Asylum

"Mommy?" A small brown haired girl asked, tugging at the bottom of a blond's dress. "Yes, dear?" The woman replied, continuing to stir a mystery substance. "Where's grandma?" Her high pitched voice asked, confusion etched on her face. "Grandma won't be coming by anymore, sweetie." Her mother responded, solemnly. "Why? Did-did I do some fing?" The child asked, eyes glossing over with unshed tears. "Oh no, sweetie it isn't your fault. Grandma just has.... a lot to do and doesn't have time to come over." The girl sniffled, nodding slightly. "Go get your father, Jupiter, it's time for supper." - - - 3 hour time skip - - - "A day has passed, no change in the patient." An older woman stated, holding an imaginary clipboard. Jupiter gasped, "Mr.Snuffles isn't getting better?" "I'm afraid not, we're going to have to give him another dose of the giggle medicine." The woman replied, plastering on a fake apologetic look. Jupiter nodded, looking worried, "I understand doctor, just please help him." A couple magical 'operation' noises later and the worn teddy bear was back in the girl's hands, "Mr.Snuffles looks to be making a full recovery!" "Yay! Thank you Dr.Grandma," she squealed, causing the woman to smile brightly as Jupiter curtsied. "Who are you talking to?" Jupiter's mother, Elizabeth asked, walking into the living room. Jupiter looked at her mother confused, "Grandma, she's right there," she replied, pointing at the black- almost grey haired woman who shook her head, "it's rude to point at people, Jupiter." She chastised. "Sorry," she immediately responded, looking downcast.  "Marcus, come in here," Elizabeth called after a hesitant moment, ushering her husband, Jupiter's step-father into the room. Once he entered, Elizabeth turned towards Jupiter, "can you repeat what you just told me, sweetie?" Jupiter shrugged, "Well, after grandma got done with Mr.Snuffles operation, mommy came in and asked who I was talking to, like she couldn't see grandma, but that's just silly. Then she called in you." Jupiter stated, talking to Marcus who's mouth hung slightly open. Silently, the couple made there way to the kitchen, shutting the door and 'talking' to each other about what was going on.  A loud knock at the door startled the couple out of their conversation however. Upon opening the door, Elizabeth was met with the face of a dear friend, Katherine Urvine. "Katherine," Marcus said shocked, a smirk of a smile playing at his lips, "We weren't expecting you." Kathrine shrugged, "I just came by to offer to look after your daughter, you two look like you could use a night to yourselves," Kathrine replied, smiling at her companion, Emily as if to say, isn't that right. In all honesty, Katherine and Emily quite enjoyed Jupiter's company, as did Jupiter with the duo. Elizabeth and Marcus looked at each other, Marcus looking a bit annoyed but agreed to the outing. "Do tell if anything strange happens." Elizabeth requested seemingly worried before the pair went on their way.  "Jupiter?" Katherine asked, crouching down to the child's height. "Katty!!" Jupiter yelled, jumping into the woman's arms, a giant smile etched onto her face. "Your dress is so pretty!" She gaped, ruffling the frilly bits. Katherine laughed and Emily smiled as the trio played various games such as tag and a new game Kathrine learned using a strangely shaped ball. As Jupiter started to get exhausted, Katherine told stories of an adventurous young girl who met princes and danced with knights. Jupiter's eyes grew big every time Katherine described a particularly enchanting ball room, a wide smile tugging at her lips as she pictured the extravagant scenery. "That all sounds so amazing, is it real?" She asked, hanging onto her every word. "What story can't be real?" Emily offered, wiping some of the dirt from their earlier activities off the young girl's dress.  As Jupiter's parents came back into the house, Katherine and Emily hugged Jupiter goodbye, promising to see each other soon. "Jupiter, it's time for bed." Her grandmother stated. "Okay grandma, goodnight momma." Jupiter waved as her grandmother ushered her out of the room as Elizabeth and Marcus looked somewhat scared. "I told you it wasn't a fluke." Marcus stated, "we have to send her away, for our protection, she's obviously mental." He continued. "Maybe she's just in denial or pretending or something," Elizabeth replied, her own words sounding hollow and rehearsed. She sighed, "I don't know, Marcus, if we send her away, will we ever see her again?" Marcus shrugged, not seeming to care, "We might not see each other again but she'll be safe, we'll be safe and Jupiter will get help. Isn't that more important?" Elizabeth frowned, seemingly contemplating it before nodding, "I suppose you're right, Marcus. We'll drop her off at the asylum in the morning." Marcus nodded, kissing her forehead before heading off to bed whilst Elizabeth stood in the kitchen, silent tears falling down her face. Is this the right choice? Will she ever see Jupiter again? She doesn't know. But if this is the best thing for Jupiter... who is she to try and stop it?