Donald got up, and walked towards Dawn.

"I don't know about you, but this whole situation has only hardened my resolve to get some sleep. I'm heading out."

As he walked down the corridor, he passed Edward. "Hey man. Follow me. I've got to fill you in."

Edward, who had been fairly silent and sleepy up to this point, followed Donald as he was asked to do, Hex close behind in tow. "Sure, what's up?"

He rummaged through his shoulder bag for his cigarettes, lit one, and handed another one to Donald.

He knew it. The truth had ruined everything. The way Dawn stood there, searching for an answer, proved his worst fears. She'd forgotten about what once was.

If only he could walk away...if only he could leave her mind and let her alone. But he could not, he was trapped inside her, for God knew how long.

"Alright man. Adrian is...well...dead? Kind of. Long story. I'm not completely sure of the details, so you might wanna ask Dawn about that next time you see her."

Donald accepted the cigarette, and Edward lit it for him.

"It's a really complicated situation, and by my figurings, we have till the end of the school year to figure out how to bring him back."

"Wow, man, that's pretty...wow...that's just...dead, huh?"

He took a drag off his cigarette, and flames edged the smoke he breathed out.

"You know, I think we may just be able to do it. Maybe that giant circle of holding could be of some help. They're good at channeling a lot of energy for whatever means. We should totally look into that."

He didn't want an answer. He could tell she was still struggling to choose. His spirit left, and he found Edward.

He jumped inside him, and everything Edward thought, felt, smelt, tasted and knew came flooding into Adrains mind. However, he left his friends memories and personal feelings alone. He was not that cruel.

"How come whenever you find someone right, some mystical law has to ruin everything" he asked Edward.

"Them's the breaks, sometimes," Edward told Adrian's spirit. Believe it or not, I do know how you feel. Not about being dead, but about feeling screwed over by the universe. Don't worry, though, we'll bring you back, one way or the other."

Deep inside, Edward wondered if he had a right to be so positive. Maybe so, maybe no, but it seemed their best bet at the moment.

He would have ran a hand worriedly through his hair.

"At this point, I'm not sure if I want to be brought back..."

"Well, you can choose between an existence of nothingness, or we can try to bring you back to the land of the living where you belong. I think it's what Dawn would want, too."

Edward tossed his cigarette on the floor, stomping it out with finality. Stubborn spirit, he thought. Oh well, it was up to him anyway.

Adrian knew that regardless of what he wanted, his continued existance or premature death was in the hands of three other men who disliked him and one woman who wasn't sure what she felt anymore.

He was going to die...

Donald was near his room. "Alright man. Tomorrow around lunch, we'll check out that circle. I'll try to talk to Earth, see if it strengthens my power to do so any. And I'm waiting at any moment to have to speak with the headmaster. Also, if Dawn is in any class of yours, make sure she's okay."

Donald walked in after finishing his own cigarette and laid down, sound asleep shortly after.

Dawn's room reeked of alchol, and she held her 15th bottle. She couldn't, no DIDN'T want to think about what had happend. Dawn giggled the more she drank, until she finally collapsed and gave herself over to the Fire Lord, knowing he would protect her in her drunken state of mind.

Adrian refused to go to her. He felt her, drowning her thoughts in a bottle of scotch, a bottle of brandy. How she came across such valuble spirits was beyond him, but she was under more than enough alchoholic influence for any man to take advantage of her.

He refused to invade her mind though. In his disembodied state, he could feel much more of the minds around him than he ever could, and his love for Dawn kept his link with her strong.

Odd, knowing that she was drowning herself in spirits when she didn't want anything to do with one. The irony...

Donald's Alarm started ringing.

Oh christ...time for class.

He rolled out of bed, and looked in the mirror. After a quick shower, he stepped into a pair of loose jeans, a white t-shirt, and he threw on the nearest military style hat. He made sure his herbs, a pen, and a rolling paper was in his pocket before he walked out the room.

It occured to him then that he had no clue where to go. He hoped that Earth could guide him.

Dawn had somehow sobered and was outside his door in a long black dress and buckle-boots. She handed him a slip of paper with his schedule:
1.Magical Defense, 2.Magical Offense, 3. Animology, 4.Free period, 5.Magical history, 6.Physical Training, 7.Brewing Studies