373 SHATTERED DREAMS

Emerald's pace had drastically increased in the last few minutes. As she went from left to right, she used her left hand to support her head as if it were some weight; she sighed occasionally and would not stop staring into space. Standing behind her, watching, Hailey could not take it any longer and decided to question Emerald. "A penny for your thoughts?" she asked, hoping for Emerald to return to reality, but it was not as she expected as Emerald was still staring into space. She had no choice but to give her a little pat, to which she responded with an empty stare. "What is the problem this time?" Hailey inquired as she caressed Emerald's hand in an attempt to comfort her. "I need some money," Emerald said. That was the last thing Hailey had expected to be the reason for her worry—not that she could not need money, but why worry about that when she had a source to get it from? "This is all about money." Hailey asked, "Yes. It is," Emerald replied. "Why not ask Nicholas, then?" T