Chapter 10

Soul sat in the waiting room, waiting for the verdict. He was beyond tired, but he refused to let himself drift off. Finally the doctor came out, his clothes bloody. Soul jumped to his feet, suddenly wide awake.

"How is she?"

"She's sleeping at the moment."

Soul sighs and shoves his hands into his pockets.

"Do you know where all the blood came from?"

His voice is almost tentive. A rare occurrence for Soul. Almost nonexistent. The doctor gives him a strange look, like he couldn't believe Soul was asking that question.

"She has deep lacerations on both her wrists. She was lucky she didn't die from blood loss."

It took a few moments for the words to sink in. When they did, Soul felt like he'd been hit in the face with a steel beam. The doctor was implying Maka had hurt herself. At first Soul wanted to believe that those perverted bastards had done it do her. But by the way Maka had been acting ever since her mother's funeral, Soul knew she was the one who had done it. Those bastards had just finally pushed her over the edge.

"When can I see her?"

"She'll be released tomorrow. You'll have to wait until then."

Soul nods and the doctor goes back through the doors he came through. Soul leaves the hospital, his thoughts churning. He never took Maka for someone that would do this. He was still shocked that she had to be honest. He felt guilty that he hadn't been there sooner. Maybe he would've been able to stop her before she had done it.

Soul wasn't paying attention to where he was going as he walked, so when Black*Star approached him, they ran right into each other.

"Dude, watch where you're walking! I know it's hard to resist a star like me, but show a little restraint Soul."

Black*Star laughs, causing Soul to groan. He didn't need Black*Star's bullshit right now. Black*Star looks at him, his laughter fading away.

"You look like kinda pissed Soul. What's up?"

"It's none of your business Black*Star."

"Oh c'mon Soul. Spill. I am your best friend after all. I'm sure your little problem can be easily solved by a big star such as myself."

Black*Star gives him a cocky grin, Soul rolling his eyes. Black*Star seriously annoyed him sometimes.

"Like I said before, it's none of your business. And I don't need your help."

"Trying to be macho won't work with me Soul. C'mon, tell Black*Star what's wrong."

Soul just ignores his friend, walking away. There's no way in hell he was gunna spill his guts to Black*Star. He continues to walk as Black*Star continues to pester, only telling Black*Star that he needs to back off several times. Finally Black*Star wanders off, getting distracted by a couple of cute girls passing by. Soul would've been with him not so long ago, but now he was too distracted and weighed down by thoughts of Maka.

•••••••

It was Monday morning. Maka walked through the school halls, eyes on the floor. Despite that she had worn long sleeves, Maka was afraid that people would see the bandages. As she thought about them, shame coursed through her. Never in a million years would she had thought that she'd sink so low. In fact if someone had suggested it, she would've laughed. Now things were different.

The day passed by in a blur for Maka. People pretty much ignored her like they always did, which Maka was glad for. At the end of the day, Maka was still at her locker after everyone had pretty much left. Not that she minded being alone. She closed her locker, being assaulted with the appearance of two girls when she turned. She didn't know the two, but she knew they were upperclassmen and popular on top of that. The way they stood and dressed screamed as much. Maka hefted her bag up onto her shoulder, wary of the two. Whatever they wanted couldn't be good.

"Can I help you?"

The blonde girl sneered as the one with raven black hair studied Maka. Apparently she didn't think much of what she seen, as she tossed her hair back, scoffing.

"I don't see what interests Soul has in her, do you Medusa?"

The blonde shakes her head no and the girl stares Maka down. Maka shifts uncomfortably, not liking where this was going.

"Can you two just step aside? I'm kinda in a hurry."

A lie of course. Maka had nowhere to be. The black haired girl smiled, like she knew Maka was lying. The two get closer to her, invading her personal space.

"What's the rush Maka? We just want to talk."

"We can talk some other time."

"I don't think so. See, we don't want Soul to know about our little chat. And while we're on that topic, I have a few things to say to you."

Maka's back is up against the locker now, the two girls glaring down at her.

"I don't know how you managed to do it, but you need to stay away from Soul from now on. He belongs to me, you hear?"

Maka wasn't really surprised that these girls where telling her to back off. She's actually been expecting it. But their attitude was starting to piss her off. They were intimidating her and acted like Soul was a piece of meat to be fought over and owned. Maka glared back at them, unsure why she was so upset.

"Soul doesn't belong to anyone. He's a person, not an animal. And don't tell me what I should do. Soul is my friend, and a couple of stuck up snobs like you aren't going to make me cower in a corner."

"My my, this little softie has an attitude. How should we deal with her sister?"

"I don't know Arachne, maybe spending some time with her brethren will sober her up."

"That sounds like a good plan."

Arachne harshly grabbed Maka's wrist, causing her to let out a strangled yelp of pain. Medusa's eyes shot to her other wrist and took it, pulling the sleeve down to reveal the bandage. The two hooted in delight, malice showing in their eyes.

"What's this Maka? Are things not going the way you want them too?"

Arachne cackles as Maka tries to jerk away from her, but her grip is like iron.

"You're just filled with surprises, aren't you Maka?"

The glee was palatable in her voice, fear shooting through Maka. It didn't matter what they did to her now. They knew and soon everyone else would too. Maka could feel the tears starting to well up in the corner of her eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing them her tears. Arachne and Medusa drag her off to god knows where. Maka's bag rips as they do, her books and papers spilling everywhere. She hears their laughter, and she wishes she was anywhere else right now.

They through her into a maintenance closet, locking her in. The room is pitch black and dusty, making it hard to breath. They yell insults at her from the other side, their screeching laughter grating on her nerves. Maka goes to the back of the room, curling in a corner. She covers her nose and mouth with her shirt, making it somewhat easier to breath. The girls' voices finally fade away, leaving Maka alone. She didn't try to call for help, didn't bother with the door. She knew her cell was in her locker and, honestly, she could care less about anything anymore.

•••••••

Maka wouldn't answer her phone. And it pissed Soul off to no end. He was half tempted to go her house, but he didn't. Instead he laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. Arachne had approached him earlier at school, demanding to know his relationship with Maka. Soul had just told her off at the time, but now he was worried what she might do to Maka. She has a nasty reputation. Soul prayed that Arachne hadn't tried anything with Maka. She already had enough to deal with besides a jealous bitch. He let out a deep sigh, knowing he would have to wait 'till tomorrow. He slowly fell asleep, not having any dreams.

•••••••

Maka didn't know what time it was when she woke up. Only that is was pitch black and she was very, very cold. She shuffled to the door, putting her ear against it. She didn't hear anything, so she knew it was real early in the morning. She sat against the door, wondering how long it would take for someone to find her. She hoped it would be soon. It was getting more difficult to breathe in that tiny room.

•••••••

Soul didn't know what caused him to go to school so early. He just had a feeling that he should. So he begrudgingly walked into the building, tired as hell. He noticed that he was the only one there, making him groan. He walked up the stairs to his locker, stopping when he saw the mess of papers and books scattered across the floor. He bent down to look at them, unbelievably shocked when he saw Maka's name on the inside cover of one of the books. What the hell where her books doing scattered like this? Some kind of prank? He pulled his phone out, dialing her number. Maybe 30 seconds later, he heard a phone ringing somewhere nearby. He followed the sound to Maka's locker. He ended the call, and the ringing stopped.

"Maka?!"

It was starting to make sense to Soul. Maka wouldn't leave her things scattered and her phone in her locker. Not willingly.

"Maka, where are you?!"

Soul called for her, walking the halls. He walked past the janitor's closet, almost missing it. A faint tapping. Soul paused, listening hard. There it was again. He leaned in close to the door.

"Maka?"

He didn't get a response, or at least he didn't think he did. He looked down frustrated, seeing a little slip of paper poking out from under the door. He picked it up, flipping it over.

Door's locked

Soul recognized Maka's handwriting, and anger at whoever locked her in there coursed through him.

"Get away from the door Maka. I'm gunna kick it down."

He heard movement on the other side, and when he judged that she was as far back as she could go, Soul slammed his foot into the door. It took him several tries, but it finally opened. Dust came flying out, along with a heavy scent of chemicals. Soul covered his nose, looking in. Maka was scrunched against the back wall, covered in dust and cobwebs. Soul walked to her, trying to control his anger. Maka looked at him, and Soul couldn't tell what was passing through her eyes as she did.

"You ok?"

Maka nods and Soul notices the the bandages around her wrists are dark. He gently takes one, noticing that Maka tenses and tries to pull away. He doesn't let her, but looks at her instead.

"You don't have to be afraid of me Maka."

She doesn't say anything to him, but slowly lets him look at her wrist. The bandage is blood stained, and the skin around it is red. Soul didn't have to look at the other to know it was the same.

"What happened to you?"

Soul didn't realize that his voice was soft. Maka looks away from him, tugging her wrist away.

"I just had a disagreement with someone."

"And they locked you in the janitor's closet? Must've been one hell of an argument."

"It wasn't really.."

Soul knew she was hiding something, but he didn't push it. Instead he helped her pick up her things, and by that time others were streaming into the school. They pulled lingering looks, some full of pity, others hateful glee. Soul didn't get it, at least not until Black*Star came up to him and Maka, a grin on his face. Black*Star didn't see Maka at all, he was to focused on Soul the information he was bursting to let out.

"Dude, did you know that Flat Chest is a cutter? I knew she was whacked out!"

Black*Star laughs, Soul's fist cutting it short. He walks away from Black*Star, Maka in front of him. He could tell she was in shock, and the fact that her wrists were bloody didn't help. He took Maka to an unused classroom. Her gaze was empty and Soul knew she was scared. He took her hands and she looked at him, the emerald dulled to a pale green.

"Did anyone see the bandages?"

Maka didn't answer for a long time. She was slowly coming out of her shock. Finally she answered him, causing the ugly viper of anger to raise its head inside him.

"Your friend Arachne did."