The Hunted.

It's Complicated...

As the clock's hands aligned, the room's solitude became Ian's greatest enemy. He felt a growing desire to evaporate into thin air. His eyes fixated on a poster that echoed the desperation he sought to conceal. "Need help? Ask your teacher!" the poster urged, its red letters seeming to bleed into the paper. Ian's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. He desired assistance, yet the weight of his secrets kept him bound. The minutes ticked by, each one an eternity, as he awaited his counselor, Alice. The room's silence was broken only by his own heavy breathing. Then, without warning, the door swung open. A young woman, head down and focused on her papers, rushed in. Unaware of Ian's presence, she frantically prepared for the session. Her muffled mumbles and teeth-grinding reflected her own anxiety. As the woman, now identified as Ms. Williams, settled behind her desk, Ian's nerves remained on edge. He observed her hurried attempts at composure, sensing there was more to her rushed entrance than met the eye. Unbeknownst to him, a hidden story unfolded: a tale of a teacher's own struggles, mirrored in the very words of advice that adorned the walls. As the session progressed, Ian's secrets and Ms. Williams' unseen burdens would intertwine in unexpected ways, leading them both toward a twist of fate that only the clock's relentless ticking could reveal. 

Alice, an enigmatic figure, often viewed as peculiar by those who knew her, resided alone in the quaint house inherited from her grandparents. Her days were spent largely indoors, a mystery to the town's folks, except for her frequent appearances at Greenland High. Ian Hartsfield, an observer of human behavior, found Alice's presence intriguing amidst the mundane activities of the town. Her unexpected laughter, often at inappropriate moments, and an air of quirkiness made her a fascinating study. Ian's curiosity, however, transformed into a strange admiration as he got to know her better. The counseling session began with Alice's playful remark, "You're here early," catching Ian off guard. As the morning sunlight streamed through the windows, Alice, with her jet black hair, created a captivating silhouette, deep in thought. The session promised to be another eventful one, as Ian, with a forced smile, awaited Alice's revelations, aware that she held the keys to unlock this mysterious relationship they shared.

"I guess I have a lot to talk about," He forced a smile, patiently waiting for Alice to begin their counseling session.

Ian had always been skeptical of the healing powers of therapy, especially given his traumatic past. Yet, as he sat across from Alice, something changed. As she nodded encouragingly, he felt a strange sense of relief. He hadn't expected this; he'd always been so certain he could do it alone. Alice's white notebook intrigued him. He couldn't help but wonder what secrets it held, what observations she had recorded about him. Her mysterious bronze key added an air of intrigue to the entire scenario. As Ian joked about his initial reluctance, a small smile played on Alice's lips, her eyes warm and inviting. There was a brief moment of connection, an unspoken understanding between them. Little did Ian know, as he began to open up, that Alice's notebook contained more than just observations. It held her personal reflections, too, and as she flipped through the pages, she couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with Ian, an understanding of his pain that only she could truly comprehend. "That's good, that's good" she repeated. "I'm happy that you want to talk,"

"It wasn't really a choice," he smirked   

Alice inquired about Ian's father, receiving a scoff in response. His father had remained unchanged since his mother's passing when Ian was just a boy. Frustration twitched his left eye as he thought of him; the same drunken sheriff that everyone adored. Alice's notebook diligently captured his every word as he continued, taking a deep breath to calm his rising temper. 

"These sessions have helped a little; I don't lash out anymore." He paused, considering his progress, then nodded, "Yes, I manage my anger well." Ian yearned to discontinue the counseling sessions that had helped him thus far. He was determined to be a better man than his father, come the start of his sophomore year. He'd been working on himself, and felt that he was finally making some progress. The promise he'd made to himself to change was a driving force, and he intended to stick to it. Alice's curiosity about Ian's progress led her to inquire further.