It's evening on Thursday night when I decide to take Tula for a walk. We're heading along the third of my five set paths that I follow. She really is amazingly trained, loyal and absolutely charming in her own way. Just like Will in fact. I tilt my head as I pass the first cemetery a few seconds early, thoughts straying to Will as Tula's nails click on the pavement. I'm going to need to clip those soon. He is quite the enigma, not just to me but also to quite a lot of the kids at school. He's a loner, and abrasive to pretty much everyone. Anyone not close to him would mistake him as shy and socially awkward. To his friends he's still callous and abrasive, but willing to go above and beyond. He didn't have to train, or even give Tula to me, after all.

I start to hum, allowing Tula to guide me around an obstacle. I may view people based off touch and their personality, but I do know that many people view Will as very attractive. According to the whispers of gossip around school, Will is arguably the third most attractive person. He's ranked underneath the Alpha Axel and his Omega girlfriend Molly. He's rather bony from what I have felt, likely brought on from a lifetime of poverty. He holds himself with a surety that ripples about him as he moves, and a kindness that twinkles like starlight(1). It's beautiful and mesmerizing, but there's a darkness too that I can feel. He quietly takes in and assesses those around him, ultimately finding most unworthy of his time and attention. People see this hidden grace and potential subconsciously, and don't know how to deal with it. They're unsure if they want it for themselves, or if it's too scary to ponder. So many people decide to keep their distance and observe from afar. Either way, he's a mystery that people wish to observe and pick apart, which only drives him further from their grasp.

Many are placing bets on what gender he's going to present as, which should be any time now. That's another odd thing about Will, he's sixteen and hasn't gone through his second stage yet. It's by no means rare to present late, but he seems utterly unconcerned about it. Its like he is completely at home with an incomplete body, and would like nothing more than for it to remain that way. Not that I have any problem with that, I love Will for exactly who he is. If he wishes to be just male, then more power to him. It's his body to do with as he pleases, and no one has any right to interfere with or say anything about it. I draw to a halt as Tula abruptly sits and whines, leaning forward in a way she only does when Will is around. I tilt my head and hear ragged breaths and shuffling feet a ways in front of me, heading along the path I was taking.

"Will? What are you doing out so late?"

I hear his footfalls cease and I approach him, stopping only when I'm in touching distance. That's when I catch a faint whiff of blood and tears. My face freezes as I wait for my beloved friend to respond, as he shifts back and forth.

"R-Rowan! Ah, just taking a walk after finally teaching Falk how to properly cook food. He's not completely hopeless at least, managed not to fuck up the fish."

I nod and twirl a finger through a lock of Tula's silky fur, and then reach out to grab Will's arm. I notice the flinch, and the tremoring tension of his body at the contact. I gently smile, trying to sooth him as I release some pheromones and rub his arm. I then turn us back the way I had come.

"You're just in time then. My parents are out of town and I seem to be in need of a master chef. I'll let you spend the night and we can go to school together tomorrow. You do have your bag and stuff right?"

His body loosens slightly, still decidedly on edge, and takes the lead as we stroll back to the safety of my home. He gives a forced laugh and retorts to my claim.

"I don't know where to find you a master chef, but I can certainly help you stave off starvation for a bit longer."

"That's all I ask hun."

I gently pat his hand and start humming again. I wonder if Rayne would be home to answer the phone.

I leave Will to go off to his first class; he was never one to idle about when he could be somewhere else. I'm going to meet Rayne in her favorite secluded place, like we agreed last night. Will never mentioned what happened, but he didn't need to. Falk did something, and I will not stand by and let him get away with it. Will doesn't have to share until he's ready, but I will ensure that he is safe until he does. That's where Rayne comes in. I hear her greet me and touch my shoulder as I get to the meet up point.

"So, what did you need help with, and how does it involve Will?"

"Falk."

I almost feel her curiosity and joy through her next words. Neither of us really liked him, what with all the posturing and near harassment. Rayne never disguised her feelings with indifference or near constant zen-like Gale and I. We just chose not to do anything, because we respected Will's acceptance of him. We never understood why Will was interested, but he never judged us and he deserved the same courtesy in return. We are all entitled to our mistakes after all, no matter how stupid they are.

"Oh? What's happened? And what exactly do you need me to do? I found a skunk the other day, and wanted to use it. I just haven't found anyone worthy."

I frown sadly as I think of what could've happened to Will, but shake it from my thoughts as I focus on what needs to be done.

"I'm not too sure. Will didn't bring it up on his own, but I know he was hurt physically. I just don't know how bad or in what way, take a look at him and Falk for me. For once I'm actually frustrated with my lack of eyesight, and I can't protect him if I don't know what to protect him from."

"You got it, you'll know everything you need to know next period, and Falk is definitely getting that skunk."

I nod and head back towards class, I'll make sure Gale can help keep an eye on Will when I can't. I'm not stupid enough to believe that just because we're at school that nothing will happen to him. From my experience, school was never a safe place. Either the teachers don't care, or the students enable each other. If you don't stand up when you see something, no one else will.

I feel kind of bad when it's time for lunch, well, worse anyway. Truthfully I've been feeling guilty ever since Rowan found me last night and brought me to her place. She obviously noticed that something was wrong, but tactfully didn't comment on it. I debated telling her all night, as I bandaged and doctored my wounds, but just couldn't. The adrenaline didn't die down until I crashed onto her couch at midnight, and I'm pretty sure I'm still fully in shock from what happened.

Never in all my years have I felt so helpless, weak, and betrayed. Not since Hannibal framed me for murder and had me institutionalized anyway. I felt so terrified when I threw up Abigail's ear, like everything went to hell. Why did I ever forgive him for that anyway? Oh well, no use mulling over that when I have Falk to worry about now. I've been avoiding him after everything that happened in his apartment. I was so sure he was going to track me down and confront me all day today, but the only ones who've been approaching me are the usual gang. Gale directly asked about the bruises, and wondered if I wanted some herbs to help with the pain. I politely declined the offer, not knowing exactly what kind of herbs she was offering. Drugs of that nature always made my empathy go into overdrive.

I manage to arrive at our usual spot first and right as I sit down, something clatters in front of me. I glance up at Rayne, and then back down at what seems to be a switchblade with an ivory lacquer handle, and a basic set of brass knuckles. I don't even touch them as I look back up at her, Rowan and Gale finally joining us. They all situate themselves, as Rayne simply ignores me and tucks into her lunch. Rhythm is a Dancer(2) is playing over the speakers. Jordan finally got permission to play music again after getting into trouble. One of the parents apparently had a problem with one of the songs last year, and he had to collect a bunch of signatures before he was allowed to play music again. Rowan speaks up then, confirming my forming suspicions.

"Did you give him the stuff Rayne?"

Rayne nods seriously at her and takes another bite, gesturing towards the objects still in front of me. She certainly has balls to bring these to school; she would get suspended just for having them on her.

"Yeah, and I made sure Falk got the message after third period."

I slap my hands down on the table then, not liking where this is obviously headed.

"Ok, hold up. Why have you given me weapons, and what the hell did you tell Falk? I don't know what you guys think happened, but I don't need you guys making it worse."

Rowan turns to me, her face perfectly made into a stoic mask. Only anger simmers through, bubbling just beneath the surface of her dark eyes.

"All I know is that you went alone to Falk's apartment, and came back upset. You smelled like blood and, from what Rayne and Gale tell me, covered in bruises. Rayne says that Falk is also sporting some bruises himself, but I don't really care about him. You don't have to say what happened, but we will help keep him away from you if that is what you want."

I gawk at her, my mouth flapping open and closed as her words strangle and choke me. I don't even know what to say about any of this. I just feel so overwhelmed by everything, and it takes everything I have not to either snap at them or to just outright laugh at the entire situation. I eventually take some shuddering breaths, and rub my hands over my face.

"It's not- he didn't. Fuck."

She reaches out and pats me on the arm, giving a reassuring smile.

"It's ok Will. You don't have to say anything at all. Take your time, we'll be here to listen when you need us."

I shake my head vigorously, gripping her hand in mine.

"No, it's ok, I'm fine. It's not what you think, at least, not completely. I decided I wasn't as interested in him as I thought, and he wasn't happy about it. We ended up having an, altercation. I managed to get out before it got really bad."

She nods and squeezes my hand, before gently removing it so we can start eating. Rayne never took the weapons back, and even went as far as to slip them into my bag as we left for class. I only noticed them when rummaging for a pencil during the next period. I sighed and fought not to smile as a warm feeling settled in my chest. This is all so weird, I have no experience with this, but it feels good. I almost feel supported, and loved. I decide not to think about that any further as I divert my attention back towards the teacher.

(1) i'm obviously not blind, so I'm not entirely sure how they see people. I did, however watch an interview about blind people describing what beauty is to them, so fuck off. i tried
(2) Rhythm is a Dancer by Snap top 100 in 1993