Chapter 10! I'm on a roll! Mostly because we're getting towards the climax parts of this fanfiction, and I've been dying to get to them since the beginning. I really hope you guys enjoy! Good luck with this chapter, guys. It's climax time, and it's really sad. I had trouble getting through this one. It was extremely hard to get through this.

Trigger Warning: self harm mention, suicide mention.

Things have been okay, but nothing more than that. The days right after Riley's birthday had been fairly productive. It felt good to be back on the ice, even thought for the very first return game she hadn't been put down as first string. It's understandable, but Riley had been hoping for a bit more. And though her grades have dropped a little bit, she's doing her best to improve them. Next month, finals begin. If she wants to be able to set foot into high school next year, she can't slack off. At least there are slightly happier distractions than the usual.

'She's improving!'

'Yeah, but the islands are struggling again. They randomly shut down...that doesn't seem like she's okay.'

'Let's just...stay positive, it could be fine.' What's with Joy? Barely saying anything and brushing off anything that might just prove that her denial won't make Riley any better.

Most of her classes consist of imagining romantic dates with Carissa, holding hands, and kissing just like they did the night of her party. But she can't help wondering: why are the boys here so gross? Why would they say such disgusting sexual things? Just because we're both girls. And if Riley is really honest with herself, half the things they say she doesn't even know the meaning of. Call it being sheltered, but she's not entirely curious about those things right now. She's only 14, where are their heads at? Everyone is so eager to grow up, Riley's just eager to be herself again.

Not being herself just makes her anxious. Her focus and memory are entirely shot.

During lunch period, all of her friends are talking and goofing around. She hardly eats, mostly just stares at her phone and contributing little to the conversation. The good thing about having a best friend like Amanda is that she can take care of most of the talking. Which she does, "So Carl already asked me to the 8th grade formal in May. But maybe we can all go together! Could be fun, right? What are you guys wearing for it?"

The girls are all bubbling with excitement talking about their dresses or the way they plan to do their hair. A preteen prom is bound to have all of these girls floating, hoping they'll be lucky like Amanda and get asked to go by someone cute.

She'll be inclined to speak up far more shortly. Because Jensen will be asked a vital question.

Amanda will nudge her playfully, "You said you were asking someone to go with you! Has he given you an answer?"

"Um, not yet, she hasn't texted back?"

"She, huh? Who is it?!"

Riley's eyes shift from her phone to the others. She?

Jensen gives a half smile, looks away, "That girl Carissa. You know, the punky girl with the brown eyes and the pale skin? Short hair?"

'Oh I know she isn't trying to steal our girl.'

'That stupid bitch, who does she think she is?! Slut!'

Amanda tenses, "Carissa Smith...? From our grade?"

'Slut, slut, slut, stupid slut!'

"Yeah! We both are in the same art class and work together a lot and joke around. I've liked her for a while but I was afraid to say anything to her. I don't know if she's single."

'SLUT, SLUT, SLUT, SLUT, SLUT!'

Amanda, looking rather torn looks to Riley before she speaks again, "Last I heard she had her eye on someone." But she doesn't want to out her friend either, "But I don't know who."

"Do you think it's me?! We danced at Riley's party."

And Riley's jealousy is about to get the best of her, "Yeah, and then she danced with Carl too. And she's not into Carl. Oh and Amanda, and Jordan and Rob."

'Dammit!'

'What is it Anger?'

'Her islands are off again!'

Jensen shuts down just a little. Is Riley starting a fight? She's too naive to realize this whole situation of people making fun of Riley's sexuality started with her crush on Carissa. She's aware that people have been bullying her for it, but she doesn't know much more than that, "...I know that, but she held my waist so I thought maybe-"

"She wouldn't date you."

"Excuse me?"

'Riley, don't be so mean! This isn't like you!'

"I said she wouldn't date you. She doesn't like you that way."

"Riley- calm down, I don't understand why you're being so mean!"

"I'm just being honest."

Amanda gives an awkward laugh, "Okay, okay, let's just calm down before we get detention for fighting or something-" Just as Jensen's phone goes off.

She looks to Riley with a smirk, "She answered, and you say she wouldn't go for someone like me?"

Riley's heart sinks.

And it's Amanda who dares to ask, "...What does it say?" Because if Carissa says yes, maybe she'll have to have a little talk with her.

But Jensen's smile fades, her heart sinking too, now, "...She said she doesn't like me that way and plans to take someone else."

'Damn straight she's taking someone else, she's taking us!'

"I told you!" But Riley is gathering her things. She can't bare to sit with them right now, "I'm going to class early." She's out of there so quickly.

Amanda stands, hoping to catch her friend, but she dashes off so abruptly it proves to be a pointless effort.

Jensen who's disappointed and on the verge of tears comes to stand too, "...What was that about?"

"...I can't tell you."

"She was so mean to me just now! Why didn't you tell Riley to shut up!? That was so mean of her!"

For once, she's daring to stand up for her friend, "You have no idea what she's been through!"

"So that means she can be mean to me?! And besides I know kids have been being jerks! I tried to even help her but she just shut down and ignored it!"

"Of course not! But...she's going through some things right now, she's not herself. You have to just give her some space and time."

Enough for the entire table of girls to be worried, even Jensen. Surprisingly.

Joy has hardly said a word all week. Too busy with her elbow resting on the control table, occasionally spitting out a little love sick sigh.

"You've barely done a thing all week! What happened to all of us pulling out weight around here?" Anger is getting too old for the passive aggressive, he'll say it straight to her face.

"Did you see in English class how Carissa winked at us? I just wish we could kiss her again."

"Well why can't we?" Maybe Disgust it all too eager for it, but they haven't kissed since her party and it's been two whole weeks!

"Because it was an intimate kiss! Everyone will see and...I don't know if we're quite there yet. She's coming over after school to watch a movie anyway."

"Yeah, what a great real first date. Boring movie in the house."

"It's in her room! Away from mom and dad!"

"Still! It's hardly glamorous, Joy."

Disgust isn't wrong, she's well aware. But things are difficult now, more than they used to be, "...Riley was feeling cozy. Or did you forget that we finally got hockey island back online and she rejoined the team? She's balancing more and therefore exhausted because she's not used to it."

"Yeah but." Sadness pushes against her glasses, "That's just it. This isn't new for Riley. She used to balance school and hockey all the time, she shouldn't be so tired. I'm thinking maybe it might be time we tell someone-"

"No!" It's said instantly from the blue haired emotion, "We can't. Carissa is making her better and if we get taken away from that she'll back track."

"But Joy-"

"No buts! We're doing this my way." She turns her attention back to the screen, "We have a date and we have to focus on that. The sooner we focus, the quicker we get rid of that pesky kill myself island."

It doesn't take a genius to realize that Joy is already falling under the islands spell. That she's becoming just as sick as Riley is. Referring to it as kill myself island? Could it be that the thought is in the back of her mind now too? But the emotions won't say anything. They'll simply stare at one another with a worried look before turning their attention back to the screen.

Should it be pushed?

"So what movie are you girls watching?" While Riley's father is at work, her mother is more than happy to get to know Carissa just a bit better with a little small talk.

"Well, I figured Riley could pick, you know, it's her house and she invited me." Carissa is nothing but cordial, and she seems rather good at impressing parents. They're warming up to her pretty quickly since the party.

"I was thinking maybe a horror movie or something?"

'Wait, what? That wasn't on schedule.'

'Joy, I thought you said we were watching Rent!'

'...W-we were, it's her favorite movie- I-I don't understand why she's changed it on me. I wasn't prepared for this.'

"Oh sweet, I love horror, you ever see the new Evil Dead movie?"

'Oh, okay, so I'm outta' here.'

'Fear, you can't just leave-!'

'Outta' here, it's too scary.'

"I haven't! I'll download it onto the computer while we listen to some music."

"It's rated R, what if I tell you girls no?"

"But mom! Please?"

She eyes her daughter, "Okay, if you can find a pg-13 horror movie in your dad's collection, you two can watch that okay?"

It won't stop Riley from rolling her eyes.

'I'm 14 mom I can handle a little blood! Why don't you look at my damn arm! That's a fucking horror in itself.'

'Nothing gory! Yuck!'

"Honey," her mother interrupts, "Go on upstairs and go into my room. Your father's movie collection is on the two bottom rows of the book shelf. You can borrow one for the evening, but it has to be pg-13 okay?" This is a tactic however, because there are other intentions here.

With a sigh she agrees, "Okay, I'll be right back."

It isn't until she leaves that her mother motions for Carissa to take a seat at the kitchen table with her, "I wonder if maybe we could have a quick discussion while she's distracted."

Carissa can feel the nerves setting in. Riley isn't out, but she is. With parents it's always a hit or a miss, and she has no idea where this conversation is about to go, "Yeah, of course Mrs. Andersen."

"You can call me Jill- but anyway, something isn't...right with Riley."

Well, she certainly hadn't expected the conversation to go in that direction, "Isn't right? What do you mean?"

Her mothers tone changes, her voice lowers, "I just...I think she's just not acting like herself anymore. You know, she's a bubbly girl, she laughs all the time and she's one of the most positive girls out of her friends."

Carissa leans in, is completely focused on those words, piecing everything that's happened to her a little more than friend at school.

"And you know, her father swears that I'm just overthinking all of this, but- it's like she's...shut down. She hardly eats, and she doesn't talk much, I never hear her singing anymore in her room, she doesn't go out with friends often anymore. And I just...I'm not trying to have you spy for me, it wouldn't be right, I'd lose her trust." She's desperate. A mom who loves her daughter more than life itself will do anything to protect her, "Has she...has she said anything to you? Do you know if maybe it's something we did? Or that I did?"

Carissa shuts down, she's caught in a tough position. She knows exactly what the problem is, but she fears that revealing it could ruin the potential for a relationship with Riley. But what's the correct choice morally? Telling her mother about the taunting at school? Or allowing Riley to continue on bottling things up?

"Just any little thing she might have said? Or maybe did she lose some friends or something?"

"I think...I think she's just nervous that this...this is the last year before high school." It's a blatant lie, kind of, but it'll be convincing, "You know, at her party I gave her the gifts I picked out and she cried a little about how she was overwhelmed because...you know, high school and everything. The older kids like to spread rumors that they rag on the freshman when they start school, but I told her it was all bull." She doesn't feel good at all about this.

"...Are you sure that's it?"

"I don't want to say that's what it is, it's just...all I know."

She can already hear her daughters footsteps down the stairs, so quickly, she leans back.

Riley, running into the kitchen, stops in her tracks, "...Everything okay here?"

"Yeah- yeah fine, your mom was just telling me about the Billy Joel concert, aha."

Her mother is willing to go with that fib and laugh a little, "Yeah, sorry to bore you, honey, you two probably want to go up and watch your movie now. There's snacks in the cabinet if you girls get hungry."

This may have been a very casual date, but who said that it means it can't be just as romantic as a night out? After all, they're only 14, dating isn't meant to be some romantic interlude filled with questionably inappropriate touching. They're far too young for that sort of thing! And now they're both laying on Riley's bed with knees bent. Riley is laying back against Carissa's chest while the other gently plays with her hair, the laptop a little ways away from their feet. It may not be much, but it gives them the chance to lay with one another. It's a good feeling, so comforting and innocent.

But Riley is about to make a huge mistake. Having been so taken with how wonderful it feels to be laying against Carissa's chest she'll forget everything and have a momentary lapse of judgement, "It's hot in here isn't it?"

"I'm okay, but then again I took off my jacket, you didn't." She sits up just a little, "I can open your window."

"No, no! Sit, you're comfortable, I'll just take off my hoodie." And without even thinking, she unzips it.

'WHAT IS SHE DOING?! HAS SHE LOST HER DAMN MIND?!' Anger is past the point of explosion.

And Joy is at a loss for words, 'Wh-Why is she taking it off?!'

'Because Fear left! He was too afraid of the movie, so he left! The worry of getting caught isn't registering in Riley's train of thought!'

She tosses it onto the chair of her desk, lays back down comfortably.

And Carissa reaches for her left hand to hold it in hers.

'GET HIM BACK- SADNESS GO WAKE HIM UP! WAKE THE DAMN SCAREDY CAT UP!'

Carissa reaches to playfully stroke Riley's left wrist and immediately she's greeted with a rough patch of skin.

'Nh- wha? Is the movie over?'

'You have to get up now!' She's dragging him to his feet.

And her eyes peer down to the severed skin. Almost the entirety of her forearm is covered.

'Right now!'

'Why what's going o-'

"Riley-"

'OUT OF THE WAY GIVE ME THE CONTROLS!'

Riley jolts right up to a standing position beside her bed, pulling her arm away, covering it with her other hand quickly. She gasps, her face panicked. She has no idea what to do.

"Riley..." She's sitting on the edge of the bed, finger pointing to her arm, "What's that?"

Still she says nothing, but looks terrified as if she's been horribly threatened.

"Answer me." She's trying to remain calm, but it's so hard right now.

"It's nothing."

"Bullshit!"

"It's not bullshit!"

"Show me your arm, Riley."

"Carissa-"

'I-I don't know how to fix this-! Sadness help me!'

"I'm not fucking around right now, Riley!"

"Stop yelling at me!"

'...I'll handle this.'

"Then show me!"

With tears welling in her eyes, she's trembling where she stands as she extends her left arm hesitantly, revealing the hideous, terrifying sight of over two months worth of self affliction.

And Carissa sucks in a sharp breath, trying so hard not to cry along with her, "Jesus Christ, Riley-h-"

"Please don't tell-h-"

"But you're hurting yourself!"

"I'll stop! Just please don't tell!"

"You don't just stop! That's not how it works!"

'How would she know?'

"Carissa!"

But it'll be no use, the girl grabs her wrist, demanding for a closer look, and the moment she get's it, she has to step away shortly after. Her back is facing Riley. The feelings are unclear.

"...Carissa...?"

She'll turn back around, no longer holding back the tears, "...Baby."

And that's enough for Riley. She'll lose her composure too. The tears will come full force...it's over now isn't it?

"Why-h?" And it'll be said as she wraps her arms around the distraught girl. Wishing so badly she could take those scars away.

"...Because I'm worthless."

"No you're not, baby, you're not."

"Yes I am-h-h! Austin proved it! He makes all of those posts about it and people agree and I just wish I could go away forever because he made me realize-" She takes a breath, says it through a sob, "I hate myself." And she'll sob even harder, eyes pressed to the others shoulder. After months of holding it in, she's finally said it.

Carissa has a hand over her mouth, and the tears are falling silently still. To finally hear those words pass her lips, it changes something in her. Because she knows who's to blame now. Something is uttered that Riley can't quite understand.

"...What?" She pulls back slowly.

"I'm gonna' kill him."

"Carissa-"

And she turns away from Riley, taking a shaky breath. The tears falling even still, "I'm going to kill that asshole. I'm going to beat the shit out of Austin." Without another word she's making a b-line for Riley's bedroom door to leave.

'Oh no. What did we just start?'

"Carissa-? Carissa!" She's running after her so quickly, it doesn't register to her that she should take her phone or anything else with her.

But her mother watches the chaos unfolding. She'd heard yelling, but couldn't hear exactly what it was about, "Riley-?" Now she stands, attempts to catch her daughter before she's out the door.

"I'll explain later!"

"But Riley!" One thing is certain as she runs down the steps after her, and stops at the bottom. Whatever happened, she's chasing after Carissa, and Carissa looks tense.

This can't be good.

The emotions are sitting in their seats, panicking about the site before them. Fear most of all, "What do we do?!"

"I say we get popcorn and watch this kid get what he deserves for hurting Riley."

"But she's going to beat the kid up!"

"She's only protecting us, Fear."

"And you think violence is the answer!?"

"He deserves this!"

"No he doesn't! Joy! Say something!"

The scene seems to blur for everyone. Their focus is on the main screen. Riley is screaming because right now, Fear is the only one who's able to work the controls. They watch as Carissa shoves the boy into a a brick wall, punches him right in the nose. But his friends fight back, kick Carissa to the ground.

'Stop it! Stop it! You're hurting her! Let her go! Stop it, please!'

'Get the fuck off him you fucking dyke bitch!'

Carissa is out numbered.

'STOP! STOP! SOMEBODY HELP!'

But Joy? She's shut down. Sits in her seat staring at her lap, "...It's all over." She stands, "I quit." Steps away from the desk.

"But Joy-!" Disgust is shocked to say the least, "Joy we need you!"

The other doesn't respond.

"...Well what do we do now, Fear?!"

"Okay- uh- " God, what can he do in this situation? He's a mess, "Okay, okay! Me ,you and Anger will talk some sense into her- Sadness took care of her the past few months, she can handle a few hours by herself right?"

Sadness nods, "I'll do what's best for Riley."

"Okay- okay come guys, we don't have much time!"

"So cute! You come here to protect your pathetic girlfriend?" Chris is watching the boy's take turns throwing punches, but Carissa doesn't give up without a fight. Kicking the boys right back, doing whatever she can to defend herself. But he turns to Riley, "Holy shit did you cut yourself?" He cracks up, "Don't you know you're supposed to cut straight down to kill yourself?!"

"I-I-" She tries to change the subject, "Tell them to stop hurting her!"

"Do us all a favor: run home, Andersen. Run home, find some pills, do the world a favor, and go away for good."

'Do it, Riley. Joy is right, this is over. It's all over now.'

"JUST GO, RILEY!" Carissa screams as loud as possible, not realizing what the boy had just said to her, "RUN STRAIGHT HOME! GO HOME AND BE SAFE! I'LL COME FOR YOU! JUST RUN HOME! RUN THE FUCK HOME AND PROTECT YOURSELF!"

'Go home, Riley. Go home.'

She stands in shock. Confused and lost- what the fuck is she meant to do now? She can hear sirens, and still Carissa is begging for her to run home, while punches are thrown in different directions. She does what she has to. She turns right around, back in the direction she came.

It's all over now, isn't it?

'It's okay, Riley, we have no choice anymore.' Sadness is sick too. What she fails to realize like the others is that they are just as sick as Joy, too clouded to realize it, 'We have to do what's best for us and everything else'

Slowly, Riley backs up. She'll run just like Carissa said. She'll run fast, not realizing that while she's headed back home, her mother is walking around the city and calling her phone in a frenzy. She'll have no idea that her phone is buzzing on her desk, and her mother is shouting curse words into the phone because the only thing she can imagine that happened is that the two girls fought, and Riley was careless enough to run off on her own without the decency to pick up her phone and talk to her. She thinks she's being purposely ignored.

There were no clear signs. And that's the first problem. Because Riley didn't reach out, nobody knows what's about to happen.

To Whom It Might Concern,

I tried really hard, I mean that. It's been on my mind for a long time now. But the days blur together now so I can't say for how long this all has been going on. I'm talking about more than one thing here. My discovery and my breakdown. I guess I'll tell you what my discovery is first, because it's the reason for my breakdown. I'm a lesbian. I didn't want it to be true, but it is and there's nothing I can do to change it. I tried so hard to be straight, but it didn't work and in the process I hurt one of my best friends. Jordan, if you happen to ever read this I am so sorry that I led you on like that. I didn't mean to. I thought I did like you that way and if it wins me any brownie points, I had a lot of fun on our sort of date. But I'm so sorry! I'm a lesbian and I hate myself for it because it's wrong! And I know it is because everyone picks on me. They won't leave me alone and I just wanted to be left alone so bad. I wasn't ready to come out, but since I won't be here anymore I might as well come out and say it. I tried to keep going but it's too hard. I'm tired all the time and I can't focus on school or hockey or anything at all and I'm hurting everyone I love and I don't want to hurt anybody anymore. I don't want to disappoint mom and dad anymore. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I know you didn't raise me this way and I wish I wasn't gay so I could be what you'd hoped for. And mommy, I'm really sorry I made you cry. If I could change myself I would. I really like Carissa a lot. I really wanted to date her. And if heaven is a real place I hope that one day years and years from now after she's lived a full and happy life she'll be with me again because I like her so much. I can't do any of this anymore. I love all of you so much. Every person in my life. But I can't hurt you guys anymore. The kids are school are right. I'm gross, creepy, and a big joke. I'm worthless and I have hated myself for so many months now, but it feels like years. It's torture! I'll try not to make a mess. I cleaned my room, vacuumed, and did the dishes for you, mom. I know you hate when I forget. So I made sure to do that before I said goodbye and wrote this. I'll miss you all so much. I love you all. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me one day, please don't hate me. I had to do it.

With every bit of love I can offer,

Riley Andersen

P.S. - Dad, it was me who broke your dad's pocket watch when I was 6 and I'm sorry I lied about it. And I'm sorry I used all of your melatonin pills. Did I spell that right?

It will be a horrifying site for her mother to come home to. Especially because she is angry at Riley for not having picked up her phone at all. She's going to pound her feet up the stairs and loudly say with such a firm tone of voice, "You better be in your room, Riley, because if you aren't, your punishment is going to be much worse!" She'll open the door, push it harshly, "You do not run out of here without your phone a-" It'll be as if everything in the world has fallen silent. Eerily so as she stares at the body on the floor- her daughters body appearing lifeless, arm exposed. Her mother will fall to her knees screaming, so loud that a by stander will come running into the house (having accidentally left the front door open, worrying an intruder may be up to no good).

He'll dash up the stairs shouting ma'am are you alright?! And upon seeing the gruesome site, the stranger will cover his mouth with his hand, reach for his phone to dial 911. All while doing his best to console Riley's mother, attempting to calm her down. It will prove unsuccessful. She's too distraught to relax. Nothing is worse than seeing your daughter unconscious and by her own hand...and done purposely.

"My little girl!" It will be repeated over and over again as the siren comes closer and closer to the house, "My little girl! My little girl! My little girl! My little gi-hi-hi-hi-hirl!"

The bystander will be questioned, and her mother will go into the ambulance with her, call her husband in an anxiety ridden panic.

There will be a crowd outside of the house. All standing around with folded arms and confusion. But when they see the petite figure being loaded into the ambulance, the environment will fall silent and sad. Not in our neighborhood! They'll argue on the news, while others will be too upset to even say anything without bursting into tears.

And inside Riley's mind, everything will be empty and clear. The emotions will be in a deep sleep, and the fate will be uncertain for everyone.

Is it over?

Carissa is so thankful she's not being asked to stay at the hospital over night. And she's even more thankful that though she started it, the police are willing to level with her. She'd been outnumbered and was very clear to explain the reasoning's behind her actions. What she doesn't know is, she's about to find out so much more than she wanted to.

The cop is an older man, looking to be in his mid 40′s. He's bald, with blue eyes and a little bit on the heavy side, but not incredibly so. He pauses for a moment, as if he's slowly piecing a puzzle together, "I'm sorry, Carissa, can you explain again briefly what led to the fight in the basket ball court? Just give me the short version."

"I was at a friends house, well, she's kind of more than a friend, but it's nothing official yet." She's stopped briefly when a nurse who comes by to fix the bandages on her now broken nose, and check her facial bruises, "She had some cuts on her arm like self harm cuts and I asked her why, like, what made her do it. She told me that kid Austin Lopez had been bullying her for hanging out with me because he had a crush on her but she has a crush on me and not him so he started making her life miserable and bullying her for being gay and the last thing she said before I left was Austin made me realize I'm worthless and I hate myself, or something like that-"

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but...is your friends name-" He flips through a few papers in his folder in search of another file, "...Riley Andersen?" The cop's face meets with hers again.

But She sits up, leaning forward just a little. Why does he know her name? The alarms go off in her head, "...Yeah."

He doesn't say anything, but he looks nothing short of apologetic as he sighs, "Carissa, I'm afraid I have some bad news."

The worry is about to explode, "What are you talking about? Where's Riley-?"

"She's here, she was just put in the psychiatric ward about fifteen minutes ago."

"Well let me see her!"

"She can't have any visitors right now because she's in-"

"Just tell me what happened!"

"...Your friend overdosed on some sleeping pills."

She sits back on the hospital bed, and her eyes are so quickly filling with hot tears. She breaths heavy and abruptly. They can't be stopped.

"I'm really sorry to be the one to tell you this, and I'm really sorry that I can't be of much comfort right now because I know this must be hard for you to hear. But if you say this kid has been bullying her, I need to know more details than what you've explained because that means he can be charged for what's happened to Riley."

She's unable to say anything more. Carissa is crying way too hard. She's able to pause for a moment, her face a mixture of both shocked and hurt. A deep breath is heaved, "I need to see her-h- please let me see her-h!"

"I'm sorry, but they said only immediate family can see her when the time comes."

"Is she dead-?"

"The last I heard they pumped her stomach, but she's not completely awake. So no, she's not dead. But she will likely have to stay here to be monitored. As of right now that's all I know. And that's strictly because we had to investigate exactly what happened."

Carissa is somewhat relieved, but she is heart broken to know that this has happened.

"Which is why if there is anything else you know- anything you can tell me, any proof you might have of this bullying, you have to show me because we want to help your friend. We take this sort of thing very seriously."

Carissa reaches over to the table next to her, grabbing her phone without a word.

Riley's father arrived only moments ago, and until they're able to (hopefully) see their daughter, he keeps his arms around his wife doing his best to keep the environment as calm as possible even if deep inside, he's a wreck, "You were right." He begins, "She hasn't been herself and I shouldn't have told you not to worry so much. I'm a horrible father."

"You're not a horrible father, you just wanted to think that she was okay- please don't be so hard on yourself. We both messed up. I worried and I never pried. I never tried to talk to her, never asked her what was wrong." She's on the verge of tears again, "I should have done something."

The doctor enters the waiting room at just the right time it seems, "Riley Andersen?"

And the parents immediately stand, "Yes- we're her parents!" spoken at the exact same time.

"Your daughter is going to be just fine. She's sleeping right now and you're welcome to see her, but the pills are still effecting her in that she probably won't wake up for a bit and will be groggy for a little while, but she's going to be okay. We pulled her through it."

Her mother is in tears again, but they're more tears of relief this time, "Oh, thank god."

"She's in the psychiatric ward, that's floor 8, and in room 1912."

"Thank you- thank you so much-!"

But as they're about to dash off, they're stopped one more time, "Mr. and Mrs. Andersen?" And the two figures turn to face him only to be greeted by the same cop who'd been questioning Carissa, "I don't want to keep ya' for too long, I know you're about to go see your daughter, I'm Officer Castellanos, you spoke to my partner earlier about your daughters condition." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his card, "This has my personal number you can reach me at so we can talk later as I don't want to keep you from your daughter, but it seems one of her friends got into a physical fight down by Heart Street involving the possible bullying and cyber bullying of your daughter that may have led to the altercation. So as soon as you two have some time, please, give me a call. This case may have become much bigger."

Her father reaches for the card and examines it before he looks to the man again. "Uh, thank you, officer. As soon as we see her and know what's going on, we'll be sure to give you a call."

"I'll be around, and I'm sorry for what's happened, sir." He takes off with a tip of his hat.

Sadness is the first to wake up. The others are still huddled in a corner, sleeping like babies. Just as Sadness comes to, she slowly approaches the main controls to take her usual seat. Everything is deathly still. Too quiet. She dares to look behind her. Outside that window is nothing. No islands, no memories, not anything. But the moment the main screen activates once more, the memories can be seen far off in the distance, but the islands are still missing. She turns again completely silent, and the first image projected is her parents with tears in their eyes, thankful that their little girl is okay. But Sadness will have to handle this moment on her own as well, "Oh, I hope I don't mess up again. Taking those pills was so stupid of me."

Riley is incredibly groggy, she can't even sit up, but she can manage to do one thing. And that's cry. She feels so awful and guilty right now, "I'm sorry." She whispers, "I-I'm so sorry."

"No, monkey, no-" And now her parents cry with her, "You're okay now-h, and we're so sorry- both your dad and I are so sorry that we didn't pay closer attention-h-" They can't even bare to look at her mutilated arm. This was all happening right under their nose.

"I'm going to try so hard in here mom-h- I love you both-h"

"We love you too." Her father begins, "More than anything- and when you're more awake and when you're doing better, we'll all talk and it'll be okay."

The unfortunate thing is Riley's too tired to keep herself awake. Visiting hours are almost up anyway, and the nurse motions both parents out of the room. She's a bit younger. Perhaps in her mid thirties and her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, "We'll need you to sign a few consent forms."

"What for?" Forgive her dad for being so anxious.

"...Because of her attempted suicide, we highly recommend you allow us to keep her for a few weeks to monitor her. We'll have to run tests, see if it's necessary to put her on any medication, she'll get to speak to a therapist, and be given the option for group therapy as well. You can still come and visit her every day, as long as it's before 8 PM- but in order to be sure we can get her well again, we would like to keep her. If you'll have a seat with me, I'd be happy to explain it all in better detail. But we'll need your answer before you leave tonight."

But that's just it. It's not over. It never was, and it shouldn't have been done. But can it get better?