=Normal POV=
[Sunday, 6/24/2018; 10:45 pm]
[Berkian General Hospital; Emergency Room]

Arriving at the hospital, Dustin parked the car as all three males hurried to unbuckle and get inside the emergency room waiting area. Gabriel rushed to the desk, panting.

"Where is Hayden Haddock?" Gabriel demanded.

"Gabriel…Easy, she's just an intake nurse…" Dustin offered once he saw how worried and terrified the poor young woman who couldn't have been older than 25 looked at Gabriel's order and franticness. "My apologies…" Dustin stepped forward with a light smile. "Could you please tell me where Hayden Haddock is? He was a patient in the Psychiatric Ward, admitted this morning at 7:30 am. Fifteen minutes ago, his Godfather here, Gabriel Forger, received a call that Hayden had been hurt by another patient and taken into the emergency room to be transported to Archian Psychiatric," he explained gently.

The nurse, a little calmer now, lifted the phone to call back into the emergency room. "Hi, this is Nerissa out front. Do you have a Hayden Haddock back there? He was a patient in Psychiatric, injured, and awaiting transport to the central facility?" she asked. "Thank you," the woman, Nerissa, replied afterward. "He's still back there, being guarded by an officer,"

"Why is he being guarded?" Dustin questioned.

"Precautionary to make sure the patient doesn't make a run for it, try to hurt himself, or something else," Nerissa informed. "Also, the doctor in charge ordered it because she was told on the phone that someone was coming to retrieve the patient who is on a seventy-two-hour hold. Come, I will take you back there," she walked around from the desk and scanned her badge to open the emergency room door, allowing them inside. Off to the left, there was a small room near the utility closet that an officer was standing in front of with the door cracked open slightly.

"Step aside," Gabriel said. "That's my Godson in there,"

"I can't do that, sir. I'm on orders to make sure no one enters as there was a threat someone was coming to take him when he's on a mandatory three-day hold," the officer informed. No sooner than he said it; a female doctor strolled over.

"Are you the one who was on the phone telling me not to sedate an unruly patient, and that you were coming to get him?" she instantly asked, her brows dipping in annoyance almost.

"I'm his Godfather and have power of attorney, Gabriel Forger. I'm here to take him home," Gabriel said sternly.

"He's on a-," the woman started.

"I don't care. My Godson was injured on the Psychiatric Ward's watch after being promised a safe environment to receive treatment in. I had him admitted this morning, and here we are, a little over twelve hours later with my Hayden hurt by another patient! You cannot keep me from seeing him, and you cannot stop me from leaving with him either," Gabriel glared.

"You need to go through the court system to remove him. Until then, he's on my time," the woman retorted.

"Don't even go there with me. I can remove him from care before the end of the hold if he's been hurt on the hospital's watch and your effectively making his condition worse," Gabriel argued.

"There is no such thing as taking a patient from their mandatory hold without the approval of a judge," the female scoffed.

"I can assure you that there is such a law and his Godfather is allowed to take him," Dusting stepped in. "Tray, go check on Hayden,"

"Don't have to tell me twice," Trayden moved to get into the room, but the cop blocked his way.

"No entry," the officer stated.

"If you do not leave, I will call the-," the woman started

Dustin got something from his pocket, flipping it down to reveal his ID and badge to the woman. "Dustin Raseri, Director or Barbarchi Isle Law Enforcement," he said now. "I am the head of police, and I'm on Gabriel Forger's side. Officer, step aside, please?"

"Yes, sir," the cop bowed his head and moved away from the door as Trayden quickly entered.

"Dad, they sedated him!" Trayden informed quickly.

"Of course; he was overly emotional and disturbing other patients," the doctor said.

"I specifically said not to sedate him, or I would sue. If you had backed off and left him alone; he would have calmed down," Gabriel snapped angrily. "I'd be overly emotional too if I was sent to a place to get help and was attacked by another patient on the doctor's watch! Wake him up,"

"I will do no such thing," the doctor remarked. "I gave him what all unruly patients get, and it will have him out for at least an hour. Enough to transport him to the city facility,"

"Listen, lady…I know the law, and I have the director of law enforcement with me to back it up. Hayden was injured on the psych hospital watch by another patient during a seventy-two-hour hold for attempted suicide and cutting where there should be eyes on all patients at all times, or at least every fifteen minutes. How a patient with violent tendencies and listed as psychotic slips free during a shift change when there are cameras in the room and hallways of that particular wing is beyond me. Now you release my Godson," Gabriel ordered.

"I will do no such-," the woman began.

"You will, or I will arrest you for not following the law that is in place to protect patients," Dustin warned. "You will be arrested, and likely lose your license. Hayden is well within his rights to leave because of what happened," he added. "So, make your choice, doctor. Release the boy to his Godfather, or I arrest you and still take Hayden with us,"

The doctor said nothing, she sighed and went to the center desk to get a few things. "And you will wake him as well," Gabriel stated. The doctor nodded to him, grabbing a few papers, clicking on the keyboard, and doing her work. "Thank you, Dustin…"

"I must uphold the law and see the rule enforced. No one should have to be subjected to carelessness, and more so…Hayden admitted to Trayden he didn't want to die. It's been a trying year for Hayden with many issues that only Hayden knows about because he doesn't want to talk to anyone. And yesterday was difficult marking the one-year of his parents' murders," Dustin said.

Gabriel nodded as he turned to enter the room, seeing Hayden's sedated, motionless figure on the bed. There were no monitors or IV's hooked up to him; Hayden just laid there, in a deep sleep. However, the damage from the attack was visible.

"Looks like he was choked, probably punched and slapped a few times too. A little cut on the forehead, maybe if he'd hit his head. I don't see anything else," Trayden informed.

"That's correct," the doctor came in now. "The other patient entered Hayden's room, tried to choke him out. Hayden fought back, getting the guy off, and they had a minor brawl on the floor, so there may be some bruising later on. Hayden hit his head on the bed, causing the cut on his forehead. Light scratches on his face as well" the woman prepared the needle to insert and wake Hayden up. "This won't wake him up right away; it will counter what he was sedated with…But I'd give it ten to fifteen minutes,"

"Will do," Trayden nodded as Gabriel signed Hayden's discharge. Afterward, the woman inserted the needle and pushed the plunger down slowly. "Is he good now?" Trayden wondered.

"Yes…" the woman nodded, stepping back. Trayden got his arms under the bed of Hayden's knees and his arms; then making sure Hayden's head was on his chest and not dangling freely.

"Let's go," Gabriel stated as the three of them walked out with Trayden carrying Hayden.

. . .

[11:10 pm]
[Berk; Raseri Home]

It was decided in the car that the best thing for Hayden would likely to wake up with Trayden present since Hayden's last plead for help was for Trayden to save him. Gabriel agreed with Dustin on the idea, so they returned to the Raseri Household. Hayden was still asleep, of course, and Trayden took it upon himself to carry Hayden out of the car and into his house. Everyone was still up, nervous, and worried as Trayden came in carrying Hayden in his arms. Gabriel and Dustin came in last, locking the house up.

"Why did you bring him here?" Miya wondered.

"Dustin's idea. The last thing Hayden did was yell for Trayden to help him, so we thought it would be best to let Hayden wake up and be able to see Tray," Gabriel said, sitting on the couch with a heavy sigh.

"And also, I assume that Hayden will likely break down once he's awake…And since Trayden is a source of comfort to Hayden, just seemed to fit that we come back here," Dustin added.

"How long until he wakes up?" Alicia wondered.

"The doctor in the ER said ten to fifteen minutes," Trayden informed as he set Hayden down on the long couch gently. "It's been about that, so soon,"

"I was a fool…I shouldn't have admitted him…" Gabriel looked down.

"You did what you thought was right," Rachel offered.

"No one could have anticipated a patient getting loose and attacking someone else at random. It's an unplanned, rare occasion, Gabriel…" Dustin added in.

"Yeah, but you heard him…Everyone did. Hayden was screaming, crying, yelling, begging in desperation to not stay in the psychiatric hospital. I've never seen him do that…" Gabriel sighed.

"It's exactly what you said, Gabriel…" Trayden said now. "It was desperation to get out because of what happened. Hayden didn't want to be admitted in the first place, but he agreed without a fight due to the seventy-two-hour hold. Hayden knew if he cooperated; it would be over that much faster and with little to no problems. However, something happened again, outside of his control and he wants to be as far away from such a situation as possible,"

"Not following…" Syrus stated now.

"A year ago…Hayden lost his parents, and everything spiraled out of control. Out of his control, okay? Lost his parents to murder, ended up in foster care, he tried to kill himself, ended up in the psych hospital, then on to abusive families, back in the psych ward…When did Hayden get any time to mourn? To feel safe? Nothing until he started living with your family and we got him to trust us, open up…But now…With the one-year anniversary, and trying to kill himself to stop the pain, back in the mental hospital…Being attacked there…" Trayden explained.

"Hayden feels like he's losing control of everything again…" Miya frowned. "So he was desperate to escape the repeat of history,"

"Exactly. It's not your fault, Gabriel…" Rachel tried to soothe the worried Godfather. Everyone looked at Hayden now; he was still asleep, and Trayden was next to him. "Hayden will understand you were only worried for his well-being,"

Moments later, Hayden began to groan and turn his head a little. "Everyone back off a bit…" Trayden said as the others moved away a little so Hayden wouldn't feel overwhelmed. Hayden slowly came too, his eyes fluttering open and blinking to focus on his surroundings. However, as he woke up fully; he got scared realizing he wasn't in the hospital anymore.

"Hey…Hey…Easy, Hayden…" Trayden said quickly in a calm tone. Hayden's eyes locked onto Trayden's figure next to him.

"Wh-Where am I?" Hayden said nervously, sitting up.

"At my house…Gabriel, my dad, and I came to get you, Remember? You called me and asked me to get you, so we did," Trayden said gently.

"Y-You came for me?" Hayden asked.

"Didn't you ask me to?" Trayden smiled a little. "I told you I'd always come when you need me, Hayden," Tears welled in Hayden's eyes, his bottom lip quivered a bit.

"I-I don't have to stay in the mental hospital?" Hayden inquired.

"No, lad…" Gabriel stepped forward as Hayden looked at him. "No, and I'm sorry I sent you…I just panicked and didn't want anything to happen to you. I never authorized you to go to Berkian Psychiatric Unit…They just put you there because Dr. Dahl had moved to that location and she's worked with you before at Archian Psychiatric Hospital…I'm so sorry, laddie…"

"B-But how di-did you get me out? I-I thought I had to be there for three days by law," Hayden questioned.

"There are a few loopholes in that; you getting attacked by another patient on their watch is one of them. There should have been a full team out to protect other patients from someone who escaped from twenty-four-hour watch because they can be very dangerous to themselves and others for having violent tendencies that they may be unable to control," Rachel informed.

"There should have been security and staff lining the hallways and prevent what happened tonight; it was handled poorly and not according to regulation. As you were attacked at random on their watch and because of their failure to execute the proper procedure for the situation; the mandatory hold can be lifted and the injured patient removed from their care by the person with power of attorney for their safety," Rachel added shortly afterward.

"Plus, you begged to be released in fear of your own life and told Trayden earlier tonight you didn't want to die. You cooperated with treatment too. All that plays a factor in the loophole in getting you out. Typically, in this situation; it is best to move the patient to another wing of the ward, or another facility. But…Gabriel wanted you home, so he went with Dustin and Trayden to spring you," Miya jumped in.

"They tried to fight it and keep you, but dad stopped it by threatening to arrest the doctor holding you still," Trayden said.

"It was not a threat, more of a warning," Dustin shrugged.

"Either way; you're safe now," Trayden said lightly. Hayden instantly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Trayden tightly, burying his face into Trayden's chest and gripping the back of his shirt. "Alright…Okay…Ssh…It's okay, Hayden," Trayden told him, hugging back. After a few moments, Hayden brought one of his hands back towards him to wipe his eyes.

"Thank you for coming to get me…" Hayden sniffled a bit.

"I told you I would always come when you need or want me. No hospital is going to stop that," Trayden assured. Gabriel got closer now, putting his hand on Hayden's shoulder as the teenager looked at his Godfather and unofficial uncle.

"I'm so sorry, Hayden…I shouldn't have sent you; I was just scared to lose you. I knew you didn't want to go back there, but I thought I was doing what was best for you, laddie…Can you ever forgive me?" Gabriel asked.

"F-Forgive y-you…" Hayden managed, and then pulled off Trayden to hug his Godfather, who returned the action immediately. After a minute, the two pulled apart.

"Ready to go home? I'm sure Cloudjumper, Skullcrusher, and Toothless want to see you. They were worried this morning; I had to lock them in your room to keep them from getting in the paramedic's ways," Gabriel said.

"You know they're very protective of me…" Hayden wiped his eyes again.

"I know, lad," Gabriel nodded. "Come on, let's get to the house; it's late…I'm sure you'd like to change out of those, maybe a shower and good night's sleep," he added. Hayden nodded to him slowly. Gabriel got up, helping Hayden to his feet as well.

"If you need anything," Trayden started.

"I'll call or text you," Hayden replied. "Don't worry…I won't forget…" he added softly.

"Good, never forget that. And hey, it's not just me…You got all of us, Hayden. I told you earlier…You are not by yourself. I know it's hard for you to tackle all this because of how things went last year…But it's different; you have family and friends here for you for anything," Trayden promised.

Hayden nodded. "I'm not alone anymore, and I don't have to be scared…You told me that earlier, and because of it; I'm not scared to ask for help when I need it…Still a long way to go, but…I'm…Starting to believe that things will be okay with time thanks to everyone and you…" he said. Hayden hugged him, and Trayden returned the gesture, then they pulled apart.

"Night Hayden…" Alicia said as Hayden was leaving with Gabriel and getting into the truck. Hayden nodded as his acknowledgment to hearing her. Not more than five minutes later, Gabriel's truck pulled away to head one street over. After that, Dustin made sure the house was locked up.

"It's been a long day; I think it's time to call it a night," Rachel informed.

"I think we all second that," Devon yawned. "Come on, let's hit the sack. I'm sure nothing else is gonna happen tonight,"

"Agreed," Alyssa nodded.

"And we can hang out more tomorrow," Rylee added in.

"Maybe Hayden will want to join?" Syrus shrugged.

"I think we should just let him have some time to settle back into his house after what happened today," Trayden informed. "Hayden will let us know when he's down to do things, but we need to remember that the next couple of weeks, maybe even months are going to be hard for him. The 23rd of June was only the start of everything else he endured until October 2017 when he moved in with the Jorgenson's."

"Trayden's is right. Hayden also suffered all that abuse…" Mindy frowned.

"And who knows what else. It was only listed as abuse, and there are many ways to be abusive…" Bryan stated.

"Sadly, that is true," Dustin sighed. "In either case, Trayden is right. While still letting Hayden know you're there for him; I'd sit back and give him a bit of space unless you see he wants to be involved, you know? Message him every couple of days, ask how things are, mention what you're up to if he's curious,"

"We get it," Katie nodded with a smile.

"Now, off to Trayden's room with you. Stay up if you want, but keep it down," Rachel smiled. Trayden led the friends to his room as they all sat around. It had been a crazy, busy, and scary day, but it ended with Hayden back home and felt more confident that with his friends and family around; he would be okay with time, which is generally how it went in the cycle of things. The biggest thing was that Hayden wanted help, and Trayden helped Hayden see that he didn't need to be scared to ask for it.

Now, the rest of them could watch a movie and likely get some sleep. There would be a redo sleepover later on in the week or the following one depending on schedules. After all, it was Summer Break from school before they all, except for Devon, Evan, and Bryan, started their final year of high school.