Peter Scarbrow heard the crunch of gravel as a car pulled up the long road to the lodge of Mt. Horizon.  He was expecting a new student today.  He stood to look out the window, and, seeing that this was indeed a new arrival, walked outside to introduce himself.

Inside the car were a driver and young girl.  If he hadn't read her files he would have guessed her about 12 years old.  She was actually sixteen, and about to become the newest Cliffhanger.

The driver's door opened and an aged gentleman stepped out into the bright sunlight.  He offered his hand to Peter.

"I'm Mr. Anderson.  The Corbridges were regretfully unable to accompany their daughter today, but send their regards."  He knocked on the back window and shook his head at Peter.  "She hasn't said a word all day."

Peter stepped towards the car.  "May I?"  The driver nodded and Peter opened the back door of the car.  "You must be Sarah.  I'm Peter."

Sarah glowered at Peter.  She wasn't thrilled about being here. 

"Welcome to Horizon.  Why don't you step out and give us a hand with your bags?"  Peter was used to abysmal attitudes.  Most students arrived at Horizon by force, not by choice.  They usually settled in within a week or two.

Sarah stepped out of the car and glanced around the school.  She took everything in and gave Peter a once over, but never spoke a word. 

Peter examined her.  She was a pretty girl with long brown hair.  Her green eyes were sensitive to the bright sunlight and she quickly put on a pair of sunglasses that she had clutched in her hands.  She was dressed in black from head to toe.  She wasn't Goth, just brooding.  She was gripping a journal to her chest.

            "Do you like to write?"

Peter's voice had snapped her mind back to reality.  Still, she avoided eye contact.

 "Do you like to write?"  Peter asked again.  When she still didn't respond Peter turned to Mr. Anderson.  "Thank you for bringing her.  She's in good hands here.  Please tell her parents that I will be in touch very soon."

Mr. Anderson nodded.  "Good luck Miss Corbridge."  He didn't wait for a response, just got into the car and drove away as promptly as he had come.

 "Well, let's get you processed."  Peter grabbed her suitcases and motioned for her to follow him.  "You're scheduled for a pre-admittance physical.  Your things will be searched and sent to your room.  A doctor will search your body."

"For what?"  Sarah had spoken for the first time since her arrival.

Peter smiled.  "Nothing to be worried about.  Some students try to bring in drugs or other contraband.  It's our job to make sure they don't get away with it." 

Peter pointed her to a small room near his office.  "Sophie Becker will be one of your counselors.  She'll be with you shortly to discuss the rules.  Just have a seat."

Sarah sat down on the only item in the room – a hard, wooden chair.  She glanced around the room: no windows, no furniture.  Great, she was in prison.

Peter shut the door and left Sarah alone.  He headed back to his office to read her file one more time.

Sarah Elizabeth Achaia Corbridge, Age 16, Female

Sarah has been difficult to place due to her intense periods of silence.  Previous IQ tests (those from elementary school and junior high) place her IQ close to 120 (gifted level).  She was expelled from high school due to frequent incidences of fighting, truancy, failing grades, and violent behavior. 

Sarah has seen seven different psychiatrists/psychologists to no avail.  She possesses behaviors associated with depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, substance abuse, self injury, anorexia, and oppositional defiance disorder (ODD).  However, since she is unwilling to submit to any form of therapy or testing, none of these diagnoses have been confirmed.

Sarah has had few infractions with the law.  She has been arrested for destruction of property, possession of marijuana, shoplifting, underage drinking, truancy, and loitering.  She has not served any jail time.

Sarah's parents, Jack and Linda, are both attorneys.  They have paid Sarah's way into boarding schools, therapy camps, and private psychiatrists.  They have remitted her to the care of Mt. Horizon High School.  They wish to have no further contact with their daughter.

Peter read the last sentence again.  "They wish to have no further contact with their daughter."  It was true.  The Corbridges had all but allowed Horizon to adopt Sarah.  They wanted nothing to do with Parents' Weekends, reports home, or phone calls of progress.  They had stated that they were "weary" of trying to help Sarah.  They agreed to pay any expense that the school required of them, but Sarah was in Peter's custody until she reached 18.

Peter's thoughts were interrupted when Sophie stepped into his office.  He glanced up.  "All finished?"

She nodded.  "And without a word out of her.  She's a tough one."

Peter stood up and walked to the door.  "Aren't all of our kids?"

Sophie smiled.  "I think she'll give Shelby a run for her money if that's what you're asking."

Peter laughed.  "We'll see."  He handed Sarah's file to Sophie.  "Here's her file.  Not really much to go on. A lot of assumptions, guesses, and the like, but not many cold hard facts."  He slid past Sophie in the doorway.  "Let me know your thoughts.  I'm gonna show her around."

Peter crossed the hall to where Sarah was still sitting.  He noticed that her journal was gone.  "Don't worry.  We won't read it," he reassured her.  "We have to search it, but you'll have it back by the day's end."  She had no response.  "Well, let's get you changed into some appropriate clothing and I'll introduce you to the Cliffhanger group."  Peter handed her an outfit that had been hanging outside the door.  "Your parents sent this down before your arrival.  I trust Sophie explained the dress code?"

Sarah nodded.

"Good.  Get changed and I'll meet you just outside the door."

Sarah was once again alone.  She glared in disgust at the outfit Peter had given her.  Jeans, tee shirt, and hiking boots.  No black.  No long sleeves.  She opened the door and initiated a conversation for the first time.  "Peter, can I get a sweatshirt or something?"

Peter nodded.  "We'll see if one of the girls has one that will fit you.  Just put on what you have for now."

Sarah hesitated.  "I get cold pretty easily.  Could I get one now?"

"The dorm's not far from here.  Besides, it's 80 degrees outside.  You'll be fine."

Sarah didn't reply.  She slammed the door shut and cursed under her breath.  'Damn it!'  She threw the chair against the wall, shattering it.

Peter heard the commotion and opened the door to find Sarah punching the walls and cursing.  "Sarah."  Peter wasn't sure if she even knew he was in the room.  "Sarah!" he screamed.

"What!!"  She glared at him.

"We don't approve of this type of behavior.  Now get changed and I will familiarize you with our punishment procedures."

"I'm not wearing that!" she screamed, pointing at the clothes she had scattered across the room.

"Sarah, either you put on that outfit or I call in the female counselors to put it on for you.  It's your choice."  He waited.  "Well, are you going to cooperate?"

"Fine."  She knew that he had her this time, but she was still enraged.  "Give me some privacy."

Peter shut the door.  In all his years he had never seen someone give so much resistance to the clothing.  Most students actually enjoyed dressing down every day.

The door opened behind Peter, and Sarah stepped out.  He understood why she had put up such a fight.  The clothes her parents had sent her were at least three sizes too big.  Sarah was fairly tall, but she couldn't weigh much more than 95 pounds.  Her frail body had been hidden under her old, bulky clothing.  But it wasn't just her size that concerned Peter.  Sarah had been wearing long sleeves when she arrived.  Now, with just a tee shirt on, he could see numerous scars of varying lengths up and down her arms.  Some cuts were quite old and the scars were fading.  Others were fresh and still red.  While Peter stared, Sarah had resorted back to the silent treatment.

"A cutter, huh?"  Sarah flinched at the term.  "Okay, I'm going to take you to the infirmary – get some of those cuts touched up.  We don't need any infections getting you down on your first day.  I'm also going to ask that you take a drug test.  I think I understand why you acted out, but I don't want to take any chances."  Peter searched the delicate, small girl for any sign of emotion.  "I'm also going to have the doctor weigh you – after she searches your body.  I have the feeling you've been padding yourself whenever you get weighed."

Less than two hours later Peter was adding more information to Sarah's file.  The doctor and nurses had been able to do something most people had failed at before: getting Sarah to take a test.

Health Information: 

Height: 5'4"  Weight: 97lbs.

Comments:  Exhibits all classical symptoms of anorexia nervosa.  Will be weighed daily and caloric intake will be monitored.  Countless self inflicted wounds in different states of healing found all over body.  (Note: several razor blades were found during the search of her luggage at intake.)  Tested positive for drugs.

Peter sighed.  He had confirmed three of his suspicions about Sarah: she had an eating disorder, was a self mutilator, and a user.  But none of this information got him any closer to knowing why.  And that was the only answer that would help Sarah.