Barbara cursed Madeline the whole way. Her cursing only stopped when she saw Gerald with his friends and then her tirade ended. She quickened her pace and approached them.

"Gerald."

Gerald raised his face and sighed dramatically, closing his eyes. He cursed inwardly. How could Barbara come to the campus and see them in such a bruised and battered state?

"Barbara."

Barbara pulled out a chair and sat down. She looked briefly at Gerald's friends before they all scattered. Turning to Gerald, she asked, "What happened to you, Gerald? I heard this was all Cooper's doing?"

Gerald felt ashamed. Never in his life had he been so beaten and bruised...