I NEED YOU TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE

Oliver and Markus didn't leave until after Elise returned to the room. I don't want to remain with Elise but what choice do I have. Apparently the passes have an expiration time of two hours. They promised to come see me at the hospital though so at least I have something to look forward to once I was taken to the clinic. I watched the door close and Elise started to stare at me.

"What's wrong?" I asked her trying to smile.

"What did you do to make her follow you?" Elise asked with a frown.

"I didn't do anything at all! But you sure did do something." I told her.

"Maybe it's because this was her room." Elise said more to herself than to me.

Her room? This was Jen's room? No wonder. Does she think I'm Elise's friend or something?

"Why did you bring me here if you knew that the room had some sort of evil spirit?" I asked enraged and confused.

"She hasn't appeared for a long time so I thought she had left." Elise said seriously,"Wait here."

Wait? Why wait? I don't want to remain alone! Elise was long gone before I could even say anything to her. At least she left the door ajar for me so the room felt less creepy. She didn't take too long and came back with a bowl that had something that looked like salt in it and in her other hand was an old pill container. I watched her while she put the salt into the bottle and she closed it and gave it to me.

"If you see her again throw some of it at her." Elise said.

I nodded even though I didn't know if it would actually work or if she was just trying to get me killed quicker.

"And Olive," she started hesitantly,"I need you to stay out of trouble and don't tell anyone about it."

I'm not going to nod at that. Why can't I tell anyone about this? It's always safer to have someone else who knows what you're going through. I can't tell Ollie though because he will probably try and kill her or even start reading books on how to get rid of spirits. Or he might call the police. It would not be all that bad if the school was shut down but I feel like that would make the spirits all focus on us. Markus looks too sensitive so I can't tell him either and Maria looks like a no good goody two shoes.

"How did she die?" I asked.

"Suicide." Elise answered and I'm not sure if I'm imagining it but she sounds sad.

So was Jen's death not her fault? But that memory or vision, Elise had betrayed Jen.

"She had slept with a teacher so in confusion I had gone and told the punisher." Elise said and I could see the confusion and sadness settle in her eyes.

"When was that?"

"Eighth grade. Jen and Constance were my only friends."

"Constance?"

"The punisher back then." Elise answered then she walked towards the window and stared at the clear sky.

So some time back Elise used to come and see Jen here? From the look in her eyes I can tell she loved her friends. But if that was in eighth grade then why did Elise look much older than she does now? I'm sure she is hiding something from me.

"Can I give you some advice?" Elise asked looking at me.

"Sure."

"Never go to the sewing room." she answered and the calm look that had earlier on was completely gone now.

"Is that advice or a warning?" I asked laughing to brighten up the mood but she had this look in her eyes that made my smile fade.

"Take it how you want to."

I looked away from her for a little bit before looking at her again. She was back to looking out the window with an expressionless face.

"So....are punishers appointed or chosen....?"

I saw Elise smile briefly then she looked at me, turning with her whole body.

"We earn it." she said,"We survive."

Okay.....that didn't really answer my question. But the way she said it though....

"Don't be one Olive Rogers. No one ever really wants to become one after the selection."

"Selection?" I asked only to have her stare at me.

I shut my mouth immediately and looked at her like I had not said anything to her. She sighed and then left me alone in the room. The room fell silent and I looked around to check if by any chance Jen was back. The coast is clear. No Jen, no sudden beatings. I never thought I'd say this but....I miss Oliver and I miss Markus. Can't Markus just get new passes or Elise take me to the clinic so that they can finally visit me? Come to think of it they only left a while ago but it feels like it has been ages since I saw them. I wonder if I can get up now. I removed the blanket that covered me and moved my toes around. Then I moved myself to the edge of the bed and place my left foot on the floor.

Ahh ha! I can already move again. I've always known that my body is strong for a twelve year old girl who will be turning thirteen. I walked towards the window and my eyes widened at the sight of Oliver with an annoyed Sr Drevin beside him as they walked towards the dorms. Even from this height and distance I can hear his annoying pleads to see me. She must be really irritated by him and judging by that look on her face she might just slap him anytime soon.

"Mr Rogers!" she screamed at him stoplight to glare at him,"Are you deaf that you've failed to hear me tell you time and again that you can't get a pass twice in a day?"

"I heard you loud and clear sister. But I'm only asking to help her to the clinic to make sure she's alright." Oliver said with his hands pressed together in front of him.

Sr Drevin frowned and continued walking, trying her best to ignore the person walking beside her.

"So should I like...get a wheelchair or something?" Oliver asked now swinging his hands on his sides.

"That will be too troublesome Mr Rogers. You'll carry her in your arms." Sr Drevin said between her teeth.

They disappeared from my sight as they had now entered the building. As I awaited their arrival to my door I got back into my white dress and put on some underwear. It took them five whole minutes to get into my room. When I finally heard them my legs were slightly shaking. I don't know what is now happening to me because even my lower back is aching now. There was a light tap at the door and after a few seconds I heard it creak open. Oliver greeted me but I failed to respond as I felt a little short of breath and it also felt like I was chocking.

"Vee is something wrong with you? Why are you up?"

"I.....I...ahhh..." that was all I could say and I sounded like I was about to die.

The sound of Oliver's pounding feet rushed towards me very fast and I felt my knees buckle and I fell; into his arms at least. He carried me back to the bed and I saw how his face looked contorted in worry. Sr Drevin came into my line of vision and as always she looked annoyed and yet calm.

"Let's take her to the clinic. Calling doctor....."

Oliver didn't let her finish talking as he took me up in his arms again and run out of the room like I was suddenly weightless. I felt the sting in my bones as I jiggled from how he was running. When we reached the stairs, he made me stand and told me to get on his back which I somehow managed to do even though I couldn't feel my legs. He descended the stairs going down two steps at a time. My heart was practically leaping out of my chest every time he went down. I'm sure by the time we reach the last step my heart will be on the floor.

Oliver didn't stop running and he caught a lot of attention as well. Some students who I think are mostly juniors started crowding the windows to look at us. When I go to class for the first time I'm sure I'll be quite famous. I buried my head in the crook of Oliver's shoulder to hide my face as I was only in that white dress that had gone up exposing most parts of my thigh. Oliver stopped all of the sudden and I wondered what was wrong or who was authoritative enough to have stopped him.

"Vee...." he called out to me and I hummed as softly as I could,"I don't know where the clinic is."

Iconic! I should have known something like this would happen.