I stayed in place listening to the uneven breathing of the intruder.

It was coming from the backdoor which is made of sliding glass, it must've been broken. My heart was pounding so hard I was afraid they could hear it. I need to get to Zadoc.

But just then I saw a shadow dance on the walls and couldn't help but freeze even more. I forced myself to turn back to the couch but never took my eyes off the approaching figure. Walking back I heard my heartbeat in my ears. When I saw Zadoc's figure on the couch I rushed to him grabbing his arm which was loose cause he was dead asleep. I shook it, "Zadoc," I whispered so small and quiet but hoped he would wake. When he only twitched I came up with a better solution and readily bit his hand. This time he jerked awake looking down at me with a slight glow to his purple eyes. "Bu-" I put a finger to my lips to stop him from talking so loud and he stopped face curious. Just then I heard the boots come closer and even Zadoc heard the fuss and narrowed his eyes. "Someone is here," I shook his hand once again so scared I just wanted to curl up.

Zadoc got the hint briefly looking at everyone on the couch with a calculative look. "Stay here little one," he said picking me up to put me on Joel's lap who woke up from the motion. He groggily held me closer to which I held him tighter. "What's going on?" he asked as I began shaking feeling Zadoc's presence move to where the intruder is. "A robber maybe," I whispered back. "A robber?" Olive's voice spoke up. The twins moved to Joels side, "That's probably not a robber." Nasir said a little mysteriously.

Why did they wake up so fast but not Zadoc? Just then another noise was heard some commotion that was loud but fast and I couldn't catch the words. I hugged Joel so tight and shoved my face into his neck scared out of my wits.

A loud bang was heard that froze everyone. Iker and Nasir suddenly got up rushing towards where Zadoc went in the hall. Was that a gunshot? What? I looked at Joel who looked somewhat helpless but there seemed to be anger seething under his skin. I looked over at Olive who had his arms folded a serious complexion but none of them seemed to be fear. Olive caught my eye and seemed to melt he then ran a hand through my hair making sure to massage my scalp with a soft smile. Why wasn't he calling the police? Then again why weren't they all terrified? Was this...a regular thing?

"S-should we call the police?" The meek question was answered with slow shakes of their heads. I didn't understand but the commotion seemed to die down and I even heard the glass being swept up.

After a while Zadoc came back and snatched me from Joel. "Thank you for telling me Burr you have very good instincts." He rubbed my back and I noticed the top of his shoulder was bleeding through the shirt and the fabric was ripped. "It's just a scrape don't worry about it cub."

But I was worried extremely worried. I pushed back against his chest to lock eyes with him. "Tell me what in the world is going on." This is a school for goodness sake, not a battleground. Where is the person who broke in and why aren't the police here!? Olive was saying something but was shot down by Zadoc, "We will tell him the truth." That had me even more concerned and he sat me back down on the couch Olive guiltily came over and placed a hand on his bleeding shoulder. A subtle light glowed from it.

"Burr I unfortunately have a past, and not a good one. On occasion, it comes back to haunt me or the stupid ones try, but don't worry I won't have you or any of your classmates in danger. Since the institute is closing after everyone graduates I plan on resolving it completely and relocating everyone."

I was flabbergasted. "By bad past do you mean gang affiliated?" That sounded like the books I read and movies I occasionally saw clips of. This was crazy. "More than that," Joel replied, Zadoc raised his hand to him shaking his head. "Yes pretty much I'm going to put up more measures to make sure this building is safe, school will be on your own terms tomorrow." He got up with me in his arms and took me into a hall I wasn't accustomed to but knew was Zadoc's courters.

I was still in shock and even more so when Joel and Olive followed and the twins who came out of nowhere skipped ahead. His bed was huge enough for everyone here to fit and I was quickly tucked in next to Zadoc as the others snuggled into our pile.

What. What. Zadoc was rubbing my stomach is circles that felt really nice. Iker had won the spot next to me and was playing with my hair his nails slightly longer than most lightly ran along my scalp and head. It's like they were pressing all the buttons to make me sleep faster and it was working. My brain had no time to think before slipping away from me. Motor chuffs brazenly rumbled. Zadoc had a light smile and twinkle in his eyes while he lay sideways his warmth quickly heating me comfortably.

This isn't right, but I'll deal with it in the morning. Were my last thoughts not being able to help the lull of my eyes.

A/N- *Awkwardly waves*....