My Life

Chapter 3

Jade didn't go to school for the next few days. Instead she stayed at home, trying to fall asleep so she could see. Sometimes the people she saw had better lives than her, others lived in poverty and hunger. Jade heard, felt and smelt the events in their lives like it was her own. Many times she had gone out with friends, cooked dinner, went to school and so on. Why did she have to put up with this power? It only created jealously, pity and fear.

When Jade finally returned to school the murderer was gone. The teachers questioned her in a patronising voice. Why were you scared of him? Did you know him? Do you need to see a counsellor? She heard this constantly throughout the week. The new school had been built recently with blue walls, modern equipment and massive airy spaces; but still Jade felt suffocated by the tight blanket of concern and worry. There was nothing wrong with her and she wasn't mental! Nobody understood why she had screamed when she saw the boy, to them Jade was just another child going through a tough time after her fathers death - someone to be pitied.

The next week the school broke up for the summer break. No more teachers and kids sticking their noses in her business. No more implied suggestions to see somebody for 'help'. On the last day Jade's mentor called her in to his classroom.

"Look, I know you don't want to see somebody and you don't want help but-" he began but Jade cut him off,

"I am not mental. I do not need help. I do not want your pity. I do not want attention. I just want to be left alone." Jade headed for the door to escape the hell-hole people called a school for six blissful weeks. Mr Walter just sat down on one of the wooden desks and dropped his head. Jade immediately felt guilty for snapping at him. She began to say sorry but then she closed her mouth and walked away.