<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold">“Father, please...!”</span>, the girl protested, dragging her luggage behind her. It was evident some sort of disagreement was going on. Only a man and his young daughter walked to the station. The girl seemed tired and upset. The man looked a little bit indecisive, as though he was not completely sure about what he was doing. Still, he tried to sound firm.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">“Anni, please. You can’t hide at home forever because of your condition.” </span><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">“Yes, I can. Or I could, if you would only let me. I have nothing to do in the University. I don’t know why I even let you convince me to apply.”</span><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><br/>“Because you must do something with your life. What happened...”</span><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">“What happened ruined my life!”</span>, the girl exploded. After a moment, she took a deep breath and stopped walking. <span style="font-weight: bold">“I’m sorry, father. I am frustrated and tired. But... I know you and mother want what’s better for me. We just don’t agree on what that would be.”<br/></span><br/>Mr. Graves shook his head. <span style="font-weight: bold">“You are still young. You can have a better life. Study, meet new people, make friends... maybe meet a nice boy.”</span><br/><br/>A bitter laughter escaped Annika’s lips. <span style="font-weight: bold">“A nice boy. Really, father? I can’t. I can’t meet a nice boy, or even a bad one. I do not want to. I want to be left alone. I will try for a while, though. If I see that this is not for me, I will go back home, and stay there.”</span><br/><br/>As the girl stated these words, the pair finally reached the point where they should cross to the actual platform. Looking around them for a moment, they both crossed to the other side. Annika took a deep breath. She had been arguing with father for the past few weeks. But now that she was about to part ways with him, the girl felt insecure. <br/><br/>Fixing the blue T-shirt she wore that day as if it was something very important, Annika took a deep breath.<span style="font-weight: bold"> “Father, I...”</span><br/><br/>The man shook his head one more time. <span style="font-weight: bold">“You will be all right, Anni. You will be safe there. And you won’t hurt anyone.”</span> With a sigh, Mr. Graves pulled his daughter in a tight embrace. <span style="font-weight: bold">“And if you get in to big of a mess, send me an owl, and I will be there to take you home before you can get the owl back. But please... don’t get in trouble.”</span><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">“I won’t, father. Tell mom I love her. I will write once I settle in there, okay?”</span><br/><br/>Not waiting for an answer, the girl picked up her bag again and went off. It was for the best. And she had to move before the train went off and left her behind.With her luck, it was quite possible.<br/><br/>Taking a look at the large dog which seemed to be alone, Annika felt the temptation to pet it. A very brief one. Except for her own dog, the one she had left home with her parents, she couldn’t be sure about anyone else’s. Much less without a master around. Content with only looking for a little longer, the girl soon went in the train and looked for a place to sit. The only thing Annika really wanted was to be alone. But she was pretty sure that would not be possible. Without much hope, the dark-haired young woman slid into the first empty cabin she saw and hoped with all her might that whoever she was to share it with wasn’t very talkative or asked too many questions.<br/>Long days were ahead. Very long. And even longer nights...</div>