Safe

Chapter 11

I woke up to someone shaking me. Opening my eyes, I see Clover looking at me with a frantic look in her eye. Yesterday's events were still stuck in my head. At least I get to go home in 3 days. Not that I'm looking forward to that either.

"What?" I asked, my voice thick with sleep.

"Stephen has locked himself in his room and apparently hasn't come out since he hurt you," Clover informed me.

"Why me?" I asked, as far as I knew Stephen hates me.

"Because we've all tried, and it hasn't worked."

"Ok," I agreed.

After getting changed into some plain clothes, I headed to Stephen's cabin. What if he had been kidnapped? I barged through his door and was met with an unusual sight. Stephen was singing 'Marry You' by Bruno Mars but what shocked me was his crazed bloodshot eyes. He had the same look I'd seen when my parents would send me to the psych ward. When the pain got too much and their perfect daughter wasn't perfect. Edgar stopped singing abruptly and bent down on one knee.

"Zara, will you marry me?" he asked, staring at the spot in front of him.

I spotted a radio nearby and picked it up.

"Daria," I said into the radio.

"Gracie? Why are you calling from the boy's cabin?"

"Call an Ambulance, and come here," I answered and put the radio down. Turning towards him I asked, "Stephen?"

"Go away Gracie, I'm proposing to Zara right now," Stephen snapped, but his voice was far away.

"Stephen, Zara is missing remember. Why don't you sit down?" I coaxed.

It was like my words fell to deaf ears; I was starting to get worried. This isn't the Stephen I grew up with. This Stephen left bruises on my arms and doesn't seem to be entirely here. I crouched down next to him, where Stephen sat frozen in the kneeling position.

"Stephen," I tried again.

"Shut up Gracie! Stop being so jealous," Stephen yelled.

"STEPHEN! ZARA IS PROBABLY DEAD! OK!"

It was harsh but I needed something to take away that crazed look. At least if he were furious with me, that look would disappear. I've seen too many people give in to that look and lose themselves.

"No, you're alive. Zara, you're alive!" he muttered, looking to the place in front of him again.

The cabin door opened to reveal Daria and 2 paramedics holding a stretcher. I moved out of the way and Daria wrapped her arms around me. Needing comfort, I leaned into her warm embrace.

"Stephen, can you come with us?" one of the paramedics asked.

"Zara's alive," Stephen repeated, though it was barely audible.

The paramedics seemed to have a silent conversation with themselves before sticking a small needle in Stephen's arm. His tense shoulders relaxed and he slumped. Before he could fall, the paramedics placed him on the stretcher and he fell asleep.

"We'll take him to get checked out, and his parents will be alerted," the paramedics told us and left with Stephen.

I stayed stuck to the spot. I was in shock. Stephen was probably being sent to the psych ward; I may never see him again. He hasn't been a very nice person lately but I've still been in love with him since I was a kid. Daria linked my arms with her's and pulled me along towards the main office. I didn't want to see Edgar right now but I guess I don't have a choice. We entered Edgar's office and I found that Edgar was talking to Clover and Violet.

"What happened?" Clover asked when she noticed I was there.

"Stephen is on his way to the hospital," Daria answered for me, as I was still in shock.

Clover gripped Violet's hand and I knew this affected them as well. We are all friends, even if at one point everyone has hated each other. Edgar looked at me with pleading eyes but I just turned away from him.

"Group hug," Violet shouted.

I laughed as I joined Violet and Clover in their hug. We all needed this because these last 6 weeks we've been put through horrible things. Zara and Cameron were kidnapped and Stephen was taken away in an ambulance. After a while, we separated and turned towards the adults in the room. They had mixed reactions. Edgar was smiling proudly at us and Daria had an unreadable expression on her face.

"Why don't you all head to the dining hall for a late breakfast," Edgar instructed.

We all nodded and left the office, leaving the adults to talk. When we arrived at the dining hall, I found a mix of breakfast foods. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I saw all that mouthwatering food. After I had some food, Clover, Violet, and I moved our chairs into a circle.

"So, how's your relationship?" I asked.

"Good," they blushed.

"That's awesome guys, it really is," I smiled brightly.

"What about you? I know you were engaged with Stephen but now he's broken it off," Clover asked.

"I plan on being single for a while, boys lead to heartbreak."

"You could always try girls," Violet joked.

"Nah, I'm straight I'm afraid. Shame though," I laughed.

We fell into uncontrollable laughter and I couldn't help but feel completely happy. Having friends isn't so bad. For the next few hours, my friends distracted me from everything. We played games and just talked about random things. Before long we had eaten everything in the hall and were all full. Deciding I needed some time on my own, I left Clover and Violet in the hall to go for a walk. As I walked, I took deep breaths, and all my troubles melted away.

Walking past the wood cabin I got a weird feeling. Something was going to happen, I just knew it. My predictions came true when I hear a shrill, loud, ear-piercing scream from somewhere. By following the horrible sound, I was led to the wood cabin. I've only been here when I was with Stephen and Zara. As I looked through the window of the wood cabin, I got the shock of my life. Because sitting in there was Zara.