“Reese, are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” He said softly.

It has been a few days since the last time I talked to him. But something seems off. He seems scared.

“Oh, really?” I raised an eyebrow as I talked into the phone. “Then why are you whispering?”

“Aunt Judy heard me talking to you a couple of days ago and went off.” He replied. “If she hears me talking to you now, she might take my phone. I can’t lose you like that, Penn. I won’t let her.”

“Why don’t you go out?” I suggested. “Go with some friends to the movies. Have fun.”

“I can’t.” I could feel Reese’s paranoia. I lived it… once. “I’m grounded for having talked to you.”

My mouth twisted up, furious. “Are you serious?”

“Like the plague.”

“Are you on the roof?” I asked, guessing that’s where he’d be.

“Yeah,” he confirmed. “Aunt Judy is downstairs entertaining some guests. They’re making a lot of noise, but I’m afraid she’ll develop supernatural hearing.”

“That old bat.” I grumbled. “I can hear her leathery wings from here.”

“Penn, don’t make me laugh!” he said, muffling a chuckle.

“Sorry.” I frowned. Judy has finally managed to take away his laughter from me. That slithering— “Did you recognize anyone that’s over the house?”

“No,” he told me dejectedly. “They look like trouble though.”

“Trouble?” I straightened up. “What do you mean?”

“They don’t look scary or anything, but they come off… cruel. Like they rip the wings off butterflies and then eat it cruel.”

“Damn,” I scowled. “That’s no joke. Why the hell would Lord Voldemort being doing with people like that? She’s never been that sketchy.”

“I don’t know. Crimes been increasing here and there, and with it, Aunt Judy’s circle of friends expand.” He paused. “Aw, man. I hear her coming down the hall. I have to go, Penn. Bye.”

He hung up before I could hear him reassure me that he was alright. But I knew the truth. He was never ok there.

*****

It took all my strength as both Penn and Tempest not to grab Reese and hit the high road, but unfortunately, now wasn’t the time to challenge Judy. I didn’t exactly have a much better home for Reese. Even if he lived with me and Des, he wouldn’t have everything he needed and neither would I. Especially since I still don’t know what the hell happened to me or how long it’s going to last.

First thing’s first.

I took down Elton Blake’s office hours and what building he was in from the CSU website.

It was time I got some answers.