Akio waited as the nurse bandaged his arms. He looked at Coraline. "True, we don't know Clark. So I'm not going to assume anything." He said as she finished applying the new bandages. "Coraline, I'm not going to try to change you, I doubt I can do anything to even nudge you, but I would like to learn more about you before I leave." He wondered if Azzalene thought he meant suicide. "Azzalene, thanks for the bandages." A ruse. "Coraline, good luck."

Azzalene glanced from Akio to Coraline, glad that he was being so supportive. It was a little suspicious, to say the least, but she was glad he thinked logically. "You're welcome, Akio." She responded, smiling. She looked at Coraline's cut again, shaking her head. "Do you even know why so many people cut? It's to release dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel better. There are lots of other ways to release dopamine, you just chose the harsh way..." She trailed off, getting up to get the bandages. "I'll let you know that it's extremely hard to become a doctor if you don't care for your patients. You would have to be a really good actor if all you care about is the money you'll get." She held the bandages in front of her, smiling. "If it makes you a little more comfortable, you can try to bandage yourself up." She sighed. "You probably don't like me and you'll probably never trust me but if you just show me your will to get better, I'll be happy."

Coraline looked at Akio from the corner of her eyes, not turning her head, she was curious as to why he would want to learn more about her, but she wasn't going to question it, "okay," was all she said to him before Azzalene started speaking to her. She looked at the bandages as she held them out in front of her and she grumbled something inaudible to anyone but herself. She took the bandages, "fine," she said rather annoyed and it was very obvious from her manor of speaking at the moment. She quickly and very sloppily put the bandages on, not caring that they were not on right, since she planned on taking them off anyways. She looked at her almost blankly, "i can't promise that," she said, responding to Azzalene's comment about her at least trying to get better. She looked away and thought, there's nothing she can fix about me."

Pet huffed when The doctor said she could exercise after she ate. She smiled sadly at Nathan feeling sorry for him. Pet did NOT want to eat the stupid food, it looked rank. Her small nose crinkled in disgust. Npet bet that playing the sympathy vote on the security guard who was walking toward her. She watched him sit down, she let her features draw inti queasiness. Pets eyes watered. She was a very good liar after years of Practises. She blinked against the tear letting a couple fall down her checks. She pushed her chair back standing up, she covered her mouth with her hand.

"I feel sick!" she squealed. Running toward the bathrooms. The security guard didn't care, he grabbed her elbow. She turned toward him she HATED people touching her when she didn't allow it. She glared at him.

"Let go of me!" she screamed.

"No miss, Dr Key said I have to watch you and not allow you to leave until you finish eating." he spoke robotically, her tears hadnt moved him at all. She scoffed. The guard grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back to the table gently. She screamed at him.

"Don't touch me! Stop touching me!" she screamed, any intimacy that was not authorized she shielded away from. She hit at him, he towered over Small Pet and started tugging at Pet pulling her back to the table.

"Get off! get off!" she started crying, really crying. Tears fell down her ashen face. He struggled to calm her.

"miss calm down" he commanded. She kicked him and tried to get away, he still held her shoulders. Her breathing hitched as his hands became firmer. She struggled to draw breathe.

"Get your hands off me! Stop! Please!". She screamed loudly, heads turned. Her tears fell faster now. The security guard sat her down and she pushed him away, struggling to catch her breathe. Her hands came up to her face.

"Don't touch me!" she hissed. "don't ever lay your hands on me!" she screamed at him, daring him to come closer than a couple of meters. She glared at him ignoring the tears. He motioned toward her fork, she picked it up scooped a small mouthful of egg. She pressed the fork to her mouth and swapped the eggs whole. She let the tears stream down her face, the egg didn't feel good in her hollow stomach. She dropped the fork.

"Get away! I can feed myself". She growled, she stood up and pushed at his chest.
"go away! Go away go away" her words began to become incoherent.

Akio finished his drink and let out a sigh. "Well, this was a good breakfast." He said stretching his arms. He looked at Azzalene and tilted his head. "So whats first on the crazy list?" He said mockingly. "Therapy? Shock therapy? Drugs?" He leaned a bit back. He looked at Coraline. "Names Akio Sanato." he said with a wave. "Used to be a student at college before coming here."

Nathan scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "Well, good for you that your fairytale worked out okay. Some of us aren't so lucky." Rolling his eyes, he pushed on the door to the gym, stepping inside. Why was Key trying so hard to "befriend" him? Probably just because it was his job or because he felt bad for the pathetic freak who'd almost slashed some guy's face off. Well, he didn't need pity, and he didn't need friends. 'Then what do you call Pet?' was the question that immediately popped into his head. She was a special case, he reasoned. She was going through the same thing he was, trapped somewhere neither of them wanted to be. But Dr. Key? He was here by choice, because it was his job, because he wanted to help people. No matter how much he acted like it, he had no idea what Nathan was going through.

The gym was pretty similar to any other: weigh stuff, treadmills, the works. And as such, Nathan wasn't entirely sure what to do here. Physical education hadn't really been his strongest subject; if anything, he just served as a punching bag for the football team. "So what exactly do you want me to do here," he inquired, taking off his sweatshirt and hanging it on one of the treadmills.

Azzalene smiled, glad that Coraline at least wrapped something around her wrist. Sure it was sloppy but it was better than nothing. Baby steps, right? She looked at Akio before thinking for a moment, recalling the schedule for today. "Right now, one of you will be meeting me in the therapy room. You two can discuss who goes first, I don't care since tomorrow the other person will be with me." Crossing her arms, she leaned against the table, shrugging. "While one patient is with me, the other can do whatever they wish, as long as they have a security guard with them." She finished, taking out her PDA and checking through it while Akio introduced himself. She had a feeling the first few days might be a little awkward with little to no progress; they seemed pretty reluctant in wanting to get better. She guessed she would have to try and get the events moving quicker if that happened, time is valuable after all.

Coraline looked at Akio as he introduced himself, "Coraline Mendez," she said, pausing for a moment, "and i just stayed home before this." She looked Azzalene and sighed, finding the fact that they were going to have to talk to her one on one a bit inconvenient, she had nothing to say to her, but she figured that she may as well get it over with. She sighed and looked at her, "i guess i'll go with you then." Her voice had an obvious tone of dislike in it, rather it was aimed towards the idea of talking about things with her, or to her in general was unknown.

Akio nodded and sighed. "Guess I'll see you later then." He got up and started to the door. "Hey doctor, you really should pay attention to things around you instead of a single individual." He said as he walked out the cafeteria, followed by a guard to his room.

Azzalene nodded by their choice, putting away her PDA and standing up straight. "Alright. If you could please follow me, Coraline." She requested, stuffing her hands into her pockets. She watched Akio walk away, thinking about what he meant by his statement. "Paying attention..." She wondered, a little confused. Obviously she couldn't deal with two people at once and multitask, mostly because it was impossible. And plus, isn't that why there were guards and security cameras? She felt like she was missing something important but let it go for now, brushing it off to deal with it later. "Hmm... Let's go." She swiftly turned turned around, making her way out of the cafe and making sure Coraline was following her.

Pet glared at the security guard and took another mouthful of egg.  She didn't like the way it reacted with her empty stomach,  it growled in response.  She quickly swallowed another mouthful of egg and stood up.  She stormed away from the table,  he was hot on her heels.  She ignored him completely.  Pet
Knew the egg would have about 30calories in half and hour she could work off about 360.  She walked toward the gym faster pushing open the doors quickly.  She let the doors fall behind her hoping they fell on the guard.  Pet knew she was never so sadistic,  Ana was though.  She cringed.  

Pet hardly noticed Nathan there,  she pulled at the baggy jumper pet was cold,  she was always cold.  Her teeth chattered and she ran over to the treadmill.  She didn't care she was barefoot,  her toenails were chipped.  She hated that,  they were never chipped.  Pet pressed the on button,  she put the speed up high.  She was running quickly,  pet didn't break focus,  she stared straight ahead concentrating on her breathing.  She was weaker and slower than normal.  Pet ran fast for 10minuets,  Ana chanting over an over 
' skinny'. Pet was out of breathe and puffed when she finished the ten minuets.  Ana wanted her to run faster.  She wanted her to keep going.  Pet couldn't her body wouldn't allow it.  Pet grunted and pressed the treadmill on again this time faster,  she had to run on this speed for 5 minuets Ana had told her.  Pet slammed the off button jumping off the treadmill.  Her breaths came quickly and she wad shaking.  She looked around quickly sitting near Nathan.  She puffed and struggled to catch her breathe.  
Gasp..gasp...gasp... Her breathing was shallow.  She put her head in her hands.  Ana was happy,  pet wasn't she felt like she was going to be sick.  She wound her arms around her,  shivering with the cold.  She spied Nathans jumper that he had taken off.  She looked at him,  
"are you...". She panted. "using that?". She didn't wait for him to answer and instead stubbled over and picked it up pulling it over her head.  It was miles to big but she felt warmer automatically.  

"Sorry". She mumbled.  "I'm always cold". She shivered adding emphasize to her words.  Pet sat on the ground still struggling to catch her breath.

Get off the ground!  Get back on the treadmill....no one wants you! Your ugly!! Ana screamed abuse in her head.  She couldn't,  her legs wouldn't let her.  She started sobbing.

Nathan finally decided to work out some of his frustration on an innocent punching bag, slamming his fist into it over and over. It helped to imagine he was actually pounding on Trevor's face. God, he'd hated that guy. Still did, to be honest. All he'd ever done was torment him, because he was smaller, weaker. Well, Nathan had showed him, hadn't he. It was kinda nice to think that every time he looked in the mirror, Trevor would see the scar on his face and remember what the little wimped he'd always picked on had done to him. Who was the weak and defenseless one now, huh?

The teen paused his barrage of hits when someone rushed into the gym, a thin, frail figure that he knew. Nathan glanced over his shoulder at Pet, wondering if he should ask if she was okay. Running as much as she apparently did and not eating a thing couldn't possibly be good for you. In the end, though, he decided against it, turning back to his punching bag. He couldn't concern himself with other people right now; he had to focus on doing what Key had told him to do. If he followed orders well enough, maybe he'd get out of her sooner.

Fifteen minutes into beating the stuffing out of the bag, though, Nathan turned again when she asked him about his sweatshirt, and froze when he saw the state she was in. God, the girl looked dead on her feet. Wait, not on her feet anymore; now she was on the ground, sobbing in utter misery. Punching bag forgotten, he ran over to her, grabbing his jacket and wrapping it around her small frame. "Pet, are you alright?" What a stupid question, of course she wasn't. Without even thinking, he pulled her into a hug, letting her cry into his shirt. "It's okay. I'm right here, it's gonna be okay." What could've caused her to react like this?

Pet didn't look up as Nathan Came over and drapped his jacket on her. She mumbled. "thank you". In between sniffs. Pets sobs turned louder and more violent when he asked If she was okay. Ana screams turned louder and she struggled to tune her out.

If you keep this up you'll always be fat. Noone will want you... Noone wants you! She taunted bringing on a fresh wave of tears.

Pet let Nathan pull her into a hug, she closed her eyes tightly trying to get rid of Ana so she could think. Pet had the urge to get up and run away she ignored it. Nathan tried to calm her by saying everything would be alright. She welcomed Nathans body heat, it was alot better than her stupid jumpers. Her hands shook,

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry". She knew she shouldn't be crying. Nathan had enough issues to deal with, he didn't need her added to the pile. Guilt brought on more sobs. Pet shrunk closer to Nathan as Ana brought on a new wave of attacks.

What are you doing!? Get your fat arse back onto the treadmill! Look at that cellulite! Do you understand how many calories are in egg! You don't do you?! Otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here crying! Why the he'll are you crying!! Ana yelled getting louder. Pet winced.

"im sorry. I'm sorry". She mumbled scared, she wasn't saying it to Nathan anymore.


"I do..I do I know, I just. I just. Please stop. PLEASE!?". She spoke aloud to Ana now. She closed her eyes tighter, red flashed behind them. She let silent tears escape.

Akio glanced at the guard accompanying him. Big, sturdy, looked sort of block headed. Someone who would do as their told no matter what it was. He smirked. He would need to see the place more before coming up with a way to barricade himself alone. Tis was the problem with him. Suicidal or not, Akio was still known as the top student at every educational institution he went too. And a mind that functioned at his level, mixed with a need to bring death to yourself, was a dangerous combination.

He stopped next to Coraline's room, tempted to check to make sure Azzalene kept her word about the suitcase, but a look at the guard told him that was a no go. He smiled politely at the guard and continued walking. There was a couple things he actually wanted to do before killing himself.

1. Learn about the one who had given Coraline the black eye and made her think she was worthless.
2. Learn more about Azzalene. There was something about her that seemed strange to him.
3. Meet the other 2 patient's that he had seen in the cafeteria.
4. Memorize the layout of the institution and obtain a few items to help with his plan.

There were some things even being suicidal couldn't stop, and being curious was one of them. He stopped in the hallway and looked at the guard. "Is there an Atrium here?" He had learned some places like this had Atrium's to help with some cases. He just wanted to see some plants.

Nathan had no idea what he was supposed to do in this situation. He'd never been great at relating to people, seeing as he'd been alienated and tormented for pretty much his entire life. Add that to the fact that Pet most likely wasn't in her right mind... well, suffice to say he wasn't in his comfort zone right now.

"Pet, it's okay," he tried to reassure her, even if he didn't really believe what he was saying himself. "Everything's fine, you don't have anything to apologize for." What was she so upset about? What could've happened? He'd only had his back turned for a few minutes. Had she hurt herself? No, she didn't seem injured in anyway. Besides, she'd said she was cold, not hurt. And it wasn't even that cold in the room.

"I do..I do I know, I just. I just. Please stop. PLEASE!?" Nathan pulled back a little and looked at her, at a complete loss. What had he done wrong? He knew he didn't have he best people skills, but at least he was trying, right? That had to count for something. "What is it? Can you tell me what's wrong?"

Coraline nodded and followed Azzalene, though not really wanting to. She didn't really want to know what this lady was going to try to get out of her, she would probably ask about Clark, which wouldn't surprise her. She sighed a bit, she didn't want to talk about stuff, just made her feel like they thought they knew what she was all about, but they never would, she knew they never would. "So where we going?" She asked monotonely.

Pet curled up tighter, She knew Nathan was dumbfounded. She didn't care, Pet knew it was selfish but the only thing she wanted right now was comfort and Nathan was mumbling reassuring comments. Pet tried to shut out Ana completely, she was sick of crying all the time. She covered her face as Nathan pulled away from her, she tried to ignore all of the things Ana was yelling at her.

"What is it? Can you tell me what's wrong?" Nathan asked her, she didn't move her hands from her face. she let silent tears run from her eyes. She wanted to tell him, Pet really did. She couldn't say anything because of Ana.

If you tell him, he'll hate you! They always do. Then they want to plot against you and Ill be forced to take care of them. Like last time....

Pet truly hated Ana. Pet did not like the way she controlled her, but she couldn't see any other way. Could she trust Nathan? She didnt care, Pet didnt think her life could get any wore than what it already was. She was weak an ugly, moody, heard voices, could possible be a murderer, suicidal and had major trust issues. Pet frowned, when she put all of her problems out like that telling Nathan, wouldn't hurt her anymore.

She stuttered, not knowing what to say.

"I ah.....She's yelling at me" She didnt look through her fingers to see Nathans reaction. She didn't care if he ran, she wouldn't be surprised. "She....Ana, she ah" she sniffed. " She talks to me " Well not so much talk as abuse, Pet though.

You stupid bitch....Ana didnt yell, her voice was cold and cutting. Pets face filled with fear.

As the guard brought Akio to the atrium, a thought was going through Akio's mind. Although not always used, some institutions had stashes of drugs used to calm the patients in emergencies. The atrium may have a few specimens used for just such an occasion, or not. But if it did, if Akio could obtain some without notice..... I can make myself a distraction. He smirked and walked through the large double door that led to the atrium.

Large, transparent roof, sun beaming down on the plants, beautiful. The closest thing to being outside he had come to. He smiled and started to walk through the atrium, the guard never straying to far back. Alright, need to find traces of a possible drug plant. Or break into a medicine bay. He wondered how Coraline was doing. Therapy wasn't new to him, but to her he wasn't sure.

((I'm back! Sorry I'm late. School year's winding down, lots of work to be done.))

Nathan was silent for a while, not entirely sure how to approach this situation. So, he'd been right; she was crazy. Hearing voices in your head? Having a name to go with those voices? That wasn't normal. Now he knew the real reason she was locked up in this place. Pet probably belonged here.

But...what could he do? Walk away? No, that would completely destroy any traces of a relationship they were forming. He wasn't ready to be alone again, not after finally finding someone who didn't hate, pity, or ignore him. And maybe this was what she needed, too: human interaction, a real friend, someone to talk to other than this 'Ana' in her head. He could be he one to help her, in some small way if nothing else.

He sighed, choosing his words carefully. "Can.. Can you tell me about Ana? What does she say to you?"

Pet ducked her head,  she tried to hide from Ana.  She couldn't,  not ever.  She knew Nathan would think she was crazy,  she knew exactly what sort of judging gaze he would wear.  She peeked through her fingers,  to her surprise he wasn't.  That threw her back.  Pet wiped her eyes as Nathan asked her about Ana.  

You stupid... If you tell him ANYTHING! about me! I swear  Ana hissed in the back of her head.  

Pet was angry,  she hated the way Ana controlled her.  

"she yells at me alot". Pet look down wincing as Anas words came hard and fast,  she couldn't make them out pet ignored them and Kept talking.  

"Ana threatens me,  I'm  dying because of her..". Anas words suddenly became clear.  

Looks like I'll have to take care of him... Ana laughed evilly.  Pet looked at Nathan quickly,  he couldn't die because of Ana.  

"you have to stay away from us,  from Ana. " she scooted away from Nathan,  she pushed herself further away.  

"I'm sorry,  I'm sorry". She only spoke to Ana now. 

Nathan watched sadly as Pet scampered away from his, not unlike a scared animal. She was really terrified of this Ana. He supposed he could relate. He'd been afraid of Trevor, too, before he'd finally had the guts to stand up to the guy. Now he wasn't afraid of anyone. But this was different; Ana wasn't a real person, she was a voice in the girl's head. That might be a little harder to deal with.

Sighing, he slowly approached her, stopping when he was a few feet away. He didn't want to scare her; he had to be sure that she wanted his help. Pressuring her would just make things worse. "Pet, it's okay. Ana can't hurt me. And she can't hurt you either." He crossed his legs, indicating that he wasn't leaving her alone any time soon. "Why does Ana yell at you, anyway? You didn't do anything wrong. You know that, right?"

Pet whimpered as Nathans face turned sad she didn't want to hurt him. He came closer to her carefully. She cocked her head. Did he think she was scared of him? He should be scared of her! Maybe he was that's why he was walking so slowly. She didnt move from her spot. Nathan sat crossed legged.

"but she will! Shes done it before. Ana killed someone.". Pet looked down, she knew he must think she had lost her marbles but she hadn't. "it wasn't me who killed her. Ana took". She didn't know how to say it. "control. Im not me anymore". She looked down. Ana mocked her loudly makIng it hard to think about anythIng else. She pushed uP her sleeves and thrusted her arms toward Nathan revealing some scars.

"look, she did this. She made me believe that I wasn't good enough to live pain free. She made me do this! She hurts me. I'm dying because of her" she motioned toward her body. "I'm going to die before I get skinny enough.". Pet stated, she couldnt do it though she couldn't eat. Dying would be better than this.

"I don't know why she yells at me". She tried to drown out Anas lashings. " I'm scared". Pet pushed her sleeves back down and hugged her knees.

Akio gave a small smile as he plucked a few of the herbs off of one of the plants in the atrium. It wasn't really a strong drug, but it would be enough to knock a guy out for at least 10 minutes. He placed them in his pockets and walked over to the guard. "I'm ready to go now."

The guard nodded and escorted him to his room.

Akio sat on his bed and looked around for something he could use to heat the herbs. He needed to boil them in something. He smiled when he saw a small bucket under the bedside table. Probably used if someone was overly sick. Now he just needed water.