"Sam! Will you fetch me a cloth and stop worrying!"

"But what if he's hurt bad? It'll be my fault."

"He don't look good."

"Who is he?"

"God , are we fetching any ole' strays in now?"

"Why are there so many of you in here? Get out. Plague someone else, give me peace to treat my patient. Puck, don't give me that look! Out!"

On and on the voices continued, blending into each other, now and then jolting Kurt out of his unconsciousness. On these occasions, he would ask for water and hungrily gulp it down his dry throat before succumbing to the deep dark rivers of sleep once more.

When he finally awoke the pressure underneath his back confused him, it was so long since he had been near one, that at first he did not know or recognise the soft feeling of a mattress. Realising that he had not awoken in his usual alley, fear flooded his heart.

"So he just came out of no-where?" A voice asked, causing Kurt to nearly give himself away and start in the bed.

"Apparently so." The second voice belonged to the man in the alley.

"And you just fetched him back? Will! He could be anyone!"

"He risked his life for Sam. Look at the size of him! Squaring up to Karofsky like he was nothing."

The first voice gave a soft, hmm, at this and Kurt felt his hand being gently lifted, fingers feeling at his pulse.

"Lovely, isn't he?"

"I—yes, I suppose he is, Will, but—can't you see that having him here is dangerous? He could see something, say something. It's too much of a risk!"

"Oh, don't lie." Kurt fought the urge to gasp as fingers touched at his face, this time following his jaw line and stopping just below his ear. "You're too blinded by your infatuation with Puck to even notice anyone else."

"Don't," the other said, a broken note curling around the words. "Don't throw that in my face."

"Sam is rather taken with him, isn't he? I always see him scurrying in and out of here."

"All the more reason to not to let him stay."

"What is the matter with you?" Will said, irritably. "Look at him? Does he look like he has had a square meal in weeks? Warmth? Comfort?"

"And he'll find that here, will he?"

"He'll find something!" Tension sliced the air and then ebbed away as Will sighed. "Do you honestly think he'll turn me down?"

"If he had sense then he would-"

"Your naivety is so charming, Blaine."

"My naivety died when I came here, Will," Blaine hissed. "As did the rest of me."

"I will not discuss this anymore I'll return when you're in a logical frame of mind." Heavy footsteps echoed out across the room. "Let me know when he's awake," he said, letting the door slam.

For a moment, silence stretched out, almost unbearable. Kurt fought back the urge to itch at his face, where the unknown man's fingers had stroked.

"You can stop pretending now." A hand patted at his own. "It's okay."

Kurt opened his eyes, fingers clutching at the sheets in panic. A pair of soft brown eyes met his own, the face they belonged to was handsome, but the expression weary.

"Who are you?" Kurt whispered. "And where—"

"—are you?" He laughed bitterly. "Nowhere good."

Kurt tried to sit up, Blaine darting to help him as he did. "I don't—I don't know what's going on."

"I'd rather keep it that way." Blaine smiled gently, sadly. "I'm sorry. But you're safe. You're safe as long as you don't say yes."

"Yes to what?"

"To everything." He rose slowly, eyes never leaving Kurt's. "Trust me. When he asks you, say no. Take it from someone who knows."

With that he left the room, never once looking back.