Chapter Two

Secrets

"Are you sure she's even awake?" Natsuki asked, standing at Ashlin's door with Mai ad Makoto.

Mai nodded and knocked without fear. She was ready for answers. "I know she sleeps a lot, but Makoto saw her go in a few hours ago and she's been playing music for a while."

Natsuki shrugged. "Fair enough, but why doesn't she come to the door now?"

Mai frowned at the still closed door. "Hmm, she could be ignoring us. She hasn't exactly been rolling out the friendship mat for anyon-Makoto!"

Makoto, tired of waiting and the conversation, opened the door and entered.

"Ashlin?" she called. "Mai wants to talk to you!"

Natsuki slapped a hand to her forehead. "I swear, that girl…"

Mai grabbed Makoto's shoulder as she barged in. "S-sorry, Ashlin, we were just wondering…"

Mai trailed off, because in the centre of the room was a smear of blood, and that smear turned into a thin trail leading to the bathroom. Without another word of hesitant moment, the girl's dashed inside to find another shocking discovery.

Ashlin stood in the bathroom, stripped to her underwear, wrapping a bandage around her stomach that was already soaked with blood. She was frozen in a wince, staring at the three girls. Pain turned to anger and she turned on them, shaking with either fury or loss of blood.

"What are you doing in here?" She asked. "Get out!"

"But your hurt," Mai said, stepping toward her. She reached out. "Here, let me…"

"Get out!" Ashlin roared again, reaching out to steady her swaying body against the side of the doorway as she advanced on them.

"Mai, I think we should leave," Natsuki offered, but then she noticed how pale Ashlin was. "And get nurse Yohko," she added, pulling on Mai's arm.

"But!"

"Who hurt you, Ashlin?" Makoto asked, poking her bleeding side.

"Ow! Stop!" Ashlin pushed the girl away, but lost her balance and stumbled. She caught herself as Natsuki, now closer, reached out to steady her.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked, referring to both her wounds and her attitude.

"N-nothing… that concerns you…" Ashlin was breathing heavily and her eyes were sliding shut and open over and over.

"Mai," Natsuki started.

"We need to get you to the nurse's office," Mai said, reaching out to take her arm while Natsuki grabbed the other.

They were too late. Ashlin was heavier than she looked and slipped out of their grips as she lost consciousness. She slumped to the floor and lay still. Except for her laboured breathing, she looked very dead.

"Oh God," Mai swore, as Natsuki used a courser word. They knelt by her side as Makoto stood, wondering what to do.

"Makoto, go and get-," Mai started, but then realised the time. It was late, very late, and Yohko was doubtlessly asleep.

Natsuki read her mind. "Can you help her instead?" she asked, still holding onto the unconscious girl's arm, ready to move her from the floor.

Mai knew her first aid training well. "Yes," she said confidently. She nodded her head toward the couch as she slipped her arm around the girl's back. "Help me get her onto the couch."

They hoisted her between them and laid her on the couch where Makoto had moved a pillow under her head.

Mai looked her over. She was clearly breathing, but it was laboured. She grasped her wrist and pressed two fingers to it, feeling a quick thrumming against her fingertips.

"Is she alright?" Natsuki asked from over her shoulder, her arms crossed. Ashlin wasn't her favourite person, but she was concerned all the same.

Mai rested Ashlin's hand back on the couch and sat back. "I think she's just lost too much blood. Let me check the wound." She turned to Makoto, realising how strange this much look if anyone passed by. "Umm, Makoto, can you watch the door?"

Makoto nodded. "Okay Mai," and guarded the doorway.

Mai reached for the bandage wrapped loosely around Ashlin's middle and turned to Natsuki. "Are you squeamish?"

Natsuki snorted. "What do you think?"

"Just asking." Mai pulled back the bandages to see a long, thin cut along the girl's stomach. It wasn't deep, just a flesh wound. She sighed with relief. "It isn't that bad. Doesn't even need stiches, but wounds like this bleed a lot. I'll finish the bandages and she should be fine."

"Good," Natsuki said. "Do you… need any help?"

Mai shook her head. "I think I've got it."

Natsuki tried to hide her relief. Holding up an unconscious girl, half naked by the way, while her friend wrapped fresh bandages around her was not her idea of fun. But she would stay to make sure Ashlin was alright. She was, after all, not heartless, and she wouldn't leave Mai here alone.

Mai looked for fresh bandages as Natsuki watched over Ashlin, keeping an eye on her breathing. Mai returned from the first aid box, locating it in the bathroom, and returned to find Ashlin beginning to stir.

She hurried over as Ashlin's eyes opened and helped her sit up. "Easy," she said. "Take it slow."

"What happened?" Ashlin asked, her voice soft and weak.

"You passed out," Natsuki offered. "After we found you wounded." She had no more time for nonsense. "What happened to you? We aren't leaving until you tell us why your hurt."

Mai turned to Ashlin, her own sympathy drained. "What she said."

Energy returned to Ashlin through anger. "You need to leave," she said, pushing Mai's helping hands away as she stood. She stumbled into Natsuki's arms, still weak.

"No, you don't," Natsuki growled. "Sit back down and tell us what happened."

Ashlin's answer was simple. "Out. Get out."

Mai stood. "We can't do that."

Ashlin snorted out a laugh. "Oh yeah? Get…" She sighed heavily, changing her mind, and for a moment her face softened. "Please, you don't want to get involved with it, trust me. I'll be fine, its just a cut, so you don't need to waste your worry on me." She turned stern again. "Now leave. Leave me to myself."

Mai opened her mouth to protest again, but Natsuki shook her head, fed up. "Fine, we'll go, but don't expect help next time. Come on, Mai, Makoto."

The other two girls had no choice but to follow Natsuki from the room. Mai turned back to make sure Ashlin was okay. She was sitting with her head in her hands. Makoto went to walk back in, but Mai stopped her. "Come on," she said quietly, and they left Ashlin alone for the night.

Later that night, all three girls could hear Ashlin sobbing through the wall. Natsuki had decided to stay the night in their dorm, and when Mai started to stand, aiming to check on Ashlin, Natsuki reached out and grasped her am lightly.

She shook her head. "It'll pass," she said.

Sure enough, an hour later, the sobbing stopped and the three girls could finally fall asleep.