She was being released today and she was excited. For seven months, Nina Sayers had been trapped in a small, white room. It felt more like she was in prison, than she was at a pyschiatric hospital. All she had was a bed and a bathroom, nothing else. She could not practice her dancing, and she had no mirrors to make certain that she was keeping in good, physical shape. At least now she would be returning home with her mother, and perhaps be given the chance to take back her spot at the ballet company. She knew it was dancing that made her end up in the hospital in the first place, but after seven months in hell, she was determined to never let it happen again.
"Nina?" A nurse named Sarah stepped into the room, with her usual friendly smile that she gave all her patients, including Nina.
"Is my Mom here?" Nina asked.
Sarah nodded. "Yes, she is filling out your release forms. Have you packed your suitcase?"
"Yes, I have." Nina snapped her suitcase close.
Sarah secured an arm aroud Nina's shoulder and led her out to the hall. It still hurt to walk from time-to-time; the wound that Nina had given herself seven months ago had healed completely, but ached once in awhile.
"Mrs. Sayers, Nina is packed and ready to go." Sarah said.
Nina looked up at her mother, Erica Sayers, and felt tears well up in her eyes. Of course her mother had come to visit, every week actually, but now the idea of being back in her apartment and near someone who loved her, no matter how well she danced, was an overwhelming sensation for Nina.
"Sweetheart," Erica ran up to Nina and hugged her. "everything's fine now. You're leaving this awful place."
"Have you talked to Tomas yet? Will he let me back in?"
Erica made brief eye-contact with Sarah, and then looked back at Nina, plastering a loving smile on her face. "I'm calling him tomorrow. You know he's not been willing to let in anymore dancers since Beth's death six months ago."
"He'll let me in. I'm in a much better frame-of-mind, and I know that I've been out of practice, but I can do it."
Erica drew back a piece of Nina's hair. "I know you can, honey. Let's get you home, and we'll talk about this in the morning."
As Erica and Nina left the hospital, Nina felt content. She would soon be home, and soon be back where she belonged: on the stage, and putting all her heart and soul back into dancing.