsing—body fell back down to the table, more tears falling from her eyes as almost all her energy was drained from her.

As Eve's body slowly began to relax, her body still jolting up occasionally as a result of the electric shock, Sister Jude glanced at the guards, the woman sending them curt nods.

Once Eve's body had finally relaxed, one of the guards untied the restraints on her wrists and ankles, the other guard taking away the electroshock therapy device from around her head, two red marks on Eve's temples.

"Take her back to her room. She'll recover overnight." Sister Jude commanded, the two guards taking Eve off the table and pulling her along with them.

The guards passed the male's quarters, both of them dragging Eve with them, the woman's body still weak from the immense pain she had just been subjected to, her head hung low as she was limp against the guards and their tight grips on her arms.

Eve just barely turned her head as she passed the cells, the woman locking eyes with Kit.

The man frowned at her exhausted state, concern taking over his defined features. "Eve?"

"No talking." One of the guards hit the door with his baton, Kit flinching at the action.

"Eve." Kit ignored the man, his gaze remaining on Eve as he gripped the tiny bars of his cell.

By the time Eve registered what was happening, the woman was already passing most of the cells, almost all of the other male patients screaming at her and making inappropriate remarks and sounds, their behaviour reflecting those of rabid animals who hadn't been fed in weeks.

Ignoring their incredibly disgusting comments, Eve just barely spoke, her voice almost too quiet to hear as her eyes followed her new friend. "Kit..."

Kit's eyes widened as he saw the red marks on Eve's temples. "What did they do to you?"

"Shut up!" One of the guards yelled, Kit ignoring the man as his eyes remained fixated on Eve.

As the guards pulled Eve further along with them, Kit's worried gaze never faltered from the woman until she was out of sight, his brain clouding with worried thoughts for her.

•

The first guard unlocked Eve's cell and shoved her inside, Eve stumbling as she tried to regain her balance, but ultimately failing as she fell to the ground.

As the second guard slammed her door shut, Eve slowly crawled towards her bed, the woman feeling herself begin to cry again as she sniffled.

Eve reached her bed, the woman standing up slowly and lying on the uncomfortable mattress, soon moving so she was on her side, as she slowly curled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, her hands interlocking tightly.

Eve squeezed her eyes shut as tears fell freely from her eyes once again, the woman trying hard not to let out a sob, however she was unsuccessful.

•

"Alright, get up, get up!" Guards yelled as they unlocked the doors to each cell, Lana Winters, a journalist that was locked up unfairly, instantly sitting up as her door opened.

Lana furrowed her eyebrows at the sight of Eve motionlessly lying on her bed in the cell across from hers, the woman on her side and curled up in a ball.

"Get up, what did I say?!" One guard yelled as he walked over to Eve and grabbed her arms aggressively, the man pulling her up and practically dragging her outside.

As they reached the door of Eve's cell, the guard released her arms and pushed her against the wall, Eve hugging her body as she glanced at the ground.

"Are you okay?" Lana questioned as she caught Eve's attention.

Eve hesitated for a moment, the woman mumbling a quiet "I'm fine" before glancing away again.

"Room search, Miss Winters." Sister Jude's voice caught everyone's attention, all the female patients now standing just outside their rooms as the guards searched every one.

As the guards continued to search the cells, they each informed Sister Jude of what was in them, nothing incriminating being found in Eve's.

"Find anything, Frank?" Sister Jude questioned as she arrived at Lana's room.

"No, looks clean to me." Frank responded simply as he shook his head.

At this, Eve raised her head to watch the ordeal, the woman sharing a glance with Lana, who wore a frown.

"Check the pillowcase." Sister Jude spoke as she pointed to Lana's pillow.

As Frank began to search Lana's pillowcase, the woman sighed and glanced at the ground, as she knew she got caught, Eve's gaze remaining on Lana as she did so.

"Ah-ha." Frank started as he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Sister Jude, who smirked as she mockingly glanced at Lana with raised eyebrows.

"What do we have here?" The older woman began tauntingly as she unfolded the creased piece of paper and began to read from it. "October 28th, strip searched and deloused, denied phone call."

The nun directed her attention to Lana again as she continued. "Who would you like to call, Miss Winters? The American Civil Lesbians Union?"

At her words, Frank snorted a laugh, Eve coldly glaring at the man in disdain at his reaction to Sister Jude's insulting comment.

"My editor knows I came here to write a story." Lana fired back at Sister Jude, who just grew more amused at her words. "And boy, do I have a great scoop for him now."

"Ah, yes, you know, I've read your columns about baked beans, gallivanting geese who lost their way home." Sister Jude responded, a small, jeering smirk placed on her face as she moved closer to Lana. "Riveting. Too bad your ambition outweighs your talent."

With that, the nun began to walk away, Lana glancing at her and speaking as she did so. "I don't need those, Sister, I have an excellent memory."

Strike one. Eve thought to herself, the woman already feeling sympathy for Lana, who she knew would endure the same unimaginable trauma she did the previous night.

"Yeah? We'll see about that." Sister Jude called back as she walked out of the women's block, the guards following her.

Lana furrowed her eyebrows as she glanced at the other patients, her gaze reverting back to Eve, who was already looking at her.

"Can I help you?" Lana started, her eyebrows still furrowed, as she assumed Eve was crazy, like the other patients around her.

"Lana Winters, right?" Eve responded, the woman pushing off the wall and approaching Lana, who took a step back instinctively.

"Yes..." Lana replied with a frown, the woman cautiously surveying Eve.

"You said you were a reporter?" Eve raised her eyebrows as she stopped walking, Lana nodding slowly at her words. "Your editor knows you're here?"

Lana nodded again, the woman's voice lacing with suspicion as she spoke. "Yes, why?"

"If you get out of here, you have to expose this place. Expose what they do to us, to me. I'm Eve Brooks, by the way." Eve answered, Lana still eyeing her curiously. "Look, I'm not crazy, okay? And I know everyone says that, but I'm being honest, I swear."

"And why should I believe you?" Lana's frown deepened.

"Because, when I told them I didn't kill my boyfriend, they did this to me." Eve answered, the woman tucking her hair behind her ears and revealing the painful red marks on her temples.

Lana's eyes widened at the sight, her voice going quieter in shock. "They electrocuted you?"

Eve nodded. "When they find out you're not crazy, they do everything in their power to drive you to insanity. Abuse from guards, 'accidental' cigarette burns, electrotherapy."

At her words, Lana grew more confused, and horrified, to the point of speechlessness.

At this point, Lana began to believe her. From Eve's tone of voice, her behaviour, and not to mention the horrifying treatment she underwent. From a reporter, and a human's, point of view, all signs pointed to the truth.

"It's easier if you have friends in here." Eve continued after a moment. "Friends who aren't crazy, of course."

"Friends? Plural?" Lana raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect someone to actually be sane in an asylum, let alone various people.

Eve nodded. "You don't have to trust them right away, but at least trust me. Dean, Kit, Grace, and I. We're the sane ones."

Lana just nodded at her words, the woman compiling all the information she had just been given inside her head.

Eve Brooks. A patient who was accused of killing her boyfriend. NOT INSANE, and had been electrocuted by Sister Jude. Lana thought to herself, the woman making a mental note to write about Eve later.

•

"Hey, you okay?" Dean questioned as he furrowed his eyebrows at Eve's exhausted appearance. "You look like you haven't slept a wink."

"You're very observant." Eve responded, her voice quiet as she sat down next to Dean, Kit approaching the two quickly as he walked into the common room, the man sitting down across from Eve.

He scanned her face for a moment, the man gently cupping her cheeks and turning her head, one of his hands moving her hair to the side, revealing the, now slowly fading, red marks on her temples.

Kit furrowed his eyebrows at the sight, as he took his hands off her cheeks. "What did they do to you?"

"Electroshock therapy." Eve replied quietly as Dean and Kit widened their eyes, Eve glancing between the two as she spoke up again. "I'm fine."

"From what I saw last night, no, you're not." Kit protested, the man's eyes scanning Eve's exhausted face once again in worry.

"Please tell me you at least got a little sleep." Dean spoke up, catching Eve's attention.

"Yeah. A little." Eve lied, the woman forcing a small smile to appear on her face, Dean furrowing his eyebrows as he wasn't quite convinced, Eve's barely visible eye bags giving her away.

"Don't lie to us, Eve." Kit caught her attention, Eve meeting his solicitous gaze.

"Kit, I'm okay." Eve replied, the woman gently placing her hand on top of Kit's as she plastered on another small smile. "I promise."

Kit's gaze flickered between Eve's eyes and her comfortingly warm hand resting on his, the man releasing a small sigh as he hesitatingly nodded.

Dean glanced between the two, his eyebrows raising at their proximity.

"Brooks, Evans, get up!" A guard yelled as he approached the group, three other guards following close behind.

"What? Why?" Eve frowned as the trio's attention was shifted to the guards, who were now grabbing Dean and Eve's arms and pulling them up aggressively, Kit's hand falling to the table as Eve was forced to stand up.

"Get off me!" Dean exclaimed as he struggled against the guards, Kit standing up as he frowned at them.

"Let me go!" Eve yelled as she thrashed around in the guards' grips. "Where are you taking us?!"

"You two are goin' back to your cells." One of the guards holding Eve back responded gruffly.

"And you are havin' a meeting with some therapist. Some Thredson, guy." The second guard holding Eve back spoke to Kit, who's eyebrows raised.

He shared knowing glances with Eve and Dean, the trio, and Grace, already discussing a plan just a day ago about how to deal with the therapist that had just been introduced to Briarcliff.

"Come on." Another guard spoke as him and the rest of the guards began to drag Eve and Dean out of the common room.

•

A nun walked past the cells, Eve furrowing her eyebrows as she approached the door. "Sister Mary Eunice?"

At the sound of her name, the timid nun slightly jumped, the woman letting out a small yelp as she did so.

Eve's eyebrows raised as Sister Mary Eunice held a hand to her heart and allowed herself to calm down, the woman releasing breaths. "Y-you scared me, E- Miss Brooks." She corrected herself, the woman remembering how mad Sister Jude would get if she called a patient by their first name.

"Apologies." Eve replied as Sister Mary Eunice nodded gently and slowly approached Eve's door with a platter of food.

"Here you go." Sister Mary Eunice spoke as she then slid the platter through the hatch, Eve sending her a nod.

"Thank you." Eve responded with a small smile, the woman relieved at how there was at least one friendly nun in this hellhole.

Sister Mary Eunice sent Eve a kind smile. "You're most welcome."

With that, the woman then made the rounds, sliding platters of food to the other patients.

•

Eve frowned as she observed Lana from her position sitting next to Dean and Grace.

The woman had red marks on her temples—the exact same red marks that Eve has.

Lana was scribbling down notes on a stolen piece of paper, Eve already knowing she'd be writing about the electroshock therapy.

Kit walked into the common room and quickly approached Eve, Dean, and Grace, Eve's gaze shifting to Kit as Grace spoke. "Did you do what I said? Did you toss your shit at him?"

"What did he say?" Dean added with a frown.

"Was he an asshole?" Eve questioned, Kit's gaze flickering between the three in front of him.

"I can't do it." Kit started in a hushed tone, the man ignoring their questions as his frantic gaze shifted between each of them. "I can't fake crazy. What I need to do is escape this place now, before he files that report and I'm screwed."

"That answers my question, then." Eve cleared her throat as she leaned her elbows on her knees, the woman resting her chin on her hand as Kit leaned closer to the group.

"There is no escape." Grace responded, the woman taking a puff from her cigarette as she raised her eyebrows.

"Trust me, we would've found one by now." Dean added, the man backing up Grace's point as he glanced at her.

"We gave you your way out, Kit." Eve spoke in a hushed tone.

"Think. Think hard." Kit whispered, the man's gaze set on Eve as he spoke.

Eve held his gaze, and she couldn't lie, the action, and the emphasis on 'hard', made her breathing slightly quicken—hopefully unnoticeably.

"There's gotta be a way outta here." Kit continued, the statement snapping Eve out of her thoughts, which came as a surprise to the woman.

She didn't expect to have that reaction for someone she had only recently met.

"I need to find Alma." Kit added, the man referring to his wife, who had supposedly been taken by aliens, according to Kit.

Well, it's nice to know at least one of us has someone to go back to. Eve thought to herself, the woman feeling a tinge of sadness as she thought of Jack and her dog.

"Now, at the bakery, aren't there delivery vans?" Kit spoke up.

"Well, yes, but-"

Interrupting Eve, Kit spoke again. "Great!"

"But, it wouldn't work." Eve finished her previous sentence. "Sorry to tell you, Kit, but you're not exactly a bread roll."

"Well, there's gotta be somethin' we can do." Kit responded with a frown, the man growing more irritated by the second.

•

"Eve." Lana started, her voice raised as she caught Eve's attention, the woman standing up as she met Lana's gaze. "I need to speak with you for a second."

"Okay, sure." Eve responded with a small nod as she followed Lana outside the common room.

Looking around to make sure no orderlies or nuns were present, Lana lowered her voice, the woman stepping closer to Eve as she started. "I need someone to help me pull off an escape. But nobody else can know."

Eve raised her eyebrows, the woman responding quietly after a brief moment of silence. "We have to take Kit, Dean and Grace."

"Absolutely not." Lana shook her head immediately.

"Lana, they're innocent." Eve furrowed her eyebrows as she crossed her arms.

"Fine, maybe Dean and Grace, but not Kit." Lana responded, the woman putting her hands on her hips as her gaze flickered between Eve's eyes. "He's a vicious murderer."

When Eve just glanced at her unconvincingly, Lana continued. "They can make you believe anything."

"Yeah, I know that, Lana, probably better than anyone." Eve scoffed. "I've seen my fair share of killers, and Kit is not one of them, believe me."

At Eve's response, Lana just shook her head once again. "He can't come. That's my line in the sand."

Eve released a small sigh, the woman's gaze flickering between Lana's eyes.

•

Eve was sat on one of the couches in the common room, her legs resting on Kit's thighs and her back against the arm of the couch, an already-lit cigarette between her fingertips, Dean and Grace sitting on the couch opposite the two.

Lana was a few metres away from the four, Eve sharing a glance with the woman as she took a puff from the nicotine stick between her fingers.

Lana, putting her cigarette out in the ashtray in front of her, took a pencil she hid from under the table, the woman subtly pulling out a piece of paper.

Eve, noticing this, broke away from Kit and stood up, the woman slumping down next to Lana, her voice quiet as she hid the piece of paper and the pencil with her body. "You've gotta know by now, that's not the smartest decision."

"I have to write it down or I'll forget." Lana responded in a hushed tone as she glanced at Eve.

"So tell me instead." Returning her glance, Eve replied almost immediately. "Where's the tunnel?"

"I can't." Lana shook her head as she glanced at Kit, who was packing away a board game. "We go together. That's the only way. And not a word to him."

"And Dean and Grace?" Eve raised her eyebrows.

"They can come too." Lana responded with a small nod. "But that's it, that's my deal."

Kit, walking past the women, widened his eyes as he noticed the guards at the door.

He stopped, the man creating a ruse as he grabbed Lana's piece of paper and shoved it in his pocket, replacing it with a book that was allowed to be read in the common room. "Here you go."

"What the hell are you doing?" Lana frowned as she stood up angrily, Eve's attention shifting to Kit as he glanced at the guards again, who had now entered the room.

Dean and Grace joined the group, both of them standing next to Eve and Lana, who were already standing up.

Eve, figuring out what Kit was doing, raised her eyebrows at the man, who quickly returned her gaze before reverting it back to the orderlies.

"Okay everybody, let's go. Sister Jude wants everybody to get an extra good night's sleep, so the common room is closin' early!" Frank started, the guards beginning to grab the patients and drag them to their rooms.

"Thank you, but give me back my notes." Lana spoke to Kit, the two glancing at each other.

"What's the matter, don't you trust me?" Kit questioned with furrowed brows as he began to walk out of the common room, Eve, Dean, and Grace beginning to walk out too.

"No woman should trust you." Lana responded coldly.

"They can't find these on you." Kit replied quietly, the man trying to prevent Lana from getting hurt.

As the guards 'escorted', more like dragged, the patients out, the women being taken to the women's ward, and the men being taken to the men's ward, Lana, Grace, and Eve shared final glances as the guards locked their doors.

•

All of a sudden, the lights began to flicker as they turned bright red, the action awakening every patient.

Eve furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she pushed the thin sheets off her body and slowly approached the door, the woman quickly taking a step back as the door began to shake violently before swinging open.

As Eve's door fully opened, the woman was met with Lana in the cell opposite hers, the journalist wearing the same bewildered expression.

Slowly walking out of their cells, all the patients looked around in uncertainty.

"What's happening?" Grace whispered as she approached Eve and Lana.

"I don't know." Lana replied in a hushed tone.

Eve glanced up at the red lights, the woman speaking up. "Looks like a power failure."

"This is our chance." Lana whispered as she glanced between the two women in front of her.

With that, Lana grabbed both Eve and Grace's wrists, the woman beginning to lead them down the hallway, and towards the staff only area.

"It's just through that door." Lana started, however, the trio stopped at the sound of Kit's voice.

"Eve, Grace."

At this, the woman turned around to face Kit and Dean standing just a few metres away from them, their gazes flickering between the trio.

"Come on guys, Lana knows a way out." Eve spoke, Lana grabbing her arms and protesting with a stern "no, not Kit", Kit's eyebrows furrowing as Lana grabbed Dean's arm and pulled him towards her, Eve, and Grace.

"You can't come with us." Lana told Kit, the woman glaring at him. "Get away from us."

"I read what you wrote about me." Kit objected, the man stepping closer to the four. "I'm not a killer, or a psychopath."

"You're a liar." Lana seethed as she pulled the group along with her. "Get away from us."

"I'm not leaving without him, Lana." Eve spoke as she shrugged Lana's hand off her shoulder, Kit's gaze remaining on her as she defended him.

"I'm not setting him lose so he can kill again." Lana replied as she glanced between Eve and Kit.

"Guys, can we make a decision please?" Dean interrupted hurriedly, everyone's attention shifting to him as he spoke. "We're running out of time."

Glancing at Lana again, Eve continued. "You're wrong. He didn't kill those women. And if you can't see that, I guess we'll have to find a way out ourselves."

With that, Eve grabbed Kit's hand and began to run towards the exit, Dean and Grace following after the pair.

Watching the group take off, Lana screamed, knowing the action would be heard by the guards. "Help!"

At this, the group turned around quickly, their eyes wide as they glanced at Lana, horrified and betrayed.

"Wait!" Kit exclaimed, the man trying to stop Lana, however his attempt failed, as the woman continued.

"He's escaping! The killer is escaping, help me! In the hallway!"

Resisting against the guards' grips, Eve, Dean, Kit, and Grace were being hit by them, Eve and Grace protesting while Kit and Dean were getting beaten.

"Get off them!" Eve yelled loudly, the woman thrashing against the guards' grips. "Stop it!"

With every blow to Kit and Dean's faces, Eve and Grace grew more panicked, tears streaming from Lana's eyes as she watched the whole ordeal from the end of the hallway, the woman unscathed.

Eve and Grace glared at Lana, ice-cold expressions placed on their faces.

Although deeply angered by Lana's betrayal, Eve somewhat understood Lana's doubts about Kit, unlike Grace, who grew a deep hatred for the journalist, especially because her actions caused Dean and Kit extensive harm—the woman more upset for Dean, as she had known the man longer.

•

Eve, Kit, Dean, and Grace were forced into Sister Jude's office, each of them face-to-face with Lana, tight leather restraints bound around their wrists to prevent them from acting out.

The space under Kit's left eye was bruised, Dean's right cheek still red, the beatings from the previous night displayed on their faces.

As the group passed Lana, each of them sent her angry glares as they struggled against the guards holding them back.

"These four didn't show your courage and wisdom, and as such, will be punished. Your reward is, you will not be." Sister Jude spoke as the orderlies brought Eve, Kit, Dean, and Grace to her desk and slammed them face-down, each of them moving their heads to the side as their stomachs hit the table, grunts escaping their mouths at the rough action.

"You're so twisted." Lana scoffed in disbelief.

"Don't make me change my mind, Miss Lana Banana." Sister Jude chuckled as she approached the 'cane cabinet' and opened the doors.

One of the guards pulled open Eve's thin, faded hospital-like scrubs, revealing her rear, cold air stinging her bare skin, the other guards doing the same to the rest of the group.

As the orderlies behind Dean and Kit backed away, the ones behind Eve and Grace lingered for a little longer, a nauseating feeling passing through Eve, as she knew the guards were getting off on them like this.

She felt like she was going to throw up, although she suppressed the urge, as if she did, she would get in more trouble.

"Which of these, would you like to see on our dear Eve's bare behind?" Sister Jude spoke again, her tone lacing with sarcasm, the guards finally backing away from Eve and Grace. "And which one on our doe-eyed, James Dean copycat, the floppy-haired homosexual, and the French brat? Go ahead, pick one."

Lana waited a moment before choosing the thinnest cane, Sister Jude scoffing. "Oh, come on, Miss Winters. Live large."

Glaring at Sister Jude momentarily, Lana then picked up a slightly thicker cane, Sister Jude grabbing it and walking towards the group.

Inhaling shuddering breaths as Sister Jude stood behind her, Eve shared a terrified glance with Kit.

"I'm so sorry everyone-"

"Screw you, Jude's bitch!" Grace exclaimed, the woman cutting Lana off angrily.

As Sister Jude raised the cane behind Eve, Eve's eyes tightly squeezed shut, the woman inhaling a breath instinctively as she waited for the abuse to follow.

Looking away, Lana closed her eyes, Kit standing up just before Sister Jude could lower her cane. "Stand up, guys."

Eve's eyes reopened at the words.

"Stand up." He added as he gently grabbed Eve's shoulder and pushed her up, Dean and Grace standing up too.

"I'm the guilty one here, Sister." Kit started, Eve, Dean, and Grace sending him confused frowns. "They were pawns. They're not the ones that deserve to be punished, I am. They were just trying to help a friend."

Eve's gaze remained on Kit, the woman's frown deepening as she then glanced at Sister Jude. "I helped."

It was Kit's turn to frown at Eve now, the man confused at why she was partially taking the fall, when he already offered to sacrifice himself for everyone.

"I planned it." Eve glanced at Sister Jude, who's gaze remained on Eve suspiciously. "Don't punish Dean and Grace."

Glancing between Kit and Eve cautiously, Sister Jude chose to believe them, the woman glancing at both Dean and Grace as she told them to stand in the corner.

They did as they were told, Dean's concerned gaze remaining on Eve as he sent her a pleading glance to drop it.

Eve, slightly shaking her head at Dean, glanced away, the woman's attention shifting to Sister Jude as she spoke up. "Twenty lashes for you both, vigilantes."

Accepting their fate, Eve and Kit slowly bent over the desk again, fear bubbling up in both Kit and Eve's bodies as they mentally prepared themselves for the torture they'd soon endure.

"Ladies first." Sister Jude smirked as she stood behind Eve, the woman tightly gripping the cane.

Her cheek resting on the cold mahogany desk below her, Eve's anxious gaze flickered between Kit's eyes, Kit's worried gaze flickering between hers as he mouthed an 'it's okay'.

God, I wish that were true. Eve thought to herself, the woman tightly squeezing her eyes shut as she bit her lip, Sister Jude quickly lowering the cane to Eve's rear with a hard slap, Eve releasing a pained cry at the action, the corners of her eyes beginning to sting with tears.

Lana, Dean, and Grace looked away, all of them not wanting to witness this unwatchable event, Kit's head turning to face the other side of the room in disdain for Sister Jude.

As Sister Jude continued, Eve's cries progressively got louder and more pained, tears now freely slipping from her eyes as she bit her lip so hard she drew blood, Sister Jude striking her harder with every lash.

Eve never thought the pain would end. At around lash 6, she lost count, the woman trying to occupy her mind with something else, like smoking.

Eve, her eyes still tightly squeezed shut, expected Sister Jude to hit her again, however, when she didn't, Eve slowly reopened them, tears staining her cheeks as she glanced around the room.

Kit was now looking at her, his gaze inferring relief, as the man was just glad she wasn't being punished anymore.

Eve, licking her lips to get rid of the blood, glanced behind her at Sister Jude, the nun looking down at her and pulling the fabric of the thin scrubs over her, now red, rear. "Stand up and move to the corner. You're done."

Alleviation flooded Eve's body as she stood up and slowly moved to stand next to Dean, her legs killing her as she walked, the man sending her a 'why the hell did you do that' glance, Eve just sighing in response.

Lana then caught Eve's gaze, Eve just staring at her with an unreadable expression.

The reassurance Eve felt was only temporary, as she realised that Kit was now going to experience the same pain she did.

•

AUTHOR'S NOTE

hi!

sorry I haven't uploaded a chapter in awhile, i've been extremely busy with assignments and essays and haven't had the time to properly work on this.

these chapters take a long time to write and edit because the episodes go for around 40-60 minutes-ish, plus I have to add eve and dean into the show and create new plots for them that fit into the storyline of asylum, which also takes some time, so please bare with me.

also!

I know eve and kit's relationship is growing pretty quickly, it's just because the characters and their storyline's in asylum are very fast-paced, and are developed much faster than other shows ( obviously due to the fact that ahs is an anthology series — also i'm definitely not complaining! ), so if they seemed rushed, it's because of that, although, I am trying to make them have smaller moments that develop their chemistry before they actually get together because I don't want eve and kit to be a direct copy of grace and kit or alma and kit. sure, I might replace grace with eve in some pre-written/established scenes from the show, however, other than that, their relationship will be completely original.

regardless, thank you so much for reading ( and continuing to support this book, despite my annoyingly slow updates ), and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.