Ib laid in bed, contemplating on what to do. Her mind was groggy and she couldn't think straight. Judging from her puffy eyes, she had cried again last night. Her body was too heavy to move and desperately craved more sleep. But she couldn't just do that. She could still sense the terrors that linger in her dreams. The hands that claw at her from the walls, the heavy footsteps of moving stone churning her down. Deranged ladies crawling as they drag their frames with them, the sound of the scraping wood on tile still clear in her mind. The color quickly draining from Garry's face-
No, she couldn't go back to that. Not when she just escaped it again.
A knock came at the door.
"Ib, honey, you up?" A cheery voice asked.
The door opened and her mom walked in, she was smiling but it was arraigned.
"Jeez, you too? Both you and Mary are being such sleepyheads this morning."
Ib felt the bed shift as a gentle hand combed through her hair.
"Rough night?"
Ib didn't respond. All she wanted to do was stay under her blankets and not think about anything. But she couldn't say that to her mom. It would only make her worry.
At this point, she was already used to not getting a response. So after a moment of silence she gave up and gave a quick kiss to Ib's temple.
"Hurry up and get ready, okay? You don't want to be late for school."
And with that Ib was left alone again. She groaned and turned over. She didn't want to go to school. It was bad enough before, with Mrs. Loveland making her speak up in class and being made to do group work with her classmates. Ib was already considered the weird girl in class, but now everyone just thought she was crazy. But even that was the least of Ib's worries. What she hated most was that she was going to have to walk to school and back with her.
It was Monday too, which meant the cycle was back to its starting point. Five long days of dealing with anything and everything attacking at all angles. And then it will be Saturday, where Ib will then retreat to her room all day and dread for the week to start again.
Wait a second, that's a negative outlook. Dr. Vail had told her to look out for those. But it's hard to get past that thought, even when Ib knows she should try to think of something better. What did he say again when that happens?
Ib's thoughts drifted back to Garry's face. Her heart sank.
Right, Dr. Vail gave her a phrase whenever she felt like this. What would Garry do?
Garry would probably sigh and groan with a dramatic flourish, but then turn to Ib and smile. He'd say that the two of them can get through it together.
Together.
"He may not physically be there, but I'm sure Garry is cheering you on every step of the way." Dr. Vail had said that during Ib's last session with him. "He's still on your side."
If Dr. Vail was right, then Garry was still keeping his promise. Garry was still with her, even if she couldn't see him. If they could face the gallery, then they can face a day of school. And they'd do it together.
Despite her tired limbs, Ib pushed herself out of bed and began to get ready for the day.
AN: Am I just naming the adults after ski resorts from my home? Yes, yes I am.