I awoke in a cold sweat. Creatures danced in the dark and swayed threateningly just beyond reach. My breathing was fast and ragged but soon enough, it slowed. It was only a nightmare. When they had first appeared, I was terrified. Now, I'd had practice.

A chill ran up my spine, making me shiver momentarily. Then, it was gone. Smiling to myself, I rested my head back upon my pillow. Closing my eyes, I fought to keep my mind empty, refusing to imagine the terrors that lurked around me. The enormity of this task overtook me, and I fell asleep, utterly exhausted.

The minutes ticked by. Still, the world went round. Stars watched us from above and soon disappeared with the morning light. The start of a new day, a new month, a new season. March had come, and with it, Autumn.

The lullaby sung by my alarm was somehow fitting. It was relaxing, to wake to that gentle melody, look out the window and know that soon the leaves would fall.

Bark grumbled in his sleep and rolled over. Smiling to myself, I grabbed my phone and flicked the alarm off. Though, the song continued to play in my mind. I hummed it under my breath as I dressed.

Before long, I was outside, running across the courtyard. It was comforting to know that soon the leaves would be changing colour and falling. Not to mention the cold; I can't stand the heat. In the cold I can rug up with a blanket, hot chocolate and that all important book.

My mind wandered as I exercised. I wasn't thinking about anything in particular. Rather, I focused on going just a little bit farther. That thought consumed me and I ignored the small things that would have once made me smile.

The morning dew gathered on my socks. The grass crunched beneath my feet, the frost making it both beautiful and crisp. Peeking from behind the clouds, the sun painted the land in gold. Bathing in its warmth, I was at peace.

With renewed vigor, I continued my exercise. I was in the zone. Today was going to be a good day. What could possibly stop me?

As the campus awoke, I returned to my dorm. Grabbing a clean change of clothes and my toiletries bag, I threw a towel over my shoulder and was about to head for the showers when Bark stopped me.

Grumbling, he sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. "You're a freak."

I laughed and shrugged. "Unlike you I have to work for what I want."

Dropping from the top bunk, Bark landed on the ground and took a moment to stretch. "I must admit, half-arseing my way through everything is quite nice."

My smile faltered for a moment, and I shook my head at him. "I pity you."

Bark shot me a strange look before opening the blinds. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I forgot myself for a moment and a harsh tone crept into my voice. "Means you've never hard to work for anything. Never faced adversity either. You've got no resilience," I said spitefully, "and no passion. It's like you don't even know you're alive."

Bark scoffed in disbelief, his jaw hanging open. "Funny, because it's like you don't even know how big a prick you're being."

I raised my hands innocently. "I don't make the truth, just tell it. Don't shoot the messenger."

Bark frowned. A moment ago, there had been anger in his eyes, but now it was replaced with something like confusion. He stammered for a moment before shooing me away. "Go take a shower. You stink."

Laughing, I pointed at him. "Now that is the truth. Catch you later."

After I left, Bark simply stood there for a moment. Then, he fell backwards into his chair. Leaning back, he looked at the ceiling and ground his teeth in frustration. He meditated on our conversation for a while, but when I returned from my shower, he was gone. Not thinking anything of it, I shrugged and went about getting ready.

Across campus, Bark sat in the dining hall. He was lost in thought, hardly paying attention to his massive bowl of cereal. June watched him with concern, ignoring her own breakfast.

"Bark?" June said quietly, but he didn't respond. "Bark," she repeated, more forcefully this time.

Bark snapped from his reverie and looked at her in surprise. Expression like a deer in the headlights, he only grunted in response.

"Is something wrong?" June asked, concern written across her face.

Shaking his head, Bark scoffed. "It's probably nothing," he muttered, falling quiet.

"Oh, okay," June replied, looking disheartened. She began picking at her cereal but had no real interest in it.

Bark scanned the dining room, not looking for anything in particular, but hoping for some sort of clue, nevertheless. Sure enough, seeing all his peers, got him thinking.

"Hey, June?" Bark said curiously.

June's head snapped up and she smiled gently. "Yes?"

"Have you seen Evelyn anywhere?"

June's spirits plummeted but she was careful that her expression revealed nothing. "Oh, Evelyn? Um, yeah, I think I saw her this morning. Why?"

Bark shrugged. "I need to speak with her," he said, eating a large spoonful of cereal.

June looked down at her breakfast. "What about?" She asked quietly.

"J seemed off this morning. I was wondering if she knows something," Bark answered, not thinking anything of it.

June withheld her sigh of relief, but then Bark's words sank in. "J? Is he okay?"

"I'm sure he's fine," said Bark, shaking his head.

"Thank goodness. For a moment there I was worried he was becoming like your old roommate. That guy sucked. He got so angry."

Bark frowned. "You broke our window," he said slowly, "And tore up his uniform."

"The uniform was an accident," June replied seriously.

"And the window wasn't?" Bark asked, incredulous.

June blushed and looked down, suddenly becoming very interested in her cereal.

"June?" Bark asked, trying not to laugh.

June's face flushed even redder, and she stammered. "Now's not the time!" She exclaimed. "Evelyn spends a lot of her time in the library, and she eats outside most days."

Bark nodded slowly. "Okay, sure, but the window?"

June stood so fast that her chair crashed over. "Would you look like the time?" She said with exaggerated urgency. "I'm not even in my uniform yet. Okay, bye!"

"Wait, June!" Bark called, but it was too late.

June dashed from the dining hall, but as Bark watched her go, he noticed Evelyn. The grey-haired girl was sitting outside, head in a book, bagel in hand.

Bark bit his lip as he scoffed. Shaking his head, he devoured his cereal. Once finished with his priorities, he went to speak with Evelyn.

Leaving the dining hall, Bark found Evelyn sitting on a bench beside the flower beds. He shivered a little, it was cool today. The flowers would be out of season soon. The time to enjoy them was now. Not that Bark was one to stop and smell the roses.

Evelyn didn't notice as Bark joined her on the bench. She continued reading her book, occasionally nibbling at her bagel.

Bark groaned inwardly and took a deep breath. J, you owe me, he thought to himself. "Evelyn?" He said, trying to get her attention.

Evelyn's head snapped up and she looked at Bark in surprise, as if only just noticing him. "Um, yeah?" She said quietly, clearly startled.

Laughing nervously, Bark introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Clint, but you can call me Bark. I'm," he paused, unsure of himself. "In in your year."

Waiting for Bark to say more, Evelyn sat silently, her brows drawn together in a puzzled expression. When he awkwardly began staring at the flowers and shuffling in his seat, Evelyn grew uncomfortable.

"Well," she said quietly, "It was nice to meet you."

Bark nodded. "Oh, um, yeah. You too."

Evelyn nodded and went to leave but Bark finally pulled himself together.

"Wait," he said. "Sorry, I just need to talk to you."

Scowling at him, Evelyn remained sitting. She crossed her legs, closed her book, and began eating her bagel with new frustrated vigor.

"You hang out with J, right?" Bark asked, grinding his teeth.

At that, Evelyn glanced at him. "Yes," she answered cautiously.

"Has he seemed different at all?"

Now Bark had Evelyn's full attention. Looking at him with new interest, Evelyn stopped eating. "Yes." She answered slowly, curious to as where this was going.

Bark groaned. "Okay, because he's been acting weird lately. Getting all irritable. I was wondering if you'd noticed anything."

Bark's gaze had been resting on the flowers, but now he glanced sideways and witnessed Evelyn's intense stare drilling through him. She was fully invested now.

Bark leaned back slightly. "Uh, you okay?"

Evelyn nodded furiously. "You're right. J has been irritable and rude. Last week, he stood me up! He doesn't flirt or compliment me. He's always wearing that infuriating smile." Pausing to catch her breath, Evelyn looked closely at Bark. "But don't worry," she whispered, a serious expression coating her face. "I'll take care of it."

Gulping nervously, Bark nodded and stood, slowly backing away. "Right, I'll leave it to you then. If you need any help, just let me know," he said through clenched teeth.

Remembering her composure, Evelyn calmed herself and cleared her throat. "Of course, thank you."

"I'll see you around," Bark said, turning and leaving.

Alone again, Evelyn frowned to herself. She had known this was coming since she saw him running through the forest that morning. Though, that didn't make what she had to do any easier.

With a gentle sigh, Evelyn raised her gaze to the sky. Sadness painted her face and she smiled without joy. "Is this enough?" She whispered.

Her words carried away by the breeze, Evelyn stood, knowing that no one had heard her. Smoothing her hair, a determination carried her to her dorm, past browning leaves and wilting flowers. A new season was coming.