Now what of Ellen and her new father? For these past three years she had been leading an honest life with her father. The father she never had. And it seemed that the more time she spent with her far more appealing, new father that her feelings of inferiority had vanished. No longer was she a liability to others because of her disease, no longer was she shunned or hated for just being sick. She was loved. Loved by the father she had always wished for.

And so as the days became months, and months became years she began to develop something new. Sympathy. It had hit her full force. As if a train had slammed right into her heart. It was strange. It hurt her, but it strengthened her. New knowledge. Knowledge that the world did not just revolve around her and her own selfish goals but others as well.

There were times were she would walk by the occasional homeless fellow and toss him or her a coin. And instead of loathing herself for her weakness she felt invigorated, like somebody had just given her the greatest thing in the world.

So it may seem that Ellen had turned it all around. She had become a sympathetic, charismatic, sixteen year old girl. And of course being sixteen she wanted a job. So being the academically inclined student she was, Ellen started tutoring a thirteen year old girl. By the name of Alesia. Alesia came every Tuesday and Thursday for one hour to study 8th grade mathematics with Ellen.

Now it wasn't necessarily a pleasure tutoring this young maiden, but it wasn't a total bore either. Alesia was always full of surprises. Every time she came Alesia always had something new to say, a new boy that she liked at her coed academy, or something stupid she had done with her friends, etc.

So it was on a certain Tuesday that Alesia had come to Ellen's house for her usual tutoring session. Ellen had been waiting on her small straw bed until she heard Alesia's usual sing song rhythm knock. When Ellen had opened the door for her student she was surprised by her usual formal attire. Alesia was wearing a short red dress that went down to her knees, much like the one Ellen herself used to wear.

She could feel the guilt build up inside her, brick by brick, piece by piece, until it became a lump in her throat.

"Hey Viola!" Alesia said with a smile.

Ellen swallowed, "Hey Alesia, come in, come in." She said, as her guest entered her home. Ellen's home was that of modesty, there wasn't much furniture except for a dining table in the center of the room, where she and her new father would eat. "Take a seat Alesia." Ellen said, with a wave to the table.

Alesia nodded and skipped happily to the table. When Ellen too took her seat, Alesia brought out a few papers from school, "Welp today's work, quadratic equations." Alesia said with a frown.

Ellen smiled and quickly brought out two pens, "Nothing we can't overcome." She said to her student.

Alesia shrugged, "Yeah. I guess."

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." Ellen said with a pat on Alesia's back, "Alright write down the first equation." Ellen said.

"Okay." Alesia said, as she wrote down the first equation as instructed. And so for an hour Ellen taught her student everything about quadratic equations. Until their time together expired. When that happened Alesia got up from her wooden chair, dusted herself off her dress and shook Ellen's hand, "Thanks Viola, I was so sure I was done for." Alesia said with a sigh of relief.

"Don't worry about it, it's my pleasure." Ellen said.

But just as Alesia opened the door she closed it behind her. "Viola? If I tell you something crazy, would you believe me?"

Ellen's expression turned serious, "What's bothering you Alesia?" Ellen asked.

"I…I, uh. You know the forest just outside of town?" Alesia asked.

"Of course." That was my home once. Ellen thought with a frown.

"I went there. Even though mom and dad said never to go out there." Alesia said nervously. Ellen shuddered, she could feel her spine tingling, just from the thought of the forest. "I was just curious. I thought…maybe I could find that monster your dad shot before." Alesia stuttered.

"Yeah. 'Monster.'"

Alesia smiled suddenly, "But I didn't find a monster. I found a friend."

Ellen forced a smile, this couldn't be happening, "Oh what is she like?" Ellen asked.

Alesia gave Ellen a look of confusion, "How do you know she is a she?" Alesia asked.

Ellen went stiff, "Because I found a friend there too." Ellen said.

Alesia grinned wildly, "Wow! What a coincidence! But anyways she was really cool! She had this weird garden with talking flowers, this cool fireplace that can change any color you want, and this really cute black cat!" Alesia said, pantomiming a cat in her arms.

Ellen went cold, but at the same time felt relieved. If this wasn't Viola she wouldn't have to worry about being killed. But. If it is her, her guilt would surely leave her, but Viola would certainly be out for her body. Maybe not even that, it could just be plain, cold hearted revenge. "What's her name?" Ellen blurted out, she could feel sweat dripping down her skin, like waterfalls cascading down her body.

"Ellen." Alesia said with an innocent grin.