~Pip's P.O.V~

When I open my eyes slowly, the sunlight stings them greatly. I rub them and sit up, exhausted. Glancing next to me, I see nothing. I vaguely remember Damien here last night, after I'd fallen asleep. He'd woken me up for something… I cannot recall what it was. My chains to him lead outside, so he is most definitely working. I should head to school soon. Pulling out my watch, I check the time tiredly.

"Oh dear Lord!" I shriek, gawping at the watch with wide eyes. It is nine in the morning. I'm late!

I hear footsteps traveling upstairs, and someone opens the door. I spin around, hoping that it is somehow Damien, but to my dismay, it is Aunty. Her mouth drops open upon seeing me, and I tense. "Phillip? I thought you'd left for school ages ago! Oh my, how did I not notice that you never went out…?" She paces around, rubbing her forehead.

"Mother, perhaps I could stay home, just today, and claim I was ill tomorrow?" I question her timidly. She doesn't answer, merely sitting down and putting her head in her hands. "Mother? Is something wrong?" I sit next to the woman, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Where's father?"

"Your uncle…" She says after a while, making me stiffen even more. I have never once heard her refer to him as that in front of me, "He's off with one of his lady friends." My heart sinks, and I begin to breath slightly heavier.

"Wh-What are you saying?"

"I'm tired of it all, Phillip. Why couldn't your mother have lived? Or why in the hell could she not have had you? It burdens me!" I slump, my feelings hurt.

"I-I'm sorry, but-

"Not to mention recently, you have been going off without informing us. To your own devices. And now Leopold is included in this as well!"

"I have nothing to do with his activity," I protest, "He was simply chosen as I was. If you want to blame someone for what he does, then blame Kenneth!"

"Even your fairy is a problem. Kenneth is such a kind thing, and much of a blessing for Leopold, whereas yours is-

"Do not bring Damien into this!" I shout at her, angrily standing up, "Damien is everything to me! If you cannot accept him, then I shall leave this household at once!" I waver, knowing that I have crossed the line after my aunt gives me an extremely dejected look. "…I know that you prefer Leopold to me. You think he is a better son. That is why you adopted him, is it not?"

"Your uncle's greatest rival is the grandson of your biological father. Your true father married and had two sons before he died in an accident. The son of one of those sons is that man. He is alive and well, around my age. Your uncle detests that you are blood related to him. He detests you. He wanted another son. And frankly, I partly did as well."

"I know that! That's why I'm sayin-

"But you are the son of the person I admired most in the world," Aunty smiles bitterly, "My elder sister. Your uncle despises you. The three of us cannot live here any longer. One of us must leave."

"Yes, and it shall be I! No longer worry, mother!" I change into my visible fairy form, straightening my new white outfit. I glance at my aunt for a fleeting moment, before leaping out of the window and flying away. There is a large crash on the ground a moment later – me failing miserably. "Curses…" I mutter, pushing myself up and resolving to walk the rest of the way.

Class is well in session by the time I arrive, and everyone stares as I come in. I no longer care; I feel nearly dead since no one seems to care about me. Especially Damien. I even forget that I'm in fairy form, but quickly change after everyone notices and begins chattering excitedly.

"Phillip! What on Earth are you thinking, arriving here so late?" The teacher demands, in the middle of drawing a diagram on the board.

"…Terribly sorry. Will not happen again, sir." I tell him miserably, slowly walking over and taking my seat next to Butters. The latter stares down at his slate silently.

"It definitely will not happen again. Phillip, you are to stay after school today and collect all the firewood for tomorrow!" I gape at the teacher, almost outraged, before hanging my head in shame. I hear Butters stand up abruptly.

"Sir, I will atone for Phillip by accepting his punishment upon myself. I will stay back after school. My brother has important things to do."

"What? Nonsense, Leopold. Phillip is the one who needs to be disciplined."

"Yes, I know, but do not forget what he is. Since his revelation as a half-fairy, he is expected to do work as well as all the other fairies. I think that is more important than collecting firewood."

"…Very well then. Leopold, remain after class." I stare at my brother, open-mouthed.

"You lied for me," I whisper to him, taken aback.

"You had better make up with Damien now, you daft thing." He murmurs, continuing with his schoolwork.

"…Butters, forgive me," I mumble to myself, slowly and regretfully leaving the schoolhouse. My brother just sacrificed his precious afternoon to collect firewood all for me. So dearly considerate. I feel something tug on my jacket, and turn around, blinking in confusion. Ruby stares up at me, an almost remorseful expression on her face. "Eh? Ruby? Is something the matter? What do you want?" She always appears so suddenly.

Not saying anything, she roughly pulls me down, resting the tip of her index finger on my forehead. I stare into her eyes, astounded. What is she doing?

I love you so much…

I frown at the strange woman's voice. It sounds so familiar.

Listen, if one person here finds out she's your mother, then you shall die as well. Do you want to die?

"D-Damien!?" I shriek, running a hand through my hair in amazement.

He has an aunt by blood, and she has her parents. They will have to take care of him. He cannot stay with you.

Ruby? Why on Earth would she…?

There's no need to feel guilty. I'm gonna erase his memories of you, so he won't even know you exist. I'll also erase the memories of his father, and of me. He doesn't need to know who he is yet.

These are my missing memories! Ruby took them! Thief! I remember it all now! I remember…

"Ma, why can you not fly?" I asked my mother, smiling brightly. She had done a wonderful job of teaching me to speak, and my automatic intelligence made it much more simple to learn the words. It was no wonder I had non-existent trouble communicating with Damien when we first met.

"Because I'm a human, honey," She told me honestly. I nodded, still not understanding.

"But then… why can pa fly?"

"Well, he isn't a human, Phillip, he is a fairy." She explained, stroking my hair.

"A fairy." I repeated the word slowly, intrigued, "If you two are different, then what am I? Am I a human, or a ferry?" I struggled with the new word. My mother laughed at my pronunciation and stood up, bringing me with her.

"You are both."

"Then, can I fly?" I asked, excited. Her smile wavered slightly, since she honestly had no idea.

"We shall see when you are a bit older, hmm?"

"Alright." I heard the door open, and my father walked inside, in human form I recall. He looked happy to see both of us. "Papa!" I leaped away from my mother and sprinted up to him, trying not to stumble. He scooped me up and kissed me on the forehead, smiling.

"How is the little man doing, hm?"

"I learnt a new word today!"

"And what was that?" He asked, sounding genuinely interested. I grinned.

"Ferry! Pa's a fairy!" My mother suddenly stood up, covering her eyes and leaving the room. I saw her mouth trembling and wondered what was wrong. Father saw my curious look and tried to reassure me.

"Ma's just a bit upset that her family is coming home soon. We should leave, should we not?" I nodded, smiling. I didn't care. I liked sleeping with mother in the barn anyway.

"Hmm, I wonder where Phillip is?" I heard my dad say, and giggled. I was hiding behind a tree, and he was searching for me in a game of hide and seek. My mother was watching from afar, smiling peacefully. "Ah, there he is!" Father suddenly came around and grabbed me. I squealed, laughing happily. He whirled me around until we both toppled onto the grass, still laughing.

Mother came over to stand nearby, but father pulled her down with us, and she yelped, laughing as well. After a long tickling war, we all sat up still smiling. Our grins disappeared upon the most horrific sound of my life. A loud gasp. The three of us turned towards the person, and saw a teenage girl, perhaps a friend of my mother's, standing there. She gawped for a few more seconds, before spinning around and bolting away from the crime scene. I blinked at where she was in confusion.

"Who was that?" I asked my parents, pointing in the direction she ran. They did not answer.

"Will I… ever see my mother and father again?" I asked Damien later that night, trying to use the biggest words I knew.

"I highly doubt it."

"What is your name?" I asked, having been wondering about it for a while.

"It's, er, Damien."

"Da-mi-en." I sounded his name out, smiling. "I am Phillip." Damien gave me the tiniest hint of a smirk.

"I like your name."

"You…" I glower at Ruby angrily, now remembering everything. "You erased my first memories of Damien? We actually met when I was small? And my father-

"It was for your own good! Wouldn't it have been painful to grow up knowing who your father indeed was? And who Damien was? And it would have caused trouble if you were always staying around with a male fairy, much older, that was obviously already in love with you!"

"Damien has never been in love with anyone, especially me!" I protest, wondering where on Earth she got such an idea from.

"Look at your now glowing red chain, you dense boy!"

"…" No, it cannot be. I glance down at my ankles, looking hard. There it is. That beautiful, wordless message of the love Damien feels connected to mine. "How long has this been so?"

"Four – no – five damn days! He was too nervous to tell you, so you're welcome."

"Th-Thank you."

"Ah, whatever. Kid, go and speak with him, ok? I can't stand it when all of you fight, what with Craig and Tweek avoidin' each other, and Kyle and Eric not even speaking, not to mention Butters has a hard mind to deal with. Ugh, such burdens." Ruby storms off, still muttering to herself, leaving me standing in the middle of the footpath. I cringe at once again being called a burden, before shaking my head. Pulling out my watch, I send Damien a mental message. He replies not long after.

I'm working, stay away.

I refuse. Where are you?

…If you're so desperate, follow the chains.

I nod to myself determinedly, doing just that. By the time I reach a small path in the forest, I'm panting immensely. Damien is standing there next to a presumably dead man, while another man stands nearby in shock, unable to see Damien. I shyly watch the scenario from behind a tree. The man is upset at the other man dying, and is trying to shake him awake.

"It seems you have found me." Damien whispers in my ear, having traveling behind without me noticing. I spin around and retain my bad habit of nearly hitting him, but he grabs my wrist just in time.

"M-My apologies, I…" My voice deteriorates as he rests the palm of my hand on his cheek, his hand on top of mine.

"…I apologize for always storming off when I feel awkward. It shouldn't be done." He says, avoiding eye contact.

"Never mind that. I've become aware… of…" Damien glances down at our glowing red chain, frowning.

"Say it."

"Of your feelings for me." Damien exhales, releasing my hand slowly. It drops to my side limply; we stare at each other for a long time. Damien slams his back into the tree trunk, sliding down to the ground. He motions for me to sit down as well, so I comply. He also pats his lap after a few minutes of both of us staring ahead in silence. "You want me to sit on your lap?" He shakes his head.

"Lay your head on it."

"What?" I blink, thinking I've misheard him.

"Lay your head on my lap. I," He avoids my eyes, "I've," He gulps, summoning up the courage to say whatever he's dying to say, "I've always wanted you to do that." I flush, quickly doing it. He hesitantly strokes my head, and I feel his hand trembling ever-so-slightly.

"Do you truly like my name?"

"Hm? Yes, I think it's good." He answers, sounding awkward.

"Ruby returned my memories of you. When I was two." I explain.

"Did she?" Damien asks nonchalantly.

"Yes. Thank you for that lovely day. I'm happy that you wanted to keep me."

"I DIDN'T WANT…" He shuts up upon my knowing glance, "Well, perhaps I did. But don't you go blabbering that to people, in your excited chatter, understand?"

"Of course."

"And Phillip?"

"Yes?"

"…I will always be here, by your side. You needn't worry no more." I sigh, closing my eyes. It feels as if a huge weight has been taken from my shoulders; and it feels amazing.

"You are someone I care for," I inform him, and he coughs, embarrassed, "So you are allowed to call me 'Pip'."

"…Alright, then Pip?"

"Yes?"

"Let's have a kiss, shall we?" My eyes shoot open, and I quickly nod, sitting up. Damien leans forward, his hand still in my hair, but hesitates.

"Are you as nervous as I am?"

"Yes." He answers, and I know he is not lying. I lean forward this time, capturing his lips with mine. He responds immediately, wrapping his arms around me and pulling my body closer. I'm so anxious that all I can do is rest my own hands on his chest. I will not go into details; I'm twelve, but it's heavenly. When we eventually part, we're both huffing. It feels as if we've just had our actual first kiss.

"I'm glad…" I grin at Damien, "I'm glad I was not the only one who was nervous."

Right then, Damien does the most unexpected thing I've ever seen. He smiles back at me happily, "I am as well, Pip." I gawp at him for a few moments, before resting my head back down on his lap. "Fifteen." He states after a while.

"Hmm?"

"I will take this to the next level… when you're fifteen. Understood?"

"…" I stare up at him in disbelief.

"…" He stares back.

"…"

"YOU THINK IT'S TOO LONG TO WAIT!?"

~Butters' P.O.V~

Kenny is speechless after I finally confess that I love him back, "Kenny," I say as said person suddenly drags me by the hand through the forest. He looks both baffled and in a rush, "Kenneth, come now." I roll my eyes in aggravation when he once again does not answer. I scoff, resorting to kicking him in the shin.

"Ah! Ouch!" He immediately stops, glancing at me inquiringly.

"That is the result of being silent towards me! I just informed you of something that you have obviously been wanting for a long time, and this is my result!?"

"I-I'm sorry. I'm truly happy." Kenny quickly leans down and kisses me on the forehead. I quickly waver, folding my arms and huffing.

"What is with all this hurrying now?" I ask slyly as he begins guiding me again, feeling a bit stupid for losing my temper.

"Apologies. I'm in a rush. There is no time to explain." Kenny says, glancing around frantically.

"However true that may be, you are going to explain to me." I declare, halting again. Kenny tries to stare me out, but then sighs.

"Today is the day for our fate notes." He says.

"Fate notes?" I have never once heard of such a thing.

"They are special notes fairies receive once every year. Their humans may come and receive one as well."

"Well, what do the notes say?"

"Nothing. You will have a small, colored piece of paper. The color depends on whether your fate at the moment is to depart to heaven, hell, or that place in between. Hell is red, heaven is white, and the other place is black. We are getting ours today."

"What about Pip and Damien? And Tweek, and Craig? Are they attending?" I sigh, detesting the feeling of confusion.

"They shall tomorrow. Ruby forgot and tried to go earlier today, apparently. Little fool. No, um, they organize it in alphabetical order, since it cannot all be done in one day. Today is our turn. I also must go since Kyle is obviously not going to show up to get his and his humans'. I will cover for him."

"But why are you in such a rush?"

"Because I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"Them. The 'Authorities'. The ones who decide how everything works. They terrify me, and if I'm late-

"They set you a time limit? Kenny! Are you afraid they will harm me, or something?" He slowly nods. "Why did you not inform me of all this?"

"…I forgot." Kenny states simply. My mouth drops open in disbelief.

"Ah, Kenneth has finally arrived!" The Elder fairy exclaims when he sees us in the waiting line. Kenny exhales stiffly, putting his arm around me and putting on a fake smile.

"Hello, sir," He greets smoothly, "Kyle was not able to make it yesterday because he had some troubles. May you please pardon him?"

"Of course, of course."

"This is Leopold." I wince as Kenny uses my real name. Whenever he does that, it reminds me of our rough beginnings.

"Ah, he's a picture. You are the adoptive brother of Damien's half-fairy, are you not?" I narrow my eyes as he refers to Pip as a 'half-fairy'.

"Yes sir." I nearly stumble on my words. This fairy, from what Pip has told me, nearly killed him.

"How is he? The half breed?"

"…He's fine. During school today, he told me he practiced flying." I answer smugly. The Elder seems to notice is despise him, because he gives Kenny a nod and leaves without saying goodbye. "Good damn riddance."

"Butters, dear God, please be more cautious around him, I beg of you." Kenny pleads with me, clasping one of my hands in his. I nod reluctantly, noticing we're nearly at the front. I take a deep breath stepping forward, towards a stern-looking fairy, most likely an 'Authority' one. He studies me hastily, before nodding in approval and allowing me into a small pathway surrounded by trees. I edge through the narrow trail doubtfully. I'm unable to see what is on the other end yet, and it makes me skeptical. As I burst through the trees into an open space, a female fairy smiles and guides me towards a large tree in the centre of the small, circular-shaped clearing.

"How do I receive my note?" I ask her, slightly fearful. Her instructions are clear, however.

"Lay your eyes upon the hole in the trunk," I do as she says, "Reach into there, and it will appear in your hand. This is an extremely ancient, sacred tree to us, beloved human, so please be careful to not cause any damage."

"Mmm." I nod to her, nervously shuffling towards to the tree. After a turn of my head to the fairy for approval, I exhale and shoot my arm into the hollow space. I shut my eyes, preparing myself in case it somehow causes pain. Feeling a stiff piece of card suddenly in my hand, I rip my arm out, nearly dropping it in the rush. Staring at the color, I feel the blood drain from my face. A black card. I am destined to depart to nothingness. The place in between. Trembling in despair, I slowly step back towards the pathway, the female fairy patiently waiting for me. Her kind smile falters when she sees the color of my fate note.

"Oh dear. Perhaps it can be changed over time? I am sure it will improve next year." She tries to reassure me. Her compassion brings guilt to me.

"What is your name?" I ask as I'm about to make my leave and give Kenny his chance.

"Um, Bertha," The fairy quickly adds, "But most call me Red, since I detest my name. You are Kenneth's fairy, are you not?"

"Yes." Red's eyes widen, and she grins happily.

"How lucky you are. He is a blessed saint."

"Yes, well, we get along splendidly most of the time. I hope to see you again, Red. You are very sympathetic to someone such as me, so thank you for your time." I give her a hesitant smile, descending back into the bushy pathway. Kenny greets me when I arrive back, and I reluctantly show him my fate note. Disappointment flashes through his eyes, but he brushes it off and says it can always change, especially for a human. I shrug and more or less agree with sticking to the bright side.

As I'm waiting, that fairy named Clyde comes to speak with me. I inwardly sigh. "Ah, Leopold, is it not? Where's Kenny?"

"Receiving his note." I reply coldly. "Where is your own human?"

"Huh? What is wrong? You sound terrible! And Token, well, he did not feel up to coming. So what is wrong, hm?" I silently hand him my fate note, hoping my bitterness reaches him, "Ah, that isn't so bad. I got a red one, see?" He holds up his own, smirking.

"Are you not worried? At this rate, hell is your fate after you perish." Clyde laughs.

"I am a negative fairy, so it is basically a given. I had my fun when I was a human, and now it is my job. I deserve it. And I will also not be perishing any time soon, I'm sure. I died only fifty years ago; most fairies last about a century," My eyes widen slightly, "Ha, your face! Yes, Kenny has lasted a very long time, and it isn't common. See how wise he has gotten from it all?"

"But Craig and Ruby were also-

"Ruby isn't naturally wise the way Kenny is. She just knows very much. And Craig would never bother with such things. Kenny is the prodigy of this forest." Clyde states as we watch him emerge from the trees, with many females trying to speak with him, if only just once. "Everyone loves him."

I feel a tinge of happiness when I see the white fate note in Kenny's left hand. If I cannot make it to heaven, then my only wish is for Kenny to have the ability to.

One Week Later

"Say, Pip?" I speak out to my brother as he sits down with his toast and begins spreading butter on it. It's early in the morning right this moment; and very dark outside, but apparently it isn't the middle of the night. God, I dislike the winter here.

"Yes?" He smiles, in a good mood.

"You and Damien went to receive those fate notes, correct?"

"Ah, yes, but Damien nearly forgot, and we ended up sprinting there," He smiles sheepishly, "I got a white note, and Damien, of course, received a red one."

"Does that not worry you?"

"Hm?" Pip pauses with his spreading. Oh Lord, the mindless, air-headed brother I've grown to despise has made yet another appearance.

"If Damien goes to hell when you die, then you two cannot be together in the afterlife." I state, sipping my milk. Pip looks down at the table, shocked.

"Come, Butters, let's not scare him," Kenny says, suddenly next to me. I nearly drop my cup in surprise.

"Jesus!" I shriek, clutching my pounding heart. My love smiles apologetically, while Pip remains oblivious.

"Sorry, sorry. I'll try to be less discrete when I come tomorrow."

"Please do." I turn away and continue drinking my milk, while all the more struggling with a difficult algebra equation. I was sort of supposed to finish my homework last night, but I… forgot.

"Butters, eat something."

"Mm, I have no time. Get me something." Kenny sighs, grabbing what's left of the toast and putting it on a plate for me.

"Would you like some butter, Butters?" Pip snickers, and I glare. "Come now, that was quite amusing." I silently snatch the toast away from Kenny and devour it, just so he will stop with his nagging, even though I secretly love it when he makes a fuss over me, "Is that algebra?" Kenny asks, leaning his face closer to mine to be able to see better. I almost spit out my milk. Kenny notices my reaction to his actions and smiles evilly.

"A bit shy, are we, Butters?"

"Don't be stupid! I just didn't see that coming, that's all!"

"Really now?" Kenny clearly doesn't sound convinced, and he looks a bit annoyed because I denied it.

"YES! And look, don't get carried away with these things, because I'll-

Kenny hushes me up by cupping my cheek with his left hand and putting his lips on mine. I freeze, dropping my milk on the floor. I hear Pip gasp. Kenny pulls away and, without a word, picks up the broken glass and walks away, humming to himself.

"…" I must be such a weakling to have a kiss taken away like that. I feel the negative vibe coming from Pip direction and look at him.

"So… lucky." He says, sounding envious. Doesn't his fairy do things like that to him? I've seen Tweek and Craig to it a few times, and Kenny seems to be alright with it, so why not Pip and his own fairy? Not to mention his fairy isn't even here…

"Does Damien never do it?" I ask, voicing my thoughts.

"Not often." Pip answers enviously. Kenny comes back, still humming to himself. He notices me fuming at him, but doesn't seem to care.

"Kenny… why? In front of Pip?"

"Butters, we're a romantic-type fairy and human pair. Things such as that are natural." Kenny shrugs.

"Not when I don't want it!"

"You do want it, you're just being too stubborn. And sorry to break it to you, but that is going to be a daily, frequent thing in your life, so be prepared. Especially since you've confirmed how you feel for me." I bang my head on the table in despair, humiliated. If Pip wasn't here, then I actually would have probably responded to Kenny the same way an awed little girl would. But he is here.

…Such strange things that occur in my head these days.

~Pip's P.O.V~

I decide to leave breakfast as soon as humanely possible. Thank goodness Aunty was not around for Kenneth's… Kenny's arrival – that would have been awkward. And I can see Butters was itching to hold him anyway, but he did not want to do such things with me around. I would not really care if he did. Tweek and Craig do it on most occasions.

"Oh yes… those two had a fight, I recall." I shrug. Oh well, it's up to them to make up, I suppose.

It takes me nearly two hours to get to the village due to the rainy weather. Dear Lord, it is cold. Damien told me he had much work today. Perhaps there are many people dying from sickness, since it's nearly winter.

I'm in the village to purchase a gift for my aunt – it's her birthday, and I'm beginning to suspect that I am the only one who remembered. I smile, shaking my head, and head towards a street with several nice shops. It is a good place to start with the gift search. As I'm gawping around at all the colorful windows and displays, I (yet again, for the hundredth time in my life) walk into someone.

"Oh God, my apologies. Such things always occur in my presence!" I frantically drop all my things and begin to help the person up. I pause when I see no waiting hand for me to take. "Erm… may I have the pleasure of helping you off the ground? I pushed you after all, hmm? Oh dear, I owe you," I flinch when I see the boy's red eyes, leaning back and almost falling over myself, "You're a… demon?" I squeak, quickly taking many strides in reverse. Unlike any of those demon girls, this boy is the same as Damien. His expression seems devoid of any human emotion, however, seems also full of complete hatred. His slashed bangs are very long, almost covering his eyes, but the red color glows right through them. He looks about eleven or twelve.

He is unbelievably beautiful… nearly as beautiful as Damien, if that's even possible.

"…" He hasn't responded to anything I've said; perhaps he thinks I'm not worth speaking to. I spin around, hastily gather my things, and attempt to make a rapid leave, but after only a few steps, he's in front of me. I didn't even see – or hear – him move. I get a banging urge to scream out as large as I can for help as he reaches towards me. My mouth opens to do it, but no sound comes out. It feels nearly as if I can die from fear. The boy rests his freezing cold hand on my trembling cheek. I'm instantly given a vision of… pure hell. It cannot be described how horrible it is. I see nothing but suffering; disgusting screams of pain fill my ears as I watch the torture and cruelty, the fear, the hatred. Many terrible words flash in front of my eyes during the witness of such brutality.

FEAR HATRED GRUDGES CRUELTY ANGER FAILURE EVIL COLD POISON RAGE PRIDE CORRUPTION GRUESOME REVENGE ZERO WORTHLESS DAMAGE GREED DISHONESTY REJECTION ENVY CUTTING GUILT LUST TAINTED IMPURITY SLOTH PESSIMIST INSANITY JEALOUSY MISUNDERSTANDINGS GLUTTONY DISAPPOINTMENT HURT WRATH DEPRESSION PAIN ROTTEN DEATH HIDEOUS NAIVETY APATHY NEGATIVE-

Before the boy can continue to flash such images in my head, I raise my hand and knock him as hard as I can in the face. He tumbles to the ground, not standing up. I gather my things at the speed of lightning, and bolt away as fast as I can. He again just about teleports in front of me, his arm shooting out and grasping my neck. I begin to choke, and inwardly scream as I see him snatch out a knife, but a voice surprises us both.

"Sir, please, no harm come to him!" Asilynn shrieks, not truly making sense with her words.

"And what are your reasons?" He asks. His voice is calm, cold, and flat. He sounds nearly as if he has a cough, but strangely smooth. His tone is that of a grown up. It scares me that a… thing that looks so young can speak in such an adult manner.

"He is the half-fairy! That is Phillip!" She shrieks, holding her hands out helplessly. The boy eyes her to the point where she shrinks down shamefully.

"…I know who he is. I was testing several things at once. Now I know you do not want him to die," He averts his gaze from her to me, "I also know the boy's personality, how he treats demons, and that Damien is not careful enough. Among other things. This will be so simple. It is actually kind of…boring."

"You," Asilynn looks between us shakily, "You have orders!"

"Yes," The boy sighs, finally releasing me. I drop to the ground, clutching my now bruised throat and coughing, "Do what you want for now, lust girl. I do not care." With that, he treads away, hands in his pockets. Asilynn immediately runs over, helping me sit up.

"Oh God, Phillip!" She cries, gathering up my things for me.

"Who… who was that?" I wheeze.

"I cannot tell you, but please, please, stay away from him. I beg of you!" She sounds extremely desperate. I nod shakily, "I must leave; he is testing me to see how loyal I am to him, I am sure of it! But please," She leans over to my ear and whispers, "Meet me here and the same time tomorrow. I will tell you everything I know. I am sick of all this. But now… you are in danger! There is no knowing what he will do in such a close-by range! Go!" She shoves my things into my arms and points in the opposite direction of where the boy went. I begin walking, baffled. When I turn back at the end of the street, Asilynn has disappeared.

Did that all just happen? If it did, then thank goodness the streets were empty in such bad weather. "Boy! It is not good to be outside in such weather! Come inside!" I hear a man call out from the doorway of a nearby bar. I ignore him, blinking at the ground. After a series of footsteps, a hand roughly grabs my shoulder and turns me to face them. My knees nearly collapse due to the shock. I recognize his black hair, his green eyes, his handsome features, his manly appearance.

My father stares at me, angry. My father… my father! "FATHER! Oh, father!" I embrace the man tearfully, not caring how this could be. He's here, in my arms, and it's one of the only things I've ever desired my entire life, "Father! Oh, how I've wanted to see y-

"Eh? Are you Phillip?" I glance up at him, happy that he recognizes me, "Oh dear… I'm sorry, but I'm not your father." My grin vanishes. It can't be. This man is the spitting image of the person I called 'pa' in my memories. Ruby showed them to me a week ago, and I remember! He looked the same as this man!

I shove the stranger away, covering my eyes. The tears begin streaming out before I can stop them, and my longing for my parents has never been so great in my entire life.

Damien… I just want Damien now!

Yet another hand grabs my shoulder and spins me around, but before I can even see who it is, I am crushed to the person's chest. I sniff, and immediately recognize the scent as Damien's. He's here for me. For the first time ever, he's truly here when I need him! He must have been finished with work, or buying chocolate.

"What have you done to upset my human?" I hear Damien demand coldly. I let go of him and turn around, glaring at the man as well.

"Phillip…" The man makes straight eye contact with me, ignoring Damien's question, "I've been wanting to meet you for so long. I cannot believe this is happening. Your uncle… despises me, and has never allowed me to even look at you." The man looks astounded.

"What are you speaking of? Who are you? Why in the hell do you appear so similar to my pa?" I hiss, extremely bitter.

"Phillip… when your father was human… he married and had his own children. He merely died in an accident, and fell in love with your mother not long afterwards. They had you. I am the result of one of his son's. He passed away long before I was born; my father was only six, but…" I clutch onto Damien's hand in disbelief.

No, what is he saying!?

Pip, this man was your father's grandson. He is your blood relative.