It was early morning light when I climbed the side of the hospital building. My plan was to hook my hand through the small open window to Pearl's room and unlock the bigger window, then I'd be in. I was successful. The window squeaked. Pearl wriggled in her sleep.

'Pearl…' I shook her again, as I had the previous night, it seemed so long ago now, 'Love, it's me, wake up, you have to this time, dear, I 'ave to leave…'

Something in what I said must have resonated with her because her eyes flickered open and she looked thoroughly confused.

'Wher-where am i?'

'At the hospital, Pearl. You tried to…'

'I know.' She looked at me hard. 'Why are you always covered in blood, Anna?'

'I'll never hear your innocence again…' My eyes spilled over again.

'Why are you crying, Anna? Am I going to die?' She didn't sound panicked, more peaceful. I wiped my tears away.

'No, love, you're not, I got you here in time.'

'I wish you hadn't.' She sounded bitter. Her eyes looked daggers at me. It hurt.

'Pearl, look, can't you please not make this harder? I ca-' My voice broke again, I covered my face, 'I'm sorry, love…'

'Anna…' She sat up.

'Why did you do it?' I said finally. Moving my hand away.

'My parents lied to me.'

'That…all…' I didn't mean to sound unsupportive but it seemed a little over dramatic to me.

'About everything. I'm adopted, Anna, and they never told me, my whole life has been a lie. They shouted it at me in an argument. I couldn't…deal. I'm not strong like you, Anna, it must have taken you so much to resist last night and you did, Anna, you did, but I'm not that strong and-Anna, why are you crying again?'

That explained the crushed family photograph and the pack of paper.

'God love, I'm not strong, I'm not, I lost it and I have to leave!' I couldn't take it. I didn't deserve her praise now, nor had I deserved it ever. I never will.

'What?' She looked distraught, I felt terrible. 'Why?'

I told her. Right from the top.

'Then it's my fault.' She said finally when I finished. 'If I hadn't been so stupid and tried to go all emo on you, then…'

'No, it's me. It's always been me, I said I couldn't be your friend because you'd get hurt and now you have!'

'You leaving me in the lurch hurts more than cutting my veins open did, Anna!'

'You're making me hungry again, Pearl and I'm losing energy through my tears!'

'That's what I mean, Pearl.'

'Is there no way you could stay?'

'No.'

Her face lit up.

'I got it! I could donate my blood to you on a daily basis and you could come live with me in my wardrobe or something! And…'

At any other time, I'd have laughed, now I cried harder than ever.

'No. That can't happen and you know it, dear.'

We were silent for a moment before I got up and approached her, ready to say goodbye.

'Wait.' She said with a sigh. She stood, pulling the IV from her hand.

'Pearl…what are you doing, get back in bed, you'll make yourself unwell again.'

'I'm coming with you.' She said. She meant it.

'What? No, you can't. It's too dangerous for you, you can't live like I do.'

'No, I AM coming with you. As ONE of you.'

'I-'

'No buts now, Anna. I want to. You told me that there was no good in living if I had nothing to live for. Now I don't, not without you, my best friend, so make me into you. Take me with you.' She ripped her bandage from her arm and, with a small cry, split her stitches.

'Pearl.' I breathed quietly, watching the tantalising blood pour again.

'Do it. Anna, do it or I bleed to death.'

I couldn't get a nurse, not look as I did and she wouldn't. I had no choice. And I really didn't want to be alone anymore.

'I-' I stammered again.

'Anna, please!' She hugged me. 'Do it.' She said from hanging around my neck. I could feel her blood soaking my back. I knew I didn't have much time to make my choice.

'…You can take life or give it…' The phrase came back to me, my attacker, my creator told me, his only useful words to me.

I was about to take her life but give it back again in a new way.

'I can't believe I'm doing this…'

And that's when I sank my teeth into her neck.

Well, that's all ! I hope you all enjoyed it, check out the rest if you like.

The fact that you've all stayed with it until the end means a lot to me.