-Chapter 3-


12:20am.
Lykaan lay awake in bed.
It's amazing what you can learn about someone in only a week. I didn't know Malessa was half French when I first spoke to her.
KD came into Lykaan's room.
	'Lykaan, can I get you to give me a hand?'
	'What on earth are you doing at midnight?'
	'I'm writing a program for IT class. I need someone to try and break it.'
	'So you come to me. Are you saying I break things?'
KD tensed. 
	'No, I just mean I need someone to test it, to make sure I haven't screwed up the code anywhere.'
	'I know what you meant, just playing with you.'
KD sighed, relieved.
	'I thought you were Wylder, you scared me.'
I hate that term.
	'Sorry, that wasn't my intention.'
Lykaan climbed down.
	'So what's the program do?'
	'It takes a network, and gives the user complete access over connected computers, with a master password of course.'
	'So basically a hacking device?'
	'No, not quite, just a teaching aide. You can display your screen on their monitor, and vice versa, or use it to close inappropriate websites for school. That sort of complete access.'
	'And how are we testing this?'
KD smiled.
	'Let's just say, I like your taste in women.'
Lykaan stopped.
	'You hacked my computer?'
	'No, just accessed it remotely.'
KD plugged a USB into Lykaan's computer.
	'Sit down and see if you can find any folders I have hidden'
After a moment of hesitation, Lykaan followed his request.	
He sat for about 15 minutes searching.
	'So how do you stop just anyone from using this program?'
	'Well, the idea is to sell it, and allow a single network to be accessed for each individual licence. For now, it's just a simple matter of entering the test password to allow a short period of 30 minutes to control the network, after the 30 minutes, the system is locked down for another 23 and a half hours, and every computer accessed regains control of itself again.'
	'Sounds fun. What's this folder marked Macro Sizing System?'
Lykaan opened it, revealing KD's stash.
	'Well, you only took about 17 minutes to find it, but I know it works now. I'll leave you to play around for the remaining time. After all, I know what it is you like, I think this is a fair trade.'
	KD removed the USB and left.
I never though about KD having a stash, better make the most of this.


Lykaan entered KD's room, he was still at his computer writing lines of code.
	'Are you sick or something? You have a heap of used tissues here.'
KD to Lykaan.
	'Didn't I tell you, I like your taste in women.'
Oh...
	'Jeez, KD, you really let off.'
	'Did you enjoy yourself?'
	'Kinda, not too fond of Rufus fur though.'
	'Suppose it comes with the genes then.'
	'So, how's the code coming along?'
Lykaan started to read what he could.
	'Few issues here and there that I saw when you were using it. It should be done for tomorrow though.'
Genevieve Felicity Kerrigan, why is his mother's name in code?
Lykaan rubbed his eyes.
	'Is that all you needed from me?'
	'Yeah, you can go back to doing what you were.'
	'Well, I was trying to sleep before, but now... I think I'm tired.'
	'Goodnight Lykaan.'
	'Night KD, clean up your tissues before you go to bed. Mum has a habit of finding them if you don't.'
	'Thanks for the advice, but it shows what you know. Not even you knew about my self indulgence before tonight, so what does that tell you?'
Oh... He's clearly done this before.




	'Okay class, today we are going to paint each other, as you can see, you are in groups of four. You will paint the person to your right. You will fail this assessment if you paint anything inappropriate, deriding or insulting.'
Mrs. Skorvik seems to be in a bad mood today, but Lykaan is to my right.
	'Try not to make me too fat, K Malessa.'
	'I'll try, but I'm not that good at art.'
A girl across the room caught a paint brush to the face.
	'PATRICK!  PAINT A PICTURE OF THEM ON THE EISEL, DO NOT PAINT THEM!'
Definitely in a bad mood.
	'I wonder if I would have copped that in other circumstances.'
	'You mean if Wylder were present.'
Lykaan went silent.
	'I'm sorry... I didn't mean to...'
	'Malessa, please. Just. I can't concentrate while you talk to me.
The rest of the class was abnormally quiet.




Lykaan couldn't think straight.
Every time he thought about something, it ended up catching alight.
In PE, playing dodge ball, every single time a ball came towards him, suddenly it was aflame. Sure, it made for a good reaction to avoid getting burnt, but this was not a normal thing to have happen.
	'Lykaan'
He turned to the teacher calling to him.
She beckoned him towards her.
She was replacing the usual teacher today on the count of him breaking his leg.
	'Yes ma'am'
	'You don't look too great. Every time a ball comes towards you, you look as though you are  mortified by it. I don't want you to continue in the game. It may be a good idea to see the school councillor some time today.'
	'No, I'm fine.'
The look on her face told him she didn't believe him.
	'Lykaan, I specialise in mental health, physical health is just what I do as a teacher. I can see that you clearly fear every moment of this game, every time a ball flies towards you. I now ask that you go and see the councillor. In fact, I insist you do, other wise I will track you down after school to take you there myself.'
	'I... I'm not scared of the ball, it's just the tactic I... You aren't buying it, are you...'
She shook her head.
	'Go now, I am your health teacher for the moment, and I care about students mental health too.'
	'Where is the councillor...'
	'I'll take you.'


20 minutes sitting there, talking about how the fire could represent an anger being held back. A few angry outbursts due to these remarks, and arguments about the outbursts being caused by anger building up from being told he was angry and he had had more than enough.
I'm not angry, damn it! I have no reason to be angry.
	'Lykaan, please come and sit back down.'
He ignored him.
All he needed was to eat. 
He had missed the first 10 minutes of lunch because of that so called psychological expert, and probably missed the limited stock of fresh muffins from the canteen because of that.
	'Stupid councillor. I know me better than he does.'
Malessa was just around the corner, apparently waiting for him
	'Take it you don't like him that much.'
	'No. I missed precious lunch minutes because of him. And may have missed out on having my usual lunch too.'
Malessa smiled.
	'Yeah, all the muffins are gone. You won't be able to buy one now.'
	'What did I say! I told you I would have missed.
Malessa had pulled out a muffin from her bag.
	'I may have squished it a little, but I got the last one. Hope you like apple cinnamon.'
Did she actually just buy a muffin for me?
	'I have to pay you back for this.'
	'Don't. What's the point of my father working 80 percent of the time so I can have whatever I want, If I can't spend it on others every once in a while?'
I can't believe I have managed to make a friend that doesn't fear Wylder as much as I do.
Before Lykaan could stop himself, his arms were around Malessa, tears running down his face.
	'Wow, Lykaan, it's only a muffin...'
	'No, it's more than that. I literally have no friends. Everyone seems to fear Wylder, so no-one takes the time to get to know me. But you... You don't care who it is you get. You're just happy to have me there with you.'
	'I don't... Could you let go? I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable right now...'
	'Sorry.'
	'As I was saying, I don't think you let people get close to you. You always seem so... Preoccupied to have anything to do with others. That's why I feared you would reject me.”
I put others off?
	'I wasn't aware that I was seen like that... 10 years and this whole time I was the problem? I was the reason no-one wanted to be my friend?'
	'I've only known you for 2 years, Lykaan. I didn't realise this had gone on that long.'
	'Malessa, if you wouldn't mind, I think I just want to be alone a while.'
	'Umm... Sure...'
Lykaan walked off.
Fire filled his mind once again.




KD sat alone at the bus stop. There were black clouds off in the distance, moving closer by the second.
Did Lykaan seriously leave me again. I don't want to walk alone in the rain.
	'Hey, KD, have you seen Lykaan?'
Malessa was calling to him from across the road.
	'No, I thought he already left.'
She crossed the road and sat next to KD.
	'I haven't seen him since lunch. He asked to be alone, so I let him be. He seemed a little off all day. Even his usually amazing art dropped to an average level.'
	'I'm sure he's just being him.'
Although, I doubt he is...
	'You know him best, I suppose... Once you learn how he thinks, you kinda get worried when he's a little different.'
KD smiled.
	'You're telling me! I have to live with him. Just last night I got a scare, Lykaan was playing around, but he managed to make it seem like Wylder was in control. I freaked.'
	'Looks like those clouds are threatening rain.'
	'Yeah, I don't want to be alone when they do pour down. Lykaan's usually with me by now.'
	'Well, I'll stay here with you.'
	'Thanks.'
Where are you Lykaan?



Lykaan took off his shirt.
Staring into the bathroom mirror, he turned on the tap.
Putting the back of his hand on his forehead, he checked his temperature.
Hot.
Please tell me this is nothing more than a fever...
Cupping his hands, he filled them with water, splashing his face.
After a few minutes of cooling himself down, he was near soaked.
Why is this happening to me.
A younger raccoon boy, probably here for the after school care program, came into the bathroom.
On sighting Lykaan, he stopped at the door.
	'Didn't you come here to do something?'
The boy was startled by the sudden address.
He moved over to the urinal, standing there a while.
He looked over at Lykaan and entered a cubicle instead.
Lykaan heard the boy unzip his pants, and the trickle of urine that followed.
He splashed his face again.
I just want to...
Lykaan slammed his fists against the metal basic, hearing it ring out musically with vibrations.
The trickle stopped.
I can't...
Lykaan heard the toilet flush.
He glanced over at the cubicle.
I shouldn't...




A drop of water hit KD on the nose.
	'Oh damnit.'
	'What's wrong?'
	'It's just started raining. I hate being wet.'
	'It's just water.'
	'Not when you have come close to drowning. It feels more like death slowly reaching up trying to claim what he failed to claim once before.'
	'So you're aqua-phobic?'
	'Basically.'
Another drop.
KD grabbed onto Malessa's arm. He couldn't stop shaking.
	'Wow... You weren't kidding!'
The drops of rain grew more and more frequent.
Malessa stood.
KD, still grasping her arm, stood with her.
Malessa moved her free arm around behind him, taking him into an embrace.
	'This amount of water won't hurt you.'
	'It can if you catch a cold from it.'
	'Well... True, I stood because the bus came into view. You may want to get your pass out.'
	'I will on the bus.'
It came to a halt just in front of them.
KD grabbed his bag and near leapt into the bus.




Lykaan was in shock.
He sprinted out of the school with his shirt still undone.
He hoped with his life he imagined what just happened, but doubted he did.
His hands felt dirty.
His eyes stung.
His mouth was left with a taste he wish wasn't there.
He turned the corner just in time to see his bus leave.
He felt dizzy.
He felt sick.
Falling to his knees, Lykaan threw up.
I didn't do it...
Please tell me I didn't do it...
The rain washed over him, slowly soaking his clothing and bag.
He didn't know how long he had knelt there.
Pulling out his phone, Lykaan started to call his father... before it went dead.
	'No, not now! DAMN!'
The memory of the boys distressed face was stuck in his mind.
He had been scared, crying whilst Lykaan had...
He shook his head, then started hitting himself in the forehead.
OUT OUT OUT! I DON'T WANT YOU!
The boy.
He wouldn't have been much older that eight.
Pushing the hair out of his face, Lykaan stood, still unsteady.
Grabbing his bag, he headed towards the bus stop.




Malessa stayed on the bus with KD until he got off.
I may actually get to see where Lykaan lives.
	'Malessa...'
KD grabbed her arm again.
	'Um, KD. Would you mind not pulling my arm like that?'
	'I'm sorry. I just don't feel safe with out...'
Malessa forced him off her arm, and grabbed his hand instead.
	'Are you fine with this?'
KD squeezed tightly.
	'You lead the way, KD, I have no clue where you live.'

After a few minutes of silence, Malessa's interest was peaked.
	'KD, why are you afraid of the rain?'
	'I... um... I almost drowned when I was five.'
	'How?'
	'I was at my grand father's place, he has a large estate. I was wandering around the garden while it was overcast, and it started raining. Heavily. I started to head back to the house. I got pretty wet, but I didn't care much. There were huge puddles everywhere within a few minutes. Just as the house came into view, I could see my grandfather walk outside. He had come to look for me. I became quite excited and started to run towards him. I ran straight into the pond.'
	'Oh... how did you manage that?'
	'Puddles everywhere, I though it was another one. Easy mistake for a five year old.'
KD's grip tightened.
	'I was trying my best to stay afloat for what seemed like forever. Richard ended up finding me and pulling me out.'
	'Who's Richard?'
	'Lykaans Grandfather.'
	'But isn't his grand father yours?'
	'Not quite. Alex and my father's father is Vernon Kerrigan, Mikale's father is Richard.'
	'Okay, that makes sense.'
	'I was told by my grandfather that he was looking for me for close enough to half an hour before he asked Richard to help.'
	'Why were they both in the same house?'
	'Childhood friends, Richard cannot work due to his permanent disability, and they both lost their wives. They kept each other company.'
Malessa could see Alex in the distance, running towards them.
	'Isn't that your aunt?'
She had an open umbrella in one hand, and a closed on on the other.
	'KD! Lykaan!'
	'KD, I think she thinks I'm Lykaan?'
	'Sounds like it.'




Alex was worried about the boys. She knew last time a storm of this calibre came along, KD had fallen into a pond. Surely he would be freaking out again.
As she got closer, she could see the distinct shape of breasts on who she thought was Lykaan.
	'Malessa? Where's Lykaan?'
	'Not sure Mrs. Wylder, he never came to the bus stop.'
	'KD are you...,' She saw they were holding hands, 'You're fine. Malessa, you're soaked, come back with KD and I to dry off and warm up.'
	'Thanks, but I have to get home. My father needs me back before six to help him.'
	'Mikale will drive you, you can't walk in this weather, I insist that you come with us.'
After a moment, she agreed to go.

Alex opened the door, leaving the umbrellas outside.
Both the kids bags were dropped there too.
	'KD, run off into the bathroom, get your self dry. When you are, head into my room and  give me a yell.'
	'Okay.'
Malessa stood, shivering.
	'Why is KD heading into your room?'
	'See that hallway there? That leads to the family game room, the upstairs study and my room. The bathroom has a second door linking to my room much like an en suite.'
	'That's convenient. I have to walk halfway round the house.'
	'Alex, I'm out!'
	'Come on Malessa, I'll get you a towel.'
After entering the bathroom, Alex instructed KD to run round to his bedroom and get dressed.
	'Here, dry yourself off, and I'll see what I can find in your size.'
She headed to the other door.




After Alex had left, Malessa removed all her clothing, drying herself off.
It feels weird standing naked in someone else's house. More so in Lykaan's house.
Looking in the mirror, she started to readjust her hair. It was a mess. She knew that tonight, it would resemble that of a feather duster, sticking out all over the place. That seems to happen when you plait it then get it wet, then dry it off without brushing it.
There was a knock and Alex walked in.
	'Hope you're not too skinny, otherwise these may not fit. I found an old pair of Lykaan's undies, should be your size.'
Lykaan's undies? I get to wear a pair of underwear that Lykaan has worn?
	'A skirt that I haven't worn since before Lykaan was born, if it fits you, you may as well keep it. And this shirt is KD's, it will be a tight fit, but it's better than something loose that dangles. You should be right with no bra until you get home right?'
	'Yeah, I guess.'
	'I'll go put the bags in front of the heater, you get dressed.'
	'Thank you'
Malessa removed her towel and started to get dressed.
	'You don't want me to leave first?'
She realised what Alex meant and shied away.
	'I'm sorry. You remind me a lot of my mother. She passed away when I was only six. It's nice to have another girl that cares for me.'
	'Well, you want me to leave?'
	'No, you can stay,' Malessa started drying her hair off, 'Actually, would you mind doing my hair?'
	'Only after you put the shirt on, otherwise you'll mess it up again!'
She was still standing there in just her underwear... Lykaan's underwear.




Lykaan was cold.
The bus would never show because it's a dedicated school hour bus. 
He decided he should instead walk to his father's work to get a lift.
If only he knew where to go...
How will I tell Dad about what I did...
How would he react?
Lykaan saw a street he recognised, and headed up there.
How do you tell anyone that you molested a kid?
The memory of the racoon's face popped into his mind again, just before the racoon's penis had.
He really had done it. He gave a kid a blow job without them knowing what was going on.
Am I a monster?
Even after being in the rain for an hour, his hands still felt dirty.
Another road he remembered.
He couldn't feel his hands any more.
Remembering where he was, he altered his original course, towards Kerrigan Technologies.
I wonder if Grandfather is there...




Alex began to worry about Lykaan, he shouldn't be this late.
His phone was off.
She was fumbling her mobile.
Where are you Lykaan?
She called Mikale to tell him Lykaan still wasn't home and she couldn't get in contact.




Mikale had turned the car around after Alex had called.
Lykaan could be anywhere.
Alex called the police after she hung up, so they were on the look out while on patrol.
Best place to start his search was the school.
	'God, Lykaan... Please be safe...'




Lykaan was being followed. 
For that last few minutes, someone had been tracing he every step.
He tried quickening his pace, but his legs were numb. Just like his arms.
His follower was getting closer.
Tears ran down his face, camouflaged as rain.
He never felt this level of fear before. 
He was being followed.
Someone was actually making an attempt to catch up to him.
A hand grabbed his shoulder, slamming him against a wall.
	'Give me the bag kid!'
Lykaan was frozen with fear.
	'I said give me the bag!'
His attacker pulled out a knife.
	'It's just my school books... I don't have anything else!'
His left shoulder screamed, followed shortly by him.
He slumped to the ground and watched his attacker run off with his bag.
His shoulder was throbbing.
And bleeding.
Lykaan didn't move.
He had been mugged.
And stabbed.
Forcing himself to stand, he leant against the wall.
And started walking again.

He knew his parents would kill him.
His phone was water logged, his brand new school shirt was torn and slowly soaking with blood.
Did this happen because of what I had done?
Lykaan collapsed to the ground.
Shivering, he curled up.
He felt tired.
He had walked quite far.
Maybe I can just... close my eyes for a second...
A car stopped just outside his line of sight.
Some one was calling his name, forcing him to stand.
He was pushed inside the car, and laid down on the back seat.
He didn't care who it was, at least it was warm...




Mikale pulled up to the hospital beside a police car.
He had been called by an female officer to let him know his son had been found, but was in a critical state.
	'Mr. Wylder?'
	'Yes, that's me. Where is my son?'
	'This way please.'
He followed the officer into the hospital building.
After navigating the maze of corridors and elevators, they came to the children's ward.
	'Just down there, room 3.0.12., don't be shocked by what you see.'
	'Thank you.'
It was always nice when some told you not to do something, you usually end up doing it in the end anyway.
Much like Lykaan does.
Opening the door Mikale did get a shock.
Lykaan was seated on a chair with two of the medical staff attending to him, his head resting against one, while the other tended to his wound. He was wrapped in a thermal blanket, still shivering, and had his left arm out getting it stitched up.
Lykaan looked only a few seconds away from passing out.
	'Lykaan!,' Mikale leant down beside him, 'What happened?'
	'From what your son tells us, assuming you are his father, he was attacked in the street by what he remembers as a small built male, all for his bag. Being out in the rain for so long, he may have hypothermia.'
	'He was attacked?'
Lykaan nodded, only slightly.
He winced as the needle passed through his flesh again.
He had never liked needles.
	'By attack, I guess he was stabbed?'
	'Afraid so. Mr. Wylder if you would be so kind, could you take Selena's place,' the sticher motioned to the headrest, 'She'll go and retrieve your son's clothing from the laundry.'
He took Lykaan into his arms, ruffling his fingers through Lykaan's hair.
	'Why are his clothes at the laundry?'
	'He was soaked, we had to dry him off, so we dried his clothing too.'
	'And what is he wearing now?'
	'Nothing. Just the blanket.'
	'I hardly think that is a proper procedure, stripping a child!'
	'You son was drifting in and out of what I guess you would call a cryogenic sleep state. We did what was necessary to warm him up again.'
	'And yet he is still shivering.'
	'It's shock, his mind has just caught on that he was stabbed, and he has feeling back in his limbs. I assure you, he is warm.'
Lykaan winced again.
Mikale moved in closer to him.
I can't be angry at the nurse. As far as I should be concerned, she saved Lykaan's life.
	'How did you manage to get yourself into this...'


It was a long and quiet drive home.
Lykaan's arm had been bandaged, but he refused to put his shirt back on.
Mikale had just reached the turn off that would lead to their street.
	'Dad.'
	'Yes, Lykaan?'
	'Do you really think bad things happen to those who do bad things?'
	'You know I do, Lykaan, I've filled your head with that since you were born.'
	'I know why all this happened tonight...'
	'Lykaan, your other self is not a contributing factor here, so don't say it is.'
	'No, that wasn't... I...'
Lykaan began to cry.
	'What's the matter buddy?'
	'I raped a boy at school today.'
Tell me you didn't, please Lykaan.
	'How so?'
Lykaan looked surprised he hadn't been yelled at.
	'I.. um.. I stayed back after school to try and cool down some kind of fever I had. A boy came to use the bathroom. After he finished in the cubicle, I jumped him and sucked his penis.'
Mikale moved his hand to rub his eyes, and Lykaan flinched
	'I'm not going to hit you bud, I need time to think this over.'
It really was a long and quiet drive.




It was eight.
Malessa was still at Lykaan's, and two hours late for meeting her father.
She was told that she had to be back by six, and here she was. 
Not there.
Alex came and sat down next to her.
	'I'm sorry, I know I said Mikale would drop you off, but, that was before Lykaan hadn't come home.'
	'I know, I was worried just as much as you were.'
because I love him.
	'Your father seemed disappointed when I spoke to him on the phone. Did he tell you why he wanted you home by then?'
	'Not really, he left a note this morning that just said to be home by six.'
	'You're not upset about missing the appointed time are you?'
	'A little, I don't see my father much any more. He's always at work, for one of his jobs.'
	'Well, I'm sorry this happened. It's not like Lykaan at all.'
The rain still poured down hard.
	'Well, Mikale should be back soon. He'll drop you off then.'
Alex stood and headed to the kitchen again.
Malessa lay down on the couch and sighed.




KD had heard Malessa sigh through the bathroom door.
He left the bathroom and sat opposite her.
	'Bored?'
	'Yeah...'
	'How about a chat?'
	'Yeah...'
Clearly Malessa didn't want to be here.
	'Hey, Malessa, I like your shirt.'
She smiled.
	'It's yours. Stupid.'
	'I know, but you look better in it then I ever did. That shade of blue is your colour.'
	'And the red?'
	'Clashes with your fur.'
She laughed.
	'It clashes with your fur. Dark red and dark orange is kinda... Blargh.'
	'Blargh? You saying I was blargh for 3 years of my life?'
	'Yes... No... How am I meant to answer that?'
	'With you looked lovely, dear'
	'Aren't you meant to say that to me if I'm iffy about my clothing?'
	'I'm all for a role reversal.'
	'That makes you sound like you enjoy being dominated. I quite like the idea of being on top.'
	'What, like a queen?'
	'YES! Bow down to your queen!'
She entered into a giggle fit.
KD couldn't help but smile.
The back door opened.
Mikale and Lykaan came in.





Alex ran over to them giving, Lykaan a hug.
	'OW!'
	'What's wrong, Lykaan?'
	'Alex,' Mikale put his hand on her shoulder, 'you may need to sit.'
She sat on the closest counter stool behind her.
	'Lykaan was mugged.'
Lykaan pointed to the bandage.
	'Stab wound...'
She jumped up from the seat.
	'You were stabbed!'
	'Yeah...'
Mikale Laughed.
	'How high would you have jumped if you were standing?
Malessa stood, walking over to them.
	'I don't mean to be rude, but would I be able to get my lift now?'
Alex pulled Lykaan in closer.
	'Sorry, Malessa. Mikale, would you mind dropping her off at her place?'
	'Why was she here in the first place?'
	'She walked KD home in the rain.'
	'Oh... Understood. Come on Malessa, I'll take you home.'
She grabbed her bag and headed out.
Mikale gave Alex a kiss.
	'Be back soon.'


Lykaan was playing with a few peas on his plate.
	'Lykaan, are you eating?'
No reply.
	'Lykaan?'
	'Hmm. Sorry, I have a lot on my mind. I feel horrible after today.'
He placed his fork on the table.
	'May I be excused?'
	'If you've lost blood, you need to eat properly, Lykaan.'
	'I'm sure I'll be fine. I just need a piss.'
	'Language, Lykaan.
	'What's wrong with expressing my need to urinate?'
	'Go and pee.'
Lykaan stood, leaving for the bathroom.
Alex cupped her face in her hands.
	'Are you okay Alex?'
	'Lykaan, does he seem off to you? I've never seen him like this, not in the middle. It's like he's both at once.'
	'Everyone's entitled to their off days, Aunty. He was stabbed after all, who wouldn't be a little cranky.'
	'I suppose you're right.'
But is it really him just being a little cranky...




Malessa thanked Mikale for the lift, then ran inside.
	'Dad! I'm home!'
She took all her school books out of her bag, letting them dry in front of the fire.
	'Dad? Are you here?'
She headed off to his bedroom, opening the door.
	'Dad, I called you...'
There was a woman asleep in his bed.
Malessa exited the room and ran to the lounge room.
She stood there a moment before falling to her knees.
	'Olivia? Is that you?'
Who the hell is Olivia?
Her father came out of the bathroom.
Naked.
	'Lessa? When did you get back?'
She turned away from him.
	'A few minutes ago. Who is Olivia?'
He grabbed a towel out from the bathroom and wrapped it around his waist.
	'Malessa, I told you to be back at six. I would have explained everything then.'
She began to cry.
She didn't want him to know.
	'I'm going to bed...'
	'Lessa, please wait.'
She ran off to her room, slamming the door behind her.




Mikale was in bed, reading his usual few chapters of a book before bed.
Alex joined him.
	'Hey, Honey, I need to speak to you.'
	'Coincidently, so do I.'
	'It's about KD.'
	'Lykaan.'
	'I think KD may be in love with Malessa.'
	'Why is that?'
	'Can you put your book down, please.'
Mikale marked his page, placing his book on his lap.
	'Thank you. KD and Malessa seem to spend a lot of time together. She walked him home today, holding his hand. Then later they spoke about being dominant and on top.'
	'Did you think they may have meant that as in hierarchy?'
	'Well, no, but...'
	'Alex, if something happens between them, it'll be good for KD. Just let time tell.'
	'Okay... what about Lykaan? You had something to say.
	'Lykaan, in his words, raped a boy at school.'
	'He didn't!'
	'No, he didn't. From what he said, he only gave oral to the boy. I feel as though he thinks it's his fault he got stabbed. I'm not too fussed about the act, but the consequences seem to have torn him up inside. He broke into tears when telling me what he did, but they weren't tears for fearing a punishment, they were tears of regret.
	'I've been thinking about it for the last few hours. I told him I would take away everything he owned if he stepped out of line again. I have to keep my word, but I feel that is the worst thing to do after what has happened. I could really use your help figuring this out. What's your view on this?'
	'Keep your word. Punishment has to be followed through, otherwise nothing is learned.'




Fire.
It all made sense now.
Flames.
Smoke.
It made sense.
	'You didn't answer my question Lykaan, do you like it?'
You destroyed my tranquillity.
You burned up everything I built from my happy memories.
Lykaan started shaking uncontrollably.
	'You did this...'
	'Yes, I did.'
Lykaan turned to face Wylder'
	'You! You,' he motioned to the wreckage behind him, 'burned up my dreams? Everything I had built to keep you out of my head, you burned!'
	'Are you blinded by the light? The evidence in right there, look...'
Lykaan slammed his hands against the barrier between them.
Wylder jumped.
	'Easy, Lykaan, its just a dream...'
	'To you. To me it was... My sanity. The one thing I lived each and every day for. It was always brighter after I had control for the day.'
	'It looks brighter than ever to me!'
	'You know, If I really wanted to I could...'
Lykaan squinted.
The barrier started to crack.
 	'Break your final line of defence against me?'
Large pieces of the barrier, much like chunks of glass, fell around Wylder.
He backed off from the barrier.
	'Lykaan? What are you doing?'
	'Shattering everything you or I have ever known.'
Wylder Dived out of the path of a broken barrier piece.
	'Breaking apart the fabric of our realities, Wylder'
He wasn't wrong. Everything was falling apart.
	'Taking Control'
	'You're killing us!'
	'I don't care. I've had enough.'
Wylder closed his eyes and started to fade.
Lykaan took his hands off the barrier, looking at it, dissatisfied.
	'What a load of use this was.'
He punched the barrier, shattering the remaining integrity.
	'Useless to the core.'
With a wave of his hand, it turned to dust.
	'I'm taking control of my life Wylder. Try to stop me if you please. I'll win.'
He turned to the inferno.
Kneeling down, he drew a hexagon in the ashes.