Mary jolted upright with a loud scream, her chest heaving as the vision snapped away like glass shattering. Sweat clung to her skin, her eyes were wild, and she looked like she might jump from her bed, until Adele's arms were around her, holding her still.
"Shhh, don't worry. You're safe now," Adele murmured, her voice soothing enough to ground her.
She held Mary close. The young girl was shaking like a frozen leaf in winter. Adele had brought her to her place in the Staff lodge. It was much more comfortable and away from the disturbances of the annoying students.
Moreover, she refused to let Mary stay in the infirmary, not when it was so close to that wretched hospital ward. Not that the school lounge was ironclad safe, but it was better. Here, Mary would find peace.
The panic slowly faded from Mary's eyes, but they quickly watered again. Soon the tears spilled as her lips trembled and she sobbed, "I don't want this! I don't want to be like this!"
