Hello my lovelies! Sorry for the slightly shorter chapter than usual, but come on, it's Christmas! I was busy!

Reviews:

NorangeKat722: Thank you, I had to do a bit a research for it. And yep, Glade mother for life! XD

catnip851: Thanks! Glad you liked it!

fadingshadowss: Same! I'm glad you liked it! Their friendship is one of my favorite relationships in any book series! I re-watched it a few weeks ago. Poor Minho! And sorry, but by the time I saw your review, I'd already named it! Speaking of which, a new chapter is out called "Drinking by the Fire." It's exactly what it sounds like. XD

Everywhere. Everywhere there is darkness. Swimming inside me. I feel it just under my skin, see it rising every now and then, rippling my flesh. It wants to hurt me. Take me away from everything and everyone.

Eat me up until I am nothing. Until I am dead and gone and painted in rotting evil just like it. I hear it speaking. No, singing. A sweet and beautiful song that brings tears to my eyes. But there is something very wrong with it. Something just underneath the surface tone. Something wicked.

Smiling in the sun

Lying in the shade

Waiting for hour

When you'll come to play

Sitting on the stairs

Staring at the rain

Waiting for the hour

When you'll come to play

Old as time and earth

With few last numbered days

Still waiting for the hour

When you'll come to play

I woke up with the song still ringing in my ears. Actually no, not ringing. It was still there. I blinked a few times, and looked around. I couldn't see Minho, since he was below me, but Tommy was sleeping peacefully with a smile on his face.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and jumped down. It wasn't Minho. Obviously. But then what was it? The door was open, which was strange. And there seemed to be a piece of paper on the floor. I peered down at the note.

Meet me in my room.

-E

For a second, I was confused. Then I remembered. Evelyn. It felt odd to say her real name. Still, I was curious, and I slipped out into the hallway. As I approached her room, the song got louder, always repeating. Finally I poked my head inside, and she was at her dresser, singing softly with tears streaming down her face.

I watched her for a bit until she noticed me.

"Oh! Newt! I didn't think you were coming. You didn't wake up earlier so..."

I nodded, concerned.

"Why are you crying?"

"Nothing. Just a new part I'm playing. Her name was Jessie. And the song was something her mom used to sing. I need to memorize it."

I sighed, wondering if she ever got to just be Evelyn. Not Jessie, not Rose, just herself.

"That doesn't explain your tears," I said softly, sitting down on her bed. She grimaced, and I saw the sadness in her eyes.

"Jessie's dad, he went off to war when Jessie was six. They waited for years, but he never came back. I think...he must have died," She swallowed hard. I blinked, taken back. Then something flickered inside me.

"I've never seen you cry at any of your other roles," I said quietly. Accusingly. She blushed, wiping away her last few tears.

"Just because you've never seen me do it doesn't mean I don't. Some of these stories...they make me feel wrong inside. Like they're sacred. Like I shouldn't be..."

"Like you shouldn't be doing this."

"That's not why I called you over," She moved on too quickly. I wanted to prod, but decided against it.

"Then why?" I dropped the matter and I could see relief written on her face.

"I just, I heard what Ty did to Thomas. I wanted to say sorry," She smiled awkwardly. My heart throbbed.

"You're not the one who should be saying that," I told her. She nodded.

"I know. But still. He can be a jerk sometimes," She said. I ignored the urge to hold her, and instead twiddled my thumbs in silence.

"Is that it?"

"Um...yeah I guess. I just...yeah. That's it. You may go," She said briskly. I chuckled dryly.

"You remind me of Ava when you talk like that," I muttered. She stiffened, and her eyes narrowed fiercely. My head swiveled up in shock as fury made itself clear on her face.

"Do not ever compare me to that woman," She said in a low voice. I froze. Then she began pushing me out the door.

"Hey, hey! Evelyn I'm sorry! I didn't mean—"

"She murders. I heal. She might not know it, but there's a difference," She growled. And then there was a door in my face. I sighed, my brain reeling. My eyelids drooped, and dizziness touched the edge of my vision for a second. I shook it off and began slowly walking back to the dorm. I was sick of it all. Done with tears and illness and cures. Tomorrow we would leave.

I just needed to wait a little longer. Tomorrow we would escape.

Happy Holidays! And please check out my new story Red Carpet. New chapter just went up called Drinking by the Fire. Much bromance, very feels!

Fun Fact#21: Guess what TBS' little sister's name is! Yep, it's Ava!

Wolf Out...