My dream... was it really only a dream? I didn’t think so. It felt very close and very real.As soon as I could trust my legs, I slipped into the bathroom and ran cold water over a washcloth. Pressing it to my cheeks, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror above the sink. My eyes were dark and shadowed against the paleness of my skin. My hands still trembled, and my eyes hesitated on my wrists as I saw them in the mirror. I could see Nell’s scarred arms in my mind, and I could hear her taunting voice.Shivering, I darted back to my room and climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to my neck. I tried to go back to sleep, but each time I closed my eyes, panic gripped me. Sleep was a long time coming.So when the alarm rang at 6:30, I was groggy. I moved so slowly through my morning routine that I was in serious danger of being late for the first time in my high school career. My mom’s worried voice followed me out the door.“Don’t speed or drive crazy just to get there on time. I’ll write you a note if you’re late!”I waved to acknowledge her words and concentrated on making it to school safely and quickly.
