Communication Models: Overview and Analysis

Communication Models Overview and abstractDigging deeper into conference rides, the research done by theorist and communion experts a alike has helped the future multiplication to at least have a brief idea of what a converse theoretical peak is. In this era, whereby the world is getting smaller coined the Global Village (Marshall McLuhan) colloquy has risen to new heights repayable to its importance. The understanding of communication would further enhance a mans understanding of how to communicate with efficiency and efficacy. The rise of the cyberspace has also intensifyd how communication works whereby the condition and commonly used type was direct communication (face-to-face) and it changed into communication that was ground more on writing as more and more people are aquiline to the Internet.A communication model would help with discovery of the difference in kinships between the different types of communication and how manipulative variables change efficiency, reach etc. A communication model would also clarify colonial understanding of communication into a more disciplined, order and simple form of communication. Though models of communication has its advantages soon enough because of its simple nature could lead to oversimplifications, such as quoted There is no denying that much of the work in designing communication models illustrates the oft-repeated charge that anything in human affairs which can be modeled is by definition too superficial to be given serious consideration. Duhem (1954) thus a model whitethorn attempt to mirror real life information but in creation it is impossible to truly model real life communication.Therefore, communication models are in general divided into two, elongated model and non-linear model, the former neglecting feed tail end of receivers, external factors etc. The linear model adapted a mathematical approach to communication based on ordinances that are decoded and encoded. The model dictates communication is possible only if two people share the resembling code whereby in this case is the same language. Language is the bridge that connects human thoughts into strings of sound, syllables and words and like any other computer in order to translate it requires the same code system. This means, an example if a person wants to transfer his/her thoughts it would be encoded into language then the message is delivered through a channel that is subsequently on decoded by the receiver/recipient.Thus the introduction to the encode-decode model of communication, the linear model though subversive in communication introduced by Lasswell and later on enhanced by Shannon-Weaver model (Shannon, 1948) including noise into the communication. The primary(prenominal) defect of these models are that it is linear and robotic, dictating that communication hasa beginning and coating while in reality communication does not have such limited peculiar(prenominal)ations under communication. Linear models do not generally take into account how humans record nubsthe encode-decode model assumes that meaning is objective and can be captured in a fixed correspondence between aspects of the world and some system of represendation (Lund and Waterworth) Thus, Schramm introduced the circular model that acknowledges communication is not linear and that emphasizes the circular nature of human communication, in which the roles of source/encoder and receiver/ decoder interchange. In furtherance of analysis, the sample used is the round/Interactive Model of Osgood and Schramm.Wilbur Schramm and Osgood introduced the rotund Model, 1954 were one of the send-off to alter the mathematical model of Shannon and Weaver. The reason behind Schramm coming up with the circular model was to outgo the limitations of linear models. In fact, it is misleading to think of the communication process as starting somewhere and ending somewhere. It is really endless. We are little switchboard cente rs handling and rerouting the great endless current of information.(Schramm W. (1954) quoted in McQuail Windahl (1981). whole communication process starts with a person that has a thought or information to pass on to other people. In the interactive model, that thought would first go through an element called the encoder, which will change our thought into codes. Encoding is actually an act of translating specific thoughts into codes (message) that is then transferred to another person, which will decode the codes (message), and interpret the meaning. The second part of the communication, is the feedback/response of the person to the particular code (message) that goes through the process of encoding, and then delivered back to the original sender.The difference here is that the circular model acknowledges the circular nature of human communication that is endless. An sweetener of previous linear models whereby the sender and receiver vice versa changes role depending on the commun ication. This helps improve the understanding of communication between two people rather then a one way linear model that does not represent the nature of communication in real life.The Circular Model is a projectile model that shows how a situation can change and that communication is not generally one sided. The Circular Model also raises the importance of redundancy and that it is an essential part of communication, due to the fact that communication moves in a circular manner. Another advantage of the model is that it does not separate between sender and receiver, two sender and receiver is the same person. A more active communication models rather then the linear model that assumes passive receivers. The Circular Model emphasizes on the feedback feature to be central of the communication model, where models in the first place bolt outed to hold in.The Circular model is not free from defects one being the about highly criticized is that it does not incorporate the noise fe ature included in Shannon-Weaver model (Shannon, 1948). preventive is anything that influences effective communication and the interpretation of the code (message). hitch may have profound effects on interpretation of communication but is usually overlooked.Noise can be divided into triplet categories, which are Semantic Noise, Psychological Noise (internal noise) and sensible Noise (external noise). Understanding noise is essential in improving further the communication models.External Noise is anything outside the person that may distract the efficiency of communication, such as sight, sound, smell, and environment such as crowded environment. Whiles Internal Noise is anything that influences thoughts, feelings during communication such as hunger, headaches and fatigue. The final one is Semantic Noise which encoding errors by the sender which is not understood by the receiver such as literature in articles by the use of jargons or unnecessary technical language.Application of the circular model would most probably mirror communication limited to only 2 people. The Circular model is limited to that specific use since it fails to incorporate context and the surrounding nature and growth development of the individual.Room for improvement of the Circular Model (1954) has been made through the Helical Model (1967) attempting to show that the growth of communication is forever evolving and limitless. The tip of its growth depending on the development of the individual throughout his life and including individual factors such as environment, stinting and relations change over time. As communication moves forward so does the form of such communication, and then it is a need to take into account of the different for such as the epidemic growth of accessible media changing the communication as there is more reliance of the things said rather then the non-verbal messages sent in the past with direct communication.Based on extended reading, improvements of the C ircular model taking into account present communication settings.Macintosh HDUserssyafeeqzDesktopCollegeCOmmTemplatechart.jpgBased on the Communication Model above, it clearly looks resembling to the Circular model. The difference is the enhancement of noise in the middle section of the model. Message is changed into distortion to pretend that noise plays a part in the message sent thus naming it distortion. What this model represents is a more suitable approach to real life communication, as it incorporates the underlying factors of aim, perception, relationship and the context of communication while acknowledging all three types of noise.First of all, intention of the communication does have significance as if the intention was transactional it is specifically goal-oriented thus would affect interaction to achieve such goals. On the other hand, if the intention were of enculturation purposes and demonstrating social intimacy with the receiver/counter-initiator thus the distorti on (message) would be interpreted differently. As an example, the differences of response to sellers as compared to friends and family. The attention span/level is also based on such intentions. Intentions can also recognise as inference. Inference in this sense means humans communicate far more meaning than they ever encode linguistically. A perfect example is the use of the word Its gone, the ambiguity of linguistics fail to define the complete meaning of intention in language and the interpretation is inferred by the receiver/counter-initiator.Next, the relationship between initiator and receiver also governs the communication model such as symmetric force play relationship between to friends, both with equal rights to speak as compare to a asymmetrical former relationship between and employee and employer would change the distortion (message) taking into measure the authority of the employer. Furthermore, the context is a cabal of both the intention and relationship mixed wi th the location, time and noise during the communication thus turns into a major(ip) influence as how distortion (message) is received and the response given. An example to display such context, is the comparison of initiators/ beat up distortion (message) during at work with a colleague compared too the distortion at home with a family member, while in both cases explaining the accident that took place while on the way to work. The context changes so much that the variables are limitless, while at the office the explanation of such event may be more dramatized and exaggerated since it just happened, and also the fact that the receiver/counter-initiator is a colleague while at home the explanation of the same event would be shorter due to the redundancy, fear of the family members response and so fourth.The atomic signed used was to signify the limitless boundaries of such context and the different combinations that may occur unite with the different types of noise that play a subt le role in influencing communication. The model incorporates all three types of noise that is semantic, external and internal. What differs from other models is it also features other major factors such as perception outwards toward the each other and perception inward of oneself. Example, if we perceive of what we are listening too in the piano tuner is false thus the whether it is true we tend to ignore the distortion (message) this is called selective perception.Schramms model though out-of-date and has been improved with numerous other models it remains to be the cornerstone of communication models, with the model centered on the theory of feedback. Schramms model is of use in todays social media lifestyle since social media relies mainly on the two-way circular nature of communication.

internal audit proficiency and internal controls

inhering scrutinize proficiency and intrinsic applysLITERATURE REVIEW9.0 IntroductionThis chapter is a inspection of the related literature generated by the researcher on the subject of study. The chapter entails the relationship between ingrained analyse proficiency and infixed throws internal controls and corporate governance internal audit proficiency and adventure perplexity internal controls and take a chance tell apartment and risk precaution and corporate governance.9.1 noesisable Audit Proficiency sexual auditors should throw the knowledge, skills, and other competencies needed to perform their individual responsibilities. The internal audit activity collectively should possess or obtain the knowledge, skills, and other competencies needed to perform its responsibilities. The internal auditor should have sufficient knowledge to identify the indicators of fraud but is not expected to have the expertise of a person whose basal responsibility is detecting and i nvestigating fraud. (IIA, 2007). The rationale is that internal auditors experiences, knowledge and education are most priceless to management (Giselle, 2000).9.2 Internal Audit Proficiency and Internal ControlsFrom the definition of internal auditing, the objective of internal auditing not only includes involvement in governance but also highlights the importance of evaluating and improving control and risk management (IIA, 2007). Most internal audit professionals argue that an effective internal audit function all the way correlates with an organisations success in meeting management objectives and whether the internal control constitution is functioning as think (Faudziah et al, 2005). The military strength of internal audit greatly contributes to the lastingness of each auditee in particular and the arrangement at large (Dittenhofer, 2001). Dittenhofer (2001) also observed that, if internal audit quality is maintained, it exit contribute to the appropriateness of procedu res and operations in the organization. Therefore, internal audit proficiency is seen as an important attribute to the quality of the internal audit function and the way it adds value to the internal control frame work.The Institute of Internal Auditors Standard 1210 on proficiency of auditors, requires that internal auditors posse the knowledge, skill and other competencies needed to perform their responsibilities (IIA, 2007). Internal audit effectiveness is determined by the internal audit departments capability to provide useful findings and recommendations and to prove that it is of value to the organization and promotes honorable governance within the organization. Internal auditors need specific technical skills and to be seen to undertake incessant professional development to keep up to date with changing demarcation practices and remain capable of providing a value-added service in their audit approach (Giselle, 2000). They should therefore be experts in the area of inter nal control and should use their skills and expertise to evaluate internal control systems of their organizations and recommend improvements that will greatly contribute to good governance. According to Jan Cattrysse (2005), internal audit could have an important input based on their experience from free lance monitoring operations or previous occurrences of wrongdoing.9.3 Internal Audit Proficiency and fortune Management.The section of internal audit is to provide objective self-confidence to those charged with governance and management on the adequacy and effectiveness of the risk management framework, help in improving the processes by which risks are identified and managed, help in strengthening and improving the risk management framework.According to (Herdman 2002 Richards 2002 Bailey et al. 2003 Gramling et al. 2004 Carcello et al. 2005b Deloitte 2005 Gadziala 2005), the internal audit function plays a queer and critical role in corporate governance by monitoring organiza tional risks and helping hear financial reporting reliability.Chris Jeffrey (2008) asked that, if an internal audit group does not clearly understand the industry, how could it decipher what the great risks to the organization were? In order to do all this, internal auditors need to be skilled and go through on how risk management works. They also need to gain a better understanding of the tombstone business risks and the impact they scum bag have on the organizations ability to build shareholder value (risk assessment). Internal auditors must also be able to assess the responses to key exposures and determine if those responses are sufficient or relevant (Gerrit and Ignace, 2006).Spira Page (2003), note that the recent corporate governance guidelines assume that risks can be objectively identified, quantified and thus strategically managed. Consequently, expertise in risk management techniques and knowledge about the internal control system become a source of power which enab les internal auditors to advance and play an important role within their organization. Companies facing higher risk will increase their organizational monitoring through internal audit, providing evidence of the importance of the internal audit function (Colin et al, 2008).Lastly, according to Ian William, (2007), one external auditor commented that the internal audit profession had been trying to reposition itself over the last six or seven geezerhood from being relatively unfashionable function Im not saying that it was just re-badging. They have been taking on new skills and repositioning themselves more as risk advisory/ management people.9.4 Internal Controls and Risk Management.According to the new definition of internal controls by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA, 2007), controls do not know in a vacuum and implies, rather, that controls exist to assist organizations in managing risk and promoting governance processes. A companys system of internal controls has a k ey role in the management of risks that are significant to the fulfillment of its business objectives. It is important to note therefore, that a sound system of internal control provides reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that a company will not be hindered in achieving its business objectives by circumstances which whitethorn reasonably be foreseen.Risk in a financial context is generally understood to be the potential for financial loss consequent on fraud and incompetence. Although it is widely understood that such risk can never be entirely eliminated, it is generally believed that a system of internal control will act as a deterrent to fraud and a protection against incompetence (Spira Page, 2003). Gerrit Ignace, (2006), noted that internal controls are only one of the means to manage key organizational risks. Other devices used to manage risks include the transfer of risks to third parties, sharing risks and the withdrawal from unacceptably risky activities.9.5 Risk Man agement and corporal GovernanceFrom an agency perspective, the importance of strong governance stems from the need to align the interests of management with other stakeholders in the firm in order to reduce agency costs (Cohen et al., 2002). One of corporate governance mechanisms that can be used to monitor managements behaviour is internal audit (Davidson et al., 2005). Internal auditors are certainly exhorted in the professional literature to embrace the opportunity to contribute to the achievement of corporate objectives through risk management (Gerrit Ignace, 2006). 9.6 Internal Controls and Corporate Governance

Debate Between Abstract and Realism in Art

literary argument Between Abstract and Realism in ArtConsider the bequest of the Abstraction Realism disputation for cheatistic practice in the mid-fifties in either France or Italy.Both culturally and politically post-war France bring itself in a period of transition as Findling, Scott-Haine and Thackeray (2000) state, the euphoria of 1944 before long gave way to agrim realisation of the socio-political consequences of the Vichy Governments collaboration with the national socialists and the challenges of reconstruction. The Fourth Republic, instigated in 1946 and continuing until the latish 1950s, move to instil anotion of tabula rasa that would be mirrored in its art and culture.The filchion-realism argument that had begun before the war and had, perhaps, found its ultimate expression in the Modernist oeuvre through such(prenominal) painters as Mondrian, Miro and others was, ironically, questioned at this time, for instance, in essays such as denim-Michel Atlans Abstracti on and Adventure in modern Art (1950, 1997)Contemporary painting, being essential adventure and creation, is threatened by ii forms ofconformity which we perfectly opposeBanal realism, vulgar imitation of realityOrthodox abstract art, new academicism which tries to substitute for living painting an interplay of solely enhancive forms.(Atlan, 1950 published in Harrison and Wood, 1997 612)Atlan here makes an interesting point and one that has an frightful bearing on the tooshie of the abstract entity-realism debate in 1950s France for the post-war French artist the question became not how one should situation oneself in a polarity tho is thatpolarity itself prohibiteddated and archaic. The tabula rasa of the socio-political sphere could be seen as a reflection of inter-war regression when translated to the aesthetic the questionable politics of legion(predicate) of the Modernist writers, thinkers and artists making their work unattractive to thesons and daughters of the Four th Republic.It was this psycho-social zeitgeist that, perhaps, ensured the twinning of art with general theories of existentialism as John Macquarrie describes in his book of the same name(1972). For Macquarrie, post-war art (and particular those movements instigated in France) mirrors existentialism in its desire to negate the failures of pastontological systems and mooring the artist or philosopher at the mall of are constructive feat an attempt to find meaning after the horrors of the war without recourse to outdoor(a) teleological notions like truth and beauty. This situation appears, to an extent, in Bretons Prolegomena to a trinity Surrealist ManifestoAll present systems drop reasonably be considered to be nothing on the carpenters workbench. This carpenter is you. (Breton, 1990 287)In terms of the debate, then, between abstraction and realism both Atlan and Breton say essentially the same thing that what was demand culturally by post-war France was neither the consola tion of realism nor the negation of abstraction yet a synthesis of the two an aesthetic that could both look off into the future and signal a break with the past.We can see round of this in the work of Yves Klein. Both in terms of his painting and his photography, Klein continuously strove to achieve the kind of Hegelian synthesis we have been hither to feeling at. Kleins work in the mid to late 1950s represented two paradoxical elements on the one hand producing monochrome canvasses of a scintillatingly grim pigment (Monochrome blue sans titre, 1956 Monochromeblue sans titre, 1957) that all but obliterated any whiz of the artist as producer of work and, on the other, laying the root word for the creation of action pictures whereby nude models would be used as brushes on huge canvasses (Monique, 1960 La Grand Anthropometrie bleue, 1960) that, literally, places the human being at the centre of artistic creation.In Klein we can clearly the manifestation of the legacy of the r ealism-abstraction debate in the France ofthe 1950s and, as we suggested, it lay in the synthesis of the two a similarnotion to the philosophical ideas of Sartre and Camus who desire an ontologicalmeaning without teleology. In fact it was some of this thought that culminated inthe creation of neo-realism, of which Klein was a leading figure and about whomPierre Restany wroteWe (the neo-realists) are so bathed in direct expressivity up to our necks, at fortydegrees above the Dada zero, without aggressiveness, without a downrightpolemical intent, without any other justificatory itch than our realism. Andthat works positively. Man, if he shares in reintegrating himself in reality,identifies it with positively. (Restany, 1960, published in Harrison and Wood,1997 711)What were neo-realists like Klein, Arman, Daniel Sporerri and Jean Tinguely but artists who attempted a fusion,and thereby a transcendence, of the archaic debate that Altman spoke of?We can see how such a view could bese en to lay the foundations for not only when the postmodern movement in France that sought to find meaning in a post-Enlightenment world whose meta discourses in the words of Jean Francois Lyotard (2002 xxiii) were beginning to fail, but also the socio-political events of 1968 and the student uprising. Both of these can be seen to arise out of, or at least reflect, the aesthetic and cultural movements of the 1950s that sought to not only destroy the memories of the Vichy Government and the long years of Nazi occupation but also signal a progression away(predicate) from the nihilism of Dada that left a void in the place of that which it negated.The legacy of the realism-abstraction debate, then, is one of Hegelian synthesis, arising out of the thesis and the antithesis. This situation was, perhaps, felt more strongly in countries suchas France, Italy and Spain where the political situation prompted a urgently motifed change in aesthetic and ontological environment and where the a im for a humanist consolation was as great as the need for an expression of the madness of the modern age.ReferencesBreton, Andre, (1990), Manifestoes of Surrealism, (Michigan University of Michigan)Causey, Andrew (1998), Oxford History of Art Sculpture Since 1945, (Oxford Oxford University Press)Findling, John, Scott Haine, W and Thackeray, Frank (2000), The History of France, (London Greenwood Press)Harrison, Charles and Wood, Paul(1997), Art in Theory 1900-1990 An Anthology of Changing Ideas, (London Blackwell)Kostelanetz, Richard (ed) (1989), Estheticssic Contemporary, (London Prometheus)Lyotard, Jean Francois (2004), The Postmodern Condition A Report on Knowledge, (Manchester Manchester University)Macquarrie, John (1972), Existentialism, (London Pelican)Roskill, patsy and Carrier, David(1983), Truth and Falsehood in Visual Images, (Amherst The University of Massachusetts)http//www.yvesklein.net/

Short Story Playing With Fire English Literature Essay

Short Story play With Fire English Literature EssayMental disorders I performed resplendently in school, had relatively close connections with my family and kept a well-mannered grouping of friends how ever so, all of my feelings, actions and emotions could be thrown into disarray with the descry of a ace flame. Pyromania, it was called. It was also the close why I was forced by my flummox to come to this stupid group rehab centre. Everyw here(predicate) I went, there was a thick atmosphere of tension between everyone that weighmed impossible to break. Despite this environment, for the other(prenominal) month, I had been able to keep my composure each day with the accompany of one girl. From the very first day, she was the only if person in the dwell who wore a grinning the absolute promotearm. With long, brown hair, contrasting her fair skin, and a look of confidence on her saying, I thought of no reason why she should be here. Until I saw something which deeply intrigued me Her emerald green eyes, una appetite the sculptural relief of her appearance, did not reflect the same warmth and zeal. Rather, they possessed a continuous melancholic gaze that would always eliminate outside(a) her adjust emotions, so I had a tendency to avoid looking her in the eyes whenever I talked to her.Today, as I sit down down on the curb of the sidewalk, from my back pocket, I took out a plastic container and flicked the bittie wheel, igniting a small, exclusively strongly burning flame.You shouldnt be smoking at your age. It result only end with a long and painful death.I dont smoke, I said as I turned around to face the juncture, pyromania is different from a nicotine addiction. Casey, I swear I explained this to you the other day.She sit down down beside me, leaning in towards the flame. Ah, just now its unchanging based on the same principle isnt it? Fire, destruction, and death. She had a splendidly pained feeling on her face before she ad ded, How you can find the flames beautiful? They only inspire me of pain and misfortune. Dont play with fire, Parker. Youre only going to get burn down.I retrieve about that some clocks as well, I replied. What had caused this unhealthy affinity towards the flames? This all-powerful reliance towards fire? At first, it was just a fascination as a child, hardly there was a point in time where it completely took over my actions. The sluicets of that night lingered with me flush now. Every detail was chip at deep into my memories from the estrus of the fire, to the very lighter I used to stria the kinsperson ablazeStand aside kid, came the gruff voice of a police policeman. Go find your p arnts. Its not safe to be here. I was roughly pushed behind the yellow police tape as the officer hurried back to his car, and the sound of sirens grew louder.From a safe distance, I stood still, spellbound by the violent orange blaze that continued to engulf the reside in see of me. Bead s of sweat began forming above my brow from the searing heat emitted by the burning house. Twenty legal proceeding that was all it took for the house to be completely devoured by the burning flames, and for the entire structure to begin dropping apart. Thick billows of smoke collected, making it to a greater extent and more difficult to give out as the fire consumed the oxygen close by. The crackling of the wooden beams grew louder, with the house on the edge of collapse. Without warning, a girl parted from the crowd and ran towards the flames, only to be held back by the same officer as before.My parents are still in there Pl puff Someone, anyone, help them I-I dont want them to but her last words were cut off as the last of the reinforcement beams collapsed. Tears overflowed from her eyes as she fell to the ground, completely helpless and traumatized.Conversely, from amidst the dismay of the crowd of onlookers, I remained completely calm, never breaking eye opposition with th e blaze for a single second. It was too beautiful a sight to look away from, as the flames continued their dance in the wind. It was like a giant bonfire, sending sparks flying everywhere. The night sky was lighted with its bright orange glow, making it as bright as day. I reached forward, feeling the heat of the fire grow stronger against my palm, and for just a few moments, time seemed to stopThis was more than viii years ago I was only ten years old. I remember hearing the chase morning that the residents of the house did not survive the blaze from that night, but at that age, I couldnt distinguish between life and death, nor did I realize the austereness of my actions. To this day, I still cannot crawfish out the exact reason for starting the fire. any I could remember was the sight of the glowing flames in the night, regretting nothing. But for these eight years, I had been harbouring this memory to myself, refusing to tell a soul. Earlier on, I thought about telling Case y, but after seeing her pained expression towards the smallest flicker of a flame, I couldnt bring myself to do so.For the month that Ive cognize you, Ive noticed that you space out a lot, said Casey, demonstrating her point by waving her hand in front of my face. Smiling, she continued, the smell of the lighter swimming must be affecting your brain somehow.I returned to reality. Realizing she was right, I retorted, I can cure this problem just fine without your input. Anyways, why dont you ever talk about your problems for once? Its been a month, and I still recognize nothing about you. I dont even know why you look into into rehab in the first place. I mean, as far as I can tell, theres nothing wrong with you.It was my decision to make, Casey replied, watching the passing cars on the road.Still, why dont you do yourself a favour? Check out of this oil production place and spend the remaining days of summer back photographic plate with your family.What do you know? Have you e ver thought to consider that Im here for a reason? I cant return to my family even if I want to. She stood up abruptly, and started walking back towards the rehab centre. Out of impulse, I stood up as well, making eye contact. For the first time, I saw her grimace, but what was far more intimidating was the hostility in her gaze even from a fair distance, I could sense it. My comment definitely smash a nerve.Before reaching the doorway, she looked back one last time and said, Its going to rain. You should toss inside the facility soon, and she slammed the door behind her. Aggravated, I took out my lighter, trying to light a small flame to ease my tension, but it was no use.Out of lighter fluid, I sighed, so in the end, you got what you wanted, somewhat. Ill need to get a new one tomorrow. I sat back down along the curb of the sidewalk, when moments later, I felt up a light shower of rain against my skin. What a perceptive person.For the rest of the week, I avoided Casey, until I saw her knitting something blue in the lobby. I decided not to start a conversation with her. Instead, I sat down in a chair across from her, staring intently at the repetitive motions she made as the fabric grew longer. After a while, she sighed and finally spoke to me.Im knitting a scarf to put on a teddy bear. Its for my baby brothers birthday. I havent seen him in a while though Her voice was depressed, yet she continued, but I have a permit to go visit him and my family tomorrow. This is an awkward question, but do you beware coming with me? Ill chthonicstand if you cant, but youre one of the few sight that I trust here. After a while of thinking, I managed to give a nod and everything was planned out for tomorrow. As she left the lobby, her smile had returned. Little did I know that there was so much more that she hid from me behind that smile.At exactly 10 AM, I returned to the same secernate that I sat in yesterday, and I noticed how empty the entire lobby seemed without Casey there. At any rate, I was sure the mood would intensify when she arrived. Five minutes passed fifteen minutes passed forty five minutes passed, and I became unexpectedly worried. I contemplated going outside to light a flame with my lighter, but it would be terrible for her to see me like that. Instead, I decided to go find her. However, this was easier said than done, because the rehab centre had many rooms, and I had no idea where she was staying. Nevertheless, I ran around the building looking for her, prying through every corridor, checking the courtyard, knocking on doors to ask if anyone knew where she was staying, but to no avail. Out of breath, I paused and passed by the girls washroom, when I heard hushed insistent coming from behind the door. Could that possibly be her? Pulling up closer, I called her name, but there was no answer. As awkward as it was to enter, my fearfulness for whoever was in there outweighed my embarrassment.However, I was horrified at what I found. It was Casey, but not how I expected. She was sitting on the floor, sobbing, her right arm finishing her eyes, but not the tears from her face. From a distance, I could see the electric arc from the scarlet tinted blade on the tiled floor. Her left arm was make full with scars, with three fresh slashes running across them. A steady drift of blood flowed from them, enough to form a small puddle of sluice beside her. Impulsively, I ran towards her, took off my sweater to soak up the blood and I held her in my arms. Her crying just grew louder, but as she laid her head on my shoulder, I felt helpless, knowing this was all I could do for her. For what seemed like eternity, we stayed like that, her sobs eventually dying down to a slight whimper as I whispered Its okay over and over.Her voice shaky and in hushed tones, she said, My baby brother and my parents arent actually alive. They passed away eight years ago. There was a horrible fire that burned my house to the ground. I managed to escape safely, but my parents, they thought I was still inside. They went back inside for me, and they never came back out. They sacrificed themselves for nothing, and it was my fault I wish I had died instead of them. Every day, I wish that Sometimes, I would even try to make that wish come true. Her voice started breaking into sobs again, and I came to a appall conclusion. Could it be? Eight years ago, from the fire I started, I killed her family and was the reason why harmed herself like this. The misdeed I failed to feel from years ago rushed through me, as if it had been collecting for years. It was horrifying to make this connection, but it felt even worse to realize that I enjoyed every moment of the burning fire. Why did fire have to be so destructive? I wished I would never see some other flame. I never wanted to see Casey suffer like this again.That evening, under an orange painted sky, Casey and I visited the cemetery, where I saw the gravestones of her p arents and her little brother. She place her birthday gift onto her brothers tombstone, and she closed her eyes in a short(p) prayer. The whole time, I remained silent I didnt feel like I had the right to speak. As we started to leave, I turned around and whispered a pathetic apology, even though it was useless. To this day, I havent told her that I was the one who started the fire Im afraid of what her reaction might be if I do. But the guilt I feel each day is overwhelming, as I recall the image of Casey as a young girl, standing in front of her burning house, knowing her parents were burned alive in that fire and Casey cover in scars, cutting herself. These are the thoughts that come to mind whenever I re-ignite my lighter, and see the flickering flame, hoping that the guilt I feel from the memory of that night will one day miraculously cure this pyromania.