Disclamier: I don't own Higher Ground. Any characters you don't recognize are mine.
A/N: This is my first fanfic so please tell me what you think, good or bad. I know it's boring to start out w/ but it gets better. Thanks send me an email at Tiara17@aol.com J
Kaitlyn stared out of the car window her face expressionless. The beautiful mountain scenery didn't even register with her. She was silent not responding to her father's questions. She gave the appearance of total indifference. But her thoughts were racing.
Peter and Sophie waited on the steps of the lodge for the new admit.
"So what's this ones story?" Sophie asked Peter as she tucked a piece of stray blonde hair behind her ear.
"Her name is Kaitlyn Maitland." He responded, "She's 16 years old and her files show that she has an eating disorder and that—"
The car entering the driveway interrupted Peter. A man of forty got out of the drivers side. He had that look about him that said that he was always in a rush. A girl got out of the passenger side. She had dark hair that flowed a bit past her shoulders. Her big green eyes only emphasized her elfin features. She was painfully thin even though she hid herself under many layers of clothing. She kept tugging at her shirtsleeves; it was then that Sophie saw the thick white bandages covering both her wrists.
"A cutter?" she whispered to Peter.
"No," he said " a suicide attempt."
Sophie gave him a startled look but he just shook his head and went to greet the new addition.
"Hello Mr. Maitland. I'm Peter Scarbrow director of Horizon. And this will be Kaitlyn's counselor Sophie Becker."
"Pleasure to meet both of you. Thank you for taking her…especially under these circumstances." Mr. Maitland said as they shook hands.
Kaitlyn just observed from the car. She just wanted this all to be over. She didn't say a word as they greeted her. As they searched her bags and asked questions she did no more than murmur yes or no. She was able to forgo the psychical because she had just been released from the hospital that day. She knew that's what her father wanted. That way no questions would be asked about the scars. She was left in the room as Sophie and Peter talked outside.
"Peter I just don't understand. We don't deal with kids with this problem. It's not like she's depressed and thinking about suicide. She's tried it. Why the exception?"
"Soph…we're her last hope. She's seen all kinds of therapists in the hospital and not one has even gotten her to talk. It's this or a mental institution. I had to try."
"I just hope we can help." Sophie said with tears in her eyes.
"So do I."
Sophie was walking Kaitlyn toward the Cliffhanger dorm when she spotted Shelby. She motioned for the blonde girl to come over.
"Yes…" Shelby said with a scowl.
"Shelby this is Kaitlyn Maitland. I want you to be her buddy. And by this I mean you do not let her out of your sight, okay Shel?" Sophie asked.
"Fine. It's not like I have a choice anyway."
Kaitlyn followed Shelby to the dorms. She pointed out all the stuff that Kait would need to know.
"So what are you in for anyway?" Shelby asked her curiosity getting the best of her.
Kaitlyn gave a small smile and pulled up her sleeves to revel her wrists.
" I had a little brush with a razor blade. Testing the whether I'm going to heaven or hell theory."
Shelby was a little shocked but then a look of disgust came over her face and all she could think of was…
"Coward." Kaitlyn said aloud. "I know that's what your thinking. Well I'm not judging you or acting like I have any clue what's happened in your past. So I'd appreciate if you'd show me the same courtesy."
"Fine, just don't do anything here cause I hate blood and seeing dead bodies."
"Deal when I finish this little chore I'll make sure I'm in the woods or something." Kaitlyn replied. "Look I have major jet lag so I'm just going to rest. You don't have to stay."
"Yes I do. I am not chopping wood cause I left you alone for a few minutes. Besides it's not like I have anyone to see. So you just sleep and I'll sit here without people trying to cheer me up."
Kaitlyn nodded her agreement and turned to go to sleep. She prayed that for once that the nightmares would evade her.
Shelby watched the new girl as she slept. Kaitlyn kept tossing and turning. Shelby just turned her back and went back to worrying. Scott was away on a week home visit. Oh god what if he doesn't come back was all she could think of. She didn't know what she would do without him. Only two more days until he returned and then hopefully things will be back to normal, well as normal as you could get at Horizon. Her thoughts were interrupted by two voices.
"I knew she'd be in here." Juliette's sunny voice chirped.
"Yes just sulking in the shadows." Daisy chimed in.
"What the hell." Kaitlyn groaned as she began to wake up.
Juliette squealed " Yeah we got a newbie!"
Daisy just shot Shelby a look that said not this again.
"I'm Kaitlyn. To make this easier I'm here because I tried to meet my maker and oh I have an eating disorder. You know I'm just self destructive."
"Great another twig like Juliette." muttered Shelby.
"Which one is Juliette?" Kaitlyn asked with a wary expression.
Shelby pointed to the brunette who was practically jumping up and down.
"I'm not like that. If I ever get that perky to hell with killing myself I expect someone to do it for me."
"No problem." Daisy responded, "You might not be so bad after all."
"Hey!" said Jules just realizing the insult.
"Sorry, but I can't stand perky people. Just tone it down and we'll get along fine, okay?" Kait offered.
"Okay." Said Jules still a little wounded at the remarks.
"C'mon Princess time for dinner." Shelby said as she got up.
The girls walked out of the dorm and went off to get dinner. Kaitlyn looked out into the mountains and the darkness that was approaching. And she prayed for her angel but then she remembered that her angel didn't want her anymore. She fingered the bandage on her wrist instead, that's all she had left.