Important AN: I made a bunch of changes to the first chapter, so you might want to reread it. They aren't any plot changing ones, so if you don't, then don't worry. Be Happy.

Without Her: Chapter Two

After the incident in the cafeteria, Percy's friends had solemnly walked back to their table after telling the protective cousins that they would 'see them around.' Since then, the people in the hallways parted for the strange trio- or rather, parted to get away from them.

In The Teacher's Lounge:

Dr. Tomas POV

I, Dr. Tomas, have always been an inquisitive person. In fact, I spent a good five years as a reporter for the Town Talk, a local newspaper. Now, I taught 11th and 12th grade English along with running the school newspaper as an afterschool elective.

It was this reason that I found Paul Blofis such an intriguing being. The man used to be such a sensible fellow and now he was married to a woman with a 17 year old troubled son. He had even fought with the superintendent to get the kid into Goode. What I found even stranger was when Percy didn't come back after Winter Break. Paul just said that he would be home soon. He told us that for 6 months.

Summer came and went and Percy still wasn't in school. We teachers asked him about it and he said that Percy was home, but he had been having a hard time. Come to think of it, Paul never said what exactly he was having a hard time with.

When the bell rang for lunch, I started to make my way in to the Teacher's Lounge. I was the second to last person there. Even though my class is the farthest, Paul is known for staying a bit later to talk to a student or help them if they need any. Maria Gonzales, Frank Hall, Misty Tate, Rachel Rodriguez, and Justin Montalvo were already there. We were the only teachers who regularly ate in the Lounge.

A quick glance at everyone's posture and I knew who they were waiting for. Heck, I was waiting for him. We all were practically on our toes watching the door he would come through. I knew he was probably putting this off as long as he could. When he did walk through the door, he looked tired, but we attacked him with questions. It was like kids after someone carrying candy.

He gave a wan smile and held his hands up to demonstrate his surrender. "I have a feeling about what you are going to ask. I'm not exactly the best person to explain this though. If you all you find the time to come over to my apartment this afternoon, my wife and Percy's cousins might tell you though."

I closed my mouth with a clack and saw the others do the same. Nodding, I said, "Then let's eat." The rest of our lunch break proceeded as normal. It wasn't until after that we heard the whispers in the hall on what had occurred in the cafeteria.

Rachel Rodriguez POV

It was the last period of the day. Normally I would be relieved that at last the school day was over, but not today. Not only would this be the first time I had 'Terrifying Trio'-as they had been dubbed after the spectacle in the cafeteria-in my class, but I would also be going over to the Blofis' to hear the whole story. Both situations were a mix of excitement and terror. Only, they weren't as cool as rollercoasters.

The class settled down after a minute or two of gossiping about only-God-knows-what. I noticed the Trio had found themselves seats in the back corner. My eye on them the entire time, I attempted to teach my lesson as normal. The girl looked bored out of her mind and kept sneaking looks at the other boy. He seemed to be a bit young to be in this class. In fact, he looked to be thirteen- and a skinny one at that.

However, I didn't mention it, sure that my questions would be answered soon enough. The last bell of the day rang, signaling the end of one terror, and the beginning of the next.

AN: There ya go, this story is officially off hiatus. I'll just have to work on three stories all at once. Not that anyone even reads Quietly Abused though. Oh well. Time for acknowledgements!

Annabeth Brady: Half way there. I have already started the next chapter. Better start that story! ;-)

Talia-Elizabeth: Thank you for bringing that up. I will show that later on in the story. Right now she is trying to be strong and supportive for her cousin.

Princess Of Flames: I hope I updated soon enough for you. If not, I will try harder next time.