Chapter Text
Her knees scrapped against the sharp cobblestone as the tower grew, the alarmed calls from below felt deafening, they didn't truly care about her.
Nobody ever did.
The deep pit in her stomach ceased to leave, why did it take so long for her to understand? Hot tears run down her face, Katie would never be enough for the others around her.
Cold wind nipped at Katie's skin as she stood atop the pillar, it was like her mind was being replaced, she wants to feel happiness again. Nowadays it only takes a couple of pathetic insults until she's struck back down again.
Her movements were sluggish as she shuffled closer to the edge. Katie tuned out the people down below, she didn’t want to be hurt by their comments again.
Shaking with nerves, she pushed off the ledge.
It didn’t matter, nothing mattered. After all, Mister J told her to leave and every single person she was once friends with was now an enemy.
Unfortunately, Katie didn’t consider that the people watching from the sidelines would actually try do anything to prevent her attempt, which was her last realisation as her body violently hit the water with a splash.
Humiliation washed over her as she looked up at the crowd of people, Katie was completely soaked and definitely injured in multiple places. Ow. Everything blurred around her, the combination of the white searing pain and embarrassment was already enough to kill her.
Instead of fearing the fall or the pain, all Katie felt was dread, the thought of Mr J having the misfortune of facing her like this made her stomach turn. The bare thought of seeing his pitiful look made her eyes water even more.
Katie pushed through the crowed as she sobbed, strangers attempting to prevent her from leaving made it all the worse, god she must look miserable.
Nobody truly cared enough to think about a person they had all once considered a friend willing to end their life because of the hurt their actions had caused.
Her body screamed as she ran, she didn't even know where to. It's not like she had a home to return to in the first place. Mister J wouldn't mind, right? Katie only had to pick up the few items she owned then she's right out of his hair.
Each step was filled with excruciating pain, but eventually, she's met with the rather short stretch of water to get to their (Mr Schlatt's) island.
The agonizing pains worsened as Katie attempted to get from point A to point B. Her movements in the boat were sluggish, the journey felt as if it would take centuries to complete before she felt slight relief at successfully hitting land.
Breathing had started to hurt, every movement was slow as she crawled out of the boat onto the wet, muddy grass.
Relief washed over Katie as she stumbled over towards her chest she left out hours before. Although, before she could even fumble it open, darkness had swallowed the edges of her vision whole.
Oh. *Oh no.*
Her head hits the grass with a hard thud and for the first time that day, Katie felt at peace.
The calming smell of cinnamon and cigarettes fill her nostrils, this seems like it could be Mister J's- wait.. Mr Schlatt's?
**What** was she doing here? **Why** was she even here? A million thoughts raced through her mind trying to make up with a logical conclusion yet it was all coming up as a blank.
Katie tries to sit up before a familiar voice is heard from across the room.
"You probably shouldn't sit up, I only wrapped those bandages an hour ago."
Schlatt grumbled, Katie turned over to see him sat at a different seat as he calmly inhaled his cigarette.
"Mr Schlatt, I really don't want to be a bother but do you really.. want me to stay **here*? Y'know i can go to my place if you want me to, but don't get me wrong, this place is awes-"
"Kid, I'd rather you stay here. Considering the little show you put on out there I don't exactly trust you to your own devices at the moment."
Katie pauses. She can't really argue with that. Mister J takes another drag of his cigarette before standing up to retrieve something. A minute later returning with a small stack of clothes.
"Put on this spare pair of clothes, then afterwards we're talking about your little.. incident "
Schlatt softly replied before ruffling her ginger hair, then placing the clothes in Katie's hands.
Something bloomed in Katie's chest as she accepted the clothes.
Maybe things won't be so bad after all.