Chapter 3: First Impressions and Confessions
From the moment Daisy began explaining the cards, thoughts and images ran in and out of Ashlyn's mind. Her mother and father. Her brother Noah. Luke. She had to get out of there. She hoped no one saw the tears in her eyes as she ran out of the lodge.
Looking around trying to remember which way it was back to the dorm, she collided head on with somebody. Ashlyn yelled in pain as the other body came down on top of her, knocking both of them to the ground. Her head hit the ground hard and she blacked out for a moment. She moaned and brought her hands to her head. She felt a body on top of hers and tried to move. She opened her eyes and tried to focus them, but thanks to the impact, she could only see white spots.
"Are you alright?" groaned the body that rolled off of her to beside her.
"I don't know." The spots of white were fading and she began to see clearly. The person beside her rose to his knees.
"Let me help you up." An arm extended out to her. She took the hand and he pulled them both up. Ashlyn's knees started to buckle but the guy grabbed her waist before she could fall again.
"You need to see the nurse?" he asked.
"I think I'll be fine thanks. Could you just help me to my dorm?"
"Sure, are you a Tracker or Ridge–"
"Cliffhanger," she spoke softly. "I think it's to the left." she said pointing, almost hitting the guy.
"Yeah it is." He still had his arm around her waist as they started walking. He let out a laugh.
"What's so funny?" Ashlyn asked.
"Well, I'm a Cliffhanger, and uh, I don't think this was a great first impression. I mean I knock you too the ground and you hit your head and your white pants are full of dirt...I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I wasn't looking where I was going when I came out the doors." She smiled to let him know she was okay. He smiled back.
When the dorms came into view, he asked, "So why did you come running out of there?"
Ashlyn turned her head and bit her lower lip.
"I get it. You don't wanna talk about it. That's how people are around here. Well, we've arrived at your destination anyways." he said politely.
"Thanks for helping me back." Ashlyn said. "I never asked you your name."
He ran his hands through his blonde hair and paused. "Scott," he said.
"I'm Ashlyn." she held her hand out.
"Nice too meet you," he said accepting her handshake. "Sorry it was by me knocking you out." he said sympathetically.
"Don't worry about it, I'm fine." she insisted.
"Alright then, uh, see you later." Scott turned and started back down to campus.
Ashlyn headed into the bathroom and stopped when she saw her reflection in the mirror. "Everything will be alright." she said to herself.
"Scottie! What happened to ya man?" laughed Auggie when he saw Scott in his dirt-ridden clothes. He bounced the basketball to him. Scott shot the ball. Swoosh.
"I ran into the newbie," Scott said catching his own rebound and passing it back to Auggie. "Literally."
"Really. She's pretty ain't she? Ez'll like that." Auggie said while dribbling around Scott.
"So are we gonna play or what?" challenged Scott.
"Yeah man. First to 10 since we have Group in 15 minutes." replied Auggie, tossing the ball.
"No prob, just enough time for me to whoop your ass!" Scott said ducking around Auggie and scoring the first basket.
For the next 10 minutes, the two engaged in an intense 1 on 1 battle.
"Nice game, dude," Scott said wiping the sweat from above his eyes. "Maybe next time, you might even win!" he teased, patting Auggie on the back.
"You can count on it." he promised.
"How long till group?" Scott asked.
"About 5 minutes." Auggie answered.
"I'm gonna go quickly clean up."
"Yeah, let's go, cuz you really stink man!"
Scott punched Auggie in the arm. "So do you!"
Ashlyn walked into the small classroom where her first meeting as a Cliffhanger was about to take place. No one had arrived yet.
"Empty," she said to herself. "Just like my life."
"What was that?" a voice said from the doorway. Ashlyn turned and saw Peter. He was carrying some papers and a few pencils.
"Oh, nothing important. I'm just mumbling to myself."
"As all of us sane people do…" joked Peter. A moment of awkward silence passed. "So are you nervous about your first group session?" he asked Ashlyn.
"Um…not really….I've been to therapy before so it's nothing new. I'm up for anything."
"Well that's the positive attitude I wish all of our new kids had. Most come in hating the world and everything and everyone in it." Peter leaned in a little closer to Ashlyn and pointed to himself.
"They especially hate me."
Ashlyn turned away from him and proceeded to the circle of chairs arranged in the middle of the room. "I don't have a problem with authority figures so you won't have to deal with that from me." she responded.
"Are you sure there's something wrong with you?" Peter asked jokingly. "Because if there is, you're sure doing a good job of hiding it, and that's not how we work around here."
Ashlyn smiled and slid into a chair. She glanced up at Peter, whose friendly smile turned into a more serious stare. Her smile faded.
"We're here!" announced Juliette as she, Daisy, Shelby, Kat, and Ezra entered the room.
"Hey guys, why don't ya have a seat." Peter counted heads as they sat down in the circle. "Where's Scott and Auggie?" Their blank faces told him they had no clue.
"Right here…" said Scott, out of breath. Auggie came in behind. They took the two empty seats on each side of Ashlyn. She caught a whiff of a pleasant scent as Scott sat down.
"Hi again," he whispered. Ashlyn smiled and turned her attention to Peter as he began to speak.
"As most of you know, we have a new Cliffhanger today. If you haven't met her already, this is Ashlyn Reeves." he said putting a hand on her shoulder.
Ezra put his hands together above his head and did a silent but very obvious thanks to God for sending a female. Daisy kicked his leg, but like always, Peter noticed.
"So Daisy," he victimized, "Explain to Ashlyn why we meet for group."
Daisy put on her best 100 watt smile and said in one breath, "Meeting for group allows us to openly express our thoughts, concerns, opinions and problems with the world, each other and ourselves, enabling us to better communicate and understand, all in all aiding our recovery process."
"Very good. Now since it's Ashlyn's first day, I'm sure all of you want to get to know her, so we're gonna play a little game. That is if she wants to." Peter asked.
"Like I said before, I'm up for anything." Ashlyn answered.
"Okay then. This is like a 20 questions thing. You each get to ask her one question, appropriate please, and in turn she gets to ask you the same thing. That way, she can get to know all of you as well." explained Peter. "Who wants to start?" All of the Cliffhangers were in thought.
Juliette broke the silence. "What's your all time favourite movie?"
"I'd have to say all the old Hitchcock movies, like The Birds and Psycho. The classics." She noticed the approvals of most of the group. "How about you, Juliette?"
"Titanic!" she gushed. "Leonardo DiCaprio! Wow!" Everyone laughed.
By the time each one had asked her a question, they knew Ashlyn's favourite movie, colour, food, music group, school subject, car, and sports team.
"Well now that we're all acquainted a bit better, although I'm still debating whether or not I wanted to know that Ezra's favourite food consists of marshmallows dipped in ketchup, but it's my turn to ask Ashlyn a question." Peter stated. "I don't know if anyone has managed to get this out of you yet, but it's one of the first steps in group."
"Alright…" Ashlyn raised her brow curiously.
"You don't have to, but if you feel comfortable enough…please tell us why you're here at Mt. Horizon."
For the only time in the session Ashlyn hesitated. She locked her eyes on the ground. She felt the eight pairs of eyes glued to her. "Well I'm here...because…..um…I…." she trailed off.
"It's okay," assured Scott. She brought her eyes to his and saw the sincerity in them.
It's now or never, she thought. They're gonna find out eventually. Ashlyn took one last breath and proceeded. "I'm here…because I….because I killed my father and brother."