Dean was my best friend in the whole wide world! Had been ever since early childhood.

In fact, he was the reason my parents paid the big bucks to have me sent here in the first place. What a waste of time that was, because Dean wasn't going anywhere, and I didn't want him to. He had always been there for me when others weren't, stood up and protected me when others didn't, and loved and cared for me where others failed.

I never resented him for getting me thrown in here, and I certainly wasn't gonna bail on him now...especially as Dean told me he's working on a plan that can get us both out!

*****

It was 6:00PM, which meant ''playtime'' here at St. Augustine's, well that's what the white coats called it (Deans quirky nickname for the Doctors and Nurses). It was pretty much one hour of freedom on the facilities outdoor grounds, where you got to mingle with other quack heads like yourself before being escorted back to your separate cells.

I immediately went and sat with my two close buds, Trent Wilmore and Jake Powers. They were both pretty cool guy's, in fact they came in here round about the same time I did, and we all kinda gelled ever since.

''Hey Johnny Boy whassup'' Trent grinned, as I climbed the bleachers and sat next to him.

I hate that he calls us 'Johnny' its Jonathan

Let it go man

''Not just much, just chilling'' I replied casually ''hey, you guys see what they got us eating on the menu for dinner tonight? Ugh, bro it sucks!''

''Tell me about it dude, my stomach began disagreeing the second I saw it'' Jake laughed.

Oh man I'm gonna miss these guy's, I've known them for so many years now. You sure we can't make room for a couple more?

Sorry bud, this is a one man trip. Now you can stay here and moan about it...or you can finally get outta this shit hole and have a life of freedom! Your choice buddy.

I sighed...let's do this!

Wise decision, because in less than 60 minutes, we're finally gonna be on the outside of these walls crazy walls...

The plan was to hang back under the rafters and wait 'till the large gates to the service yard opened up, that's where all the deliveries came in.

We had three major deliveries each day: One in the morning from laundry with all patient/Doctor clothes and uniform. Another at lunch, where fresh food and groceries were delivered to catering. And finally one in the evening, where tons and tons of crates and boxes of medication were distributed to various areas of the facility.

That's the one Dean said we should travel on, because that particular delivery kept the white coats occupied long enough for me to make my escape. It was a little risky I must admit, but if Deans plan worked like he said it would, then I'd never have to take another batch of that medication ever again!

''Hey, earth to Johnny...helloooooo??'' Trent said, waving his hand in front of my face.

''Sorry man, what's going down'' I said, turning my attention back to him.

''Ok, so we got a bet going to see how long it takes that new Doc over there to quit his job'' Trent laughed, pointing to the 'just got outta high-school' looking stick thin Doctor sat by the bench area.

''Yeah, see how scared he looks'' Jake laughed ''he looks even more terrified than the last one. What was it...5 weeks he stuck it out?'' he laughed again.

The junior Doc's that worked this place came and went like wild flies. I guess all the college education, and Harvard medical certificates don't prepare them for just how intense it can actually get in here sometimes. Because when you're dealing with someone who's not of a sane mind, no matter how much education and schooling you've had, you will always witness things you're just not prepared for.

And as they say, you can't teach predictability.

''...I say he doesn't even make it 'till the end of the week'' Jake continued, almost falling off the bench laughing at him.

Just then, a dark shadow cast over where we were sat, and we looked up to see Kent Matthews, the ''St. Augustine's bully'' as we like to call him, standing over us and looking down with menacing eyes....

''You little girls are sitting in my space again'' he scowled ''was my last warning not enough for you?''

Punch him in the face!

Are you kidding Dean? Have you seen the size of that guy??

He's gonna ruin the plan man!

I got this alright!

Truth is Dean was right, and I was scared as hell. Because if we had to move because of Kent, then I couldn't stay hidden under the bleachers like planned. I couldn't change into the Doctors coat I had stolen from laundry and hid there the day before...and most importantly I wouldn't be able to escape.

I had to create a distraction...

''Look fat ass, go find somewhere else to sit would ya, me and my boy's got some business to talk about'' I told him, and his eyes immediately widened with rage!

DEAN! WHY'D YOU SAY THAT!!

Just watch...

''Business?'' Kent chuckled ''The only business you need to worry about is the one on the end of my fist!''

PUNCH!!

I went flying down two tiers of steps on the bleachers, bumping and knocking patient after patient who all quickly tried moving to get out of my way.

''Oooowww'' I moaned when I finally fell onto the grass below with a huge thud, immediately rubbing at my sore head with both hands.

I looked up, and could see both my buddy's Trent and Jake throwing hits and punches at Kent in my defence...oh boy! This was bad, this was like really bad!!

The white coats didn't like us fighting at all, in fact they credited themselves on having total control of all patients inside the facility. And if anything like this ever did happen, you'd just feel a simple sharp pin prick in the side of your neck, while they pumped you full of medication to make you instantly go to sleep.

What are you waiting for man...RUN!!

Wait...you did that on purpose?!

If I didn't ''Johnny boy'' then there wouldn't be a bunch of distracted white coates right now all rushing over to break this thing up, and leaving that service door over there UNATTENDED for us to run through...

Oh Dean, you're a genius!

Stating the obvious, but yeah

I was a skinny guy, so I quickly ducked under the gap between the bleachers steps before anyone could find me, and immediately flung on the white doctors coat I had previously planted there. The beauty of it all was that all the doctor's in the facility wore white. There was absolutely no way they would suspect me as a patient now, especially not with the clipboard I had also put there as a safety prop.

Swiftly sliding out from the bleachers on the opposite side, I began walking very quickly toward where the service yard door was...

Yo slow down man! You want them to get suspicious?

No, of course not!

And walk confidently too, you have to make it look like you own the place

I slowed down to a casual pace, and continued to walk with my head held high.

''Hey you'' a voice said grabbing my arm.

My heart immediately leapt into my mouth and began thudding like mad!

We've been caught Dean! I know it, I just know it!

Chill bro, don't pussy out on me now

I turned slowly to see one of the delivery guy's holding a piece of paper in his hand, and looking at me a little impatiently.

''We're all done here Doc, I just need you to sign this'' he said, chewing his gum loudly and giving me the pen from behind his ear.

''Uh...su..sure'' I said, quickly taking the pen and signing.

''Thanks Doc, same time tomorrow'' he smiled, and jumped back inside his van.

Woa, that was close!

I know man, now keep going, we gotta get outta here!

Okay, I'm going I'm going

I had just neared the gate to the facility, but had to wait a sect 'till the big truck pulled out first, so I decided to make myself look busy, by pretending to write stuff on my makeshift clipboard.

Just then I heard a shuffling sound behind me...

I turned quickly to see Rachel Myers standing there playing with the hem of her dress. She was stood smiling at me like she usually does, and immediately I felt my face flush its usual crimson colour whenever she was around.

Rachel was a patient here too, and still 'till this day I'd never actually heard her speak, in fact no one has. She was said to be mute, although I heard some of the doctors saying once that she did used to speak before being officially admitted into the facility. I had been sweet on her for some years now...she was pretty, cute, and always just stood and smiled every time she saw me. I had a feeling if she could talk, she would tell me she liked me too. It broke my heart to have to leave her behind...

You need to get over her man ...Dean said softly there's plenty more where that came from, on the outside of these walls....

I sighed...then I made a run for it! And I kept running, and running, and running 'till the facility was no longer in sight.

We did it Dean! We actually did it!!

Told you buddy! Now lets' go have some fun!!