Author's note- (insert profuse apologies here.) Honestly, I am so sorry. All I can say is that I've been occupied with my Sherlock fics and school work. I didn't plan to update in all honesty, but I made a promise to finish this, and if it means that I die trying then I will finish this! Please, enjoy.

Can we make it to 100 reviews?

As if I had to re-read the last ten chapters to remember what happened xD

Disclaimer- I still own nothing.

Chapter 25 (Casey's P.O.V)

Along the immaculately clean corridors of the hospital I walked for a while, still undetected. By now, I had a feeling that people were looking for me... not that I gave two shits! Easily enough I found the exit, and I wanted nothing more than to just run. To run and never look back. But where the hell would that get me? Another week in the hospital with more intense monitoring. How dull that sounded. Always plan ahead. Maybe escaping wasn't the best idea at the moment. I sighed heavily and ran a hand through my recently washed hair, relishing the feel of the smoothness against my fingertips. Knowing that everyone from Glee would know about me by now was quite a scary thought- it made me wince to wonder what they thought of me now. Mind you, there wasn't anything I could do anyways. Either they found out by Mr Schuester having a chat with them, or they saw me bowl in with a gash on my neck... and the latter wasn't the best idea in my opinion. Carefully, I drew my fingers up to gently pry at the cut with a feather-light touch. It was healing nicely. They decided against giving me stitches at the time and opted for a bandage instead. Stitches wouldn't have done much anyways. The cut itself had pretty much closed already, it may leave a scar depending on how well it healed but that didn't matter to me. Glancing at the clock, I noted that I had been wandering around on my own for fifteen minutes now. Maybe Mike let me out early? Unlikely. Or perhaps the hospital staff just weren't cut out for detective work. I huffed a laugh and turned around to try and find my way back to my room.

After getting lost about four times and having to run from view of nurses and doctors three times, I just gave up trying to go back the way I came because I clearly couldn't remember the way. It was comical almost, but at the same time quite freeing. It was nice to be able to aimlessly walk around for a while without being questioned on your motives and final destination.

"For fucks sake." I groaned as I rounded into yet another corridor. "They're all freaking identical." I exclaimed, annoyed at how each corridor looked exactly like the last. "Or I'm going round in circles, which seems like a perfectly logical solution right about now." Why did hospitals have to be so inconveniently large?

After turning into yet another corridor, I bumped into a tall, dark haired, middle aged man. With a small yelp, I stumbled back, luckily regaining my balance in time to ensure that I didn't spectacularly fall to the floor. Looking up at the amused smirk of the man I laughed.

"Sorry about that Mike!"

"Not a problem," he laughed once. But his kind face turned into a slightly concerned frown, "What on earth are you doing anyway? I've heard people are looking for you."

"Ah," I bit my cheek to keep from laughing. It appeared that people were looking for me and yet they couldn't have turned up to help me back to my room? How convenient. "I was... uh... lost." I muttered pathetically. He arched an eyebrow at me, but kept a small smile on his face.

"Really? I didn't think it would be that hard to find your way back from my office."

"Fine. I decided to go on a little walk. It's not like I've had much freedom recently." I told him truthfully.

"We better get you back; you do look a little lost now."

"I am lost; I was actually trying to find my way back." I sighed. Mike smiled.

"Come on, follow me." We walked side by side as he led me back to my room. "You've worried quite a few staff, going off on your own." He mentioned along the way.

"Yeah, I bet." I said sarcastically, "God knows what I could do to myself on my own. Could have killed myself, they really should up security around here." This caused Mike to laugh.

"But you didn't; so that shows you're much more responsible, does it not?"

"You know... I was thinking of walking out." I admitted quietly.

"Why didn't you?" He asked gently.

"It wouldn't have been a good idea." I shrugged, "I want to get out of this place and that would just cause me to stay here longer." He hummed thoughtfully. Suddenly, I asked: "What time will I get discharged tomorrow?"

"Most likely in the morning," Mike responded, "You'll have the day off school no doubt. I never liked schools on a Tuesday... or a Thursday for that matter, they always seem pointless."

"They do don't they," I agreed, enjoying the carefree chit chat. It was clear he was happy that I had told him that I wanted to run away. But it was nice that he didn't push anything, that he let me tell him at my own pace. For that, I was thankful.

"Here we are," he said as we walked onto the corridor where my room was. Outside the door, there were my usual nurses and Doctor Patterson, all discussing something (most likely me) with extreme urgency and concern. Mike cleared his throat as we approached, and suddenly I was worried what they would do if they found out I had wanted to run off.

"Thank god Casey," Doctor Patterson said, relieved, "We were worried. Where have you been?"

"Urgh," I stammered, "I just took a walk after I saw Mike."

"Where did you go?"

"Nowhere."

"Casey," The doctor gave me a stern look, as though he wanted to believe me but it was his job to ensure that his patients were safe and that he knew why they truly went.

"Look, I just wanted to take a walk for a bit okay? I didn't do anything. I didn't kill myself. I didn't even cut myself. I just wanted to have a few moments to myself away from everything. I'm sorry. I ended up getting a little lost and then I ran into Mike." I told them. Mike gave them an affirmative nod when they glanced at him. They seemed to believe me.

"Alright then," Doctor Patterson said, "Mind if I see your arms to make sure?" I sighed heavily and gave him a look that expressed my annoyed emotion. He smiled sympathetically, but I knew that I couldn't get out of this. Reluctantly, I took off my jacket to show my arms. No new cuts were visible. All were either scars or scabs.

"And there's nothing on my legs or stomach either," I added in case he bothered to ask, but he seemed happy.

"Excellent Casey, I'm really pleased." The good doctor said, "I'll be seeing you later this evening to check up on you again." He smiled, "Goodbye Casey, Mike." He and the other nurse took their leave. Carrie stayed however to give me my lunch.

"Thanks Mike, I'll see you tomorrow won't I?"

"Yes, I'll see you earlier on before you are discharged." He nodded before saying goodbye.

I turned to Carrie and raised an eyebrow in disgust at the food she had brought- a sandwich. She just laughed and followed me into my room.

I was more than relieved to see Will a little while later, truth be told I had missed him throughout the day. When he came in, I could tell by his face that things had gone fairly well with the Glee club, and I made sure to give him a gentle hug when he entered the room- for which he seemed quite grateful. Will told me what happened with Santana, and I really wasn't that surprised, but it did surprise me with how guilty she seemed, so I took that as a good sign. Other than that, it sounded like I hadn't much to worry about... other than the obvious bullies of the school- but they weren't what mattered. I had friends... I actually had friends! That's what mattered to me.

For the first time in a while, my sleep was rather undisturbed. It was dreamless. But I was grateful for the decent rest nonetheless. In the morning I was left feeling refreshed despite the fact that I had to wake up at a ridiculous time for me. However, considering I was getting discharged today, I decided that I wouldn't mind too much if it meant I got to go home earlier. I ate, with as little complaint as possible, my fruit- although I made sure to subtly show Carrie how unpleased I was with having to eat breakfast. But as always, she just laughed at me and told me to eat my apple. Will told me that he was missing school again, but that he'd come when I had my appointment with Mike to talk to my Psychiatrist and doctor etc. So I still had a few hours before I got to leave, but I was counting down the seconds. As my appointment with Mike drew near, I found myself a little nervous. I always did when I went to see him, but it was mainly because I didn't know what I'd do when I finally got my hand on my blades again. The thought of my blade relieved me; no-one had any idea how much I wanted it. I flexed my hand before clenching it, repeating the little pattern while attempting to control my breathing. Whether or not I wanted to talk to Mike about this little problem was another thing. But I no longer trusted myself. At least before I had control over it. But I just had the awful feeling that once I started, I just wouldn't be able to stop until there wasn't any skin to cut. I buried my head in my hands, suddenly feeling very triggered by my own thoughts. Everything around me seemed to be a trigger, any sharp edges, any glass. It was driving me insane. I gritted my teeth as I went to knock on Mike's office door, already wanting this day to be over and done with. My hand unconsciously scratched at my old cuts, and I found myself lightly scratching the cut on my neck when I went inside my counsellor's office. The look on his face showed his concern, but he said nothing as he smiled at me as I sat down.