[Y/N] - Your Name
[M/N] - Middle Name
[L/N] - Last Name
I
["Talking"]
["SCREAMING"]
["Whispering"]
["Thinking"]
* - Translated directly from Italian.

[==========================]

-> [ARTISTS / SERIES USED]

- lilredbeany.

<<<<<< I >[---]< I >>>>>>

Y/N: ["... You know... I think that's enough"]

Y/N glanced down at the ground, seeing Aiden who laid almost-completely enveloped in the prize tickets won from the games. He kept that large smile with closed eyes almost like a kitten on a cold day wrapped around a heated blanket. Ashlyn and Tyler were on their phones doing something that Y/N did not want to intrude on, so he just kneeled at the side of Aiden, mimicking Taylor and Logan who also squatted down.

Ashlyn: ["Since I won DDR I get all of Aiden's shares, though"]

Aiden: ["ALL OF IT?!"]

The two continued on their chatter that was drowned out by Logan, who's eyes perked up and ears twitched when he heard someone else's voice. Said widened eyes fell and trembled in shock, even more evident from the moment his lips quivered. Indigo eyes following along the trail, Y/N's irises landed against Barron and his group, prompting him to hum and get everyone's attention to stare at them.

Tyler: ["Well, that's annoying. What is he doing here?"]

Taylor: ["Who-? Oh... Uck, this guy again?"]

Tyler: ["I doubt that he'll do anything"] He crossed his arms, never once taking his eyes off the group, while Aiden covered his cousin's face while Logan stood up ["The coward hasn't messed with Logan since he's too scared of me "tattling" to the coach"]

Taylor: ["... But still ... It's kinda awkward, isn't it? We've been here for a while anyways"] She also stood up, picking up the pile of tickets from the ground and shrugging ["Maybe we should just cash out our prizes and spend the rest of the day at Ashlyn's or Y/N's?"]

Y/N: ["Sure. I'll call Elio to pick us up-"]

Logan: ["No... The guy with the blue hat over there..."]

Y/N's finger stopped the moment he went to reach out for his phone, following Logan's gaze to exactly what he had mentioned — A young man with a blue cap. He tightly clutched a few notebooks and books in his arms, sweating bullets and keeping his head down like a lost dog on a cold day of rain. It was a rather pitiful sight that left little to the imagination, and Aiden sprung up to keep covering Ben's angered eyes.

Logan: ["I've seen him with Barron around school a few times, and I wasn't sure at first, but... Barron just replaced me with him"] He sighed while keeping a close look at the group who walked out, likely to go smoke — Something Y/N silently wish he could do right now ["Right now I'm pretty sure that guy is doing Barron's work while he hangs out with his buddies. That's what happened whenever he invited me somewhere, too..."]

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Logan: ["Uh... Barron..."]

Logan's shy voice perked up as he approached, seeing a face of slight annoyance cross Barron's features for a moment. He stood with his arms crossed smugly, an equally-annoying grin on his face, surrounded by his peers and group after having just scored a strike. The bowling place around them remained active, drawing out the huff and insult that Barron sneaked in towards Logan without him even knowing.

Barron: ["Yeah? What's up?"]

Logan: ["I- Uh...I thought I was supposed to be helping you understand your assignment"] He glanced down at the table near them, where various notebooks and pencils lay ["But so far I've only been... Doing it for you"]

Barron: ["Tsk... Oh right! Sorry- I was having fun and I guess it slipped my mind for a bit"] He covered up his face of annoyance with a small laugh and a rub on the back of the head ["...Actually... If I'm being honest, I don't think I can do it right now. Things have just been really hard at home, and school is just making me feel worse"] His expression dropped while he avoided contact, shyly bringing a hand to his other arm ["Since it's easy for you, could you just help me out? Just until I feel better... I'm not trying to force you, though. You don't have to if you don't want to, my grade will take a huge hit but it's not a big deal"] He held his own arms with a shrug and a shiver, his eyes dropping to the ground ["I don't want to fail, but... At this point I don't think anyone would care if I did..."]

Logan: ["Well... There's not that much work left. And it's not really hard work..."] Logan glanced down at the table with a quiet nod ["But you've said that five times already..."]

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Logan: ["That's what he does. He guilt trips you into being his friend and "helping" him with his work, and when that doesn't work..."] Logan rubbed his shoulder, sighing as he glanced up at them, with a quiet shrug ["He starts using physical threats and violence"]

Tyler: ["... I'm not sure what your plan is, but you're trying to help that guy, right?"]

Logan: ["I at least want to warn him..."]

Tyler: ["Well, go do what you gotta do... We'll be here to help if you need us"]

Logan faced everyone, who gave him either a quick nod, or a gentle smile. Save for Y/N who just showed him a thumbs up, prompting the glasses-wearing twink to shyly and happily nod his head with a decisive smile. He turned around to face the back door where Barron and his group had gone to, and breathed in to steel his nerves — And was then held by the shoulder. Turning to face it, he saw Y/N's cold eyes.

Y/N: ["Just remember; Those guys are nothing near the Phantoms"]

Again with another nod, Logan's eyes narrowed and he began to walk away the moment Y/N released his shoulder. The indigo-eyed boy just hung back with the rest of the group, who watched Logan walk out the door. For a second, everyone was quiet, and sharing a silent glance — Ben was the first to move. He walked out the door, and everyone followed along, save for Y/N and Ashlyn, who hung back.

Y/N: ["I'll stay near the door if any of them try to run"]

Ashlyn: ["Alright. Just be careful, ok?"]

Y/N: ["I'll try — Stay safe you, too. I doubt we're gonna get out of here without a few bruises"] Y/N removed his jacket, tying it around his waist and sighing while rolling his shoulders ["Remember not to take anyone down too harshly. It's concrete we'll be fighting on, so the chances of someone being gravely injured isn't very hard"]

Ashlyn: ["Noted"]

The two shared a fist bump before Ashlyn walked off towards the rest of the group. Y/N cracked his neck and knuckles, rolling his shoulders and stretching his arms. Reaching ahead, he stopped the door from closing entirely after Logan went outside — He just glanced out the door, narrowing his Indigo eyes. He kept a small slit open to watch and hear everything unfold, crossing his arms as he heard Barron speak.

Barron: ["Ahhh, we should've gone to the one in the city. The prizes suck, and this place has no food"] His eyes moved up, and snapped open when he heard footsteps approaching, widening his smile at the sight of the boy who approached ["Haha, wow! That caught me off guard. I never expected that I would be seeing you here, four eyes!"]

Everyone else hung back, just behind the corner and sitting on the sidewalk. Aiden and Ashlyn were the ones keeping a lookout on the scene while Tyler kept his arms crossed, leaning against the wall. Sitting at his side was Ben, and at the side of him was Taylor, who kept her knees to her chest and looked at Ben. His teeth were gritted, and his hands clenched with a very obvious intent and wish for a fight.

Taylor: ["I wish we could've convinced him to stay in the arcade, but I guess he's anxious about Logan..."] One could feel how worried she was, and with a happy smile, she poked Ben in the arm, who turned to face her ["Hey, is it okay if I listen with you?"]

Looking at the girl, now visibly-calmer, Ben removed one of his ear buds and passed it onto her, who gently snuggled closer and smiled brightly while putting it on. Back on the main scene, however, there were no smiles — Only glares. Especially as Barron's face contorted into a strangely-happy grin and glad, closed eyes while he spared a very bright glance and gentle, caring gaze towards the glasses boy.

Barron: ["It's been a while pal! How've ya been?"]

Logan: ["... He wants me to pretend to be his friend so he doesn't scare off the new guy"] Logan's face remained calm as he glanced at Barron, then looking down at the ground ["... A few months ago, I never thought I would agree with someone like Y/N, or be good friends with him, but... What he said is very spot on"] His eyes remained against Barron's. His smile. His hidden glare. Everything made him feel nothing ["Afterall..."]

Logan: ["The Phantoms are way more terrifying..."] His eyes kept glued forward and at the boy with the blue hat. He approached, offering a friendly smile and a handshake ["Hey. My name's Logan"]

Noah: ["Oh... I'm Noah..."]

Logan: ["Is he making you do his homework?"] He glanced over Noah, and right towards Barron, who replied with a glare of his own ["Because you shouldn't have to do that"]

Noah: ["He's not... Making me. He just asked for help..."]

Logan: ["... And you felt guilty saying no, right? It's okay to want to help people..."] He reached ahead and gently tapped Noah on the shoulder still with that calming smile ["But you should stay away from people like Barron. I promise that it will not end well..."]

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Logan: ["I don't think I can help you anymore..."]

His arms tightly clenched the books and notebooks on them, lowering his eyes at the basketball court — His sudden voice brought the silence of the group, particularly of Barron, who sighed with some very obvious annoyance. Nodding calmly, while handing the ball to one of his friends in the court. Running a hand through his hair, his voice suddenly speaking up prompted Logan to raise his eyes up towards him.

Barron: ["... Guess I need a new one, then"]

Logan: ["What do you-"]

Before Logan could even finish, a stinging sensation on his cheek sent him ass-first onto the ground, dropping a variety of papers from within the various books in his arms. The sensation of his bruised lip from how the sudden impact of his teeth made his flesh rip was accompanied only by the watering of his eyes — And the steps of the approaching Barron who kept a snarky smile while glancing down towards him.

Barron: ["If you don't want a hit worse than that, I suggest getting back to it. Quickly"] He calmly crouched, keeping that shit-eating grin ["The deadline is tomorrow, remember?"]

Logan: ["But I thought-"]

Barron: ["I don't care what you thought — What you think doesn't matter"] He chuckled while stepping ahead, pushing his foot against Logan's chest, and sending him back-first against the ground ["What matters is you doing what I tell you to do. Yeah?"]

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Logan: ["He has a... Tactic ...To prolong beating you into doing what he wants so it takes longer for him to get caught"] At his words, Noah's eyes shivered just like his body, all while Logan's own face only toughened more ["If you keep trying to help you, then eventually..."] He stuttered, but never thought about stopping ["When you don't finish on time, get below an 80, or try to do your work before his or upset him in any way, he will-"]

Barron: ["Hey! Just what do you think you're doing?!"] His eyes twitched, but Logan didn't flinch, unlike Noah, or even batter an eye to him towards the boy on top of the trash can ["I've been leaving your worthless sack of crapass alone, and this is how you-"]

Logan: ["-See? This is how he usually is. Hanging around someone like you will just make you miserable"] He smiled, offering his hand, remaining uncaring to how Barron approached , clenching his fists ["If you want, you can come hang out with me? Or you could go home if you feel like it, I just thought that it was the right thing to warn you about-"]

Barron: ["Who do you think you are, twerp?! Stop interfering!"] The man angrily gritted his teeth, harshly jabbing his index at the side of Logan's head, hard enough for his head to tilt a bit ["You're just a useless loser whose parents didn't even want you!"]

Logan: ["... I'm useless? Me?"] Logan swatted Barron's hand away after clenching his fist, turning to glare up at him ["When you're the one refusing to do your own work and pushing it into others? When you so pathetically waste others' time while they actually work for a better life?"] His eyes trembled as he slowly removed his glasses through gritted teeth ["When you have nothing to give, not even a measly, simple and quick thanks?!"]

Y/N: ["... Something's off-"]

Ashlyn: ["-... It feels weird"]

Logan: ["You only take and harass, and look down on others, and I'M the useless one?!"] His eyes continued to twitch angrily, prompting Y/N to slowly back from the door ["If anyone here is truly, and utterly useless, it's-"]

Logan: ["YOU THINK I CARE FOR WHATEVER SHIT YOU'RE SPEWING?!"]

Before he could finish, Barron clenched him by the head, gripping his other fist tightly while pushing Logan to the side to expose his face. The glasses-wearing boy didn't even register whatever provocation Barron was spewing at him, but with both arms tightly clenching the bully's arm, Logan kicked his feet, and used the momentum and weight of Barron to swing him over his shoulder, and into the ground.

Logan: ["I think it would be wise if you started caring..."]

The light of the alleyway flickering, Logan's aggression, the very obvious feeling something was wrong — It made Y/N's body shiver. Rather than going against them, he just trusted his feelings and decided to step forward, catching a glimpse of Ashlyn's carrot-top peeking into the alleyway, and giving her a reassuring nod. While everyone else was distracted by Logan's aggression, Y/N approached the group.

Red-Haired Boy: ["I don't remember the squirt being like that..."]

Ashlyn: ["Logan is definitely acting weird. We should probably-"]

Barron's friend: ["Ayo Barron. What's taking you so long, man-"]

He froze as he spotted Logan on top of Barron, and Y/N standing not too far. The red-haired boy that was by Noah's side jumped as his eyes landed on Y/N, who didn't waste a second leaping into the action. Everyone in his own group glanced at each other, save for Ben, who decided to march right in — Grabbing the red-haired boy by his face, and not hesitating to slam him back-first into the concrete below them.

Y/N just glanced around, noticing a total of seven people. His face suddenly turned to look at the wall, pushed away by the first of one of Barron's friends — Safe to say, Y/N didn't feel much. Instead, his eyes just traveled back down at him as his fingers tightened around the arm, pushing them down while kicking the stranger's knee to send him down, at the same time, bringing his own to smash up against his jaw.

Noah took the chance to escape, just as a purple-haired girl snatched Taylor by her hair, and another one of Barron's buddies punched Tyler in the face. Said "buddy" was immediately met with Ashlyn's boot that smashed against his nose, sending him stumbling back. The girl, quick on her feet, watched Y/N snatch a boy by his arms and stop him in his tracks, giving her time to spin around and kick him with her other leg.

RED WAVES

The girl's earphones went flying off her head thanks to the momentum of the kick, and her ears immediately started to ring with the appearance of the same sound from before. She dropped to her knees, clutching her head tightly while gritting her teeth, tears already starting to form in the corner of her eyes — Everything was so loud. Aiden being punched, Tyler punching back, knees to head, fingers to throats.

Ashlyn: ["Loud. . . . IT'S SO LOUD"]

She couldn't help the tears starting to flow from how much her head was ringing, it was like getting her nape smashed by a shovel. Her brain rang like a church bell as she clutched her hands around her head, gritting her teeth even more — She turned to glance over her shoulder at the sense of dread she felt. Inside a building, they flashed. Their empty, white eyes. The red waves. The sky turned into a blood color.

It looked no different than the scarlet running down Y/N's nose or lips, or the droplets of red that came from the body of everyone around, regardless of who's group they were from. Ashlyn didn't seem careful as she put her face to the ground, almost slamming her nose into the concrete in a desperate attempt to make the ringing stop — Desperation resulted in a scream no different than that of a banshee.

Ashlyn: ["𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐌 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍!"]

Her words flowed just like the same red waves that caused them. Sudden. Loud. Overpowering and madness-inducing. It was so loud that everyone immediately snapped out of whatever trance they seemed to be lost in, stopping dead on their tracks and releasing Barron's friends — Save for Y/N, who held Barron himself by his neck, with his back pressed against the wall, ready to slam his other fist into his face.

Barron's friends immediately ran off, leaving the aforementioned in Y/N's grasp, who glanced at the ground through heavy breathings, and clearly very much exhausted, even if he hadn't moved much. Even if he could not feel pain, something seemed wrong — He still appeared cautious. His muscles were tense. His eyes were narrowed and his fingers were tightening by the second around Barron's throat.

Taylor: ["Just... What was that...? I'm not usually that violent..."]

Tyler: ["Yeah, well — They attacked us first. Maybe we did go overboard..."] He crossed his arms, swiping some blood dripping from his lips ["But they sure deserved it!"]

Ashlyn: ["I don't think that's the problem... Taylor's right. This could be bad... You guys"] Ashlyn stood on her knees, still breathing out heavily and sweating more than a hooker in a church ["... You guys were making the same sounds that the Phantoms do"]

Y/N: ["... I'll call Elio to pick us up. Let's let the bastard here just go-"]

???: ["You're not gonna finish him off? That's bad practice~"]*

A sudden voice sparked up the interest of everyone present, particularly Y/N, who's eyes widened and mouth hung agape. It was strange for everyone, so used to seeing him calm and collected, to suddenly start cowering like a kitten placed in a cell with a lion. The voice was clearly familiar to him, but even to those it wasn't, it still carried power. The posture. The glare. The eyes and the smirk — It all spoke of confidence.

A young man with flowing blonde hair that reached down to his shoulders stepped into the alleyway. He wore a custom-tailored suit, made specifically under his own measurements — That alone was dozens of times more expensive than anything anyone in there owned. His hands were hidden by dark leather gloves, accompanied only by a golden ring. And on his wrist was an expensive-looking watch as well.

Florentino: ["Come on, dad raised you better than that"]*

Y/N: ["What the fuck are YOU doing here...?!"]*

Florentino: ["I've been in this country far longer than you, dude"] The man chuckled, crossing his arms and turning to face Barron ["So? You're gonna end him, or?"]*

Y/N: ["... Don't ever think I am like you"]*

The rest of the group shared glances — Understandably, very confused ones — that turned into worry and alert once Y/N reached on the back of his waistband, and pulled out a switchblade. Florentino, for one, didn't seem worried, surprised, or at all shaken, and just let out a small chuckle of amusement with a shake of his head, appearing to be nothing short of disappointment, and not one bit afraid to continue moving ahead.

Florentino: ["You know that is going to work as good as well as screaming to a deaf man"] Both hands in the pockets of his pants, he kept looking at Y/N with a little smile ["You know that a blade or bullet, knife or rifle, all that stuff is not even going to tickle me, right?"]*

Y/N: ["I don't need you to feel pain — I need you to bleed"]*

Florentino: ["You wouldn't dare attack your own blood, Y/N. I know you. I trained you — The reason why you're alive is because of what I taught you"] Another glance was shared between Aiden and Ashlyn, who appeared rather nervous, but decided ["No matter what you do, no matter where you go, you can't get rid of the blood that runs through your veins, you know? You should know better than-... Well, well, and who might you two be~?"]*

He switched from Italian to English smoothly once Aiden and Ashlyn stepped by Y/N's side — The latter even raising her fists as if ready for a fight. Florentino spared a calming glance over his shoulder when Ben and Tyler stepped not too far behind him, save with Logan and Taylor not too far away either. The blonde just let out a calming giggle, shrugging while he stared at Y/N, then opening a large, almost sadistic, grin.

Ashlyn: ["I don't know what is going on... But let's everyone calm down..."]

Florentino: ["I wouldn't suggest getting yourself involved. This goes to all of you — I have no problems with whoever you people might be..."] Florentino reached into his pockets, twirling around his index an iron knuckle duster that he easily slid onto his left fist ["But I have killed people for way less than interrupting a talk between family"]

Tyler: ["We've faced death before. And at much higher numbers, too"] He spat to the side, also narrowing his eyes while keeping his arms crossed ["I think we can take one guy"]

Ashlyn: ["It's true that we've faced Phantoms before, and Y/N alone took on 20 of them..."] Her eyes wandered from Y/N onto Florentino, who didn't appear to be one bit shaken at the difference in numbers ["But... This guy... What is this feeling on my chest? Fear?"]

The girl glanced up at the tall man. His confidence, his posture, the way he calmly smacked his closed fist into an open palm — It spoke of danger. The glint in his eyes, the way his lips parted into a grin. The sheer pressure that came from the way he clenched both fists was enough to make the girl give an unconscious step away. Y/N clutched the knife in his hand much tighter, readying himself, glaring up at Florentino.

Y/N: ["... I don't wanna fight you, brother"]*

Florentino: ["And that is the problem — You should WANT IT!"]*

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Elio: ["Master, what is taking you so-"]

His words came to a stop when he took in the scene before them — 7 Teenagers, 1 adult. The latter was clearly victorious, even with a knife stabbed into his shoulder that he pulled out and tossed down like it was nothing. He had some blood running down his nose, which was nothing when compared to the stained face of everyone who laid around. The younger sibling clearly having it much worse than the rest.

Elio: ["... Master Florentino"]*

Florentino: ["Elio! What a nice surprise it is! You've got me quite at the bad time, though — We were doing some family bonding. I'm glad he invited his friends, too!"] He had a giddy attitude, smiling brightly at the scarred man who remained tense, but still smiling ["Please, prepare the car. I would love to spend some more time at the quarters that father has provided. I will be taking the brats here as soon as they are fine to move again"]*

Elio: ["As you wish, sir"]*

A polite bow, and a look of worry shot towards Y/N, Elio moved away. Even if he bent down and offered his hand, Florentino just had his palm smacked away by Y/N, who stood up and spat some blood — And maybe even a tooth — to the side. He also helped up Ashlyn and Aiden who were both battered and bruised, some blood running down their nose and lips. Taylor helped up Tyler, who also had it bad.

His nose was battered and bleeding rather heavily, and his lips were busted much like everyone else. Taylor herself wasn't terribly-hurt, just with a small bruise on her cheek, same with Logan. Ben appeared to have had it as bad as Y/N, but remained standing and glaring at the much taller, blonde man. Florentino just turned on his heel, sighing as he walked out, letting out a tired groan as he examined his wound.

Florentino: ["And I bought this suit especially to visit here, what a shame..."]*

Without any other words, he left. Y/N groaned as he sat down again, grasping his leg and gritting his teeth, causing everyone to flinch at the nasty sound that came from him pushing his leg back in its place — Same goes for his left arm. Sighing, he crossed both arms atop his knees, letting his head fall on them and there. The rest of the group appeared just as tired, but the one to step up first out of them was Aiden.

Aiden: ["Who was that?"]

Y/N: ["Florentino. My older brother.... Thanks"] Aiden helped Y/N stand, who then turned to Tyler ["I... I didn't know he would be here. I'm sorry, — I thought he was still in Vegas, I-"]

Ashlyn: ["Dude-"] She placed a hand on his shoulder ["-Calm down. Breathe — We're gonna figure this out, alright? Can we go to your house? I don't think showing up like this back home is very smart..."] She tapped some dust out of her clothes, and blood out of her nose ["And also, we gotta talk about what the hell happened with the Phantoms..."]

Tyler: ["WIth that psycho around, it won't be easy. We're definitely talking about this"] He shot a glance to Y/N, who met it with a serious, but nervous nod ["We can't have people figuring out we're all going to an entirely-new apocalyptic world every night"]

Y/N: ["If there is one thing I know of Florentino, is how he worries about his looks. He's likely gonna be in the shower and patching himself up for nearly an hour — This should give us time to talk in my room..."] Y/N sighed, glancing at the ground and clenching his fists and teeth for a moment. Ashlyn's hand on his shoulder did nothing to ease his worries ["I... I have something to tell you all. But let's discuss it back at home, alright?"]

Taylor: ["Fine by me..."]

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Tyler: ["Huh. And here I thought you were from a regular family..."]

He glanced around as Y/N slumped onto his bed, sighing in exhaustion while covering his eyes with an arm. Thanks to Elio bringing it in, Taylor and Logan could slouch on two bean bags that contrasted the purely-white tone of the room. Aiden and Ashlyn sat with Y/N on his bed after he sat up, with Tyler and Ben standing up against the walls — Everyone glanced around at how bland and lackluster the room was.

Logan: ["I think this is the only simple place in the whole house..."] He commented while taking a glance at everything, everything, all white ["What does your family do for you to be so wealthy? I thought having a butler alone was expensive, let alone a place like this..."]

Y/N: ["That's... What I wanted to talk about. But..."] He sighed, again letting his head fall onto his hands as he groaned ["Can we talk about the Phantom World thing first...?"]

Tyler: ["So... You think the Phantom dimension is influencing us somehow?"] He glanced at Ashlyn, raising an eyebrow with curiosity on his features ["What made you reach that conclusion?"]

Ashlyn: ["I saw them — The Phantoms. They were all around a building, glaring at us"] She kept a leg crossed over the other, resting her face on her cheek. Like everyone else, was unsmiling ["And because of that I think it is also impacting the real world as well"]

Having no voices arise, everyone concluded they all thought the same thing — "Fuck". Glances came and went, tired and hurt eyes with a couple of bandages around them for those who were bruised or bleeding, courtesy of the manor's butler. Y/N, particularly, rested his back to the wall while still on the bed, sighing as he slumped more and more into the mattress, worried more about something else.

Taylor: ["... What should we do, then...?"]

Ashlyn: ["I think things started getting out of control after Logan got upset"] She rested back, allowing her body to fall-back first onto the rest of the bed ["Maybe negative emotions is what set off reactions like that — Making us... Closer to the Phantoms"]

Logan: ["So we should avoid getting too angry?"]

Ashlyn: ["I guess that's a good place to start"]

Tyler: ["How are we supposed to do that when our entire situation is negative?"]

Ashlyn: ["... I also don't think we can afford to be as careful as we have been"] Her new complaints got everyone's immediate attention ["I was hoping we could take our time and figure out things as safely as possible, but... We don't know how the dimension's influence us will progress, or how quickly"] Ashlyn sighed while sitting up, glancing down at the ground with some worry practically dripping from her Emerald eyes ["Alongside the possibility of us damaging the real world because of said influence — We need to speed things up"] Her eyes turned determined as she glanced around with a decisive nod ["And find a way back to Savannah"]

Silence returned as they all pondered — The way back was easy, they had a car, they could drive. But through the middle of the night, with things like the Phantoms hot on their tail, that'd be pretty much impossible without the right equipment. They remained silent, no one even sparing glances at one another, but perking up once the door opened, and inside came a familiar face that turned the mood sour.

Florentino: ["Oya? You kids talking about dangerous stuff? Perhaps all I taught didn't go to waste after all"] Safe to say, Y/N did not reciprocate the smile shot in his direction ["So? Did quiet boy over there got around to telling you all about your predicament?"]

Logan: ["Our... Predicament?"]

Florentino: ["Yeah — The fact you all are waist-deep into your graves by simply talking to him, or me"] Everyone was taken back, appearing as surprised as they were worried ["So by those eyes I take that's a no, then? Ah~... Classic Y/N, always hiding, eh~?"]

Y/N: ["I was going to tell them..."]

Florentino: ["If someone is punching you, you don't think "I was going to dodge". You know what you do? You dodge!"] Florentino stepped deeper into the room, accompanied by Elio who remained standing by the door ["Don't just "I was going to" me, when simply being around them pretty much paints a target on their back written "Kill me to earn cash!""]

Tyler: ["You never told us anything about our lives being in danger!"] He turned to face Y/N, much more tense and aware than before ["What is this all about anyways?!"]

Florentino: ["What do you think, dickhead? Criminal shit! Underworld business — The type of business that would get you, and your entire family, sleeping with the fishes!"] He threw his arms up while groaning, sighing as he pinched his nose and glanced at the ground — Y/N sunk further while the rest appeared to get even more cautious ["I mean, I understand not wanting to put others in danger, but do you understand that you very existence, the fact you are living, and breathing are making the rest of them a target?!"]

Y/N: ["I never thought you as the type to care..."]

Florentino: ["Care? I do! About the family, about our business — About them? Hell, if shit hits the fan I will be the one killing everyone here myself!"] He just laughed while crossing his arms, prompting Ashlyn's and Ben's gaze to narrow in awareness ["I couldn't give less of a shit if you are making friends; Good for you, even! But putting the Cadaverini name on the line like this? Your buddies here are very lucky that father hasn't found out yet!"]

Y/N: ["We had no choice, alright? Shit did hit the fan, and because of that, we're pretty much stuck together, even if we dislike it — I tried to stay away. Everyone did"] He crossed his arms as he stood up, facing up at his brother who kept that same shit-eating grin as he always had ["But now? Now we're either together, or we are dead, and no in-between"]

Florentino: ["Uh-huh. And why is that?"]

Y/N: ["You don't tell me about your business — In fact, I never even meddle with them"] He turned around, glaring over his shoulder with a hateful look, and poison dripping from his words like venom out of a snake's fangs ["I suggest you don't either"]

Florentino: ["Huh. You know what? I won't. In fact, I'll just turn my back, and let you kids do whatever it is that you kids are up to — I don't give a fuck"] Florentino just chuckled again, walking into the door and stopping to glare over his shoulder as Elio gave a step to the side to let him through ["But let me tell you straight away. Any of you fuckers so much think about snitching me or Y/N out to the pigs...? I hope you know a good orphanage"]

With these words, he shut off the door as he walked away — The sound of another door opening and closing made it obvious he was not planning on getting out the house, though. Y/N let out a groan that got everyone's attention as he slumped face-first into the bed, hiding his head between his arms as if feeling a terrible headache. An exchange of glances was broken by Aiden being the first to talk.

Aiden: ["Sheesh. Talk about a rough sibling relationship"]

Tyler: ["Honestly, I would be pretty pissed off that my life is threatened like that — If it already wasn't every single night"] He groaned with a sigh, turning to glance at Y/N who remained at a sorry sight thanks to how exhausted he appeared to be ["You good?"]

Y/N: ["... No ..."]

Tyler: ["Fair enough"]

Ashlyn: ["Tyler's right... As scary as this is, we already faced death many times before. I can't imagine this being any easy for Y/N, though"] She glanced at the boy who remained hidden and tucked away like an armadillo after being poked ["Should I say something? I want to say something — He already did when I was struggling, and I don't want to have any more problems between this group..."] The girl inched a bit closer while she still sat on the bed, poking Y/N's cheek to get his attention ["We don't blame you for not telling us"]

Y/N: ["..."]

Logan: ["I-I mean... It is a bit of a shock, but if you told us, we'd just be in more danger, right...?"] Y/N nodded sheepishly ["Then... I guess it's gold that you didn't tell us... I don't we would be working well together if we were afraid that you might do something to us..."]

Taylor: ["Now that we know, though, at least we can be sure that you're not dangerous to us"] The girl sat by his side, gently ruffling her hand through Y/N's hair — Who tensed up for a split second ["So there is nothing to worry about us snitching!"]

Tyler: ["Not like we'd want your psychopathic brother killing us anyways"]

Taylor: ["TYLER!"]

Aiden: ["Yeah. Kinda sick to know one of my buddies got ties with those types of people!"] Aiden also slumped at Y/N's other side, smirking down at him while tapping his back ["Ya good, man. We ain't snitching! ... What kinda business do y'all do though ..."]

Y/N: ["I don't know. I never got into it — First chance I had, I bolted out of Italy, and the only one I took with me was Elio"] Speaking of which, the butler smiled softly while approaching ["This is the first time I am out the continent, and I still don't know how to interact with people, let alone how to handle everything that's been going on so far!!"]

Tyler: ["I think this is the most emotion I've ever seen you shown..."]

Y/N: ["Hard not to shut everything off when you're constantly on the run. I couldn't develop anything — Friendships, relationships, love, attachment since I was always running away"] He sighed while turning around, only sparing a gentle glance towards Elio as he stood not too far from the bed ["Everything here is so damn new that it hurts..."]

Elio: ["And I suggest everyone here get a good night's rest! For that reason, I will take you all back home — I'll come up with an explanation to why the bruises"] He smiled as everyone stood up, including Y/N who glanced up at him ["We have the barbecue to attend, and I very much doubt that Master Florentino would miss it"] The mere mention made Y/N and everyone else grunt ["For that reason, I suggest everyone get a lot of rest tonight"]

Ashlyn: ["Man, what a day..."]

Tyler: ["Honestly, some shut eye is all I need right now. We'll be at the barbecue tomorrow, then"] He said towards Ashlyn who nodded, fist-bumping Y/N on his way downstairs as Taylor gave the latter a hug ["We'll talk more when we... Get the chance, of course"]

Aiden: ["See ya later than, man! We gotta get back at Barron and his buddies when we get the chance, though"] He smirked while giving Y/N a playful punch in the shoulder on his way out, while Ben tapped his shoulder ["I'll be seeing y'all at the bus, then!"]

Elio: ["He means at the graveyard tomorrow... Right?"]

Logan: ["See you around, dude... Thank you for the help when dealing with Barron"] He gave Y/N a gentle handshake, smiling up at him ["Will see you tomorrow, then!"]

Ashlyn: ["See you around, dude. We'll talk more about the whole thing in the bus"] She kept both hands in her pockets as Y/N nodded, sharing a small glance with him ["I'll shoot you a message if anything comes up — Meet ya when we get more time, though-"]

Ashlyn's words came to a deafening silence once she went quiet, finding herself tightly embraced with Y/N's arms around her. She could feel him tensing up, the way he trembled and even the way her shoulder was being wetted by his tears. Instead of saying anything, she composed herself and awkwardly wrapped her arms back around him — A few seconds later, he brought the hug with a weak voice.

Y/N: ["Thanks..."]

Ashlyn: ["... No problem"]

With this, the girl walked out after a sharing of smiles. Elio tapped Y/N in the back as well, bringing him in for a quick hug, too. Calmly stepping away, he reached into his pocket and handed to Y/N a packet of Diazepam — The youngster took one of the meds without drinking anything, swallowing it dry. With a gentle expression still present on his lips, Elio stepped towards the door, twirling the car keys around.

Elio: ["I will take them home, then — I'll be back later"]

Y/N: ["Yeah... Take your time..."]

He immediately slumped back-first into the bed, sighing through his still-bruised lips. He remained laying there, staring at the ceiling for a moment, two, three — Only then the sleep kicked in. He could hear Elio driving back in after god-knows how many minutes, and all he did was pull the covers over himself and turn to the side, reaching towards his cellphone and opening up the group messages with his friends.

Y/N: ["What a fucking day..."]

◁━━━━━━━━◈━━━━━━━━▷

Ryan: ["-So that's what happened, boss..."]

He kept both hands behind his back, glancing down at the ground. The man in front of him just hummed, leaning against the window and staring at the night skies with a gentle expression. Outside, on the branches of a dead tree, rested a small bird that appeared to share the same glance with the man, who had his arms crossed and a very gentle expression on his face — Clearly, he appeared to be very much amused.

A man with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a grey turtleneck underneath a black trenchcoat. Fittingly, his pants shared the same color, as did the boots he wore — One could almost say he had the same "presence" as Florentino. He was calm and had a gentle smile, but his mere gaze and behavior made him appear dangerous. Even towards Ryan, who kept glancing at the ground, this man seemed scary.

???: ["Hmmm... I see... If they continue to cause energy spikes like that-"]

???: ["They will attract unwanted attention... How unfortunate — I was hoping to keep laying low for a bit"] He remained with his eyes glued at the bird, unmoving and pondering ["Florentino's sudden appearance also makes things hard for us, especially with his younger brother involved..."] He sighed, but kept the gentle smile ["Make the preparations"]

Ryan: ["You mean capture the kids?"]

???: ["Of course~..."]

Ryan: ["... What about "Mr. Thomas"]

???: ["What an idiotic question..."]

???: ["He will disappear too, obviously"]

<<<<<< I >[---]< I >>>>>>

[Published in - 06/05/2024]
[Word Count - 7.200]

OKAY! I guess that I am over that writer's block — Sorry about the wait, but I hope that the chapter was worth it! Now that I'm back, I'll try and update frequently so I can finally finish the first season. I am assuming that, in one chapter or two, we should be finished! But enough about this, I just hope you enjoyed this one, and sorry for coming back swinging with a longer-than-average chapter such as this one.

. I know it's hard to read something lengthy, so I appreciate all the support from you peeps when things come out like this!