I hated bullies.

Bullies of all sorts. bullies who stared you down. bullies who beat you up. bullies who called you "Freak" or "loser" or "fag". Bullies who pretended to be nice but spread cruel rumors about you.

I hated them.

Harry's code told me that I needed to avoid bullies. I needed to avoid being bullied, and I needed to avoid being a bully. not just for morality and for safety, but because people remembered bullies and people remember bullied kids who were called "psycho" every day.

I was also forbidden to be an anti-bully vigilante. I wasn't to hurt, fight, or intercede more than an "acceptable" amount to stand up for bullied kids or against bullies. People would remember that too. If people found out somebody was going around killing bad people, they might think, "Hey, Dexter played superhero in school, maybe he decided to take it to the next level."

Besides, Harry told me, some of those bullies would end up on my table. He also said that some of those bullies would end up in law enforcement.

(He was right on both scores. Isn't that right, Sergeant James Doakes?)

Deb didn't like bullies either.

"Dex, why do you let those assholes walk all over you?" She said one night. We had bumped into one another. Deb was getting water, I had been staying up way too late gaming and watching horror movies.

"What do you mean?" I said. it was a lie and a weak one. I knew she was talking about several of my "friends" who largely just dragged me along places to make fun of me. it was degrading. It made my skin crawl.

But it was a good cover, and they were afraid enough of my cop dad that they wouldn't do anything too egregious.

"Jason. Rick. That ho bag Beth. they treat you like shit."

"I dunno.' I said lamely, shrugging.

"I dunno isn't an answer. Have dad kick their asses."

"Like having my dad solve my problems will help me out with bullying."

"Fitting in isn't everything. Fuck I could take Beth at least. Give me a shot."

"Deb. No I...I want to fit in."

"Dex, you are not going to fit in. You are a total geek and weirdo."

"Then fine. Let me get bullied."

"No way! You're my brother, and being weird is no reason to be bullied." Deb said.

"From what I can tell, it is the reason to be bullied."

"Nobody deserves to be bullied. Maybe assholes just to stop them from being assholes but not like this. Can't you hang out with your geek friends."

"I can I guess but...well dad told me to never refuse friendships." I said.

"Dex, those aren't your friends. They call you "freak" they call you a "fag" they even call you..."

"What else?" I said, dread pooled in my stomach.

"A...a "sister fucker" they say your into me or whatever."

"Wouldn't the whole fag thing kinda contradict the sister fucking thing."

"Jesus, Dex. logic of these dumbfucks isn't the point. They don't give a shit about you." Deb said. She was very impassioned about this.

"I know. but...I also don't want to make enemies."

"Why is it so important for you to fit in? It's not like you have much time left before you graduate. tell them to fuck off."

"...Deb, I can't."

"Why not?"

I had nothing else to say. I can't exactly admit what I am.

"If you don't tell me, I'll talk to Mom and Dad. They'll help you if you won't."

"No! Stop." I grabbed Deb's wrist. I remembered the Code and certain whispered but angry lectures by my father about how I was not to hurt Deb ever, and I recoiled. Deb looked at me, first with a...perhaps stunned look on her face, then...it went blank.

"Deb?"

But she just kept looking at me. It made me uncomfortable.

"...Dad knows."

I don't know why I said that. Something about the night air, the waxing moon, the look on Deb's face, and in her eyes. I needed to say something.

"Dad knows? The fuck do you mean?" Deb said. This was Deb still at the height of her hero worship of our father. She had yet to spend so much of her life chasing him without Mother to soothe her disappointments. Yet to be jaded by the secrets hidden in the shadow of his legacy.

"He knows that...those friends aren't always the best to me."

"Dex, their dickheads. Why hasn't he done anything?" Deb was hurt. Her image of Harry as a paragon of justice was being shaken. I needed to respond.

"Him intervening would only make me look worse. I can deal with it. Trust me."

"...Are you sure? Bad things tend to happen to people who get bullied. I don't want you hurt." Deb, at 15, was already stronger than many adults. Right then, she looked like a scared child again.

"Don't worry. I'm your big brother, remember. I do know a few things you don't."

"...Like what?" Deb said. I was surprised by the lack of a smartass comment.

"Like the fact I have a ton of their secrets. Being their minion gave me that honor. I have a plan to bust them before the end of the year." I said. It was true. I couldn't kill them. Hurt them physically, but I could deal them payback. Balance the books.

"Seriously?" Deb said. Was that a smile?

"Yep. " I said.

"Dexter, you devious bastard! I underestimated you. I hope those pricks get what's coming to them." Deb said.

"They will." I said. Deb gave me a hug and bolted off.

Hm. That felt..nice. It had been a bit since Deb had hugged me. Maybe that was why.

I appreciated her concern a lot. That was...nice too.

That night I dreamt of me slashing my way through Jason, Rick, Beth, and a few others, all while Deb cheered me on.