When I got back to Chloe's room she was stirring. I fast walked over to her side and waited for her to open her eyes.

A few minutes later Chloe's eyes fluttered then opened. She looked around the room, and went to sit on the side of her bed. The movement seemed to alert Chloe that I was there because she then looked right at me. I tried to smile, but I couldn't. Not knowing that Chloe was forever changing. She was never going to have a normal life now. She was never going to be able to go somewhere without having a ghost follow her or try to talk to her. Her childhood was gone, even though it wasn't like it was still there. She had lost that when her mother died.

"Aunt Lauren? What are you doing here? And where is here?" They must have given her a bit to much sedative.

"Hey, honey. Your at the hospital, sweetheart. You were having a problem at school and they brought you here." I told her.

She must have remembered what I wassailing about because her face went from happy and confused to terrified and pale.

I moved closer to her and she moved so that her legs dangled over the side of the bed.

I had no idea how I could tell her about the group home thing. Marcel told me to tell her it was because the school had told me that she had to spend to weeks with group home because she had a mental issue. They were going to say she had schizophrenia.

"Sweetie…I have to tell you something, but do you want some water or something first?" I asked. I might as well just tell her now instead of waiting.

"Sure, thanks. How long have I been here?" She asked as I walked to the bathroom to get her a glass of water.

"A hour or so."

She gulped down her water and I got her another one. I sat back down after that.

She looked at me while putting down her glass, then turned back to me. "So…? What was it you wanted to tell me aunt Lauren?"

"Well, im not sure how to tell you this, but while I was on the phone with your school, they told me that they would appreciate it if you went to a group home for a few weeks." I said. I felt bad as soon as it was out. Her face went pale again as she stared out the open door as the nurses ran by.

I got up and went to close the door. When I turned around Chloe was running her hands over her sheets, her face slightly pink. I handed her her glass of water again, and she gulped it down.

"A group home," She said flatly. Her voice and face had no emotion at all.

"Oh God, Chloe." I practically sobbed as I pulled out a tissue and whipped my nose. "Do you know how many times I have had to tell a patient he was dieing? And somehow, this seems harder." I said as I thought of a way that would get her to go and understand it was only of good intention, and I wasn't forcing her to go because I didn't want to deal with her. I loved her more than anything, and I wanted her to be able to do whatever she wanted with her life. Then I thought of something.

I looked at her then. "I know how badly you want to go to ULCA for college. This is the only way we're going to get you there, hon." I wasn't lying. If she wanted to have a normal life she would have to go through with this.

Then she surprised me. "Is it Dad?"

I wanted to blame him, I really did, and she knew it. I had wanted to raise her after her mother, my sister, died. Her father wouldn't have that. I wanted my niece to have a life outside of the housekeepers, moving, and empty houses. I also wanted to try and teach her about necromancy, but since she didn't get to live with me I couldn't even tell her about it. Her mother wanted to tell her about it, and I was going to follow her wishes for her daughter.

"No, it's the school. Unless you spend two weeks undergoing evaluation in a group home, it will go on your permanent record." It wouldn't matter even if she did go, it would still be on there, but the EG had was to get rid of it when she was out.

"What will go on my record?" Chloe asked.

I clenched my fist around my tissue. "it's the da-" I caught myself. "it's the zero-tolerance policy." I spit the words. I hated saying it more than the damn curse!

"Zero tolerance? You mean violence? B-b-but I didn't-"

"I know you didn't. But to them, its simple. You struggled with a teacher. You need help.'

She didn't say anything after that. Just looked out the small window on the other side of the room. There were a few birds that were floating around outside, but nothing that could take her mind off what I had just told her.

I was going to stay with her that night, and I did until Steve showed up around midnight.

"Lauren. Thank you for staying. Will you be back in the morning? I staying but…I need to go home so I can get her room and stuff ready for her. I cant believe this happened." He didn't know yet.

"Your welcome Steve. But that wont be necessary. Chloe's school told me that if she doesn't spend a few weeks in a group home being evaluated then this incident will be going on her permanent record."

"What! Does Chloe know this?" he was hyperventilating now.

"yes, Steve, I told her earlier. She understands, but isn't very happy about it. I feel soo bad. God! It was so much harder than telling someone there dieing!" I said on the verge of tears.

Steve then came up to me and pulled me into a somewhat awkward hug. "Its gonna be alright Lauren. Shes gonna be out in no time and then everything will go back to normal." He tried to reassure me, but he couldn't. nothing would ever be the same for her again. She wouldn't be able to do anything, go anywhere, without having to worry about those damn ghosts!

"I know Steve. You should go in there and wait for her to wake up. She missed you." Then I walked away.

I got in my car, then took out my cell phone.

"Hello Lauren! How is our dear Chloe?"

"Hello Marcel. Chloe is doing as good as we could hope. She understands that she needs to go to Lyle House. I told her it was so she could still go to ULCA."

"I am very glad tat she is co-operating. I assure you that we will do the best we can to help your niece Lauren. So when will you be here?" I wasn't completely positive when Chloe, Steve and I would be there but some time tomorrow. I told him that, and he said it sounded fine then hung up.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day…

Ta-da! Chapter two!

Tell me what you think….and please read my other DP stories, too.

Love y'all!

~RenesmeeRedbird~ 3