"So I threw him into the pool," she finishes her story. The muscular young woman with tanned skin, a kind smile, black shirt with some indie rock band on it, and jeans. She seems proud of herself. Her green eyes are full of pride, and justly so no less.

"That's great!" I exclaim, "stand up for yourself!"

"You know I will," she chuckles grabbing a lollipop from my desk.

"So I'm glad to hear good news," I explain, "as a protector, but did you forget? You're only supposed to come when there's an issue."

"Oh," she sighs, "I talked to you Saturday and when I heard you became friends with Henry I thought we could be friends."

I sigh, looking out at the setting sun, as it slowly darkens. Two Black Sun Dawn instances in a row? Well it's not uncommon, sometimes it's seemingly continuous.

"Hey does the sky look dark to you?" She asks.

"You see that too Shelby?" I inquire.

She nods.

Sternly I demand, "go to your room and lock the door."

"What?" She asks.

"Just trust on this one," I demand.

"Not blindly!" She exclaims, "what's going-"

"Shelby they're gonna appear!" I exclaim, "and they're gonna hurt you just like-"

That's when someone else enters, a woman in a white sweater in her late thirties, early forties, with grey pants, blue eyes, and long brown hair, curly too. She sits in the chair Shelby got up from and offers a kind smile.

"Well," I shrug, "I have no issue helping adults. What's the issue madam?"

"Have a seat," she requests.

"Oh right the rumors," Shelby explains, as if remembering something, "um, yeah I'm staying outta this one. Cya later."

Dammit. Now I'll have to find her during the Black Sun Dawn. Shit.

She exits as I sit in front of the woman. She offers a kind smile, which I turn away from.

"So I've heard some rumors," she explains, "and-"

"Yeah don't worry I know about the bullies," I explain, "they're already in detention."

"No I came to help you," she explains.

"Please leave," I retort.

"Wilson I-"

"Leave," I repeat.

"Wilson that's enough," she speaks more sternly.

"OK so what do you want?" I sigh.

"You've developed an, odd reputation," she explains, "being called Mr. Nothing of all things, taking on any problems, not to mention clearly holding a hatred for... football players?"

"The fact he plays football has nothing to do with this horrible person he is," I explain, "he simply choose his side."

"His side?" She asks.

I sigh, annoyed that she don't get it, and take out my notebook.

"Two groups," I explain, showing her the lists, "those to protect, and those to protect from. I should file you under protect. You haven't shown any signs of being a threat. However, Emmret is a threat. A huge threat actually. Far reaching, popular, and thus, powerful. It falls to me to protect them cause the school won't and the parents won't."

"What makes you say that?" She asks.

"Oh simply the fact that no one protects," I explain, "and that I, as you may have heard from Henry ratting me out, the bastard, I grew up in a redneck Hell."

"Hey I've just overheard rumors," she explains, "now you listen to me. You're not eating. You're not sleeping and I-"

"Don't have to worry about it," I explain, "why are you here? I mean, I genuinely don't expect to survive the school year doing this. It's a huge physical toll, but, eh. Price to pay."

"I'm Ms. Evergreen," she explains, "the guidance counselor. This has to stop. You're gonna kill yourself if you keep at it like this."

"Well I'd rather die than have anyone under my protection get hurt," I reply tapping the notebook.

She opens it and exclaims, "this list is over two hundred names!"

"I've been getting a lot of names from gossip," I shrug, "and those threats are gonna stay far away from my... what's the world? I don't wanna say flock. I'm not above them so that's not accurate. Pack? No not quite. Herd. Yes. Like a herd that keeps each other safe. I will protect the herd."

"Well if you wanna do that then listen to this," Evergreen sighs, "I'm shutting this down until you can make at least three friends. You have one in Henry, make two more, go get dinner. I mean this is my job and-"

"Are you keeping detailed notes!?!" I demand, showing her pages and pages  of notes I've made, bullet point notes on important threats and details, "no! You're not going around identifying every threat!"

"Have you ever thought that at least most of them can defend themselves?" She asks.

Now that, that's funny. I burst out laughing and continue to explain, "no one can! Not even me! You can never assume anyone is ever safe! That's why I have to stand on the frontlines! I will protect them!"

"Enough Wilson," she demands, "you're done here. Until you make two more friends. If you are ever willing to accept help, go to the main office, and ask to see me, OK?"

"Whatever," I sigh, "I've gotta go make friends now."

I exit my room with a sigh. Dammit! This is a waste of time! I must protect! I must! Now I have to make friends!?!

The worst part is...

A green fog fills the air, students walking through the halls freeze and turn to stone. I sigh and draw my blade.

A Black Sun Dawn is starting...