When the Dream Finally Died

Ryann didn't know how much time had passed before she finally got to her feet and headed straight for the psychiatric hospital.

It was still the same room.

At the end of the hallway, the iron door was tightly shut.

She pushed against it, nothing. Just as she was about to knock, the door swung open from the inside.

Two men in white coats stood there, expressionless.

"Miss Fowler, please come in."

She stepped inside, only to find Charlee wasn't there.

"Where's my brother?" she demanded, panic rising.

One of the men smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Miss Fowler. Once you're fully recovered, you'll be able to reunite with him."

"I'm not sick!" Ryann's heart sank, and she spun around to leave.

"Every patient says that," the other man replied, picking up a document from the desk. "This is a court-approved involuntary examination order signed by Mr. Willis. Miss Fowler, please comply."

She tried to push past them, but one man grabbed her, and handcuffed her to the chair.

The next three days and nights became the darkest memories of Ryann's life.

She was bound to the chair, interrogated nonstop. The men worked in shifts twenty-four hours a day. The moment she closed her eyes, a jolt of electricity would shock her awake.

They grinned cruelly, forcing her to admit crimes she didn't commit.

"Tell us, are you jealous of Miss Price?"

"Is Charlee insane?"

"Did your parents deserve to die?"

Ryann gritted her teeth, biting herself until her mouth was raw, but she refused to admit anything.

By the third night, her mind was hazy, and even lifting her head felt like a struggle.

The door opened.

Colby walked in.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, hair immaculate, utterly out of place in the filthy, dim room.

He glanced at Ryann, brows furrowed, and said to the men behind him, "Take her out."

Her restraints were removed.

Her legs gave way, and she nearly fell, but Colby caught her.

His hand was warm, yet Ryann flinched as if it burned.

Colby didn't speak. He draped an arm over her shoulders and led her out.

The hallway lights stabbed at her eyes.

Leaning against him, her voice barely audible, she whispered, "Charlee… let me see him…"

Colby paused, silent.

"Please… let me see him," she begged softly. "I know I was wrong. As long as he's safe, I'll do whatever you want…"

After a long moment, he sighed and led her to another building.

Ryann practically crawled into the room. It was smaller, darker, and even more cramped, the air carrying a faint stench.

Charlee crouched on a straw mat in the corner. Hearing her, he slowly lifted his head.

When he saw her, his hollow eyes flickered with recognition.

"Ryann…" he murmured.

Ryann threw herself at him, tears pouring. "Charlee… I'm so sorry…"

Charlee's hand weakly patted her back. "Go, Ryann… don't worry about me…"

"No!" she hugged him tightly. "I'm taking you with me. I promise…"

"I can't go… I'm ruined… but you can still run. Don't bother with me…"

"Don't say that!" Ryann wiped her tears and forced herself to stay calm. "Listen to me. Just hold on a few more days. I'll come back for you. Wait for me, okay?"

Charlee looked at her and nodded slowly.

A knock sounded on the door. "Time's up."

Ryann held Charlee one last time and whispered in his ear, "Wait for me."

She stood and walked out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, she heard his faint voice, "Please… be happy."

Outside the building, her legs buckled, and she almost collapsed.

A pair of hands caught her.

Colby supported her limp body. Leaning into his chest, Ryann finally broke down, crying uncontrollably.

She pounded his chest with her fists repeatedly, but her strength faded. In the end, all she could do was clutch his jacket and bury her face against him, trembling with sobs.