Excellent Katelyn's release. Demons in My Head : Free at Last by Mistydawn

Katelyn spent three years in prison, with frequent trips to the mental hospital for med readjustment. On her last visit, her doctors fought to keep her longer, knowing what going back would do to her declining mental status. After reviewing her records and finding that her condition is stable, the board of managers annulled her doctor's conclusion, forcing them to release her back to Arkansas Department of Correction's care. Wanting to do what is best for their patient, her doctors refused to sign the proper forms. The board threatened to fire all of their staff if they didn't return her to jail immediately. Left with no other alternative, the workers sadly watch as an officer drags her to his car. "Please don't let them take me, please! I'll be good, I promise I will," Katelyn cries, reaching out for them. "That's, enough," an officer scolds, pushing her away. "I'll die if I go back there, please don't let me die, please, I beg you, don't let me die," Katelyn bawls. Not being able to stand her heartbreaking pleas a second longer, the staff tearfully walks back inside. "Don't worry, Betty, she'll visit again soon." "I sure hope so," she cries. She's attended to Katelyn during each of her visits. Although she can be a handful at times, Betty has grown very fond of her and worries about what jail will do to her both mentally and physically. Betty knows that Katelyn is only one of thousands that should be in a mental institution instead of prison. She also realizes that with their limited funding and bed space the hospital can't possibly house everyone who needs their assistance. It's a broken system, with no plausible solution in sight. Betty figures the only thing she can do is take care of her patients, for the duration of their stay and pray for their safety when they're forced to leave. "I just hope she'll be alright," Betty sobs, stepping into their day-room. "We all do, Betty," the doctor agrees, slowly walking away. Katelyn didn't return, despite the obvious need for medical assistance. When her actions become out of control, the warden orders her to solitary confinement, until her release. Being enclosed in a cold, empty cell twenty-three hours a day only advances her depleting mental status. Katelyn is sleeping on a worn out mattress in the far corner of her room when she's woken by keys rattling outside her door. It's not free time already, is it? No, it can't be I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she gazes around her damp, dreary room. Katelyn knows she would've gone completely insane months ago if the guards didn't allow her to wander outside this depressing hole in the wall an hour a day. She still isn't allowed to see anyone during her free time, but at least she's able to get out of her small enclosure, move around a bit. Every four days, her time is extended long enough for her to take a quick shower if she's behaved. Curious about her irregular visit, she swings her legs over her bed. Her feet land on something wet and soggy. Disgusted by the squishy substance under her toes, she pulls her feet back up and starts rummaging for her shoes. She learned in school that harmful bacteria grow in conditions like these, but she figures, even hardy microorganisms wouldn't thrive in these surroundings. She's still searching for her shoes when a bright light fills her small cell. Squinting, she glances across her room; she spots a large gray rat scurry into the hallway. See you later, George, she thinks, watching the rodent dart out of sight. She was frightened of the furry creature in the beginning, but after the first month of being locked down by herself, she started looking forward to his visits. Soon after, she started giving him scraps of food, hoping that'd entice him to return. "Miss Howard, you're free to go." "I....I don't understand," she stutters. "What's to understand? You served your time and now you're free to go." Katelyn sat at the edge of her bed in disbelief. Can it be true; am I really out of this hell hole for good? She looks back at the guard, expecting to see him laugh, but his face remains sober. "Hurry up, I don't have all day," he gruffly orders, stepping into her room. "What about my clothes?" "I'll give you five minutes to shower and change." I really am free, she thinks, feeling giddy inside. Suddenly, a sobering thought comes to mind. "I don't have anywhere to go." "Sorry, that's not my problem," he says, slapping cuffs on her wrists. Hurried through their exiting process, Katelyn is given a $50 check and a bus ticket before she's rushed out the back door. "The bus will be here in a few minutes to pick you up. So let me be the first to congratulate you on your release and wish you the best of luck." A guard says, opening the remaining gate. I'm going to need all the luck I can get. She turns back around. Although the prison's conditions leave a lot to be desired, at least she has a roof over her head and food in her stomach. Now, she isn't certain where she'll go, or when she'll eat next. Noticing her hesitate, the guard curiously asks. "Don't you want to leave?" "I don't have anywhere to go," she cries. "Your family won't take you in?" "No, they disowned me when I was arrested and I'm sure all my friends have moved away." "Hold on," he says, running back inside. A few minutes later, he comes back with a business card in his hand. "I called a halfway house; they said they'll take you, for a little while." "Oh, thank you, thank you so much," she cries, hugging him. He pushes her away. Seeing the hurt look on her face, he quietly explains. "I don't want them to think I've gone soft." He nervously glances around. "I understand," she whispers. Grabbing the business card out of his hand, she continues. "I will report to my PO first thing in the morning, Sir," she yells. "See to it that you do." Leaning over, he whispers, "My ass is on the line here, so you better not screw it up, got it, Miss Howard?" "I won't, I promise." She winks. "You better get down there, because he won't stop if he doesn't see anyone." "Thanks again," she whispers, running towards the highway.  He knows he shouldn't get personally involved with prisoners, but there is something different about that girl, a special quality that tugs at his heartstrings. *** She's dropped off at an unfamiliar corner on the outskirts of town. Looking around, she sees abandoned buildings on either side of the street. Newspaper and other debris are blowing wildly in the wind. This can't possibly be the right place. She looks at her card, then back at the road sign. Maybe conditions will improve in a block or two. Carefully stepping around rubbish, she continues down the blighted sidewalk. The ruins seem to worsen the further she travels. At least I'm free, besides, it's only temporary, she reasons. The address ends up being a rundown motel on the corner of fifth and main. She feels her stomach tighten into a large hard knot when she stops in front of the building. Don't be ungrateful, Katelyn. It's a roof over your head and food in your stomach and that's all that really matters at this point, her inner voice scolds. She takes a deep breath to calm her nerves before stepping inside. Noticing a group of odd-looking people sitting in the corner, Katelyn nervously hurries past them. The group starts laughing as she rushes by. Angry, she spins back around. She sees the youngest member pointing and chuckling at her. As she stares in disbelief, teasing she received from her classmates starts replaying in her mind. ~~~ "Zombie girl, zombie girl, Katelyn is a zombie girl," the children chant, shoving six-year-old Katelyn from one bully to another. ~~~ "I'm not a zombie girl, I'm not, I'm not," she screams. The noisy room suddenly grows quiet. Realizing what she just did, Katelyn dolefully turns around. Seeing a guy standing behind a desk, she hurries towards him. "Can I help you?" he asks, glancing up from his newspapers. "Yes, my name is Katelyn Howard, I was told to come see you." "Who sent you, honey?" he questions, searching through a list of names. "The warden, he said you have a room for me." "Actually, you'll be sharing a room with three other girls." "I figured I might." "We have house rules you have to follow," he says, handing her a piece of paper he continues, "if you break any of these rules you're out on the street, got it." "Yes, Sir." "The doors are locked at ten. If you're not inside by then, you'll find your stuff on the sidewalk in the morning. There will be no drinking or drug use. You'll find employment within the first two weeks and housing in 60 days." "If I can't?" "You'll be living on the streets. Since I'm not getting government funding for you, I expect you to do a few extra things to earn your keep around here. In fact, you can start right now." Grabbing her arm, he pulls her down a set of concrete stairs. "You'll love my man cave." He smiles. Quickly unlocking the door, he shoves her inside. "What do you think, honey?" She first sees a red glowing bulb hanging from a chain in the center of the room. She then notices his large assortment of medieval-looking devices scattered haphazardly along the wall. Frightened by the room's chivalric decor, she tries to leave. He grabs a hold of her arms and spins her back around. "Welcome to my chamber of love, darling." He laughs, locking the door behind him. *** "Please, no more," Katelyn begs through teary eyes. He's had her in just about every sexual position known to man over the last few hours. "I guess you've had enough fun for one night." He laughs, tossing Katelyn her clothes. "Thank you," she timidly replies, pulling her shirt around her cold body. He hungrily watches as she finishes getting dressed. That girl can make anything look sexy, he thinks, continuing to pleasure himself. He could've easily gone a couple more hours, but he didn't want to wear her out the first day. "Go on, get out of here. You better not tell a soul what happened down here, or else, understand?" he asks, unlocking the door. She shakes her head. "Good, I expect more of the same tomorrow," he says, slapping her behind. "Which room is mine?" "It's upstairs, second door on your right." Nodding, she weakly climbs the stairs.

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