H

aley’s face was pale as Jackson drove toward the hospital.

“I just can’t believe it,” she repeated for the tenth time. Jackson didn’t say anything.

She went on. “I mean, Ruby! She had everything to live for!”

Jackson shook his head. Having dealt with death in his family, he truly didn’t understand why anyone would try to kill him- or herself.

He pulled into the hospital parking lot. Then he and Haley walked to the front desk for information.

“We’re here to see Ruby Murphy,” Haley said.

The front desk attendant looked at her computer screen and typed away. “She’s on the fifth floor—the psychiatric ward. Room 504.”

Jackson thought the attendant gave them an extra special look. He glared at her and put his hand on Haley’s back to guide her away from the desk. They took the elevator without saying anything to each other. Jackson wove his fingers through hers, and she squeezed his hand.

When the doors opened, Haley and Jackson walked out hesitantly. Jackson had never been to a psychiatric ward. He half-expected to see cold linoleum floors, bars on the windows, and patients walking around drooling. Instead he saw a nicely carpeted room and large windows, unbarred. Two people sat at a table in the corner, playing chess. The ward was incredibly quiet.

Walking to the desk attendant on that floor, Haley and Jackson said they were there to see Ruby. The attendant—much nicer than the first—smiled at them and said, “She can meet you out here. For many patients it’s nice to get out of the rooms.” She called a number, spoke quietly, and then placed the phone back on the cradle.

“She’ll be out in a minute. You can wait over there,” the attendant said. She pointed to a cluster of comfortable-looking couches and chairs. Haley and Jackson sat down. Jackson’s knee bounced, and Haley fidgeted with her hair.

After what seemed like forever, Ruby walked out. She wore sweatpants and a long T-shirt, and her face was ashen. A sling held her arm, which was in a cast, and when she brushed her black bangs back she revealed a butterfly bandage stuck over her eyebrow. Before Ruby could sit down next to them, Haley gave her a big, long hug. Then Jackson did too. Haley’s eyes were streaming when they finished hugging.

Jackson put his hand on Ruby’s shoulder. “How are you?” he said. He felt a little ridiculous asking—she was, after all, in a psych ward. But he didn’t know what else to say.

Ruby looked at the floor for a minute and then answered, “Scared.”

Jackson and Haley nodded but didn’t speak. Finally, Haley said, “But you’re OK now. Are you seeing someone? A psychiatrist or someone to talk to?”

She nodded, “Yes, but honestly, I don’t need to.”

Jackson cleared his throat. He said gently, “But Ruby...”

She wiped away a stray tear and looked at Haley and Jackson with defiance. “I know what they’re saying, but I didn’t try to kill myself.”

“But why are they saying that, then?” Haley asked. Jackson admired how she absolutely believed her friend right away and didn’t question her motives. Jinx would have never done that.

Ruby seemed to come alive with the question. “Well, I mean, I didn’t mean to try to kill myself.”

Haley’s face froze in confusion, stuck in a look that Jackson was sure mirrored his own.

“What do you mean?” Haley asked.

Ruby scooted in closer. “I mean, something was on that bridge with me. And it was evil.”