A Graduation Gift

They were going dangerously closer and closer to the railing on the third floor as they grappled.

Cassandra hurriedly put down the bags in her hands and rushed to stop them. Cloris kept pulling on Michelle's clothes as Michelle grabbed her hand. Neither of them was willing to yield.

In one strong motion, Cloris pulled hard and pushed Michelle away. The woman staggered on her high heels as her back hit the railing.

After pushing the older woman away, Cloris smoothed her rumpled clothes and ran a hand through her hair before looking down at Michelle with mocking eyes.

"You should know better than fighting with younger people, you old hag," she sneered.

Cassandra's eyes fell on Michelle as well, and at once she noticed that something was wrong. Michelle did not move and there was a pained look in her face. She could not even stand up straight as her ankle burned.

Cassandra's first instinct was to move forward and help Michelle, but Michelle shook her arms off, refusing her help.

However, she shoved too hard. All of a sudden, she lost her balance and fell off the railing backwards, her scream echoing across the mall.

Cassandra extended her hand and tried to catch Michelle, but her fingers found themselves clutching only the silk scarf that Michelle wore around her neck. There was a heavy thud as Michelle's body fell on the ground.

The people on the first floor rushed to where she fell. A dreadful atmosphere was rising as Michelle's body stayed unmoving.

It was only a matter of moments before the security guards pushed through the crowd, and then looked up. Their eyes met Cassandra's in shock.

She stood by the railing, a scarf hanging in her outstretched hand.

Blood drained from her face as she looked down at Michelle's body.

Her mind blanked out. Things happened too quickly for her to be able to comprehend what had just happened.

She straightened up and turned to look back at Cloris. Cloris's face mirrored her own, her eyes blown wide in fear and disbelief.

police and the ambulance came. The police went

"Who shoved her down?"

stern voice asked. Cloris stiffened and shrank

fear-stricken face,

down intentionally. We had an argument. She lost her

questioning. She would not be able to withstand the pressure for long and would admit her guilt in

after she heard Cassandra's answer. She

policeman stared at the two women.

you are coming back with us,"

policeman's orders, Cassandra and Cloris were jammed into the police car and brought to the police

it was the most difficult day Cassandra had ever had in her life. She was barraged and interrogated endlessly

Instead of her sister, she claimed to be the one in dispute with the older woman.

emotion, and

that the accident had nothing to do with her. The police decided that

an eternity, they had finally agreed to let Cloris go as Cassandra was held

came to see Cassandra before she left, and found her sister

Cassandra originally, but strange feelings crept through her chest as she let her eyes

wondering whether Cassandra was really responsible for getting her almost raped.

ruled as a serious crime, but Cassandra bore the weight of her mistake. How could such a person want to harm her?

when you get back,"

Cassandra and bit her lip as she nodded. She left the police station with tears in her eyes and guilt tugging at

Cloris left. At least for now, her sister was safe. She had to

now?" she asked the policeman guarding her

crumpled, unmoving body was difficult to shake off,

room. The doctors are trying to rescue her. You ladies were fighting, weren't you? What were