The Treatment: the gripping twist-filled YA thriller from the million copy Sunday Times bestselling author of The Escape. C.L. Taylor

not here. Mrs H. has already told me he’s in the pre-treatment unit, but that doesn’t stop me scanning the faces of all the boys in the room.

      ‘What do you think?’ Stuart asks from behind me. ‘See anything that appeals to you?’

      ‘It looks like my worst nightmare,’ I say truthfully. ‘Where do you go if you want to be alone?’

      Destiny laughs softly.

      ‘We don’t encourage our students to isolate themselves,’ Abi says. ‘But if this is all a bit too noisy for you there are other options.’ She points at a line of doors on the wall directly opposite. ‘Through there you’ll find a café, a bowling alley, a cinema, a gym and a swimming pool.’

      ‘A swimming pool?’ I stare at her in astonishment. ‘You’re kidding me?’

      She smiles. ‘We’re not joking when we say we want your stay to be as enjoyable as possible, Drew.’

      ‘But … where are the classrooms?’

      ‘There are classrooms at the rear of the building. You’ll only have three hours of lessons a day and one hour of individual therapy every couple of days. The rest of the time is your own.’

      ‘What about the kids in pre-treatment?’ I ask. ‘Have they got something like this?’

      Stuart shakes his head. ‘No, the pre-treatment wing is quieter. Students are encouraged to use their time there for quiet reflection.’

      ‘Can I go there now?’ I ask and everyone laughs.

      ‘Your time will come, Drew,’ Mrs H. says. She indicates to Stuart to pull the door to the library closed, shutting us in the rec room, and then points to her left. ‘I’ll show you to your dorm now.’

Chapter Fifteen

      We leave Abi, Stuart and Destiny in the rec room and head towards the large glass double doors on the left of the room. The wheels of my suitcase squeak as I drag it along behind me and several of the boys playing pool stop and stare as we pass.