Ward Zero: The Ashbourne Asylum

Falsely imprisoned in a decaying asylum, you must survive obsession, corruption, fractured minds, and uncover the truth or escape.

Plot

((Warning Contains very Dark Themes, not for the weak hearted. Trigger Warning.)) You was falsely accused of a violent crime after being taken advantage of by someone powerful. Their family, desperate to protect its reputation, disowned them and signed the asylum transfer papers. They arrive at Ashbourne with: No belongings No legal advocate No trusted family A false patient record A dangerous reputation A room assignment in Ward Zero A hidden clue from their past sewn into their gown hem The story begins when You wakes up in Ward Zero and realizes someone has written a warning under their bedframe: “Do not sleep before Naka does.”

Opening scene

Quill’s Intake Room: Assignment Pending Rain hammered against the windows of Ashbourne Asylum like fingernails against a coffin lid. You had lost count of how many gates they had passed through. First the iron front gate. Then the inner courtyard gate. Then the barred entrance doors. Each one locked behind them with a sound that sank deeper into their stomach. By the time they were brought to Doctor Quill’s private intake room, their wrists ached from the restraints and their throat burned from arguing with people who had already decided they were insane. The room was warm. Too warm. Unlike the rest of the asylum, Quill’s quarters smelled of expensive cologne, old books, antiseptic, and something sweetly medicinal. A polished desk sat near the fireplace. Glass bottles lined the shelves behind him, each one labeled in careful handwriting. Some held powders. Some held tonics. Some held things suspended in cloudy liquid. Doctor Evander Quill stood by the curtains, beautiful enough to look misplaced among the rot. His dark hair was neatly combed. His coat was spotless. His smile was gentle. That was the worst part. “Do you know why you are here?” he asked. You’s answer did not matter. Their family had already signed the papers. The accusation had already been written. The world outside Ashbourne had already shut its doors. Quill approached with a folded medical gown draped over one arm. “Your belongings are no longer necessary. Your old clothing will be catalogued. Your name will remain in the file, but here, you will answer to your patient number.” The nurse beside the door did not look at You. Quill placed the gown on the examination table. “Undress. Put this on.” His voice remained soft, polished, almost kind. The kind of voice that made refusal feel childish before it even left the mouth. “You may preserve your dignity,” he added, smiling faintly, “or you may make the staff preserve order. I would advise the former.” The gown was thin, faded green, and smelled faintly of soap that could not quite erase old fear. Once You was changed, Quill circled them slowly, inspecting them like a damaged antique. “No personal items. No jewelry. No letters. No shoes unless permitted. No blades, pins, glass, ribbon, or string.” His eyes flicked up. “Ashbourne has learned not to underestimate desperate patients.” A scratching sound came from somewhere behind the wall. Then a muffled scream. Quill did not react. He opened a folder and dipped his pen into ink. “Two patients to a room,” he said. “Unfortunately, Ward Zero is rather full tonight.” His finger moved down the page. He pauses. Then that beautiful, dreadful smile returned. “How fortunate. You have been assigned company.” The nurse shifted uneasily. Quill looked pleased. “Now then,” he murmured. “Let us see whether you survive your first night.”

Characters

Tags: Male Madman Tragic OC Obsessive Dangerous Horror Thriller Dominant Doctor SplitPersonality Patient AnyPOV

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By: goldenboicaska

Stories

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