"It was me and a gun
And a man on my back
And I sang 'holy, holy'
As he buttoned down his pants"

Shane felt happy as he lay in his hospital room that afternoon. Kian had promised he would try to get him out of there. Shane didn’t wanna go home, and Kian had said he could come and stay with him for a while… things seemed to be going exactly the right way!

"So, how’s Mr Filan today?"

It was as if all happy feelings drained off Shane in an instant. "I’m fine, thanks… Sir."

"Please Shane, do call me Pete."

Shane nodded. He hated the cold tone in the man’s voice, but he could do nothing as the doctor sat beside him on the bed. Shane was well aware that it only took a few words from this man and Shane would be claimed insane. He had made that clear from the very start.

Shane shivered.

"So, let’s finish off what we were doing before you left, shall we?"

Shane remained silent and indifferently accepted the man’s kiss. He let his mind go numb as everything blurred into nothingness, protecting him from the pain.

---

Shane woke up by the morning sun shining through the window. All his muscles seemed to hurt as he tried to move. He looked at his watch. 5.30. It would be another 2 hours until someone came to check up on him. And visiting hour didn’t start until 12. He really wanted Kian now.

Suddenly, he realised that the window was slightly open. He guessed Lucy hadn’t closed it properly last evening. An idea formed in his head. He knew he shouldn’t, but could he stay here?

He slowly got out of bed. He walked over to the wardrobe and found the brown coat that was for the rare occasions he could go outside. He put it on, combed his hair and looked in the mirror. He gazed out the window. All he would have to do was jump out, climb the fence and then there was just a big field on the other side. It all seemed so simple.

He went over and carefully pushed the window open. He climbed out, closed it behind him, made sure there was nobody around – it was really strange that they had no guards at the back – then ran across the grass and climbed the fence. He landed safely on the other side and looked out over the frost-covered field, trying to figure what direction would bring him to Kian.

Chapter 13 >>