Disclaimer: I don't own Heroes and am not gaining anything from this story, other than the enjoyment of writing it.

Claire felt the merciless bite of the restraints as she struggled for freedom. How long had she been here days, weeks? He would be coming for her soon to probe her brain once more, to send her spiraling to a place of misery. Tears glided down her cheeks, never ceasing the only constant in her life. Her life? Her life belonged to him now. Was it not enough that he ripped her head open, murdered her biological parents not to mention and countless others? Claire was tired of being the victim, the eternal cheerleader in constant need of a hero. Poor Peter he must be so worried. God I miss him so much. She shut her eyes tightly trying to prevent the onslaught of memories. Thinking of Peter only furthered her desolation.

The darkness pressed down on her almost like a physical weight upon her. Claire had been through much over the years, but this silence, this unknowing, was driving her insane. Hysteria boiled up inside, clawing hungrily up her throat, escaping her in shrill screams. It happened so suddenly, Claire had no time to restrain herself. She hated to give him any kind of sick pleasure from it, but she couldn't force them back down, continuing to pierce the quiet of her cell.

The door burst open revealing him in all his terrifying glory. "Claire calm down. Everything's okay. Don't worry I'm here to help you." His voice was laced with fake sincerity which made Claire's screams abruptly twist into laughter.

"Help me? You kidnapped me—put me in this hole and you want to help me?" She started to thrash around violently, her back arching off the bed. Warm hands circled her arms pushing back down.

"Be still Claire. I'd hate to have to sedate you again." He sat on the edge of her bed, his hands upon her still. There was no sneer, no dancing pride behind those eyes. He seemed different somehow from the constant nightmare she carried inside her head, but that didn't change who he was or what he had done.

"Get your hands off me Sylar!" With all her strength she struggled against the straps crying in joy as her right wrist sprung free. She lashed out quickly slamming her fist into his jaw. He stumbled and fell to the floor clutching his jaw. Claire had little time before he retaliated and pinned her back down. She awkwardly propped herself up fumbling with the strap on her other wrist.

Claire sprinted out of the open door, her heart pounding against her chest. She could hear him yelling her name as he chased after her. "Someone get her…" Who was he talking to? The all powerful Sylar had lackeys now? She couldn't stop to contemplate this new development freedom was calling her. Two figures loomed before halting any further escape. Claire turned to find another way only to be face to face with Sylar. "We only want to help Claire."

"Why do keep saying that? You can't help me after what you did to me. You murdered my father. I hate you!" She noticed the two men draw closer.

"I never did any of those things. How many times do we have to go over this Claire? It's all in your head. There are no super powers, no coming apocalypse, and I'm not the serial killer who cut open your head."

"But-but, no this all a trick. You took Parkman's power and now you're fucking with my brain making me think I'm insane." She inched back fresh tears sliding down her cheeks.

"There is no Parkman, no Peter, no Sylar. Claire you've been here at Odessa State Asylum for four years now. Remember I'm Dr. Gray."

"No. I don't believe you." Claire grabbed her hair pulling roughly. This couldn't be happening. It was all an illusion. This was just another one of his games. She needed to get away. She tried to run past him, but he caught her. Claire kicked at his shins, tried everything to escape his grip, but he was too strong. One of the men in white scrubs walked up to them sliding the syringe deep within her arm. Her eyes were becoming heavy and her vision was blurred to near blindness, unconsciousness taking hold of her.

"Sleep now Claire." Dr. Gray motioned for the two orderlies to accompany him as he cradled Claire in his arms. "I really thought we were making progress, but she keeps slipping back into her fantasy world," he laid her back down on her bed. He reached out and brushed a blonde strand away from her face. Poor Claire Bennet, she'll probably remain here for the rest of her life.