Authors note: Hello everyone. Just to let you know this story is very dark and very long. It is extremely explicit and has graphic scenes. It is also posted on archiveofourown in case it gets taken down. It has all-around trauma; including, mental, emotional, physical and sexual. There is abuse against children and suicidal themes. I just want you to know that this is a prequel and the sequel (taking place just after the movies) will have a happy ending. It'll just take a long time to get there.

If you have any problem with the warnings, please don't read. I do not wish to offend anyone or disturb you. Thank you. Please let me know what you think.

"Listen to me James. I know it's hard but you have to start realizing that the world isn't going to give you breaks. I've let you off too many times. No, don't try to talk your way out of this. I'm calling your parents to pick you up." Jim sat frozen in the chair, glaring, in front of Principal Richards. He knew the world didn't give a damn about him. He lived the past ten years knowing that. His mom was off planet, had been for the past seven months. He winced as he noticed the time. 2:15. It was in the middle of Frank's soap that he loved to watch. Sam would have his head for this. He winced once more as he heard Frank bark a greeting from the comm. Richards glanced at Jim with a frown. "Hello, Mr. Rivers, I have James here with me...I'm afraid he started a fight again today." Jim huffed and glared at Richards. He did not, in any way, start the fight with Ben. He just ended it, then got caught. Besides, did one punch define a fight? Ben went down right after it. But all of Jim's anger fled into fear when he heard the shouts from the comm, even on mute and held against the principal's ear, Jim could hear him. He knew he'd be missing school tomorrow. Even Richards; who was an ass most days and even worse on others, looked like he was regretting calling. The comm was now held away from his ear. Richards kept on glancing from him to the comm and reluctantly said, "James will...need to picked up today. He will have a three day suspension for his punishment." Great, thought Jim feeling slightly better, healing time. Now he wouldn't have to lie to Miss. Adams who taught his advanced science class. She was nice but too nosey.

Frank said he couldn't make it until three and promptly ended the call. Richards looked shocked and Jim couldn't help but feel furious at him, furious at everyone. His anger mounted until he had to hold back a sneer, his hands shaking. Jim took a deep breath, gave his signature grin, his eyes flat and said mockingly, "Well, Richards it was nice seeing you today, I'll go wait for the old man on the steps now. See ya in three days." He grabbed his bag, saw the man's expression turn into it's usual scorn and knew everything was right in the world. He hated everyone right then. Stepping outside, after getting his homework, most of which was horribly boring, he took a couple shots on the brick wall. His knuckles soon were scrapped and bleeding. The sight of it made him feel calmer. Jim's mind started racing then, he would need his energy. Taking deep breaths he sat down feeling his tension mount every minute. This was what Frank loved doing. Jim couldn't help that his awesome and lovely brain came up with different ideas of what the loser would do to him. Would it just be a yelling, or a smack across the face? Or more recently, would he be beaten until he couldn't stand for hours?

The minutes crawled by and by the time three o'clock came by, he finished all of his homework just in case he couldn't hold a pencil. His thoughts were even more worried about what his brother would do. Sam never liked it when Jim got into trouble because punishments were sometimes on both of them. His head lowered even more as the last bell rang out. It was made even more awful because Sam looked happy. Really happy. "We got a new student today! Did you see him at all? He's an alien. A Vulcan. You never see them this far out of cities!" Jim was surprised, he never heard anything about it, but his school was large, the only one in Riverside it held A-13. All ages came here. Sam was three years older than him, and even though they were easily on the same level academically, the school refused to push him up because of his bad behaviour. He could slowly see Sam's expression fall. "What did you do this time?" The harshness in the tone made Jim wince and he looked down as he grumbled, "I hit Ben Wright." Sam sighed and spoke, "Again? Can't you just leave him alone? Why do you have to push everyone until they snap?" "It really wasn't my fault this time!" Jim couldn't help but say, his frustration making him louder than necessary. Ben had been picking on him everyday during the summer. He had kept himself in check until Ben pushed him into the wall, his back stung and the pain made him react instinctively. He hadn't even meant to throw that punch.

"George?"

Both Kirks turned at the formal, quiet voice. Sam grinned and Jim was left breathless. Wow. His mind stopped for a moment, the first time in his life. It stopped. The Vulcan in front of him was stunning. He had to be a couple years older if Sam knew him, tall, lean with straight brown hair and eyes. Jim quickly stood not wanting to look smaller than he already was. "Hello, I'm James Tiberius Kirk, Sam's brother. But everyone calls me Jim for short." Instead of reaching out, he raised his hand in the formal ta'a. The Vulcan's head turned looking stoically calm. The Vulcan returned the salute and replied, "Greetings James. I am Tevik." Jim nodded, excited. Tevik turned to Sam and asked, "George, I am agreeable to meeting tomorrow, if that is acceptable to you." Sam smiled, the first genuine smile Jim had seen in a long time. "Sure thing Tevik. I'll meet you here after school tomorrow." Tevik nodded, said, "Very well," and left.

"Dang. A Vulcan, huh?" "Yeah." Both Kirks starred as Tevik disappeared into the crowd and then Sam remembered what they were doing out here. Right before the old fashioned red car pulled up he slapped Jim on the head. Not expecting it, Jim quickly turned to his older brother, "What the hell?" "That's for being stupid again. Now I don't know whether I'll even be able to meet him. I hate you sometimes." As Sam walked up to the car in front of him, Jim made sure Sam didn't see the face he was making behind his back. The car ride was utterly silent except for the crackling noise coming from the engine. A bad sign. Sam kept glancing at him, the previous mutterings about Jim being awful forgotten. It wasn't until Jim got inside that he knew he was in real trouble because the first words out of Franks mouth were the worst. The very worst.

"Sam, get upstairs. Now."

He tried to catch Sam's eyes, to get him to stay. He needed Sam with him, he was thirteen, he was taller and stronger. Together they could totally take Frank down, at least for tonight. Hell, Jim talked about running away from here all the time. Sam never thought he was serious.

Sam never did catch his eye.

The first slap made him gasp. The second hit had him on the floor, by the third punch Jim's instincts kicked in as well as his stupidity, and he kicked out at Frank. He lost count after that. He knew he crashed into the coffee table at some point, glasses and beer bottles smashed on the floor. Franks voice was so loud, he was thankful the nearest neighbour was a mile away. It seemed like it would never end. "You worthless, piece of shit! I don't know why you didn't just stay with your aunt! You got no fucking respect for anything or anyone! I should keep you here for all the good your doing at that damned school! You're No One! You're Nothing, you always have been! You're not worth a single credit...You little shit...worthless...Nothing..." It went on and on until Jim stopped fighting back. Frank beat himself out after awhile. Jim had no clue how long the fight lasted, only that he was determined not to whimper. Not this time. He wouldn't give Frank the satisfaction. Frank stood up, panting, with a cut on his cheek and forehead, he glared around the room.

"Samuel! Come down here now!" Jim winced at the booming voice and held back a hiss. Blood was running down his face making him blink rapidly. His body was protesting every little twitch he made. Sam entered the room, quiet as a mouse, he eyes widening at the scene before him. Frank quickly backhanded him before shouting, "I'm going out, you clean up this mess and I don't want a single thing out of place by the time I get back!" Frank turned to Jim and he shrank even closer to the floor, nevertheless, Frank reached down and grabbed his arm. Wrenching him up to his feet made Jim shout in pain. Cursing himself mentally, he couldn't help the sounds he made as Frank dragged him to the stairs, dumping him onto them painfully. "Get up to your room and don't you dare come out of it for the next three days! If I so much as see you outside, you won't like what will happen to you!"

The door slamming was Frank's exit and then he flinched as he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Shh, Jimmy, it's me. C'mon." He groaned as Sammy helped him up the stairs. Each step hurt worse than the last, until painfully, he slumped into bed. It was moments like these that made Jim think Sam didn't hate him. Because whatever big brother instincts Sam had always kicked in after Frank left. Sam gently wiped his blood off with a cold cloth and then got the med kit from under the bed. Because of Jim's allergies, he couldn't take regular pain killers, so instead Sam always applied cool presses and gave him a hypo of leth'am, an alien version of Tylenol 78, that while made him slightly dizzy, worked perfectly fine on the pain.

With his shirt and shoes off, Jim could see that blue and purple bruises forming across his body, combined with faded yellow and green ones, his body looked awful. His foot caught his eye, the colour blackened blue, he had twisted it during the fight, his foot landing at an odd angle, this combined with the fact that he landed poorly two days ago from jumping Johnny Rockwell's fence meant his foot was badly sprained. Sam tested it slowly, and Jim couldn't help but hiss. Sam nodded wordlessly acknowledging what he already knew. "It's just sprained, you have to stay off of it as much as possible. Your rib might be cracked but it's not broken. Your wrist however..." Sam trailed off as his eyes wandered up to his right hand. It was going a weird colour of purple and green. He could see the bone had snapped out of place, the pain sharpened as they both looked at it.

It wasn't the first time Jim had broken something, even when he wasn't fighting, his adventures never turned out as he intended. So Jim braced himself and with an efficiency that only came with practice, Sam snapped it back into place. A grunt sounded from Jim and just as quickly his wrist was encased in a knitting wrap. The black bandage was the best use of credits that Sam had thought of. Within minutes his skin would activate the hardening process and then it would send seven different chemicals through his skin to the bone. While it didn't heal as fast as a bone knitting laser, in a week; he'd be as good as new. The best part was that it then softened back into fabric form and they were able to use it six times before the chemicals ran out. "Now just so long as you don't jostle anything we should be good." Just so long as there was no second round, is what Jim thought. The pain was just fading from a piercing sensation to a dull ache. Sam looked tired and older than thirteen when he finally stopped and looked at him in the eye. "Jimmy, you've got to start listening to people. You can't fight all the time." Jim glared at him but kept his mouth shut. He wouldn't have to fight if everyone would just leave him alone. "Alright. I have to clean up."

When he reached the door, Sam turned around and said, "Mom should be coming home this month. Maybe she'll stay a couple months this time." Jim could see the brightening in Sammy's eyes and he too felt a little bit of hope. If their mom was here, Frank wouldn't hit them as much. He was always on his best behaviour with her, after all she paid him good money every month. But as Jim was left to himself, aching body protesting every move, he couldn't help but feel even worse. If his mom came home, he'd have to deal with her ignoring him again. Or worse, starring at him unable to look away. He wished he could just tell her what was happening. But if Frank found out it would be very bad and she'd either confront him or tell Jim he was a liar and he'd be left with Frank anyway. He couldn't face that. He couldn't face her when she would tell him, he wasn't worth saving. The drugs were kicking in then, making him tired, he'd be tired over the next couple days for sure. Thankfully, he wouldn't feel the pain so much tomorrow. His thoughts wandered until they faded and he fell asleep.

The next day, Jim stayed in the room, not able to get up without sharp pains to his abdomen, foot and arm. His head was aching and everything felt heavy but he had the day off from school, his door lock was engaged as he waited for Sammy to get back from his time with Tevik. He could hear Frank about the house and he knew better then to go against his orders. He had gone to the bathroom before Frank had woken up, with the help of Sammy carrying him out of bed. He had eaten the breakfast his brother had gotten for him. But now as he listened to the loud television and Frank's mumbled voice on the comm, his stomach growled and he really needed to go to the bathroom again. He knew by experience it would be a bad idea so he glared around the room, hatred rising up at the unfairness of it all.

Jim spent half the day thinking of ways to get of the house, to land Frank in jail, and to beat the crap out of him. It was becoming a routine thought process. The other half of the day he was on his PADD going over games and reading some articles and poems his aunt had sent him. He had already read all of them, but he went over them again, smiling at certain passages as he remembered her reading them to him. It never failed to put him at ease, even when everything was so messed up. His aunt was the only one who really gave a crap about him and Sam.

Sam came back in the evening and since Frank had left a hour previously, he was in the clear. He came right up and Jim told the computer to let him in, surprised and happy to see him holding a takeout bag. Even in the middle of nowhere with hardly any aliens around, Kaba Kaba diner was always popular. It was the only restaurant in town that served alien foods and Jim found he loved Tith'nek pasta from Vulcan. Although, he did add hot sauce and spicy chicken in it. "Got you your favourite and me some Mansas." Jim practically inhaled his pasta, his stomach empty, and Sam laughed and then took a bite of his green and blue sticky pastry. Jim moaned his appreciation. Sam spoke, still chewing, "I don't know how you can stand that. Vulcan food is worse than Caitan food." Jim swallowed after taking a large bite. "So not true. Caitan food is completely awful. Vulcan food, while bland, is supper good. It's the only food I know that will actually make me want vegetables. Also some old fashioned hot sauce just makes it perfect."

By the time Jim was done with his pasta, Sam had finished eating, cleaned up, attempted to look at Jim's injuries and then stole his PADD and started doing his homework. Finally giving up, his fork falling again because his wrist was hurting, his fingers numb, Jim placed the almost empty carton on his side table. "Okay, out with it." Sam looked up innocently curious. Jim rolled his eyes and Sam grinned. "Okay, well I met up with Tevik at school and, well, it was kinda weird. We walked around the town and I showed him all the spots, Adam's Quarry and even Captains Rock. That was nice." Jim snorted, trying to picture a Vulcan looking out into a large lake and not being horrified at all the water. Sam continued, "Then we talked about his life and Vulcan. It was so cool. He lived in T'Paal and knows how to swim." "Huh. Never figured a desert race to learn." Sam nodded, "Apparently, most learn the basics in a pool, at their school. Anyway, he's way smart. Smarter even than you, it's amazing the way his mind works and he's talks so properly, I always have to correct myself before I talk. His dad is here working with scientists, their home is actually in Phoenix but they're doing experiments with the soil here and working with the Andorians for something. He went into an excited speech and I kinda blanked out." Sam's cheeks went red and he looked down embarrassed but Jim didn't notice; too caught up in the Vulcan and how he would have actually caught on to what Tevik had been talking about.

Jim tried his best to ignore the twinges of pain as his mind went over Tevik. "What does he like doing?" Jim asked curious and Sam glanced at him and smiled. "Well, he likes working on computers and I think wants to work engineering on Vulcan. I couldn't imagine having everything planned right now. I don't even know what I want to do in five years never mind the rest of my life. But he's like that, I could tell, he likes everything to planned." "Typical Vulcan then." Both of them laughed but Sam shook his head and said, "You better be nice to him Jimmy. I like him and I don't want you messing it all up." Sam hit him friendly on his good shoulder, said goodnight and left. Jim smiled slightly, nah, he wouldn't mess it up. He wanted to get to know him too. It would be good to meet someone who didn't already know him as a trouble maker.

Two weeks later, Jim's bruises were healed, not a scratch on him. He swore one of these days, fate would catch up and he'd be scarred beyond the point of even a dermal regenerator could repair. Frank was out of the house more lately and only came back in the early hours of the morning. Sam and him kept the house clean and Sam was teaching him how to cook now that Frank wasn't hovering over them, but it was Jim who lost on a credit toss and had to steal some credits for groceries again. Luckily, Frank had a hangover the size of a star ship and it only earned him a loud lecture and a small smack. When they left for the market, Frank gave them a list of things he wanted. Looking at the limit Jim tried not to get angry. He was really trying to hold it in. But the list was long and they probably wouldn't even have enough for actual food. Sam looked worried too, his brows furred and he scanned the small store for deals. Once they had a few bags of groceries, leaving behind half because of Frank, they made their way across the street to the hardware store.

There, Hector, the old man who ran the place, sold a few vintage car tools. Their dad had left a very nice car to their mom and since she was never on planet, Frank had claimed the damn thing. It made Jim feel like scratching it or setting it on fire. It only reminded him how he wasn't here, and Frank was. They stood almost behind the counter debating whether to get the battery or not, Jim insisting they go back to the market, when they heard their names. Turning, both Jim and Sam were surprised to see Tevik and both broke out in smiles. "Hey." They both said simultaneously. Tevik nodded and said, "Greetings. What are you two shopping for?" Jim spoke first, he was now familiar with Tevik, they had hung out when Jim's suspension was over, the three of them going for walks about the city. "This battery. Hector keeps some stuff back here for the car we have at home but I don't want to get it today." "Why not?" Jim looked to Sam. Sam winced a bit before replying, "It's going to eat up our allowance. And we have a lot to do before our mom comes home." Nice save, thought Jim. Tevik, Jim thought, was about to frown but he didn't, instead, he asked, "Well then, why do you not wait to save up the credits needed to buy such a purchase?"

Sam paused and Jim said, "Well, it's our baby you know." Tevik gave a very adorable expression of confusion and Jim couldn't help but smile explaining, "We've been working on our dad's car for all our lives. Now it can finally be finished, it's something that's important." Pretty much the truth and Jim saw Sam nod. Tevik's eyes darkened at the mention of George and he looked back and forth between them as he said, "I can understand the need to remember one's father. It is very honourable of you both." Jim felt warm from the praise and then guilty because he really hated the car. It wasn't something that inspired happy memories, after all as Sam had pointed out over the years, Jim never knew him, their dad was a complete stranger to him. He had nothing to remember but a few pictures and a medal. It wasn't at all honourable that Jim usually only gave thought to the car when it involved explosives.

"What are you doing here?" Sam asked and Tevik seemed to relax a bit as he said, "I am here to purchase some supplies for my experiment." Jim was instantly curious and couldn't help but ask, "On what?" Sam nudged him, silently telling him to shut up. But Tevik turn his attention to him and didn't seem to mind, "While I attend your Terran education program it seems that it is not as advanced as the system on Vulcan, my father has set me up with courses during the evening with Vulcans who live in Phoenix and are available to advance my studies." Jim had to hold back a laugh. He knew just how stupid the people were at his school. It wasn't their fault but he loved how someone saw it other than him. "I'd love to hear about them sometime. If you want, that is." Jim stopped talking not wanting to embarrass himself more. Sam was looking at him sternly but Tevik raised his head. "In our previous conversations I have noticed you are interested in computer engineering, I would be able to share knowledge on the topic." Jim couldn't believe it. His eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat, "You'd teach me?" Tevik nodded, "If you wish it," He then turned his attention to Sam who looked tense and said, "I would also be available to go over equations and share with you some of my experiments. I think you would...enjoy...a few of them." Sam gave Tevik one of his rare genuine smiles and they were about to launch into questions when an adult approached them.

The man was Vulcan and Jim found his eyes widening a bit. The Vulcan man was stern looking, even more expressionless than Tevik, his eyes cold and black. He was tall too, with the same dark hair as Tevik. "Tevik, to whom do you speak?" Tevik turned and said, "Father, this is George Samuel Kirk and James Tiberius Kirk. They go to the school I attend and George and I are in the same advanced mathematics program. James, George, this is my father Balev." Balev arched a brow and tilted his head, eyeing them and then said, "Hello. I am honoured to meet you both. I believe the correct human introduction with friends involves inviting them over for a dinner. Is this still practised?" Balev looked at both of them and Sam and Jim glanced at each other. Together they quickly lied, "Yes," they said taking advantage of the opportunity to see Tevik's place and spend more time with him. Jim smiled and continued, "It would be very proper and polite of you to invite us over. If it isn't of any inconvenience to you or your family, that is." Balev nodded and asked, "It is of no inconvenience. Is there any particular date in which is best?" Again, Sam and Jim replied as one, their minds going straight to Frank. "Friday." Balev arched a brow but Jim thought he looked slightly amused.

Their mom commed them a couple days later on Wednesday night, saying repairs to her ship the USS Triton's engines would delay her a few days, so she'd be home on Saturday morning. Sam spoke to her mostly, Jim tended to avoid all conversations with his mom, even over sub-space communication light years away. They spent the evening outside in the fields listening to Tevik talk about warp core stabilizers and scramblers, and astrophysics, all the while switching from English to Vulcan. Most of their conversations needed repeating so that Jim and Sam could understand the complex topics, but they both agreed, they were very lucky to have met the Vulcan. Both Jim and Sam were wracked with nerves Thursday morning, only one day left. He hated that Sam got to spend class time with Tevik and he didn't. But he cheered himself up by remembering they would be spending Sunday together going over computer programing, just the two of them. Tevik was like a sponge with knowledge, Jim was always surprised at the vast amounts of different subjects he could remember. It always left him in awe and wanting to learn just as much as the Vulcan. Jim never felt more alive or happy than when the two of them were in vivid discussions on everything from Vulcan culture to trans beaming engineering. Most of which was above Jim's actual level of understanding and he loved it.

The day was sluggish and Jim spent most of the morning apologizing to Johnny and Max for not hanging out with them much the last three weeks. He had deliberately blown them off two nights prior so that Tevik could help him with pronunciations in Vulcan. Though, since Sam had interrupted them and taken most of the Vulcan's attention away in a very subtle way, Jim should have just gone out with them. He promised that he'd be free after school and found himself more excited for a day without Sam. While he loved his brother and he wanted to spend all his time with Tevik, Jim found himself always controlled. Tevik focused him and Jim was now getting used to being challenged academically as well as behaving more politely. But the days of having to watch what he did and said were starting to wear on him. Sam, he knew, would be more than happy to have a day with Tevik without him, which nevertheless made Jim burn with jealousy. Besides, he had to apologize for them being late two nights ago, he owed Sam. Especially since Sam was the one with the well hidden bruises this time. He also needed that day to blow off steam, he wouldn't admit it, but meeting more Vulcans, especially Tevik's family tomorrow, was making him nervous.

When Jim stopped Sam in the hallway before their last classes to tell him he wasn't going to meet up with them, Jim found himself right because Sam broke out into a wide grin. Again, Jim felt the burn of being so unwanted, it made him want to punch Sam right in the kidney, where he knew a purple blue bruise was. "So we're even then." Sam immediately scolded, the smile vanishing and shook his head, "My back is still killing me, Jimmy. And besides, you're doing this because you want to, not for me. So no, we're not even." Jim groaned and hit his head against the wall he leaned against, feeling angry and frustrated. Sometimes, Jim had to question whether Sam really did hate him, especially when he made that expression to him. The expression that clearly stated, Sam would be happier without him. And just as he walked away Sam had to go and be brotherly, calling out, "Be careful Jimmy. And get home on time tonight!" His scowl didn't lighten even when Miss. Adams gave him more challenging work on his PADD.

That evening Jim convinced Johnny and Max to help him steal Mr. Andrews old fashioned fireworks. Still on an adrenaline high from succeeding and running away from the hollering man, the boys found themselves outside Old Tom's abandoned barn and with Jim being the captain and finishing the argument, "All right, enough. We didn't steal them to look at them. C'mon." Jim gave one of his brilliant grins and the boys looked at each other cautiously before reluctantly agreeing and sticking the gigantic rocket into the ground. Jim lit the firework with the lighter he had taken from Frank. He couldn't help the fact that he loved how his heart raced, once it was up in the air, the cops would have their location and since Mr. Andrews didn't believe in being easy on kids, Jim knew he was most likely going to lead Johnny and Max into something awful, but he just couldn't help it. He loved the fact that in a few moments they'd be running and the whole field would be alight in blue and purple and white lights. He couldn't even bring himself to worry about Max and Johnny. He knew he was in for it tonight, Winona would be staying for the longest stretch in three years, so that meant Frank would need to let all his anger out tonight. If he was going to be beaten tonight, since he knew he was already late on curfew, he felt like pulling others down with him.

Letting Max and Johnny get into trouble was truly the worst thing he had done, but he still felt that anger that made any hesitation seem to dwindle and die. He wanted others to hurt just like he knew he would that night. Just like that, faster than he realized, the rocket caught and shot up into the sky, only Jim knew immediately something was wrong. Max and Johnny looking upwards, didn't catch it right away, but then they did. Johnny shouted and Jim nodded, not even hearing him. He knew, and just like that he could see Mr. Andrews running after them, not rage on his face like always but worry.

"Dammit!" Jim couldn't help but say as he pushed Max and Johnny, "Run!"

The rocket didn't go far up and before it blasted, the wind tilted it in the one direction Jim really wish it wouldn't go. It only took seconds but Jim knew he planted the damned thing in the wrong spot. It tilted toward the old, rotted barn. It only took a spark to ignite it, and when the firework exploded right above it, the barn leapt up into a burning flame within a minute. They boys ran flat out through the field; Max and Johnny wide-eyed and out of breath. Jim stopped and both boys shouted at him, panic in their voices. It was drowned out by the multiple bangs above them. "Shut up!" Jim shouted and thought fast. Now his selfishness and anger faded as he looked at them. Both were wide eyed, panic stricken, he felt absolutely horrible. He couldn't get them into trouble, it was awful and horrible of him. They all couldn't make it, and Andrews knew it was him, if he was caught later that evening with them, they'd all be in trouble anyway. He felt guilt pile up and talked quickly, "Max, take Johnny and head towards Katie's, go through Mrs. Zola's backyard, you know where the piece of fence is missing. Go straight to Henry's, his mom's got migraines, she won't even know you weren't there this evening. That's where you were. You were with Henry all day, Mr. Andrews saw me and two guys from Backwater. Go!"

"Jim..."

"Just shut up and go!"

Already he could hear the sirens, they'd be here any minute. He watched as Johnny and Max ran over the hill towards Katie Barry's house. He turned and froze as he saw how big the fire was, the smoke was black and thick, most likely the whole town would see it. The sky was indeed alight, the bangs still producing brilliant light now shadowed by overwhelming smoke. Each spark set off more flames and Jim knew this was the big one, he had seriously crossed a line. For a moment that awful selfish feeling came back and Jim stood in awe at what he had done, even by accident. Some part of him that he would later try to pretend didn't exist, liked how beautiful it looked. He liked that he made it, made something terribly pretty.

He snapped out of it quickly this time, opening his comm to call his brother, he found that Sam had left him a message earlier. He'd be staying at Tevik's house that night, apparently Tevik had invited him over to study and his mother had invited him to stay as per human customs.

It made Jim feel ten times more awful and he slumped to the ground as the police showed up.