Chapter Text
I went for my afternoon walk. As usual, I took a shortcut that went along a path through the forest and then along a dry riverbed. But today was different. I saw a silhouette. A girl was sitting on one of the river's stone steps, slumped over with her head in her hands. Her back was turned to me. I approached cautiously, not wanting to frighten her. She had a cut on her leg that was bleeding. Suddenly she seemed to hear me and turned around. She had a sad look on her face and tried to wipe away her tears inconspicuously as she jumped up. I caught a glimpse of a forearm that appeared to be scraped. Strange place, I thought.
"Is everything all right?" I asked worriedly. She nodded and swallowed.
"I have to go," she said in a husky voice and slipped past me. This time I paid attention and was sure that the red welts on her forearm were not accidental.
"Are you sure you're OK? I'm just saying... If you want to talk... I'm a good listener."
She stared at me, seemed to be thinking. Her gaze was hurried, her shoulders hunched, vulnerable.
"I come by every day around three o'clock. So if you want...?"
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded almost imperceptibly, turned and ran off through the riverbed. I looked after her and hoped fervently that she would come and talk. It was clear to me that something was going very wrong there...