***I know I've said this before but it bears repeating. The contents of this chapter could be especially triggering. Please keep that in mind when you read it. If it causes you significant distress then reach out to someone for help. I care about the emotional health of my readers.***

Misaki stared at the screen in utter horror. After some searching, he found a page on Facebook. Pandora's Box immediately came to mind. Misaki had opened it. Now he really wished he could somehow close it again. There were lots of pictures, plenty of "likes" and more than a few comments. They're all of me… He clicked on one after another. Although it hurt him, he couldn't turn back now. He remembered very little of that morning when Hiroki-sensei and Miyagi-sensei had found him. He looked horrible. It was like photos of a stranger. Part of his brain just could not accept that he was seeing himself. As he went from one to the next he could not believe what people, what his classmates were writing about him.

"Ew, that is so gross! Is this some kind of joke? Misaki is seriously twisted."

"Oh! I heard about this on 4chan. It's some kind of fetish. Kinky."

"Hes completely trashed. He should be more careful next time."

"I need 2 b real for a second, guys. Obviously I'm not happy this happened so don't jump down my throat but imho wen u liv the way he duz...wat do u expect? :/ I mean seriously he was taking a major risk. It's too bad he couldn't change before something like this happened."

Each one was worse than the last. Misaki's fingers were shaking too violently for him to even use the mouse. He had seen the full range of simply ignorant to infuriating to gag worthy. No one showed any sympathy. Ok, ok, ok. Just calm down, take a deep breath and report it. Mark it as abusive. Their accounts will get suspended and then…then what? Misaki shut his laptop. There's no point. Misaki remembered a story his mother told him when she was still alive.

A woman had been spreading lies about her pastor. When she went to apologize to him he asked her to follow him up to the roof. When they got up there he tore open a pillow. The feathers scattered every which way into the wind. The pastor told her to go pick them all up. Naturally, the woman replied that it was impossible. The pastor said each feather represented a lie she told about him. She could not take it back just because she was sorry.

It was the same in this situation. Each feather was a picture of Misaki. He could report every last person responsible. He could have their profiles frozen or deleted. He could even press charges against them. That didn't change the fact that these things had been out there. Everyone had seen them. They would remember and, more importantly, he would remember. What about the ones who made those comments? How could he ever face them again? How could he face any human being again knowing this kind of evil lurked behind their deceitful eyes?

Misaki dug his nails into his legs again and again until the flesh was red and raw. It burned but he could not feel a thing. He wished he could crawl out of himself. I'm garbage, trash, worthless. Even Usagi thinks so. He couldn't even manage to kick me out himself. He had to do it through Takahiro. Misaki raked a hand through his hair as he hyperventilated. He saw his pale reflection in the mirror and he hated it.

"I…am a whore."

Who could be here at this hour? Takahiro padded cautiously to the front door. Someone was pounding violently.

"Hold on, hold on. I'll be right there."

Manami stood behind him in her robe. She watched over his shoulder with apprehension. Takahiro barely uttered a syllable before he was almost bowled over as Usagi practically pushed past him.

"Jesus! What are you doing here? Usagi-san, I know you're having a hard time. It hasn't been easy for any of us but I really don't think this is appropriate. You should go before he hears you."

"Takahiro, you know I have nothing but complete respect for you. I also know you're going to think I'm being crazy. I really hope I am being crazy. I need to see Misaki-chan or you need to check on him at least. I need to see that he's ok."

"Wait a minute. Slow down. What's going on? He was doing well earlier today. Did he contact you? Did he say something?"

"No. Just call it a hunch."

Takahiro was skeptical but not completely disbelieving. There had been a dark energy in the air tonight. He started climbing the stairs and called out.

"Misaki?" There was no reply "Misaki?" He could hear running water and a light shone from under the bathroom door. "Misaki?!" Usagi came up behind him. With each moment that passed he found himself dreading what he was about to see. Takahiro rapped three times. "Are you in there? Is everything alright?" He tried the handle. It was locked from the inside. Takahiro felt pangs of fear. "Misaki?! Can you please say something?!"

"Step aside." Usagi commanded.

Takahiro obeyed numbly. With one fluid motion, Usagi threw his weight into the door and forced it open.

Misaki was sitting in the tub. The hot water was running full force. It was like they walked in on his shower but something was wrong. He was completely dressed. He was unresponsive with a vacant look in his eyes and the water that ran off of his body was red.

"Oh god no!" Takahiro made a dash for the phone. "I'll get help."

Usagi rushed in and grabbed a wash cloth. He twisted the dial to "off" and climbed in the tub behind Misaki. He wrapped his arms around him gently and cradled him like a small child. He pressed the cloth on the injured arm and applied pressure. As he held him he whispered in Misaki's ear.

"I'm right here, my love. I'm right here. Hang on. We're going to take care of you." Tears rolled off Usagi's chin and onto the crown of Misaki's head. "I've got you. I love you. Please don't leave me. Please don't leave me. Please don't leave me."

They stayed this way until the sirens could be heard in the front yard.