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Time was moving fast. Too fast. It had been almost a month since I graduated. In that time, I had moved from my dorm to my new larger quarters in the Guardian housing. Oldenzki has me coming in every week for a check up, the good news being I'd make it to graduation, the cold hard truth being I wouldn't make it much longer afterward. She believes that Jericho is my familiar, something about old legends and him being an extension of me, so now he stays with me most of the time.

It didn't take long for me to get acquainted with my new duties as a Guardian of St Vlad's. I mostly guarded classes and lessons, managing to melt into the shadows of the academy. To be honest Jericho remained my only constant. He slept in my room and went about my morning routine with me but he would go do his thing in the woods until he finds me after dinner.

The guardians here had all been warm enough, everyone was really just polite, not really kind or overly welcoming. Most I'm sure had heard the rumors though no one asked, but other than cordial greetings my social interaction was next to nothing.

The students on the other hand had had plenty to whisper about. Most wondered who I screwed to graduate early, but after a week the buzz had faded and now I was just another guardian along the walls.

It's funny, I have a purpose but I don't belong. Not any more at least. More often than I'd like to admit my mind would wander to what I had thought being a guardian would mean. I'd thought it'd be Lissa and I for the rest of our lives. I thought I'd feel more… accomplished.

I still check on her occasionally. When I guarded her class I could see the dark circles under her eyes and sometimes late at night I'd feel a pain that wasn't mine but before I could investigate it's gone and so was she.

I see the others too. Lissa was constantly in a drunken haze. Eddie had been getting into a lot of fights and when he wasn't fighting he was with Mia. Adrian was never seen without a cigarette in hand. They all follow Avery's every whim and no one seems to care. All looked exhausted but they all play along with the charade led by Avery.

Everyone except Christian that is. Sometimes I'd catch him watching me out the corner of his eye. Sometimes it makes me wonder if my makeup was as obvious as my weight loss is. I'd already had to get my uniform altered to better fit my form.

I did everything I could to hide the changes in me but it was hard, especially when I looked in the mirror and saw the shell of the fierce girl I once was. I took my meds on a regular schedule but it only took the edge off, letting me keep my food down but not always helping the pain.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered killing myself just to get it over with… but something in me wouldn't allow it. I had to make it to graduation, even if at this point it's really just symbolic.

One more month. I could do it. At least… I hoped I could.

I'm in a meeting with Alberta when I felt like I'm being struck by lightening. My head explodes in pain and it feel as though my insides are tearing themselves apart. I can't even entertain the thought of pretending, no I'm falling out of my chair and Alberta is yelling.

Screaming. Who's screaming? They need to shut up… it takes too long for me to realize it's me. That's my voice screaming that terrible noise. My body is trying to tear itself apart at the seams, taking my mind with it.

Everything comes in flashes almost too fast for me to comprehend.

Hands are all over me. I'm being carried.

Someone's shouting. WOLF! Internally I jerk. JERICHO! RUN!

I hear a woman; she's saying something… familiar… let… through.

I feel my body convulse.

Seizing! Please stop… it hurts.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

Please stop… please I just want to sleep.

Why is it so cold?

There's a… a light? Someone's there… why are they so familiar? It's not just one person… no no it's not.

The choked sound of a last breath.

The smell of burning metal.

The crack of a broken neck.

Andre… Eric and Rhea… and Mason. They're waiting…

I hear a heart beat… is it… is it mine? I'm so confused. But I can see them… I can see the patient smiles. So how is my heart still beating? I still hear the Alberta's panic shouts and Oldenzki yelling back.

Slowly all I hear is my heart beat. The pain is fading.

It… it doesn't hurt anymore…

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

They're so close. I can smell Rhea's perfume. I can hear Mason's laugh and see Andre's smile. Eric is reaching out and I can almost feel his finger tips.

Beeeeeeeep.

I'm coming.