<strong>Lorraine</strong><br/><br/>Mrs. Wells had set the table for tea and both Lorraine and her father enjoyed the homemade biscuits and peanutbutter sandwiches. Lorraine's gaze roved towards the clock every now and again however, until it drew the notice of her parents. "Just go, sweetie." Her mother touched her shoulder in a brief, affectionate gesture that warmed Lorraine's heart. She looked up and smiled.<br/><br/>"Sorry."<br/><br/>"It's alright," her mother said gently.<br/><br/>Thirty minutes later Lorraine sat beside Alyssa's bed. The flowers she had bought in the hospital shop had been arranged in a simple white vase by a friendly nurse who had checked up on the young woman.<br/><br/>"Hey." Lorraine wasn't sure what else to say and sat down beside the comatose woman. After a few minutes of silence she began to talk; haltingly at first in simple phrases that described the weather, and then -as she went along- she told Alyssa of todays news, the happier parts at least. She chatted, just to have the girl hear a warm, sympathetic voice. What she did not mention were Greg, or Brandon, or any of last night's events that had brought Alyssa to this state. She held the girl's hand when she couldn't think of anything else to say, and as she sat there in silence, Lorraine felt increasingly uncomfortable.<br/><br/>It was hard to pinpoint the reasons for her discomfort. Alyssa lay quiet and still, the equipment hummed unobtrusively. The lights on the monitor pinged reassuringly, the girl's hand felt warm and limp and yet.... something wasn't quiet right. Lorraine glanced about her, almost expecting to find Greg hiding in a corner but it was daylight and the room was peaceful and empty but for her own movements.<br/><br/>It wasn't until she rose to leave and her shadow fell across the floor that it came to her. She spun back towards the bed and leaned over the sleeping woman. Gently, she took Alyssa's hand again and held it aloft as she checked the direction of her own shadow. Her brows creased in a puzzled frown as she lowered the girl's hand to the bed and left the room.<br/><br/>She wasn't sure what it meant, but Lorraine was certain it couldn't be good. Everything had a shadow, whether alive or dead. What could it mean that Alyssa didn't? What could have done this to her? Why wasn't the medical staff panicking all over? She tried to remember if she'd seen a shadow back when Brandon had carried the girl out of the burning house, but the memory was blurred. She shook her head and looked back over her shoulder. Should she stay? Her lips pursed as she considered the option. What could she do for Alyssa there? What if Greg had gotten all he needed? No, if she wanted to help Alyssa, she'd have to look elsewhere, which meant Brandon. And Greg.