Was wrapping this chapter up earlier today when we had a big storm roll through and knock out power. Thankfully, they repaired everything within a few hours, so it didn't delay me as much as it could've. Still, the frustration of being so close, only for a delay to pop up without warning was ridiculous. The universe refuses to let me get this done in a timely manner.

Finally got a new laptop for work. The old one was pretty much dying, so the timing was nice. Took them two whole days to set up the laptop for me (was only supposed to take one), so I ended up having to take some extra leave. Then, I took it home for telework yesterday, and it won't connect to the internet. Got to the office this morning, hoping to get tech support, only to see an email saying I had been in close contact with a positive case recently. Per our guidelines, that means 5 days of staying out of the office. Glad for the extra telework, but when I called tech support about the connection issue, they decided I needed a software update, which requires internet. I have an ethernet cord, but the adapter for this new laptop is on my desk at work...which I can't go back to until Tuesday.

So now I have a lovely paperweight for the next few workdays. Equal parts funny and frustrating.

Anyways, to those that made it through last chapter, thanks for sticking around. Gonna be more tame this time around, thankfully. I did want to mention something about last chapter, though, so I'll put it in the end notes. Just some thoughts on the whole situation that I meant to share last week but forgot while cringing from what I'd just written.

Adam stumbled into his room, not even remembering how he got back. He bumped into the door frame before blindly marching to his bed, not so much sitting down as falling onto the mattress. Everything was a blur to him. He glanced at the clock, but nothing registered as he stared right through it.

Erik noticed the time, though.

"How was your date?"

"Huh?" Adam blinked as he looked around, finally noticing his friend peeking out from the bunk above.

"Your date with Nila?" Erik didn't look thrilled about the question, nor overly upset. More resigned at this point.

Crap! His date with Nila! He'd forgotten all about her after-

Adam shuddered as he recalled where he'd been. Why he'd missed his evening with Nila. Had she waited for him? Was she waiting even now? He wanted to go apologize, but she'd want to talk. And right now, that was the last thing he wanted.

But Adam hadn't told Erik about their date. Couldn't tell him, given the boy's interest in Nila. That felt too cruel. "You knew?"

"Nila told me," Erik explained. From the look on his face, that hadn't exactly been a welcome announcement. "During dinner. She was really excited. What did you two end up talking about?"

Erik was clearly digging for information, but Adam didn't have any to give. "I…didn't go," Adam admitted.

"What?!" Erik hopped down from his bed. "You stood her up? Why?"

That was an excellent question. One he couldn't answer. Alyssa had made it abundantly clear that he wasn't to tell anyone. If he did, she'd find out and get him in trouble. Probably even kicked out of the orphanage or even arrested. Worse, she'd punish his friends afterwards. Erik didn't look like he'd let the issue drop, though, so Adam did his best to cover.

"I just got back from my lesson." Adam winced as he gave the half-truth. The lesson had ended a while ago. Well, at least the math part of the lesson. He'd learned quite a bit afterwards that he wished he hadn't.

Like how easily he could be betrayed by someone he trusted.

Erik relaxed slightly at his answer. As jealous as Erik obviously was of him and Nila's interest, he also cared for Nila's feelings. Adam felt confident Erik would come after him if he ever did anything to hurt their friend…right before he rushed off to be her rebound.

"Must've been a long lesson." Erik didn't know the half of it. "So…you gonna get ready to go?"

Adam wanted to, but there was no way he could focus on Nila right now. Worse, she'd pick up on his unease and want to know what was wrong. Or worse, she might assume he wasn't actually interested in her. She didn't deserve to be put through that.

Just like he didn't deserve what had happened to him.

"I'm…I'm not feeling great," Adam said. It wasn't illness that had him down, though. He felt violated. Dirty. And not just because he hadn't bathed. Oh, Alyssa had offered the use of her shower afterwards, though her mention of joining him had ruled that out immediately. He'd shower soon, though he doubted any amount of scrubbing would wash away the filthiness he felt.

"Do you need anything? Maybe we should ask Miss Alyssa if she has-"

"No!" Adam panicked at the very mention of her name. He didn't dare go anywhere near that room, nor would he let Erik endanger himself like that. "I mean, no. I'll be okay. Just need some rest."

He needed so much more than that. He needed to be far away from here. Far away from her. He needed to forget tonight had ever happened, but barring a sudden case of amnesia, there would be no purging his mind of the horrid memories.

"Do you think…" Adam gulped as he made up his mind on what to do. "Can you go tell Nila for me? I'd hate for her to keep waiting all night."

"I'll tell her," Erik promised, yet again proving how great a friend he was. "But you owe me."

"Thanks, Erik." Adam would have to find a way to make it up to him. To both of them. "Tell her I'm really sorry."

"Oh, you will be. She's gonna want an explanation in the morning."

Adam knew that, but he could worry about that tomorrow. Sleep wouldn't come easy tonight, but maybe he could clear his head before breakfast and figure out what to do. Erik left to break the news to Nila, leaving Adam alone once more. The room wasn't empty, but he sure felt alone. More now than ever.

With a monumental effort, Adam forced himself off the bed and trudged over to the dresser. His feet carried him and a fresh change of clothes to the bathroom. Thankfully, the room was empty, giving him some much needed privacy as he turned the shower to the hottest setting, hoping the heat would burn away the lingering feelings of Alyssa's touch.

How could she do this to him? He'd trusted her. Counted her as one of his only friends in this horrid place. All along, she'd been luring him into her web, waiting to spring her trap on him. He doubted this would be a one-time thing, either. He could avoid her on the weekend, but it was only a matter of time until he'd have to face her again.

Friday lessons. Classes. Even his morning chores would force him into more encounters. Looking back, she'd arranged everything. Offering to tutor him. Giving him a chore that put him alone with her in the mornings. She'd slowly infiltrated his life and tied him to her. Worse, he had no escape. He couldn't skip his chores. If he missed his tutoring lessons, she'd just track him down. Or give him detention. She had complete control over him already.

I own you, Adam. Alyssa's haunting words echoed in his mind. She'd wormed her way into every facet of his life, and now, there was no escaping her. Even here, far away from her in the quiet bathroom, he couldn't escape her. The night haunted his every thought. Just like she'd promised. A night you'll never forget.

Adam stood there long after the water began to cool as the shower muffled his sobs and washed his tears down the drain.

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

Adam picked at his oatmeal as he sat alone in the cafeteria. Sleep had been a scattered and inconsistent affair until he finally gave up, tiptoeing out of the room before the sun. Sunrise found him running laps, as if he could flee the memories of last night. No matter how fast his feet pushed him on, though, he couldn't escape the specter of Alyssa's , the pain and exhaustion helped distract him, if only for a little while.

When he finally decided he could run no more, he'd dragged himself inside to clean up before breakfast. Even then, he had to wait around in the empty cafeteria until the lines opened. The cook was shocked to see someone waiting when he arrived and rushed to get food cooking early, giving Adam free reign of the food hall until a few early risers slipped in.

He didn't really feel like eating, even if he knew he should. His spoon spent more time swirling through the viscous mixture than actually rising to his mouth. He forced down a few bites, but even the fleeting warmth of his breakfast failed to garner a response. Instead, Adam stared into the bowl, praying for the oatmeal to somehow distract him.

Instead, it was the quiet arrival that snatched him from his thoughts.

"Good morning, Adam." Nila's concerned face hardly matched the sentiment of her words. Between his blank expression and her quiet worry, neither of them really looked like they'd call the morning good.

"Hey," he managed, unable to meet her eyes as she claimed the seat across from him.

"Are you feeling better?"

Adam blinked mindlessly for a moment before remembering his excuse last night. It had saved him the awkwardness of talking last night, but now he had no escape. Stalling was great until it ran out. "Oh. Yeah."

"Are you sure?" His mumbled answers hardly inspired confidence. "It's just…I was kind of looking forward to…you know. The two of us…"

"Sorry."

"I-it's okay," Nila lied. She clearly didn't feel okay, even if she tried to hide it. "Maybe…maybe we can try again? You know, now that you're better?"

She still wanted him? He had to remind himself that she didn't know what happened last night. As far as she knew, Adam's lesson had run long and he'd been feeling sick afterwards and had to cancel. Missing their first date was unfortunate, but she just chalked it up to bad luck. She didn't know what he'd been through. What Alyssa had done to him. What she might continue to do to him.

No matter how hard he tried, Adam couldn't convince himself that this was a one-time affair. Alyssa wouldn't have gone to all the trouble to consistently isolate him or threaten him just for a single instance. He didn't know what she had planned, but he doubted he'd be able to avoid a repeat. She had practically unlimited access to him, and he had to imagine she'd take advantage of that, even if he couldn't understand why.

Because I'm bored. That hurt almost as much as the things she'd done to him. She didn't care about him. He didn't mean anything to her. He was just something to amuse herself with, then throw away. She'd made it clear she'd dispose of him in a heartbeat if he became inconvenient to her. If he dared to oppose her in any way. The pain he felt at the realization hurt almost as much as her merciless hands had.

Adam jerked away as he felt her touch on his arm.

"Adam?" Nila stared in shock, her hand still hovering where his had been when she reached out for him. He'd jerked away instinctively, too lost in the horror of last night to remember where he was. Who he was with.

"I'm sorry." That was the best Adam could muster as he finally looked at her properly. He could see the hurt in her eyes at his withdrawal. "I was just…lost in thought for a moment. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Sorry." And now Nila was apologizing for his problems. He wanted to reach out to her. To walk around the table and hug her. But the very thought of even such a basic form of intimacy sent a shiver down his spine. But she deserved better, and he could use every distraction he could get.

"Are you free tonight?" The sudden hope his question gave her made him feel a hundred times better. "Maybe we can take that walk after I get back from-"

"Yes!" Nila blurted out before he could finish. She shied back as she realized just how loud she'd shouted. "I mean, yes, I'd love to."

"Love to what?" Erik asked as he finally arrived, claiming the seat beside Adam and completing their usual formation.

Before Adam could stop her, Nila delivered the good news. Well, good news for her and Adam. "We were just rescheduling our date now that Adam's feeling better."

"Oh." Adam watched his friend's shoulders sag a little, but Erik recovered quickly, putting on a brave face for Nila's sake. "Glad to hear you're feeling better, Adam. You were gone when I got up this morning."

"I went for a run," Adam replied. "Woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep." Not that he'd gotten much sleep before that, either.

"He was pretty out of it last night," Erik assured Nila. Despite his jealousy, Erik still helped cover for Adam, if only to cheer her up.

"Thanks for coming to tell me last night," Nila said, earning an embarrassed grin from Erik before Nila delivered the unintentional dagger. "You're a great friend."

"Friend. Yeah." That wasn't the word Erik wanted to hear, but he did his best to accept it.

Adam endured breakfast, trying to force down more oatmeal, even if it had lost its heat long ago. If it saved him from having to talk, he'd eat anything. Erik filled the time talking about his workout yesterday, subtly bragging on his progress as he sought to impress Nila. She listened intently, though her eyes kept straying to Adam.

At least, until an arrival behind Adam caught her attention.

"How are you three this morning?" For the first time ever, Adam wished it was Pika coming to pick on them. But unless he'd developed a much more feminine voice overnight, he knew he wouldn't be so lucky.

"Pretty good, Miss Alyssa," Nila replied, somehow missing the terror than seized Adam.

"Okay, I guess," Erik shrugged.

Adam kept quiet, frozen stiff as his worst nightmare lurked behind him.

His silence didn't go unnoticed. A hand fell on his shoulder, lightly squeezing and threatening to summon Adam's breakfast. "Adam? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he rushed to answer, keeping his eyes pointed away from her the entire time. He wanted to wrench his shoulder free but couldn't muster the courage.

"He didn't get much sleep last night," Nila explained, missing the true nature of his issue by a long shot.

"Oh? Are you feeling sick?" More than anyone knew. Adam shivered as she finally let go. "You can always drop by if you're feeling a little under the weather, Adam. I'll take care of you."

Adam dreaded to imagine what her care would look like. He had the distinct feeling he wouldn't feel any better afterwards.

"Sorry I kept him so late last night, Nila. I guess we got a little carried away." Alyssa laughed at her little joke. "I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long."

"You told her?" Nila asked.

"Adam tells me lots of things," Alyssa admitted for him. "He was so excited last night. It was kinda cute."

Until Alyssa had robbed him of that. She was toying with him. Lording her dominance over him in front of everyone, knowing there was nothing he could do about it.

Nila remained unaware of the power play going on in front of her, too embarrassed at the revelation that Adam had been so excited for their date. "R-really?" Her smile looked adorable, but Adam couldn't enjoy it with the monster that was looming over him.

"He kept going on and on about it," Alyssa lied. She'd pried the details from him, but Adam didn't dare correct her. "You must be really special to him."

Nila giggled nervously, her face practically glowing red. To her, it probably sounded like Adam was obsessed with the idea of dating her. But to Adam, her words held a much more sinister meaning.

She's special to you. It'd be a shame if something happened to her. Adam felt his muscles tighten at the unspoken words. Her threats of going after his friends if he resisted rang in his ears. She wasn't embarrassing them. She was reminding him of what she'd do if he ever fought back. That her wrath wouldn't be limited to him.

"Well, I guess I should get going." Adam could've cheered Alyssa's departure if it wasn't for the lingering dread she'd left behind. As if she could read his thoughts, she made sure to twist the dagger just a little more before walking away. "Keep working on that math worksheet, Adam. We'll pick up where we left off on Friday."

And there it was. His worst fear confirmed. His weekly lesson was now a trap for him, where she'd do with him as she pleased. Last night's abuse was just a preview of things to come. On top of that, she wasn't content to simply linger in the recesses of his mind throughout the week. She openly flaunted her dominance, her presence a lingering threat that could rear its ugly head at any moment. Nowhere would be safe from her.

Except for outside the orphanage.

Adam calmed himself slightly, remembering he had a shift at the inn later today. His work at the lumber mill throughout the week would provide another brief respite from Alyssa's domain. He'd have to see if he could get some extra hours, if only to give him more time away from her.

Their meal wrapped up shortly after Alyssa's parting when Nila declared, "I've got some homework to work on this morning. I'll see you tonight?"

The last part was directed at Adam. Even though they'd meet for lunch before he headed for his shift at the stable. Still, her intent was clear. Nila wanted to make sure they were still on for their date after dinner. Adam refused to miss it this time. "Can't wait."

Nila brightened noticeably before she skipped away, leaving Adam and Erik to finish eating and clear their places. While Erik didn't hide his feelings as well with Nila gone, he did his best to avoid talking about their date and focusing on other topics. Classes. Work. Exercise. Anything that didn't involve Adam and Nila's new relationship.

Adam did his best to stay involved in the conversation as they headed outside. Erik likely assumed he was too busy thinking about the date, but Adam was more focused on a different female. Even if he couldn't see her, Adam felt like Alyssa was watching - plotting how to further ruin his life. Whatever happened, he'd do everything in his power to avoid her tonight. He wouldn't let Alyssa continue to ruin things for Alyssa.

Or for me, he had to remind himself. He wanted to be with Nila, too. It was hard to remember over the revulsion of Alyssa's torment, but he hadn't just agreed to the date to distract himself. Maybe Nila could be the one source of joy for him. Maybe she could prove the brief gasp of fresh air before Alyssa tried to pull him under once more. It felt unfair to put that weight on her, but she didn't need to know. He'd just focus on being the boyfriend she deserved while sparing her the horror of what he endured. It was the least he could do for her. For them.

With no easy way out of Alyssa's grip, the best he could manage for now would be to find brief glimpses of freedom and happiness where he could. His friends could never know. No one could. Until he could find a way to escape, he'd keep them all in the dark, shouldering the unbearable burden as best he could.

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

"So…how was work?"

If Adam had hoped Nila would know what to do on their date, he was sorely disappointed. A walk in the cool evening sounded fantastic. Romantic even, as the sunset lit up the sky in a vibrant mixture of pinks and oranges before slowly fading to blues and purples. They'd been amazed by the beautiful display as they walked, but as the sun dipped lower and the shattered moon claimed dominion over the night, they'd quickly realized a problem with their plan.

Neither of them knew what to do.

Nila's question served as the latest in a line of abrupt questions as she desperately tried to keep the night alive. As the pair continued their slow, meandering walk around the field, they'd proved utterly inept at conversation. Whatever Adam had imagined as a first date, this sure wasn't it.

"Not bad." As silence threatened to reclaim the air, Adam tried to stretch out his answer. "We had a big caravan come in early, so I was busy taking care of all their horses. I think Eve got a little jealous, especially since we didn't have time for a ride at the end."

He'd been sort of hoping to take Eve out. The familiarity of a ride mixed with the thrill of flying around the edges of the town would've made for a great distraction. He'd even sort of considered the possibility of straying further away, just to test his boundaries. Fleeing Katai had crossed his mind a few times, after all. Alyssa wouldn't be able to follow him beyond the walls. The only problem was, he had nowhere to go once he left. A young, unarmed boy alone in the forest wouldn't last long if a Grimm came along. And given how he'd felt since last night, he was surprised every Grimm within a day's journey wasn't scaling the walls, seeking him out.

"Eve's your horse from back home, right?" Adam nodded along. "Back before you came to Katai."

"She's a beautiful mare. Fast as the wind, too. We used to fly through the fields back in Shizukana." The memories brought a small glimmer of joy as he recalled happier times. Back when the world was so much simpler. "She nearly outran a Beowolf one time."

A Grimm attack probably wasn't the best topic for a romantic evening, but it seemed to work here. "Really?" Nila's eyes widened in disbelief. "A Beowulf?"

"She's super fast," Adam confirmed. "Ran all the way back from the forest and almost made it to town before it caught up."

"Then what happened?" Nila could probably guess, considering both Adam and Eve had come out alive, but he wasn't about to leave her hanging.

"A caravan guard saved us. Charged the Grimm by himself and took it down single-handedly." Adam tried to ignore the horror that accompanied that moment, cherry-picking the less traumatic parts for Nila. "He's actually one of the reasons I want to…" Adam took a deep breath before correcting, "I wanted to become a Huntsman. If it wasn't for him, I would've been Grimm food."

"Well, I'm glad he got there in time." Adam felt his face flush at the simple declaration. He felt like it would be the perfect moment to take her hand in his, pulling her closer against his side. But no matter how much he wanted to, his muscles fought back, some unseen force keeping him separated from Nila as they walked.

Their stroll turned a corner, pointing them back at the orphanage on their latest lap. Adam's eyes scanned the building unbidden, pausing on the light coming from a second story window. He shuddered, even if he couldn't see anything specific from this distance.

His story done and the ominous window dividing his attention, they walked the rest of the lap in silence. Mercifully, the path finally curved away from the building once more, severing his uncomfortable focus.

Adam watched Nila as she stared up at the stars. They seemed to sparkle in her brown eyes. She must've sensed him watching, as she turned to return the gaze. He broke it a second later, embarrassed at being caught watching her, but she only smiled brighter.

With a nervous cough, Adam finally admitted, "I really don't know what I'm doing."

"Huh?"

"This," Adam clarified, gesturing to her. "Us. Don't get me wrong. I've really been looking forward to it." Nila's concern was replaced with satisfaction in an instant. "It's just…I've never been on a date before."

"And you think I have?" Nila laughed nervously. "In case you haven't noticed, this is all new to me, too. It's not like I'm some expert on dating."

"Me neither." Adam had read stories with romance, but they all sort of skipped the awkward dating part. The hero would rescue the damsel from some monster, something something something, and then they were married. It was the somethings he wished they'd covered. "So what do we do?"

"I dunno." Great. They were so eager to start a relationship, but neither of them knew what that meant. "You said your dad was dating before…" Nila hesitated, suddenly aware of how close she was to ruining the mood. "Before you came here. What did he do?"

Adam tried to recall all the time Father Bernard and Mazarin spent together. "They talked a lot. Ate dinner together. Not much else." At least, not that he'd seen. He always went to bed before them, but he could sometimes hear them talking more in the next room. He doubted they were doing anything risque after he went to sleep. Heck, he didn't think they'd ever even kissed. At least not in front of him.

Nila considered his observations for a moment. "We already eat together. And we're talking now…" She shrugged as she started walking again. Adam followed instinctively. "Seems like we're checking all the boxes."

"If that's the case, then Erik and I are dating, too." Heck, if eating together and talking were all it took, then practically everyone was dating.

Nila laughed at the absurdity. "I guess there's more to it, then." But what more was there? He'd seen couples back in Shizukana a few times. Teenagers attending various parties together. Even the occasional dance, where they'd awkwardly shuffle around to music. He doubted they'd host something like that anytime soon.

Maybe it was just doing stuff together that made it a date. But it had to be something more. Was it a date just because you said it was? And how was dating that different from just being friends?

Nila came up with an idea before he could. "Well…we could always do more…"

Adam's mind raced with all sorts of ideas of what more meant. He swallowed nervously, but before he could ask, Nila slowly reached over and took his hand in hers as she continued walking. Her hand felt incredibly soft and warm in his. She shuffled closer to him, lightly brushing against his side as they continued walking further away from the muffled noises of the orphanage. It was dark out now, but neither of them minded. Faunus vision, he told himself, but the truth was he enjoyed the solitude it granted from everyone else.

"See? Is that so bad?" Nila asked, gently squeezing his hand. Adam's content smile proved answer enough for her. "Honestly, I was a little worried."

"About what?"

"It's silly, but…after last night, when you didn't come," Nila began uneasily, a nervous chuckle slipping in, "I started to wonder if, maybe, you changed your mind. You know. About me?" Her ears drooped as she ducked her head. "I know you weren't feeling good, but this is all so new to me. And I just worried…"

"It's not you," Adam said, cutting Nila off before she could go any further. The last thing he wanted was her blaming herself for his actions. The blame fell squarely on Alyssa.

"I didn't want to think so…" She obviously did. "But then at breakfast…you pulled away from me…and I thought-"

"No." Adam hadn't realized how it must've looked to her. Stood up on her first date, and when she tried to talk to him, he'd practically leapt away from her touch entirely. Not exactly something a boyfriend would do. "I'm sorry. It's just…"

How could he tell her? That he pulled away because the memory of someone else touching him had been too repulsive? That he'd been abused by the only other female he trusted? Even without Alyssa's threats hanging over him, he wasn't sure he could explain just how messed up everything had become.

Would she even want anything to do with him if she knew? He was damaged. Tainted. Ruined by another. How could someone so pure and innocent stand to be around someone so…used.

"I'm not comfortable with stuff like that in public," he lied. A couple of days ago, he would've been thrilled to hold hands with her, even if everyone was watching. He still would, if the memory of another set of hands didn't haunt him. Even as he thought about it, his hand slipped from hers.

This was the best he could offer. Maybe in time things would get better, but Alyssa's dark promise made him suspect it wouldn't. He'd do his best for Nila, though. Or, at the very least, he'd try to hide the truth from her. Better that she believe he was fine than find out the truth.

Rather than accept his flimsy excuse, though, Nila took a quick look around before saying, "We're not in public right now…"

Adam barely had time for his eyes to widen as Nila stepped closer, standing on her toes as her lips crashed into his. Their noses bumped awkwardly, but Nila refused to let that stop her. Instead, they stood in the dark, faces pressed together like the two inexperienced teens that they were. They probably looked ridiculous.

Adam didn't care. Unlike last time, this was no quick peck on the cheek. Nila didn't run away, either. She leaned further, grasping his shirt in her hands to steady herself as she fought for height. Adam allowed himself to be dragged down just far enough to make up the difference, earning a relieved sigh from Nila as her feet planted on the ground once more.

Adam wanted more. He wanted to pull her closer. Push harder. Scoop her up in his arms and carry her away. Push her against the wall and bury his tongue-

Adam jerked away with a gasp, stumbling to catch himself before his rear could become acquainted with the dirt. Nila stood there, breathing a little heavier as Adam's mind desperately sought to come back to the present. His arm ached as the memory of Alyssa's "real" kiss fought for control. He shivered as he realized what had just happened.

He hated everything about what Alyssa had done, but in that moment, he'd craved the sensation, albeit with Nila. He'd imagined doing the very thing that Alyssa had done to him - of taking advantage of Nila the same way. Even now, he could feel the desire for more. Things that he knew were wrong. His mind revolted at the physical urges, but that didn't stop them from coming.

Thankfully, Nila didn't notice, mistaking his panic for shock at her advance. If only she knew what he'd been imagining, she might not smile so prettily for him.

"That's what I think dating is," Nila summarized, brushing some loose hair behind her ear. Adam couldn't meet her eyes. Not after the…things he'd thought. What he'd wanted.

Adam tried to recover, begging the gods to never let her know. No answer came as the best he could muster was slightly flustered.

Nila completely misread the situation. "That good, huh?" Her face showed a strange mix of joy and concern. She watched him for any sign, desperate to know if she'd gone too far.

She had no idea how far he'd thought of going.

He should've been over the moon right now. No matter what Alyssa claimed, that had been a real kiss. Nila may have initiated it, but it was one they both wanted. It was awkward. It was clumsy. It was everything he'd wanted and more.

Until Alysa's cancerous influence nearly ruined the whole thing.

"C'mon. We should head back." This time, Nila didn't grab his hand as they veered off the path and headed for the orphanage. She walked a little taller, though, as they neared the building. She finally stopped and faced him as they reached the edge of the patio. "I had a great time tonight, Adam. We should do this again."

"Y-yeah." Adam stumbled over his words, which only made Nila smile brighter.

"I'll see you at breakfast," she promised, lingering for just a moment before disappearing inside. Adam watched her go longingly. The temptation to call her back danced on the tip of his tongue. He didn't want the evening to end. As he reached out, intent on chasing her down to squeeze just a few more moments together out of the night, a movement above caught his eye.

Adam froze as he saw the shadowy outline of someone watching from above. He ran for the door, never stopping until he reached his room and the façade of safety it held. Even if he hadn't been able to see them clearly, he knew immediately who it was.

There really was no escaping her.

Obviously, Alyssa's abuse is going to have some psychological impacts on Adam. She's basically made it clear that she is in charge, now. And things will only escalate from there. It doesn't help that she is basically everywhere. Meanwhile, poor Nila has no idea what she's dealing with and just wants to get close to her new boy toy.

In regards to last chapter, I wanted to briefly explain why I would include something that I find so revolting. I try to never write something just for shock factor. Everything has a reason, otherwise I wouldn't bother. This isn't just a case of me wanting to have an M rating (I much prefer sticking to T ratings and rarely read anything above that unless I know the author and feel confident certain things won't happen). I mean, I don't even use swear words in my writing, so this definitely isn't my typical style.

When studying Adam a while back, it seemed kinda obvious he has some issues in his past. The blinding hatred of humanity is linked to foul treatment, especially the branding of his face in canon. But he also has some serious dependency issues when it comes to Blake, which is why he goes kinda nutso when she leaves. To me, this points to some other deep-seated trauma in his past, likely related to relationships in some way. Which is where the idea of Alyssa's betrayal and vileness came about. We see a tiny bit here, but this kind of treatment can cause some deep psychological issues over time, which will be evident more as we move forward. All the crap I put Adam through in this story is breaking him down in specific ways that I think will fit the character we see in canon. I don't actually enjoy writing a scene like last chapter. In fact, I've been kind of dreading it. But it fits his behavior too well in my mind to skip. This is meant to be a believable background for him, after all, so buckle up for a very bumpy ride.

Anyways, just wanted to put that all out there, just in case there were questions on why I would write something like that. I'd much rather stick to In RWBY's Shadow, where things stay more light-hearted most of the time. Or the comedy of Beacons of Love. But if we're gonna explore the life of a broken character, we have to break him first.

Next chapter: Alyssa continues her reign of terror while Adam desperately wonders how to cope.