Struggles Twofold Simple Bonds Kima and Kim sat in the lobby, staring at each other, while Natalie sat anxiously next to Kima. Anyone who entered the room could feel the tension between the two redheads. Neither spoke, and yet volumes were expressed. Frustrated, Natalie tried to think of some way to break the atmosphere, but found it very hard to think when these two girls didn't seem to want to give an inch to the other. To make matters worse Natalie felt that some of Kim's rage was being directed at herself and she had no idea why. At that moment Jenn burst into the western dorms, pulling Cherilyn by the hand. She saw Kima and quickly ventured over to her, "Kima!" She panted. Kima broke from Kim's gaze to look at her friend, "Jenn?" She asked, concerned by Jenn's uncontrolled breathing, "Are you alright? Did something happen?" She got to her feet and noticed Cherilyn standing close to Jenn with fear in her eyes, "Who is this?" She asked with a smile. Kim abruptly stood to find out what was going on, peering around Jenn at the new arrival. "A... friend...” Jenn said between pants, "Cherilyn..." She swallowed hard. Natalie got to her feet, "I'll get you some water." She stated, running into the cafeteria. Jessica appeared from the office where she was working, "Cherilyn? From the East Wing?" She asked looking at the girl. Cherilyn nervously nodded without saying a word. "Something must be up if you are here." Jessica continued. Natalie returned with two paper cups of water, "Here." She handed one to each girl. "Thank you." Jenn accepted the cup gratefully drained her cup in an instant, “This school is too dammed big.” She said between swallows. "Where'd you run from?" Jessica asked. "The East Dorms." Jenn explained, "Tanya is missing. She left a note saying she went into the woods." "The Western Woods?" Jessica exclaimed in shock. Jenn nodded and retrieved the letter from her back pocket to have Natalie take it from her, "Why would anyone go in there?" Natalie asked skimming over the note. "She thinks the Head Mistresses will allow her to move here." Jenn explained, finishing off the last of the water. "What?" Jessica shook her head in confusion, "What would make anyone think something silly like that?" She stepped closer to Natalie to get a better look at the note. "I don't know," Jenn replied, "But that is where she is." She then turned to Kima, "Kima, do you know anything about the woods?" She asked, her eyes pleading to the girl for some kind of answers. Kima nervously glanced around, avoiding any eye contact, "I..." She tried to think of how to put things into words, "I'm from the mirrors. I know nothing about the woods. I'm sorry." She said with a sigh. "I know..." Natalie said grimly, glancing up from the paper, "Alyson taught me about the Alleys and the Woods. It is linked to the realm of death and guarded by three of the nine angels of death. It is supposed to be a place where the shadows enter our world from another. Sort of like a doorway of sorts." "You have got to be kidding me." Jenn exclaimed, "How can a place like that exist?" "How can a mirror reflection be standing beside you?" Natalie retorted, nodding towards Kima, causing the girl to nervously play with the bottom of her shirt. "You're not her twin?" Cherilyn finally spoke up in amazement. Kima rubbed the back of her head as Cherilyn looked from her to Kim and back again, "I'm not sure what I am." "So what do we do?" Jenn asked, "Tanya is alone out there and we need to find her." "Entering the Western Woods is not that easy." Kris's voice spoke up from across the room. Everyone spun around to find Kris standing near the pool tables, an air of gloom hung around the girl, "You don't want to enter there." she said in a weak voice. "Why not?" Jenn demanded. When Kris turned the pain her friend's eyes was so clear that Jenn could feel her own heart drop. "It is a place where those who wish to die go." Kris looked at Jessica for a moment and let out a deep sigh, "I didn't think you would understand. You have too much to live for now. You once understood, so maybe part of you still does." "Kris, what are you talking about?" Jenn gave the girl a puzzled look, "You are not making any sense." Kris turned to gaze out the window, "I'm the only one who can go get her." She set her forehead upon the glass of the window, "Only those wishing for death can find those of the same nature." "Come on, Kris you have to stop beating yourself up." Jessica pleaded, stepping closer to the girl. Kris clenched at her chest, "This is how things must be. I know that now." Kris pushed off of the window frame and turned around, "I don't want any of you to follow me." "Why shouldn't I?" Jenn returned angry and confused, "Why do you always have to be so damn chivalrous and princely all the time." She cried, "You are always being like that. Is this what you want? Do you really want to die?" Kris touched her chest, "I'm sorry... I never meant to hurt you..." She started towards the door when Jessica stepped in front of the door, blocking her exit. She glared angrily at Kris, only to have the girl avoid her gaze by glancing at the floor. Jessica then turned to look at the group of girls that had gathered in the lobby that day. Each she only knew for a couple of days, but had grown so fond of. The anger melted from her eyes as they returned to Kris again. "I'm going with you." Jessica said in a determined matter. "What?" Kris glanced up to see if the girl was kidding only to be greeted by a sad smile, "You can't go in there. You might not come back." Jessica nervously clenched and unclenched her fist, "You are all family to me and I can't just watch you leave." Jessica exclaimed, "I can't stop you, but I can at least try to be of some help and maybe we both will return." "I'm sure as hell not staying behind." Jenn added stubbornly, "I don't believe in all this business about the forest equalling our deaths. I just want my friends back." She gazed at her feet, "All of them." She muttered softly. "Jenn?" Kris looked at her friend, "I thought you hated me?" "I'm mad at you." Jenn stated, "I don't want you to die on me." she declared, "I..." Kima looked coldly between Jenn and Kris, "I'm going too." She affirmed, "What about you Nat?" She turned to the blonde. "Do you realize what you are all planning?" Natalie rose with a sigh, "No one has ever returned from that place, ever." "I have." Kris stated grimly. Just then the door to the dorm opened and Alyson came crashing in, dropping her things onto the ground as she toppled after them. Jessica was in time to catch the girl before she hit the ground. "ALYSON!!!" Natalie called out in surprise as she ran to her friend’s side, "What happened to you?" "I ran..." Alyson took a deep breath, "From home..." Natalie looked curiously at the duffle back in the foyer, "Did you bring all your stuff with you?" She asked confused. "I decided." Alyson struggled to her feet, "I'm staying here with you." She gave Natalie a weak smile. ***** To be Continued...
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