A S Y L U M

Gideon woke to the timid hums of his wife Carol. Her hums danced through the house as he collectively gathered his work clothes that lay neatly on the end of the bed. A smile etched his face as he knew Carol had set it out for him before she got up. Making his way down their stairs, which was situated in the middle of the foundation of the house, Gideon was exceptionally proud of this achievement because, for the first time in his life, he was able to provide and accomplish the dream him and his wife had, before getting married. The next step for them was a baby. Gideon snapped out of his daydreaming as he heard the sweet honey voice of Carol. ''Good Morning Handsome'' Carol smiled as she approached him, meeting him at the bottom step. With his hand reaching out to her cheek, Gideon smiled ''Well Good Morning to you too Gorgeous'' He'd plant a gentle kiss upon her forehead as she gracefully straightened his work tie. Gideon's nose pointed upwards as a familiar smell danced around his nostrils. ''Pancakes?'' His brow c****d as a grin formed upon his face. Gideon absolutely adored his wife's cooking. ''It's your first day of work dear, I want you to start it off right'' Carol exclaimed as she slinked her arm down his and tugged him towards the kitchen. The smell of pancakes engulfed the kitchen, leaving Gideon's mouth watering instantly as he stepped foot in the kitchen. With his hand reaching out towards a sliver of pancake, it was greeted with a light tap ''Go sit down you oaf'' Her laughter gave him the warmest feeling in his chest ''Yes ma'am'' He jokingly dipped his head as he laid his suitcase beside him, he pulled out a chair and waited patiently for his breakfast, Gideon's eyes lit up as he saw Carol walking towards him with freshly made pancakes, ''walk faster'' he teased her as she let out a frustrated sound making Gideon sore into a fit of laughter at the way she scrunched her nose at his stupid remark, ''Cant take a joke love?'' he would say as she served him a measly piece of pancake, with a dramatic gasp ''How dare you give me one piece'' Carol scoffed ''Learn to keep your mouth then'' She tapped his nose playfully as she set herself down at the table. ''Are you excited dear?'' Carol asked as she sat to the right of Gideon. His helping of pancakes was clearly not enough, with syrup drizzled on the side of his mouth, Carol would let out a chuckle as she took the pad of her thumb and wiped away the golden sweetness, as she averted her gaze back at Gideon waiting for his response. A slight glint could be seen etched into her eyes. ''I am, in deed, thrilled to get started'' His hand reached over to hers ''Thrilled for our future'' His smile was gentle, Carol had squeezed his hand in return ''In due time dear, in due time'' Her hand then rested on her belly, giving a sign she knew what Gideon had been referring to. Gdeon was ecstatic that his wife of 1 year was on the same page as him. Picking up his suitcase, Gideon straightened himself as he was about ready to head out for work. Carol had packed him a lunch that fit snug in a brown paper bag. She neatly pressed both her hands on his chest as she looked him in the eyes ''I want you home straight after work Mister, I have news for you'' she patted his dress shirt as she joked with him. Gideon would then wrap his arm around her waist and gently dip her into a kiss ''I get to come home to your gorgeous face. Why on earth would I be late'' He'd grin as he teased her, bringing her back towards his chest. ''Give em hell'' Carol would say in a cheerful manner. Gideon's vision was coming to light and he was thrilled. After 9 grueling hours, Gideon was finally parked in the driveway. His analog clock showed 17:20pm. The lights were on and a petite silhouette could be seen twirling around in the lounge. He sat for a brief moment taking in the pure happiness he felt in that moment before unlocking his car door, he made his way up the lightly graveled pathway leading to their house. ''Honey I'm home'' Gideon would shout as he shrugged off his jacket, hanging it on the coat hanger by the entrance, ''Tsk tsk tsk, I said on time mister'' Carol came waltzing towards him with her index finger lightly tapping the round glass of her wrist watch ''Traffic Dear'' He'd say as he kissed her cheek, '' I suppose I can let this one slide'' Her brow c****d as a cheeky grin formed. ''Come sit, I made your favourite'' she paused for a second ''Roast chicken and vegetables'' Gideon licked his lips and eagerly followed her to the kitchen, leaning his torso against the kitchen counter ''What's this news you want to tell me'' he air quoted the single phrase ''news'' as his brows furrowed in a confused manner, not knowing what could possibly be announced. ''Well you're just going to have to wait and see'' Carol saunted past him eyeing him as she did so with the cutlery as Gideon followed reaching for the jug of juice, both taking their claimed seats at the table. Once the pair sat at the table and had a few juggled conversations about their day, Carol reached for Gideon's hand. However, his head was hung low and a confused expression plastered his face, with the palm of his hand pressed against his forehead he ignored the fact that carol had grabbed his hand, with a slight shake of the head he looked up and his eyes met hers, ''im sorry what were you saying?'' His eyesight became blurry as Carol spoke ''i asked if your okay'' her expression filled with worry as she tightened her grip, ''Im- Im fine'' Carol could clearly see his smile was forced, ''Honey are you sure your alright?'' A slight chill tingled up Gideon's spine causing him to shiver at the sound of his wife's voice, weird and disturbing images flashed through his mind as he sat alongside his wife, he looked up and nearly fell back. ''Carol?'' His shift in tone was prominant as panic had strikken him. ''Oh my god, Carol! What the f**k?'' His eyes wide like a deer in headlights, his loving wife was sitting across from him with a blood-stained dress. He frantically placed his hand on the wound which was located in the centre of her abdomen, ''Put pressure on it'' he forcefully grabbed her hand and placed it on her wound, her expression. ''We need to go to the hospital Carol!'' his voice raised as pure panic vibrated through him, Fumbeling for his keys in his pants pocket, ''I forgive you Gideon'' his face went blank as the words shot out her mouth like a bullet out of a gun ''Forgive me for what??'' he struggled trying to release his wrist from her hold, ''We forgive you Gideon, Let us go.'' her eyes filled with tears as the blood stain grew, his hands now stained red with blood, ''What the f**k!'' his eyes teared up as confusion riddled his body. ''What did i do??'' he dropped to his knees infront of her as she grabbed his shoulders and shook him violently screaming, ''WAKE UP GIDEON!'' Opening his eyes, Gideon found himself in a fetal position curled up in a corner, the air around him bone chilling, Tears streaming down his face. ''Carol?'' His voice was small, crackling through the emotions and pure terror Gideon had just faced, attempting to get up, his knees shaking with little to no strength. A newspaper was found on the single piece of furniture that resided in the room. The headlines read: !BREAKING NEWS! HUSBAND STABS PREGNANT WIFE MUTIPLE TIMES! Blood Curdeling screams could be heard as a wave of nurses dressed in white rushed in, restraining Gideon as he cried out for Carol, pleading for them to let him go. Being held down by a handful of nurses, Gideon felt a prick in his right arm, followed by humming that engorged his ears, not a buzzing hum, Carols Hum, his faded vision searching where it was coming from, locked onto the doorway, his wrything body calmed as his gaze was set upon Carol, standing in the doorway rocking side to side humming while holding an infant, ''C-carol!'' his words barely left his mouth as her index finger pointed towards him as she whispered something in the infant's ear. humming still ringing in his ears along with the chatter of the surrounding nurses, echoing as his vision faded, drifting off into the abyss.