[ WP ] Someone breaks into your house and says , `` You 're my favorite character in the book ! I ca n't let it end the way it did . I 'm going to help you . ''

My back aches as I sit in front of the computer. Even in running shoes, standing all day is brutal, especially today. The children were loud and cruel to each other, I muse while actively ignoring the pile of correction awaiting me. I don ’ t know how our trip will work out if they behave like this. 
 
 Lost in my thoughts, I jump when she walks in. Skinny kid, maybe 15 years old, still look like a child. 
 
 -Ha! found you, she squeals. 
 
 I rise. Her presence here is all wrong. This is an elementary school, strangers, even young ones, have no place here. I can still hear the day care children playing outside 
 
 -What are you doing here? 
 
 -Oh, Miss S! I think you ’ re the best. 
 
 She looks star struck. This is ridiculous. 
 
 -Do I teach one of your siblings? 
 
 I don ’ t think her eyes can get wider as she clutches her hands. 
 
 -Can I… I mean, Hugs make everything better right? 
 
 She looks expectantly at me. 
 
 -Who are you, I ask confounded. 
 
 Her smile falters a little. 
 
 -You ’ re my favorite, she explains meekly. I just… I always wanted one your hug. They make everything better, right? 
 
 Her voice is starting to break. This strange girl might be older than my students, but I still feel the pull to hold the sadness away. I open my arms as she bounces into them. she is my height and nestles her face on my shoulder, folding into me. 
 
 -are you okay, I ask her hair while stroking her back. 
 
 -You are my favorite, she repeats softly.stepping out of the hug she faces me. I can ’ t let you die. 
 
 The screaming children seem distant now, my beating heart filling my ears. I let my arms fall to my side, stepping away from her. 
 
 -What are you talking about sweety? 
 
 My voice is not as strong as I would have liked. 
 
 -Sweety, she mimics.I know this seems odd, but don ’ t get on the train Miss S. Just take the next one. Change your ending. 
 
 If I scream, other teachers would hear me I ’ m sure. She is standing between the door and I am suffocating in my empty class. The chairs and desks only so many obstacles making sure I stay trapped here. 
 
 -Who are you, I croak. 
 
 -Daphne doesn ’ t need to overcome your death to become great, the miracle of your survival would inspire her just as much. 
 
 Daphne. Smart, quiet girl always happy to learn, untouch by the brain melting horrors of puberty. Daphne looks nothing like the stranger in my class. They are not family. Will she try to hurt her? 
 
 -How do you know Daphne? Why are you here? 
 
 The eyes of the stranger fill with incomprehension at my tone. She steps back. 
 
 -She ’ s one of the main characters, she mumbles while pulling out a book from her bag. She hands me the book. I look at its broken binding and open at the page marked.Part of the text is highlighted. There, I read aghast: 
 
 
 “ On April 10, there was an accident. The train going back to the Central station derailed. We are very lucky that it was this one, because it was mostly empty. Only a dozen people died, ten more were injured and the rest had only minor cuts and bumps, Daphne looks up at the sub standing in the corner of the class as the principal spoke. Sadly, Miss S was on that train and she did not make it out''... 
 
 I can ’ t make out anymore. I fall to the ground as the strange girl tries to grab me. 
 
 -You see, she says, I ’ m here to help. You ’ re my favorite. 

