I feel like a heel when I read his note, for yelling at him when he hadn't answered me. Now I understand that he couldn't. My mouth is full of curry and I swallow quickly, an apologetic expression on my face. "Sorry, I didn't know."

He smiles at me and shakes his head, writing something else in his notebook and showing it to me. "It's ok. I'm used to it. Do you sign?" I shake my head and his expression is a little sad. "Oh I see. That's alright though. Do you mind if I ask who you are?" I blink at him, one eyebrow raising as I regard that question. Who in their right minds brings a complete stranger to their house, regardless of an attempted suicide?

That last thought makes me wince slightly before I sigh, looking at him. "Cronus Ampora. Am I at your house?" He nods and another sigh escapes me. "No offense, but isn't bringing a complete stranger to your house kinda dangerous?" He shrugs, writing something else.

"You needed help, and I figured you didn't want anyone to know about what happened at the river." I can't help but snort at that, stirring the rice and sauce together on my plate. "You should mind your own business you know. I obviously didn't want any help." His pencil flying across his page, and when he shows it to me his handwriting is a bit sloppy from his haste. Not to mention the all caps made it clear he was quite upset by that little statement. "THERE IS NO REASON IN THE WORLD THAT SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE TO THROW THEIR LIFE AWAY! AND YOU SHOULDN'T BE SO WILLING TO DO IT!" He's glaring at me and for some reason this just pisses me off.

"You don't know the first fucking thing about me! Don't go acting all high and mighty, just cause you think you're some kind of hero! What the hell do you know about trying to kill yourself!?" I growl at him, eyes glaring back at his. Wordlessly he lifts his chin, pulling down the collar of his turtle neck revealing a long scar across his neck. My eyes widen as I look at the jagged line before he raises it and writes something down on the page.

"More than I care to." I don't know what to say for a moment, looking down at the plate of food he was kind enough to make for me, a complete stranger. He'd saved my life and I was being a complete asshole to him. Perhaps I needed to swallow my pride on this and just… "Thanks. And I'm sorry for what I said. But, I though nobody could survive having their throat cut? And is that why you're mute?"

Kurloz raises an eyebrow at my questions and I feel guilty at once. "Sorry, I guess those are kinda personal questions. You don't have to answer them if you don't want to." He smiles then and shakes his head, writing again. "It's possible to survive, but under some particular circumstances. I was using a dull blade, and I only cut a small part of my jugular. It wasn't too bad, but bloody. And no, it wasn't what made me mute. I was born with that particular stroke of luck."

I don't have anything to say to that, instead turning back to the curry. I eat slowly now, trying to think of something to say to this guy who'd stopped me from doing something incredibly stupid. Finally, plate empty, I look at him again, still crouched by the side of the couch and watching me silently. It was honestly a little unnerving, especially considering that creepy tattoo on his face. "So um… Why did you save me? And how did you even know I…" I can't say jumped, it sticks in my throat and another wave of guilt washes over me.

For one moment I'd let myself be a self-centered ass. I hadn't considered the feelings of my sisters or brother, and I'd tried to take the easy way out of my problems. The coward's way out. Kurloz hesitates for a moment before he starts writing again, slowly this time.

"You passed by my house, and I saw you. Not sure why but… I followed you. I saw you jump in and I guess instinct took over from there. Guess that's just a bit creepy…" He's rubbing the back of his neck as I read and a small smirk curves my lips. "Not really. That tattoo of yours is just a tad creepier than that. And… I'm glad you followed me. I'd be dead if you hadn't after all."

At this I can't tell if he wants to glare at me for the creepy comment or if he wants to smile in relief. He settles for an odd mixture of relieved irritation before he stands, writing another question. "Do you want to get some more rest here, or do you want to go home?"

My lower lip comes between my teeth as I consider that question, not looking him in the eyes. I don't want to go back home yet. From the clock I can see on the entertainment stand I know that it's about nine in the morning. Since its Saturday I'm ok with school, but I know there will be hell to pay for being out so late when I get home. What's a little longer anyway?

"I'd prefer to stay here for a bit, if that's ok?" He doesn't ask me why, doesn't pry, just nods and gets a blanket for me, as well as a pillow. I'm out in seconds, my body still exhausted. I don't notice when Kurloz brushes my limp curls out of my face, nor do I hear him leave soon after. I only wake up hours later, finding him gone and a note on the coffee table with a plate full of sandwiches.

"I'm going to be gone for a couple hours. Make yourself at home if you like, the sandwiches are for you. I'll be back around six if you want to stay and talk or something." He'd signed it and a small smile curves my lips. I look at the clock, one in the afternoon, and sigh. I can't stay till six, knowing I'm already gonna catch hell for being out so long. I eat the sandwiches of course, my growling stomach leaving me with no choice on the matter. Before I leave, I write my own little message on the note he'd left me. Just my number, telling him he could text me if he wanted. For obvious reasons I don't write call.

I leave quickly, surprised to find that Kurloz lives right by my favorite park, though it's a couple miles from my own house. A gusty sigh leaves me as I start the long walk home, glad to at least know where I was for the time being. I'm not looking forward to what will happen when I get home, so I don't exactly hurry.