He nodded to her, each detail etched into his mind. Keith was now more determined than ever. He needed Alex in his life. He had to win this game. After it was over, he knew it would be a simple matter to return to normal, his mental castle was child's play to navigate and at any time he could release his emotions and free himself of the accursed composure once again. The thought brought him happiness and Keith left the building. He got onto his bike and headed home. His mother had left a note for him.<br/><br/>"Pack your shit and leave. You're 18 now and I no longer have to look out for your sorry ass. You useless piece of shit" This would have hurt him, but a part of him always guessed that she would do this one day. He knew that if he played it carefully that he could live in the school undetected, especially since the few things he owned could fit in the combined space of his large backpack and school locker neatly. Keith packed up everything he owned, mostly just his few clothes and toiletries. He also decided to take all the laundry soap, and a jug of cranberry juice. Keith left the house, folding the note up and putting it in his coat pocket before riding off to the school. All but one of the locks needed a key, But Keith had seen a janitor use the pass code once and slipping inside was easy. He made it to his locker and put away his clothes and most of his books neatly, then his toiletries. He closed the locker and then went to the gym. He had a second locker in there where he put everything else. Keith went back to his hall locker and got his toiletries and towel, heading to the gym locker room to clean himself up. He showered and then washed his clothes, drying them with the hand dryers and toweling himself off. Keith settled into the bleachers, no pillow and no blanket. It didn't bother him to be cold, or even alone. He always felt that way anyhow. Keith slept a bit, but woke long before dawn. He knew he'd have to hide, in thirty minutes the janitors would arrive to clean up and get everything running for the day.