After my...strange...moment with Theo, he avoided me for the rest of the day, which was pretty much dinner and bed. Still, I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. I'd never seen him like. The normally happy and smiley Theo had actually looked...genuinely scared. Maybe worried?

Sighing, I rolled over in my bed to check the clock that clung to the wall. It read midnight. I peeked to the other side of the room to see Mercy sleep. Holding onto the wooden railing, I leaned over to look at the bed below me. Mila was sleeping happily, clutching her feather pillow instead of sleeping on it.

I climbed back over and crawled to the end of the bed, then quietly dug under the cover. My hand brushed against the paper folder. I grabbed it and pulled on it, then pulled the covers back the way they were.

I set the folder on my pillow and opened it. It took a minute for my eyes to adjust, but I was pretty used to the dark.

'Seventh Sword,' I read.

Taking a breath, I continued reading from where I left off. Which was, basically the beginning.

'Murder of Koinzel family

Credit given to Seventh Sword'

'January 26, 2128

Martha and Peter Koinzel found dead in living room, bullet holes in both cranial areas. Mercy Koinzel found in bedroom with major head wound. Lena Koinzel thought to be dead, no body has been found. Blood trail leading out the back door.'

Behind the original file, which was labeled with numbers written in nice handwriting, I found news reports.

'During the night of January 26, 2128, both Martha and Peter Koinzel were found dead in their house. Though their murders were unknown, it was confirned that there was a struggle. A man of unknown origin was found at the scene of the crime with a bullet lodged in both his left arm and leg. He was brought in for questioning and has been sentenced to life in prison.'

'The youngest daughter, named Mercy Koinzel, was found in a bedroom in a pool of blood from a head wound that looked to be received by the back of a gun. She was brought to the nearest hospital and seems to be suffering from mild amnesia. Her condition is now stable, and it is confirmed that she has a chance for a normal life.'

I stopped there. Not believing what I'd just read, I went back and read it over again. Then once more, just to confirm it. Alive, my Mercy was alive. All this time, I'd thought she was dead...but she wasn't. I sniffled a bit holding back tears. Rubbing my eyes, I could feel the salty liquid on my hand. I couldn't stop now, I kept reading.

'The oldest daughter is thought to be dead, but no body has been found. A trail of blood was left out the back door of the house. Police have confirmed that she collapsed approximately a mile from the house. It is thought that her body was moved. They say there is very slim chance for survival with the amount of blood that was found.'

I couldn't read on. I needed a break. Placing the folder back in it's hiding spot, I slid off the bed, landing softly on the carpeted ground. I went into the common room and lit a candle with a match that was hidden in a drawer. Now able to see, better at least, I went over and climbed the counter to reach into the cupboards. I found a glass cup and got some water from the sink.

I had to sit down.

Setting the cup on the large round table in the center of the room, I slid into on of the wooden seats and rested my head on the wood.

Alive. She was alive. My beast friend, my only friend, for as long as I could remember, was alive. Ten whole years, I thought she was dead. I felt myself laugh a bit at it. Not because she was alive, but because of how different things would've been if I'd known.

I heard the boys room door creak open. I didn't bother looking up, I didn't want too. I knew I was crying and I really didn't feel like letting them see me, even if they were tears of joy.

"Shadow?" Bryce's voice asked.

I really didn't want him to hear me crying. Him out of everyone especially.

"Hmm?"

"Cant sleep?"

"Nope," I replied, popping the 'p'. "You neither?"

He didn't reply, but I think he shook his head. Idiot, how did he expect me to know that if I didn't look up?

"Hey, why won't you look at me?" Great, just what I needed. "Usually, you don't stop making stupid faces at me."

"No reason."

"Then look at me."

"No."

"Are you scared or something."

I lifted my head and glared up at him. He smirked at me. I cursed at him when I realized my mistake. Cheeky bastard.

His expression softened when he saw me.

"You've been crying."

"No fuck," I spat, a more bitter tone than normal. "I don't need you pointing it out for me."

"What's wrong," he asked, ignoring my bitter remark, "do you still feel sick? Did you get hurt during practice?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about."

He looked away, a bit of embarrassment toughing his cheeks. "It is something to worry about. Actually, truthfully, Levi peeked out earlier and saw you crying so he woke me up and told me to go talk to you."

"What," I called over to Levi whos eye I could see peaking through the crack in the door, "didn't want to take the chance to swoop in a save the damsel in distress?"

"Believe it or not," Bryce said, lookin gat me, "Levi's not the emotional type."

I laughed a little at that. Now that he mentioned it, the idea of Levi getting emotional would be a strange sight.

I chugged my water and stood up. I didn't need anyone else joining the crowd of onlookers.

"Don't worry," I told him, feeling a bit charitable. "It's nothing bad. If anything, I'd call them tears of joy."

Smiling a bit at myself, I went back into my room and crawled into the bed. I really did try to sleep, the competition being tomorrow and all. But it took at least an hour before I could drift off into joyous dreams that others would've though of as nightmares.