The white noise of high school hallways was a bitter comfort. After her narrow escape, everything seemed like it was turned up to 11. A locker slammed close by and she jumped, instantly scanning for him. Kevin, or one of the others of the Horde. Seeing no one but students, she caught her breath, and resumed her day. As she was about to enter her chemistry class, a voice broke above the warning bell.

"Ms. Cook?" She glanced and saw the principal. "May I grab you for a minute?"

Nodding, she wandered over to the office and shut the door. As she sat down, she wasn't sure what to expect. "What's going on?"

"Oh nothing. I just wanted to check in with you. I heard you turned in your uncle, and you've moved in with a foster home?"

"Yes. The trial is next week."

"That's good. I can't imagine what that must have been like..." She paused before digging out something from her drawer behind the desk. "I also have these forms for you." She set a packet in front of her. As she reached for them, she read big bold letters on the top.

EMANCIPATION APPLICATION

Looking up, she was relieved. "What is this?"

"It's paperwork to get you on your feet again. Do you know what emancipation means?" She shook her head.

"You get recognized by the state as a legal adult, providing a psychological evaluation, and welfare inspection from the state. It means you won't be bounced around in foster homes until you're 18. You can be on your own."

"I don't know what to say." She was stunned. Someone wanted to help her. Actually care about her wellbeing.

"Take some time to think about it. But I wanted to just see what you thought." She leaned in a little. "They still haven't found him huh?"

She shook her head. "He hasn't come to see me at all. I don't know where he is."

"Forgive me, I didn't seem like I was interrogating you. I know it's on your mind. I mean, how could it not be?" She straightened herself. "Just take some time to think about it. There's lots of resources available for you."

As school ended, she made her way towards her crowded foster home, where she lived with 10 other kids ranging from ages 6 to 17. She imagined it's probably what puppies in pet stores felt like: all crammed in a tiny space, tripping over each other in hopes of someone will come by and take them to their forever home.

Drowning herself in her headphones, she crossed over a set of train tracks when a flash back hit her.

"He's on the move." Hedwig, Kevin's 9 year old personality, smiled and taunted excitedly. "Any minute now, Dennis and Patricia are gonna greet him and bring him here and he's gonna do awful stuff to you guys. I have blue socks too…"

She shook her head as she made her way into the downtown area. Waiting to cross the street, she absentmindedly glanced at the cars. A group of people, most likely getting off their shift at work, began to crowd the corner section of the street. The walk sign flashed white and she began to cross.

She didn't see the car running the red light and headed straight for her. A strong hand grabbed her arm and yanked her back just in time. She yelped as the car sped past her, even honking at her carelessness. She ripped out her ear buds and gasped. The hand on her felt deadly familiar. As she glanced up, she saw a disguised Kevin Crumb panting slightly. Looking around to make sure no one noticed him, his eyes met hers again.

"Jesus, you okay? That car almost hit you."

"Kevin? What—" As he shushed her, he glanced around again. No one seemed disturbed by their conversation, but he needed her alone. "Come on, follow me please?" Hesitant, she let him grab her arm and lead her down into the subway station. After the entrance bars, he took her to a bench and sat her down.

"It's okay, it's okay. See? I took the light." He took a breath, steadying himself. "Look, I had to see you okay? I wanted..." he trailed off, seeing her fear. "Oh no, no. I don't want to hurt you. I promise. I just wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"For not shooting me when I told you to. I also wanted to apologize. I am so so sorry. I never meant any of this to happen. Those girls... they're dead cause of me. Cause of what I am."

"Kevin, you need to turn yourself in." She rubbed his arms gently. "You're not safe out here. None of you are."

Hearing her concern for all of the Horde made him smile. "If I do... what do you think will happen to me? To us? They'll stick me in a cell."

"They'll get you help. The help you need."

"If I did, would you visit me?" She paused, heavy with hesitation. "Please? You're the first person to get through to me since Dr. Fletcher. And I don't—"

His face started to change, his struggle to keep the light evident. When he settled, his face went stern as he brought out a pair of glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief and put them on. She recognized this. Dennis.

"No, no no. There won't be any talk of that." He glanced her up and down, scooting slightly away from her. "Nice to see you again child. Your clothes are clean. That's good." His low voice was unnerving her.

"Dennis... why did you stop him? You guys need to be safe. Kevin, all of you being out in the open like this isn't good."

"I know that. I couldn't stop him in time though. But I'm here now," he sighed and looked around. "This is such a disgusting place. So much trash and dirt. We need to go."

As he got up to leave, she reached for him but he recoiled. Right, she thought. Dennis was the one with OCD. "Wait, please." His glare with scrutiny annoyed her.

"What is it?" Like he couldn't be bothered.

"Don't let it out again. Please. Don't feed the Beast. There are good people in this world."

His eyes had a somewhat saddened look. "I'm sorry child. But we have to. He's coming back." He leaned down. "He needs us. The whole world needs him. We need him. He will protect us. Avenge us."

"Avenge you from what?"

"The impure." Without another word, he walked away, leaving her on the bench corner.