"Would you like to try going to school again?", Mum asks with a thin smile. Her eyes are open and I know it's not the threatening kind I've seen her smile at a few ghouls others before.

"Well?", Marion presses.

I can see it already – teachers with quinque instead of rulers, and students with too many teeth to all fit in their mouths. And then there's me, just standing in the middle of it all shaking and crying like I was in the dream, except this time I'll be a little taller and wearing a different uniform. But fear is always the same. – A creeping dread that envelopes you in its ever-reaching fingers.

"No".

The two women look at each other and then back at me.

"Why?", mum is frowning in confusion. "Is this because of Eugene?", a look of knowing settles over her features, as she straightens herself a little.

"Well, don't worry, we'll make sure you won't see each other. And even if he did, he probably wouldn't recognise you anyway", Marion tries to reassure me. The concern in her voice makes me notice the shaking in my knees.

There are spiders. It feels like spiders are crawling all over me, hatching all their itchy little eggs all over me.

I sit on the couch, trying to un-widen my eyes and steady the tremors up my arms. To remedy this, I sit on my hands. Mum is holding onto my shoulder.

"What is it that you're so worried about, Kiev? Come on, it's alright to tell me. Speak your mind", She rubs my back.

"Why would you want to stay cooped up in this tiny apartment all your life? You're going to need to get out of here one day, you know?", Marion reminds me of her presence.

"But what if Eugene happens again?", I direct the question at mum. I have regained my posture, and sit up straight, facing mum.

"We'll make sure that he-"

"No, I mean with someone else. Why would I go to school and risk so much, when I could just study at home?".

Mum's gentle face turns sober.

"No", she says it in monotone. "Autry went to school, I went to school, and now you need to, as well. What do you think is going to happen when you grow up and you won't be able to depend on me or Autry anymore? You need to know how to depend on yourself and ask help from those around you, starting tomorrow!"

" . . . Tomorrow?!", What is she saying!?

Marion just sighs into her palm.

"What happened to careful explanation, Stella? Well, since the damage is already done . . .", Marion is visibly upset.

"But how? Don't you have work, mum? And Autry has classes in the morning. I don't even have books or the uniform – you're lying".

But mum doesn't say anything. Her silence tells me the truth.

Marion quickly fills the silence with lengthy explanation. She would be the one to drop me off at school and I could go home on the bus. But for the first week, Autry would come home with me, just so I could get used to it. Apparently the uniform and books were already sorted. I don't get how and when they managed to plan so much without me knowing a single thing. I feel somehow betrayed. They prepared all this for me and they except me to just simply accept it. But no matter how I try to justify myself, I can only remember what mum said about dependence.

"Fine, I'll go", I mutter. I know I have little choice in the matter anyway.

"Wait", Marion says, when I get up to leave. I turn to face her.

"The world has changed", she says.

"I know –it's been four years", I retort. I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think I'm in the mood to talk to anyone anymore.

"The government has set up RC-level detectors", Marion states.

I stare blankly. No shit. I knew what RC-detectors were, and I sure as hell knew that they were set up in CCG offices and other places affiliated with governmental operations.

"No, they're starting to set them up in public spaces too, so be careful to avoid them", mum attempts to clear away my confusion.

"That means places like stadiums and probably shopping centres and schools soon too", Marion finally adds. "And the only school we could get you in, this late in the year, and was nearby that you hadn't already been to, was Helensgrove".

"What is that, a girls' school?", I thought the name sounded ridiculous.

"No", mum gives an amused sigh, "it's co-ed – the name just sounds a little feminine".

"And did you check that Eugene doesn't go there?"

Mum hesitates and I notice. Marion enjoys the view of the carpet.

"Kiev, I'm sorry, but we only found out after we had a look into it ourselves – we would have told you sooner if we knew . . .", mum brushes the hair out of my face, with her palm. I sit stone-still; apprehensive.

She sighs, "Eugene died a long time ago".

Sorry, please don't kill me. This update is later than I'd meant it to be. - Exams are like demons on ecstasy-a higher dose than usual, anyway.

Also thanks to darkflameslayer for following and favouriting(I just made up a new word there . . .) this story!

And if anyone has any extra feedback or criticism about the plot/story just let me know^^

I mean, personally, I feel that the plot is feeling a little boring for the moment. - When I started writing this, I was hoping for something with more psychological themes and lots of action (and sort-of-violence . . . ehehe . . .). Well, hopefully I'll improve, and we'll get it there^^

And thanks so much for all the following and reviewing - I swear I get a heart-attack each time I see that some one has followed, favourited or reviewed this story (don't worry, it's not the kind of heart attack that's too detrimental to my health^^).

Well, hopefully see you guys next week, with the next chapter!