Busy week at work. We just got a new employee who will be working for me. Trying to get him up to speed while doing my own work and dealing with budget and planning stuff for next year adds up fast, but we'll make it. Doesn't help that we're likely gonna be in a bit of a power struggle with another branch that wants to take some of our work (which means taking the funding too). Gotta love office politics.

Also found out that the all-important system update for all of our work computers won't work on mine because it's too old. Was meant to have an upgrade at the start of the year, but it got postponed. Oh well.

This slightly later posting time is likely to become my new standard due to my work schedule. Only a few hours different, but figured I'd just commit at this point. Slightly shorter chapter this week, but with a lot of stuff happening rather rapidly. Enjoy!

"Where could it be? Where could it be?" Adam frantically repeated to himself as he searched the area around his bed for at least the third time, going so far as to press down on various points of the mattress to see if he could feel the small frame of his prized picture. Sadly, it seemed that his photo had not magically merged with his bed, getting him no closer to its whereabouts.

The more he searched, the more panicked he became. Each passing second came with the realization that his most valuable possession had vanished. It shouldn't be far from his bed, but he'd torn that area apart and felt confident it wasn't there. Then again, it shouldn't have been anywhere other than under his pillow, but that clearly wasn't the case.

Think, Adam. Think! There were really only two possibilities. While his mind was quick to jump to conspiracy that someone had stolen it, he couldn't imagine why anyone would want his photograph. Besides, he needed to rule out the possibility of it being misplaced first. With Erik's bed being directly above his own, he carefully lifted the sheets and began feeling around.

"What are you doing?"

Adam yiped and nearly fell over. Erik stood halfway across the room, confused at the scene before him. Hurriedly, Adam tried to explain. "M-my picture's gone!"

"Your picture?"

"The one of my family." Or what his family should have been. Adam fought back tears as he continued, "I can't find it anywhere!"

"So you thought I might have it?" Erik didn't look thrilled at the subtle accusation. Adam didn't believe for a second that Erik had stolen his picture. He was Adam's first real friend at the orphanage. He might as well accuse Nila at that point. Or Alyssa.

"N-no, I…I just thought, with your bed being closest…" Even as Adam tried to explain, he realized it didn't really help.

Thankfully, Erik recognized Adam's panic easily and abandoned any offense to help. "Where did you last see it?" he asked, coming over to aid in Adam's hunt.

Adam breathed a little easier, grateful to have an extra set of eyes and a level head to assist him. Erik searched the area around their bunk thoroughly, even going so far as to check his own bed as Adam had started to do. Still, their search came up empty.

"See? It's gone." While Adam had hoped he'd overlooked something obvious, a small part of him was pleased he hadn't lost his mind. A very small part. "I can't find it anywhere."

Erik stopped to think for a moment. "Have you checked the dresser?"

"Why would it be in the dresser?"

"Why wouldn't it be under your pillow?" Erik shrugged. As far as ideas went, it wasn't great, but searching the same spot a dozen times wouldn't accomplish anything.

Adam scurried to the dresser, yanking open his drawer after confirming his picture wasn't hidden on top. One by one, he yanked each article of clothing out, shaking them out before tossing them in a small pile to the side. He could refold them later before bed.

Two of their roommates returned during his frantic digging, their conversation dying the moment he turned his frantic gaze to them. "Have you seen my picture?" A pair of quick, confused denials had him returning to his excavation while their roommates carefully slipped by. By the time the last article of clothing sat alone in the drawer, Adam felt hysterical.

And then he checked the remaining shirt.

"It's gone!"

"Not there either?" Erik asked as he picked up a shirt to help Adam clean up.

As worried as he'd been about the picture, he suddenly had another pressing issue. "Not that. My…you know…"

Erik tilted his head in confusion. "Your what?"

Adam pulled him closer, away from their roommates as he whispered, "My knife."

Erik's eyes widened at the revelation. Suddenly, the idea that he'd somehow misplaced his photo was out the window. Someone had taken it. Worse, they'd found his knife, too. Adam dreaded to imagine how Madam de Thom would react to him having a weapon in his room.

As much as it pained Adam, only one other person knew about his knife. "Did you tell anyone about it? Anyone at all?"

Erik didn't seem thrilled about the latest line of questioning. "No one! I promise."

"Did you see anybody in the room earlier?" Adam had been gone long enough that anyone could've snuck in and stolen his belongings. Erik had been in the room when he left, though.

Erik shook his head. "I was the last to leave." Meaning Adam had no leads. "Maybe one of our roommates came back at some point and saw something. Couldn't hurt to ask."

It could, but only if he gave away too much. As long as he only mentioned the picture, there wouldn't be an issue. The two early arrivals both said they hadn't been back to the room at all in the evening. Nor the next that returned. By the time everyone was in the room and had been questioned, Adam still had no answers.

The lights out bell heralded the end of Adam's inquisition with nothing to show for all of his efforts. Reluctantly, Adam climbed into bed, watching as Erik crawled up into his own bunk above shortly before the lights cut out. He could still see fairly well in the darkened room, but his roommates might not appreciate him making a bunch of noise searching after bedtime. Plus, he had no idea where else to look. And if he was caught out of bed after lights out, he'd get in a lot of trouble.

Instead, Adam lay in his bed, staring at the bunk above him as his mind raced for answers that never came. In the dark, the hushed whisper of Erik reached his ears. "Don't worry, Adam. We'll figure it out in the morning."

Morning couldn't come soon enough.

/- - - - - - - - - -/

"What do we do now?" Adam asked over breakfast. Another search of the room that morning turned up nothing. They'd filled Nila in on his missing picture when they saw her, leaving out the part about the knife. The less people that knew, the better.

"Someone stole your picture. Just report it to Madam de Thom. Personally," Nila leaned forward, keeping her voice down, "I'd bet on Pika being behind it."

"Pika was with me the entire evening," Adam pointed out. "He couldn't have stolen it."

"Maybe he didn't, but one of his buddies could've." Erik tilted his head toward Pika's table, where he and his friends were loudly laughing at something. "Didn't you say Clancy and Andúril left early."

"To go work on homework." Even as Adam said it, he could feel the doubt creeping in. "Why would they steal my picture, though?"

"Why do bullies do anything?" Nila pondered. Before Adam could say anything, she added, "Besides, who else would? Almost everyone was outside. Plus, I saw Clancy out there near the end…"

"What? But he said he needed to work on homework." Needless to say, Adam doubted Clancy had homework in recess. "Are you sure?"

"He threw our ball out in the field when it rolled near him, so yeah, I'm pretty sure." Nila glared at the distant table before returning to her food, but not before adding, "If your stuff's missing, my lien's on Pika and his thugs."

Adam couldn't believe it. But they were so nice to me. Why would they invite me to work out, then steal from me? Unless they just wanted to get him away from his room. Plus, what better alibi than to say you were with the victim? "Do you really think Pika had his friends steal my picture?"

"Can't think of anyone else," Erik answered. "Plus, didn't he see where you kept it that one time?"

Pika did seem interested in my picture. Adam had just assumed Pika was trying to be friendly, but other than his roommates, Pika would be the only one that knew where he kept his picture. "So what do I do? Should I go tell him to give it back?"

"Like he'd just hand it over," Nila laughed. "He'd just hide it somewhere and lie to you about it."

"Then what can I do?"

Nila pointed her fork at Adam. "Tell Madam de Thom. With any luck, she'll search his room and find it for you. You get your picture back. Pika gets in trouble. We all win."

Tattle on Pika? Madam de Thom had said she ran a tight ship. Adam had to imagine that thievery would be against her rules. And Nila was right. If he confronted Pika about it, why would he admit to stealing his picture? He could try to sneak into Pika's room and search for it, but what if he got caught snooping around? He wouldn't know where to look, either, so it would be a big risk. If he told Madam de Thom and she didn't find it, he'd be in trouble for wasting her time at worst. It really was the safest option.

"I'll do it," Adam declared to his friends. "I'll go find Madam de Thom after breakfast and tell her Pika stole my picture."

Nila grinned to show she approved. "Told you he was a jerk."

"I'd go after chores," Erik advised. "You might get in trouble if they think you're trying to skip."

That was a good point. Pika would be doing chores as well, so it wasn't like anything would happen if he waited. He didn't need to get himself in trouble in the process. As much as he wanted to get his picture back immediately, waiting was the better option.

As soon as they finished cleaning the cafeteria, Adam headed straight for Madam de Thom's imposing office. He hesitated outside her door, taking a deep breath as he reviewed what he needed to do. Tell her the picture's missing and that you think Pika stole it. Straightforward and simple. The sooner he finished, the sooner she could go get his picture back from Pika. His hand shakily reached for the door.

What if she finds my knife? His hand froze just before he could knock on the wooden surface. If Pika had both, why wouldn't he rat out Adam for the knife? Stealing a picture was bad, but he had to imagine hiding a knife in his room would get him in even more trouble. Maybe alerting Madam de Thom wasn't the greatest plan after all.

Then again, how would Pika prove it was Adam's. He hadn't exactly carved his name in the handle. It wasn't even that unusual of a knife. For all Madam de Thom would know, the knife might be Pika's. Of course, that meant he wouldn't be getting it back, but if he had to choose, he'd rather have his picture back and Pika punished.

Steeling himself, Adam knocked twice and waited until Madam de Thom bid him enter. He opened the door slowly before slipping inside. Faced with the intimidating woman directly, Adam froze, suddenly unsure.

"I don't have all day, Adam. What do you need?" Madam de Thom asked, organizing a stack of papers before setting it aside.

"M-ma-" Adam coughed, his throat suddenly drier than Vacuo. He swallowed his nerves and stepped forward. "Ma'am…I think someone stole my picture."

"Picture? What picture?"

"My family photo from home. When I came back to my room last night, it was gone." Adam shifted nervously as Madam de Thom watched him. "I…I think Pika stole it."

"Close the door, Adam." Adam practically slammed the door behind him, wincing at the sound. Madam de Thom didn't bother to comment, instead instructing him to sit down. "Your picture is missing, and you came here to accuse someone. I assume you have some sort of proof?"

Not really. "He knew where I keep it and has been picking on my friends," Adam tried, hoping his vague connections would be enough for her.

Madam de Thom seemed less than thrilled with his reasoning. "So you just assume he's the one who took it? Did anyone see him in your room?"

"No, ma'am," Adam admitted, aware that his case was unraveling quickly. He needed to turn things around. "Everyone else was outside. He wasn't though."

Neither was Adam, but she didn't need to know that. Admitting he was with Pika the entire time would just make things look even worse. He kind of doubted Madam de Thom would care to hear his theory of Pika sending his friends to steal his picture. Right now, less detail would be better.

"I don't have time to waste on guesses and assumptions." Adam's shoulders drooped. Madam de Thom didn't seem convinced of his story. All he'd done was waste her time. "That being said, I do not tolerate stealing at my orphanage." Adam sat up with a surge of hope.

"So you'll get my picture back for me?"

Madam de Thom held up her hand, silencing him. "If you fully believe Pika is the culprit, I will have Alyssa investigate for me. If we find your picture, rest assured that he will be properly punished. But if it turns out that he is not responsible," Madam de Thom leaned forward, eyes narrowed across the large desk, "there will be repercussions for wasting my time with false accusations. As such, do you still want to accuse Pika of stealing?"

In other words, it was up to him whether she bothered looking into the issue. If they found his picture, he'd get it back and Pika would be in trouble. But if they didn't find it, he'd be the one in trouble. It sounded like a fair trade to Adam. A little punishment was worth the risk if it might get him his picture back.

"Yes. Pika stole my picture."

Madam de Thom nodded before picking up her papers once more. "Then I'll have Alyssa look into it. Is there anything else, Adam?"

"No, ma'am." Adam rose and quickly backed up to the door. Before he left, he quickly added, "And thank you."

Adam nearly skipped down the hall. In his mind, there was no way they wouldn't find his picture. That would teach Pika to mess with him. Erik was right. I shouldn't have trusted him. He wouldn't make that mistake again.

As much as he wanted to watch the fun, Adam made sure to keep his distance from Pika and his gang, though he couldn't help watching with glee when Alyssa called him over at lunch and the two left, whispered rumors spreading as everyone watched. Only Adam, Erik, and Nila knew the truth.

"You think they'll find it?" Erik asked.

"I hope so." Nila seemed more determined than even Adam for it to work.

"She'll find it." He wasn't sure about Madam de Thom, but he trusted Alyssa. She'd find his picture for him. He knew he could trust Alyssa.

By the time class came around, all Adam could think about was getting his picture back and seeing Pika punished. He got to the classroom early, hoping to talk to Alyssa before their lesson, but she came in at the last second and immediately began the day's lecture. Adam endured the science class, mind fully focused on the end of class as he found himself constantly checking the clock, watching the exhaustingly slow march of time.

"That's all for today, everyone. Don't forget to do questions one through seven for homework. I expect your papers on my desk by the start of tomorrow's class." As the rest of his classmates hurriedly gathered their things and stampeded for freedom, Adam remained seated, waiting for his opportunity. "Oh, and Adam, if you could-" Alyssa stopped when she spotted him waiting. "Oh good! You're still here."

That sounded promising. As the last remnants of the class vanished, leaving the two alone, Adam finally rose from his seat and approached Alyssa's desk. A single question burned in his mind. "Did you find my picture?"

Far from being upset at his abrupt questioning, Alyssa giggled at his straightforwardness. "Pretty sure I've got just what you're looking for." Adam looked around eagerly, trying to spot his picture. "I didn't bring it to class, Adam. It's in my room." Alyssa waved for him to follow as she gathered her books and headed for the door.

Adam could hardly contain his excitement as they walked down the hall, rounding a corner to a secluded set of rooms he'd never visited before. At the end of the new hall, Alyssa unlocked a door and ushered him inside.

The room was larger than he imagined, nearly as large as his dorm room, but with a single, large bed instead of half a dozen bunk beds. A large window granted him a view of the playground and field behind the orphanage. The somewhat simple desk against the wall was neatly organized, with a lesson planner open in the middle and a mixture of golden flowers in a small vase near the corner. The door across from the entrance stood open, leading to a spacious bathroom. Being the daughter of the matron and basically second in command had its benefits, apparently.

Alyssa hurried over to her large dresser, turning around with a big smile as Adam caught sight of what she held.

"You found it!" Adam dashed across the room, snatching his picture from her and studying it closely. To his relief, it looked undamaged. A wave of relief washed over him at the sight of the three smiling faces in the photo. Without thinking, he threw his arms around Alyssa, hugging her tight. "Thank you thank you thank you!"

"Not a problem, Adam," Alyssa answered softly as she gently hugged him back. "Always happy to help if you need anything."

Adam finally released his hold on his new hero, immediately returning to studying the familiar image once more. It had been less than a day since he'd held it, but right now, it felt like a long lost treasure. He couldn't wait to rush back to the room and show Erik.

But first, he needed an answer. "So…where'd you find it?"

"In another room," Alyssa answered, leaving out the specific details. "I've already spoken with the person who had it."

"Pika," Adam filled in. "Pika stole it from me."

"That's not important." To Adam, it was. Still, Alyssa probably wanted to avoid causing any further trouble. Or maybe she just worried Adam would confront the thief. Either way, Alyssa didn't deny the accusation, which was proof enough for Adam. "The person responsible is being punished accordingly and you have your picture back. I don't want to hear that you tried to get revenge or something, understood?" Adam nodded in agreement. He intended to avoid Pika as much as possible from now on. "Good. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?"

There hadn't been any mention of his knife. Either they hadn't found it or Alyssa didn't feel it worth mentioning. Maybe Pika had tried to rat him out and Alyssa had ignored it, deciding not to take the word of a thief blaming his victim. Regardless of the reason, two things were clear.

His knife was gone, but his picture was back.

As much as it pained him to admit, that felt like a fair trade to Adam, especially with Pika being punished as well. Hopefully, getting busted would serve as a warning to the bully not to mess with his stuff again. If he did, Adam would just tell Alyssa and have her sort it out. It was nice to know he could trust someone to look out for him.

"Guess you'd better get going," Alyssa announced, reminding Adam he was still lingering in her room. She was too polite to chase him out, but she probably wanted to enjoy her limited downtime.

"Sorry," Adam apologized as he backed away. "Thanks again, Alyssa!"

"My pleasure, Adam."

/- - - - - - - - - -/

For the next few days, Adam and his friends hardly even saw Pika. Part of his punishment involved a lot of extra chores, especially during their freetime. At the end of lunch each day, Madam de Thom would appear and summon Pika, personally overseeing his afternoon work. For Nila, Pika's public humiliation was better than any dessert. Adam had never seen her smile so much.

He could admit to enjoying the comeuppance as well. He'd considered trying to find a better hiding place for his picture, but if Pika had found his knife, then nowhere was really safe. Instead, he'd returned it to under his pillow, content in knowing that if it disappeared again, Pika would instantly look guilty.

Adam decided to start using the weight room on his own in the mornings, keen to avoid running into Pika and his gang in the evenings. He occasionally had to share the room with a few teens, but they didn't bother him. One even offered to spot for him on the bench press, as long as he returned the favor. Most of the time, however, he had the room all to himself.

Not today, though.

"If it isn't our old pal Adam."

Adam nearly dropped the weights he was holding as he turned around. Pika stood in the door, flanked by Clancy and Andúril. Roan stood outside the room, conspicuously watching the balcony. With only one way out, it didn't take long for Adam to realize he was trapped.

"H-hey, Pika." Adam gulped, doubting this was a friendly visit.

"Hey? Is that all you have to say to me?" Pika stalked forward, eyes fixed on Adam with a hateful glare. "We take you in, share our workout with you, and how do you repay us? By accusing me of stealing from you?"

"Y-you stole my picture!" Adam protested. All he'd done was tell on him.

"Why would I want your stupid picture?" Pika asked. Adam didn't have an answer beyond him being a jerk but felt that would only make things worse. "Why do you even keep that worthless thing?"

Adam bristled at the slight against his prized possession. "It's my family."

"No. It's you, a dead loser, and a woman that abandoned you the first chance she got."

"Take it back!" Insulting him was one thing, but Adam wouldn't stand for someone attacking his father. Or Mazarin.

"Oh, did I hit a nerve there?" Pika's henchmen echoed his triumphant laugh. "Your dad was nothing. He was weak and he raised a weak little runt. Probably better off dead than having to put up with a worthless sack of crap like you any longer."

Adam charged forward, enraged by the mention of his father, but Pika expected as much. A quick shove had Adam stumbling backwards, tripping over the weights behind him. He landed with a soft thud on the floor.

"A dead man and a deadbeat. What great parents. Guess once she realized her pathetic excuse for a man was gone, there was no reason to stick around. Had her fun with Daddy, then dropped you like a sack of yesterday's turds."

Adam stumbled to his feet, shoulders rising and falling with each angry breath. "You're lying! Mazarin's coming back for me!"

"Is that what she told you?" Pika sneered as Clancy and Andúril spread out to the sides, surrounding him. "She couldn't wait to get out of here. Probably partying it up with some new boy toy in the capitol by now, laughing about the naïve little idiot she left behind. Face it, Adam," Pika stepped closer, leaning forward to deliver the final barb, "Daddy's little whore ain't comin' back."

Adam's throat burned as he screamed in fury, lunging as he aimed to wipe the grin off Pika's face. Pika stumbled as Adam's fist connected. He managed to get an arm up in time to block Adam's next frenzied punch, only for Adam to dive forward and tackle him to the ground. A clumsy swing struck Pika's side drawing a satisfying grunt from Adam's foe before two sets of hands snatched him, dragging him off of Pika.

"Let me go!" Adam hissed, struggling to break free as Clancy and Andúril struggled to contain him. His arms burned as they squeezed tight. Pika shook his head as he got back up, touching a hand to his nose. It came away reddened as blood lazily began to run down his face. "I hate you! I hate you!"

"Y'know, I'm not too fond of you either right now." Adam doubled over as Pika buried his fist in Adam's gut. Adam gasped for air as Pika grabbed one of his horns and forced him to look up again. "First you get me in trouble." Adam's head jerked upward from a blow to his chin. "Then you attack me?" Pika drove his knee into Adam's chest. "Guess someone needs to put you in your place, you filthy animal."

Adam fell to the ground, released by his captors just as Pika struck the side of his face. He desperately tried to get up and fight back, only for Pika to kick his hand away and leave him to faceplant on the floor. Pika rewarded his struggle with a kick to the ribs.

"Had enough yet?" Pika asked, rolling Adam over with his foot. Adam's pained moan was apparently answer enough for his attacker. "Good. Like I told you when we met, I'm in charge here." Adam flinched as Pika spat on him, a mix of blood and spittle splattering across his face. "Next time, maybe think twice before challenging me."

Before Adam could stop himself, he spoke up. "You…you'll pay for this."

"Is that so, pipsqueak?" Pika crouched down beside him, not a bit concerned of Adam fighting back at this point. To be fair, Adam wasn't even sure he could stand right now. "What? You gonna run and tell on me? Go cry to Alyssa again?"

That was the plan. If stealing a picture earned him days of punishment, Adam couldn't imagine how they'd respond to him attacking someone. In spite of his agony, seeing Pika punished would be his small solace.

"I don't know why she even bothers with you," Pika muttered before placing a hand on the side of Adam's face and forcing him to look up at him again. "Good luck with that. I've got at least a dozen kids that'll say I was outside the entire time. I'll just say you're trying to get back at me."

Alyssa had specifically warned him against trying anything. Would they really assume he just wanted to get Pika in more trouble? It would be worth the risk if it might get Pika dealt with.

Pika must've sensed his defiance. "But in case that's not enough motivation, you squeal on me, and it won't just be you that pays for it. Maybe me and the boys will pay a visit to little Erik for you." Adam's breath hitched at the threat. "Or maybe I'll go have a chat with Nila. Been meaning to get better acquainted with her. I'll make sure she knows you sent me."

Adam grit his teeth as he realized he'd be risking more than just himself by complaining. Revenge against him was one thing, but he couldn't put his friends in danger. Neither of them deserved to suffer for him. Adam released a defeated sigh, knowing Pika had won.

"See guys. They can be trained." Pika lightly slapped Adam's face, then stood back up as his two assistants retreated to the door. "Next time, I won't be so merciful. Got it?"

Adam managed a pained grunt from the floor.

"What was that?"

"Got it," Adam choked out.

"Good to hear. See ya around, twerp." With that, Pika followed his buddies out onto the balcony. Just before he disappeared from sight, he added, "Oh, and Adam. Try not to hurt yourself in here."

Pika isn't exactly the nice guy he pretended to be at first. I've met plenty of people like him before. They start out pleasant enough, but it's only a matter of time until they show their true colors. Then, when you inconvenience them, they turn on you. Sometimes violently.

Cringed a little while writing Pika's tirade of insults, but kids can be vicious. My brother-in-law died a few years ago, and his son got bullied at school for it. Worse, if you show any sort of reaction, like Adam did, they tend to focus in to see how much more damage they can do. And the threatening of hurting Adam's friends plays on Adam's beliefs of protecting others quite well. Normally hold back and try to keep it a little lighter in dialogue severity, but we've got an M rating, so bullies get to be turned loose like this on occasion.

And now, for names. First up is (Madam) Gael de Thom. Her name is an anagram for Dame Gothel (Mother Gothel's name in the original fairytale of Rapunzel). Alyssa is her golden-haired child with a name similar to a golden flower (also comes in other colors). Rather than reference a certain famous electric rat, Pika comes from picador, a bullfighter that pokes and prods the bull with a special spear to weaken and enrage the bull. Andúril comes from banderillero, another lesser type of bullfighter (compared to a matador) who uses banderillas as weapons. Roan and Clancy are both references to the color red since...you know...bulls.

Anyways, that's all from me for now. Hope you all enjoy and would love to hear from you in the reviews!

Next chapter: Adam debates how to deal with Pika while he waits for rescue.