❝ we're supposed to be in this together, Andy. No matter what or who we're against, we're supposed to do it together. That's what us is all about ❞
𝐝𝐞·𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫 | the complete loss or absence of hope.
Or something that Andrea was feeling at the m...
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ALLISON ARGENT
ANDREA had Economics the very next morning. She argued that she should be out there looking for Lydia, but Nathan had assured her that she should just go to school in case Lydia or the Nogitsune showed up there.
Walking inside the class, she was immediately greeted by Coach Finstock who was shouting to the phone, "Ten thousand dollars? They pulled an arrow out of my stomach! What did they do, fill it up with diamonds?"
The rest of coach's conversation with whoever was on the other end of the line was a blur for Andrea as she took a seat next to Kira in the middle row of her class. The Yukimura girl leaned closer to whisper, "Did they find anything?"
Andrea shook her head, "No. Lucas and Allison found her car. But no Lydia. No scents, no tracks—it was just like she disappeared into thin air."
"Okay, listen up, kids!" coach's voice successfully interrupted the two's conversation, making them look to the front. "Today, we're—ou know what? Today we're going to discuss the corrupt institution of healthcare."
"Um, coach?" Danny called out. "We have an unexpected guest."
Andrea's eyes followed where the boy was staring at, shooting out of her seat upon noticing the person sitting in the very back of the class. It was none other than Meredith Walker, who was supposed to be in Eichen House.
"Is that—"
She nodded, finally turning to Kira, "Call Scott."
While the Yukimura girl called Scott, Andrea moved closer to where Meredith sat. Most of the students were crowding over her, curious and confused as to how she managed to get there.
"Sweetheart?" coach—who was now squatting in front of Meredith's table—called out, snapping his fingers in front of the girl's face. "Sweetheart? Do you want to tell me which insane asylum you escaped from?"
"Coach, insane asylum isn't proper terminology anymore," Danny informed the older man.
The coach glanced at Danny exasperatedly before continuing, "Okay. Sweetheart? What—what nuthouse did you escape from?"
"It's psychiatric hospital, coach," Andrea whispered, though she was close enough for the man and Meredith to hear.
"Eichen House."
And just like that, everyone who was crowding her stepped away, seemingly terrified of the girl. Murmurs of surprise and terror filled the whole room, while Andrea shared a look of worry with Kira. She knew how infamous Eichen House was, and it was definitely for nothing good.
