I see Crow at school towards the end of the day; he has headphones in as usual. His feet aren't on the desk though, mainly because he's busy writing something in a notebook. I sit at my desk & sigh deeply; I put my head down & soon hear feet walking all around. "Damn, this how you gonna treat me?" I look up to see Crow, & his eyebrows raise up in concern. He has in the earrings I gave him. "Yo... you don't look so good. You ok?" I shrugged. "I-I guess... sorry. Had a rough night last night." he gives me a worrying look. "You sick? Headache or anything? I have some medicine in my bag." I shook my head. "Okay... but are you s-" "I'm fine. Now please drop it." He stops talking immediately; oh shit. "O-Okay then..." he said shakily. "So... oh! I made some art for the s-" the bell rang & the teacher walked in, pinching the bridge of her nose. It was lit class so everyone started to get out their books immediately. "Ok everyone listen up. I have the worst migraine of my life. So, you guys can have a free bell. Work on anything you need to work on, I don't care. Just... don't, please don't get loud." everyone immediately began moving around as the teacher chugged a large bottle of Gatorade. Crow didn't come by me, so after an eternity of debating with myself, I went to him. He doesn't say a word, but hands me an earbud silently. "I... I'm sorry if I came off as rude." he doesn't say a word & just starts sketching. There was some sort of instrumental playing, but I could tell it was a rock cover of some kind. Was he mad? "I-It was a rough weekend & I think I saw someone from my past who... w-well the people we were around weren't the kindest to us & it freaked me out... p-plus Demi found out I had seen some files that I shouldn't've seen &..." he was still silent, drawing what appeared to be some sort of dragon intimidating a woman. "C-Crow could you say something at least?" My powers never had this kind of effect on a person before... what was going on. "Crow?" I touched him & he sucked in air through his teeth; it was like I had scared him. He stared at me for a little bit. "L-Luna...? When did you... fuck. I'm sorry." he gripes, smacking his cheeks & staring at the drawing. "How... how long have you been here?" I shrugged. "I dunno... 5 minutes maybe. Why?" he sighs. "I have a disassociation disorder. Ok... ok... the drawing is new... same with the song & you-" he looks me directly in my eyes. "You have my ear bud... ok. Ok so, it wasn't that bad... good, good." he flashes a off smile. "Um, what'd you say?" I sighed. "I... all I did was apologize if I came off as rude earlier." he nodded. "You didn't, promise." The bell rings seemingly very early; when was it 3? The teacher groans & tries her best to send us off. "Alright everyone. Same time tomorrow." I go to my own desk & start packing up while kids try to run out of the room. I glance up to see Crow standing by the door... he's waiting on me? That's kinda sweet.

"So... doing anything later?"

"Not really. Going home... might cook for Demi."

"Oh. Cool.."

"Did... did you wanna-"

I suddenly pull Crow to my left as a fist swings at him out of no where. He seems confused as a voice rings out. "GET OVER HERE YOU SHIT!" Crow is shoved & soon starts trying to size a student up. The guy is about 6 feet tall with a red tank top & basketball shorts on. Crow is about 5'8, so slightly over average, but his slender frame is dwarfed by the other, much more buff guy. His name is Isaiah Framer, but most call him Izzy; he's the quarter back for the school & thinks everyone should eat out the palm of his hand... so your stereotypical popular kid. Him & Crow have been fighting for years, so it wasn't a surprise to anyone. "Dude... seriously? Right now? You nearly hit Luna." Crow says, more pissed about me nearly being hit than anything. Izzy looks over at me & winks; I hold back the urge to vomit. "New jewelry huh? Your boyfriend give it to you? Or was it your pimp?" Crow shoves him away & starts walking off; Izzy stops me by moving his body so he blocks my path. "Where you going beauti-" "Go back to the gym Isaiah." he jogs off as I feel blood trickle down my nose. I sighed, walking outside & saw Demi's car outside. She was leaning on the hood, waving at me eagerly... oh no. We get in the car & she's smiling. "Hey hon. Have a good day?" I nodded slowly as she sighed heavily as she pulled out of the parking lot.

"So... I talked to that Jacq person-"

There it was.

"I found out something interesting. They live the next town over... you know that?"

"W-Why tell me t-"

"Cause... I thought you could talk to them. Maybe get some closure."

"Demi, what are you-"

"What were they?"

I sighed, sinking into the seat squeezing my arm. "Their mom was a nurse... she fixed up Runners..." Demi glanced at me; we weren't going home. She wanted to talk & I was talking. Now, she was stalling, hoping I wouldn't notice. I always did, but I knew how hard she was trying. "Runners... who's he?" I shook my head. "Runners... Runners was what I called people who... didn't make it." she gave a slow blink. "When Fa-Mister Carhaven would find people for the cult, they would be in a room with me... w-we would talk & they would try to get me out of there... m-most didn't make it. Those who did &... repented as he called it... they got sent to Miss Julia. T-That was Jacq's mom's name. C-Can we change the topic?" she nodded. "Sure honey... sure..." we stopped in a parking lot & I saw Malcolm standing at the door, waving shyly. "He is gonna take you out while I finish up this case." I got out of the car & she hugged me, kissing my forehead. "Love you Moonshine." I nuzzled into him. "Love you too Mom."

Two dresses, three pairs of jeans, countless stickers & jewelry & a mini cake later, Malcolm had dropped me off at home. It was beginning to storm really bad. "I can stay the night, really it's ok." I smile. "I'll be ok. Promise. Thanks again." he smiles. "Anytime Luna." he pulls off & I sigh heavily. I flop onto the couch & groan loudly. "Christ... why is this so-" there was bagging on the front door. I got defensive, prepping myself for a fight. More frantic banging, which faded out to weak knocking. I peaked through the peep hole & gasp; there was Crow on the doorstep, bloody & beaten. "Oh my God!" I throw the door open & he chuckles. "Took you long enough." I drag him inside; he's bleeding from his nose, mouth & ears. I can tell nothings broken, but he looks like he's in bad shape; I set him on the couch as he groans. "Ok... ok, I'm calling 91-" he coughs. "No... no, God no... please." as he says 'God', I feel a ping in the back of my head. "Alright... alright, fine. Let me find the first aid kit." he nods weakly. I take off, trying to figure out what to do. I can heal, we don't have a first aid kit!! How on earth was this gonna wo-"SHIT!" there was a crash & a cry of pain. I ran back to him to see Crow on the floor, starting to sob. "Fucking... damn it..." I help him up, trying to subtly heal him. "What happened...? Crow please." he doesn't bother hiding his tears. "It was fucking Izzy... followed me... jumped me while I was getting shit for R... fuck, Rae." he tried getting into his pocket, but kept wincing. "I'll do it." I take the phone. "C-Code is Rook." I nodded & saw numbers. Oh... "7... 6, 6, 5." it unlocks just as his sister calls.

"H-Hello?

"Oh my God, where the h-Luna? Luna, is Crow with you?"

"Yeah... yeah, he's fine. He's-"

"Don't tell her..."

"He got a bit lost. He's staying with me..."

"Really?"

"Yeah..."

"Ok then... I'll call him later. Text me if he need me ok?"

"I will Raven. Thanks."

"Anytime Luna."

She hung up the phone & he smiled. "Thanks..." I sighed. "So... Izzy..." he sighed. "Snatched me up & kicked my ass along with his friends... heh, he hates me hanging out with you. But now look... got you pampering me now." he laughs but starts coughing. "Stop joking. Just lay here..." the only way for my healing to really work is for me to touch him. I lay his head on my lap & I see his ear turn red at the tip.

"He took out the earrings..."

"O-Oh, yeah. They tore out... I'm ok, b-but should I really been laying on you...? I-I-I don't wanna get you bloody."

"It's ok. Sleep now."

I start humming & I feel his breathing slow.