While deliberating, the group agree that they can't let Ingrid leave, as it would all have been for nought. John can't believe they are seriously discussing the possibility of granting Ingrid's ludicrous request. Dean thinks they can make it worse by doing so, as they don't know what's in her system, so they could cause an overdose. Desmond points out that they're talking about giving her just a little, not shooting her up with heroin. John objects to supporting Ingrid's drug habit, "I'm not agreeing to this just because she lacks discipline and is acting infantile." Desmond counters, " Addiction is a disease." Harry proposes a vote but Desmond, Sandra and Genevieve are the only ones in favor. John calls out Desmond saying they only have a difference in opinion which he is entitled to. Desmond confronts John by asking, "Do you think addicts should be locked up, institutionalized instead of treated?" John answers, " I think that Ingrid should take responsibility for her actions." Desmond is taken aback for a second and ask, "Do you also think that patients in the hospital who suffered heart attacks should take responsibility for their heart disease?" John thinks that's not the same thing. "Why not?" John answers, "Because drugs function differently in their bodies. You keep saying addiction is a disease but it's only a disease that doesn't fire up unless you take the drug and Ingrid has control over that. She made a choice the first time she took those drugs, just like she's making a choice today." Desmond can't believe John thinks people choose that misery, that life "You think Ingrid wants to be here begging us for drugs, you think she wants to be neglecting her studies, destroying the relationship she has with us, her family and friends and slowly killing herself in the most excruciating and denigrating way possible? Is that really what you think?" Desmond asks. Everyone was dumbstruck by Desmond's utterance.
Moments later, Dean approaches Ingrid while John follows suit. They both try to beckon and appeal to her emotional side but she isn't hearing it. She's an emotional wreck. She has become more irritable and unnecessarily agitated. Genevieve, try as she might, can't stand to watch her beloved sister in such condition. She begs Desmond to help her get what she wants and be done with it. Desmond acquiesced and not a moment too soon he came back with the pill in hand and gives it to Genevieve. Genevieve hands it to Ingrid who is now overcome with gratitude. As Ingrid tries to excuse herself so she could self medicate without prying eyes, Dr Gwen objects. She says, "If you are going to debase yourself like this, do it here. Do it in front of all the people who love and care about you. You either have to show them who you are now or not do the drugs at all and show them who you want to be. It's entirely your choice." Ingrid takes a brief pause and with everybody watching in suspense, she takes the pill and smashes it with a textbook. She takes out her ATM card and uses it to put the powder in a line. Only Laura and Genevieve have turned their heads away weeping, but they all hear Ingrid sniff the powder.
Everyone takes their seats as they tried to make sense of what happened a while ago. Laura, after putting herself together sees now as a good time to approach Ingrid and talk to her. Laura begins to speak, "If you keep this up, you're gonna push everyone away. Everyone that loves and care about you. One day, you are gonna reach rock bottom, you're gonna realize how dangerous this is and you might end up killing yourself. Is that what you want?" Ingrid barely reacts. Laura keeps talk but Ingrid is barely reacting. Harry asks Dr Gwen what the point is, as Ingrid is so high she can't even listen to them. With a weak voice, Ingrid says she's listening and that what Laura said was beautiful and real. "Each day I worry. I only depend on drugs to cope with the insurmountable pressures of this school and my family at home. I don't wanna let them down but there are just days where it gets too much and I just wanna escape. So yeah, I worry about what Laura said. I worry that it would happen to me." Ingrid breaks down and starts crying profusely. Anthony kneels in front of her and asks, "Ingrid darling, give us 30 days to get you clean and sober so you can start all over again with a clean slate. You don't need to worry about school or your family right now." Ingrid says, "That sounds really nice but I don't think I can do it." Genevieve takes her hand and say, "I know you can Ingrid, we will all help you. We found a great rehab facility where there's a bed waiting for you. I promise I'll come see you every night. We would get through this together. All you have to do is want to get clean." Laura smiles sadly as she sees that it is working. Ingrid gets up and says to everyone, "I'm deeply sorry for how I treated you all today. I know I have a problem and I admit it. I'm ready to get help. Thank you all for sticking by me. I am so sorry." The group all stood up to embrace Ingrid in a group hug as they tell her that it's going to be okay, and that they are here for her and that they all will love and care about her, regardless.
THE END.
It was good to see people around that helped her go through the addiction. She knew she needed it