Chapter 28

"It was not my original intention to move out here. My move was simply by fate."

Already Martin is being cryptic with his story. Even though I haven't known him for very long, it just feels like there's more than meets the eye. I might be crazy and a fool for thinking that, but I'll let him explain the rest.

"I've… never been one for socialization. Yet I have always been afraid of being alone. My parents saw this trait in me and began to worry."

At least he has caring parents. The same can't be said for me however.

"Many years my mother would try to get me to make friends. The idea was good, but it didn't turn out like that. Other people my age always viewed me as awkward. My father on the other hand attempted to get me to meet some more adult people. He was always trying to get me to take after his work once I came of age."

So Martin is conflicted both with his social life as well as his familial life. I can't help but feel sorry for him.

"Getting back on the subject, my uncle was the only one who cared for what I wanted. He didn't care if I didn't have any friends, only if I was happy."

I think I can get the picture now, he didn't want to deal with his parents anymore so he started to live with his uncle. Well that's just an assumption of course. For all I know I could be wrong about this whole ordeal.

"I loved my uncle… he was very dear to me."

Loved? Using past tense can only mean one thing.

"About two weeks ago, my uncle passed due to a sudden heart attack. I was shocked to hear about the only one I considered friend to have just passed away."

"My condolences Martin."

"Thank you… I'll spare you any personal feelings and get down to the main reason for my arrival. Terribly sorry for getting off topic."

Martin shouldn't have apologized. If anything what he said there was still on topic.

"Where were we? Oh yes, after his funeral my family had to attend the reading of his will. In his will, it stated that I inherit his house in this town. Normally I wouldn't be able to live there on my own, but my family is a tad more wealthy that the average one."

He doesn't seem like a spoiled rich kid. The only thing I could think of that would make him a possible candidate for the title is the suit he is wearing. Then again that could be just because he actually looks good in it.

"So my family hired a caretaker to watch over me while I stay there. Even though I am perfectly capable of living by myself, I cannot disobey mother."

It sounds to me like he has a very well-spoken family that doesn't allow much error. His father wanting him to follow his footsteps. His mother wanting him to make friends as to not ruin their social status with an outcast of the family. No wander he moved here out of the blue.

"In a way though… we got what we wanted."

"What do you mean?"

"I wanted to get away from my parents, and in my uncles will he stated that he wanted me to make a friend that I can rely on. My mother wanted me to find a friend as well. Moving here was a gigantic opportunity, a clean slate."

"So that's why you were so quick to introduce yourself to us."

Martin gives a slight chuckle and closes his eyes before speaking again.

"That's one way to look at it I suppose. You could even say I'm desperate to fulfill my families' wishes."

So he's like me in a way. Trying to make friends for the first time. Our reasons for socializing may be different, but in a way it's like were cut from the same cloth.

"You didn't seem that desperate this morning. In fact, you were calm and collective in your presentation. I'd even go as far to say that you are already part of the group."

"Really? I'm pleased to here that you accept me at least. It's hard to say about the other ones though. During the day that I spent with them… let's just say it was really confusing."

"You'll get used to it. That's also their way of saying that they like you."

Martin's eyes quickly open once he hears that. From what I'm guessing he's never had this kind of attention before and is shocked. Yep, he's similar to me in many ways so far.

"I see… thank you then… for being the first friends I've ever had."

"Did you get to know any of them a little better at least?"

"Well, I already knew that Noire girl from an… 'Encounter'"

He's met Noire before? And what does he mean by encounter? I tilt my head to give the sign that I'm curious. "Forgive me, I thought she had told you already. From what I gathered earlier she has a hard time explaining her emotions to others."

He's good at reading people I'll give him that.

"About a week and a half ago I had just gotten done with taking any items that weren't in my Uncle's will from his home to be donated to an auction house. It was nighttime around the time I had gotten done. As I was walking down the street some of the street lights weren't coming on that night. Your friend Noire had just walked out of the library at the time because it had closed for the day. As I said before it was dark out and some of the street lights weren't working properly. A car driving many miles above the speed limit drove right passed Noire almost hitting her."

I can already tell where this is going and I don't like it one bit. I'm actually a bit scared to listen to the rest.

"Next thing you know, the cars brakes are slammed and three people popped out of the vehicle."

This next part will be told as if it were back in time. As well as from Marin's P.O.V.

"Hey… you're friends with that Jack loser aren't you?" Mystery man one said.

"Even though you hang with him *hic* you can party with us."

"Don't be shy, we don't bite… much."

Noire looks at the three men in complete disgust. Even if she were on her loneliest day she wouldn't want to be around people such as these.

"No way back off! Your breaths are tinged with alcohol and you're disgusting!"

Even I knew you don't talk to horny drunkards like that. It only makes them want you more than they already did.

"Come on don't be that way. Give Andrew here what he wants." The man I presume to be Andrew pulls a pocket knife from… well his pocket and opens up the blade. Honestly what does he think he's doing.

"Don… Don't come near me you hear?"

"What are ya gonna do about it? I can do whatever I want with your sexy body."

Even though I'm not one for religion, there is a special place in hell for people such as this vermin. I'm not sure if I should take action though. It could spell trouble if I do.

The man whose holding the knife grabs her arm and pulls he in close. Noire of course struggles in his grasp but to no avail. His grip is simple too strong. It doesn't help matters either that the hellion's friends are cheering in the background.

"Come on baby we're just having fun!" The idiotic man puts his face close to her own and takes in the scent of her like some pervert. This is going way too far. I've got to do something but I'm not sure if I can.

After a second of Andrew taking in Noire's scent she retracts her head and gives him an old fashioned head but. Andrew releases his grip on Noire's arm and covers the area of impact with his hand even though it won't ease the pain.

Noire begins to run away at the given chance. Hopefully she can escape this mega pervert.

"AH!"

Noire tripped over while trying to run away.

"Come back here bitch! You've earned it now!"

"Stay Back!"

The three amigos catch up to Noire's fallen body and surround her. Andrew grabs the back of her dress and lifts her off the ground. Noire's resistance if futile, she can't seem to muster up the strength to fight.

"You don't like it huh? Well too bad! I'm gonna do so much with you right now!"

Andrew puts his knife into his hoodie pocket. Using his other hand to pull at her dress even more. Afterwards, he uses his right hand to feel the side of her dress. Noire only able to squirm.

I… I can't watch anymore. This is too much… I have to help her.

His hand tugs more on her dress ripping it slightly.

"Get away from her!"

"Huh?" Andrew says dumbfounded.

Running across the street as fast as I can, I leave Andrew little time to react. As fast as I can, I retract my right arm and prepare to hit this piece of garbage with everything that I have.

*Crash!*

Andrew goes flying to his left from the force of my punch.

Looking at dumb and dumber after I hit him, both have terrified expressions on their faces. Not soon after both run away.

Noire has both hands on the ground, and is heavily breathing from her recent encounter.

She looks up at me with her dark red unnatural eyes.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah… I could've done that myself though."

She looks away from me, her eyes closed in the process.

"Your dress is ripped. If you want, I can help pay for repairs to it. Your dress looks to be made of good materials after all."

"It's fine… thanks anyway… for saving me that is."

Her personality has changed in a drastic way. Now she's being nice and sort of shy.

"So… what's… your name?"

"I'm Martin, and who might you be?"

"I'm Noire… thanks again… you're… my hero…"

Switch back to present day and in Jack's P.O.V.

"So you're that guy that Noire has been mentioning for the past week. I can see why she thinks highly of you. Knowing Andrew, he would've full blown raped her in the middle of the street"

"It was dark, so I didn't recognize Noire immediately when I came to school for the first time."

Martin is good man, from what he told me I think we'll get along just fine. He saved Noire's purity after all.

I can already tell that the eight friends I made about a month ago are only the beginning. A new arc is in place, one of even more craziness than before. But also more friendships.

"Hey Martin, would you maybe like to hang out with me after school today?"

"Sure."

And I wouldn't have it any other way than this.