I called them today. I borrowed Shura's phone and called my adoptive parents.

"Elaine?" Mom said, recognizing my voice immediately. Her name is Jo Ann Steffon, by the way. "We weren't expecting to hear from you."

"I know," I said softly. "I… ran away. I'm sorry."

"It's all right, honey, but you can't call here," she replied gently. "Your real family doesn't want us contacting each other."

"Will you come to Japan for graduation?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"We already have our plane tickets," Mom replied.

I smiled, relief washing over me. "Good."

Xxx

Rin lost track of Lia at school. They had different classes, and when she didn't show up where they were supposed to meet, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest. Without a second thought, he ditched class to look for her.

Where would she go? he wondered, scanning the hallways and peeking into empty classrooms. How will I find her?

His search eventually took him outside. The rain was pouring, cold and relentless, but he didn't care. Of course, it had to be raining, he thought bitterly, stepping into the storm. He cursed himself for not grabbing an umbrella but pressed on anyway, the water soaking him to the bone.

He made his way toward the forest, his shoes squelching in the mud. The weight of his drenched clothes and the fatigue pulling at his legs didn't stop him. He kept going, his focus solely on finding her.

That's when he saw it—a faint glow in the distance, shimmering through the sheets of rain.

Rin's pace quickened as he followed the light, pushing branches and wet leaves out of his way until he emerged into a clearing. His breath caught in his throat.

Lia was kneeling on the ground, her white wings drooping and dragging in the mud. The soft glow around her was dim, and she looked fragile, her entire form trembling.

"Lia?" Rin called out, his voice breaking.

Her head snapped up, and she glared at him, though her eyes were filled with fear. "What are you doing here?" she snapped. Her voice was sharp, but he could hear the panic underneath. "Get out of here!"

"What happened?" Rin asked, taking a step closer. "Are you hurt?"

"Please, Rin," she shouted, panic overtaking her tone, "before I change back! Just leave!"

Rin froze, his heart clenching at the sight of her pale face and shaking body. Something was seriously wrong, but she was trying to push him away.

"I'm not leaving," he said firmly, stepping closer.

"Don't come closer!" Lia warned, tears streaming down her face.

Rin ignored her, closing the distance until he was beside her. Gently, he reached out and touched the edge of one of her wings. It twitched under his hand, the feathers wet and heavy.

"Calm down," he said softly, his voice steady despite the worry gnawing at him. "It's okay. Come home."

"I don't want you to see me like this," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain.

"If it's because you're embarrassed, I won't look," Rin replied bluntly. "But you're sick. You need help. Can you walk?"

Lia sighed, defeated. "Yes."

Rin took her hand, leading her carefully back toward the dorms. The rain continued to pour as they trudged through the forest, Lia's steps unsteady. He kept a steady grip on her, making sure she didn't fall.

When they finally reached the dorm, Lia collapsed onto the floor as soon as they were inside.

"I need blankets!" Rin yelled, panic rising in his voice.

Shiemi appeared almost instantly, carrying an armful of blankets. "Is Lia okay?" she asked, worry etched on her face.

"I—I don't know…" Rin admitted, his focus entirely on Lia.

Yukio stood in the doorway, watching silently. Rin's shoulders tensed, but there wasn't time to argue with him.

"Get… Get out!" Lia cried weakly. "You… you said you wouldn't look. Please, let me change back alone."

With a soft burst of light, her wings vanished, and she returned to her human form. She grabbed a blanket and wrapped it tightly around herself, shivering.

Rin couldn't stop himself from looking, and what he saw made his heart ache. Scars crisscrossed her arms, long and jagged, and faint lines were visible on her chest.

"So, it's true," Yukio said quietly, his tone heavy. "Lia… you really did this to yourself…"

Rin's blood boiled, and without hesitation, he turned and punched Yukio square in the face. "Don't talk about her like that! This was Mephisto's fault!"

"What do you even know about her?" Yukio snapped, rubbing his jaw, his anger flaring. "You didn't visit her once when she was locked away! You ran away like a coward!"

"Stop it! Just stop," Lia said weakly, stepping between them.

But Yukio didn't stop. "You make me sick, Rin. You don't even deserve her. She risked everything for you, and where were you? She cried herself to sleep every night, and Haru and I were the ones who held her."

Rin staggered back, Yukio's words hitting him harder than the rain had.

Lia slapped Yukio hard, her voice trembling with anger. "You remember our past, Yukio, and stop talking to him like that."

"For your sake, Lia, not his," Yukio said coldly before leaving the room.

Rin stood frozen, guilt and doubt swirling in his mind. Is it true? Did Mephisto do this to her? Is this my fault?

He clenched his fists, staring at the floor. How can I protect her when I don't even understand her?

Xxx

I was half-asleep when Rin came into the room.

"Lia," he said hesitantly. "I think you should stay in Yukio's room. Or maybe Shiemi's."

"What?" I sat up, shocked. "Rin… did I do something wrong?"

To my embarrassment, I started to cry. I was sick and tired, and now Rin wanted me to leave? I should have known he didn't care.

I stood abruptly. "Forget you. Forget all of this."

I ran out of the dorm, all the way to Aria's house. I knocked on the door, my tears still falling.

"Lia?" Aria said, opening the door. "What's wrong?"

"I… I need a place to sleep," I said.

"You're welcome to stay here," Aria's mom said kindly.

I stepped inside, curling up on the floor of Aria's room.