Kindergarten

she's tired

Okay. *curls beside Mara* Woof.

what's your name boy mara,mom and dad must have got you while I was... dead

hello mara

*Gasps softly* Jeremy?

you have your own sign now

Then why am I here? *sways slightly*

this is just a bridge

*blinks slowly* A bridge...? *grips her cane tighter* Then what was all that about being ready? *looks around confused* I'm so tired, Jeremy.

yes Mara

*Mara grins, hooking her pinky* Best promise ever!

how old are you

A kind spirit? *steps closer* Cool!

it always rains here in hefoldory town

*Mara bounces on her feet excitedly* I know why! The old people say it rains because of a sad boy who jumped. *grins* But you're not scary like they said!

*800 years later*

*Miss Salmon is gone. The bridge is rusty, abandoned. *Rain falls endlessly* A faded sign reads: In memory of Jeremy. *The black Fedora lies on the ground, untouched by time*.

*the black figure comes back*

*Miss Salmon's screams turn to silent sobs as she collapses* My fault... all my fault... *Alexis holds her, crying* You did everything you could. *sirens wail in the distance* Steshie finally speaks through tears: I never told him I liked his rain cloud drawing... *Gabe hangs up his phone, voice hollow* They're... they're saying there's no pulse. *Miss Salmon whispers to the sky* The rain... it finally stopped.

*a dark figure waves at you from afar*

*everyone stops, staring* What is that?

depression

*Miss Salmon's face falls, her hand instinctively reaching toward your shoulder before pulling back* Oh, Jeremy... I'm so sorry. *glances at the now-adult former students watching* You know, depression can be treated these days. There are wonderful therapists who- *stops herself* But I suppose you've heard that before.

where's the nearest bridge

*Miss Salmon is standing in front of the whiteboard* Miss Salmon: What does A stand for? *The kids are sitting on the carpet* Everyone: Apple!

*my name is Jeremy* a stands for a kid named Jeremy who wants to die

Miss Salmon: Jeremy, that's not nice. Please don't say that. You are special and loved. *the kids start laughing* Alexis: Wow, you are so weird. *the teacher looks at Alexis with a stern look*