Author's Note - Not real sure about this chapter and where I'm going to take this story. Also, Walker speaks through the tablet unless otherwise noted.

Two Days Later

It frustrated Walker to no end that he was a hostage once again, this time to the police and doctors that kept him inside his room. He sat on a chair by the window looking out at the parking lot wishing he was home. When will he be able to travel? Will he be able to see Z or Conner or the other fighters from the old compound? Why was he being treated like a criminal? So many questions he had asked and yet nobody would give him a direct answer.

The door to his room opened, but he knew it wasn't family by how the person walked. He kept his attention on the window and he could see Castaneda's reflection staring back at him. In the doctor's hands was a folder and what appeared to be small blister packs.

Castaneda took a deep breath as he sat down on the chair next to Walker. "How're you doing today, Walker?"

Walker shook his head as he picked up the writing tablet. "Depends."

"Right." Castaneda nodded his head and opened the folder. "My initial diagnosis is going to be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Stockholm Syndrome which in turn causes your anxiety and depression." He wrote something down on the folder then held out the blister packs. "This, is medication to help you out…."

"No medication, I'm fine." Walker gingerly stood up making sure he put most of his weight on his right leg. "Now, please leave." He wrote before handing Castaneda the tablet.

Castaneda quickly got up and made his way in front of Walker. "Walker, this is mandatory for your release." He shook his head. "I want you to be on the medication for at least three months to see if it works out for you. During that time you need to be seen by a psychologist at least five times."

Walker ignored the pain in his leg to walk past Castaneda and towards the door. There was no way he was going to allow medication to control his life. He was perfectly fine, why did everybody think he was going crazy?

"Please, just listen to me, Walker." Castaneda went up to Walker with a deep sigh. "This is Trazadone and Xanax, they will help you deal with what is going on." He shook his head. "All of the men that were taken captive were or are still on this treatment."

This got Walker's attention and he slowly turned towards the doctor. "Even Gage?" His voice was a hush whisper, barely audible above the room noise.

"Yes, even Gage." Castaneda took a deep breath as he handed the packets to Walker. "If you start taking the medication you'll be able to leave within two weeks."

Walker shuffled back to his bed, sat down then shook his head. "Are there any side effects?" He wrote down on the tablet.

"Some, but it's not bad." Castaneda poured some water for Walker then handed him the pills. "I will closely monitor you during your stay here to see if it's truly helping or not."

XXXX

Trivette was rather angry about not being able to talk to his friend and when he finally got the all-clear to do so he didn't know what to say. Trivette had so many questions to ask Walker, but he didn't know how his friend would react to them. He took a deep breath before he pushed the door open to Walker's room hoping his friend was awake.

"Okay, let me know if you feel any different." Castaneda turned to Trivette. "Hey, Trivette I was just leaving."

After the man left Trivette closed the door then made his way to Walker's bed. "Hey, buddy. What did Castaneda have to say?"

Walker took the tablet and quickly wrote down his answer. "He says I'm depressed and wants me take some medication."

Trivette's heart still held a lot of doubt about Walker's mental state and it took a bit for him to respond. "Hopefully it will help." He cringed at his choice of words. "Walker, I gotta ask you something." Walker gave him a quick nod. "I read over your medical history from the compound…." Trivette noticed his friend's eye quickly dropping down to the tablet.

"So, you know everything?" Walker wrote and when Trivette nodded he gradually leaned forward then pulled up his t-shirt.

What Trivette saw on Walker's back made him swallow hard and cringe. Deep scar tissue covered most of his friend's back and if Trivette squinted he could see where the whip had cut deep into Walker's skin. How could anybody torture another human being like this? What made it even worse was the fact Walker was forced to fight then kill a man soon after being whipped.

"Man, I'm sorry." Trivette not only could see the scar tissue, he could also count every vertebrae and rib in Walker's back. "Does Alex know?" Walker shook his head. "Walker, you need to tell her about this."

Walker shook his head. "She'll over react." He wrote as he leaned back onto the bed.

"Don't worry, it's just scar tissue."

"Just scar tissue?" Trivette let out a heavy sigh as his mind went to Winters. "Walker, I need to ask you something about Raphael Winters and the other guards…."

"What about them?" Asked Walker.

Trivette ran his hands down his face then took a picture of Winters out of his coat pocket. "What do you think of him?"

Walker nodded. "His name is Miguel, he was my personal guard."

"Personal guard?" Trivette's voice showed his curiosity. "How did he help you out?"

"He taught me sign and was my trainer for the fights." Wrote Walker.

"Did every fighter get personal guards?"

Walker shook his head. "No, just the ones that brought in the money." He took a deep breath as he wrote down a long list of names. "I want to talk to those men."

Trivette took a look at the tablet to see it was a list of all the men that once had been roommates with Walker. "Walker, you know you can't talk to them…."

"I'm getting real tired of people telling me that!" Walker scribbled. "I know Hector was killed because he removed the tattoo, Gage told me." His demeanor suddenly changed as his eyes shifted towards the door. "How did the other fighters die, the ones at the ranch?"

"Walker, I…."

Walker scowled at Trivette, his writing showing his anger. "Please, not you too Jimmy."

Trivette could sense the pain in Walker's handwriting and knew he needed a friend right now. "Walker, they were executed along with a guard that tried to protect them."

"Hound…." Walker's voice was low. "Jimmy, I need some time alone." He wrote.

"Right, I'll come back later." Trivette gave his friend a nod then stood up. "Just take it easy."

One Week Later

The day had finally come for Walker to fly back home and he couldn't wait to leave the hospital for good. He hobbled over to the window to take in one more last look at the beautiful scenery surrounding the hospital. It seemed strange to think that he actually lived in the thick woods several miles from here. Though it was a prison, Walker did miss the ranch and what it offered. As long as he obeyed the rules life for him in the forest was simple and he had more freedom than right now. Will that change once he was on Texas soil? Will he finally be able to walk around without security?

He took a deep breath then went back to his bed to wait on his family and friends to arrive. As he sat down his attention went to the side table where his writing tablet sat. Unfortunately his voice hasn't returned causing some frustrating moments between Alex and Trivette. Will he ever be able to speak again?

The door to his room opened and in walked Doctor Isham with a smile on his face. "Hello, Mr. Walker." He went up to Walker and held out some paperwork. "I have a friend in Dallas that is testing out a new surgical procedure that might get some of your voice back." He showed Walker a business card tucked inside a pamphlet. "Give him a call."

"Thank you." Walker signed, knowing the doctor can understand him. "I will do that."

Doctor Isham nodded. "Take care of yourself."

When the doctor left Walker put the pamphlet into his backpack then decided he should change into street clothes. He shifted his weight to see the pile of clothes Alex had bought him yesterday. Because of his weight loss Walker had to get an all new wardrobe. Though he was skinny, he was relatively healthy all thanks to his diet at the ranch.

It took a few minutes to get dressed, but once he had the jeans on he felt a bit uncomfortable. He pulled at the waistband then at the fabric itself wondering if he really did wear tight jeans at one time. After some thought he decided to put on a pair of workout pants and a plain red t-shirt.

The door opened and in walked Trivette with Alex right behind him. "Hey buddy! You ready to leave this joint!"

Walker gave his friend a smile as he nodded his head. "Been ready for awhile." He wrote on the tablet. "Is everything good to go?"

"Yeah, the van is parked right outside." Alex went up to the bed and picked up the jeans. "Did they not fit?"

"Nah, they didn't." He kissed Alex on the lips then gave her a hug. "Lets get out of here."

XXXX

In another part of the hospital, Angela sat with uncle Gage and aunt Sydney in a waiting room excited that her father will be returning home. She kicked her legs back and forth, let out a deep breath then stood up to start pacing. What was taking her mother so long? She looked at her uncle to see him smiling up at her.

"It's all right, he should be here soon enough." Gage got up and gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "Be patient, Walker should be here any minute now."

Angela nodded her head then sat down next to Sydney. "Thanks guys for flying up here for this." A big smile spread across her face. "It means a lot to my dad."

Sydney gave Angela a hug. "Not a problem. It's going to be a fun trip…." Her voice faded as she patted Angela's shoulder. "I see him now."

The soft clicking of crutches brought Angela's head towards the long hallway and as her eyes fell upon her father she stood up. "Dad!" She ran up and gave him a hug. "I'm so excited to see you finally leaving here!" Her father shifted onto his good leg so he can hug her back. "I love you, dad."

He nodded his head as he smiled down at her. "I love you too." His voice was just a hush, but nonetheless it was something other than silence.

A tear escaped from Angela's right eye and she quickly wiped it away. "You don't have to talk, dad." She cleared her throat then pointed at his backpack. "Do you want help?"

Her father nodded, shifted the pack off his shoulder then handed it to Angela. It was a bit heavy telling her he must have his writing tablet and other things needed for the trip inside. Angela swung the strap onto her shoulder then made her way towards the exit. Behind her he could hear uncle Gage talking to her father about stopping for the night somewhere in Colorado.

"Lets go put his things into the van." Said her mother as she approached. "We need to get going if we want to make good time on the road."

Angela nodded, but as she headed out of the hospital doors she was greeted by several voices and flashes of light. Gage quickly ran up to her side, his arm wrapping around her head, shielding her from the reporters. Why did the news like her father so much? What did he do to garner so much attention?

"Mr. Walker! Mr. Walker!" Shouted several voices as Angela's father came out of the hospital. "Over here! How was your time at the ranch!"

"Angie, this way!" Gage led Angela towards an olive green mini-van and with a small remote opened up the sliding door. "Get inside, quickly!"

Angela ducked into the van with Gage following right behind her. "Why can't they leave us alone?"

"Because they have nothing better to do." Gage turned around to help Angela's father into the van. "Take it easy, Walker."

Her father let out a low grumble as he gingerly sat down into one of the seats. "I'm sorry, Angela. Don't worry it will get better."