It was strange seeing the girl I’d come to see as a rebel act ‘timid’ over the last few days, she obediently studied and adhered to curfew. She answered her phone on a timely manner whenever her brother called and I had yet to find plotting anything… The abandoned mansion was still standing “strong”; I guess it had something to do with her… and an agreement between her and her brother that she’d behave if he stopped its destruction…

Why she was so attached to that building was beyond my understanding and the need to know scratched at my conscience!

It wasn’t until I found myself sitting beside her, watching her sleep in a hospital bed, that I started to suspect that she was hiding so much of her pain from the world… I took in the fine silvery scars on her hands and arms… I noticed for the first time how truly thin she was… Was she torturing herself for something? Her parents? I wanted to ask find out as much I could to help her!

But as it would later be revealed to me; I am a coward!

She had fainted during her and Marshall’s shared class, they were practicing lines and rehearsing for a play. Some of the other classes were invited to come and watch, to give their input and critique… As a bonus Derek and I skimmed our own classes to go watch…

Everything was fine, nothing was out of the ordinary… No one would have suspected what was about to happen…

As soon as her head ratchetted on the floor; I found myself dashing towards her! Three Professors were already on stage, our English lit. Professor was quick to stop student like me and Marshall from getting close to her.

“Call an ambulance now!” The Drama teach’s voice echoed over the speakers the mikes still on.

Panic soon filled the room, but all I noticed was the blood… I felt someone pull at me, trying to tear me away from her! I tried to keep her my sights, as the stage curtains were drawn…

“David! What happened?” Derik’s voice finally brought me back to my sense.

“She hit her head after she fainted.” The words shakily ghosted from my mouth.

The buzz of the auditorium soon died down as the Uni personnel beckoned and directed the students out; I watched as Jason finally found he way through the crowds outside rushing up the stage and behind the curtains.

“She’ll be alright, right?” I asked without realizing that I had even spoken it aloud.

“What a stupid question, her, the Cairi Halbrook, not be alright?” Marshall laughed it off, but behind his laugh we all knew something else was up.