~Three days later~

The teen's ward was granted grounds privileges for 'good behavior' but we all know that they're just inspecting our rooms and probably installing more locks or some shit.

Erika was sitting in the grass leaned against a wall trying to get a caterpillar on her finger and I was sitting a few feet in front of her picking random bits of grass out of the ground. I looked around to see Micah trying to talk to the new kid and Maddie spinning around in circles trying to make herself dizzy.

Then of course, there was Brandon, standing away from all of us and just leaning against the building. He had his arms crossed and was just glaring at me. If looks could kill, I'd honestly be dead an hour ago.

"Kage?" I heard Erika say, snapping me out of the state I was in.

"Sorry... what?"

"I asked you when you were going to take me on that date."

"Oh yeah sure, I'll take you tonight." I said, seeing her look up happily. Times like these are the best; seeing her smile and genuinely be happy is the most rewarding thing to me.

"Teens Ward, stand up and face the wall!" The security guard yelled meaning that it was time for us to go back inside. Erika sighed and placed the caterpillar back on the ground near the fence so that it could escape. I bet she wished she was that caterpillar because I know I do.

As we faced the wall, Erika looked over at me and smiled slightly to stifle a laugh when one of the guards came over to pat me down like they always did.

When they were done, they let us walk back inside, making sure they counted all of us. Erika walked up the stairs next to me, occasionally tugging the hem of my shirt to make me slow down.

"Activities until lights out." A nurse said before walking away. Erika sat down on the couch next to Parker and Maddie who had already started watching tv. I sat next to her on the arm of the couch.

"Oh Erika... I didn't mean to... I saw you holding it." I snapped my head to the side when I heard the bitch speak. Brandon was standing on the other side of the couch looking at the bottom of his shoe. He faced it towards her to show that he had caterpillar guts all over the bottom.

"Uhm... you didn't mean to I guess..." Erika stuttered as she replied to him. I could tell she was uncomfortable and didn't really know how to respond to that.

My eyes followed him wherever he went, I didn't trust him for shit and I knew that everything he did had some type of motive to it. He hates me now more than ever and the feeling is mutual.

--

That night I was in my room alone, sitting on my bed and putting on a hoodie. I was about to go get Erika to take her on our 'date' which is really just some good old mental hospital humor for "let's go to the basement and pretend we aren't in a crazy house for a while."

"Knock knock." I heard someone say on the outside of my door. I opened it to see Brandon with that same smug look he always has on his face.

"Figured I would come say goodnight to my pal." He said. I just groaned and shook my head.

"I don't have time for this, just leave and go bother someone else." I went to close the door but he stopped it with his foot.

"Like Erika?"

"Don't drag her into this."

"How's that nurse you've been screwing? I've been trying to get her number but she just isn't into me." He asked, trying to change the subject and continue playing his stupid mind game.

"Leave."

"I wish I could get as much ass as you, Kage." He said sarcastically before moving his foot and letting me close the door. I stayed silent for a few moments to hear him walk down the hall to his room.

--

After that was over, I snuck into the Girls Ward and used the lanyard to unlock Erika's door. When I opened it, she immediately ran out and hugged me tightly.

"Come on, lets go before the night guard makes his rounds." I whispered to her before closing and locking her room. I took her hand and sprinted to the stairwell so we could get to the basement.

"It's only like three flights down." I told her.

"Kage, that's like five minutes of walking. I have little legs."

"Get on my back." I shrugged. Her expression lit up with excitement and she jumped on my back, hooking her legs around my torso. I held her up by the backs of her thighs while I walked down the stairs, her added weight giving me a refreshing challenge.

"Why are you so happy today?" I asked her on our way down. She rested her chin on my shoulder and I could feel her breath on my neck.

"I don't know... just a good day." I chuckled and shook my head.

"Ok whatever you say." When we were almost at the bottom of the stairs, she jumped down and took off running into the dark basement.

I laughed and found the candle I hid behind some shelves the last time I was down here, lighting it with the lighter I hid with it. When I found Erika, she was standing in front of the makeshift bed I made about a year ago. It was just a few blankets and some pillows set up in front of the only window.

"Sit down." I told her before sitting down myself and placing the candle to the side. The bed I made was hidden behind some boxes so if anyone walked in, I would have the advantage. Erika stared out the window at the moon.

I didn't even care about what was outside... the way the moonlight illuminated her features was absolutely breathtaking, I couldn't help but admire her beauty in this moment. That's why I like it down here; I get to take a break from all the schedules and rules and just... relax for a little while.