Time passed, and Aislin's many visitors disappeared. First Nicholas, as he wasn't amused by the porn. Then the twins. Gabe still looked pissed, leveling a death stare at her before her brother ushered the two of them out. Sylvia stuck around a little longer, but she seemed eager to enjoy her findings alone. 

As door clicked shut, the smile on Ailsin's face deflated. She stared out the rain-soaked window, the gray weather outside reflecting her own cold feelings. Snippets of the conversation before flew through her mind, pegging her with guilt. [i]Why did I immediately blame Adam? He's just a teacher...[/i] Ailsin groaned, squeezing her hospital sheets with white knuckles. 

Ailsin should have considered there'd be more than one blue-skinned meta, especially in a school like this. But the enigma, it burned at her with ferocity. [i]I need to know who's down there.[/i] She thought. If not for her, then for Jaska. He was the one who got all defensive in the first place, maybe there really was a problem the school wasn't aware of. Aislin couldn't begin to guess who the blue lady was, but she pondered the question nonetheless.

[i]God, I can't take this. I'll drive myself insane at this rate.[/i] Aislin frustratedly pushed the red button again. When the nurse walked in she put on her best 'I'm healthy' face. [b]"Excuse me, ma'am, I'm rested and feeling great. When can I go?"[/b]

She'd say whatever she had to if it meant she could leave. But the nurse was pretty chill, helping her out of the IV. They threw Aislin's clothes in the wash, cleaning the salt out. She buried her face in her shirt, breathing in warm cotton and detergent. It was shredded to shit, but still wearable one last time. The nurse showed her to a change room, and Ailsin slipped back into her loose graphic tee and skirt. 

[b]"Thank you, ma'am. Could you point me in the direction of the hospital's gift shop?"[/b] Aislin asked before she left. 

It didn't take long before the young lady found her way to Jaska's room, a small bouquet of flowers in hand. She knocked before entering, but found the room empty besides the whirr of machines and a slumbering Jaska. He looked sick, frail. The machines seemed like they could eat him up as he almost disappeared amongst the cords and tubes. 

[b]"Oh... My God. Jaska..."[/b] Aislin's voice choked, and she hovered near the far wall. Her heart thumped in her ears; being here scared the living [i]shit[/i] out of her. When she looked at him, her mind continued flashing horrific images of the Beast, closing in for the kill. The end of her life, only inches away from being swiped out of existence with a razor claw.

She shuddered, feeling incredibly weak. But, gritting her teeth, she tiptoed to the edge of his bed. Slowly, carefully. Not to disturb the sleeping monster child, Aislin quietly placed her gift of flowers in an empty vase beside his bed, a card reading 'From the Pretty Lady' hidden among the petals. The moment her hand let go of the stems, she took quick steps back, keeping her eyes on Jaska the entire time. Jaska's door closed with a quiet click as she bolted into the hallway. She didn't stop until the hospital was far behind.

The dripping rain soaked her clothes after minutes of being outside. Undeterred and only a little cold, Aislin pushed her wet hair off her face as she slipped past the school's gates. Traveling on a bubble of earth for speed, Aislin tried retracing her steps to the caves. It took some time, but the cliff came into view once more, dark holes dotting its side. 

Golden orbs flashed in the darkness, just as they did before. Aislin's fear spiked so great that she lost control of her power, tumbling headfirst into the mud. She roared in disgust, spitting grit from her mouth. Cursing her vivid imagination, she shakily rose to her feet. Mud caked half of her body, getting all in her hair. Feeling even shittier than before, Aislin wiped off as much as she could before she willed herself to wander back into the caves.

Going to the same place they saw the blue lady together, Aislin could still pick out dried blood on the ground. The broken stalagmite sat guilty at its center, and with a furious kick Aislin sent the stone sailing into the opposite wall. It didn't make her feel any better...

[b]"Hellooo!"[/b] She yelled in vain, not believing for a moment the blue enigma would just appear from a greeting. With an exasperated sigh, Aislin scratched at the mud drying on her arm as she followed the tunnels deeper in, following the sounds of rushing water. If anything, maybe she'd find an underground spring to wash off in.