Tim walks through the front door, finding the last of the tweakers and their things gone. Funny, for as long as he’s wanted them all out, as much as he wanted there to be moments of quiet where he’s lived, there’s not a single shred of peace to find in their absence.

  What makes things worse, is that Delilah is home, and it looks like she’s been waiting for him.

  “Where the fuck have you been? It's almost four AM!” Delilah stands up and walks to him.

  “I just want to eat and sleep.” He tries to step around her.

  “Timmy...”

  “Injecting weeds and sampling STDs. Delilah, get out of my way.”

  “Bubuh.” Delilah puts her hands on his shoulders. “I was worried.”

  “And three shots of rocks on the whiskeys.”

  “Jane told me what you saw...”

  Tim scoffs, and pushes his way past his sister, “Well, nothing new huh?”

  “Come on baby, don’t do that, not to me.” Delilah reaches for him, and Tim bats her hand away.

  “Delilah, do you know how many times I’ve seen mom kill someone?”

  “I... thought it was just the one.”

  “Nope! Do you know how many times I’ve seen you kill someone?”

  “I-I’ve never...”

  “Uh huh, I’m eating and going to bed. Byyyyye.”

  Tim’s never been this hungry, has never had to use his powers so extensively, his healing factor so much. His mouth waters as he cooks up more and more food, never quite managing to fill his plate as he eats as soon as it's ready. He pulls Ophelia’s opal from his pocket, and starts to fiddle with it, shifting it between his fingers like a coin.

  He hears the door to his room open up, and the plopping of footsteps as Jane makes her way out. He stuffs the opal in his pocket before she rounds the corner to the kitchen, and doesn’t acknowledge her until she wraps her arms around him and squeezes.

  “Hungry?” He asks.

  “No, Tim?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Will you tell me about it now?”

  “I’ve... No, I’ve been talking about it a lot today, I need a break.”

  “So, you just went out with Lance until five a.m. and... Talked?”

  “Four a.m.”

  “What?”

  “Its almost four, not five.”

  Jane shakes her head and lets go of him, “What is wrong with you?”

  “Sorry, I’m just tired.”

  “I... I know, sorry, you’ve been through a lot.”

  No, no damn it. She shouldn’t be apologizing to him, he’s the one who’s been lying to her, and now making her feel guilty for nothing.

  “I’ll give you your space today, ok? I can sleep on the couch now that everyone's gone.”

  “No, not a chance. Those couches are gross and, I don’t want to fall asleep without you tonight.”

  Her face scrunches up in pure confusion, “I... ok?”

  “Sorry, I, I just want to think everything through ok? Before we talk, I want to know some of the things I want to say, how I want to say them, ok?”

  “Tim?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Did I do something? Anything? You have to tell me if I did, ok?”

  “You didn’t.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah,” Tim holds out his pinky, “I promise.”

  Jane stares at it, then takes it. “Ok.”

  “Go to sleep, I’ll head to bed when I’m done eating.”

  Much to Tim’s dismay, Sunday isn’t a very good day. More shrugging off Jane, constant check in with Lance about Ray, and more fiddling with the opal. Then, Monday comes, and, much to Tim’s dismay again, things fall back into a routine after the insane weekend.

  With everything that’s happened, the mundaneness is almost maddening, leaving too much room for Tim to dwell, to the point he’s almost grateful for Cristine’s inane babbling, almost.

  “Hey Tim-chan, are you and Jane together yet?”

  “Don’t call me that,” He says on reflex, his mood now souring further.

  “You should soooon you know? She’s pretty! There’s plenty of guys in to her, you’re gonna miss your chance. Like, what if an older guy asks her out? Is she into older guys? I am, my sister’s boyfriend is so hot, but he’s also lame.”

  “What? Cristine if an older guy asks you out don’t say yes.”

  “Its ok, the guy I like is my age.”

  “Ok.”

  “It's you.”

  “Ew.”

  “Jk, it's Henry.”

  “W-what? Henry’s just as bad as Darik, he’s bullied you for as long as I can remember.”

  “But he’s been nice lately! And he’s hot!”

  “I cannot handle this girl being a moron right now.” Tim says under his breath. “Cristine, stay away from Henry, ok? That doesn’t end well,”

  “Huh? What’d you say? I thought I saw a ghost so I stopped paying attention.”

  “What?” Tim sighs.

  “Hey, what's your favorite tags?”

  “Cristine...”

  “You know, for Hentai?”

  “I’m going to strangle you.”

  “God that’d be hot.”

  “I need to go to the bathroom.” Tim almost shouts as he brings his hand up.

  “Not this time.” The teacher smiles at him.

  “Please? I am going to lose my shit right here if I don’t.”

  A few classmates laugh, while others give understanding nods, realizing what it actually means.

  The teacher relents and sighs, “Alright Tim.”

  Tim extends his senses, avoiding the bathroom closest to the classroom because, somehow, Darik is also making his way there. He heads for some more out of the way ones, when he picks something else up.

  “Creature?” He looks up, spotting the yellow, red panda sitting on an overpass, eating fruit from a container.

  He slow blinks at Tim, and brings his paw down onto his forehead, and then shoves a piece of fruit into his hand.

  “What? What are you doing here? How did—”

  Creature’s paw wraps around Tim’s wrist and brings the fruit up to his mouth.

  “Fine.” He sighs and takes a bite of the peach.

  Tim’s ears perk up as he hears someone coming out of a classroom nearby, and by the time he turns to tell Creature to hide, Creature is already at his feet, forcing himself into Tim’s pocket and wrapping himself into the cutest ball that’s ever existed.

  “I didn’t realize you could do that.”

  Create bleps at him, and Tim gives the pocket a pat before continuing on.

  Tim sticks his head under the faucet and lets water run through his hair. He sticks his hand in the opposite pocket from Creature, and runs the rock in between his fingers as he watches water bubble before it heads down the drain.

  Dr. Moore was a private woman, but upon her death, more of her personal life came to light. Never married, no kids, no next of kin, Tim wonders if she ever got lonely, or if her work and colleagues were enough for her. That aside, the take away is, there’s no one for Tim to give the opal too, besides maybe Arch, and he sure as hell isn’t doing that.

  He doesn’t realize his leg has been bouncing until it starts to bounce even faster, his wristband vibrating and sending a jolt through his nerves and a shot of adrenaline into his veins.

  “What is it? Ray?”

  “Yes, it's been difficult to look into him, given that his face is devoid of most features so facial recognition software has been suboptimal, however, I believe I’ve found him, who is and what he’s done.”

  “I doubt it's anything good if you called me.” Tim says, grabbing paper towels and pressing them against his soaked hair.

  “Yes, Raymond Parker is a wanted murderer.”

  “God damn it.” Tim leans against a wall and slides down it.

  Creature pops out of his pocket and curls up into his lap, but it doesn’t do much to help as Lance continues. A history of violence, battery, assault, in and out of jail for violent crimes for most of his life. He eventually gets hired by crime lords for small jobs, and then hits. He’s killed at least six people, but is suspected of more.

  “Fuck.”

  He should leave, handle Ray right now before he charges up even more. He can afford to miss some more school, his brain processes faster, meaning he can learn faster. Tesla already cost him, bumped him down a letter grade in a few classes but he can still recover.

  Tesla, that’s right, he missed school when Tesla was active. If he does it again to fight Ray? That’s something Arch could take notice of, and no way they aren’t getting closer and closer to figuring out who he is, and that’s nothing to say of the House Burners.

  “It doesn't matter.” He brings Creature's face to his and gives it a squeeze. “Lance, where is he? I’ll...”

  Jane, Rowan, Alex, his mother, sister. If Prehistoric Kid’s enemies figure out who is, then...

  “It's alright, there’s no need to take any action yet.” Lance confirms.

  “Really? Why?”

  “Ray is unaware we know who is, and has been fully cooperating and staying in the junkyard. He’s content with resting for now, and while he does, it's possible I can develop counter measures, and if we’re lucky, a place to hold him.”

  “Right right.” Tim sighs. He didn’t even think about the fact they need to put Ray somewhere, somewhere other than Arch.

  But, six people and counting? Maybe going back to that hole is what Ray deserves?

  Those questions, the questions of Ray and Arch assault him throughout the day. He’s not able to sit still, focus, even if he extends his senses and tries and takes it all in, his enemies manage to pierce through the stimulant haze, and bury deep into his brain.

  Maybe Arch should have been his main concern the entire time, if only he focused on the mystery of his powers, the Phantasmaraptor, instead of the cartels and Tesla. Maybe everything would’ve been better then, maybe there wouldn't be this... this looming threat hanging over his friends, like a meteor.

  Would Connors put his friends in danger to get to him? Is Tim’s fallen hero capable of that? He’s capable of what’s basically slavery, but Ray ended up being a monster. If Lance found that out, surely Connors knows. Maybe that’s all the justification Connors needs, that Tim needs?

  Reality smacks him in the face as Jane grabs him by the shoulders.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Tim, snap out of it dude, you’re scaring me.”

  “Huh?” Tim looks around, they’re in PE, walking up and down rickety, barely maintained bleachers.

  “I’m going to take you to the nurses office.”

  Enough of this, enough of this. The whole reason he hasn’t told her his secret is to not worry her, and now that’s all she’s been doing. What’s the point anymore? He needs to just tell her, for both their sakes.

  He almost does, and then realizes where he is. Jane notices, and looks at him expectantly.

  “Tim?”

  “I... I messed something up and I can’t do anything about it.” He lets slip out.

  “What? What did you mess up?” She makes the same, confused face from Sunday.

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Tim, please.” A look of anguish goes over her face.

  “Sorry, I mean, not here. Stupid, I’m sorry.” Tim shakes his head. “Its private,

  “No, no it's ok.” She smiles, some relief in her eyes. “ It's going to drive me crazy for the rest of the day though.”

  “Sorry, I just...”

  “No it's ok, there’s plenty of nosey people around anyways.”

  “Thanks for—” He begins but he’s interrupted.

  “You have to tell me though, ok?” She gets a serious look on her face. “I mean it, you've been acting really weird lately, even before the stuff at the science fair.”

  “I—.”

  “I’m being serious Tim, you used to tell me everything, no hesitation and...” she yelps as the metal of the bleachers buckles a bit under her weight, “God I fucking hate this school, anyways, yeah, you’ve been weird for weeks now. You act super dodgy and...”

  “Ok I get it.” He sighs.

  What’s wrong with him? Now he’s getting irritated?

  “You’re too dense to really get it.” She frowns. “How would it make you feel if I just... started shutting you out, out of nowhere?”

  His sight lets him pick up the beginning of tears at the cone of Jane’s eyes, and his irritation twists into a million other things. He’s going to lose it if this keeps up, it's just too much all at once.

  “Now isn’t the time Jane.”

  She frowns, but with a look to all the other students around, nods in agreement.

  “Right, but after school...”

  “As soon as we get home, I promise.”

  She pulls him aside, letting others pass them, and holds out her pinky. Tim looks at it and chews his cheek, then takes it, committing.

  Despite him almost looking forward to it, it doesn’t stop the rest of the school day feeling relentless. On the contrary, it makes it feel like it crawls by even slower. Tim is constantly looking to the clock, his leg bouncing, fingers around the opal, petting Creature hidden away in his pocket. It feels like eternity, like when he was fighting at the fair and—

  The bell rings, and relief washes over him. He doesn’t wait for the teacher to excuse him, doesn’t pay enough attention to even know if they say something or not, he simply darts out the door and follows Jane’s scent.

  He runs up beside her before they meet their regular meeting place, startling her.

  “Shit, when did you get so quiet.” She sighs. “You ready?”

  “Yeah yeah, let's go.”

  She looks confused again, but a smile begins to curl at her lips as she snorts at his eagerness.

  “What’s with you?”

  “Let’s get home so I can tell you.”

  Then he hears something in the distance, a familiar soft whimper, a plea for help, and familiar scents.

  Tim facepalms, and slowly drags his hand down.

  “I told her to stay away from them.”

  “Huh?” Jane raises an eyebrow.

  “Darik and his grunts are beating up Cristine again.”

  “What? Where?”

  “This way.”

  God damn it Cristine, there’s more important things to deal with right now. He should just leave her to suffer the consequences of her own actions, a few scrapes and bruises won’t kill her. Yet he pushes forward into the park across from the school, Jane keeping pace with him.

  “They’re over here? How the fuck?”

  “Heard it.”

  “Heard it?”

  “Shhh stealth mode.”

  Tim ducks behind some playground equipment and peaks around, quickly spotting Darik leaning against a tree, keeping a look out. His four friends on the other hand, stand over a bruised,kneeling Cristine, back against a wallball wall.

  While far from an unfamiliar sight, this time it feels different. Darik and his friends rough Cristine up sometimes, but this time she seems actually hurt. They’re angry too, hearts elevated, more aggressive chemicals leaking from their pours.

  Something is definitely up, but as Henry moves his foot back to kick Cristine, Tim decides to find out later.

  The loaded kick never fires, Tim dashing from his hiding spot and shoulder checking Henry. Like if a linebacker hit a toddler, Henry goes flying and lands on the ground with a loud thud, his shoulder making a satisfying pop noise as it dislocates.

  “Shit! How are you two always everywhere?!” Clark takes a step back with his hands up, “Don’t you think you should be beating up your sister for—”

  Today is not the day to goad Tim on, Clark quickly finding that out as a knee hits his gut. He falls to the ground and Tim rolls his neck, hoping this can at least be a bit of a stress reliever.

  Brad steps up and throws a punch at Tim’s head, but he ducks under it, grabs Brad’s arm, then falls backwards. Brad falls with Tim, and he brings his feet up, with Brad’s chest landing on them, and then rolls into a toss, launching Brad into the downed Clark.

  Tim hops up and hears Darik run up behind him, feels the shift in the air as he throws a punch to the back of his head. Tim side steps with a wink and a shit eating grin, then shoves Darik into the wallball wall. Darik's face lands with a loud smack and he stumbles back, Tim turning him around and palms him back into the wall. Darik stumbles forward and Tim punches him across the face, splitting his lip and splattering blood on the ground.

  Darik spits and tries to lunge at Tim, but he hits him again, then pushes Darik against the wall, holding him in place with his arm. Darik looks into Tim's eyes with pure hatred.

  “God I fucking I hate you.”

  “Sore loser.” Tim looks behind as he sees Jane headbutt Henry under his chin, the other guy already on the ground with a black eye. “In more ways than one, I’d bet, no way you’re all healed up from all the other times I’ve kicked your ass lately.”

  Darik scoffs, “Get the fuck off me!” He struggles, kicks, but Tim doesn’t let him escape.

  He grinds his teeth and spats at Tim, but he ducks out of the way, Darik catching himself. He throws another punch, but Tim deflects it and punches him back.

  Darik stumbles and crouches, putting his hand on his knees and spitting blood on the ground, then laughs.

  “You really think I hate you because you've beaten me in a few fights huh?”

  “Amongst others, I'm sure. But I doubt you need anything more.”

  “See, there it is, so fucking smug, so high and mighty. You really think you’re better than any of us, don’t you?”

  Tim gestures over to Cristine, still sitting up against the wall.

  “If you take in all the evidence then, yeah.”

  “Jesus fuck, can you even see anything from all the way up there?” Darik steps up to Tim, and looks him in the eyes. “Ask your pet freak what she did.”

  “If you want some more Darik, I’m in the perfect mood to keep this going.”

  “Ask her.” Darik gets right in Tim’s face.

  Tim narrows his eyes, and then looks down to Cristine, who hides her face away from him.

  “I’m sorry Tim-Chan.” She whispers.

  “Speak up freak!”

  “Hey!” Tim shoves him, “whatever she did, it's not like it justifies you getting together five—”

  “Thought you guys were close, friends.” Darik cuts him off. “She tell you her and Henry have been hitting it off?”

  “I’m sorry!” Cristine shouts.

  Tim and Jane look at each other, confusion and concern growing in equal measure.

  “Cristine...” Tim kneels down to her.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Fucking coward.” Darik walks to Henry and helps him up. “I’ll fucking say it then.”

  “No! I... he... he was cheating on me!” Cristine yells back.

  “We were never together you stupid—” Henry takes a deep breath, “I decided to try a new schtick, like you said Tim.” He stares at Cristine, “tried to be nice, to make up for everything. But you know how it is when you try to be her friend huh Jane?” Henry turns to her, rubbing his sore jaw. “Bites the hand that feeds her.”

  “Oh fuck off, I beat her ass for it but I’m a girl, not a bunch of dudes.” Jane takes a step towards him and he puts his hands up.

  “Yeah well, maybe you would’ve if she stole your phone and leaked yours and your girlfriends... texts online.” Henry shrugs.

  In spite of his powers, the words take far too long to hit Tim, and once they do he freezes, stunned into silence. Jane also looks shocked, then looks at Cristine with disgust.

  “I’m sorry.” She whispers again.

  Tim jolts up and takes a few steps back, “Cristine, you, what the fuck is wrong with you? Do you have any idea what you did?”

  “Tim-Ch... Tim, please, I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, keep saying it to your favorite bodyguard, and not to Henry.” Darik spits at Cristine, and Tim doesn’t have the heart to intercept it.

  Damn it, Henry’s arm is dislocated, Darik’s lip is still bleeding, all of them are pretty banged up.

  “I’m sorry, let me help you guys to—”

  “Fuck off, you’re no better. Just as delusional.” Darik flips Tim off.

  “Can you just fucking drop dead dickhead?” Jane shouts at him. “Like breaking up you fuck-heads ganging up on one girl was a bad thing to do. Even if she is disgusting.”

  Darik shrugs, “It ain't just about today, it's about everyday.” Darik lets Brad take Henry and walks back towards them. “You basically already admitted you think you're better than me, Tim, than us.” He gestures around to his friends. “Thing is, you’re not, you’re way, way worse.”

  Darik continues to approach them as soon as he steps into her range, Jane goes to sucker punch him, again, but Tim puts his hand on hers and she stops.

  “Much worse than me, actually.” Darik steps back into his face. “Look down on me, all your mom’s customers that move through your house, don’t you? Probably your mom and sister too? But that’s not a hand me down or some shirt you got from a thrift store.”

  Darik gestures down to Tim’s Godzilla t-shirt, something he has picked up on the mall trip.

  “And I’ve seen you bust out a DS a few times in detention when whatever Narc they have watching us doesn’t give a fuck. Looks new.”

  “I—”

  “You,” Darik cuts him off. “Don’t have clean hands in it man.” He tilts his chin up and smiles, “Everything you eat, everything you wear, it all comes from the same place. If you have such a problem with it, take some photos and send it to the cops.”

  Tim opens his mouth to counter, but no words come out.

  “Hell, you know I buy my supply straight from your sister and her boyfriend, sell for them. Tell you what, you decide to get some evidence together? I'll help you out and record the meeting next time. But we both know you’re not going to. You wanna eat, you wanna eat good food. You want video games and 30 dollar T-Shirts, right? Plus, not like the foster system rocks man, I’ve been in it, once.”

  Maybe if today wasn’t today, Darik’s words wouldn’t hit as hard as they are, but regardless, he’s right. He’s been making a dent in drug trafficking, but his mom and sister, Robert, they’re a huge component to everything. Tim’s always thought about collecting evidence on them, wouldn’t it be a good idea to go through with it now? Help slow something as harmful as the cartel? He’d be put in the foster system sure, but he can easily take care of himself now. But then Jane would have to go back to her father.

  “Damn, you know, don’t think I’d ever seem you speechless. You always have some stupid shit to say back.” Darik laughs, then flinches as Jane’s fist nearly collides with his swelling lip.

  “Jane, stop.” Tim says, holding her arm.

  “Fuck that, I’m going to put him in the hospital.” Jane kicks at Darik, grazing his shin.

  “Fuck, you’re crazy!” Darik stumbles back.

  “Oh you haven’t seen shit yet Darik, you think your dad gets pissy when Tim beats you in a fight? Wait tell he hears about me breaking your fucking arm.”

  “Jane...” Tim tugs on her.

  “What!?” She wheels, her boiling over rage going down to a simmer as she sees his face. “You...”

  “Let’s go.”

  Darik narrows his eyes at the two of them, taking a turn to wear confusion on his face, before Brad calls out to him.

  “Darik! Henry’s really hurting, let's get him to the nurses office.”

  Darik glances to his friends, looks back to Tim and Jane, turns, and then looks at them again, before walking off.

  “See you two later.”

  Tim doesn’t notice he’s still holding Jane’s arm, not till her feels her slide his hand down into hers.

  “Come on, let’s go home and talk.”

  “Yeah...”

  They start to leave, but stop as Cristine scrambles up, “Wait!”

  Tim wheels on her, face red, and erupts, “Get away from me!”

  “I’m sorry! I should've told you, but these last couple weeks you’ve been so busy!”

  “Don’t talk to me!” Tim snaps, “Don’t talk to me ever again, do you hear me? We are done, you might've ruined lives for a delusion.”

  “Its not a delusion! He... I said I was his yandere girlfriend and he didn’t say no!”

  “Jesus fuck.” Jane sighs. “Go away Cristine.”

  “It's not a delusion! He likes me! That skank just stole him from me!”

  “You’re disgusting.” Tim says with heavy, uneven breaths.

  “Y-you don’t mean that, we... We’re friends, Tim, you’re my only friend. It's ok, isn’t it? Tim?”

  “We aren’t friends Cristine, not anymore.”

  Tim turns and leaves, Jane’s hand slipping from his as he just walks, and walks, he doesn’t know where, he doesn’t care where, but he does know something.

  He’s been busy these last few weeks, god damn it. This was happening while he was fighting Tesla, if he had managed his time better, paid more attention to Cristine then—

  Jane grabs his hand again, and yanks him to her, pulling him to a halt, and back to reality. It looks like they ended up behind a furniture store, one he recognizes. Jane must’ve been following him for at least twenty minutes, god he doesn’t deserve her.

  “Tim...” Her thumb rubs the top of his hand, and he already knows what she’s going to say.

  “It needs to be at home, and then I can tell you everything.”

  “Mhmm, let's hurry, ok?” She says, uncertainty lacing her tone.

  They start to head back to the street, then Tim’s hearing picks up the sound of a modified engine, and he stops.

  “No no no.” Tim rubs his head.

  “What’s—” Jane starts, but stops as she sees Lance’s van pull in.

  “Tim,” Lance quickly opens the door for him. “We need to go. Hello Jane.” Lane nods to her.

  God damn it.

  Tim lets go of Jane’s hand, and steps into the van, “I’ll explain everything when I get home, ok? But there’s something I need to deal with. But I promise I'll explain—”

  “No!” Jane hops into the van after him as Lance starts to drive, slamming the door behind her.

  “Jane! What are you doing?”

  “I have been waiting for weeks for you to finally tell me what's going on with you! I am not waiting anymore!”

  “Its to dangerous!”

  “What the fuck does that mean!?” She grinds out, her frustration reaching a tipping point.

  “Lance!” Tim shouts at him.

  “We really need to go.” He answers back while keeping his eyes on the road.

  “Dude! You need to start talking.”