Chapter 54

Break down

Jack walked up the brick paved pathway to the Sinclaire wing at Crossbow Medical. Two weeks had passed by since he stood at those very same doors when Ty was admitted to the semi-secured wing.

Doctor Delray had introduced Jack and Ty to Doctor Bentley who had seen Ty through admission and would subsequently be helping Ty through his withdrawal phase. He was a middle-aged man, with shoulder length blonde hair. His slender features and slight hippy appearance made him seem very approachable. Jack could see why he did so well in his chosen field. He was compassionate yet firm, he listened but also guided and never seemed in too much of a rush to have a chat. His quirky yet friendly nature came across as a little weird to Jack but weird in a good way.

Jack had not been allowed to see Ty during this adjustment phase at the center. This had frustrated Jack to no end as he felt like he was going back on his promise to be by Ty's side every step of the way.

Doctor Bentley had said that it was part of the process and Ty had to undergo induction alone. With no contact with the outside world or family and friends. He explained it was hard, but the benefits would far outway those first days of solitude.

Jack walked up to the reception desk and smiled, "I'm here to see Ty Borden"

"and you are ?" the nurse said happily

"Jack, Jack Bartlett"

She tapped on her computer for a bit and then looked up with a big smile, "you are his advocate?"

Jack nodded, "Doctor Bentley called me and asked me to come in"

"Oh yes, I see that here, Ok Mr. Bartlett, take a seat and Ill page the doctor" she beamed at him, her teeth two rows of white pearls. Jack smiled awkwardly and took a seat near the sliding doors.

"Jack, !'" Doctor Bently said a few moments later, his hand outstretched in Jack direction "welcome, welcome"

Jack smiled at the over friendly welcome, still feeling a little awkward.

"Doc, you called me, "He said, "Can I see Ty now?"

"Well, Jack lets go to my office and have a chat about exactly that."

The doctor put his slender arm around Jacks' shoulder and guided him down one of the side corridors to a white door that had his name etched into a gold nameplate.

He pushed the door open and motioned Jack inside, taking a seat opposite him behind his extremely messy desk.

"So how is he doing?, it's been over two weeks, "Jack said, placing his hat on his knee, "I promised him I would be there every step of the way"

"Yes, Jack, I understand that, "The doctor smiled, "Tys been doing as well as anyone would expect him too. The introduction period is very important, and I know its hard to not be a part of your loved one's life during this period, it is essential to the programme. "

"but you called me, so…"Jack asked,

"yes I did indeed, "Doctor Bentley said, rocking back in his chair. "my reason for calling is because I need you to help me. I'm having a little trouble reaching Ty, don't get me wrong, his tapering programme is going fine, we have him down to 2 tablets twice a day now. Which is good steady progress? I'm just having a little trouble getting him to engage in any of the group sessions or therapy time."

Jack smiled, "that doesn't surprise me, "he said, "Tys not one to share his feelings with just anyone."

"yes yes, I'm seeing that, "the doctor mused, "but it seems deeper than that Jack, he comes to the sessions, he listens to the other patients, but when it comes time to tell his story, well, "

"he puts up those famous Borden walls," Jack said lightly.

" Argh, I see, so you know it well enough to have a name for it"The doctor smiled,

"Look Doc, "Jack said, "Ty is one of the most genuine, loyal caring souls I have ever had the privilege to know, but he has his scars, he had a rather tough upbringing and has been let down and abandoned by those closest to him."

"so, we have some trust issues then ?" the doctor said, listening intently to Jack

Jack nodded, not wanting to say too much, he didn't feel right sharing all Ty's dirty laundry and insecurities.

"thank you, Jack, I appreciate your giving a little bit more of a window into how he works." Doctor Bentley stood up and shook Jacks hand again with the same intensity and vigor as he had in the lobby.

"no problems at all doc, "Jack smiled,

"I have one last question Jack," the doctor said, rubbing his temple, "Tys young, a good looking young man, is there a significant other I should know about,?"

Jacks smile faded slightly, as he spun his hat on his hand,

"there was, um I mean, there is, "he stammered, "it's a little complicated at the moment is all"

"ah ok, ok, "Doctor Bentley said softly," that could explain a lot too, this happened recently I take it, "he raised his eyebrows, "possibly because of the dependency issues?" he watched Jack closely for acknowledgment,

Jack sighed, "it had a part to play, yes," he admitted,

"good, good, "Bentley said, thinking to himself "I have broached this topic with him but he won't open up about it. There's a lot of hurt there Jack, a lot of guilt."

Jack nodded again, he felt uncomfortable talking about Ty like this, although he knew it was for his betterment.

"so Doc, Since you got me to come down here, Can I see him?" he asked,

"yes Jack, of course, I think a visit will do him wonders, "The doctor opened the door and smiled, "although I need to ask you to remember that he may seem different to you, this is the effect of the slow release medication and because it's a reduced intake, he also does still suffer from withdrawal symptoms, They are not as violent now, but I just thought I'd warn you, his moods can be erratic and unpredictable, We have him on a set dosage programm but there are ebbs and flows dependant on when his next dose is . its all compleatly normal though so please dont worry "

Jack nodded taking the advice.

"but hopefully seeing you will perk him up some. Id really like to see this sadness he carries lift somewhat, its isolating him and is going to make his recovery all that harder."

"I'll do my best Doc, "Jack said as he followed him down the corridor the two large glass doors. Jack could see an open activity room on the other side and nurses station off to one side. There were two corridors that ran off the open area, which Jack assumed were rooms where the residents lived. The activity area back onto a large enclosed garden. Were Jack could see people of different ages in small groups.

"Ok Jack, Tys in room 123, down that corridor and 4th door on the left. We've put him in a single for now, near the monitoring station, just to keep a close eye on his progress"

Jack nodded again as the doctor swiped his card across the door lock and it opened up.

"thanks for a great chat Jack, "he said with a huge smile as he happily bounced away across the room, waving to some patents who looked up at him as he approached.

Jack couldn't help but grimace, the over-exuberance, although comical, was hard to deal with.

When Jack finally came to room 123, the door was shut, he looked through the small window in the door frame and could see the back of Ty's shoulders sitting in an occasional chair, his head resting on his hand as he stared out a large window that looked out over a small courtyard area.

Jack took a breath and slowly pushed the door open, taking a step into the small room, that held a single bed, a side cabinet and a small chest of drawers. There were no personal effects or décor to be seen. The room was sterile and cold. Although illuminated by the suns rays that filtered through the window.

Jack took another few steps forward, noticing Ty hadn't reacted to his presence. His eyes were far away as he sat in the chair, the dappled light spraying across his soft brown hair.

He was dressed in a simple white tee and faded Kahki cargoes, his feet were bare and he was clean-shaven, his cowboy stubble now gone.

Jack noted how young he looked sitting in that chair, the faraway gaze making him look like a stranger.

"Hey, Ty, "Jack said, placing the small black bag he had brought for him on the bed as he approached.

Ty's eyes flickered slightly and his head turned in his direction. His green eyes landing on Jack as he came alongside him.

They simply looked at him for a moment, his eyes glassy and vacant making Jack feel uneasy, then he blinked, and a soft smile turned on the corner of his handsome face.

"Jack" Ty said softly, the recognition finally coming through, making Jack sigh with relief.

"Hey, how you doing man?" Jack said, pulling the other armchair over to him and sitting across from Ty.

Ty didn't respond straight away, but Jack could see through the drugged daze that held him that he was pleased to see him. "I'm ok, "

"you look good, "Jack said, trying to sound positive, watching Ty as he repositioned himself in the chair as the faraway look started to fade from his eyes. "I brought you a few things, the doc said they may make you feel a little more at home,"

Ty smiled a soft smile again and looked at his hands. "this isn't home Jack," he said in a soft tone as he ran his hand through his hair, upheaving it slightly causing it to fall across his forehead and into his eyes.

"I know, But once you're better, you can come back to Heartland and you will be," Jack said, "home I mean, where you belong"

Jack watched Ty smile a sad smile, shook his head as his eyes looked back out at the garden "no, nothing for me there anymore "

"now, come on, don't say that ok, your as much a part of the family as anyone else,"Jack replied, seeing the sadness in his youngers eyes.

"how are they ?" he asked, not looking at Jack, he could see Ty was trying to engage. But was also struggling to do so.

"they are good, everyone sends their love and well wishes, "Jack said, smiling at him.

Ty chuckled under his breath and looked at his hands as they fidgeted slightly with the bottom of his tee, his smile fading from view," everyone? no, not everyone" Ty's voice was low, he pulled one of his legs up and hugged his knee.

Jack bit his lip, knowing to whom he was referring.

"hows the shoulder?"Jack asked changing the conversation, "you're not wearing the brace?"

Ty turned to look at Jack and smiled again, appreciating the obvious redirection. " don't need it anymore,"

"that's great, see, you're on the mend" Jack replied, feeling a little awkward, this was not the Ty he knew, he was reserved and overly controlled bordering on pliable.

Ty nodded and looked back out the window, his green eyes glinting in the sun.

They sat in silence for a little longer until Jack couldn't bear it any longer.

"the doc said you're going to group sessions? Hows that going?" he asked, trying to get this subdued and metered Ty to talk again.

Ty sighed and looked back at Jack, his face showing the same slow controlled expression as before." they want me to talk," he said softly,

"well, that cant hurt can it,?"

Ty twitched his lip, his eyes flickering slightly, Jack seeing the tiniest hint of responsiveness." nothing to talk about" he finally said, getting up and walking slowly over to the bed and picking up the bag Jack had brought.

Jack went to speak but simply watched as Ty unzipped the bag as he sat on the bed to look through the contents. His movements seemed muted and slow like he was underwater. Jack felt his heart twinge as he saw this shadow of the young man he knew before him. Convinced the medication was still very much in control. This programme, although supposedly helping him had contained him, made him manageable, made him less resistant. Jack frowned, this somehow felt wrong.

Ty slowly went through the bag, seeing his favorite Tee, his hairbrush, toothpaste, He pulled out a book and Jack saw a genuine smile for the first time cross his face, He thumbed the pages and Jack noticed a photo fall from its bindings. Ty picked it up, placing the book on the bed and held the picture in his hand. His eyes looking at it for what seemed like ages.

"She packed that for you, " Jack said softly, noticing how intently he was looking at the images in the photo, the same photo he had used as a bookmark in his favorite book.

Ty looked up at Jack, when he spoke, realizing that everything in that bag had been chosen by someone who knew him well. From the type of toothpaste to the aftershave, it was hand-picked to his likes and needs.

Tys eyes went back to the photo and he ran his thumb over the surface. His face took on an even more resigned look.

Then as Jack watched the sadness overtake him, he folded the picture in half and reached over the bed, letting it fall from his fingers into the waste paper bin.

"Ty, son, don't give up, she just needs time, "Jack said softly, seeing the defeat in his young man's eyes as he got up from the bed and went back to his chair. Ty sat down yet again, this time pulling both his legs up and wrapped his arms around his knees, his eyes back out in the garden. His words gone.

Jack left Ty not long after that, the quiet between them making Jacks' heart break. He had never seen Ty like that. He wasn't sure how much of it was drug induced or whether it was just him giving up. Either way, he was far from the vibrant, intelligent young man he knew.

"Doc, "Jack said, coming back through the locked door and seeing Doctor Bentley on the other side.

"Jack,! Hello, How did it go?" he asked as he guided Jack back towards the main doors and reception.

"I don't know doc, but that is not the Ty I remember, not by a long shot, "Jack exclaimed. "what have you done to him?"

"I know I know, It can be hard to face, please understand that we are doing all we can for Ty. "Doctor Bentley pulled Jack over the side of the waiting room. "Ty is being weened off the benzodiazepine at a very metered dose, we experienced a few unwanted side effects in the first few days, so we have had to supplement Ty with a mild slow acting counter drug that has subsequently replaced his Xanax requirement "

Jack opened his mouth, not knowing what to say, "he's in here to get off the drugs and your giving him different ones!" he said, his voice raising slightly,

"Jack, Jack, these kinds of drugs have a range of physical side effects, such as Muscle pain, Heart palpitations, Nausea, Sweating, Tingling sensations, and Vomiting, which I'm sure you saw when you first found Ty. But let's not forget the other symptoms, such as depression, insomnia, memory problems, mood swings and nightmares."

Doctor Bentley saw the horror run though Jacks old eyes.

"I know this is hard to take in, but in those first two weeks, Ty was aggressive and unpredictable he hardly slept unless exhausted and He suffered from violent moods swings and nightmares. "the doctor stopped, "this is why we restrict visitors in those first few days. We changed Ty to a slow release counter drug that keeps him at a certain level of stability while allowing him to detox and go through withdrawal, This is not permanent Jack, its part of the programme. He will get better and more responsive the further through the programme we go. But for now, my first concern is for Ty's immediate safety, this had to come first. "

Jack raised an eyebrow, "you're concerned for his safety? How is he not safe? He's locked up, he's got nothing but the clothes on his back"

Doctor Bentley took a slow breath and lowered his voice, "In my early talks with Ty he expressed some emotions that concerned me, "

"what kind of emotions. are you saying he..'Jack gasped,

"he didn't actually say it, but yes Jack, I did pick up on key suicidal tendencies. So I had to change his programme to counteract that"

"are you telling me he tried to kill himself!" Jack whispered, too scared to even think what the doctor was implying.

"no Jack, suicidal thoughts are part of the withdrawal, and after you told me of his recent breakup and personal issues, it sort of makes a little more sense to me now why he has been affected so deeply. "Bently touched Jacks shoulder and smiled again. "he's on the mend Jack, I know he seems a little controlled right now, but that will change as we taper off the drugs. This is going to be a long road home, but I'm sure he will make it"

With that Doctor Bently tapped Jacks back and walked away, turning briefly as he went to go back towards his office.

"Come see him again next week, I think a weekly visit will do him wonders,"

Jack nodded, still in shock over what the doctor had told him. He pushed his hat back on his head and signed out. Then headed for his truck.


Jack returned to Heartland not long after 3 pm, he had gone to Hudson after seeing Ty and picked up some supplies. His thoughts were in a dark place. He had been happy to see Ty, but what he saw had rocked him and the doctor's words were still very much playing on his mind.

He walked into the house and was greeted by Amy and Lou, who were sitting at the table together. Looking through some cookbooks.

"Grandpa, " Amy said softly, seeing the look on his features. "you ok, "

Jack nodded, and poured himself a coffee, he didn't want to talk about it.

"Are you sure? You look kind of off ?" Lou said,

"I'm fine, it just been a long day." He said as he left them in the kitchen and went into the lounge.

Amy followed him, and took a seat next to him on the lounge, seeing his distant look still holding on his face.

"come on Grandpa, I know that look, your far from ok, "she said, touching his arm gently.

Jack smiled at her, knowing she knew where he had been all morning.

"you went and saw him didn't you" she almost whispered, her blue eyes looking down at her hands as they fidgeted.

"yes, Amy, I did, "Jack said, "the doctor asked me to come in"

Silence fell between them for a moment, until it was broken by Tim walking into the room.

"Jack, "He said, "there you are Ive been calling you all morning, why didn't you answer your phone!"

"I was kind of busy Tim, but here I am now, so what do you want" Jack was in no mood to deal with Tims shenanigans at that moment. The day had taken more out of him than he was willing to admit.

" Well, Jack. I thought you'd want to know that Murphy called me today, it seems the ballistics are back, as too are some of the other forensic tests they took from the ranch."

Jacks eyes perked up, "and, what did Murphy say ?"

"well, it seems that the evidence does show that Ty shot the bullet that hit Lyall and ultimately .. well you know, "Tim said,

Amys' eyes dropped, the pain of that night returning.

"and?" Jack encouraged,

"Ty's hands had gunshot residue on them. But it turns out Lyalls gun discharged first, they can prove that Jack, you know what that means don't you"

"it means that he acted in self-defense!" Jack said more as a statement than a question.

"precisely, Murphy said they still need to talk to Ty, but with the evidence from Lyall's phone and what Tys been through so far up to this, they aren't going to charge him. He's safe Jack, " Tims smile was one of relief as he looked at Amy and Jack, waiting for the excitement and relief to spread.

Jack rubbed his face and let out a large breath, this was the kind of news he had been waiting for, all day.

"well at least that's some good news, I suppose "Jack finally said,"after the day I've had, it's very welcome"

Amy turned to him, looking confused, "what is that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"nothing, "Jack replied, looking away, "I'm just glad its finally over, "

"so Jack, are you going to tell him the good news, that's got to help him through this?" Tim smiled,

Amy looked at her dad, confused, "why are you all of a sudden so worried about Ty, ?" she asked,

"come on Amy, even I can see the kid deserves a break, you aren't still holding this over him are you, really? are you?" Tim looked at his daughter, realizing her feelings over Ty and what he had done were still very much against him.

"look, dad, grandpa, I'm glad that he's not going to be charged, I am, but it doesn't change the fact that he lied to me, and that he deceived me. I cant forgive him for that, it's just not that simple"

"Amy, I know Ty hurt you,!" Tim retorted, "but, maybe, if you talk to him, you'll be able to understand why he did what he did"

"I cant dad, I just can't, " she said,"I know what he did, and I cant forgive him, not now, maybe not ever"

Tim sighed and realized how much she was hurting." he's a good, kid Amy, he screwed up, but he was just trying to protect you."

"protect me from what dad! Himself!" she said cooly, her words making her bottom lip tremble.

Jack stood up and looked at the both of them and rubbed his tired face, "Look, I'm tired and I don't need this right now, so if you two will excuse me, I'm going to go and lie down for a bit "

Amy watched as Jack walked to his room, his shoulders hunched slightly. He walked inside and shut the door.

"Thanks, dad, " Amy said "so good to see you've got my back!, seems neither Grandpa or you think I'm the one whos been wronged here!"

Tim rubbed his face in exasperation. "for the love of god, your as stubborn as your mother was!" he said, Tim pushed his hand into his shirt pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, "I didn't know if I should give this to you or not, you were so mad at him and I didn't want to upset you or make it worse but maybe, you need to hear it from the horses mouth."

He passed the piece of paper to her and she looked at him quizzically,

"I found that in the loft when I went to talk to Ty the night of the shootings. " he paused and saw her face, "its addressed to you, "

Amy looked at the piece of paper in her hand and then back at her father,

"read it, Amy, maybe then you will see the depths of that young mans love for you, "Tim said, "I cant tell you what to do, or whether or not you should forgive him but at least if you read that you'll know the truth"

With that Tim walked back towards the kitchen and out the mudroom door, leaving Amy sitting on the couch with a letter from Ty in her shaking hands.


Amy shook as she looked down at the letter that she held in her hands. She looked around the lounge room, not knowing what to do. She thought she might just throw it in the fire, shut this door once and for all. But seeing her name scrawled on the paper in Ty's handwriting made her want to open it.

Amy bit her lip, what could he possibly say that could change anything. He chose to betray her, he chose to deceive her and not be honest about his intentions. How could anything he had to say change that? She looked at the paper again, her mind in turmoil. Her heart still ached for him. She had spent most of the previous nights seeing him in her dreams, even putting away the pictures that adorned her walls hadn't helped.

Amy rubbed her eyes, thinking back to when she packed a bag for Ty at Jacks request. She had found it almost unbearable to go through his belongings, everything made her insides churn. She recalled his favorite tee, how it smelt of him even though it was freshly washed. His shampoo, aftershave, sad reminders to her that she wouldn't drink in that scent anymore.

"you should read it "

Amy looked up to see Jack looking at her from his bedroom door, he still looked tired, but she could tell he also needed to talk.

"I don't know if I can grandpa," Amy said finally, "I'm scared, what if it changes nothing, what if I read that and realize once and for all,…." She dropped her eyes.

"well, at least then the two of you can move on. "Jack replied, "Tys got a long road ahead of him. You need to decide whether or not you can walk this path with him."

"it still hurts Grandpa, "Amy sobbed, "I want to forgive him, I do, I miss him. But every time I think about giving in and just letting it go, there's this feeling inside that makes me question everything he's ever said to me, did any of it mean anything? Was he lying the whole time" she stopped, and looked into her grandfathers' eyes, "maybe he never loved me at all! maybe my Ty is still lost to me, lost on that day when he met Ben."

"Amy," Jack said coming over and sitting next to her, "do you really believe that?"

She looked at the paper in her hand, "I don't know, I don't know what believe anymore"

Jack touched her shoulder and lent in and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Well, It's up to you Amy, I cant make you read it, or tell you, you have too, this is your decision"

Jack stood up and left her to her thoughts. Amy sat and let her fingers run across the paper, feeling the pens markings where her name ran. She took a deep breath and slowly unfolded it, letting her blue eyes skip over the words that scattered like leaves down the page before her. Apprehension in her eyes.


"So Ty, how are we this afternoon?" Doctor Bentley asked as he came into Ty's room and saw him sitting quietly in the chair near the window, the same chair where he always sat in the waking hours. He hadn't moved from that chair since Jack had left hours before.

Ty slowly looked up at the doctor, his face a little pale." my head hurts, "he said softly,

"yes, I can see your in a little pain," Bentley said, pulling up the other chair before Ty and looking at him intently. "do you still feel nauseous"

Ty nodded slowly, his breathing was slow and deep. With the tips of his hair catching the sweat on his forehead.

"have you eaten today?"

TY looked away, he shook his head slowly, wrapping his arms around his knees again. Burying his head in his elbows.

"Well, I'll get the kitchen to bring you something "The doctor touched Ty and watched him pull back slightly as if his touch caused him pain.

"no, not hungry," he said, "just need my meds" he looked up, his body trembling ever so lightly, "I need them,"

"No. now Ty, I know it feels like you cant handle this, but you can, you're stronger than you think," Bentley said. Smiling at him, trying to build that strength in him again.

"NO!"Ty growled, his voice low and cold."I cant do it…I " his words shook, and his lips trembled, he didn't know why he was getting so upset, he could feel the hurt rising in him but he didn't know how to stop it. "Please, I ….need them. I cant do this, I cant face it, I cant face ...her"

Doctor Bently looked at him closely, hearing the slip of Ty's tongue.

"your afternoon dose is not due for another 2 hours Ty," Doctor Bentley stood up and noticed the belongings from Ty's bag that Jack had brought.

"Oh look, this is wonderful, a few mementos from home, " his eyes flickered to the waste paper basket and he reached in and picked up the photo that Ty had discarded. "whos this Ty, ? is this her?"

He asked, holding it up to him and seeing Ty's green eyes fix on the image of him and Amy in each other's arms.

Ty sprung out of the chair and lunged at the doctor who he pushed violently up against the wall, He felt the doctor grab at him and try to fend him off but Ty strength was in overdrive, His hands shook and he locked eyes with Doctor Bently.

"Ty, I need you to take a breath, and calm down ok,"The doctor said, "its ok, I'll put the picture back, just calm down" he let his hand slide into his doctor's coats pocket and pressed a silent personal alarm.

"I… can't, she …..she hates me, "Ty breathed, the pain in his head increasing as was the sick feeling in his gut, everything was spinning out of control, he didn't know why he was so mad, or why he held the doctor up against the wall. He just hurt, everything was raw and painful. There was no relief, no freedom from the darkness that engulfed him. He was hot to the touch, sweat ran down his cheeks and his body had started to shake.

Two orderlies came barreling through the door and grabbed him by the arms, pulling Ty back from the doctor and forcibly laying him on the bed.

Ty fought against them, cursing at them as he winced in pain, his shoulder crying out as he twisted and contorted in their grasp.

"let ME GO!" he hissed, "get your hands off of me!" Ty kicked and fought with all his might, "you cant keep me here! you cant make me stay HERE!"

"Ty, come on now, I need you to calm down, this isn't going to help you in any way."

Ty struggled more, the orderlies pressing him onto the bed, anger in his green eyes as his strength started to fail.

Doctor Bentley stepped back and straightened up his hair, "ok, restrain him, and check on him every 30 minutes, "

The orderlies nodded and began to pull the padded restraint cuffs up from under the bed.

"No NO, "Ty pleaded, knowing what that meant, he had experienced these restraints before since he had been in the unit. "No, come on. Please, I'll be good, please" he pushed his head back into the pillows as his arms and ankles were tied to the bed to the bed frame.

Once he was secured, one of the orderlies walked over to doctor Bently and looked back at a visibly upset Ty as he pulled uselessly against the cuffs that bound him.

"should we get his afternoon dose ready?"

"no, let's stick to the schedule, " Doctor Bentley said, "this is a mild attack, so let's give it an hour and see how we are faring "

Ty shut his eyes and breathed through his nose, his chest heaving as he finally gave in. He ached in every perceivable way. And his body shook as the symptoms slowly took hold.

Doctor Bentley saw his lip tremble as he tried to fight it. He slowly came over to him and touched his shoulder as Tys eyes flickered his way.

"J…Ja…ack" Ty pleaded, his voice a shaky whisper,

"very well, Ty, I'll call him," Bentley said, a slight sign of relief on his face as this was the first time Ty had asked for anyone.

He left the room and the orderlies followed, Leaving Ty strapped to his bed, his body shaking as he tried with all his might to stay in control.

No one was there to see the tears roll down his cheeks as he sucked in a shaky breath and shut his eyes. No one heard the sobs of defeat as his defenses collapsed around him.

His mind flew through images of his mother, bound to a bed, in the same way, her face as pale as a ghost as the nurse pulled him from her side, he screamed, not wanting to leave her, afraid that if they took him away, she would not be there when he came back.

"No. No""Ty sobbed, the sweat now pooling around his shirt collar. Staining his white tee around the neck and underarms.

He took another shaky breath as his head pounded, making his stomach heave and churn.

Ty pulled hard on the cuffs, clenching his fists. He pushed his head back into the pillow as he broke down. The empty room the only witness to his demise.

He drew in a shaky breath and looked over at the bedside cabinet, his eyes filled with tears as he saw the photo the doctor had propped against the lamp,

"Amy, " he said in a shaky whisper, his voice cracking slightly. "help ...me "

to be continued