The new outfit I wore felt tainted, or perhaps it was I who did the tainting. The plane attempted to swallow me alive, but Staffer Joe was able to keep my fear at bay long enough for us to be seated.
I was going home, but until I felt freedoms' breeze dance with me I could not relax.

Paranoia began to grow. With rope-like strength it bound me. How much longer could I steal small breaths of air before my lungs imploded? Without lungs they could not save me, without lungs I could not scream.

I won't die, I'm going home...rocking, just a little...I soothed myself.

Were they all talking about me? Did my twisted mind push insanity out of hidden pores for all to see? Did they think I was a smelly lunatic wearing tainted clothes?

It's what I thought.

But I was going home so who cares what they think.

When we landed and exited the plane two State Hospital officials met us.

We'll take her from here....Get in, they said opening the door to a caged area of the van...

Oh, man....this can't be good...
Where is all the laughter coming from...
Who's there? I see you lurking...wait, that's just a shadow.
I better get a grip. They had told me I would get checked in at State before I could go home. It was the only way to get my release...and the ticket paid for.

The drive there I said nothing. For over one hour I sat, caged, commiserating with every street dog who had ever suffered a similar indignity.

After being led inside, my two guards left, locking all doors behind them as they did.
It was chaos in there. Woman tied to chairs, others screamed at the television, while still more paced back and forth demanding cigarettes from the staff.

"Shut up!" the staff had no problem screaming above the wails of insanity.

I stood, gripping my small orange suitcase, waiting to be told I could leave.

"Give me your stuff and have a seat, I'll be out to show you where your bed is after I get your paperwork done."

"What?? No, no, you don't understand. I'm not staying. I just have to be checked in... then I'm leaving."

She began to laugh until the suddenness caused her to choke on the wad of gum she chewed.

"Go sit down. Your not going anywhere for a very long time."

Oh, man,... dropping my face into my hands...I cried.