Johnnie's fingernails were now nubs, not that there was much there to begin with. She chewed on her pinky now, spitting bits of nail out and onto the dusty ground. She'd counted to ten in her head twenty times since Hedwig had left her in the dark about the Beast. She didn't ry. She knew she couldn't keep doing that. She was a strong individual and would remain a strong individual no matter what happened to her in here. She continued to count, now up to twenty-eight times. Her eyes were closed and she started to feel dazed and even a little faint...

"Johnnie?" The girl's eyes fluttered open and she perked up in her seat, her cheeks red with flush.

"Yes Mrs. Lithman?" She asked, chewing nervously on her lower lip. This was the third time this week she'd been caught sleeping in her History class. Math and English were kicking her ass and she hadn't slept a wink last night.

Mrs. Lithman didn't look angry, just very disappointed. Johnnie was one of her brightest students after all and she hated to see her slip.

"You know I hate to do this but I have no choice. Detention. Today after school in the art room."

Johnnie could have cried right there. She was usually such a good kid. She'd never had detention in her life. She didn't think high school would be any different but three months into Freshman year and she was already falling asleep in class and getting detention. Her mother was not going to be happy about this.

That afternoon, she reported to the art teacher. Mr. Wayne, who looked thrilled to be supervising a bunch of teenage hooligans. He directed her to sit wherever she wanted and to behave. She scanned the room for an available seat but all the tables had at least one person at it. She decided to go with one way in the back that had a boy in a barrette sketching away furiously into a notebook seated at it. He didn't look up when she sat down. She had fully intended on doing her homework here in detention but she found herself mesmerized by the way he worked. Not only that, but the drawing was amazing! When he began to slow down his stokes, she knew she'd been caught and she quickly looked away.

"Sorry," she mumbled and began fishing around in her backpack for her folder. "It's just... you're really good."

The boy stopped and put his pencil down, gazing up at her with a smile.

"No need for apologies. I quite enjoy when others watch me work. I merely slowed down so you could see better. Also, forgive my rudeness. I would have introduced myself much sooner had it not been for my focus. I'm Barry." He held out a hand for her to take, which she shyly did.

"Johnnie Star."

"Well, it's a pleasure Miss Star. I assume you're here for a minor offense as well?" He asked with a bit of a smirk.

"Sleeping in class," she confirmed with her own small smile.

"Late to homeroom," he said with a small laugh, shaking his head. "Couldn't decide on an outfit this morning. There's just so many great choices these days." He picked up his sketch pad and held the paper up to her chest. He gazed at it quizzically and tapped his chin with one finger.

"Yes. I could certainly see this outfit on you if we changed to color from beige to crimson with violet trim and black boot cut denim. Maybe a poppy corsage and a boot with a bit of a heel. That would be perfect!" Johnnie giggled, looking down as she tried to imagine herself in the skillfully drawn outfit.

"Seems a little too fancy for me..."

Barry leaned in with a smirk. "Let me tell you a little secret girlfriend. Nothing is too fancy for anyone. I guarantee if you were to put this on, you'd feel like a million bucks. No, seriously. Close your eyes and picture it. Go on! Close em."

Johnnie shut her eyes.

"Johnnie? Johnnie...? Johnnie!" She opened then again to find Dennis standing over her, looking concerned. He set the outfit he was holding aside and crouched down before her, taking her shoulders in his hands. She felt delirious and began to groan, her head falling to one side lazily. Dennis stood up and grabbed an apple from the tray he'd set on the work bench. He quickly extended it to her.

"Here. Eat this. Slowly!" he was afraid she'd pass out if she didn't. She weakly grasped the fruit and took small bites, feeling better once a few minuets passed.

"I apologize," Dennis sighed, "We've neglected to feed you and I feel responsible." He set the rest of the tray down in front of her. It consisted of one peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut neatly into triangles, a bag of plain Lays chips and a bottle of purified drinking water. She'd regained a little strength by this point and was able to pick up on half of the sandwich and bite into it. Her mouth filled with saliva and she swallowed greedily. Dennis still wasn't looking her in the eyes. She knew why. It was because of what had happened the last time she had seen him, but she'd explained to several of the others how sorry she was. Still, he refused to see her after that. She was shocked he was even here now.

"You need to get dressed," he pointed out, adjusting his glasses as he continued to look at the ground. "I'm going to unchain you so you may do so." He withdrew a key from his pocket and freed her wrist. This was her moment to run... So why were her feet glued to the floor? This wasn't just simple nerves or fear of being caught again. No. She wanted to stay. Her desire to somehow get through to him outweighed her desire to be free. Even the idea of meeting the Beast was less frightening because she knew that no matter how upset they may be, she was safe with Kevin and his alters.

She dressed wordlessly, trading her jeans for a pair of grey sweatpants, a white tank top and a black and white zip up jacket. Everything was a little baggy but at least she was fully clothed. Dennis had turned around to give her some privacy.

"I'm ready," she said softly, holding her wrist back out so he could place the cuff back on. He visibly swallowed hard, as if the idea of touching her gave him extreme discomfort. He held his breath the whole time he handcuffed her again, the air remaining rapped in his lungs until he was a safe distance back from her.

"I think it's important you know not all of us are upset with you. Those outside of the Hoard are outraged we're holding you but the Beast keeps them in line. Even the hoard is divided... but it's the Beasts ultimate decision if we free you or you are sacrificed."

She shivered at the word sacrificed and sucked in a breath. Surely, they wouldn't really hurt her. She had to keep believing that or she would drive herself mad with paranoia.

"And when will I meet him?"

Dennis shrugged his shoulders. "A date has not been set. We will let you know when the Beast is ready."