the end...

~ sixteenth ~

~ opening ~

Its been over a month now.

The hospital had released Colby in well condition. His stab wound stitched over, and his mental state was back to normal.

Solaris, however, distanced herself from the rest of the group, still blaming herself for the incident that happened to the brunette.

No one has heard from her in weeks, not even Ace. The group started growing weary.

Its April, and Colby started regularly going to school again, taking an online class to catch up what he had missed.

They periodically saw Solaris there, meaning she was still alive. But she passed with eyes glued to the ground, headphones in her ears, clutching her binder.

The one time Sam stopped her in the hallway, she looked like she hadnt had a lick of sleep in years.

"Solaris?"

"L..." She started, but shook her head. "What do you want?" Solaris tried to not make her voice quiver.

"Why havent you contacted one of us in weeks?" Sam asked, "Are you okay?"

She blinked mindlessly a few times. "Yes.. Im. Fine.." She quickly nudged past him. "I need time to myself.." She murmured as she walked away, ending any and all conversations.

The group knew something was wrong with her. They all couldnt shake that feeling.

"Something doesnt feel right," Ace paced the room, staring at the floor. "Its been weeks, and she still needs 'time to herself'? I dont get it.."

"No one does," Sam added. "Shes been acting strange since the day she ran out of the hospital after talking to Colby one on one.. Something is definitely not right.."

"Well no shit, Sherlock.."

As they continue to argue back and forth, Colby was standing near the window, silent. They dont know what I know, he thought, turning his attention to the window to block out their voices. They don't know why shes distanced herself, why she keeps to herself... Why she ran out the room that day... She still blames herself for what had happened and..

"Colby!" Sam's calling snapped him out of his trance. "Do you know why Solaris is like this?"

The brunette drew a breath in. He continued to stare out the window, for a long, thoughtful moment. "She blames herself," he finally let out. "For Kale's villainous' actions.. For what he did to me.. She blames herself, and needs time to let it off.."

The two other boys exchanged a shocked look. Deafening silence fell between them as no one knew what to say..

Not even Colby..

**

Solaris placed her book down heavily, sighing. She spun around in her chair, turning towards her bed. This is hopeless, she thought. Nothing's distracting me from what happened.

She pushed herself away from her desk, standing up from the chair to walk to her bed.

Its been awhile since Kale has been locked away, and the doctor said Colby has recovered fast.. But.. Why do I still feel this guilt? Why is it so overwhelming?

Sparkling tears pooled at her eyes. She blinked them away, refusing to cry.

No.. Ill get over it..

Solaris panned over to her closet, where a noose lays on the floor. Or a worse fate will bestow me...