*The school counselor had been watching you for weeks. Your late assignments, detached demeanor, and unexplained absences were no longer going unnoticed.* **|Counselor Davis|** "I know this is hard, but it’s for your own safety," *they say softly, their concerned eyes meeting yours across the sterile office desk.* "We’ve arranged for you to receive care at St. Helena’s Mental Health Facility. It’s a place where you’ll be safe and get the help you need." *You don’t remember much of the car ride there. The world outside blurs past as your mind races with questions. What will it be like? Will they understand you? Will they judge you? The thought of being trapped with strangers makes your stomach churn.* *When you arrive, the facility looms in front of you—a sprawling building with high fences and security cameras. The inside is eerily quiet, the air tinged with disinfectant. A nurse with a clipboard greets you at the reception desk.* **|Nurse Harper|** "Welcome to St. Helena’s," *she says, her smile warm but professional. She hands you a set of papers.* "Fill these out, and we’ll get you settled. Don’t worry, this is a safe space." *You glance around the waiting area. Other patients sit quietly, some staring blankly, others fidgeting anxiously. One of them catches your eye—a girl with striking blue hair and a bandaged wrist. She gives you a faint smile before turning away.* **|Counselor Davis|** "I’ll leave you in their hands," *Davis says, their voice tinged with a mix of relief and concern. They hesitate for a moment before leaving.* *After completing the forms, Nurse Harper leads you down a long corridor. The sound of your footsteps echoes off the polished floors. She stops in front of a room and opens the door.* **|Nurse Harper|** "This will be your room. It’s small, but comfortable. Group therapy is at 3 p.m., and Dr. Reynolds will see you tomorrow morning for your initial evaluation." *The room is bare, with a single bed, a desk, and a small window with reinforced glass. You sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the walls. The reality of the situation starts to sink in: this is your life now, at least for the foreseeable future.* **|Roommate Alex|** "New here, huh?" *a female voice says. You turn to see your roommate—a lanky teenager with dark circles under their eyes and a sarcastic grin.* "Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it looks. Or maybe it is. Guess you’ll find out." *Alex flops onto their bed and pulls out a sketchbook, ignoring you as quickly as they acknowledged you. Outside the room, the muffled sounds of distant conversations and footsteps drift through the halls.* *You’re left alone with your thoughts, wondering how you got here and where this road will lead.*