Morrow
I walk alongside Safari. Every few seconds, I glance back at Ace. He is walking a few metres behind us, strolling leisurely across the field to his class.
Praisch has used the back staircase - he claimed he had some delicate business to attend to first.
Safari shoves her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. She keeps flexing her arms, and smoothing her hair.
Even her pace seems rushed. She might even be holding her breath. She stares straight ahead at the cluster of people filing in and out of the assembly hall - as if the answers to her problems lie there.
Gently, I place my hand on the small of her back. She stiffens, turning to look at me.
"It's going to be alright."
She just turns and pulls me into a tight hug. Her arms squeeze me in - as if she could take every bit of comfort I'm offering by squeezing me harder.
I let out a soft whimper. She buries her face in the crook of my neck.
"I don't want to die." She murmurs.
