I take a rattling breath.

Blood has stained my sleeves and comforter, and parts of the wall.

My arms are stinging.

I've pulled my arms up next to my stomach and my knees create a taco-like shape to hold my arms close.

My hair is covering my face. I don't need Mum to come and see me cry, nor do I need her to see the blood.

The bed dips a little as Alexis hums,

"Lincoln..." I look up, the little movement causing new blooms of pain. A hoarse sound comes out of my throats when I try to speak and sends me into crying again.

He's right.

His voice is still echoing in my ears:

'Worthless freak!'

'Piece of shit!'

'Think you're so special because you're the runt?! Think you can disobey ME?!!'

I flinch as a small, soft head rubs my bare foot. Alexis is still in cat form as she tries to comfort me,

"What about your friends? You could tell them what happened." I shake my head, sending tears flying.

Heal.

The magic that remains in me comes in a soft, purple hue with the occasional glitter-like glint here and there.

Even if I heal it, there'll be scars. That thing took too much skin off my arm for it to heal properly.

Alexis sits on the bed, watching me.

"You never hurt him." I look away from her,

"H- He's my d- father." She twitches her tail,

"You've never called for help. You don't make a noise. You protect him from your magical outbursts. You take the beating like you've somehow deserved it. You-" I cover my ears,

"Stop it, Alexis." The request sound more like a tensely hoarse beg. She sighs and walks over, slipping into a large metal python and curls around me protectively.

A surprising feat considering I'm in the corner.

VVVVVVRRRRRR.

I jump and look up at the sudden sound.

VVVV- VVVVRRRR.

It takes me a few more seconds to realize it's my phone. Alexis grabs it for me from the floor and gingerly holds it.

She curls her neck up in a 'S' shape with my phone in her open jaws, the two fangs down the sides of it.

My hands are shaking as I reach for it, but she holds firm. Insistent on supporting it.

I smile to myself as I open the app we chat on.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Kyle? Kyle are you online?

'AbaqBaeidana: I don't think he is. I wonder if he made it home in time.

I take a shaky breath and type with one finger, my shaking hands not helping matters. I end up having to retype four times before it makes an actual sentence.

KÿlęSønavoñ2019: Yeah, I'm online right now.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Yay!! It was nice to finally meet you both. Now I can stop picturing y'all as some creepy dudes.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: I totally meant to say different people...

'AbaqBaeidana: Yeah. "Totally".

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Heyy!! Don't give me that sarcastic tone, Mister!

'AbaqBaeidana: XD Oh, my humblest apologies, MiLady.

I watch as they exchange words, my hands trying to rest in my lap.

Why am I even here? It's clear they don't need me. Why did I even bother to show up??

I don't realize I'm crying until a shiny tail wipes under my eyes.

I manage to smile at Alexis,

"Th- Thanks." She nods and flicks her snaky tongue at me. The phone lights up with a personal message as the group chat rages on.

'AbaqBaeidana: You didn't make it home in time, did you?

I swallow hard and lock eyes with Alexis. We nod in unison.

KÿlęSønavoñ2019: I did. But it didn't help anyway, there were still... still punishments.

'AbaqBaeidana: I'm sorry, Donnie.

The use of my nickname makes me smile. They didn't base my nickname off of "Kyle" or "Lincoln". She looked at my personality.

And my personality is me.

Something in my head clicks. My personality is something Mr. Kennedy can't touch.

My fists clench.

It's time I finally accept that the Dad I grew up with, isn't coming back. He's been dead for a very, very long time.

I flip back to the group chat.

KÿlęSønavoñ2019: Today was fun. When should we do it again?

The replies happen at the same time.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: I have no clue. My parents are pretty strict, not quite sure if I can talk them into another walk with people they haven't met.

'AbaqBaeidana: Considering I have no parents to worry about, I'm good for it anytime as long as it doesn't interfere with my job. So at night.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Uh, two things. One: OMFG ALEXANDER DONT YOU DARE GO HOME TO AN EMPTY HOUSE WE ARE YOUR FAMILY SNEAK IN WITH ONE OF US NEXT TIME!! *deep breath* Two: I have school to think about as well. Do you not have school, Donny?

Uh, no. I don't. Used to have a private tutor, but I excelled so much in all my classes that I finished school like, three years ago.

However, I'm not telling you that.

KÿlęSønavoñ2019: I'm homeschooled.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Cool! I've always wanted to be, but with my parents having their own companies to deal with, it won't ever happen.

'AbaqBaeidana: Woah. Wait. Companies?? You're the daughter of two CEOs?!

BloodyWizardCupcake807: No, silly. I'm the daughter of the founders of M.E.D.U.S.A. and Black Magic.

'AbaqBaeidana: And this just happened to slip your mind as you were talking to us?

Medical Enhancement Department of the United Services Announcement.

I already knew this. Our families get together often to discuss business. However, I'm always in a fancy suit with some sort of Guards surrounding me.

You've never seen my face.

And somehow don't recognize my voice.

I narrow my eyes as I recall all the information I know about the M.E.D.U.S.A. company. It's a corrupt medical franchise that's been going for decades. Medical Enhancement Department of the United Services Announcement.

The United Services Announcement is what gives them the power to own all of the medical facilities in the world.

I've actually been to Violet's house.

It takes a full moment for that to sink in.

I've been to her house!! That's how she knew my aura, she's known who I was ever since the beginning!!

She knows!!!!