Disclaimer: Mick, Rachel, Claire, Steve, and Kiley belong to me; the others belong to Josh Schwartz, McG, and Fox.

Authors Note: Okay, so I thought of this idea and couldn't help but go with it. Enjoy.


The night before my discharge, I barely slept at all. Partly because my roommate, Steve, had kept me up again and also because I was nervous about the next morning.

During the day Steve would keep to himself but sometimes, late at night, he'd rant on and on about random issues like why people became vegetarians and if Neil Armstrong really did walk on the moon. He'd talk to me for hours until he fell asleep but now that I think of it, I'm sure he wasn't really talking to me.

That morning it rained. It hadn't in months but today it poured. Rachel made splashes in puddles while Kiley cried because she thought God was.

Like Steve, I also kept to myself. I'd usually only talk if spoken to and since Claire, my old roommate was released a few weeks ago; I was never spoken to since.

I didn't know much about her other then she tried to kill her mom, had chin length brown hair with forest green eyes and that she liked peanut butter. But before she left, she whispered advice in my ear, kissed my cheek, and gave me her number.

Standing on the back porch I realize that it's now noon and my family should be arriving soon.

I didn't feel ready. Five months just wasn't enough.

Letting out a sigh, I walk across the courtyard where Rachel had been playing.

"Hey." I offer and Rachel's sparkling blue eyes beam.

She makes a splash and the water comes up to land on my nose, only sending her into hysterics.

"Not that funny." I say with a playful grin.

"You look nice." She points out and makes another splash.

"That's because I'm going home today, remember?" But I knew she wouldn't because she didn't want to.

"Why?" She inquires, frowning.

"'Cause I'm better now" I begin.

Was I better?

"My family needs me."

Sure, I'm better.

"I need you!" She shouts and tears start running down her pale cheeks.

God, why does she have to do this?

"Don't cry." I tell her sympathetically and reach out to rest a hand on her shoulder.

Her head snaps up as soon as my fingertips brush against her arm and with all her might, she sends a powerful punch at me. I try to swerve but her knuckles catch my right eye and I squeal.

"Rachel!" A counselor calls from afar and it takes four of them to pull her off me.

Sobbing, she gives me one last look and then runs back to the home.

"You alright, Seth?" Mick, our ward therapist, asks and helps me to my feet.

I bob my head and he lifts my chin up to examine my eye.

"Ouch, want an icepack, kid?" He offers, grimacing at my already forming black eye.

I shake my head no and blink a few times until my vision clears.

"She didn't mean it" He tells me as he guides me back to the porch.

"Yeah, I know."

Rachel had a problem controlling her anger. She was seventeen with the mind of a seven year old and she weighed nearly 300 pounds.

We draw near the porch and he motions for me to take a seat on the old bench. As I sit he sits down with me, making the wood moan do to our combined weight.

"So, today's the big day, huh?" He reminds with a smile.

"...Right"

"Oh, come on. Don't sound so discouraged." He reassures, turning toward me.

"I'm just nervous."

"You have nothing to be nervous about, Seth"

Rubbing my hands together, I nod my head. But my feelings haven't changed.

Letting out a breath, he brings his hand up to cup his cheek, thoughtfully.

"I know you're ready." He begins calmly,"You've been ready. Don't be afraid to live outside this hospital like the others. Everything will be fine, I promise."

Suddenly, I felt like crying and I guess he sensed that because he throws an arm over my shoulder.

"You know you can always call" He tells me as-a-matter-of-fact.

"Yeah, I know."

We sit in silence for a while until Nurse Judy pops her head outside to inform me that my dad is here.

Mick and I exchange looks then we stand up from the bench. Together, we make our way inside and we head for the front of the building. My breathing picks up as everyone waves goodbye because I know this was it. I was leaving Shadow Brooke for good.

Am I ready? Am I better? What if it happens again? What if I hurt myself? What if I hurt them?

Doubts screamed in my head and I come to an abrupt halt in the middle of the long hall.

"I-I c-can't" I stutter just above a whisper.

"Yes, you can, Seth." He firmly reassures.

"No, no, I'm not ready." I say a little louder and I'm shaking now.

Mick holds me by the shoulders and hunches over to look me in the eye.

"Take a deep breath. Everything is okay, alright?"

I do as I'm told and I start to move my legs again.

Patting my back, he steers me toward the foyer where my father awaits and where all my belongings are too.

My father looks tense but he smiles for me anyway.

"Hey, son" He says and I just smile and bend over to gather my things.

"Mr. Cohen, hello" Mick greets, taking a step toward him.

"Mr. Richardson." Dad replies.

"Please, call me Mick." He corrects and extends his hand out.

"Call me Sandy then."

And they shake hands.

Both men are civil to one another but I got the feeling that there was tension.

"Well" Dad says suddenly, "ready to go?" He finishes peering at me.

Though I wanted to say no, I nod my head.

"Okay, then." He states, claps his hands together and grabs the rest of my suitcases.

"Thanks for everything, Mick."

"Sure."

One of the nurses opens the front door for us and we step outside of Shadow Brooke Psychiatric Hospital.

Dad loads everything into the car while I say my final goodbyes.

"Would you tell Rachel that I'm sorry?" I implore to Mick and he nods his head once.

"Everything will be fine."

"Seth..." Dad calls from behind.

"Okay." I tell him, over my shoulder.

Mick gives me a sideways glance then pats me on the back.

"Go on." Mick says simply.

"Bye."

Turning on my heels, I make my way to the car where I open the passenger side door and just before stepping in I take once last look at Mick and Shadow Brooke Psychiatric Hospital.

Goodbye.

Gulping, I settling myself into the seat where I buckle my seatbelt and entwine my fingers. Dad smiles at me from the driver's seat and then he starts the car. I turn my body around as we start down the road and watch my home get smaller and smaller until it's out of sight.