Chapter two Damsel in Distress
"Okay guys, I know you're wondering why I brought you here." Peter said to the
Cliffhangers. It was already a new year and both Kat and Shelby were gone. The kids were really
torn up about it. But no more than Scott. These passed six months he had totally isolated himself
from everyone. "We have a new student coming tomorrow. And I'd really like for you to be nice.
All I know is that this young lady has been horribly traumatized. So I'd like for you to really be on
your best behavior."
"That's all we need Peter, a psycho." David said.
"Be nice." Sophie said. "This girl has had a rough time."
All the Cliffhangers muttered, "Okay." Except Scott who was still distant. Peter dismissed
everyone. Then, Scott walked up to Daisy.
"Any word?" he asked.
Daisy frowned. "No Scott. It's like she just stopped writing." She sighed.
"Do you think something happened to her?" Scott questioned.
"I don't know." was all Daisy could say.
The next day...
All the students were gathered together like yesterday. Scott sat the furthest from the
bunch.
Just then, Peter and Sophie walked in. A tall, thin girl followed behind them. She was
wearing a black hoodie and black jeans. The hood was up so all anyone saw was black hair and
bits of a pale face. The girl had a small rag doll in her hand.
"Guys I'd like to welcome our new student." Peter removed the hood. And she slowly
looked up at everyone. "The returning Shelby Merrick!" Everyone gasped. From what they saw
Shelby looked so unhealthy. And she had a fresh bruise on her cheek.
Scott got up and walked over to her. "Shelby?" he said.
Shelby looked at him but didn't answer. She just slowly backed away from him. Clutching
her rag doll.
"What happened to her?" Scott asked Peter.
"She won't talk about it." Peter said. " in fact, she won't talk at all."
"What do you mean? You don't know? That's your job!" Daisy shot. "Look at her. She's
like a zombie." Shelby looked at Scott then Daisy. They both saw something that terrified them.
There was fear in Shelby's eyes.
"Yeah Peter. You are the head person here." Juliet said.
"Yah man. It looks like somebody tortured her." Auggie spoke up.
"Calm down guys." Sophie said Shelby just stood there and watched everyone. She looked
at Scott. Then, she ran out of the lodge.
"Shelby!" Scott called after her. He saw her head into the girl's cabin. He ran after her.
"Shelby!" Scott called softly, when he entered the cabin. He saw Shelby's stuff on her old bed.
Then, he heard sobbing in the bathroom. He walked in and saw Shelby huddled in a corner with
her doll. Scott kneeled in front of her."what's wrong love?" When she didn't answer Scott gently
lifted her chin. He saw her tear stained cheeks. "Please tell me Shel."
Shelby swallowed. Then, in a soft voice she whispered, "Walt."
Scott's face twisted in anger. "What did he do to you?" he asked softly.
Shelby realized he was really there finally. "N..nothing." She got up and walked into the
bedroom pretending Scott wasn't there. She unzipped her hoodie and removed it. Revealing a
black tank top and a badly scarred back.
"Shelby!" Scott whispered. "What happened, Shel? He did this to you didn't he Shelby?"
Scott turned her around so she faced him. "Please Shel, say something." He pleaded.
Shelby took a deep breath. "I... I..." She kept stuttering until Sophie and Daisy came in.
Shelby saw them and ran back into the bathroom. Right where Scott found her.
Scott started after her. But Sophie held him back. "Scott, Shelby needs to be alone. She's
been deeply traumatized. Give her time." Scott didn't want to listen. But he knew Sophie was right.
"I'll watch her Scott." Daisy promised. Scott smiled grimly. Then he and Sophie left.
Daisy walked into the bathroom. She saw Shelby rocking back and fourth. Daisy closed the
door behind her and crouched down in front of Shelby.
"Shelby?" Daisy called softly. Shelby looked up and suddenly threw her arms around Daisy.
Shelby began crying extremely hard.