I don't know what I expected when I woke up but BigB wasn't it. 

He jumps back as I open my eyes, both of us yelling at once. Everything hurts. I can't remember what happened. Then I do. 

Impulse tried to kill me. 

And BigB's...?

'Grian! You're alive!'

'Yes? What... why are you here?' I manage to speak

'I was bringing gifts.' He signals to the decently tall pile of things on the table next to me. 

'Gifts?! How long was I nearly dead for?'

'A few weeks.'

'A few- what?!' 

'Yeah... everyone was worried about you. Apparently Impulse pushed you?'

'Yeah. He did. It's complicated. Do you know if I can be let out here at all?'

'No... well... I should go. Bye Grian. I'll tell Scar and Bdubs that you're awake.'

'I... alright.' I watch BigB go, closing the door behind.

Well, that was weird. 

One of the medical staff comes over to me. I finally start to realise my predicament. My arms are both in casts, wings under me... 

WINGS.

F***.

'How does everything feel?'

'Sore? How did I survive?'

'By some kind of miracle, because you certainly could've done... Can you move your arm at all?' I shift both arms obediently, wincing as pain fills me.

'Y...yeah? I don't want to, but I can.'

'Great. We've been giving you some healing potions over your injuries but it would be better if you could drink this.' I nod and the medic helps me drink it. Instant relief, the pain numbing, soothing me as I relax.

'That's... that's a lot better. Thanks.'

'We'll need to keep you here for a few more days, but you should be able to sit up normally and probably walk by this evening.' 

'Thanks.' 

'And don't worry about the wings. We were told to keep it secret. Besides, I'd never tell on a fellow magic person.' He winks, and I sigh with relief. 

I'm not going to get killed.

And more friends have just arrived.

'Friends!' I call over as Scar, Mumbo, Cub, Jimmy and Martyn all enter. 'Hello friends!' 

'BigB told us you were awake.'

'Yeah. That makes sense. What's happened while I've been half dead?'

'A lot.' Replies Cub seriously, aware of me staring at the brutal claw mark scars down his face. 'And none of it's really good.'

'Cub showed me how he makes the best cake in the world...' Scar points out. 'And Doc won the redstone competition.' 

'Did he? What did he make?' I have to smile at my friend's achievement.

'Something none of us could beat in a million years. I still don't know how he did it.' Mumbo replies. 'So... I guess we didn't miss much by your...' 

No one mentions it. I don't know if I want to remember the panic of that moment. I don't know if it would've been better if I'd flown or not. Revealed my wings. TFC has magic, apparently. But...

'Grian, are you alright?'

'Oh- yeah, I'm fine. What else happened except the redstone competition.' I shouldn't stare at Cub's face, but I do. He sighs.

'Scar attacked Impulse, lost control, and I tried to stop him.' 

'Lost control? Like...' I almost reveal Scar's magic to Martyn and whoever else doesn't know.

'Yeah. Like in redstone class, but worse.' The explanation is clear but cryptic. I wish I could apologise without seeming suspicious.' 

'Technoblade ran away. Apparently Impulse told on him and... well, he got away. Technoblade never dies, as they say.' (:)) Martyn adds. 'And Skizz ended up in here yesterday, apparently with a knife in his shoulder and barely survived. He's not woken up yet and no one's seen Impulse either.'

'Oh my goodness, did Impulse stab him?' Is my first thought

'Why would Impulse try to kill Skizz?! They're best friends.' Scar replies. 

'It might've been an accident. No one saw what happened.' Jimmy suggests. 

'True. But Impulse is a cowardly b*tch-snake so I could easily see him turning on Skizz if he becomes a threat.' Martyn retorts 

'Language!' Calls over the medic who apparently had magic

'Sorry!'

'What day is it?' 

'Sunday. No work, but I think there's an assembly at some point. Don't worry, you won't have to go.'

'Oh thank Notch.'

'Yeah. Maybe we should all get life-threatening injuries too and join you.' Jokes Martyn.

'Trust me, it isn't fun.' Replies Cub. Scar nods, refusing to look at his friend. A bell goes somewhere to signal assembly, and Mumbo sighs, 

'We should head off. See you around, Grian.' 

'See you right here, actually. I'm not going anywhere.' I correct as Mumbo, Jimmy and Martyn leave. 

'Tonight. 10pm, 2, 15. If you can make it.' Cub adds. I nod, and watch as he and Scar run off to join the others, leaving me alone again.

I don't have a way to keep track of time easily, but get the medic from before, who I learn is called BadboyHalo, to give me some regular time intervals so I can figure it out. By evening, I'm feeling a lot better, thanks to the healing potions I've been given. Eventually, he leaves to sleep somewhere, and I prepare to go.

There's a surprising twinge of guilt about going behind TFC's back, but I still stand up. Sudden pain, and I sit back down, panting. There's a healing potion near me and I drink it quickly to numb the pain, creeping out, as I try to remember what room we're meeting in.

Outside the room, down the corridor, outside, into the redstone department and... yep, there's the right room. I knock, before entering.

'Grian! You made it! Given the all clear I guess.'

'I snuck out. I'll be fine though. Don't worry about me.' Finally I can free my wings, but have to ask for help from Scar as he pulls my hospital gown off... I can't hold them back, and they all but hit my friend in the face as the spring out. 

'Oh my goodness I needed that.' I sigh, flexing them. 

'Is Tango coming?' Doc asks. 'Or was he taken too? It's hard to keep track of all this.' 

'He's coming. I think he was going to bring Skizz along, but then...'

'Wait, I've got another theory.' I interrupt. Cub sighs, but lets me continue. 'So, Skizz told Impulse he had magic, and then Impulse freaked out like he did before he tried to kill me and tried to kill him too. Only problem is, he didn't do it well enough and Skizz survived.'

'We know Impulse is a murderer. How much would it really take for him to turn on his friend?' Agrees Jevin. 

'You should've killed him, Scar. I don't know why you didn't.'

'Cub stopped me. I wish he hadn't...' It's a sore topic, and Cleo doesn't pursue it. Etho groans. 

'We need to do something! Like... find him and kill him. Tell Tango to poison him. I can probably sneak into his dorm, and with Skizz out the way.'

'Yeah. We should. He's gone too far.' 

The door crashes open. I stumble back. Cleo swears loudly and Doc reaches for a weapon he apparently doesn't have. 

Impulse. 

'What are YOU doing here!?' I snarl. Cub holds me back, glaring at the traitor.

'Get out now the Principal's coming it's all my fault Skizz gave me information about where we were meeting and- the Principal found it and he's coming now!' 

'If this is a sick joke you're dead.' Doc replies with a growl. Impulse steps away, eyes wide.

'Please get out. Now. Before he finds you.'

'Why should we believe a murderous traitor?' 

'I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT!' 

'THEN WHY DID YOU DO IT?' Cleo yells back. 'WHY DID YOU GET OUR FRIENDS KILLED?'

'CLEO SHUT THE F*** UP RIGHT NOW!' I snap back. 'Before we get heard!' 

'Well, if Impulse is right and we're all going to get caught anyway...' 

A laugh. Ice trickles down my back and I try to find a place to hide. A shadow blocks the doorway, tall and thin and dressed in a black suit. Impulse sinks to the ground. Cub stands in front of Scar. Jevin stands up. Doc and Etho look at each other and Cleo silently swears.

The Principal.