“Denn’s a fucking bitch.”

Startled, their eyes flew open, as they hurried out of the way of a foul-mouthed T on the warpath. Whatever was going on, it was nothing to do with them - no, it was T’s business. Well, T and Cleo’s, they guessed, but that relationship was also nothing to do with them. They didn’t want to intrude on such a pure and beneficial partnership, with all their woes and cries for help. It wouldn’t be right. T was happy, and Cleo was happy. And, if they kept their nose out and stayed separate from all their business, they’d continue to be happy for as long as the relationship lasted.

“What’s gone on, babe?” And there she was - quiet but present. All the usual chatter had stilled, leaving space in the air for T’s next words.

“I knew somethin’ was up. Got sent back to Chancer’s, ‘detention’ or some shit like that.” Just the mention of the name made their heart pound, their blood running cold in their veins - they wished he didn’t still elicit that response in them, but they- they couldn’t help it. “Next thing I know, I’m against the wall. He’s fuckin’ tryin’ it on with me, and then had the fucking cheek to send me to Denn when I protected myself.”

“I’da lamped him.” A small kid - was his name Thomas? - piped up, before being elbowed and shushed by those around him. “Just sayin’.”

“I tried. I fucking tried!” T snarled, his fists finding the brick wall which was the back of the Arts building. “Only got a couple hits in before he was on his fuckin’ walkie-talkie shit, squealing to Denn.”

“Calm down, T.” She was by his side - of course she was - her hands on his arm, then his fists, removing them from the rough, faded-red bricks. “What’s happening now?”

“Denn’s keeping me out of Ice for now. Doesn’t want me snitching to the pigs or ‘out.” Letting out a long, haggard breath, T turned so that his back hit the wall he’d been attempting to punch, sliding down it until he sat on the outcropping which they all used as a bench. “Pile of shit, this school. Fucking mess.”

Murmurs of agreement ran around the group. It was true, ever so true. They weren’t exactly shocked by what T had said - in some part, they admired him, for having the courage which they lacked to speak so openly about the monster, Mr. Chancer, even if it was only to a small group of their closer acquaintances. She sat next to him, no doubt speaking her soothing words into his ear, practically lying on him. They… they didn’t exactly know what they were feeling. Admiration for T, of course, and empathy, but also relief that T had gotten out of Lab 4 with no lasting damage. And… something underlying. Quiet, but very much existent.

Something inside them told them that, if they let this feeling grow, it would only mean trouble for them, and for anyone too closely involved with them. So, they decided, quite quickly and fatally, they would squash this feeling and, just in case, cut their ties with the others of their friend group. It, they thought, was the only way to keep everyone safe. They had to.

They truly had no choice in the matter.