The next few days were a blur. Artie and I seemed to have developed an unspoken routine of eating meals together and talking more often between lessons. It was nice having someone to talk to. A real friend. But of course, she could never know the real me.

I smiled when I saw a familiar note in the new book I was reading.

"Meet me at the library at 8:30. -Artie"

Throughout the day, Artie seemed flustered and coy around me. Maybe she had another secret to share. I resisted the urge to ask. As we walked across the snowy grounds, she wrapped her arm around mine and I supported her as we crossed a patch of ice. She didn't left go. And I was completely fine with that until I felt a guilty twinge in my stomach. Should I feel happy about this?

"I have a question for you," Artie smiled.

"Yes?" I raised my eyebrows and smiled back.

"Will you go to the dance with me?"

I was speechless. I didn't expect that. She continued.

"I know it's a couple weeks away but I...I'd really like to go with you."

"Yes."

The word surprised me. It came out as easy as breathing. Heat spread through me and raised goosebumps on my skin.

Her smile was beautiful.

She wrapped her arms around my neck. My arms held her. My mind and heart raced with each other. Her soft lips brushed my neck as she released me. I stiffened.

"I'll see you later, Thomas."

There was a different kind of warmth when she said my name.

"I'll see you tonight."

She chuckled, shaking her head as she dashed off.

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I arrived at the library and immediately squeezed myself into Artie's secret place. When I got there, she wasn't. I called her name and was met with silence. Maybe she was running late. I place the candle-holder down by the cushions and sat by her books and pens. As the minutes ticked by, my boredom and curiosity had me reaching for one of her sketchbooks.

The pages were covered with scribbles and looping doodles. Some of her pieces were incredibly detailed. Snow-heavy trees. Books. Clothes.

I gasped when I saw it.

My eyes were staring back at me. There was a calm to my expression as though I was intently waiting to hear what I have to say. This must have taken ages to draw. There were smudges from the raven black ink used to color my hair along the edges. The most striking feature was the ocean blue she used for my eyes.

"Sharpe!"

Charlie's voice barked in the darkness. My heart leaped into my throat the same moment my legs scrambled under me.

"I know you're here! I told you to stay away from her!"

I reached for the candle to extinguish the flame and hissed as the hot wax covered my palm. Holding my breath, I peeked through opening.

Charlie's pudgy face filled the gap.

"There you are!" he roared.

His eyes were murderous in the lamplight as he reached for me. I threw myself back. I was trapped. Glass shattered, and he lunged and thrust himself against the bookshelf, making it rock precariously. The room gradually brightened, flickers of light scattered the shadows. Charlie struggled to wiggle himself out of the small opening. His face glowed.

"Fire!"

Tongues of flame were just visible over the top of the bookshelf and the crackle grew louder. Panting, I squirmed through the passage, heat instantly hitting my face. Thick smoke clouded my vision. I ducked down, scrambling to find the exit as little glowing lanterns of paper drifted up and around the room, birthing new flames. My lungs burned, coughs raking my body.

"Thomas!"

"Artie?" I wheezed. "Where are you?"

I ducked lower to clear the smoke and tears from my eyes.

"THOMAS!" she screamed again, terror in her voice and in my chest.

The library was an inferno. I couldn't stay much longer. I was about to die here.

I had no choice but to crawl, squinting against the heat and smoke, avoiding tumbling books falling to the floor. Bookshelves were splintering, popping, and collapsing on themselves. Wisps of cool air kissed my sweat covered face. I scrambled to my feet and threw myself against the doors.

I gasped the clean air and painfully coughed up as much smoke as I could. My head cleared as I ran down the corridor and finally into the winter air. Falling into the snow, I coughed some more. My whole body shook, not from the cold, but from the fear. I turned to see the whole building ablaze.

Professors and students in all matters of nightwear and coats were filing out of the dormitories. Gasps, screams, and shouts filled the air. Their flickering faces reflected the horror I felt inside.

I waited. And waited. And waited...

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Strands of her gold hair waved in the wind. Snowflakes dusted her lashes and melted inside her ears. She spun several times in place, her face up towards the full moon. When she stopped, she wasn't alone in the field anymore. The girl almost blended into the wintry landscape as though she was a part of it. There were no footprints.

Edith approached her cautiously.

"Hello?"

The ghost turned and Edith suppressed a scream. Her aquamarine eyes stared unblinking, her silvery white hair was floating tendrils, creating an eerie halo around her charred face.

"I couldn't save him," she rasped as though her throat was parchment. "I couldn't save him."

A/N: I've been trying to think up a different scene/chapter than this one to conclude this small piece of Thomas' past, but this scene would not leave me alone! As sad as it is (and as sad as it was writing it), it had to be done. Regardless, please leave a vote and/or comment if you enjoyed it! I know it was a loooooong time coming. I hope it was worth the wait!