Two more days have passed, and now I think I'm far enough from Waterbridge. All I can say is that, even after not being able to settle down or find a job at that diner, my spirit hasn't wavered. I've kept my head held high without ever thinking of going back.

I keep walking for a few more kilometers, then I'll stop for another break. Only time will tell if the next town is the right one to start a new life or if I'm meant to continue my journey in the hope to find a final destination.

My long walk ends when I notice a sign reading, 'Welcome to Baindale. Population: 5000 inhabitants. The town where nightmares are sucked into joy and brightness.'

I think this is the perfect place for me.

***

I spent the night sleeping on a bench, but I'm confident it was the last one I did so. If I'm lucky and find a good job that offers accommodation, then I hit jackpot. At least in proportion to what my life is. It's not like I can have many pretenses so far...

The first thing I need to do is find the town hall. I'll be able to ask for information there. I know, I may still be caught and have to face the brunt of the poor treatment I endured back in Waterbridge again in case I'm sent back there.

I walk down several roads until I find an info center. It's not exactly the town hall, but it's a better to discover useful services. As I move towards the center, I accidentally bump into a middle aged man. He complains. "Careful! Watch your freaking steps!"

"I'm sorry, sir, I'm in a hurry."

He doesn't even care about my apology as he leaves without addressing me. He was a distraction, anyway. I'm here for information, not to argue with anyone. Oh, shit. The info center is already closed. But there's a poster with a few useful numbers written on it.

I extract my diary and write them all down. Then, I take a picture of the map affixed at the entrance before my phone dies down. I try to take notes of where to find the most urgent places where I should be. First of all, the library. There is a chance I can charge my phone there if I'm lucky.

It isn't far from here, just three minutes on foot. The building is easy to recognize: its structure is made of red bricks and it has a green roof. On the façade, there's an adorned bronze plaque with 'Baindale Library' written on it. The wooden door has two large ring shaped brass handles.

I pull one of the handles to open the door, which isn't as heavy as I thought at first. As I enter the space, I notice there's no one at the librarian's desk. That's not a good thing. I need someone I can ask for information. I don't want to pass off as someone who snuck in.

As a result, I wait patiently until a young woman, presumably in her twenties, reaches the desk and sits at it. She studies my puzzled expression, then asks me with a gentle tone, "Good morning. What brings you here?"

"Well, I'd like to find a place where to charge my phone. How many plugs have you got?" This is the first thing that comes in mind. I think it's enough. Maybe I'll try and ask more later.

The woman replies, "We have plugs at every station. Look, the library is nearly empty so you can sit anywhere you desire." She hands me a paper. "Here is the Wi-Fi password. Make good use of it."

"Thank you, madam."

"Oh, please, just call me Sadie. Whenever you need any help, you can come back to this desk." She seems to be a good person, someone who'd help anyone regardless of who stands opposite her. "Have a nice stay here!"

"Thank you again." That said, I sit at one of the desks and plug my phone to charge it; next, I access the computer at my station and follow the instructions on the paper, including inserting the password for Internet connection.

The moment I open Google Chrome to search for local news or for something else to do, I sense someone tapping my left shoulder. At first, I don't turn, believing it's just a perception of mine. Although I try to ignore the tapping, it becomes more insistent, which forces me to address the person doing this.

"Braverly, is everything okay?" I recognize this voice, which isn't a good sign. Principal Hall. What is she doing here in Baindale? Isn't she supposed to run her school, the same one whose students think false accusers deserve brownie points and those facing allegations have no right to defend themselves?

Trying not to raise my voice—I'm at a library, after all—I hiss at her. "Do I look like I'm okay to you, Mrs. Hall? I lost everything. A roof under my head. The right to have an education. Dreams. Aspirations. Everything." I barely retain tears. The Principal is petrified.

Naturally, she regains her composure before I do. She hands me a pack of tissues. "You'll need these because what I'm about to tell you will make you shake." I don't reply immediately, but use one of the tissues to blow my nose, then a second one to wipe the tears that have left a mark on my cheeks.

"I was in touch with the school inspectors and the district overseer. They told me the case is very serious. They defined it 'outrageous.' Honestly, I don't think it went as it should have." Oh no. If the Principal is here to hand me another heavy burden I'm meant to carry, she's in for a not so pleasant surprise.

"In other words, you won't be enrolled as a student at Waterbridge High anymore. You can consider yourself expelled." I doubt this decision comes from Hall herself. The superintendent must've held an important weight in this matter. Pressure from the hateful student body and teachers did the rest.

"So, what do I do now?" Panic fills my voice even though I refrain from shouting. "I'm done... They'll probably send me to some group home and that's it..." As much as I hate my family, being ushered in such a grim contest would be worse for me.

I'm forced to hide. I'll have to act as if I don't exist until I officially come of age. One misstep and I'll be forced in a foster home, where I might face the same level of emotional abuse as I did back home. This is the worst scenario that can possibly occur in my mind.

Despite this, Mrs. Hall still grants me a flicker of hope, though faint. "Through the investigation process, Suzanne's position will also be examined. We'll make sure the truth prevails."

"But why do I still have to pay for it? I did nothing!" Frustrated at the deadlock I'm blocked in, I open my backpack and show what I found to my former headmistress. She reads every single line of the papers containing Suzie's confessions and snaps pictures.

"Is there more you've got?" she asks, and I also show her my diary with confidence and determination. She's open mouthed as she collects every piece of information incriminating that brat.

Then, she returns everything to me. "I've saved everything. Now, I have to return to Waterbridge. I'll show everything to the district overseer and the school inspectors. They'll have no other choice than reconsider your decision. Take care, Braverly." She leaves the library quietly. Now, I'm on my own.

Even though I'll never return to Waterbridge, I'm at piece. Thanks to Mrs. Hall, I've restarted believing justice will be made. Suzie won't be able to get away with her lies anymore.