“I… didn’t want to leave everybody alone again.” I spoke shyly.

  I was embarrassed to say those words, they revealed some of my deeper emotions.

  “So it was something like that.” Jane responded, obviously having her own understanding of the words.

  Everybody else moved weirdly and had a slightly awkward look on their faces.

  “That’s all, don’t forget that I'm bleeding out.” I spoke anxiously. I distracted everybody's attention through my condition.

  Kaede quickly tried to support me from my shoulder, but not until Katy also helped did they manage to lift me.

  Together we walked up the new path through the flowers, and waiting at the top was Haven’s parents.

  “Are you okay?” Haven’s father asked me.

  “I will be fine.” I responded.

  “I see.” He responded, but his wife had a different opinion.

  “You are not usual for your age, you are likely hiding something, are you sure you're fine?” She investigated.

  “Absolutely, the bleeding is probably over by now, but we have to clean the wound before it is infected.” I replied, hiding part of the truth.

  I was somehow able to convince Haven’s parents of my condition, but I was still suspected as a whole.

  Among numerous voices trying to be reassured or reassuring me of my condition, we made our way out toward the city, away from the small recluse of nature. We waited next to the road while Mr. and Mrs. Holly got their car.

  Once Mr. and Mrs. Holly got back we were introduced to a new question.

  “Our car can only fit six people, myself, my wife, Haven, and you make four. Who are you going to take with you?” Mr. Holly posed a very serious question to me.

  Each of the girls looked at me with puppy eyes that screamed they wanted to go and help. However, if I choose any of them over others they might think that I was playing favorites.

  “We are going to my house, and Kaede is the most familiar with it.” I explained my first choice. Everybody but Kaede seemed slightly disappointed, but still hopeful.

  However, the one person with a mischievous grin this entire time was of course Jane.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  “You should choose Tracy.” She spoke happily.

  “Why should I do that?” I asked, and to my surprise there was no reaction from Tracy herself. She just looked at the ground dismissively.

  “I will use one of the favors you owe me.” She spoke simply.

  “Are you sure, you only have two left?” I asked, but was slightly relieved. I did not have to make a choice that would hurt somebody.

  “Absolutely.” She responded confidently, but her face said that she understood my position.

  “I guess I have to then.” I replied.

  Those who were not chosen looked sad, Jane excluded.

  “I will invite you all to my house next time.” I told them. This was no lie, even if I wanted to cheer them up a little bit. I could easily make a plan as long as…

  A thought came to my head, what if my father was home?

  He had already left for work though, it would probably be fine.

  We drove to my house with repeated checkups to my condition on the way. We opened the front door, and the usual cold chill fell on my face.

  “Azure, is that you?” my fathers voice sounded through the entrance way. Everybody looked at me, not knowing how to respond.

  “Yes.” I decided to reply, less he called the police at the sight of the large group of people.

  “Have you eaten yet?” he asked.

  “Yes.” which was a lie, but there was no better alternative.

  I started to walk without the support of Kaede and Haven leaving everybody behind.

  I walked to the kitchen where my father was currently.

  “Why are you here?” I asked coldly.

  “What do you mean?” He responded with a sad look on his face.

  “Don’t you have to go to work?” I asked.

  “You do know it’s the weekend?” He replied like it was obvious.

  “How can you say that with a straight face?” I replied.

  “Do you think this is a joke?” I added on.

  “No… It’s just, I'm trying…” He started but I interrupted.

  “You're trying? What makes you think you have the right to try now?” I asked coldly. He fell silent without a response.

  “Just leave me alone, you're good at that.” I said before walking away, turning my back on him.

  “What happened to your back?” He asked suddenly once he saw it.

  “It has nothing to do with you.” I responded.

  However, he had already sprung to his feet and to my side.

  “We should go to the hospital.” He said with a worried expression.

  “Why can’t you understand, I don’t need you. I haven’t needed you for the past twelve years.” And I walked away again, but this time he didn’t follow.

  I brought all five people to my room, and prepared my first aid kit. I found out that there would not be enough disinfectant for my back. There was no alcohol in the house, the only other thing that could be used was hydrogen peroxide, which is particularly painful.

  Kaede and Haven helped me strip my upper layers, Mr. and Mrs. Holly prepared the medical supplies, and Tracy stood in a corner with a contemplative look on her face.

  I got a leather belt from my closet laid down on some towels on my bed.

  “Ready?” Mr. Holly asked.

  “Yes.” I answered, then bit down on the leather belt.

  Mr. and Mrs. Holly then began to clean my wounds.