Disclaimer: I don't own Higher Ground. I own Kaitlyn.
A/N: Wow thanks for all the great reviews. I will be writing Daisy's decision soon so if you have an opinion there's still time to tell me. Also thanks for the reviews on my other story. I was really surprised by them. Sorry this is so short the next part will be much longer but I had to cut if off here. Thanks and please review. The more reviews the quicker I post. J
Part Seven
The next week was rather uneventful. Everything was relatively calm. Kaitlyn was beginning to fit in with the group now that her and Scott had worked things out. Juliette and Auggie were 'floating' as Jules liked to call it. Peter and Sophie were happy with Kait's progress. She hadn't gained any weight but she hadn't lost any either. Plus she was interacting with the group. Of course a lot of that interaction was her telling embarrassing stories of Scott's childhood. The cliffhangers had begun to accept Kaitlyn as one of their own.
"Okay cliffhangers I want one word to describe how you feel here at Horizon." Sophie said as they began group. She motioned for Scott to begin the exercise.
"Happy." He said with a big smile towards Shelby.
"Safe." Shelby said.
"Relieved." Ezra stated.
"Free." Jules said as she squeezed Auggie's hand.
"Smart." Auggie responded.
"Hopeful." Daisy said with a bit of sarcasm.
"Content." David said surprising everyone with the honest answer.
"Scared." Kaitlyn said almost to herself.
"Good," Sophie said pleased with all the answer, "now you all know the next part."
"Why?" the cliffhangers chorused.
"I feel happy cause here at Horizon I met the love of my life, made true friends and have a chance with an old friend."
"I feel safe here cause….he's not here. And cause this is the place where I learned how to really be strong." Shelby said quietly as she sent glances to both Scott and Daisy.
"I feel relieved cause I don't have to hear my parents fight here. And because I know that people here are genuine."
"I feel free because I don't have to try and be perfect. I just have to learn to be me." Jules explained with a smile.
"I feel smart here cause they helped with my learning disorder and helped me realize that I don't need a gang to belong."
"I feel hopeful because…because this is a place for new beginnings."
"Content because my dad isn't here to boss me around."
"Scared because…um…because…"
Peter entering the lodge and making the announcement that a huge storm was heading this way and everyone was needed for chores saved her from having to speak. Kaitlyn breathed a sigh of relief at not having to answer.
"Scared because?" Daisy asked coming up behind her.
Kaitlyn said nothing and tried to walk away.
"Maybe because you're getting attached to people here?" she asked astutely.
"Back off Daisy. I'm not getting attached because something bad will happen then it always does." She said with anger.
As went to help with chores Daisy's words rang in her head. She was afraid of being attached cause she knew that she couldn't live in this world and then it was soon going to be time to end it all. The nightmares hadn't abated. She didn't want to care about these people or have them care about her cause it would just hurt everyone in the end.
The storm did come as Peter had said. The thunder raged and the lightening illuminated the sky as the wind blew harshly. Most of the students were in the lodge talking by the fire. Daisy who was still confused about the decision she had to make wandered back to the dorm. She saw the bathroom light was on she entered the room. It was there she found Kaitlyn sitting on the cold tile floor. Her eyes were open but unwavering. She never looked at Daisy; she looked as if she was in some sort of trance.
"Kaitlyn? Hello Kait?" Daisy said loudly but got no reaction. No sign that Kait had even heard her. This scared Daisy and she ran to the lodge to get help.
"Daisy what's wrong?" Shelby asked seeing her friend's distressed expression. Scott looked up at Daisy also.
"It's Kaitlyn. Something's wrong."
And with that all three sprinted towards the dorm.