Jimmy, Grian and 3 cats can't stop the twinge of worry I feel when Gem comes back and tells us there's a meeting. I stand unwillingly, trying to hide the fact I've been crying. Grian takes my hand.

'Jimmy, find the other board members.' With a nod, he runs off. 'Grian, Scar, follow me.'

We make our way towards Impulse's office again, but veer left to another door nearby. The guards open it. Impulse is already there, as is a blue haired figure in a white hoodie with narrowed eyes. As I take in the room, Gem signals to two seats nearest the door before crossing around to her own, next to Impulse's. It's round, with strange dark blue plants over the walls and floor. Grian sits down. I join him, not wanting to be the only one left standing. Jellie jumps into my lap.

'Hey Jevin.' Grian gives a small smile. The blue haired figures narrows his eyes at us, not replying, as the others appear.

Jimmy and Tango I recognise, but then the second blue haired guy with a jacket like Jimmy's, the blue eyed blonde pair, one in knight's armour, the other with longer hair and goggles, and the pair with brown hair and beards - one of whom is carrying a child - I don't know. They all take their seats around the room while Grian tries to give me names.

'Now, Hermes. This is a very important meeting so you'll need to be quiet ok?' The guy with the child explains patiently. The little boy I assume is called Hermes sits down on his lap, pointing eagerly over and me and Grian.

'Daddy Sausage look! Uncle Grian!'

'Grian?!'

'Hey Sausage!' I wave with him, before Impulse starts the meeting. Discomfort fills me again at the sight of the empty chair to his right.

'Everyone, quiet. Now, we're here to discuss the subject of newcomer, Scar. Who some of you may know better by the name Hotguy.'

The room, already quiet, somehow falls even silenter. Sausage's expression turns from cheerful to cold. I stare down at the table.

'However, we have received evidence from both him and ex-member Grian that he acted against his own will, and now Ren has turned against him, threatening the death sentence. He and Grian arrived earlier today seeking asylum. The question we must discuss is if we will give it.'

'No!' Sausage bursts out. 'He killed Pearl... Hermes stay away from the dirty Pearl-murderer!' The child, who'd been walking towards me, curious, shuffled back to Sausage.

'How do we even know they're telling the truth?' Tango argues. 'The only people who's word we have on this are Scar, who killed Pearl, and Grian, who we last saw talking with one of Ren's closest advisors. And right after- Skizz.'

'On the contrary.' The other bearded person counters. 'Ren himself released a live broadcast warning about Scar. And after the execution of Sir Cubalot, who we know was a very close friend, why would he still be on the same side?' Grian puts a hand on my shoulder at Cub's name.

'I agree with Pix.' Adds Gem. 'After listening earlier to Scar's side of the story, I don't believe at all he was to blame. And the freak explosion we all believed to have killed Cubalot and Scar was their way of escaping from Ren's control... Why would Scar stay on Ren's side after leaving?'

'Hotguy killed Pearl. He could kill again. We don't know what he's capable of.' Sausage stubbornly adds.

'Jevin, you were on watch of the city earlier. Did you see anything to suggest Grian and Scar's story was true?'

'There were guards everywhere around this one block they put into lockdown.'

'Boatem flats. That's where we were.' Grian pitches in. Jevin nods.

'Exactly.'

'So the story is true. Big deal. Grian's only come back for his own benefit anyway. We have no proof they even care about the cause.'

'Can I speak?' Tango falls silent at my interruption. 'I don't know if you'll believe me, but Ren tore me from my life, forcing me to kill with no pay for his benefit and refusing me medical assistance when I was hurt. And when I got caught, he didn't even try to rescue me. Instead it was Cub, my best friend, the only reason I'm alive, who Ren later murdered on live television, before not even offering me my job back again, instead sending guards who drove us out of our home and murdered an innocent, and another one of my closest friend. I sit here in front of you now, homeless and defenceless, begging for assistance and a chance to kill Ren for everything he's done to me.' No one speaks. Everyone is looking at me as I try to finish without breaking down. 'So I will do whatever I can to help you bring Ren to justice.'

I start crying. Grian hugs me. And, on my other side, failing to reach high enough, Hermes does the same.

'Don't cry, Uncle Scar.' He tries to comfort me with. 'It'll be ok...'

'Can we resume the discussion now?' The second blue-haired person interrupts, showing off a clear Scottish accent. 'Without crying?'

'What else is there to discuss?' Snaps Grian. 'Scar has lost everything, I have lost everything, to Ren! We have nowhere else to go!'

'All in favour of letting Scar and Grian stay?' Impulse cuts through the shouts. We all fall silent, and everyone except Tango votes, including Hermes and, after a second, Sausage. 'Then it is decided. Gem, you find them a place to stay. Everyone else, you're dismissed.

I don't move, watching the others go first. Grian stays next to me, and Jimmy pauses to ask if I'm ok. Tango also stayed to argue with Impulse. I try to ignore it.

'We should go and find Gem and get our stuff.' Grian suggests. I nod, following out. Jellie joins me. 'You look exhausted.'

Another nod, accompanied by a yawn. Gem finds us first, leading us to a whole other section full of small rooms I assume are for sleeping. It doesn't take long for Gem to find a free one, deciding it's Grian's. Discomfort fills me as I realise we'll end up separate. I'll be trapped here alone.

'We're sharing.' Grian pulls me out of my thoughts by saying.

'There's only one bed.'

'We don't mind.' I reply. 'I don't want to be alone here.'

'Alright... I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast. It'll be early, so get a good sleep now.' She unlocks the room. Unease again at the thought of getting locked in.

'Give me the key.' My panic makes me say. Gem frowns.

'What?'

'Ren locked me in my room at the castle.' To my relief, and mild surprise, Gem willingly passes Grian the key. We enter the room. It's small, but big enough to call home.

'You have the bed.' Grian decides.

'We swap each night.'

'You have it first.' Too tired to argue, I sit down on it, kicking off my shoes. I don't bother to find somewhere to change as I lie down and fall asleep.