text: Athene Minerva February 20th , 2016  
   
   
   The start of an end 
     
     
   M… mother 
   D… daughter 
   F… friend 
   FW… parademic 
   P… Dr G 
   T… mysterious woman 
   N… nurse 
   C… mysterious guy 
     
   (M in a sad and desperate tone ) 
     
   M: You suck as a daughter ! Why did you cut yourself again ? I thought we were over this phase ! 
   D: I told you that it’s NOT a phase !You keep hurting me and wonder why I hurt myself. 
     
   (D runs in her room and hides under her blanket ) 
   (M follows D) 
   (M in a sad tone) 
     
   M: Honey, I’m sorry.What hapened , happened. I’m sorry that I made you cut yourself again. 
     
   (D sobbing) 
     
   D: I’m sorry won’t make anything better. So stop apologizing . 
   M: Well, why don’t you say something? 
   D: I did! But you would just be annoyed and it actually doesn’t matter how many times I try to explain you that what you do DOES have a vey terrible effect on me , but you would just FORGET it ! 
     
   (M sighs) 
     
   M: I’ve got my own problems too . How many times do I have to explain you this ?! 
   D: And then you think it’s alright to just leave me alone and let me suffer day by day , just becuase you treat me badly , which reminds me of the time I got bullied ?! I might be having a panic attack at the moment and the ONLY thung YOU see is me CRYING ! THINKING. IT. IS . JUST. A.PHASE?! 
   I know that you’re not a psychotherapist and I know that you can’t put yourself in others perspectives , but I have ALREADY explianed you EVERYTHING! I told you how it feels like when you and/or my brother treat me badly . Your ´jokes´ might not be rough for the both of you but they eventually ARE for ME. I’ve spent days and hours explaining you that evrytime you do or say something that affects me badly , I’m always about to start cutting myself again. These conversations would last three hours , always. YOU JUST DON’T CARE IF I MIGHT KILL MYSELF OR NOT !!! 
     
   (M gives D a strict look) 
     
   D: Stop giving me this look! It won’t help me anyway if you punish me! 
   M: What am I suppoesed to do ? 
   D: YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTEMED TO ME IN THE FIRST PALCE ! 
     
   (M sighs and rolls her eyes ) 
     
   D: Now you’re rolling your eyes! You really want me to kill myself , don’t you ? 
     
   (D gives M an angry look) 
   (M slams shut the door) 
   (D continues sobbing for hours) 
   (A few hours later , M enters D’s room) 
     
   M: You’re still crying ?! Stop it ! Do you want me to run all over the place with you , just to look for a psychotherapist ?! 
   D: Mom , I told you that I WANT to become less depressed but YOU just DO NOT MAKE IT POSSIBLE ! 
   M: Damned should be the day I married your father ! 
     
   (M slams shut the door) 
     
     
   
   
   THE NEXT DAY – 
   
   
     
   
   
   IN THE CLASSROOM – 
   
   
     
   F: Hi , how are you today ? 
   D: I’ve been better but thansks for asking 
   (D rolls down her long sleeves until her fingers) 
   (F giggles) 
     
   F: Why are you rolling down your sleeves ? Why are you even wearing a t-shirt with long sleeves ? It’s summer !!! Show off your body , you’re beautiful!!! 
     
   (F smiles at D) 
     
   F: C’mon .Roll them up.Or.. Or just take it off ! 
     
   (D in a low tone) 
     
   D: I’m not wearing anything underneath. 
   F: Well then roll up your sleeves . It’s hot !! Aren’t you sweating ? 
   D: No . 
   F: C’mon. Just.Roll. Them. UP: 
   D: Noooo. 
   F: Come ON !! IT’s not THAT hard, see ? 
     
   (F garbs D’s wrists and rolls up the long sleeves) 
   (F stares shocked at the injury at D’s wrist) 
     
   F: W… W… What’s that ? What happened to your wrists ? 
   D:Nothingggg. 
   (F looks worried at D and sighs) 
   (F is paralyzed by the view of the cuts on D’s wrists) 
   (Silence enters the room for 30 seconds) 
   (D starts feeling uncomfortable) 
   (D sets her look on the door) 
     
   F: You know if there’s something wrong you can ALWAYS – 
     
   (F grabs D’s hands) 
     
   F:You can ALWAYS come and talkt o me . We can go to Starbucks or we can go tot he park. Everywhere you want to spend hours with me talking. I’ll go with you. 
   D:You won’t understand. 
     
   (F sighs louder than before) 
     
   F:Look. I see that you’ve cut yourself, ok ? That’s NOT ´ Nothing ´. Stop lying to me . There’s SOMETHING that upsets you so much that you’ve hurt yourself THAT badly ! 
     
   (F grabs D’s wounded wrist up for her to see her own scars) 
     
   D:Stop pointing it out. 
   F:I’m REALLY sorry if I’m embarresing you and I’m sorry if this situation makesyou feel uncomfortable – 
     
   (F hugs D) 
     
   F:But I. AM. YOUR . BEST . FRIEND. And I’m worried about you. 
     
   (F hugs D again) 
     
   F: You did it quiet deep … You’ve tried to ill yourself … 
     
   (F has a lot of tears in her eyes . She is breathless) 
   (D rolls her eyes which are filled with tears of embarressment) 
   (D in a sarcastic tone) 
     
   D: Well, WOW ! Look at WHO made an ´EINSTEIN-CONCLUSION´ . 
     
     
   (F holds back tears , lets accidently one tear roll down her cheek and whipe sit off ) 
   (D rolls her eyes again) 
   (F lets D’s wrist harshly down) 
   (F runs out oft he classroom , sobbing) 
   (D hides in a corner oft he classroom an couldn’t help but start sobbing too) 
     
   
   
   AT HOME – 
   
   
     
   M : Honey, what happend ? Why are you crying ? What’s wrong ? 
   D: There’s no point in EVEN EXPLAINING what happened. You WON´T understand it anyway . 
     
   (M desperately) 
     
   M: What am I supposed to do with you ? 
     
   (D ignores M and slams shut her room’s door) 
   (D screams out of the top of her lungs) 
   (D shouts to M) 
     
   D: I’ll take a shower. I’ll be fine . 
     
   (D goes to M) 
     
   D: I’ve just had a bad day, sorry. I’ll take a shower to relax. Don’t worry about me , I’ll be fine. 
   M: Sweetheart , you can talkt o me . If it’s one of your classmates who made fun of you or something , then I – 
   D: It was nothng. I just missed the bus amd was late for school.That’s it. 
   M:But why are you cr- 
   D: It’s depressing to miss the bus , ok ? 
     
   (M looks cofused at D) 
     
   M: I’ll talkt o you when you get out oft he shower . 
     
   (D whispers) 
     
   D: You mean IF . 
     
   (D goes back to her room) 
     
   
   
   D IN HER ROOM – 
   
   
     
   
   (D thinks loudly) 
   
     
   
   D: Where’s the f*cking razor ? Or should I take a STANLEY KNIFE ? No , no , no .. The razor blade will do it too . A stanley knife would catch too much atention. 
   
     
   (D puts the razor blade between her ironed clothes in which she’ll change afterwards) 
     
   
   
   IN THE SHOWER – 
   
   
     
   (D starts sobbing) 
   
   (D thinks loud by herself) 
   
     
   
   D: First M and now F ?!They just motivte me to kill myself. 
   
     
   (D giggles) 
     
   
   D:They don’t even know what they are doing to me.The yydon’t ven know what their stupid actions can do to me .M does’t even care about my past.She just ignores the fact that I got BULLIED.As if ignoring the problem will make it disappear. 
   
     
   (D takes off her clothes ,fills the shower cabin with hot water and gets in) 
   (D takes the razor) 
   (D cuts at the same place multiple times until blood poors out.She cut sdeeper and deeper and each time she feels the numbness overcoming her) 
   (D takes a seat on the ground of the shower cabin) 
     
     
   D:I just need ONE person who. ACTUALLY. WILL.Under..stand me. and. take. CARE of me. SOMEONE who…wat.. watches out his or her actions … To NOT … put me back …Into my ´bullying-times´ … But who would do that ?! HA !! NOBODY !!! Nobody would watch out … the way they talk … or act … JUST TO NOT HURT A BULLIED VICTIM ?! HA !! Nobody cares about me. Not even F. I thought that maybe SHE would watch out what she says … That she might have talked … in ANOTHER tone … About my wrist . Or that she would react a little bit NICER … At least … She just EMBARRESSED ME , even though nobody heard us … That’s JUST NOT a way of talking to someone who is SUICIDAL. 
     
   (D puts the razor blade on her throat) 
     
   D:It’s just one way . Just ONE TRY . If I do it CORRECTLY , then that’s good . But if I SCREW it up , then I’m SCREWED !!! 
     
   (D pushest he razor deeper in her skin) 
     
   D:It’s just … ONE WAY . 
     
   (M knocks on the door) 
   (D cuts her thoat accidetly quite deep up to her collar bones.) 
   (Litres of blood start flowing) 
   (D knocks with both of her fists against the walls´) 
   (Barely breathing, D tries tomake a sound but she just CANNOT !!!She touches her throat and continues sobbing by the view oft he amount of blood she is loosing . She CAN’T breath … Fighting for her last breath to shout : ´ I’m bleedig ! My throat is bleeding !!!!´ She’s even fighting to say :´ Ambulance !´ , BUT SHE CANNOT !) 
     
   M:Honey , why are you taking so long ? You’ve spent more than an hour in the bathroom do far . When are youu planning to be getting out ? 
     
   (M waits for an answer but doen’t get one and starts becoming worried) 
     
   M:Are you … OKAY ? 
     
   (M waits again for an answer but unfortunally doesn’t get one again) 
   (M breaks the lock AND SCREAMS . Her EYES are wide open . H er daughter . Her ONE . AND . ONLY . daughter … is sitting on . the ground of the bathing cabine. Her whole body is covered in blood , starting from her throat .Blood continues to escape the wound . Her daughter is DEAD !!! The girl doesn’t move . M screams out oft he top her lungs , sobbing) 
     
   M: MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD !!!!!!!!!! MY ONE AND ONLY DAUGHTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS DEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDD !!!!!!!!!!!! 
     
   (M turns around to stop seeing her daughter’s dead body) 
   (Suddenly M stops sobbing. She’s interrupted by a familiar noise … It’s a noise she NEVER expected to hear it again … HER DAUHTER’S VOICE) 
   (D whispers with her lasting energ) 
     
   D : Amb … nce … A … bulan … 
     
   (M storms out oft he bathroom , grabs her phone and dials the number oft he ambulance and describes the situation . After two or three minutes , two parademics knock on the house’s door) 
     
   M: Bathroom . She’s in the – 
     
   (M points at the bathroom’s door and the parademics enter it) 
     
   M: But she’s naked . 
     
   (The parademics look at each other and the female one dares to enter the room . She takes a nearby towel and covers the girl’s body from the chest to the knees and carries her on her arms out oft he room) 
     
   FW : Her cut is deep . We have to take her to hospital IMMIDIATLY !! 
     
   (D is being carried tot he hospital) 
     
   
   
   IN HOSPITAL – 
   
   
   (M , F and everybody D knows surrounds her bed , including the doctor) 
     
   Dr. : I just managed to stitch her cut . She’ll stay here for a long time and will get a full-time therapy. My friend and collegue Dr. G will keep an eye on her and she’ll also be her psychotherapist fort he next months . This doctor has done a great job with similar cases like these . I know what I’m talking about if I tell you that she’s in good hands . 
     
   (Dr glances at M) 
     
   Dr : Dr, G’s recommendation ist o isolate her for a while from everyone she knows . To keep her concentrated on herself for a while. 
     
   (M interrups the Dr) 
     
   M: But I can’t just leave her alone. I need to SEE HEEER ! 
     
   (Dr looks furiously at M) 
     
   Dr: According to her – 
     
   (Dr looks at D) 
     
   Dr: You were the one , ma’am , who made her feel THAT desperate to do that . 
     
   (M stars crying) 
     
   Dr: This gilr needs a lot of rest , so I would ask you all to leave this room . NOW ! 
     
   (The crowd full f sad faces leaves the room) 
   (D manages to cry herself to sleep) 
     
   
   
   AT THE SAME DAY – 
   
   
     
   (The psychiatrist Dr G enters the room , takes a seat near the bed and starts taking notes) 
   (D wakes up) 
   (D glances at the psychiatrist and rols her eyes) 
     
   D: Who are you ? 
   P: Good morning ,I’m Dr. G , your psychiatrist . You were brought yesterday afternoon to us . You had an open wound which we luckily managed to stitch . 
     
   (P tries to smile at D but gives her a sad look instead) 
     
   D: Stop looking at me like that ! 
   P:You’re lucky , you know ? 
     
   (D in an annoyed tone) 
     
   D: NO ! I’m not otherwise I wouldn’t have killed myself . Or almost did it . 
     
   (D rolls her eyes and sighs) 
     
   D: Anway. What are YOU writing ? 
   P: Nothing imporant . 
     
   (D and P remain in silent for a moment) 
     
   (D whispers) 
     
   D: I want some coffee … Please . 
     
   (P smiles at D) 
     
   P: Sure ,I’ll get you some . 
     
   (D stares at the open window) 
     
   (P enters the room with a cup of coffee) 
   (D with a calm voice) 
     
   D: It’s beautiful. 
     
   (P looks at the same direction as D) 
     
   P: What do you mean ? 
   D: The sky . It’s so bright … 
     
   (P gives D the cup) 
     
   P: Here you are. 
   D: Thanks. 
   P: How do you feel now ? 
   D: Better. 
   P: How do you wanna answer ? In full sentences or with yes and no ? 
   D: Yes and no . 
   P: OK. 
     
   (P takes a seat on a chair next to D’s bed) 
     
   P: So … Yesterday afternoon , the 21st of October , you tried or almost did kill yourslf , right ? 
     
   (D keeps admiring the beautiful sky) 
     
   D: Yes . 
     
   P: You did it because you’ve had a bad day , right ? 
   D: Yes . 
   P: Do you keep having bad days on a regular basis ? 
   D: Yes . 
   P: Can I assume that you get bullied in school ? 
     
   (D starts crying) 
   (P hands D a tissue) 
     
   P: Do you have enough energy to tell me what hapened ? 
   D: No , but I could write it down … 
     
   (D looks at th papers at P’s thighs) 
   (P hands D some papaers and a pen) 
   (D sits straight and puts the papaers on her thighs and starts writing) 
     
   P: I’ll leave you now , okay ? I’ll come later and see what you’ve written . 
     
   (P smiles at D) 
   (P leaves the room and D starts writig) 
     
   
   She writes : 
   
   
   Yes , I indeed killed myself today and yes I am lucky that my mom found me on time .I’ve been bullied since the age of 5 years . I was in Kindergarden back then . There was a girl and this boy… They insulted me everytime they saw me . Then there was another girl who beat me up because she wanted to play with the same barbie doll as I . The kindergardenaunt heard me screaming but didn’t do anything … When the girl finally finished , the kindergardenaunt saw us and ordered me to give her the doll . She didn’t even ask me if I was ok . She also didn’t yell at the girl for pushing me or let her sleep as a punishment… She ignored what happened and continued doing what she was doing . Eversince I’m not the same … I’m terrified of her …  
   
     
   (D stops writing and sighs) 
   (D continues writing) 
     
   
   Later in life , I got beaten up by an older boy .. I was 8 I guess… After school I would go to a place where I can do my homwork and play with other kids ( as old as me or older ). When everyone was finished with their homework we would go tot he park and play with a chaperon . At this day , it was a man and I was the only girl in the group and the rest were boys . The chaperon found that it was a bright idea to play with the boys at the end of the park and let me play all by myself . Suddenly I saw lots of older boys coming at my direction . Then they made a huge circle around me and one oft hem got into the middle . He was OBVIOUSLY older than me . Maybe he was 12 back then . Out oft the blue , I felt his head hitting mine . The boys went tot he side and let me walk. I didn’t cry right away … I had tears in my eyes and when a few boys from my group asked me what’s wrong , I told them and cried . The chaperon heard what I said and yelled at them . That was just when I was 8 . By the age of 10 it got WORSE . When I was 10 . I had to suffer the absence of my father . Until THIS day I CANNOT believe that he ACTUALLY IS DEAD ! I’m 18 now and still have faith for him coming back . He had kidney cancer . He married sick ! Can you believe that ?! He passed on th e 5 
   th  
   of May in 2008. In September 2008 , I had to go to Junior High . I was a nerd in Primary School with straight As . There was the following problem : 4 months ago my father passed away . All of sudden , I was very quiet .Like , you wouldn’t even notice my absence . People would just think that I’m shy … But I wasn’t shy , I have social phobia … I still have it … Nobody concidered that I might be suffering because of my father … They noticed me gaining weight and would order me to loose it again … They never ask why I do this or that … In elementary school I was 1m50 cm ans 40 kg … With 11 years I weighted 50 kg … I looked round . I had to repeat the 1 
   st  
   form … I didn’t know HOW to study . All I could remember ist ha my dad would sit next ot m and my brother in the livivg room for Hendess hours and he would order me to do this and that . I really HATED this time and was GLAD as we finished. I also wondered how I gained ALL of this weight . He would also wach my food and tell me WHAT to eat … I didn’t know WHICH food would make me gain weight and I also had NO idea HOW I continued having such a petite figure … I repeated the 1 
   st 
    form because of maths ! I went from being a nerd in elementary school (with straight As) to having an F !!! I. WAS . SHOCKED . Just a few months ago I had super good grades and now I HAVE . TO . REPEAT ?!?!?!  
   
   
   It might soud fuuny to you if I tell you that I don’t know how to study , but THAT was what got me LOST !  
   
     
   (D falls asleep) 
   (A nurse enters the room and checks on D) 
   (The nurse smiles at D and leaves the room) 
     
   -THE NEXT DAY – 
     
   (Someone knocks on the door) 
   (A dark dressed woman enters the room and D wakes up) 
   (D looks at the smiling woman) 
     
   T: sshhhh 
     
   (D rubbs her eyes to make sure she wasn’t imagining this woman) 
   (Suddenly the misterious woman disappears and Dr G enterst he room) 
     
   P: So … You’ve been writing , I see . How are you doing ? 
   D:I’m ok … 
   P:You look so confused . Is everything alright ? 
   D: Yes … I just saw this woman who disappeared as you came . 
     
   (P holds in for a moment) 
     
   P: Good … May I see what you’ve written ? 
   D:Sure but I’m not finished yet . 
     
   (P smiles at D) 
     
   P: It’s ok . 
     
   (D gives P the papers) 
   (P takes the papers and starts reading) 
   (After a moment P puts down the papers and seems breathless) 
     
   P: So… Do you have enough energy to talk about it ? 
     
   (D nods her head) 
   (D has her eyes fixed on the papers and stumbles) 
     
   D: He died by kidney cancer and I started overeating . 
     
   (D sighs) 
     
   D: I went from 40 kg to 50 kg in a short amount of time . 
     
   (D sighs) 
     
   D: I had a HUGE belly . The weight gain didn’t stop . After I’ve repeated the 1st form , I got REALLY good grades . I had this girl in my class who had no religion . My classmates bullied her . They would get annoyedby ANY word she said . 
     
   (D stares breathless out oft he window and gives P a hand sign to give her pen and papers 
     
   
   THEY HATED HER !!! WITH  
   
   EVERY  
   
    WORD SHE SAID SHE GOT CRITISIZED !  
   
     
   (D shows P the papers) 
     
   P: Is this the way you wanna talk to me ? 
     
   (D nods) 
     
   P:And what did you do ? 
     
   
   I sat next to her but she didn’t really like me … At first at least …There was one time me and her were alone and we talked about our English teacher , which the both of us hated . After that she kinda started liking me . 
   
     
   P:How did the class react ? 
     
   
   In the beginning I tried to pretend to be someone else so they’d like me but then they found out that I was lieing , so they hated both of us . But the girl who they hated first didn’t even dislike me …They turned against us … 
   
     
   P: How did they turn against you ? 
     
   
   They would tell us to go away and be distanced . They wouldn’t involve us in anything … Me and the other girl sticked together but weren’t close friends … Not yet … Still in 1 
   st  
   form , she motivated me and was happy for me ... 
   
     
   
   P: Did this change ? 
   
     
   
   Things got worse in 2 
   nd  
   grade when this girl came as a new student in our class .She kinda looks like a man and is a muslim and is from Egypt … Like me . 
   
     
   P: Well , doen’t this sound good ? You being in a class with a girl who speaks the same language as you ? She is of large built so isn’t that good if you need someone to protect you ? 
     
   (P smiles at D) 
   (D shakes her head) 
     
   
   No, that’s not good !!! THAT’S NOT GOOD AT ALL !!!! 
   
     
   
   (P stops smiling) 
   
     
   P: What about the class ? How did they react when they first saw her the first time ? 
     
   
   I guess they liked her in the beginning but during the school year they hated her . 
   
     
   P: Why ? What did she do ? 
     
   
   She would annoy the teachers by shouting out THE WRONG ANSWERS  
   
   WITHOUT  
   
   EVEN RAISING HER HAND !!!! She just wouldn’t shut up . No even in break time . She’s always the loudest one in class . She is also stupid ( in her behaviour ) . She didn’t have good grades but with my help she got better . She kept having good grades but this doesn’t define her cleverness . Good grades only show how ambigious you are and how much you actually enjoy studying . You only know how clever or stupid someone is by their behaviour . Not only how they behave around your parents but also how they act on the street and in school .  
   
     
   P: Said once a wise woman 
     
   (P smiles at D) 
     
   P: You are very wise for your age. 
   D: Thanks . 
     
   (D smiles back at P) 
     
   P: How did she treat you in the street and around your parent ? 
     
   
   In school : badly  
   
   
   In ront of my mom : fake  
   
     
   P: What did she do to you in the street ? 
     
   
   I remember one time she insulted a very bad word in Arabic . She was like : You know what ? You’re this and that . I was walking behind her and we weren’t the only Egyptians in the street . I was embarressed but one year later , she and another girl did worse things. I’ll talk about the other girl later . 
   
     
   P: You told me that your psychotherpist diagnosed you with social anxiety . Tell me more about it . Were you born with it ? 
     
   
   No , I wasn’t born with it , I developed it over the years . It all started when I was I was 11 years old. I was weirdly quiet . Then , when I was 12 , I raised my hand and … I said the wrong answer and the class started whispering about me .  
   
     
   (D sighs) 
     
   D :  I’m done . I won’t talk or write . 
     
   (D stares at the white blanket which covers her lower body .She sits and stares at it and doesn’t make any sound. She doesn’t move at all.) 
   (P worried) 
     
   P: What’s wrong , sweetheart ? Was this too much for you ? 
     
   (D remains silent) 
     
   P: I think it’s better if you take a shower and relax for today . Let me call the nurse. 
     
   (P leaves the room and a nurse enters) 
     
   N: The Dr told me about what you’re going through. You’re really brave , my kid . 
     
   (N touches D’s shoulder and smiles) 
     
   N: C’mon , let me make you ready for your shower . I brought som lavender candles . I promise you to make you feel relaxed today . 
     
   (N smiles at D) 
   (N puts one hand around D’s waist and the other one behind D’s neck .) 
     
   N: C’mon sweetie , let’s go . 
     
   (D makes her body heavier so she won’t be carried) 
     
   N: Girl, you ain’t thst heavy . Stop making yourself heavier than you are . 
     
   (A few tears roll down D’s cheeks as she whispers) 
     
   D: Now you’re saying that I’m fat ?! 
   N: Girl … The only thing I said was that you make yourself heavier than you are . You ain’t fat !! You look DAMN fine with your petite curves ! 
     
   (N pushed D’s hair aside from her eyes) 
     
   N: Whoever told you that you’re fat is just jealous . You KNOW who you are and you ain’t fat ! Lord knows , maybe THEY are fat and can’t handle the fact that you are better than them . 
     
   (D gives N a sign with her hands to come closer) 
   (D whispers in N’s ear) 
     
   D: They said it f a few times in a row. One said that I’ve gained weight and the other said that I’m fat. 
   N: Who said that ? 
   D: My aunt and my uncle … 
     
   (N holds D’s face with both of her hands) 
     
   N: Poor kid . 
     
   (A tear escapes N’s eye) 
     
   N: This pain is written all over your face … 
     
   (N sighs and hugs D tightly) 
     
   N: I won’t leave you . 
     
   (After 2-3 minutes N decides to leave D alone , who cried herself to sllep on the nurse’s shoulder) 
   (N lays D down on the bed and covers her with the blanket) 
   (N whispers while standing at the door) 
     
   N: The angels are watching over you . May they and the great power oft he Lord protet you , my kid. You’re safe here , I promise . 
     
   
   
   THE NEXT DAY – 
   
   
     
   (N with a bright smile) 
     
   N: Good morning, sunshine . How did you sleep last night ? 
     
   (D with a huge smile , giggling) 
     
   N: Seems like you’ve slept very well as I see. 
     
   (D nods grinning) 
   (N takes a seat on D’s bed near her legs) 
     
   N: Tell me EVERYTHINGGG ! 
   D: Well.. It was a dream , but it felt sooo real … 
   N: Now you GOTTA tell me !! 
   D: I was at a park , I guess and then I met this handsome guy … 
   N: Do you know him ? 
   D: No , but I feel like I know him from somewere … He seems so familiar to me … I don’t know why… 
   N: Did he talk to you ? 
     
   (D in a high pitch voice) 
     
   D: Yeeeessss … 
   N: Dr G recommended you to take a walk to get some ernergy . 
     
   (D grinning) 
     
   D: Kayyyy. 
     
   (D changed her clothes and takes a walk in the nearby park .) 
   (She makes eye contact with a good-looking guy) 
   ( She is thinking ) 
     
   D: He’s looking at me !!! I’m dying to talk to him  ! 
     
   (The mysterious guy approaches D and smiles) 
     
   C: Hey ! 
     
   ( D is thinking ) 
     
   
   D: WOOW !!! HIS VOIIIICEE !!! AND THOOOSE HAZELLLL EYEZZZ !!! 
   
     
   C: I saw you looking at me from over there so I thought I might as well come and say hi . 
     
   (D is breathless and tries to smile) 
   (C laughs at her facial expression and asks) 
     
   C: I’m sorry … Do you speak English ? 
     
   (D still tries to smile but fails again and makes a weird facial expression) 
   (C laughs again) 
     
   C: Do you always make those funny faces when a guy talks to you ? 
   D: Ehm … I usually don’t talk to boys… 
   C: So you don’t even talk to them when they come up to you ? 
   D: Yeeees ? 
   C: Well , I don’t wanna scare you or anything …. But I’m a dude … Well , at least that’s what my mom and everyone I know tells me … And you’re talking to me ! 
     
   (Both start laughing) 
     
   D: Well , congratulations to you ! You’re the first boy I talk to ! 
     
   (C and D start walking together and suddenly everyone around them disappears . It’s only them and the trees with their brown-gold leaves.) 
     
   C: Wanna take a seat ? 
     
   (D nods) 
     
   C: So … What are you up to ? What are you doing here all alone ? 
     
   (C smiles at D) 
   (D sighs and her bright smile vanishes) 
     
   D: Ehm … 
     
   (D gives C a sign with her head to look at the hospital) 
   (C looks at the building and has a pain-filled look in his eyes) 
     
   C:May I know what’s wrong ? 
   D:I’ve been bullied since my earliest childhood and I’ve suffered the loss of my dad by the age of 10 .. Now I’m 18 and here … I’ll stay a while there … 
   C: I’m very , very , very sorry for your loss. I’m sorry for asking … 
   D: Don’t be … I would have told you anyway… 
   (D smiles her usual soft smile) 
     
   D: You kinda look like my father … 
     
   (C and D remain silent for a moment) 
     
   D: I kinda wanna get to know you better … Just because you look like my dad doesn’t mean that I don’t wanna … Have something to do with you, you know … You kinda give me hope … 
     
   C: That’s great to hear so ! 
     
   (C smiles at D) 
     
   C: How long have you been there ? 
     
   (C looks at the hospital) 
     
   D: I was brought two days ago , I guss … 
     
   (D sets the scarf up to cover her scar) 
   (C holds D’s hand and looks her deep in the eyes) 
     
   C: You’ll be fine , I promise . 
   D: How can you promise me that ? 
   C: Because I’ll make sure that you’ll be alright and I’ll stick with you from now on . 
   D: You don’t have to do that . You don’t have to feel sorry for me . 
   C: I feel sorry for you but I gave you this promise because I care about you . I wanna get to know you better . You told me the summery of your story and you’re still here, which means that you are strong ! 
   D: Do you have a story too ? If I may ask… 
   C: Yes , I do . 
   N: Dr G is looing for you . It’s time to continue what you’ve started yesterday … 
   D: I gotta go … 
   C: Tomorrow same time , same place ? 
   D: Yes … 
     
   (D and C smile at each other and shake hands) 
     
   C: It was a pleasure meeting you . 
   D:The pleasure is all mine . 
   N: Was this the handsome guy you told me about earlier ? 
     
   (D grinning) 
     
   D:Yesssss. 
     
   (N leads D to her room where Dr G is waiting for her) 
     
   P: The walk seems to do wonders , you’re smiling ! That’s good ! 
   D: Yappp … 
     
   (D looks on the ground and smiles) 
     
   P: Ready to go to my office where we can continue what we’ve started yesterday ? 
   D: Yes ! 
     
   (P and D go tot he office) 
     
   P: We talked about this Egyptian girl… And you wanted to talk about this other girl too.. 
   D: Yes , she’s from Serbia and is obese… She got bullied by everyone and I sticked with her and defended her and almost punshed a boy for her but she …She wouldn’t have done the same for me … When she started going to anther school , I got more depressed than ever because she , the Egyptian girl and the girl with no religion were my only friends and by the Seniour year , I was alone and terrified to make any new friends … Well , I’ve had a few friends but this friendships wouldn’t last long … Once , I’ve uploaded my WhatsApp status into this :  Sometimes I think about cutting myself . 
   She asked me why I would think of doing that and I didn’t wanna answer so she got annoyed and started a fight with me … We haven’t talked to each other eversine … 
   P:She’s not a good friend and you haven’t lost anything . She has lost you . If she’s stupid enough to argue with you instead of helping you like you did when she needed someone , then let her be that dumb ! 
   D:We’d fight a few times in a months and our fights would last 21 /2 weeks . 
   P: That’s rough . What would you argue about ? 
   D:The smallest things … 
   P: That’s just HER way of crying for help . You gotta underdtand that too. 
   D: I do but this doesn’t justify her behaviours . 
   P: May I know what she did ? 
   D: She and this Egyptian girl embarressed me on the streat . They laughed at me and they have VEEERY loud. They punshed me too . Daily . 
   P:I’m sorry. 
   D:It’s ok. 
     
   (D sighs) 
     
   D:The Egyptian girl would take all of her school books and hit me with them on my head. She would slap me on my face . Once she even thrwe my mobile on my forehead. She would sit on my lap even though she is 1m80 or so .. She is quite heavy and there was one time she hit me so hard , I almost died.She also choked me .I survived. 
   P:What did the teachers do ? 
   D:Nothing . 
     
   (A few hours later) 
     
   P:You’re really brave! You’re stronger than yesterday . 
   D:Really ? 
   P:Could this mysterious young man have something to do with your courage ? 
   D:Kinda … 
     
   (N leads D to her room) 
   (D changes her clothes, lays awake in bed and reads a book) 
   (Someone knocks on the door) 
     
   N:Someone wants to speak to you. Shall I let him in ? 
   D: Of course. 
   C:I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. 
   D:It’s ok . 
   C: How you doing now ? Have you finished your session with Dr G for today ? 
   D:Yes. She said that I was braver than yesterday. 
   C:That’s good. I’m proud of you , keep going ! 
   D: Thanks .. You were the one who ecouraged me in the first place . 
     
   (C takes a seat on the chair near the bed) 
   (The boy suddenly disappears and the mysterious woman in balck takes a seat on the chair.) 
     
   D:Who are you ? 
   T:Your worst enemy . 
   D:LEAVE ME ALONE !!!!! 
     
   (T disappears out of the blue) 
   (N enters the room) 
     
     
   N:Who are you talking to , my kid ? 
   D:I’m talking to this woman in black . A few minutes ago you came and told me that there was a young man who wanted to talkt o me .. Then he sat on this chair and then he disappeared and this woan came and disappeared too … 
   N:I have noooo idea about what you’re talking about . I just enetred this room because I heard you yelling. Nobody came and asked for either … 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   ... 
   N : I think you need some rest . 
     
   (N comes closer to D and helps covers her with the blanket ) 
     
     
   N : Good night and may the Lord and his angels protect you , my kid . 
     
     
     
   -DURING THE NIGHT -  
     
     
   T: WAKE UP !!! 
     
   ( D opens her eyes and is half asleep ) 
     
   T: Told you I was your worst nightmare !!!  
     
   ( T giggles an evil giggle )  
   ( D with a tired voice ) 
     
   D: Go away ! 
     
   ( D falls asleep again as something terrifying keeps her awake all night )  
   (D feels a ice cold air filling the room even though the window is closed) 
   ( Someone touches her cheek ) 
   (D doesn't move because she feels a cold breath near her face) 
   (As D dares to open her eyes , she got shocked by the view of these cold , black eyes staring at her ) 
   (D is afraid to call a nurse . D is paralyzed from fear)  
   (As D closes her eyes and opens them again , the creature is gone , but left something behind)  
   (D scream)  
   (N enters the room) 
     
     
   N: What is wrong ? Why are you screaming , my kid ?  
     
   (D points at sth at the floor ) 
   (D has her eves wide open )  
   (D starts sobbing ) 
   (N takes D in her arms ) 
     
   N: What are you staring at , my kid ?  
     
   (D in shock ) 
     
   D: Can't you see it ?  
   N: WHAT are ou talking about ?  
     
   (D points at the chair next to her bed )  
   ( N sighs and takes a seat at the chair near the bed ) 
     
   N: Have you been sleeping ?  
     
   ( D unsure ) 
     
   D: Y .. Yes ..  
   N: What have you done yesterday ?  
   D: I ... I don't remember ...  
   N: Take a feep breath and sit down . 
     
   (D takes a deep breath ad sits down on the corner of the bed )  
   (N takes D's hands ) 
     
   N: You . Need . Rest . Got me ?  
     
     
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   Publication Date: June 18th 2019 https://www.bookrix.com/-pec269c3536de65