Trapped in a world of pain,
Broken under the freezing rain,
How long 'til the spirit wanes?
The soul's already drained
*****

Eric skidded to a halt by the remote next to the bed and quickly pushed the power button. The TV flickered to life, showing the breaking news.

"There had been a kid out fishing in the nearby woods on the west side of Ashvale, Illinois," the newscaster stated as calmly as if she were telling you what the weather was. "The hook of his fishing line had caught a hold of piece clothing that had to be ripped free from the water. The child then ran home to his family, who had called the cops."

Upon further investigation, they were able to find the body of Paul Goodwin, the missing policeman who had gone on vacation. Witnesses had last reported seeing him with a girl. If you have further information, please contact your local authorities immediately."

Alice's heart dropped after hearing the lady on the screen gave her report. She glanced at Eric. The panic and worry that played across his face would have mirrored her own had she not felt so drained. However, she knew she needed to get out of the hospital. That She had to get to Katie. If Katie had heard this on her own, who knows what she would do? She tried to get up, but Eric pushed her back.

"It's okay, I'll go check on her. Alright?" he more demanded than questioned. "You need to take care of yourself."

"But..."

"She's not your responsibility, like it as not. Her problems aren't yours." He leaned down, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Let me help you, okay?"

Alice nodded and watched him leave out the door, feeling as if the shadows that plagued her had now attached themselves to him. He didn't know Katie like she does, would he be able to help her?

"Awful, isn't it?" her father asked as he sat down in the chair. "He had his whole life in front of him- a policeman too! What's the world come to?"

Alice stared at him blankly. That was how the whole media was going to see him; a law-abiding citizen, someone to idolize, who had died too soon. She felt sick. How was Katie's word going to mean anything to that?

She rolled over and waited for when her father would leave. She wanted to be alone, wanted to help her friend, and to mourn the loss of her brother. They were just rebuilding their relationship, she hoped he knew how much she did care for him- even with everything that had happened.

Staring at the floor, she wished it would swallow her whole, that it would take her to the hell where she belongs. She knew it had to be one the lower levels of Dante's Hell, probably the lowest. But at least then she could get away from life.