Unsolved Mysteries *stopped*

17. Wednesday

I'm standing behind the counter, roaming the library with my eyes. When i got up this morning, i felt like shit. I look like shit. Bethany still isn't talking to me and i won't go over and throw the white towel. I didn't do anything wrong and she, as my friend, is behaving unreasonable.

A group of children enters the library, four little girls. One by one, they empty their little backpacks on the counter. I'm too angry at Beth to study them further and scan the pile of books with a polite smile, until one book strikes my eye.

A book about a princess. A princess with a dog.

With wide eyes i look down at the group of girls for the first time.

And i see the little girl who reminds me so much of Lisa. My stomach turns when she frowns and taps her tiny foot impatiently, just like Lisa used to.

I feel so guilty when i remember all the memories i share with Lisa and how it all ended.

When the girl clears her throat - very much like Lisa - i peel my eyes off the four girls and quickly finish up. With shaking hands i offer them the jar full of candy and they dig in, looking pleased.

Throughout their entire visit, i can't keep my eyes off the little girl, not even when Bethany returns. I can't help myself, every memory flows back.

(Flashback)

"You'll never guess what i have." Lisa whispers as soon as both of us have our flashlights on.

"What is it?" I whisper back.

We can both feel the excitement at what we're doing. Lisa waited until Sister Mary left when she came to my bed and slipped under the covers with me.

The seven-year-old blonde girl finally reveals what she had hidden behind her back the entire time: Chocolate!

"Oh, Lisa, where did you get that?"

I ask in utter astonishment.

"Sister Nancy gave it to me this morning, as a late birthday present."

We both laugh softly in delight and at how sweet Sister Nancy is.

Lisa quietly breaks a piece off the chocolate and gives it to me. I take it nervously and watch her repeating the process. Nervously, yet jolly, we both eat our pieces of chocolate. We're not allowed any sweets, nobody knows why. This is so against the rules, but it gives us an adrenaline kick.

When Lisa breaks off some more chocolate, the sheets hiding us from the world are suddenly torn away.

Lisa attempts to hide the bar of chocolate instinctively, but a gloved hand shoots out and grabs her arm.

Scared, she starts crying softly. I don't know what to do, i know what will happen to us, and that makes my whole body shake in fright.

"So, you girls are heaving a little tea party?"

The Sister hisses.

I don't want to look at her, instead, i turn to face the rest of the girls in the room, who all throw us some pitying looks.

The Sister pulls us both out of bed and drags us along with her by the hair.

That evening, the other small girls in the room could hear loud screams, followed by hollow sounds.

(End Flashback)

"Ophelia. Ophelia!"

I'm torn out of my daydream, by a pair of hands, roughly shaking me.