Hugo handled it by allowing my aunt and uncle to speak to Lobo. My uncle cooperated fully. He admitted to everything honestly when he was asked. Lobo found him forgivable as he only did what he did out of fear for his family. Hugo took a liking to him, but none of us ever heard from Bruno's mother again. I accepted that it could only mean that she was a threat to me somehow. Nobody missed her, especially Bruno.

Bruno also had some questions and concerns on how Alejandro knew to show up when he did. Hugo admired his observation skills. It was revealed that before I had moved in, hidden microphones and spy cameras were planted all over the place. Some areas, such as the bathrooms and bedrooms, were kept private, but cameras were available in places where it would be known who entered or exited these places. Sandy especially felt relieved that meant she could go to the bathroom without anyone spying on her. Bruno was concerned "How many times did I show my dick?" Hugo actually smiled and asked "How many times did your girlfriend land on her knees?" Sandy blushed furiously. Bruno only chuckled.

Sandy also made a point to approach me, and apologize; or at least that was what her intent was. This ability to empathize with people the way I did, it could be a curse to feel other people's intentions or emotions at times. With Sandy, I could only feel her regret, and her pain, her guilt. When she tried to apologize to me, all she could do was fight tears. I knew she didn't mean for it to turn out the way it did, or could have done. I simply hugged her, and she hugged me back. Bruno happened to find us that way. He looked as if he would have let us be, out of respect, but Sandy beckoned him near, and she pulled him into a group hug. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if this was what family felt like.

We got to stay, all of us. Now that Bruno and Sandy were in a more relaxed atmosphere, they were a lot more open and friendly; both towards one another, and to me. Sandy's father made it clear he was no longer with her stepmother anymore, and gave them both a green-light to date one another. They still spent quite a lot of time alone together, but every once in a while they would come to my room to visit. On one of these such days, they found me with Ferdinand.

"Aw, look at the little stuffy," said Bruno.

"Hey! Give me that back!" I said good-naturedly. I knew he was only teasing, but still.

"What is this thing, anyway?" asked Bruno, ignoring me. "Is it a goat or something?"

"He's Ferdinand. Now give it back!"

"Aw, Ferdinand? I loved that story," said Sandy. She took him from Bruno to look at herself. "Where did you get this? Is it handmade?"

"Mine!" I said, snatching him back and holding him close.

"Was he Alejandro's?" asked Sandy.

I said nothing.

"Aw! I think Jani has a crush," said Bruno.

I said nothing again and pulled my over-size hoodie over my head.

"I think somebody does," said Sandy, her voice all sultry. "So how long has this gone on?"

"Nothing is going on. I'm underage."

"For now," said Bruno.

"Not that," said Sandy. "I mean your feelings."

I was thoughtful. "My so-called parents were throwing Alejandro Jones things at me as long as I can remember, but when I actually got to meet him in the show, he was nice. He comforted me. I could see that he was Maria's son. That was when I started developing feelings for him, because I could see kindness in him, just like her."

"Does he know?" asked Sandy.

"He knows," I said.

"He doesn't appear to care much," said Bruno. I understand why he would think that. After all, Hugo was the most they had ever seen of Alejandro.

"That's what I first thought about you," said Sandy.

"I cared!" said Bruno. "I just couldn't show my feelings at the time."

"What made you change your mind?" I asked.

"When we both realized we would never get caught," said Bruno. "Still would have, if it hadn't been for you moving in."

"You know she only called us out because we were both so mean," said Sandy.

"Yeah," said Bruno, "but at the time it felt like we had too much to lose, and it was nice to watch Mom bitch at somebody else for a change."

"Very nice change," said Sandy.

"Do you ever miss her?" I asked.

"No!" they both said.

"Do you ever wonder what happened to her?" I asked.

"Don't really care," said Bruno. Sandy said nothing.

"Was there anything nice about her at all?" I asked.

"Was there anything nice about yours?" asked Bruno.

I was thoughtful. "She did let me meet Alejandro."

"That doesn't count," said Bruno. "Had he been like either of your parents, you would not have had a choice."

"She did let you keep that tacky thing," said Sandy playfully.

"Hey! Leave Ferdinand alone!" I laughed. "She didn't let me keep him. She told me to throw him away and I hid him in my closet from her. I didn't get to find him again for a long time."

"How did you manage to find him again?" asked Sandy.

"The night I had to..." I thought of that night. Of my father, and then my mother, and later on my uncle. I couldn't tell them about it. The less they knew, the less dangerous it would be for them. I hugged Ferdinand close and said "I don't want to talk about it."

"Okay," said Sandy. She wasn't smiling anymore.

Bruno said nothing. He just quietly observed as always.

We shifted our conversation talking about every day, mundane things. Things like what we had to do for school, what we were thinking of having for our next meal. We no longer went to public school. We hired tutor instead. Though to be honest, I did most of the tutoring to them. After the trauma I had to live through, it was decided I needed stability more than I needed socialization. That was fine with me. By bonding with Bruno and Sandy, it was giving me a sense of safe place and home. There was talk of us picking colleges together. I was unsure, but they were both adamant about being with me. They would both know the words to say if it was ever said.

Eventually, we went downstairs to eat. We planned on popcorn, pizza, and a movie. Sandy insisted on a salad too, at least most of the time. "I really want to try out those crispy kale chips this time. Do you think we could experiment on a salt alternative?" Bruno always insisted on "sweet munchies," usually cookies or cupcakes, most of the time chocolate. I usually just played along with everything.

On the way down, we passed by my uncle and Hugo. They were no doubt on their way to the study to visit. His eyes flickered to the blue bull still in my hands. Something in him changed. It was only for about three seconds. He snatched Ferdinand from me in that time. He paused, Hugo appeared again, looked the bull over, and threw it back at me. "Thanks for keeping him for me," he said in a detached manner. He and my uncle continued on.

We continued on too. We watched the movie "Men in Black II." I loved the little dog, and that alien that could grow his head back made us laugh every time.

"Never gets old," said Bruno.

"Now nothing is going to taste right!"

About half-way through the movie, Bruno and Sandy started smooching. I didn't mind. I've seen this movie several times anyway. I got up to leave with Ferdinand.

On my way up to my room, a hand snatched away my bull.

"Why do they let you keep him?" asked....was that Loki?

"They never let me come out to play anymore, and you were supposed to be my little playmate!" Loki did not sound like an adult at all.

"Loki? How old are you?"

"What's it to you?" he asked, full of suspicion.

"It doesn't matter," I said. "You can keep it."

"Yes! I am keeping it! It's mine! Where did you find it?"

"Maria gave it to me."

"Why?" He sounded so broken when he uttered that one word.

"I think it made her think of you when she would rock me to sleep."

"Why you? Why couldn't it be me?" He looked so broken, so raw.

"I'm sorry they took you away. She loved you so much."

"Then why did she leave me?"

"She never left you. They took her from you."

"Why?"

"I don't know." I started crying.

Loki blinked, and Hugo reappeared. "Jani," he said. "I am very sorry you had to see this side of me." He passed me back Ferdinand. "Here."

"You can keep it," I said.

"You would do that?"

"You miss her."

"So do you."

Hugo dropped the bull to the floor. "Jani..." He gathered me into his arms. "Jani, I am not meant to have feelings, but when I thought I was about to lose you, I was terrified."

This was Hugo, only Hugo. I couldn't feel anyone else. I thought of how he came just in time. What would have happened if he hadn't been there? Why was I not afraid of this? Of being spied on? Shouldn't I be afraid? Because I wasn't. I was scared of being alone. I was afraid of how much more dangerous the world was for me. My aunt and uncle had already proven how vulnerable I was. It comforted me to know he was watching out for me. That he had never really left me.

He held me at arm's length, holding me by my shoulders. "You are a very convincing actress, but you made a fatal mistake that could get you killed."

"Was it when I smiled at you?"

"No, Jani. By then the release words were spoken. I want you to think on this. When you were out on the street, for just a moment, you closed your eyes. You rarely even blink with your mask on." He held my face in his hands. "Jani, what was on your mind in that brief moment you allowed yourself to feel?"

I wanted to look away. I didn't want to tell him.

"Jani...." he rubbed my temple with his thumb, tenderly. "Tell me," he said softly.

My eyes began to tear. This was going to hurt him.

"I..." my voice cracked.

"Yes?"

"I was thinking it might be better this way. I'm always going to be in danger somehow."

I could feel Alejandro begin to tremble. For just a moment, Hugo was gone. "You promised me!" It was Lobo, his voice full of anguish. "You promised!" He held me close and we fell to our knees. He held me so tight, his whole body shaking. "I will destroy this world if I ever lost you!" I could feel his hot tears fall on my neck. "Promise me you will live!"

I wrapped my arms around him. "I promise."

Alejandro broke our embrace, looking at me. He was Hugo again, but he was still crying!

"Jani, you are the only one in this world who could ever destroy me." He held me close again, giving me a long hug, and a tender kiss on my forehead. He handed me Ferdinand as we both got up. "Here."

"You can keep it."

"No. I don't want a little blue bull to hold. I want you." He put Ferdinand in my arms. "You can give him back to me.....when you are ready."