The institution

Wyatt staggered through the desert scrub, more dead than alive. Keeping going only by sheer **** of will. He did not know where he was or even which day it was. He just knew that he had to keep moving. He would not get another opportunity to escape.

The sound of traffic drew him onwards and when he crested a small rocky rise, falling twice to his knees, he could see the road just yards ahead of him. Somehow he stumbled onwards and made it to the hard verge. A few cars went past but none stopped, even though he tried to reach out to them. Their speed made them difficult to get a grip on. His bright orange institutional jumpsuit made it so that no-one would stop even if he did appear to be dying. Eventually though, as he watched them on his knees, one slowed down at least enough to look at him. A nice car too, but he didn’t care about that. What he did catch though was enough of the driver. Suddenly the car’s brakes screeched and it came to a screaming halt less than a hundred yards past him.

Wyatt somehow managed to get back to his feet and stumbled on, eventually making it to the passenger door of the little red sports car and pulled at the handle. It was locked. He concentrated for a moment, then it was unlocked and he got in with some difficulty.

“Who’s there?” asked the driver, hands stretched out in front of her. “Please can you help me! I cant see - I’ve gone blind”! She pushed a phone at him. “Call 911 please”!

Wyatt looked at her, and even in his much reduced state, was pleased with who he had caught in his net. She was stunning, and immaculately presented, and even though that wasn’t what he needed now, he could appreciate it and hope that in time he might be able to take appropriate advantage.

“I can help you with that” he said and reached out a trembling hand to her face.

He stretched out with his mind also, re-programming her so that her number one priority was Wyatt and his welfare. She should take care of him immediately but somewhere private that he wouldn’t be disturbed. Finally, he undid the block he had put on her optical nerves allowing her to see once more.

After all that, Wyatt passed out.