A/N: Thank you for the reviews guys! We're getting close to the end now. Only five chapters left. And the good news: SPRING BREAK! What better way to start the break off then with an update? As well as listening to the Phantom during lunch! That was great. Lol. Thank you Halley for doing a great job and please don't forget to review!

Chapter Twenty-Two:

Willow Hospital

The week flew by and the day for Emmy to return to Willow Hospital arrived with great urgency. Strangely, she was looking forward to the stay.

Her parents, however, weren't looking forward to it. They were still in a state of shock from what Dr. Stanton revealed to them about Emmy. But both agreed on not saying much of it to her so they wouldn't cause her any alarm. It seemed the best angle to go about.

Tony was told that Emmy was spending the weekend over at their grandparents' house and was upset when he was told he couldn't go too. Emmy didn't mind the cold shoulder she received from her brother; it made her feel normal that sibling jealousy was there.

Once she had packed, Will drove his daughter to the hospital. The dark clouds hanging over her were lifting as they stepped inside the Psychiatric Ward. Dr. Stanton was there waiting for them and greeted her warmly.

He asked if her father had any questions, which there were none. Will kissed Emmy on the cheek and gave her a tight hug and whispered, "I love you", in her ear before he left her.

Emmy could tell from his gait he wasn't thrilled about this, but it was her decision that sealed the deal. Now all she had to do was help Dr. Stanton find a way to beat Erik and Christine forever.

Dr. Stanton escorted her to her room, which was a standard hospital room—white walls and floor with an attached bathroom. A bed with a single pillow was in the center and a dresser for her clothes was to the far right hand side. The room was private, with one window looking out the grounds, but Dr. Stanton pointed out a small camera in the corner of the ceiling for observation purposes.

"You will be by yourself and there's a button along the bed for you to call for the nurses on staff. You don't have to partake in any of the activities with the other patients, unless you want to. If there's anything you need just let me or one of the nurses know and we'll try to accommodate you. I wish you the best."

Dr. Stanton exited for her to settle in and become accustom to her room for the next couple of nights. It was nothing special or fancy, but to Emmy she loved it.

Happily grinning, she proceeded to take out her clothes from her suitcase and refolded them so she could put them in the drawers. She brought a couple shirts, jeans, and intimates along with a book and homework. She stuffed the suitcase under the bed and as she was about to sit down to read, she was greeted by an unwanted visitor.

Do you honestly think that this will change anything?

She dropped the book, her hands coming to rest against the side of her head. Her breathing was hitched. "Get out," she panted.

Erik knows what you're up to. It'll be best if you leave now and return home…

Emmy shook her head, whimpering. "No. No. I won't go home. Not now. Not when I can get help. I'm safe. I'm safe."

That's what you think… but Erik has his ways. You know that, I know that, it would be a matter of time before he finds and collects you. You've been very naughty in ignoring him, especially all that he's done for you…

"He has nothing I want anymore!" she spat. "I want my life back! And I will, now that your secrets are exposed."

Does anyone believe you, though? Maggie didn't and certainly not Trey. They all think you're insane Amelia. And you are, my dear. You are.

"Dr. Stanton believes! I-I trust him," Emmy faltered. "He'll help you'll see. He will help me cast you from me."

Cast me away? I'm no demon that can be commonly exorcised. I exist because you want me to.

"NOO!" Emmy shrieked, pulling on her roots. "I hate you! I HATE YOU!"

By the way, that doctor is pretty old. I'm sure my dear Erik would only have to scare him to hand you back over to him or if he refuses… either way you lost.

"NO! NO! NO! YOU LOST! YOU'RE WEAK AND I'M STRONG! I'M BEATING YOU!"

Tsk, tsk. Haven't you forgotten? Once I arrived I became bonded to you and that bond will never break until you die.

"LIAR! IT WILL END! IT WILL!"

The door busted opened as Dr. Stanton and several nurses and orderlies came rushing in, hearing the screams of the hysterical girl. Emmy took one look at them and began giggling wildly and shrilly.

"See! I knew he would help me! You lost Christine! You and Erik! LOST! LOST!"

The two male orderlies carefully approached the still giggling teenager and quickly grabbed her arms. Emmy didn't put much of a fight but continued laughing as tears mixed with her giddiness.

"Lost. Lost. They lost!" she chanted in a singsong voice as Dr. Stanton came over. One of the nurses handed him a needle and swiftly he injected the sedative into her arm.

He watched regrettably and despairingly as Emmy quieted, her body succumbing to a placid state. The orderlies laid her down on the bed once she calmed and waited their instructions from the good doctor.

"Keep an alert eye on her. This maybe serious than I had thought," Dr. Stanton said, keeping his eyes on Emmy's still form. "I pray to God we're not too late."

xxXXxx

Dr. Ivan Stanton, M.D. and PhD certified psychiatrist from Wayne State University, was perplexed for the first time in his career.

Reviewing the tape from earlier, he replayed the disturbing scene that occurred less than fifteen minutes after her arrival. He examined the film with a heavy heart, knowing he was bound by law to show this to her parents. No doubt the Sawyers would be extremely upset seeing their daughter in this awful state. Working with patients for nearly thirty years, he very well knew the effect it will have on a family. And for someone as young as Amelia Brooke Sawyer… it was a terrible, terrible twist of Fate.

There was no doubt in his mind what Emmy spoke was the truth, but he found it hard to digest that a couple of fictional characters could do the things that she said. Though now he was beginning to think otherwise…

Could it be possible? Or was this, perhaps, just delusions from a phan? He had past cases where some people believed themselves to be John "the Duke" Wayne or even Brad Pitt. This was different in that Emmy didn't believe herself to be Christine Daae, but becoming Christine Daae through a possession. And her mentioning the links of the college students was puzzling. Was there even such a connection? Or was this from a very imaginative girl?

Or, it could be true, his conscience said.

Pushing that into the back of his mind, Dr. Stanton tried to rationalize what Emmy was going through. She was suffering from severe delusions, which was no mistake, but so far it hadn't disrupted her school life and her home life was iffy. Sometimes she was the picture of perfect mental health, and the next she was screaming her head off, running away from her parents. In the afternoon, she was right as rain then the episode suddenly swept through, interrupting the peaceful flow.

She had no past history of neglect, abuse, hallucinations, nada. This was sudden, out of the blue, and even though this has happened in the past there were usually some earlier warning signs before a person broke down. Amelia Sawyer had none of these, except the desire to one day grow up to be like Christine Daae.

That was definitely something to look into, but her parents assured him she never went through what she was experiencing now. As much as his logical brain was telling him Amelia was suffering from possibly schizophrenia, there was a part of him that believed this child was telling the truth. There was something in her eyes, something he first dismissed during their first meeting. Though now he was wondering…

Her hazel irises held confusion and fear, but there was something far sinister lurking behind. A something he briefly witnessed before giving her the drug--

Hatred and the will to live.

xxXXxx

The next morning, Emmy woke freshly revived.

A nurse brought her breakfast consisting of some dried toast and a bowl of cereal with orange juice. She polished it off with a ravishing hunger and dressed quickly so she could meet Dr. Stanton.

He was in his office and greeted her earnestly and hoping she slept pleasantly.

She did and with no dreams of any kind. Dr. Stanton was pleased to hear and asked tentatively if she wanted to discuss yesterday's events.

Emmy did without hesitating. "I was about to do some reading when she appeared. They didn't like that I'm staying here and she tried to get me to go home by using him to scare me. I tried to resist her but she took me by surprise and I wasn't effective enough to push her from my mind. I'm sorry."

"There's no need for you to apologize," Dr. Stanton told her. "And how do you feel?"

She shrugged. "I guess I feel better now. Much better. I don't think I'll be bothered today."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. No. Maybe. It's this feeling I have actually. I feel safe, sheltered. Plus it's guarded so that gives me hope."

He chuckled. "Indeed the ward is. But I want to play it safe and have a nurse follow you, okay?"

Emmy nodded, coming to her own conclusion that might be inevitable. He smiled.

"Good. You may go but if there's anything you want to talk about or you become afraid that she is coming, my door is open."

She beamed. "I'll keep that in mind, sir. Thank you."

Dr. Stanton watched her leave and returned to some paperwork. I hope that today is better for you, kiddo.

Like he promised, a nurse was waiting outside the office for her. She had an amiable countenance and Emmy took to her right away. Nurse Anne showed her around the ward and where some of the patients were having therapy sessions or playing games. For the most part, majority of the patients were voluntary whilst only a few special cases were involuntary.

Emmy found herself taking part in a friendly game of "Go Fish" and later Monopoly. Some of the patients were good-humored, while some were irritable. After Anne introduced her, Emmy was welcomed with open arms. She found the company enjoyable and laughed along to their jokes and stories.

The day flew by and Emmy had no further reoccurrences much to her and Dr. Stanton's relief. Once more during the night, she had no nightmares or dreams of him and her.

xxXXxx

Sunday came too soon for Emmy. Even after spending one day with the fellow inhabitants, she was reluctant to leave. Her parents weren't going to come until that evening, but the prospect of home pained her. She didn't want to leave. Not when Erik could very much be sitting in her room at that very moment waiting for her. She didn't like it but she couldn't ask Dr. Stanton if she could stay.

Emmy was here for observation only and she wasn't of legal age yet to make the decision. Her parents would have to and there was a great chance of it not coming to pass.

The morning and afternoon slipped through her fingers as dusk began to settle. Again, there were no relapses.

Will and Gloria Sawyer came and were ushered into Dr. Stanton's office and while they were busy, Emmy took the time to say her good-byes to some of the patients she met and Anne for taking care of her.

When she finished her farewells, the Sawyers were done with the doctor, both fixed with grave expressions and once more, her mother appeared to have been crying. Emmy knew what it was and awaited for them to react.

Yet, they said nothing and thanked Dr. Stanton before escorting Emmy out. On the ride home, only then did they speak.

"Dr. Stanton wishes to see you again next weekend. Your mother and I told him it was all right. He needs—he needs more time," Will choked, his hands gripping the steering wheel. What has happened to my little angel?

"Oh Amelia," Gloria murmured, tears gathering at her eyes. "My baby…why?"

Emmy gazed at the floor of the backseat. She had no answer for her mother, except it had been pure selfish greed.

TBC…