3.

It was the third last day of school when it all began or at least where a certain idea came out into the open. Brad sat in the last row and spent most of double math not paying attention to any lesson that may be going on in class. What or rather who he did pay attention to, was Sophie Arthur.

In Brad's eyes, as it appeared to be fairly obvious, Sophie was the most beautiful girl in school and whether or not he would ever be lucky enough to have her grace his life with her presence, he at least wanted a snapshot of her to keep in the deepest reaches of his mind.

Unhinged could be a word to describe Brad though the truth is, no one really knows him well enough to offer up an honest judgement of him. The depth of his apparent infatuation with her could not even begin to be considered at this point in time.

Brad, while seen as a relatively handsome guy, is a loner and is often thought of as an oddball or 'the freak' not only of the class but the school in general despite having done very little to warrant such a title. He doesn't mind that though. What others think does not matter to him. He would like for Sophie to have an interest in him, though one does not always get what one wants, no matter what invitation could be issued, and Brad knows that this is a part of life. Still ... if she were to see him as anything other than 'the freak' then that would at least be something.

Sophie's best friend, either in school or life in general, is a girl named Claire Shannon. Sophie and Claire sit next together every chance they get and this particular class, double math, is the first time they have got to sit together on this particular day.

'So, are you going this weekend?' asks Claire as the two girls take their seats.

'Going where?'

'You haven't heard? You're messing with me, right?'

'Heard what?'

'A bunch of us are spending the weekend up at the old Castletown Asylum to celebrate school being out and all.'

'Really? And you are gonna go?'

'Uh, yeah ... and you are coming with me.'

'Says who?'

'You know you wanna go and you can bring your stalker buddy too.'

'Claire ...' speaks Sophie with a tone of shock and disgust as the two girls briefly turn around and see that Brad indeed is looking their way and at that, they try to act as if they haven't looked his way at all. He does not try to hide where his eyes had been looking.

'You gotta come with me, Sophie, promise me you'll come.'

There is a brief pause as the girls lock eyes with each other.

'Alright you got me', speaks Sophie just before they both share a smile, '... but if anything goes wrong, I am holding you responsible.'

'That's fine by me.'

Mister Nakamura, the math teacher, arrives into the classroom, effectively ending the conversation the girls had been having. Class begins and Brad indeed, for most of it, only pays attention to what or who interests him.

At lunch break, there is further chatter about the weekend trip though this time that chatter is not between Sophie and Claire, rather it is between two of the boys. Thomas Rafferty and Pierre Anderson. They have only really got to know each other during this particular school year and have gelled with one another quite easily.

Of the potential group so far, Thomas was the first to turn seventeen years of age. He and Claire have been seeing each other for a little over six months. Thomas and Claire are definitely going for the weekend, once they can come up with a cover story as for where they are actually going.

Pierre had been attending the Castletown senior school since the beginning of the school year. He and his parents had moved out to Castletown, such it is that dad's work has brought them here, and it has been their home for almost a year now. Before they even had a chance to get their bearings, let alone get to know any of the locals, stories of what once was in that asylum come their way.

The stories intrigued Pierre though slightly worried his parents who were sure or at least hoped that these stories were being at least a little exaggerated. The whole town seemed to know of these stories and the stories came across not as myth or legend but more so a part of the history of the town, a gory history that almost had a hint of pride attached to it.

So, when this idea of this weekend excursion to the asylum came about, Pierre decided quickly and easily that he most definitely would be in. As for his friend Thomas, well it was more than likely his idea to begin with, so he of course was in and Claire being who she is did not need much convincing.

Sophie Arthur, however, did need some convincing, definitely not wanting to go anywhere near that asylum. Whether or not the stories of that place were true, she did not want to go. The very core of her being, did not want to go. Any sort of trip out there could only spell trouble; she'd be sure of that, but eventually she would give in. In the end, it didn't really take much convincing at all.

Having heard Sophie and Claire talking, Brad McGreevy decided that he was in too, and it didn't matter to him as to if he got an invite or not. With that however, there was more of a reason for him to go other than his infatuation with Sophie. The invite is his to offer and not to accept.

This town though. It can't really hold its murky past in such high regard, can it?

4.

Heading home alone from school, Sophie Arthur couldn't help but feel as if she is being watched. Her walking pace began leisurely for a reason to hurry had yet to present itself. She turns and looks all around. There are many out and about, fellow students, adults whether they be walking or passing in all sorts of vehicles, whether they are strangers or familiar, all of whom seem to be oblivious to the fact that Sophie is even amongst them.

Sure, why would it matter to any of them if she were around at all? Still, that being watched feeling does take a hold and it soon intensifies, so she does pick up her pace. She feels she could deal with most anyone if interruption came her way, though if Brad McGreevy happened to be near, and if he attempts to speak to her, well that would not be a good thing.

Having indeed picked up that pace and with not looking where she is going, Sophie collides with a stranger, a stranger who probably has more of an idea of what the former asylum truly holds today than what anyone else ever can.

'Pardon me young lady' speaks that stranger.

'Oh, I'm so sorry' says Sophie talking a step backwards and looking almost straight down, as if something on the ground had caught her attention, however this action comes more from a fearful feeling she had already been caught up in before this moment had come.

'That is quite alright' speaks the posh husky strange voice.

The stranger moves on, and Sophie turns a full three sixty as he does move on to ensure she is no longer in his presence or he in hers and as this happens, she still does not see his face. The thoughts of this coming weekend are already playing games with her head.

Once at home and with having a little bit of time to herself, Sophie begins to text Claire.

'I'm really not sure about doing this weekend, like what do I even tell my mum.'

A reply doesn't come straight away and that slightly frustrates Sophie. She really doesn't want to go, though she will for her friend. Of course, Claire may not have seen Sophie's message straight away, ... the delay just means there is no getting out of this trip. What does frustrate Sophie all the more is the sight of a tick next the message she sent to indicate her message has been received.

The reply finally comes through after what seems like an age but actually was about two minutes, three at the most. 'Tell her you are staying at mine, you've stayed at mine before, so she'll believe it, and she won't even call my mum unless we do something silly.'

The text that Claire sent back worried Sophie all the more for Claire does like her bit of fun and the Castletown Asylum may not be the place for the kind of fun Claire may like to have. And talk about doing something silly, what they'll be doing may not be silly though it will be something other than silly and that's for sure.

'You alright honey?' asks Sophie's mum having come to check on her girl, '... you not looking so good. Is everything alright at school?'

'Yeah, all's fine mum.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yep, you'll be alright if I were to head over to Claire's for the weekend after school on Friday since it's the last day and all.'

'Sure honey, but I don't think you should be going anywhere if you still aren't feeling well.'

Sophie saw this moment as a possible opportunity not to go anywhere this weekend but decided against using her mother as an excuse not to go.

'Not to worry mum, I'm sure I'll be safe and well at Claire's.'

'Alright, if you say so.'