WARNING: This chapter deals a little bit with self mutilation.

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"Time for dinner, Adrianne." an aide said.

The aide set the tray on a little table near Adrianne's bed. Adrianne grabbed the tray and threw it across he room.

The aide sighed, "You're never gonna get out of here, if you keep acting so stupid."

That made Adrianne really start to cry. She took the plastic knife meant for her dinner and made an attempt to cut her wrist open. The aide ran to get a doctor. Three doctors came in and grabbed Adrianne. Adrianne kicked and hit them with all her might. One of the doctors strapped Adrianne down to her bed and gave her a shot to calm her down. The doctors and nurses stood in the hallway talking.

"Is there any hope for Adrianne?" the nurse asked,

"She's been here for a year."

The doctor sighed, "I don't know anymore. No one can get through to her."

*THE NEXT DAY*

"Hi, Adrianne" Nick said as he entered Adrianne's room.

"Hey, Nick" Adrianne said, "What's up?"

"Wow" Nick laughed, "You can talk."

Adrianne replied, "Yeah, I can."

Nick was curious, "How come you'll talk to me, but you won't talk to the doctors?"

"Because you're nice to me." Adrianne said.

"The doctors seem nice." Nick said, "They just wanna help."

"No, they don't." Adrianne said angrily, "They just wanna hurt me and force me to talk about things I don't wanna talk about."

Nick sighed, "Are you allowed to go outside for a little while?"

"Yeah" Adrianne said, "Just gotta check in with the front desk."

Nick and Adrianne went up to the front desk.

The receptionist looked up, "Can I help you?"

Nick spoke, "I was wondering if I could take Adrianne outside for a little while."

"Sure" the receptionist said, "But, don't leave the grounds and have her back in an hour."

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"It feels so good to be out." Adrianne said, "I haven't been outside in a long time."

Nick noticed marks on Adrianne's arms, "What happend? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine" Adrianne said, "The doctors had to strap me down to my bed last night."

"Oh my god... why?" Nick asked.

"Because I tried to cut my wrist open."

"Why?" Nick said.

"Because one of the aides called me stupid." Adrianne said, "I hate when people call me that. It makes me feel even worse about myself than I already do."

Adrianne and Nick went out to one of the little picnic tables in the front yard.

Nick spoke, "So, why are you here? If you don't mind me asking."

"I don't mind." Adrianne said, "I became really depressed about three years ago. I dunno how it started. It didn't help that people made fun of me. I became so withdrawn that I didn't wanna interact with anyone. It got so bad that I started to feel suicidal. Then, one day, a friend of mine caught me trying to overdose on some pain pills. I've been here ever since. I hate this place and I hate everyone here. That's why I haven't talked to anyone, with the exception of you. It's different with you. I can't explain it."

"I feel the same way." Nick said, "When I first saw you, I got this weird feeling. Like we've got some type of connection."

Suddenly, a shot of pain ran through Adrianne's head.

"Owwww!" Adrianne said.

"What's wrong?" Nick asked.

"It's just a headache." Adrianne said, "One of the many side effects of my medication. It's so stupid. I take one medication, then I gotta take a second to get rid of the side effects of the first, then a third to get rid of the side effects of the second, and so on and so on."

"Wow, that sucks." Nick said, "Ok, um, lets talk about something else. What do you like to do for fun?"

Adrianne replied, "I write songs. I hope to be a famous songwriter someday. Maybe, even write some songs for you and your band."

"You know?" Nick said.

"Of course" Adrianne said, "I knew it the minute you walked in my room. I'm a big fan."

"Thanks" Nick said.

Adrianne and Nick spent the rest of the hour talking and getting to know each other. But soon, the hour was up.

"I gotta get back." Adrianne said, "Are you gonna come back tomorrow?"

"Of course" Nick said. He gave Adrianne a hug, "Bye"

Adrianne hugged him back, "Bye, Nick"

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"Hello, Adrianne" a doctor said as he saw Adrianne enter her room.

Adrianne ignored him.

"Sooner or later you'll have to talk to us, Adrianne." the doctor said, "It's the only way you'll ever get out of here."