They're taking me away, away for good. Her mouth became dry. Closing her eyes, Is this how they feel about me? Catching her breath, it set in. I'm never going to see him, she smiled, them again. That thought made her bones tremble. What did I ever do to deserve this? The car trip seemed like it took forever. She blinked trying to hold back the tears that she could feel trying to break their way out.
Well let's get this over with. It's only for a little while right? They will come back for me right? I hope. Am I really ready for this? What a question! She chimed to herself angrily she shook her head. What a useless, stupid question to be asking myself now, of all times. Of course I'm ready I have to be. Because in less then thirty minutes we will would be there. Even though her mouth was still dry as it could be, she swallowed looking out the window as cars went speeding by.
I can handle this I have too. She sighed which made Niles look at her through the rearview mirror. She just smiled. She didn't want to upset him even more. CC's mind: He's getting a good laugh at my mental mind. How dare him! How could he do this to me after he just kissed me like that? He...oh yes he would we're talking about Niles. That kiss meant nothing but see you around. Nothing but a joke a very cruel joke at that.
Niles had a fear of what kind of person was going to emerge from the ashes of the brutal "the place". He had heard all kinds of stories. None of them he wished on anyone, not even on his enemies but what other choice did he have left? He couldn't stand seeing her like this. It was the only way, he thought, to help her. She was beginning to go down hill. Niles' mind: All the therapy in the world properly wouldn't help. He smiled. But I have to try something. Something drastic and sadly to say, this is it. Am I doing the right thing by sending her here? He sighed, not really knowing if it was. He looked over at Chester who was curled up a sleep in the front seat. "Don't worry boy she will survive," he sighed shaking his head. "But will I?"
The limo slowed and stopped in front of a neat three-story gray stoned building with light gray trim over the door and windows. There was a narrow alleyway on either side, leading to a rear yard. CC's mind: Only three stories that's good. They have no straight jackets. That's another plus.
Niles' mind: Two separate buildings I suppose. That's a good sign. One for the females and one for the males I can only hope. I don't want any males near my baby. Whoa what did I just think. Baby. He sighed. My baby, she'll be gone. A tear started down from his eye he quickly got rid of it.
A serious-faced man stood waving at them from the bottom of the wide stone steps. He must be waiting on us. Niles opened the door to her side. She found herself looking once again into those serious eyes and sighed.
"I know I must." From the moment she'd stepped out of the limo, she'd felt stifled, haunted almost by memories of her boarding school days. Something Niles knew nothing about and probably never would. Her problem was how to come to terms with it. Niles turned her around and untied her hands.
"Thank you." She whispered. As they walked closer to the front door of the building Niles noticed a young man standing in the skinner window to the right of the doorway, staring, staring hard like a statue. Niles' mind: He seems to be staring at us but I doubt it. More likely his view is inward to some dark place only he was privy to. No telling around here. Look at this people they are not in their right minds. But what about CC? Is she? Is she going to be cured here or not? Some of the stories I have heard about people who come to this places. Forget that...
"This must be CC." One of the nurses walked up from behind the desk. CC just nodded. "Come with us." The nurse led both Niles and CC along with the Dr. down a long hallway.
"Here we are," a small room plain room with two beds and a table and that was it.
"Don't leave me Niles, I can't take it." CC whined.
"Too late." He turns to walk out.
"Niles I thought you loved me." At that, he turned to face her again. Fear and emptiness were in her eyes. They were begging to fill with water. He could tell that she was trying to hold them back.
"I...I..." he couldn't bring himself to say it. To say, that he did love her. Am I turning into Max? He rubbed his eyes with his fingers. I can't be, can I? The nurse closed the door and left.
Niles leans against the door to her room and she is on the other side crying her eyes out.
"I hate you so much." She yelled at him through the door.
"I hate you more." He shot back. He knew this is the best place for her but still feels bad about it. Niles' mind: This is what she needs but for how long? How long could I stand it?
"Niles," she sniffed. "Don't do this. Not to me." he walked away with his head lowered. Tears came from his eyes.
Niles' mind: Is this right? I mean do I love her? So much emptiness inside her, he sighs; this is what has to be done. He tried to convince himself. CC stood at the door to her room and just watched him leave what else could she do.
Niles goes to the desk.
"Take care of her Dr"
"You know we will sir. That's what we do." Niles signs the papers. "She'll be out in four weeks if everything goes as planed"
"And if it doesn't"
"Then we will discuss it"
"Thank you Dr." Dr. Courtney could see that he was upset about leaving her here.
"You're doing the right thing." Dr. Courtney pats him on the back. "I know it's hard to let go of loved ones but she needs this more then you know."
The man standing in the lobby, who had watched CC and Niles from the moment they entered the building, saw the reaction between them. Man's mind: There's something there. He cared enough to get her the help that she was looking for. I have to find out what it's all about.
He gets up and quickly walks outside. "I'll wait outside for him." He whispers to himself. The man looked at the window and saw the woman watching the Niles going to the limo. He smiles, "Defiantly something going on. He doesn't want to leave her but he knows he has to for her good. He watches CC for a moment.
She stood in the window in the front watching Niles leave her life for good. She'd put her hands up on the cold windowpane, as if to wave good bye as if she understood that she was never going to see him again. Tears rolled down her cheeks, on to the front of her shirt but she didn't care. She didn't try to stop her tears. Not this time. Why would she it wasn't like anyone was going to see her. Her face remained expressionless and her hand stayed where it was, moisture began to form around her hands and the tips of her fingers white against the glass.
"How could you Niles? That's it just go and run from this. I don't care any more. Lock me away forever. You will be sorry." She lowered her head. "I need to find a way out of here." She thought for a minute then an image of the sad look in Niles' eyes haunted her. "I'll never forgive you for this you..." she looked back at the window and noticed that Niles was still standing by the car.
"He's still here. Has he changes his mind? Am I going home now? Who am I joking I'll probably die in here. Niles...I do...I want..." she shook her head. "That's not going to happen. He's not going to come back for me, I'm going to be stuck here forever."