A Graduation Gift

"Courtney!"

Whitney cried loudly. There were desperation and agony in her ear-piercing shriek.

Cassandra's heart sank horribly when she heard thescream. She rushed to the room where the voice came from and gasped when she saw what had happened inside.

The white European-style engraving dresser was turned upside down, and things that were once neatly placed on it were scattered on the floor.

Strong fragrance from a broken perfume bottle filled the room. Still, it failed to mask the smell of blood.

Courtney's long-sleeved silk nightgown was stained with blood. Cassandra's heart skipped a beat when she saw this.

The girl sitting on the floor was holding a piece of blade on her left hand, her face oblivious to her mother's scream. The shining piece of metal was bloody, too.

Looking closer, Cassandra realized that Courtney had cut herself. Blood oozed from the wound. And it stunned her just as much as it did Whitney.

After what felt like a long time, the frightened mother rushed to her daughter's side and knelt beside her. The girl still sat on her knees and gave no response at all. Whitney snatched the blade and flung it to a corner of the room before begging, "Please don't do this, Courtney!"

Then, tears started streaming down the poor woman's cheeks. Surrendering to the?sobs, she held the bloody girl tightly as she cried hoarsely.

"I don't know what to do, sweetheart!" she wailed, heartbroken. "I did not know when you'll give up and hurt yourself. It pains me so much to see you like this."

Whitney's face that was distorted in agony was a stark contrast to her daughter's, which was blank and indifferent, staring into the abyss.

Cassandra put her hands over her mouth to stop herself from screaming. The strain of the situation was too much for her, and she nearly burst into tears as well.

Whitney had told her that Courtney might have some mental problems, but she did not expect it to be so grave. She was thinking something possibly like sleepwalking or reluctance to interact with people, not to an extend that she would be predisposed to self-harm.

It now made sense why Whitney chose to be away from most people. She was a proud woman. She knew how gossip would spread if anyone found out that she had a mentally ill daughter.

Feeling pity, tears finally welled up in her eyes as Cassandra watched the mother holding the girl and crying her heart out.

Just then, they heard quick footsteps from downstairs. Seconds later, a man in a suit was led to the room by a steward.

The man was around 50 years old, and carried a medical kit with him. He wore grave expression as he strode into the room.

Hope shone in Whitney's eyes seeing the man.

"You must help her, Smithers. She... has cut her own wrist," Whitney pleaded.

then let go of Courtney, rose, and stepped aside to allow the doctor to get closer. It was then that Cassandra realized that the blood had stained her

Smithers had handled situations like this. He crouched down beside Courtney, took out some drugs and bandage from his kit, and put the bandage

watched without moving or making a sound. As the doctor dressed her wound, she continued to stare in a daze, as if

now—no soul,

turned to Whitney and said, "Didn't I tell you to take good care of her? It is true that she is less likely to hurt others, but she will most probably hurt herself when she is

The man seemed very displeased.

hasn't acted like this for months, so I

a sorry figure with all the messy locks on her face. She was clearly so worried about

troubling her!" the doctor declared. "Make sure that

medical kit, Smithers turned to leave. Before walking out of the room, he looked at Courtney and shook his head slightly.

" he lamented with a sign

thinking, 'What exactly is eating away at Courtney's soul?

clean clothes sent up here now and help Courtney change. And I want the floor here cleaned up, too,"

pale, but she mustered to give her instructions clearly.

her get clean up too,"

really felt sorry for Courtney and wished

you so much," responded Whitney. "I'll have

grateful look and went

a servant girl brought some clothes in. Cassandra took them over and closed the door, getting ready to help Courtney change together with the

to do whatever they needed to like a

some old wounds on her arms. Those were deep-creased?scars. It was quite dreadful to see

to think that a girl as beautiful as Courtney would have these horrific scars on the body that most women would take pride in.

the servant girl proceeded to clean

Courtney's collar. Suddenly, a necklace around Courtney's neck caught her attention. She paused

silver locket carved with vines that adorned its two windows. Cassandra realized immediately

close it, she saw a

face in the photo expanded in her head until it was so blindingly

lean?her palm?against?her brow, and gave herself a little shake as if to shut the face out of her

she was knocked by a sudden blow and her brain was going to

Courtney carrying his picture?' she wondered. 'What might be the relationship between them?

to do with whatever

in thought, Courtney

face, as though the doll had come to life.

taken aback. It was like watching a girl walk out of a painting.