In his basement, Evaughn got ready to go to Luka's party. He used a mirror nailed to the wall to check his appearance.

He scanned his long, straight hair and slid off the elastic tie holding it together. With little effort, he secured his hair again until it was good enough. Then he fixed the collar on his button-up and jacket, removing the uniform's necktie for a less formal look.

When his stomach growled, he knew it was time to head out. He ran upstairs and placed his shoes on.

The silence in the house was proof that Neo was out, possibly at a bar. Possibly to find a new girlfriend. A new victim, Evaughn thought as he picked his loafers out from the clutter of shoes.

Afterwards, he walked out to get his bike, the slight breeze hitting his face at the same time. During his bike ride to 333 Parkside Drive, he found himself staring at the sky more often than usual.

***

Evaughn didn't have to search hard for the party house— the bright lights, muted shouts, and resonating bass led him three blocks away from the place itself. He lowered his bike against the vast yard and slid his hands into the pockets on his pants.

As expected, there were people on the front steps, red solo cups in hand. He approached the front door where a crowd had formed. The goal, he reminded himself, was to find the food.

Luckily, it didn't take long to find the table of hotdogs which were currently being... thrown into people's mouths for sport.

Evaughn abandoned the idea of hotdogs and looked for the kitchen instead. Though he was average in height, he could look over most heads. He drew closer to the glimpse of a refrigerator and a smile formed when he saw no one else occupying the kitchen.

On a countertop was a pile of pizza boxes. Mouth watering, Evaughn rushed to open the first only to find it... empty. Still optimistic, he tried the second box but to no avail. And the next three boxes did nothing but draw a certain someone's attention to him.

It was only a matter of time before he turned around and noticed the girl leaning against the doorway, watching the scene intently.

Brunette, upturned eyes, extremely short skirt...

Evaughn's cheeks tinted red. There was no doubt that Iris Caynes was an attractive girl. He had to remind himself that she was in a relationship. A very public one at that.

Iris smiled, revealing her dimples. "There's more on the way. Luka should be bringing it in now."

"Alright."

She nodded her head. "Oh yeah. My name's Iris Caynes," she extended her hand and he shook it.

He dipped his chin. "Evaughn Ruhl."

"Ooh that's such a nice name..." She gasped and her head turned on a swivel. "How would you feel about me calling you Eve?"

One thought of his uncle and he was ready to say that he minded a lot, but something about the hopeful look on her face made him say, "Up to you."

Iris' eyes lit up. She didn't respond, though, because Luka Altair walked in with at least ten more pizza boxes and a grin on his face.

"I didn't think you'd come." Luka set the boxes down to stretch his hand muscles. "I was starting to lose hope."

Iris chimed in, "Wait, do you know Eve?"

"Eve...? Is that what she's calling you? Babe, for the last time, don't call people you barely know by their nicknames. They get uncomfortable."

"He's okay with it. I asked." She bumped his shoulder with hers. "Oh, and leave him his own box."

"Huh?"

She tried to subtly pinch his wrist to shut him up before whispering something. Luka seemed to take the hint, whatever it was.

Evaughn looked back and forth at the couple. He felt like an outcast although he was the subject of their conversation. Really, he knew they only spoke to him out of pity. Over the years, he had built a reputation for being an outsider; being lower class in a private school was an oxymoron, but it was also his reality.

They wouldn't understand. He didn't expect them to.

"I'll take one slice like everyone else."

"No, it's fine, really," Luka smiled. "The pizza place gave us a discount." He left one box and took the rest to the noisy living room, raising them in the air over the many heads.

Evaughn was once again left alone with Iris. He held up a slice of pizza and leaned against the island table. "I can tell you're pitying me."

She was taken aback, ready to explain herself and apologize when he cut in.

"But if it means I get free food, then I don't mind."

"So dig in." Iris' smile was fleeting. "But really, I don't mean to. You just looked hungry."

"Did I?" He raised a brow.

"Eve, you were scavenging for food."

"Okay, scavenging?"

They shared laughter.

Evaughn's laughter ended sooner than hers did. He was the first to notice Dimitri Leroux who wore a conceited look. He slid his hand around Iris' waist and pulled her in for a tight hug, the eye contact with Evaughn never breaking.

Evaughn blew air from his nose. It was almost amusing how pathetic the guy was.

The overly friendly girl simply giggled while pushing his chest. "Go away, you. I'm talking to someone."

"Who, this guy?" Dimitri pointed. "He isn't worth your time. A girl as pretty as you shouldn't be seen with guys like him. They're crazy. You don't know what he's capable of."

She gave him a confused look. "I don't think he is."

"No, he definitely is."

Evaughn put down the slice and wiped his hand. "Say it to my face then," he stepped in front of the guy.

Dimitri didn't hold back. He stepped up until they were chest to chest. "Look, Vaughn, penniless welfare trash like you don't belong in this school. You're all fucking crazy. In fact, I bet you've spiked her drink already, and you plan to rap—."

Evaughn didn't consider himself a fighter. But there were lines that Dimitri knowingly crossed.

He hit Dimitri's chest. Hard. The latter stumbled and fell back against the fridge but quickly recovered. By now, Iris was urging them to stop, and the thud Dimitri created sparked people's interest. A crowd was forming.

Dimitri grabbed his opponent's collar and twisted him around until his back hit a wall. Evaughn's neck was being strangled, and he could only intake short breaths of air. He gritted his teeth and peeled Dimitri's hands enough to speak.

"If... agh... If I'm c-crazy, you're f-fucking mental."

"I'm going to fucking kill you." Dimitri strangled harder. His hands were shaking.

Even still, Evaughn used his strength to punch the guy off of him. Dimitri fell on his back, clutching his face. Evaughn quickly jumped atop him. He grabbed hold of his collar, connecting fist to jaw.

From there, it was a battle of who'd remain on top the longest. The two boys wrestled back and forth. Meanwhile, phones were pulled out to record the event. Everyone was either worried, instigating, or laughing.

Currently crushed under Dimitri's body, Evaughn grew weaker every second. The former's hand found it's way around his jaw and gripped hard. Evaughn's head was forced against the tile floor.

Dimitri lowered his volume into the exposed ear. "This is what happens when you mess with me." His fingers dug into the boy's jaw.

"Gah!" When Dimitri's first punch connected with his face, Evaughn's arms lifted and crossed over it. Now, he was adamant on removing the artificial shield. He punched his rival's forearms continuously.

His goal? To break bones.

And when he got tired of targeting his arms, Dimitri went for his groin with his knee. Not once, not twice, but three times he struck the sensitive area.

Mouth stuck open, Evaughn's eyes bulged out their sockets. The pain vibrated throughout his bones, creating tiny needles that spiked at his insides. His body was pulsating. He was sure Dimitri achieved his goal.

Little by little, Dimitri's grasp loosened. The reason being that Luka entered the scene, wrapping his hands around his cousin and prying him off. Dimitri was pushed against a wall where two others held him still.

"Let me fucking go!"

As soon as he had the chance, Evaughn cradled his own body and tended to his lower half, still in shock.

Luka then crouched by the long haired boy who was rolling back and forth. He stared in disbelief.

"Don't look at me like that," Evaughn huffed, wincing every now and then. "I'm sick of you. And Iris. And everyone else who looks at me like I'm a fucking charity project— Agh!"

Luka shook his head. He motioned to one of the guys who somehow got Dimitri to calm down. "Take him up to the guest room, Max. Guys, make a path for him, come on."

Max did as he said, heaving Evaughn's arm and helping him walk, or rather, dragging him up the stairs.

Dimitri laughed and motioned to the crowd. "Hey, by the way, if you're going to post the videos you all took, make sure you let them know who's the fucking alpha here!" He took off his shirt and whipped it around, gaining cheers from the crowd.

***

When Evaughn woke up, it was silent.

He searched his surroundings and easily deduced he was still at Luka's house.

Evaughn looked at the tray of food laid beside him on the bed. A stack of three pancakes with scrambled eggs on the side. He felt his mouth moisten. He couldn't remember a day that he ate breakfast. Perhaps it was hidden in his memory. Either way, he picked himself up and—.

When the sheets dropped, his eyes widened.

At the same time, Luka opened the door. The two boys made eye contact. Embarrassed, Evaughn quickly covered himself. It wasn't the fact that he was missing his pants and shirt. It was the realization that they had seen his body.

The slashes on his back, chest and legs were out in the open. The bruises and stitches were visible. Evaughn's face turned dark and grim. He was living and breathing his worst nightmare. He shook his head at an increasing pace.

This couldn't be happening.

There was no way. For years he had managed to hide the scars from everyone. There was no way all that effort was being flushed down the drain because of one foolish guy.

Slowly, Evaughn shifted towards him, face melting in heating anger. Under his breath he asked, "Where are my clothes?"

Luka held his palms out as he neared the bed. "I didn't mean to expose anything. Before you passed out last night, you kept complaining about the heat, so I—."

"Where are my clothes?" The question was louder this time.

Luka spoke faster. "I helped you out of your uniform and I just happened to see these bruises. But listen, I'm not weirded out or anything. I can understand and I do want to help—."

Evaughn held his head to keep his brain intact. He felt like he was losing it. "Where are my fucking clothes?!"

Luka extended his pointer. "In that closet."

At full tilt, Evaughn moved to rummage through the closet. He undid the neat folds his clothes were in and dressed himself in record time.

"I can tell you're going through things at home. I want to help you," he continued, disregarding every disgusted look he was met with. "My dad is the Police Commissioner in this area. He knows how to deal with—."

"No. No," Evaughn repeated the word louder for emphasis. "You want to help me, Luka? Help me by keeping your mouth shut."

Luka inhaled, his hand slipping through his short hair.

Evaughn closed the gap between them. "The bruises are from Dimitri. I scraped myself during the fight. That's all there is to it."

"Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"I honestly don't give a fuck what you believe," He impatiently buttoned his shirt. "Just don't run your mouth about this."

With nothing else said, he left the room, descended the stairs, and picked up his bike to begin a long ride home. Fear must've overtook his hunger, because not once did he think about the breakfast he abandoned.

The boy on the bike looked behind at the house. He could only hope that Luka would take his advice. If Neo learned that he knew about the scars, there was no telling what would happen to him.

After all, Evaughn never really knew exactly how his uncle's victims met their end.

He didn't know anything except the process.

And the process always ended in blood.