My sister fell asleep, but I couldn't. I was sitting up holding my legs to my chest. I looked around but all I could see was black- it was way too dark in here. Red letters on the clock were so bright. 3:46. I sighed and just stared at the clock, watching the time go by until I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, my sister was staring at me,

"What?"

"Don't you have school?"

"No. It's the weekend."

"Oh. I forget to keep track sometimes."

"It's okay."

"Why do you have your homework then?"

"To get it done. I don't want it to be late, and it's a distraction."

"Dani when are you going to get out of there."

"Never."

"Dani!"

"I'm serious." She sighed.

"Whatever. Are you gonna wear your school uniform?"

"Oh shit. I forgot to pack real clothes."

"It's ok, you can borrow something of mine."

"Thanks."

"No big deal." She walked over to a set of drawers her room had and pulled out a t shirt and jeans for me. I took them and changed in the bathroom. When I put on the T-shirt, I saw my scars. They were from the first, and thankfully only, time I cut myself. It was the night my sister had tried to kill herself.

I walked in to silence. For once I didn't hear shouts from mom or screams from Christina. I remembered mom had a meeting today. But Christina always came home right away. I always hung out with my friends after school, but she never felt like tagging along. I walked up to my bedroom. It was Jack and Jills with hers, but I couldn't hear anything from her room or the bathroom. I wondered if maybe she decided to take a walk or stay after school, but then I heard a clang coming from the bathroom. I crept towards the door and slightly pushed it open. Peering in, I screamed at what I saw.

"CHRISTINA?" I ran into the room and knelt down next to her, practically landing in a puddle of blood spilling from her deeply cut arms. The knife was just a few inches away. It must've made that noise. The color had spilled from her face, which was now streaked with tears and mascara. She seemed unconscious. "WAKE UP!" I screamed to her, but no response. I pulled out my phone and called 911.

"911 what's your emergency?"

"M-my sister..i-is" I tried to say between sobs.

"Ma'am can you wait on the line?"
"NO I CAN'T WAIT ON THE LINE MY SISTER IS DYING!" I gave her the information and hung up. I grabbed bandages and wrapped them around Christina's arms, trying to stop the bleeding.

"D-dani?" She choked out. Her voice was raspy and strained.

"Christina please," I begged. I sat her up against the tub and held onto her tightly. "It's gonna be okay paramedics are on their way."

"I don't want them to be."

"Christina you don't mean that."

"You're always saving me."

"I don't mind-"

"You're a LIAR!" She screamed at me thrashing around. I held onto her tighter.

"Christina calm down!"

"I'M the older sister! I'm supposed to help you!"

"I-it's ok. Really, it's ok." She broke down into sobs. "Shhhh," I whispered, rubbing her back. How did she get like this? Mom, of course. I'd never forgive her for this. Suddenly I heard the ambulance approach our house, and paramedics ran up to us. Christina struggled as a man tried to pull her away from me.

"STOP!" She screamed at him, thrashing around. He shushed her and laid her down on a stretcher, and they brought her down the stairs, me following close behind.

"D-don't leave me," She begged, grabbing my hand.

"Funny. I could say the same to you." She choked out a laugh and I smiled. The man set her down in the back of the van and after a lot of persuasion he let me ride with her. I held her hand.

"Please don't ever do that again," I begged her.

"I'm sorry Dani."

"It's ok. Just please don't hurt yourself."

"I can't help it."

"Yes you can. Christina, if you cut, I cut too."

"Don't."

"I won't as long as you won't."

"Dani?"

"huh?"

"Please don't tell them why."

"Christina they're gonna ask!"

"Then make something up."

"I can't-"

"please. Just don't tell them why."

()()()

The doctors took Christina to the ER and stitched her arms up. One told me he was going to keep her there for a few days on suicide watch. He asked for mom's number, but I told him she was supposed to be out tonight, and that she didn't have a cell phone. He was skeptical, but said that I needed to bring her by tomorrow to clear up insurance and to make sure Christina would be okay. He asked me what happened, but I just told him that she'd been under a lot of stress. It must've overwhelmed her. He nodded and said I should head home. When I got there, I went to the bathroom to clean it up. It made me queasy to see Christina's blood all over the floor. I spotted the knife which was also tainted red. I picked it up, studying it. Why did she want to use it? Did it make her feel better? I was curious. How was this supposed to solve her problems? Slowly, I brought it down to my arms, making slits in them, wincing at the pain. I kept thinking that at some point I was supposed to feel relief. I didn't.

()()()

I pulled out a sweater from my bag and slipped it on. I said goodbye to Christina. She wasn't happy to see me go but I assured her I'd visit again soon.

Sorry if the chapter was crap, I just wanted to clear up some things… the full Christina issue will be cleared soon but I didn't want to overdo it… I promise I'll update soon with more Adam, Eli, and Clare! Lemme know what you thought, and if the flashback was convincing.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

Logan