The wind blew gently across the roof top. Kyo sat alone and scanned the horizon. Soft clouds slowly drifted by to mingle and merge along the way. Kyo breathed in the gentle smell of pine and sycamore. A voice cut through the peace. "I will have you back, Neko. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts." And suddenly Kyo found himself seated in a long hall before a table that stretched for at least forty feet and was filled to overflowing with food. All around him voices encouraged.
"You must get well, then we can all go for walks and spend time together."
"You are far to skinny, now how can you attract high school girls with that belly top."
"Don't you want to be well and then we could get married."
"Stop upsetting your cousins and eat something."
"Most patients suffering from anorexia have been found dead within 8 months of release if left unattended and on their own."
"Have some thing to eat, or do I have to force it down your throat."
"Kyo, could you eat please, oniichan is very upset."
"Yes, Neko. Do eat and get well soon, then you can come home to your nice little room with the wonderful view of the gardens."
The walls disolved and Kyo found himself sitting at his desk in the closed off cell. Before him was a tray laden with wilted vegetables, spoiled milk and there in the center of the meal. A large fat roasted rat.
Kyo woke screaming. The night nurse came in the room in answer to the loud wailing coming from his patient, followed by the guard from the door. When the lights came on Kyo's screams became frantic and berserk. If not for the tethers on his arms, the IV's would have been lost in his thrashing about. By the time the nurse and guard had restrained him, the bedding was all but lost on the floor and Kyo was covered with a layer of sweat. Still he called out and fought the arms that held him.
More of the hospital staff responded to the commotion and the decision was made by the doctor on call to sedate the boy. An injection was prepared and soon Kyo was feeling the effects of the drug. He calmed down and drifted into a not quite unconscious state. The room quieted and the staff departed. The nurse in charge of his care overnight, a local boy named Nijan, remained to watch over him. The guard made a comment about how his shift was over and his replacement should be here soon. He asked Nijan if he would like a cup of coffee, since he was headed to the machine. The nurse nodded not taking his eyes off the boy. Once alone, Nijan repaired the ruined bed and tucked the thin boy into his covers. He hated working on cases like this one. Abuse and neglect, especially of oneself. Soon the guard was returning with two styrofoam cups. He stood with Nijan and gazed at the semi conscious boy. He tsked at the uproar that had come about because of this frail youth.
"You know he was calling for his cousin to come and help him. Bet if the kid was here we wouldn't have had half that difficult a time with him. Those two must be the best of friends. The boy visits him everyday. Wonder what caused this one to be so messed up?" The guard mused. Nijan looked at the guard and then at the boy in the bed. As the guard left, he watched the features begin to relax and sat at the chair so conveniently placed near the wall. He pull the chair forward and leaned against the side of the bed. "Yuki." he said quietly. The boy turned toward him, searching for something. "Is that what you said, Yuki? Is that your cousin? I thought maybe you were dreaming about being lost in the snow. How silly of me, huh? Well, you just sleep now, okay? I'm sure Yuki will be here when visiting hours begin." He rose from the chair and crossed to the chart at the foot of the bed. He felt the eyes of the patient follow him and when he looked up, an intense gaze met his eyes. Then the eyes glazed over and closed to a drug induced sleep. Nijan sighed and made note of the medication and reaction on the chart and placed it back in it's slot, before leaving the room.