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Sunlight streaked into the bedroom between the slats of the Venetian blinds, directly into Kyle’s eyes. He groaned in protest as the sun’s hateful rays stirred him from a sound sleep. Not yet ready to get up and face the day, he rolled over and buried his face in the pillow.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Sam said cheerfully as she dove on top of him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Because of summer classes at Lost Haven University, Sam was used to getting up early. However, she had no classes today and had decided that this was the perfect opportunity for the two of them to spend some much needed quality time together. Even though they were living together in Kyle’s childhood home, it had been a while since they had gone out and actually done anything together. 

That was something that she intended to fix today. 
She planned to take him to their new favorite breakfast place, Cilla’s across town, and then they would go over to the wharf to walk along the water front and take in some of the sights. Crown Ridge’s wharf at one point was a derelict section of the city. Crime had been rampant and drugs flowed. However, the efforts of Mayor Jonathan Snyder to clean up the area were successful, and now the Waterfront District, in which the wharf is a part of, is the leading destination for tourists and locals alike to enjoy the eclectic nightlife and shopping selections in the cit. So, Sam figured that they could go over there, check out some of the unique boutiques in the area, and then stick around for some fun later in the day. 

“Just ten more minutes.” Kyle pleaded as Sam shook him.

“Nope, sorry Babe.” She said as she climbed on top of him and assaulted him with a flurry of kisses all over his face. “Last time I gave you ‘ten more minutes,’ you slept ‘til noon.” 

“Fine. Fine, fine fine…” Kyle sighed as he was resigned to the fact that there was no way he was winning this particular battle. He opened his eyes saw her smiling face looking down at him, clearly pleased with herself, she bent down and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. 

“I’m gonna take a quick shower, you should start getting ready.” She said as she got up off of him and made her way to the shower.

“Sure thing.” He said as he rolled over and closed his eyes, safe in the knowledge that it would take her at least forty five minutes to shower and get ready, he could sneak in a quick nap before he had to get up.

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[b][i]Acadia State Hospital[/i][/b]

Located just three miles outside of the city of Crown Ridge, Acadia State Hospital was known as the best mental health facility in all of New England, and some would even argue that it was the best on the East Coast. A wide variety of patients called the facility home, with conditions ranging from traumatic brain injuries to the criminally insane. The facility is also revered for the groundbreaking treatments that they administer to their patients. The open door policy for the less dangerous inmates, in which certain residents are not forcefully confined to their living quarters often leads to a friendly, nursing home like atmosphere. While the more disturbed residents remain safely locked away; the freedom that the less dangerous patients enjoy often fills the halls with the warm sounds of laughter and amusement.

Today, the sounds of chaos filled those halls.

Dr. William White sat at his desk going through the files of an incoming patient that he was set to meet with later in the day when he heard the commotion. He tried to ignore the racket, however after several moments he realized that these weren’t the normal sounds of a patient, or even several patients acting out. 

No, this was something different entirely.

“Shit.” Dr. White said angrily as he slammed the patient file down on his desk and got to his feet. He was just several steps away from his office door when the door slammed open before him. The sudden action startled him, sending him recoiling back several feet. It took him a moment to recognize one of his colleagues, Dr. Mason standing before him. Dr. Mason was new to the facility, having only recently earning his doctorate and joining the Acadia State staff a mere month before. Dr. White wasn’t particularly fond of Mason, as the older doctor found him to be arrogant and generally unpleasant to be around. He may have been fantastic with the patients, but Dr. White found that he was easily pleased with himself, and seemed to believe that he was superior to everyone else. 

However, that confidence was nowhere to be found today. Instead, that smugness that often found itself etched on Mason’s face was gone, having been replaced with shock, and terror.

“What is it Mason?” Dr. White asked, no longer merely alarmed by the man’s sudden appearance, his concern was grown as he waited for the man’s response. 

“It’s him, Doctor. Professor Miles, he’s escaped.” The younger man said as he tried to catch his breath.

“Contact security, he can’t have gotten far.” Dr. White ordered.

“That’s not all. You have to see this.” Mason said in a matter of fact tone as he beckoned Dr. White to follow him, which the older man did.

 Dr. Mason led Dr. White down the hall to the secure wing of the hospital, where only the most deranged inmates were housed. They went down the long, sterile hallway until they came to the end of the row and found themselves standing at the last cell on the left, which had until moments ago housed Professor Jason Miles, who until several months ago was the picture of health, and a pillar in the community. As Dr. Mason held the door open for Dr. White, the older man saw what had given the younger doctor so much distress. 

The body of a hospital orderly sprawled across the floor, his throat having been cut from ear to ear. Then he noticed something scrawled in blood on the wall of the dull green cell. 

A single word.

Insomnia