Hey all! First I want to thank everyone who has favorited, followed, and reviewed this! I am so glad you enjoy it so far!
To anyone who is curious: I have never been abused and am extremely grateful to have supportive parents. I am actually a counselor (a psychology one, not a camp one) and unfortunately, I have heard and seen a lot of abuse in my field. Because of that, it really has had a huge negative impact on me, so this is how I release a lot of how I'm feeling or what I'm seeing and hearing; I write. Abuse happens and it's not something to take lightly so please if you or someone you know is being abused talk to someone, call 911, or call this number that a reviewer put up (thank you blossoms22) 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
Thanks again everyone!
Warning: Some severe child abuse in this chapter.
"You gonna go to the game tonight, Rapunzel?"
Rapunzel looked up from her spot at the lunch table, feeling dizzy and tired, at who had asked her; Fishlegs had.
She was glad to finally eat something but was starting to miss the library. However, she really didn't want to run into Sandy again and accidentally break down. She couldn't.
"Rapunzel?" Fishlegs asked again.
She shook her head quickly and went back to picking bits and pieces off of her sandwich, hoping that by eating slowly it would keep her fuller longer. She savored it for the moment, considering she knew she wouldn't be able to eat for a while.
"You should come." He said, looking hopeful, "I'm playing in the marching band."
She smiled at him kindly and sighed, "I'd love to come and watch you, but…I can't."
He nodded, knowing just as well as anyone else that the reason was always the same; her mother wouldn't allow it.
"Aw, come on, live a little!" Astrid encouraged her, elbowing her gently, "A lot of us are going. And afterwards we're gonna go to McDonald's."
It was her third day here and since it was Friday game night, everyone was excited to hang out. It would seem wrong not to include their newest friend.
"I can't. I don't have money anyways…but thanks." She smiled sadly, still eating her sandwich.
"Well…I could pay for you if you want." Fishlegs tried.
She smiled at him again. He always offered to buy her food, but she declined every time, "Thank you Fishlegs, but…"
"Oh come on!" Merida interrupted, "I'm sure your mom would be fine since it's a school thing." Merida said, hoping to get her to come.
Rapunzel shook her head fervently. If anything, she knew that if it involved Rapunzel out of the house after school, it was simply not allowed.
"You could tell her it's required for gym or something." Snotlout tried.
"You mean…lie to her?" she gasped.
"It's not lying it's…stretching the truth a little." He tried again, smiling mischievously.
"And hey, maybe you could actually write a paper for show." Tuff joked, "Send it to the journalism club or something!" he laughed.
"Wouldn't the teacher rather get it?" Ruff asked him.
"Alvin the Treacherous? Papers? Yeah right!" Hiccup snorted, "I don't even think he can read!"
Everyone laughed at that but Rapunzel was still in a dilemma.
"Aw come on!" they were whining. She looked around and noticed Jack watching her from his spot next to Hiccup across from her. She wondered if he was going.
"Look, Snotlout is on the team and Heather is cheering. So it would be great to support them." Astrid encouraged, "And like I said, any of us who goes we're gonna go to McDonald's. We'll get you home in good time, I promise."
Rapunzel bit her lip nervously. She would be lying if she said she really didn't want to go. She rubbed the back of her head and took a breath, "So…this mandatory assignment…" she smiled.
They were all cheering and even Jack raised his eyebrows, impressed that she was actually going to consider going, even lying to her mother in the process.
She'd come in looking a little better, but she walked funny. Her clothes were still as ugly as sin, but cute in their own way.
…..
Rapunzel sat stiffly during group once school was over. She'd gotten through the day and now came the hard part. But this time, she had a plan of attack. She would simply speak first and hope that no one bothered her for the rest of group.
As group started, they were shocked when she opened her mouth to speak, "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for running out yesterday." She said quickly, her head down, "I didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings, I just…I'm not used to this sort of…thing."
A couple of the guys laughed and it was Nod who spoke up, "You wouldn't be the first to run out of group when someone brings up something personal."
She looked up at him and he shrugged, "My uncle caught me with drugs a while back and when it got brought up, I bolted."
"I ran out last month almost every day if somebody even said the word 'mom'." MK admitted sadly.
"I used to skip." Merida shrugged.
"I got into a fight with Guy." Jack chuckled and Guy actually smiled at Jack. Guy and Flynn were best friends and when Jack had destroyed Flynn's car, Guy was the first one to call him out in Flynn's defense.
They were fine now, but it went to show how very close Guy and Flynn were, just as Hiccup and Jack were.
"I think what we're all trying to say, Rapunzel," Ana said, "Is that you shouldn't be ashamed for what you did, we've all been through a lot in here."
Rapunzel nodded and sat back, relieved that maybe she was finally done talking, until…
"So…why did you run out?" Mavis asked her.
Rapunzel was stumped a little. She hadn't planned on explaining anything. She looked to Ana who merely cocked her head curiously to see if she'd answer.
"Umm…" Rapunzel muttered, fiddling with her gray cardigan sweater, "I…I…" she shrugged, hoping to find some stupid excuse, "I just got scared is all." She mumbled quietly.
"Why? Did someone say something to offend you?" Jack asked her, sitting next to her as usual.
"No!" she said loudly and defensively, "No! It's not that! It's…" she stared at the floor and hoped something would come to her brain, "I just don't…like talking about…my mother is all…I feel bad about it." She said, hoping that would be enough.
"That's what therapy is for, to complain about somebody and not get into trouble." Guy laughed.
"No, you don't understand…I love my mother…more than anything." Rapunzel said firmly, "She would never, ever hurt me or betray me and…to talk about her just feels…wrong."
"I know what you mean." MK said, wiping her eyes, "My mom was amazing and I felt bad that I wasn't talking about her at all, but then when I did all I could think of were all the terrible things I did as a daughter. Now I'm slowly thinking of all the great stuff we did together." She smiled sadly, "I'm realizing it brings me closer to her."
"Do you do stuff with your mother?" Merida asked Rapunzel, "I know that I may sound like I can't stand mine but I really do love her."
"I…clean and…read with her I guess…" Rapunzel shrugged.
"Do you talk about school or boys?" Merida chuckled.
Rapunzel shook her head sadly, "No."
"Maybe you should!" Mavis said, "I bet you two would get real close to talk about stuff you like and all that."
"Oh, I have but…she didn't really care for it is all." Rapunzel chuckled a little, but no one else made a sound at that, so she recovered, "But…I mean…I could, maybe try…"
Ana smiled at her, "I think that's a great idea Rapunzel."
Rapunzel breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be done talking as others in the group spoke up.
By the end of it, they were buzzing about the game tonight and Rapunzel was pleased to say she was going.
Merida quickly turned to her, "Do you have a cell?"
"No…" Rapunzel mumbled.
"It's okay, do you want me to pick you up or something?" she asked.
"No, I can walk, it's not far." Rapunzel said.
"Okay, we're meeting at 6pm in front of the school, we'll see you then, okay?"
"Okay." Rapunzel smiled as she got up. She had a plan. She was finally going out with friends; something she never did. She wished she could tell her mother about how excited she was, but she knew her mother would adamantly oppose it, possibly beating her to keep her home. She gulped, hoping the plan Snotlout gave her would work.
She rushed out and practically ran home to get changed. If she was going out she wanted to look good for once and not like some stupid thrift store.
She was so excited she ran inside and up the stairs immediately. It wasn't until she heard her mother yelling her name did she flinch.
She turned and saw her mother advancing on her from the doorway.
"I'm sorry!" she yelled as she felt a smack against her face.
"What could be so important you didn't even greet your own mother?!" Gothel screeched, smacking her again.
"I'm…I'm sorry…" Rapunzel cried, staring at her mother in horror. She only backed away and huffed; "Now I'm the bad guy? Really now."
"The…the reason I…"
"Mumbling…" her mother growled, advancing again.
"The reason I came up here…" she continued a little more loudly, "I have to go back to school in a few hours…"
"Why? Did you get a detention?!" her mother roared, raising her hand again.
"NO! It's for an assignment!" Rapunzel flinched, blocking her face, "I swear, it's an assignment!"
"What assignment? What could it possibly be that takes you out on a Friday night?"
"It's for gym class…" Rapunzel said quickly, "I have to go to the football game and write a paper about it. Everyone in class has to."
"Sounds strange…" her mother said, narrowing her eyes, "Can you skip it?"
"No! It's mandatory, Mother." She said, turning red, "I…I have to go."
"How long?"
"It's just from six until about nine I think." Rapunzel said, "And maybe a little later because I also have to interview one of the players."
"You know next to nothing about sports." Her mother laughed.
"That's what the paper is for." She said quietly.
Gothel stared her down and finally sighed, "Fine, but you're to come home straight after, do you hear me?"
"Yes Mother. I promise." Rapunzel said.
Her mother left, looking angry and Rapunzel was relieved to get changed into something a little warmer for tonight. She chose her black knitted wool leggings and threw on her black skirt and maroon turtleneck. She was at least wearing the school colors and still looked presentable while keeping warm. She looked at herself in the mirror and brushed her hair behind her ears. She wondered if putting it up was an option. She gathered it near the top of her head and used a red ribbon to tie it back, exposing her face a little more. She suddenly found she liked the look on her. Despite some small bruises, she liked how young she looked. She grabbed some black loafers and then sat on her bed, realizing she still had a lot of time before the game. She hoped to avoid her mother like the plague until then.
…
Rapunzel knew it would be cold but didn't anticipate how cold it would be. She hugged her arms and her teeth chattered as the wind bit into her skin. She hadn't wanted to bring a coat, since all of hers were absolutely horrible looking and because her mother suspected her to be writing a paper she'd brought her backpack with her, looking like an idiot, but it beat staying at home with her mother doing absolutely nothing but avoid her.
She could handle the cold no problem!
She got to the entrance and stood there freezing as she waited. She looked around and didn't see anyone and she actually started to panic a little. Was this where they said they'd meet? Did they trick her? Were they not showing?
"You actually did it!" Someone suddenly said, coming up behind her. She turned and saw Jack walking towards her. He had on a very nice-looking black coat and he seemed to be wearing a black hoodie underneath. His beanie was set firmly on his head and he was of course, playing with his yo-yo.
She nodded and he smiled at her, "You look pretty cold? Do you even own pants?"
"N-no." she said, her teeth chattering a little, "N-not al-lowed."
He nodded and then took off his coat and handed it to her.
She shook her head, "N-no th-thanks, I'm f-f-fine."
He raised his eyebrows at her and came up, putting in on behind her, "If you don't wear it, I'm sending you home." He chuckled.
She wrapped the really soft and warm coat around her nervously. It did feel very nice; not to mention it smelled like Jack…whoa! Wait! Hold on a second! Was she really sniffing his coat and thinking about how he smelled?! For God's sake he was so different from her! If anything, she was a nobody and he was…well…Jack Frost! Technically Overland, but by now she knew why everyone called him Frost. Because he was cool…and she was not.
"Won't you get cold?" she asked him as she put her arms through the holes and buttoned it up.
He shook his head, "I have layers on. Playing lacrosse, I have to be dressed for any kind of weather. Besides…the cold never really bothers me anyways." He mumbled, looking up at the sky.
It was slowly turning into dusk and the leaves on the trees, if not being billowed by the wind, were casting a fiery glow everywhere.
She felt awkward standing next to Jack really. Not that he made her uncomfortable anymore, but it just reiterated the fact that she had never had experience being social.
"Did your brother come?" she asked him.
He shook his head, "He dropped me off, he has music lessons on Friday's."
"Oh. Does he sing?"
"Among other things. He just really likes music." Jack shrugged, getting out his yo-yo again.
"Why do you play with that?" she asked him, suddenly.
He smiled at her and shrugged, "Better than sticking a cigarette in my mouth."
"Did you smoke?" she asked.
He shook his head, "Nope."
She didn't know if he'd explain further what the yo-yo really meant and decided to let it go.
He suddenly took his phone out of his pocket and looked at a text, "They're getting us seats, we can head over there now." He smiled.
"I thought they were meeting me here…" she asked him.
He shrugged, "They were probably already here and figured I'd find you."
"Oh…" she mumbled. He didn't need to tell her that they figured she'd flake out on them and not show. Honestly, she would have thought the same thing.
"Let's go." He encouraged, walking towards the stadium behind the school. She followed him and kept silent the whole way, feeling awkward again at the silence. She was relieved to see the stadium come up and both walked through the gates.
To be honest, she'd never witnessed a game in her life. She'd run on tracks before for gym classes, but she'd never seen a stadium packed with people and players, all bustling around excitedly and cheering loudly. It was really quite exciting.
"They're up there." Jack said as he led her towards the bleachers.
Astrid and Merida were sitting with Ruff and Hiccup.
"Hi Rapunzel!" Hiccup smiled as she found a seat next to him.
"Hi." She replied, returning the smile.
"Glad you could make it!" he said, nodding and she couldn't help but feel the same sentiment.
"Where's Tuff?" Astrid asked Ruff who was laughing at a text from someone.
"Getting food. Where else?" she shrugged.
"There's Fishlegs!" Merida laughed, "I swear he was born to play a tuba!"
Rapunzel noticed Fishlegs in the tuba section, looking adorable in his band uniform.
She could also see Heather and the other cheerleaders stretching near the band and talking.
"So…what happens in football?" she asked Hiccup.
Jack, who was sitting next to her, couldn't hide his laughter.
Hiccup glared at him as Rapunzel turned red and he did his very best to explain how the game worked to her. She nodded and tried following along but honestly had no clue what he was saying.
Jack couldn't help but guffaw at the whole thing, causing both parties to turn red.
"It's starting!" Merida said.
Rapunzel could hear an announcer over the intercoms, speaking excitedly. People began cheering and the band started playing.
"Here comes Snotlout!" Astrid cheered.
They stood and cheered. Rapunzel stood with them, but could only clap. She was still feeling nervous and didn't want to really raise her voice.
They continued standing through some introductions of senior players, opposing players, and the national anthem. But once the game actually started, Rapunzel felt relieved to sit down.
Hiccup continued to try and explain things to her while Astrid, Merida, and Ruff argued about dumb moves in the game.
Jack stayed silent as he watched. Eventually Tuff found them sat next to him. They both commented on the game but seemed pretty unimpressed.
Rapunzel could honestly say she'd never understand football by halftime.
The cheerleaders did a cute routine and the marching band put on a show to which she really enjoyed, wishing it could go on. Unfortunately, she found out the hard way that the game was going to continue and she sighed, her head in her hands. Even if she had to write a paper, she wouldn't know what on earth to write about. She had no clue why everyone was going so crazy as people tackled one another and threw a ball all over the place. But at the same time, she realized that it wasn't so much the game as it was watching your friends play and cheering on your team. She found watching her friends cheer for Snotlout was more engaging than trying to understand what was going on.
After a while, she felt loose enough to actually cheer with her friends. She had no clue she even had that loud of a voice.
She laughed as fans cheered very random things and the band played a tune off and on.
"Dagur's being a showboat again." Astrid moaned.
"Yeah, he's really on a roll tonight." Merida agreed.
Rapunzel looked down and noticed Dagur from gym acting like a fool as he did victory cheers to himself and made fun of people on the other team. His tackles were ruthless as well. Hard to believe he asked her out on her first day here…hard to believe that was three days ago.
"Ugh, he makes me so mad." Merida groaned only to start cheering like a maniac as Snotlout snatched the ball from the other team and made a run for it.
"GO! GO! GO!" people were cheering loudly and Rapunzel actually stood up, her fists clenched in front of her chest in prayer as she watched with wide eyes.
"I hope he makes it!" she cried.
He made a touchdown and with that ended the game. People practically screamed in happiness and no one seemed to have a frown on their face save for the opposing team and Dagur.
"He did it!" Astrid cheered.
Rapunzel was clapping excitedly and felt how red her face was and how much energy she was feeling coursing through her body; it really was a rush.
"Okay, I texted them and we're gonna meet at McDonald's." Hiccup said quickly, "Let's scram."
They all agreed and Rapunzel walked down with them carefully, trying not to get lost in the crowd. She was feeling slightly claustrophobic but was glad that her friends were nearby, all talking excitedly about the game.
"Ruff and Tuff are driving Fishlegs. Snot and Heather will show up later. So you guys are with me." Astrid said as she led them into the parking lot.
"We're not walking?" Rapunzel asked suddenly and the group merely stared at her.
"Unless you wanna walk in this weather all the way to town…" Astrid chuckled, "You might as well catch a lift."
"Oh…" Rapunzel mumbled, feeling embarrassed.
"Relax, I have my license and I'm very safe." Astrid promised, smiling at Rapunzel.
"Shotgun!" Merida yelled as she ran to a blue car.
"Okay climb in." Astrid said as she opened the car.
Hiccup got in on one side.
Rapunzel waited for Jack to get in but he merely motioned for her to go first.
"Oh no, you first." She said.
"No, no, you go ahead." He smiled.
"Sweet baby Thor in a thunderstorm, one of you just GET IN!" Astrid yelled.
Rapunzel yelped and climbed in quickly and Jack followed her inside.
To be honest she'd never ridden in a car filled with people before, and she was packed in between two boys, something her mother would disapprove of terribly.
Astrid turned on the car and Merida found her music quickly popping in some very loud music that kind of hurt Rapunzel's ears.
Everyone started bobbing their heads to the beat and singing…or really rapping along to it.
"You know this song?" Jack laughed as he bobbed his head.
Hiccup was laughing as he rapped along with the song.
Rapunzel could hear cursing in the song and was feeling uncomfortable as she shook her head, looking disapproving.
"It's called Thrift Shop by Macklemore!" Astrid cheered, "Best artist ever!"
Rapunzel listened and honestly felt slightly offended by the song until she realized the artist was encouraging people to shop at thrift stores and look cool. It actually felt more like a compliment.
She finally bobbed her head and smiled to the beat, sad that it was over so fast only for some female singer to come on singing about a breakup.
She was relieved they were at McDonald's until she realized she had no money with her. But it was too late now and she decided to follow them in. She didn't need fast food anyways.
She was looking around the nearly empty place when Merida turned to her, "Do you know what you're getting?" she asked.
Rapunzel turned red from embarrassment and shook her head, "I'm good. I didn't bring money so…"
"I know, we're gonna chip in and pay for you." She smiled.
"No, you don't have to-"
"Better order before I order for you." Jack told her from behind.
She looked around and saw Hiccup collecting some cash, "Do we all know yet what we're getting?"
"Seriously, you don't have to order anything for me." She pleaded, feeling like such a pathetic piece of trash.
"Okay, get her a double-no triple cheeseburger…" Jack began, "And-"
"STOP!" she cried, then mumbled, "Okay, just…chicken is better." she shrugged.
"What kind of sauce?" Hiccup asked her.
"None is fine." She said sadly.
He and Jack walked up while the girls stood by and waited.
She could see Hiccup and Jack whispering to one another and had a feeling it was about her so she turned away and looked out the windows; relieved when Heather and Snot arrived with the others.
Heather squealed excitedly and came over to hug Rapunzel, "I'm so glad you came!" she exclaimed happily.
"You did really well." Rapunzel smiled, glad Heather was here. She was honestly very frightened that Heather knew about her scars, but so far she hadn't said a word to anyone and Rapunzel was extremely relieved for that. But even still, Heather was just so kind to her and Rapunzel was glad she was her friend.
Heather beamed and then everyone congratulated Snotlout on his victory to which he boasted for a while before Hiccup came over and told him his head just grew five sizes.
Fishlegs had changed and finally came over to Rapunzel as well, looking slightly nervous, "Did you like the game, Rapunzel?" he asked her.
She nodded, "It was pretty exciting. The marching band was really good!"
He puffed up proudly and was interrupted when Tuff was bugging him about ordering.
They all found seats and began talking animatedly with one another. Rapunzel honestly felt like she was in the middle of a beehive, but at the same time, she actually enjoyed it. She was never a part of something like this and to be included felt like a whole new world for her.
She was given a huge thing of chicken nuggets and fries and she gawked at it.
Jack merely stole a fry from her and shrugged, "You didn't say how many."
She rolled her eyes and Jack grinned at her, stealing another fry to which she took back and stuffed in her mouth. He chuckled and sat across from her as she was surrounded by her friends. It was a nice feeling, being warm, being included, and being fed. She didn't think they understood how much it meant to her that they would include her like this. She would have thanked them but she knew that meant having to explain why she was truly grateful. It was the best night of her life and she hoped it wouldn't end.
…
It ended unfortunately and Astrid drove her home. She didn't want anyone to know where she lived and she didn't want her mother to see her in a car with anybody. She panicked the whole time as Hiccup and Merida were dropped off.
"You can get me last; you're like down the street from me." Jack said.
Astrid nodded, "Where do you live Rapunzel?"
She swallowed and decided to give a false street nearby so she could walk back home, "Uh…Henderson Road." She said quickly.
Astrid widened her eyes a little and nodded.
As they drove she knew how much they were judging her. Henderson was next to her actual street and it had a reputation of being very slummy.
She kept her head down in embarrassment and Astrid finally asked her where her house was.
"Uh…it's…right up there." She said pointing to a random house that looked empty.
"Your mom home? I hope you have a key." Astrid said.
"Oh, yes, I'm good." She smiled and pulled out her bookbag. She turned to Jack and gave him back his jacket, "Thanks for letting me borrow this." She smiled.
He nodded, "No problem."
She got out and waved, "I got it from here. Thanks!" she smiled.
Astrid rolled down her window as Rapunzel closed the door, "I like to make sure you get in the house okay."
"Oh, no, it's fine." She laughed, "You can go, really."
"You sure?"
"Yes!" Rapunzel said fiercely, hoping she really would leave.
"Okay, see you Monday."
"Bye." Rapunzel waved and watched as they drove off and turned the corner. She shouldered her bag and shivered, wishing she still had Jack's coat, and began her hike back to her house. She felt awful for lying like that but she knew there was no way anyone could know her situation, nor could she let her mother see her friends for fear she'd enroll Rapunzel in another school.
She quickened her pace and was relieved to make it home and into the warmth.
She was surprised at how dark it was in the house so she turned on the light and jumped a foot in the air to see her mother sitting on a chair in the living room, watching her.
"Mother." Rapunzel gasped nervously.
Her mother merely glared at her and she knew something was wrong. She put her bookbag down and gulped.
"The game was over nearly an hour ago, Rapunzel." Her mother seethed.
"I…I know I was…"
Her mother stood quickly, "I know because I drove over to your school to find you. No one was there. I figured you'd come home but apparently not."
"I was-"
Her mother slapped her so hard she hit the wall, "No more lies!"
"I'm-I'm sorry! I was-"
She felt her mother's foot kick her hard in the chest and the breath was practically knocked from her. This was bad.
"Where were you? And don't you dare lie because if you do, I've a mind to make sure you're in your punishment room longer!"
"No! Wait! Please not the room, please Mother!" she begged, grabbing her mother's ankle and sobbing, "I'll tell you. Please…I'll tell you."
Her mother towered over her, glaring, "I'm waiting."
Rapunzel bit her lip, "I went for a walk to get something to eat." She muttered, "I had some extra cash so I went to get some food."
Her mother's gaze intensified and she bent down, "You what?"
"I just wanted to get some food." She cried.
"You filthy little pig." Her mother hissed, "Get up!"
She grabbed Rapunzel's arm tightly and yanked her up and drug her to the basement.
"NO!" Rapunzel screamed, trying to fight her way out of going into the room.
"The punishment room is for little liars who indulge in things they shouldn't." her mother explained as she grabbed Rapunzel's other arm and threw her towards the door.
"Please!" Rapunzel cried, but was shoved down the stairs. She hit the concrete floor at the bottom and knew that at this point, fighting was pointless.
She looked up past her hair at her mother coming down the stairs, "You can choose Rapunzel. Do your penance in the room and take twenty lashes, or you can take fifty lashes now."
Rapunzel sobbed and tried crawling away from her mother who was already going to the wall where the ill-fated belt hung by a nail.
As much as she hated the punishment room, she knew she just couldn't handle fifty lashes.
"I'll go…" she whispered.
Her mother put the belt back on the wall and nodded, "You'll get the belt once you've thought about your wrongdoings in the room. Now go."
She pointed to a door near the corner. Inside was a pitch dark room that was as cold as ice and too tiny for Rapunzel to lie down or even stand in. Her mother knew how much the dark and cold terrified her, being isolated from the world, not sure how much time had gone by.
She got to her feet, shaking from head to toe and walked to the closet. Her mother got out a key and unlocked the door to the tiny room and pushed her inside, slamming the door and locking it behind her.
"Remember this while you're in there…mother knows best. The world is cruel and dangerous. This is for your own good, dear." Her mother said through the door one last time.
Rapunzel heard her leave and knew then and there, that she was truly alone, crouched in this tiny space for God knows how long. In these situations, she'd learned to close her eyes and just pray, pray for somebody, anybody to listen to her and get her through.
But tonight, all she could think about was how happy she'd been with her new friends and decided to pass the time by picturing them and thinking about their personalities and what she liked about them.
Despite her situation, she found herself smiling as she fell into a deep sleep.
