WITHOUT

Worlds In A Blur.

Exie found herself standing in an office, she kept wiping her face. One cheek was stinging....She kept her head held high (She wasn't going to bow it, and agree to defeat) But, maybe she if kept her eyes to the window - No one would see how red they were (Or how hurt she was feeling) She couldn't for the life of her think, what had bought this punishment about.

She had been polite, didn't back answer, did all assign chores, attended her classes (And, horror of horrors - Did her stupid homework!) Exie kept herself out of everyone's way, didn't ask questions that might annoy people. When Tess stole her favourite tee-shirt, she didn't report it (Tess would have punched her lights out) Exie handled the situation herself.

Exie was bold, spoke clearly, stood to her full height. Said "please". Didn't shame Tess in front of her friends.

Tess still hit her, gave her a black-eye (And, reported her) Told the wardens she was being "crazy-stupid" again.

I looked over to the woman at the desk, she was writing out a report. A report, that would have Exie locked in a room for twenty-four hours, isolated. Alone. She wasn't going to explain this to Exie, in the report she wrote - Exie wouldn't comprehend. Actions spoke louder than words, Exie had a better understanding of that. I just stood and stared at this woman. What a f-ing bitch!

Exie was dragged down a hallway, a door was opened....Exie was shoved into the room. She had been given a mild sedative, tears were streaming down her face. The only sounds that were caming out of her mouth, were heartbreaking hiccup cries. It only had very dim lighting, Exie shook with utter fear. She hated being alone.

We both head a door shut and lock. The sound was cutting, and to the point. Exie took the briefest look at the small room, dry-reached....Slumped to the floor.

I stood a minute. I felt so cold, angry. What the hell was this?! I put my thoughts aside, quickly bent down to Exie....Pulled her thin body into my arms. We sat for a long time, me just holding her.

She thought, she'd died...And I was her guardian angel.

I may have fallen asleep?    Or had I disappeared off to another place in time, with more people who wouldn't see or hear me.   I found myself on the ground, by a tree.   It was cold, I felt like a concert stick (I was so stiff)...The ground had had some give, but as I slowly stood up (Looked around)     I found myself in a forest, in the middle of the night.

It was just so dark and cold!      I quickly wrapped my arms around myself, tried to do a speedy look around so I could get moving (Warm up)       I found a path of sorts, that took me to some trees (The trunk's of the trees looked like they would make a good hide-out till morning came, and the temperature of this place picked up)      I stood close to one of the tress, when just off in the distance I could hear laugher, talking....The crackle of a fire!

My body suddenly had a mind of it's own, and I was walking/running towards the bright, glowing, flame-licking fire.      Faces looked over to me, bodies alerted the owner of my coming. Briar looked from her friends to me.

"I've been waiting.   You come, my girl.   You wish to see things....Things that are yours.   You need to know!.."      Briar gracefully stood, she was wrapped in a shawl of some kind.   It wasn't skins of an animal (Like some of her friends) it was think fabric (But, delicate)   She made her way towards me.

"Undress. I want to see you.     You need to be seen. To free your self.   Don't be fearful. My sisters are yours too.    We are a family.     All things are seen here..."      She saw my wide eyes, my shaking head. My puzzled expression.  "My girl. We....I see you, I hear you.   What hid you before, won't do that in front of me.   It was  for protection. For yours and the little one's....But, here (Briar made a sweeping motion with her hand) all is revealed!.."     She stood tall, shawl wrapped around her.