Disclaimer: Daria and the characters within the show do not belong to me, but belong to MTV and Glenn Eichler.

Sighing, Jane looked down on herself, her feet temporarily glued to the spot, her hair blanketing her eyes to hide her weakened state from her company. Jodie had never seen Jane like this: sensitive, sad, suffering, surrendered. It, in all honesty, scared Jodie. Awkwardly, she stood and watched Jane shake with emotion, not knowing what to do except get her to Ms Li.

"Come, Jane. I'll walk you to the Principle's office," Jodie offered an arm, but Jane's head shook softly, refusing the kind gesture. She liked Jodie, but she didn't want to be comforted or confide in her. She wasn't a fragile glass doll that was easily broken. She didn't need or want sympathy. "I know I don't know what's going on, but I am here to talk if you need to. Just remember that." Jane nodded gratefully, and dragged her feet to Ms Li's office. Knocking hesitantly, she wasn't sure that her Principle could possibly have heard, but her doubts vanished when Ms Li's shrilling voice called for her to enter.

"How many times do I have to tell you - sir. SIR. No…sir, you listen to me. I refuse to risk the reputation of the school for the sake of your story. Oh, er, or risk a student's private well-being. Good day." Ms Li slammed the phone down and rubbed her temples with heavy frustration. "Damn press…oh! Miss Lane, I'm terrible sorry. Do sit down." Jane plonked herself onto a chair and waited, tapping her fingers impatiently as her Principle shuffled some papers. "Miss Lane, the hospital called the school and requested that you'd be summoned there to-"

"Is it Daria? Is she okay? Has something happened? Why do-"

"Miss Lane, please. I understand thoroughly that you are severely upset about what had happened to you and your friend, but you must listen. Miss Morgendorffer's health is stable for now, but her mind is far from easy. According to the Doctors, Miss Morgendorffer has been suffering terribly. She refuses to let anyone touch her, and has even pulled a mop to the Doctors while threatening them. No matter if she is awake or asleep, she has severe panic attacks and will scream the heavens down - disturbing the other patients. She has screamed for your presence. The Doctors believe that you are the only solution and are desperate for your attendance." Ms Li stood up from her chair and strut to the window. After a long silence, she continued, " Miss Lane, if you would like to travel there now, I will turn a blind eye to your absence." Ms Li didn't have to turn around to the sound of the chair falling to know that her student had just sprinted out of her office. Ms Li sighed heavily and collapsed onto her chair.

'My best student is damaged. The school reputation is damaged. My morals on student attendance is damaged.' Ms Li thought to herself as she picked up the phone to inform the Doctors of Jane's arrival.

The ride to the hospital was slow. Despite Trent's tendency to fly over the speed limit in his rickety van that was used to allow Mystik Spiral to travel, the journey dragged. Trent couldn't help but worry about his sister. He glanced over to her limp body as she rested her head on her elbow. Though her face was blank, her sea-blue eyes heaved the heavy emotion that was bottled within. He reached for her shoulder, resulting in a jumpy Jane and a punch to the face. Trent merely raised his eyebrow and rubbed his cheek.

"Trent…I…"

"It's okay, Janey," Trent flashed his sister an apologetic smile, "it's been tough on you. I should have remembered your reflexes. Ow. "Jane couldn't help but let out a well-needed chuckle, snorting in the process. However, the short-lived pleasant atmosphere died as Trent reached the destination. Jane froze, her eyes fixed on her lap.

"Jane…help me…" A surrendering Daria lay on the ground as her perpetrator lay on top of her as the other lunged for Jane…

Trent scrutinized his sister. Her fists were clenched so tightly that her knuckles were chalk white, and her body quivered. The dark, heavy bags that hung below her eyes indicating her lack of sleep and nightmare-filled nights induced by the incident. He couldn't help but notice the smeared make-up that told him that his sister had cried.

"Pretty girl. Stupid girl, but pretty." He snatched her glasses and was about to smash them against the wall when he changed his mind, "no…I want you to have the ability to experience this…" He grinned sickeningly. Jane felt ill as she realised what was going to come next…

"Janey?" Trent said, concern littered in his voice.

"Trent…I don't know if I can do this…it's all my fault…" Jane felt tears well up her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"Janey, don't do this to yourself. It wasn't your fault. You were both just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn't, isn't and never will be your fault. Or Daria's." Trent hugged his sister lovingly. "You can do this. Daria needs you now more than ever. Go to her." Jane cracked the door open and got out of the wreck of a van. "If you need me, I'll be here. I'll probably-"

"-Be asleep," Jane chimed in, knowing Trent all too well. "I know. See you, Trent." Jane flashed her brother a smile as she hobbled towards the hospital.

Lawndale Mental Hospital. A steel-gray building with chrome writing that glared down at Jane as she inspected this strange building. She didn't know if it was the fact that it was a Mental Hospital that gave her chills, or if it was the sudden haunting wind. Time passed for what felt like hours before her feet would allow her to make her way into the building, looking back at Trent's van as she plucked up the courage to go to her best friend.