Newbie. Newly fallen. Those were the weird words that danced around Ainsley's thoughts. Just what in the world did that strange man mean? It felt like he was supposed to know what the man meant. But, he wasn't entirely sure of why. As he couldn't think of the context behind them.

Newly Fallen.

That was the stranger part of what that man had said. It felt like the stranger was calling him something. But he wasn't entirely sure what. Ainsley toyed with his hair as he stared at the ruined door. Twirling it around his fingertip as he stared at it. Debating if there was anyone that he could call. As he stared at it, he heard someone calling his name. A gentle voice saying,"Goodness, Ainsley. What in God's green Earth happened here?"

Looking up, he saw that it was one of his neighbors. A single mother of two now adult children, Ms. Evenin Vega. Ms. Vega was a sweet woman. In her own strange way. She was the type of person to wear dangle plastic jewelry. Had waist-length neon blue hair. And wore make up that looked like it could glow under UV light. All things that he couldn't help but admire about her. Despite how much she tried to Mother him. Which he found slightly funny thanks to the fact that he was old enough to be her Grandfather's Grandfather.

Pushing these thoughts to the side, Ainsley gave a nervous grin. Not having thought of how to explain this to his neighbors. Especially the overprotective one that was Ms. Vega. He continued to toy with his ponytail as he thought of an excuse. One that would make sense and not bring the cops to his home. So far, nothing really came to mind and then it hit him. Letting go of his ponytail, he blurted out,"Had some drunk dude follow me from the bus stop."

"He kicked the door down.",Ainsley added. Immediately regretting his choice of words when he saw his neighbor's face. How wide her eyes went as she stared at the door. Looking even more worried about him than when he fell off the roof. Another incident that cemented her overprotective nature of him. Shoving this down, he stated,"I'm fine. He didn't take anything or hurt me."

"I think he was just confused and I don't think he'll be coming back. Ever.",he continued. Trying to do his best to soothe her with his words. Feeling as though he failed completely when her expression didn't relax in the slightest. Causing him to mentally kick himself for telling her this. As he knew that she'd involve herself in this situation to protect him. And he wasn't entirely sure if Ms. Vega could handle the man that had came previously. Or if the man in question could handle Ms. Vega. As far as he knew, the toad-frog-whatever man could've really been drunk. He certainly smelled like some drunks that Ainsley had the misfortune of meeting. Ainsley asked,"Um. I don't suppose you know anyone that could fix doors?"

"I'll do it.",Ms. Vega answered. Oh, that wasn't good. What if the strange man came back and Ms. Vega was there? What would he do then? Ainsley shook his head at this. Giving a polite smile, he said,"I'd really rather not be a bother, Ms. Vega. You've already done so much for me."

"I'd really rather not inconvenience you out like this.",he continued. Ms. Vega gave him a tiny smile. Then waved her hand in a slightly dismissive matter. Walking up to Ainsley, she settled a hand on his shoulder. And gave it a gentle squeeze as she said,"You're not inconveniencing me, Ainsley. I'm just doing what anyone would do for a friend."

"Now, I insist that we go get some replacement hinges from Wal-Mart.",Evenin insisted. Turning to go back the way she had came in. Gently pushing Ainsley along as she walked towards her home. And towards her car as well. Mostly out of fear that if she had left Ainsley alone the drunk man would come back. Come back and do god knows what to her young neighbor. The poor boy lived completely alone in the dusty old house. Who knew what could happen if she didn't take him with her? Especially after all she'd seen happen to him in the little time he'd lived there.

Poor child didn't even have any family, it seemed. At least, from what she gathered from the last time she'd been inside the house. There were no pictures of family members, friends, or even himself. All the poor boy had were just a few pieces of furniture. Some bookshelves full of old and new books. And a small kitchen table in the middle of the living room that had a ton of books too. Some that she doubted the young man would ever properly get around to reading ever. But never voiced her concerns. For now, she'd just mind her own business and try to help when necessary.

Such as now.

As they got into her car, she pictured some random drunk man following poor Ainsley. Chasing him off the bus he took home and into the house. It made her blood boil as she pictured the man kicking his door down. Poor Ainsley hiding somewhere the man couldn't find him in. Probably trembling with fear as he hid there. Her mouth twisted into a frown as she pulled out of her driveway then headed towards town. Deciding that after they get the proper equipment for his door, they'd visit her favorite bookshop. Mr. Fell didn't sell anything to anyone. Well, nothing that Evenin had ever seen in the time she'd visited his shop. But, she knew that Ainsley adored books.

And a trip to the scatterbrained shop owner's place of business could cheer him up. Make him feel better after a terrible night like he had just endured.

It, at least in her mind, would be a good way of getting him out of the house. Even for just an hour or so. Evenin hoped it would take his mind off the terrible incident. She hated to see such a sweet boy like him so terrified. Sure, she could tell he was putting on a brave face. But she knew that deep down he was positively scared. Putting these thoughts aside, she concentrated on the road.

They pulled up to the store, went in, got the necessary parts, then left. Soon as they were in the car, Ms. Vega asked,"Do you mind if we stop somewhere before heading home?"

"Sure, Ms. Vega. Where we headed?",Ainsley questioned. Not interested in complaining about this. After all, Ms. Vega didn't have to take him to the store. And she certainly didn't have to fix his front door for him. So he felt that he had no right to complain about what she wanted to do. He gave her a small smile as she answered,"I need to pop into Mr. Fell's book shop. He promised me that he'd help me find this rare book."

"The silly man hasn't rang me in weeks and I'd like to see how his search is going.",Ms. Vega added. That made him raise an eyebrow. But he said nothing. Figuring that this Mr. Fell simply hadn't found it just yet. And he would call her as soon as he did. Instead of voicing this, Ainsley merely nodded his head. Figuring the sooner they got this over with the sooner she'd take him home. And he could get a chance to buy a book from the place. Provided he could find something that suited him.

With Ainsley's nod of approval, Ms. Vega smiled warmly. Then pulled out of her parking spot. Heading towards the shop at a pace that damn near bordered on speeding. His stomach twisted as he clung to the seat-belt. Mentally praying that they wouldn't crash or another car wouldn't hit them. His teeth dug into his bottom lip until they finally neared the little shop. Soon as Ms. Vega parked, he immediately unbuckled and practically launched himself out the door. Nearly falling face first into a lanky man who'd come out. The other man quickly put his hands on either of Ainsley's shoulders. Immediately steadying him as he asked,"Geez, are you alright?"

Before Ainsley could even begin to answer the man, Ms. Vega grabbed his left wrist. Dragging him out of the man's grip, as she stated,"Don't dawdle, Ainsley. We have things we have to do today."

"And they certainly don't involve indulging that creep.",she added. Her tone colder than Ainsley had ever heard it. Nor had he ever seen her dislike anyone so intensely before. It sent a small shiver down his spine as he glanced over his shoulder. Staring at the lanky black-clad man, who seemed to be glaring daggers at Ms. Vega's back. At least, he believed that was what he was doing. As Ainsley couldn't see his eyes properly. The man was wearing glasses similarly to his own. Instead of dwelling on this, he turned his attention back to his neighbor. Who had given his wrist a gentle squeeze as they stopped in the middle of the store. Letting go of Ainsley's wrist as Ms. Vega turned to him. Raising an eyebrow, Ainsley asked,"So who in the heck was that guy outside?"

"And how is he a creep?",he added. The guy didn't seem very creepy. Just dressed like a complete punk. His mannerisms didn't necessarily scream creep in Ainsley's mind. Then again, he'd only met the man for a solid second before Ms. Vega dragged him away from him. So, he wasn't entirely sure that the man was a creep or not. Ms. Vega answered,"That's Mr. Fell's boyfriend, Crowley. Not sure what that sweet man sees in that weirdo."

"He acts like such a drama king and yells at plants for some reason.",she added. Then she listed a few other things that she'd seen him do. Or believed he was the cause of. Such as people either tripping or slamming doors into their own faces. Or, in one case, a book landing on a customer's head. The customer wasn't injured too badly but it was still terrible. And there was the fact that he bought a huge snake for the shop keeper as well. Ms. Vega went on and on about how terrifying the snake was. How huge it was as well. Ainsley wondered if maybe she was blowing things out of proportion or not.

How this Crowley fellow could manage to injure others in such a way seemed impossible. Not unless he could preform magic or something to that effect. Ainsley pushed that thought to the side as he listened to his neighbor. Ms. Vega stated,"Just keep as far away from him as possible, Honey-pie."

"Whatever you say, Ms. Vega.",Ainsley muttered. Feeling a little weirded out that Ms. Vega hated the man so much. Especially when he didn't seem that terrible. But, he didn't want to anger his overprotective neighbor. Seeing is she was just looking out for his well-being. Though Ainsley doubted that he'd ever see this Crowley fellow ever again. What was the harm in agreeing to never speaking to the man?

A few seconds later, a blonde haired man in very dated clothing was coming up. The man had several books in his hands and looked a bit on the nervous side. Ms. Vega gave him a warm smile as she greeted him. Mr. Fell giving her one back. Setting the large stack of books onto the counter nearby. In a gentle voice, he asked,"Hello, Ms. Vega. What brings you in so late?"

"And who's this young man?",he added. The shop owner's eyes scanning over him in a polite enough manner. Though, Ainsley couldn't help but feel like he was being judged. There was something odd about the older man's gaze. Ms. Vega answered,"Mr. Fell this is my new neighbor, Ainsley Priddle."

"Hello, Mr. Fell. It's lovely to meet you.",Ainsley stated. Holding his hand out for Mr. Fell to shake. The older man took the hand that was offered and shook it. Smiling even more warmly as he said,"It's lovely to meet you as well."

"Have you lived here long?",Mr. Fell questioned. Ainsley shook his head at this. Telling him that he'd only lived in the area for a month. Mr. Fell asked him where he had lived beforehand. And Ainsley answered,"Oh, I'm originally from America. Specifically Maine."

"That's quite the move, Mr. Priddle.",Mr. Fell stated. Looking slightly surprised that Ainsley would move so far. Before he could say much more on the matter, Ms. Vega told him something personal about him. She stated,"All alone too. Poor thing lives by himself in his huge dusty home."

"It's not as bad as she's making it out to be.",Ainsley insisted. Nor was it all that dusty. He did clean up. Every three weeks or so when he couldn't stand it. But, Ainsley wasn't going to say that. As he knew he wouldn't ever hear the end of that conversation. Shoving this to the side, Ainsley asked,"It's not that important. Aren't you going to ask Mr. Fell about that rare book you ordered?"

A look of confusion crossed Mr. Fell's features at that. And he opened his mouth to speak when Ms. Vega said,"Oh, yes. Of course. The rare book. I almost completely forgot about that."

"Mr. Fell, how about we discuss this in the back room?",Ms. Vega questioned. Grabbing Mr. Fell's arms gently as she dragged him towards his counter and then behind it. Towards whatever backroom that existed behind it. Leaving Ainsley to look around the empty book shop. Chewing the inside of his cheek, Ainsley wandered around the room. Poking at the books nearby. Taking one that looked mildly interesting and sitting down on the floor. Putting his back to it as he cracked it open. Few minutes into his book, a shadow cast itself over him. Followed by someone nudging his foot gently. Looking up, he saw the man from the bus stop in front of him. Along with a shorter man who wore a similar suit to him. But was balding.

They were also blocking Ainsley's only means of escape. Something he cursed under his breath as the man smiled down at him. An unpleasant and uncomfortable one that made his skin crawl. Ainsley asked,"Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"Yes, you can put that book down and come with us.",the man from earlier answered. The balding man nodding in agreement. Ainsley shook his head as he kept a tight grip on the book. Grinning nervously as he looked around for any means of escape. Not finding one immediately and feeling his stomach drop as the balding man reached for him. Before the man's fingertips could even touch his shirt, a different hand grabbed his shoulder. Yanking Ainsley to his feet and pulling him behind her. Ms. Vega had come out from the backroom and saw them cornering him. So she did what any good Mother-figure would. Pull the kid away and act like a barricade. In a gentle voice, she stated,"Gentlemen, I don't know what you think you're doing but I think you should leave."

"I second that sentiment, please leave.",Mr. Fell added. His tone of voice sending cold shivers down Ainsley's spine. Along with Ms. Vega's. She kept the stern look on her face as she protected him. The gentlemen looked a bit uncomfortable with how Mr. Fell spoke to them. But they turned and left without incident. Ms. Vega turned back to him to see if he was okay. And Ainsley told her that he was fine. That it was just a simple misunderstanding and that he was perfectly fine. His neighbor seemed to be fine with this. When he glanced over her shoulder, he noticed this strange look on Mr. Fell's face. One of suspicion and possibly distrust as he glanced Ainsley over. Then glanced out the door that the two men had just left through. Seemingly knowing the men that had insisted Ainsley leave with them. Almost as if Mr. Fell knew who they were and just what exactly they could do to him.