I stared at the spot she’d been stood in. It’s starting. What was that supposed to mean? What’s starting? I didn’t understand her words, but they shot me through with dread. She must have meant something. I tried to think what could be coming for me. I was working myself up into an insane frenzy of panic. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly. Just a dream. She’s just a dream. A figment of my imagination. I tried to convince myself, but it was hard. Even if she was entirely fake, where did those words come from? My mind, that's where. There must be something there that made her change her visit for the first time in forever. Then, it clicked. They’re onto you already. I’d always thought ‘they’ meant the shadows, the dark, inexplicable shadows that followed me wherever I went. But, now, I began to doubt that. Because they were onto me. The doctors, my parents, they were onto me. They were beginning to see through my façade. How much longer until they did as she predicted? Until they destroyed me? They didn't understand, they never had. They had all their stupid research and so-called 'knowledge', they thought they knew my mind better than I did. But truthfully, they didn't understand a single thing. And now they're catching up with me. How much longer until I'm locked up? I've seen what it's like. Padded cells, strait jackets, locked up for the rest of my life. They're watching, always watching. Suddenly I felt it, I felt them watching me. I ran to my window and looked out. Deserted. But I wasn't fooled, I knew they were watching somewhere. I began to rush around my room, trying to find the camera. It must be somewhere, they must have put one in while I was out sometime. Probably more than one, to watch me and make sure I didn't go homicidal or something. They think I'm crazy, right? They'll want to keep an eye. Especially Dr Lee, that guy's the worst. He's brainwashed me parents into thinking I'm insane. Brainwashed, that's it. He's out to get me, always after me... "Another symptom Gerard may experience is paranoia. He may feel that someone, or something, is after him..." The words echoed through my mind. No! I'm not insane. I don't have paranoia, it's not a delusion. They really are after me, I know they are. They are, they are. They get to me, they find ways of getting inside my head and picking at me from the inside. I dropped to my knees, clutching my head. I felt my nails pierce the skin at my temples, trickles of warm blood snaking down my skin, the same colour as my bright dyed-red hair. I can't do this, I can't let them get me. I can't let them destroy me. I can't stay here. No more. I jumped up, renewed, and grabbed the huge bag I kept under my bed. I ran around. Essentials, just the necessary things. Clothes, need those. But... What else? Comics, of course. I threw my collection in. Art supplies. Paints, pencils, sketchbook. Into the bag. What else? I looked around. A photo of me with Momma and Dad, and my brother Mikey, who's living in LA with his fianceé Alicia. My little bro, living his own life while I'm here getting treated like I'm nuts. Well, screw this, I'm done with therapy, I'm done with being watched, and I'm done getting treated like a child. I'm sane. I don't need treatment, I can live my own life. I'll prove it. I slung my bag over my shoulder, and cracked my door open. I could hear my parents talking in their room, probably about me. Perfect. I crept down the stairs, and slipped out the door effortlessly. For the first time in my life, I tasted freedom.

Notes

Ha ha, early update! *victory dance* I wasn't expecting to get this up for a couple more days, but here we are! I actually should have been doing an English essay... Oh wellllll. Oooh, am I the only one who can't see what rating y'all have given this? It's just a little dash thingy instead of a number. And it's reeeeally winding me up!! Ugh, anyway, enjoy, love you all, mwah! I've had coffee, can you tell? ;) xxx