Snowflakes falling from the sky. All streetlights lit up the town. Houses covered in thick snow. It's the start of winter. Snug inside my many layers of clothes, the icy air still causes my skin to tingle and sting. My fingers and lips are numb. As I walk along the pavement, I can't help but to notice the towering houses. I can see families sitting beside the fireplace snug inside a blanket to keep themselves warm while singing. Others are peacefully eating fresh baked bread while sipping hot cappuccino. Everything seems quieter, almost muffled. I didn't notice that I was almost halfway of the town. I lift my head up and saw that 'thing'. A dome-shaped, 10-storey building made from strong metals. No windows or doors. Around it is a huge, circular, metal gate with spikes all over it. No one knows what lies inside. Those who were taken and forced to enter could be helpful but they did not or should I say, were not able to come back. I don't know why but all the people in town call it The Madhouse. Maybe because the people running that place are mad or the people who go in there become mad. My father used to tell me that those centuries ago, due to poverty, hunger and overpopulation, the people from the Panad, which is the capital of the town, decided to build the Madhouse. It was to control the population and at the same time, the person who escapes the Madhouse will be given goods and money. Though no one still knows what happens inside the Madhouse. The people who can enter the Madhouse are randomly taken without a warning. This brought fear all over the town back then but now, it seemed that it stopped. I shake my deep thoughts as I hear my father call my name. I've reached our house on the outskirts of town.

"Aiden, good thing you're here." A smile beaming on his face as he approached me. He's wearing his favorite old camo cap while some of his brown hair show. His dark brown eyes remind me of hot chocolate while visible wrinkles can be seen around it. Everybody says that I look like him, except younger and more masculine, compared to his thin body frame.

"Well yeah," I replied shortly.

"Help me carry this stack of wood. Your mother will use it to cook." He asked as he continued to chop more wood.

"Sure," I replied shortly as I carried the stack of oak wood.

As I enter our house, nothing fancy, just a small house made from wood. I saw Callum, my younger brother. He's four years younger than me. I saw him sitting beside the old, wooden table drinking his milk. I went to the kitchen and saw my mom, well stepmom, cooking in a small pot.

"Oh! You're here." She greeted me as she tightly hugged me.

"Yeah." I said as I smiled awkwardly. "Where will I put this?" I quickly shifted my gaze from her to the woods.

"Here," she replied as she pointed to the ground. "Thank you sweetie, go change your clothes." She continued.

"Okay." My father had a mistress and when my mom died, he quickly decided to marry her. My relationship with my stepmom is quite okay.

As I headed to my room, I shuffled Callum's brown hair.

"Hey!" he said, annoyed.

I laughed and went in my room. I took off my boots and lay on my bed. Staring at the ceiling as water drips on the floor. I sighed deeply. Tomorrow is another boring day. Slowly, I was engulfed in darkness.

Water. I opened my eyes and found myself drowning in the ocean. I tried to gasp for air but to no avail. I tried to swim but I saw my hands and feet were both shackled. I tried to yell but bubbles came out. Slowly, I can see the light above disappear. I gasped for my last breath as I yelled.

"Help!" I shouted as I opened my eyes. I looked around and I was in my messy room. My hair in a messy state. Sweat dripping from my forehead. It was just a dream. That old damn dream. I glanced over the broken clock.

"3:58 a.m." I mumbled to myself. I laid on my bed and was about to sleep when I hear my mom's voice.

"Aiden, sweetie, get up. You have to go to work before the sunrise," she yelled.

"Five more minutes." I grunted as I pulled my covers for warmth.

"Come on, Barrabas will be angry," she said as she went into my room and pulled my blanket.

The icy air crept into my skin. I shivered. Barrabas, the old, fat, stinky guy I worked for for seven years at the market. I quickly got up and went to the kitchen. The smell of dried fish greeted me. I saw my mom cooking for our breakfast while my dad is drinking his favorite ginger tea. I sat on the chair, sleepy.

"Is Callum up yet?" I went to the sink to wash my face. Dirty dishes sitting in the sink waiting to be cleaned as I see roaches flying from plate to plate. The sight disgusted me but I was used to it. I turned on the moldy faucet and washed my face. The water hit my skin and it felt like shards of ice were piercing through it.

"He's still asleep. He's not feeling well." My mom hushed.

"Did he take some meds?" I asked again as I wiped my face with my shirt.

"We ran out so I gave him ginger tea and hope it will do the work", my mom said with a bit of concern.

"So how's your sleep?" My dad interrupted.

"I need more." I mumbled.

My mom made a small laugh and placed a plate with rice and dried fish on the table. Some tomatoes on the side.

"Eat up." She said with a smile.

"Thanks." I yawned making my eyes tear up.

After eating, I washed up and changed my clothes. I wore a thick jacket but I can still feel the cold breeze. I put on a bonnet and winter gloves. I put on my boots which my dad gave me. It's old but still sturdy, besides, we don't have money to buy a new one. I was about to leave my room when I heard my mom's voice.

"We barely have anything to eat." Her voice was full of worry and concern. "The money we saved, it's only good for a week or two."

"I know." My dad sighed. "If only I can go back to work."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I slowly went out of my room, acting like I never heard their conversation.

My dad quickly noticed me. "Are you going?"

"Yup, I'm going." I opened the door. The cold wind greeted me.

"Be safe." My mom said.

I walked down the street. The street lamps dimly lit the rain-soaked streets. An eerie silence was lurking as I navigate my way. All I can hear is the shuffling of my feet. I took a deep breath and fog came out from my mouth. The sky is still dark. I was walking, my brain still not awake, my eyes are barely open and several yawns escape from my mouth - I was still sleepy. The Madhouse caught my attention. Rust can be seen on the roof. Moss also grew on the wall as water drips from it. It's quite old yet ... intimidating. I continued walking and I almost pass the Madhouse when suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw no one.