The bus rattled, a familiar tremor beneath Evelyn's worn seat. Her fingers were tightly intertwined, cold with a nervousness that had become her constant companion. Today, March 16th, marked the dreaded beginning of school at St. Donovan, a place whispered to be a den of delinquents and chaos.

She stared out the window, past the tall, blurring trees and the distant, gloomy mountains. Six years in a mental asylum had taught her to survive far worse, yet the knot in her stomach tightened. She shivered, a spasm of worry etching itself onto her face, reflecting in her bright blue eyes, as deep and unsettling as the ocean.

"Hi, I'm Annabelle, but you can call me Anne. I love your white hair, it's so beautiful." A tiny, surprisingly loud voice cut through her reverie. Evelyn turned to see a girl with an awkward, wide smile, medicated glasses perched on her nose, her long brown hair flowing over a big brown sweater. At least not everyone here was a delinquent, she thought, forcing a polite smile.