This one is a bit shorter. I hope you enjoy it!

Everything belongs to CP Coulter.


"Mr. Sullivan, you may now present your speech."

"Thanks, Professor Murdoch," David said as he walked up to the front of the classroom.

"Guilt affects us in various ways. It also comes to us through many different routes. Guilt can come from something as small as stealing a cookie from the cookie jar, or something on a much larger scale.

"Survivor's guilt is common through those who have survived an accident, illness or traumatic event when someone else hasn't. They begin to question themselves. Why me? Why was I saved and not them? Perhaps, had I done something differently, would they still be alive?

"I've asked myself these types of questions many times. After the car accident involving me and my girlfriend, I questioned myself. Why- "

David paused, taking in a deep breath.

"Why was I here barely scraped or bruised, while she was undergoing heart surgery? I would have given anything in the world to have changed places. And then came the dangerous thoughts of 'I should have been the one in there.' Those are the most dangerous thoughts."

David let the silence roll around the classroom, waiting as everyone grasped the implications of his words.

"To combat guilt, however, you need to realise that this is not your fault. Your friends, family, teachers, coaches, they all know this and they can tell you this. And this is where guilt can come in handy.

"Guilt forces you to make changes. It's an emotional kick up the rear, telling you to get your behind into action and change what got you into that situation in the first place.

"I don't make the mistakes I made that night anymore. I don't put my self in those circumstances anymore. And I feel happier and more carefree then I have done in a while.

"So yes, guilt can hit you where it hurts. It can strike you while you're down, but if you tell yourself that you don't deserve the stress you're putting on yourself, you can get through it."

David gave a brief nod, before taking his seat.

He returned Wes' understanding smile with a small grimace.