There was blood everywhere, pain still pulsing from his eye as blood and tears ran down his cheeks from the wound. Across the room with the dirty white walls lay what was left of his father. The man had never held any love for him, and had spent every day of his youth beating that fact into him. Wallace was still in shock from everything happening so fast, still muttering to himself that he was sorry, and that it wasn't his fault. The man lay sprawled on the floor and against the wall, a long, precise cut running deeply from just under the man's ear and across his chest. Other cuts and slices still bled slowly, though his father had been long dead after the first. He held his hand over his eye, the skin on his eyelid still stinging and burning from the touch of searing hot paper and tobacco, watching as the dark haired boy who had cut down his father turned to look at him over his shoulder.

Worick's eye opened quickly, trying to focus as he came out from the memories of the nightmare. Sitting up slowly, he glanced across the room to the large armchair in the corner, seeing Nicolas curled up with his katana and reading something from their meager bookshelf. Nodding to him once he had been seen, Worick stood and went to the dresser, pulling out his clothes for the day and walking quietly toward the bathroom just down the hall to get ready for school. Nicolas always got up too damn early, being the first to get washed and dressed, even on the weekends. Being more of a night owl, Worick couldn't really imagine getting up at such insane hours, but he imagined that Nic may feel the same way about his staying up late as well.

Closing the door behind him, Worick set to getting showered, not taking too long and drying himself once done. Drying his hair, he slipped his eyepatch back on and finished dressing, taking a moment to put the few earrings he wore back in as well. Taking his sleep pants back into the room and setting them in the hamper, he checked the time to make sure of how they were doing, waving to Nic to get his attention. "Hey, Mr. Monroe leave already?"

[Yeah. Early meeting or something.]

"Want breakfast?"

[Yeah.] Waiting until Nic had set his place in the book, the two boys went out to the kitchen to see about something to eat before having to catch the bus. Things would be easier once they were out on their own. The two of them knew enough that they would be able to at least survive and make money in their own way, even if those methods weren't exactly legal. But until then, the home they had been placed in was already more than they'd had before, and at least the kind of tolerant neglect Mr. Monroe offered was a welcome change from getting the shit beat out of you for no reason on a daily basis.

Coming down the hallway, he put on a smile at the sound of the television greeting them, young laughs following what sounded like some kind of cartoonesque accident. "Mornin' you guys."

"Ricky and Nico are up!"

"No duh, Delico!"

"Yang you be nice, or I'll kick your butt!"

"You can't do that Erica! You're a girl!"

"Ricky! Yang said girls can't kick butt!"

"Yang, they can and will hand you your ass, so get used to it now or life's gonna suck for you buddy. And please guys, no fighting until after breakfast..." Smirking at the collective groans and laughter from the three younger kids, Worick opened up the fridge and pantry to see what was there, taking out some eggs and bread and getting to work since Nicolas had been banned from the kitchen. He certainly wasn't banned from taking care of himself in any way, but the last time anyone tried to teach him how to cook, his hands and fingers had been covered in cuts, and he had mixed up the sugar and the salt. It was just better if Nicolas didn't try cooking anymore, but Worick didn't mind. With breakfast out of the way for all of them, the two boys gathered what they would need for school, checking that they wouldn't leave anything behind and helping Yang, Delico and Erica to do the same before locking up for the day.

It was just the two of them at their stop, but Worick smiled as he stepped up and saw a few other teens speak up and wave to him. Sitting in their usual seat, the ride wasn't long, but it was obvious by how he always curled up in the seat that Nic didn't like being in such cramped quarters with so many people. No one ever really picked on him, but it was more a comfort thing until he'd be able to step off and onto the sidewalk.

Since the day that they had been taken in by , it was always the same routine with every new school day. The drive to school, plastering on the image that everything was fine in their little world, making sure to get to class on time after stopping by their lockers to get the needed books for the first half of their day, switching those books out for the remainder, then making sure they had what they needed before boarding the same bus to take them right back and start anew the following day. Reaching into his pocket, Worick assured himself that he hadn't forgotten his cigarettes, glancing over to sign to Nicolas not to forget his Science book again as they turned to walk down the hall full of students. Smiling toward a group of girls near the sidelines, Worick winked at them as they passed, Nicolas just shaking his head at the goofy smile on Worick's face, and the swooning and giggles from the girls.

Finally coming to their homeroom, Worick took his seat in the back, Nicolas doing the same as their bags fell to the linoleum floor. Idly flirting with one of the girls who had come by, he moved to sit right in his chair as the bell rang, reaching over to tap Nic's shoulder and let him know that class was going to be starting soon. It certainly helped that Worick had always been an incredibly fast learner, making things easier to help the other boy with when not as many people as either of them was likely to bother using sign language. There was even an elective class at the school that taught it, and still no one really bothered to make things easier for the only completely deaf student as they should have. Really it was annoying at the best of times, but if things like that was so easily changed, then the circumstances of his and Nic's meeting never would have happened in the first place. Running a hand through his hair, Worick wondered at how long it had gotten, pale blond strands falling around the back of his neck and shirt collar. [Still determined to grow it out?]

"Hm? Yeah, but I would look good with longer hair, don't you think?"

[Wouldn't know, I don't care either way.]

"Then since I do on both counts, it shall continue to grow until I feel it's long enough. Besides, girls like playing with it when I let them."

Nicolas shook his head with a grimace and stuck his tongue out at him as the teacher finally came in, immediately taking role call and getting class started as usual. The time ticked on as the two of them sat there, Worick looking over to make sure Nicolas was faring well and getting everything he could of the lecture. Sure, the teachers had made sure to make an effort to make things easier on him, being born deaf wasn't his fault, but there would always be something of a barrier unless others signed as well. That was of course another benefit of Worick being hyperthymestic; he was able to read ahead and able to retain everything so that even when he and Nicolas didn't share classes, it took only a few moments at best to flip through the section he was working through and help him however he might need.

By the time that lunch came around, the two of them got their food and headed for their usual table on their own. It wasn't as if they weren't liked by the other students, on the contrary Worick was actually quite popular, being liked by the girls for his looks and flirty nature, and most of the boys liked him from how socially adept he could be. Nicolas was just different, not many of their fellow students actually bothering with much sign language, despite there being a course for it, and he simply tended to keep to himself for the most part. Taking their seats, the two started going over a few of the assignments from the morning as they ate, Worick pausing as he caught sight of a girl he didn't recognize moving slowly around the cafeteria.

She had long dark hair and rich, bronze skin, bright blue eyes standing out against her warm features. Such bright blue eyes with a deep complexion was indeed a rarity, though what had really caught his attention was that despite looking as though she was around their age, her body was definitely that of a grown woman. Even from behind a simple tshirt and dark capri pants, her large breasts and full hips were hard to miss. She seemed a little flustered, holding her school bag close to her shoulder, but smiled as she noticed someone that apparently knew her. He found it a little strange that she was heading toward their table, but once Worick caught sight of Nina, it made sense.

The young girl was a genius and prodigy, being only twelve and already in her third year of high school, she was the pride of the school, and there wasn't a single person on campus that didn't love her and how sweet she was. Tapping the table near the paper Nicolas was writing on to get his attention, Worick pointed to Nina as she came over, smiling widely as she set her tray down and went straight over to Nicolas, giving him a big hug around his torso. "Nico! How was your weekend? Did you and Worick manage to have any fun?"

[Not really.]

"Yeah, sorry Nina, we're a pretty boring bunch." Smirking at her pouty face, Worick glanced back over to the new girl, putting on a friendly face as Nina turned to wave her closer. "And who might this lovely young thing be?"

"Ah, I-I'm Alex. Sorry if I'm intruding..."

"Naw, you're fine. We just stick together and don't have much of a real group that we hang around."

"Oh, I see. Well, thank you, um..."

"Worick, Worick Archangelo. And this silent one over here is Nicolas. Please excuse him, he was born deaf, so if you feel up to speaking to him, please do it slowly or he won't be able to read your lips."

Alex blinked at that, looking over to the dark haired young man Nina was speaking to, setting down her books and taking a seat. "Oh, is that so?"

"Yup. He can talk a little, but it's taxing on him, and it doesn't sound quite right, so if he seems like he's ignoring you at all, it's nothing personal."

"Right, well...I suppose that's understandable really..."

"Guys, Alex just moved here with her dad and brother, and we have AP classes together."

"Really? Where'd you move from?"

"Ah, just from the other side of the city really. East side, m-my father didn't feel like bothering with the commute if he didn't have to."

"Makes sense. So you're in those same advances classes with Nina? You must be pretty smart then."

"Mm, not really. I just study a lot and try really hard. I'm working toward a scholarship so I can get into a really good college."

"Yeah? Sounds like you've got a whole plan and everything."

"I suppose I do..." Sipping from her small carton of milk, Alex tried to talk a little more, but with how much she wanted to leave out, there wasn't much there. Thankfully, the boys didn't seem the prying types, and things fell into something of a comfortable silence as they ate.

Taking another bite of his lunch, Nic turned to face Nina, the girl smiling warmly up at him as he signed out, [You keeping up with your homework?]

"Yes Nico... I have to anyway or my GPA will fall and you know I can't let that happen!" Blinking as he set his hand over her, it looked as though he would pat her head, seemingly changing his mind and tugging at her nose. "Ng! Nico...! Why!?"

A little worried at first, Alex smiled at the teasing, pulling out her notebook and working on some of her assignments in between bites of her lunch. Seeing that she was busy, Worick turned back to Nina and Nicolas, batting lightly at the hand holding her nose captive. "Come on Nic, let the girl breathe."

Letting go, he stuck his tongue out at Worick, [I didn't cover her mouth. She was fine.]

"Nico's so mean..."

"It's only because he likes you Nina, you know that."

"I know..."

Glancing across the table for the first time to look at the new girl, Nicolas wondered at her, having caught what Nina had said about her being in the young girl's same classes. She must be really smart to have gotten those spots, as they certainly weren't handed out to just anyone. He tensed when she looked up and met his gaze, turning to finish off the last of his lunch and drinking some of his water. Watching as Nina signed out her half of the conversation, he had to gently correct her on only a few of her hand signals, getting the jist of what she meant but knowing she wanted it to be clear. She was still learning, but she was already making more of an effort than the majority of their classmates.

Why she liked him so much he'd never really know, but it was something of a nice feeling to know Nina wasn't afraid or unnerved about him as others in the past had been. At least the new girl seemed friendly enough. He could tell that though Nina wasn't really picked on or anything from the other students, that she was often lonely due to her intelligence and the age gap of those around her. If this new girl could help her like that, then that would be good. Feeling a tap on his shoulder from Worick, Nic nodded slightly when he was reminded that class would be starting soon and they should get moving. Gathering up his things, the boys waited as Nina worked quickly to do the same, pulling her backpack on and taking all of their trays over to the garbage. "Are you going to stick around a little longer Alex? It won't be much longer before the bell rings."

"Hm? Ah, yeah. I don't mind if you all want to head off. I already switched my books for the afternoon, so I'm good."

"Well it was nice meeting you. We've gotta get going to make sure we aren't late, so maybe we'll see you around, hm?"

"Uh, yes. Thank you Worick. I'll maybe see you later in class Nina?"

"Yup!" Watching the girl as she waved and headed out with the two boys, Alex got back to her work a little longer, though the noise from her fellow students was making it difficult to focus. Still, she was able to get some work done, and she packed up her things when she heard the first bell go off.

It was interesting to actually know for sure that they did in fact have a student who was deaf from birth. Not in a weird or mean way, but just, more like she found it odd that even with the elective to learn sign language, it didn't seem like many people took it seriously, or even really bothered outside of the class itself. It was a sad prospect, to know that not many, if anyone outside of Worick or Nina really talked to him because of an understanding barrier that he couldn't help. Alex perked up a moment as another girl from a previous class said hello as they walked by, waving to her with a warm smile. Coming to her next class, Alex greeted and introduced herself to the teacher, nodding when he indicated where she could sit.

Unfortunately, the rest of her day went by quickly, frowning slightly as she made her way toward home. Making a mental list of what she needed to have done for the evening, Alex ran the last of the distance, slowing and setting her bag down in her room when she got back to their small apartment. Working quickly, she set to putting together everything for dinner that night, covering it and putting it in the fridge with a note for Emilio on heating it in the oven. It was good that he wouldn't be home until later, it would give her time to clean up for the evening. Checking that their father was still passed out in his room, Alex carefully moved the man to lay on his side, making sure the empty beer bottles didn't make much noise and wake him as she picked them up.

Alex's frown deepened when she went back to her room and opened the closet, pulling a near indecently short skirt and thin, stretchy tube top. As much as she hated how far things had fallen in their lives, she would do what she had to to make sure her family was cared for. Doing up her makeup, she slipped on her heels and slipped the strap of her small purse over her shoulder, leaving the small apartment and taking the back way out of the complex. Cutting through an alley or two, she checked the street, making sure there were no police or anyone she may have seen from school before stepping out. It only helped that she had developed early, her large, firm breasts barely covered by the brightly colored material.

Every night she was out there, she hated herself a little more, feeling the need to take long, hot showers to try and get the feeling of her customer's hands off her skin. It didn't take very long to have a car pull over in front of her, reaching up to tuck some hair behind her ear and burying her feelings for the sake of her brother and father's welfare, plastering on a smile at the man in the wrinkled suit. "Hi, you looking for a little fun tonight?"

"Well don't you look like a party...hop in sugar, just got paid, so let's see what you can do."