A Whump-centric discord server ~ posts things said by our members ~ reblogs and likes anything Whump ~ if you tag this account in a Whumpy post we will like/reblog it ~ come join us â¤ď¸ https://discord.gg/gvMunhgb9C
Fandoms: White Collar, Batman, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Super Danganronpa 2, Baldurâs Gate, Genshin Impact, Ace Attorney, Kpop Demon Hunters, Avatar (Cameron), Honkai Star Rail, Stranger Things, Call of Duty, Deadpool, Mo Dao Zu Shi, the Brave Locomotive
Fandoms: White Collar, Batman, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Super Danganronpa 2, Baldurâs Gate, Genshin Impact, Ace Attorney, Kpop Demon Hunters, Avatar (Cameron), Honkai Star Rail, Stranger Things, Call of Duty, Deadpool, Mo Dao Zu Shi, the Brave Locomotive
Writing
Paint the Town Pink by BlueLaceAgate0590 for ASmallVoice @bsmallvoice
Fandoms: White Collar (TV 2009), Batman - All Media Types Â
With a head-turning exhibit on loan from the Wayne Foundation, Elizabeth's latest event is shaping up to be a smash hit--and a security headache. Good thing she has an FBI agent and his criminal informant on speed dial.
But despite all his expertise, there's one thing Neal Caffrey overlooked: With all this Gotham attention, someone just might recognize Richard Grayson, Wayne Heir.
When Life Gives You Orders by ASmallVoice @bsmallvoice for Koraesdoodles
Fandoms: Red Hood: Lost Days, Batman - All Media Types Â
Slade Wilson has a contract for a kidnapping. The target turns out to be more interesting than expected.
What I'd Sacrifice for You by Koraesdoodles for BlueLaceAgate0590
Fandom: Batman - All Media TypesÂ
It was supposed to be a routine, easy mission. But now the building was on fire and three of Batman's children were stuck inside. Bruce needed to choose which one he'd rescue first, but it wouldn't matter what order, he would be getting all three of them out alive. The alternative wasn't an option.
Golden Spoons and Other Kinds of Weapons by Crayon @auxchord for Rookblonkorules
Fandoms: DCU, Batman - All Media Types Â
âStop, or I shoot the kid.â The man presses the metal harder into Jasonâs hair, and with horror that's mirrored in Bruceâs expression, Jason realizes distantly that itâs a gun. He has a gun to his head, his arms are tiedâ
Or, newly adopted Jason Todd attends his first gala, desperate to fit into Bruceâs world.
The night doesnât go as planned.
Imaginary Lines by Rookblonkorules for TundrainAfrica
Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga Â
She remembers Royâs suspicions, that this is something that went much higher up the chain of command than either of them realized.
It looks like he was correct.
A Game Called Werewolf by Twyrewolf for Ashthevalkyrie
Fandoms: Super Dangan Ronpa 2, Dangan Ronpa Series Â
The full moon will rise over Jabberwock Island soon
It's Thicker Than Water by Twyrewolf for Siegrrun
Fandom: Baldur's Gate (Video Games)Â Â
Astarion gets a more serious wound than he expected. Help comes from an unlikely source.
solitary by Ashthevalkyrie for Too_Lazy_To_Name_Myself
Fandom: ĺçĽ | Genshin Impact (Video Game) Â
My take on the Dottore boss fight, in which Aether breaks one of Dottore's rules, and Dottore makes liberal use of his authority over time.
One Step Back by TundrainAfrica for Twyrewolf
Fandom: é蝢čŁĺ¤ | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney Â
In the middle of the investigation, Miles Edgeworth gets injured.
Nightmares return, old emotions resurface, and roles are reversed. This time, it's Phoenix Wright's turn to help him out.
it all started on a friday by TundrainAfrica for TrophyxTissues
Fandom: KPop Demon Hunters (2025)Â Â
Another year of livingâŚÂ Yay.Â
Was that something sheâs supposed to be happy about? Well, society says it is. A Huntrix birthday is always heralded when fanfare, but it seems contrived⌠especially since growing up, it wasnât something her parents ever celebrated beyond some simple acknowledgement that sheâs now x years old, and now that sheâs older, she should be doing âx.â
It was never anything special, and she doesn't feel the need to start caring now.
Mira's birthday falls on the weekend, and she isn't interested in celebrating. In the Kang family they just never did.
A Soldier's A Soldier by BurdenedWithPointlessPurpose for AchingRationality
Fandom: Avatar (Movies - Cameron)Â Â
Quaritch spends his time reflecting on what his life has become, healing with the Mangkwan Clan. Varang for the most part, takes care of him like a good tshaik⌠or a bat shit crazy one. The drugs keeping him high off his ass make it more difficult to tell than usual. All he is certain of is he is in no position, physically or mentally, to put up a fight when his alternative is being court marshalled in hell.
Stuck with you (or Not the fun kind of Acid) by Dye_Iguess for DeadeyeCassidy, Ashthevalkyrie
Fandom: ĺ´Šĺďźć犚éé | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) Â
On an abandoned research station Boothill and Caelus get stuck in a buggy situation.
Trapped in the dark, waiting for help, Boothill decides to hide an injury fearing the consequences of a rashly acting Caelus.
If only Swarm acid wasn't so goshdarn corrosive.
Paths in the Dark by BlossomingRosebud for Ashthevalkyrie
Fandom: ĺ´Šĺďźć犚éé | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) Â
Yanqing takes on the task of looking for a missing IPC employee, and unfortunately, they just had to insist on sending one of their own to go with him. Lyndon Skott is living up to his reputation of being annoying, but more importantly, the situation they are dealing with is looking more and more suspicious...just who and what is still lying in wait here, just beneath the surface of the Luofu?
to discordance by Ashthevalkyrie for Dye_Iguess
Fandom: ĺ´Šĺďźć犚éé | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) Â
Let it protect him. Let it guard him, just as Wood had done. The scars weep gold under his fingertips. They pool into lines, twist into veins and withered leaves. Sunday forms the thorns last, and lingers on their hooked barbs. Itâs all he can feel, pinpricks, bright and startlingly quiet in a sea of sound. Â Let it remind him, lest he forget, that he is Sunday, ever-falling, ever-burning with power that is not his. Let him pay the price. Â "Save me," he mouths, and lets them sink into his skin. --- Or: sunday has a hard time adjusting to the Elation's mask.
who's watching me? by pineapple_vel for ilike_color
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)Â Â
Jonathan can't help but have his eye on Steve. He's always around, lately, and Jonathan is an observant guy. Comes with the photography, or something.
That's how he knows something is wrong with Steve Harrington.
Steve's got a game plan for weekends like these: Stay on his bathroom floor until it passes.
Somehow, he ends up in his bed anyway.
Nancy's been watching Jonathan watch Steve, and she keeps her own notes about what's going on.
There's more to it than any of them realize.
The Harrington Jewels by lightningmcqueenstan (ilike_color) for pineapple_vel
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)Â Â
âOkay, so. You know how Steveâs parents are in town?â Dustin started, looking just to the left of Robinâs face. He was nervous.
âYes?â She replied, unsure of where the conversation was going.
âHeâs being weird about it but like, in a concerning way,â Dustin blurted out, steamrolling past Robinâs thoughts. âHe hasnât been doing his normal checking-in calls, he hasnât been able to drive me places, I havenât even seen him anywhere. Like genuinely I havenât seen him this entire week.â
âShit.â She muttered, covering her mouth with her hand. Something must be wrong.
~~
or, Steve's parents are in town.
one thousand deaths by spindly (VVSmydiamonds) for shadowhuntingdauntlessdemigod
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)Â Â
With a sniff, he clears his sinuses. Mom frowns at the sound, but Will canât be bothered to find a tissue. âVecnaâs going to take them,â he recites, unable to draw up the source of his claim. Deep in his heart, he knows itâs true. âNo matter what we do,â he starts, distant, âwe canât defeat him. He always wins.â
âThatâs no way to think.â Mom pulls back only so she can look into Willâs hazel eyes. âYou canât talk like that. Itâll only make it true.â
âBut it is,â he argues. He picks at the outer seam along his pants. âMom, it was . . .â
(a bloodbath)
The rumours and the truths by Siegrrun for VVSmydiamonds
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)Â Â
There were a lot of things one could say about Steve Harrington, many of them true. He was immature. He wasn't the brightest match in the box. He was arrogant. He was lucky. He would do anything for his friends.
***
In the tunnels Steve takes on himself the attack intended for Dustin.
Wages earned and lessons learned by pineapple_vel for Siegrrun
Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)Â Â
Steve's injuries post-mall are worse. He has to let himself depend on others early in recovery, and later realizes that it's not as difficult as it's always sounded
Wade out of Water by TrophyxTissues for BurdenedWithPointlessPurpose
Fandoms: Deadpool (Movieverse), Deadpool - All Media Types Â
Wade's having a nice, relaxing My Little Pony marathon.
Until he remembers, at least.
Stubbornness and Survival by Autobot2001 for JigglycrowÂ
Fandom: Call of Duty (Video Games)Â Â
A mission at a warehouse on a cliff results in Ghost, and Soap fallinf off the cliff. Ghost is injured and the two are seperated from the others.
The Sun that Chased Down the Moon by SneakySteef @sneakysteef for Crayon
Fandom: ééçĽĺ¸ - 墨éŚéč | Modao Zushi - Moxiang Tongxiu & Related Fandoms Â
When he is twelve, the Cloud Recesses burn. When he is twelve, Lan Zhan is told to run and never look back.
For six years, his life is quiet, controlled, and painfully small.
Until a rogue cultivator named Wei Ying quite literally crashes into his lifeâand brings with him questions Lan Zhan was never meant to ask.
Broken and Bound by bashful_santa for TitanicChick
Fandom: The Brave Locomotive (Short Film)Â Â
"Busy is an interesting state to be in.
Itâs both loud and soft.
Chaotic and peaceful.
And it just encompasses so many things, that sometimes people forget that it could be everything at once."
Linus breaks down in the middle of a trip. Broken and bound, he reunites with an old friend
Unjust Punishment // Consequence by Too_Lazy_To_Name_Myself for SneakySteef
Going to Quanhai as the famed Master Ye's Magic Troupe, one would think that performing a magic trick wouldn't get them seized and publicly punished. Zhixin wouldn't have thought so, either, yet here he was
Work/Life Balance by Anonymous for Nixhydro
Drizzle has a new job, a new office and a new Boss but she soon finds out that she's still a target, no matter where she tries to run
Prends Soin by shadowhuntingdauntlessdemigod for Biarritz
Prends soin: take care.
July 1944 in Normandy finds Vincent, a front-line medic, trying to keep his remaining ninety-two men in one piece while screaming artillery and near-constant attacks rip the company to shreds around him.
Mad Scientists Love a Good Monster Transformation by WisdomofToads
A scientist turns a man into a monster in a desperate attempt to give magic to ordinary people.
Alone by Too_Lazy_To_Name_Myself for actress4Him
Kamaria was alone. Ever since the fire, she's been alone, and she always will be.
Liliana dreams that she's back in the government facility where she was held prisoner for three years.
Target: Unknown by Anonymous for alienthingbenny
During an attempted escape through the research wing, Lawrence is hit by a tranquilizer dart meant for something else. He insists he is fine.
He is not fine.
The Watchtower by orphan_account for WisdomofToads
Everything is silent, he realizes, there is not even a breath of wind or the song of a bird. Why would anyone build a watchtower in such a waste?
Morning After. by TrophyxTissues for ElliotsYellowRoses
Phil is tired.
Jealousy by Anonymous
Jamie has to leave this place that is no longer a home, yet as she ventures to the places that she calls home... She cannot shake off the angry eyes and the yelling ringing in her ears.
Art
More Than Bruises - 'Animatic' by Too_Lazy_To_Name_Myself for Jigglycrow
Paddy's told some things about his lad
To Move Away, and Yet... (Artwork) by remuskindofnimble for Autobot2001
Jamie has to leave this place that is no longer a home, yet as she ventures to the places that she calls home... She cannot shake off the angry eyes and the yelling ringing in her ears.
Mickey Miller by actress4Him for Jigglycrow
Portrait of a friendâs OC
Just Another Kill by TrophyxTissues for actress4Him
Kamaria, right after a successful kill. Made for the WLC 2026 Spring Gift Exchange.
Fandom: ĺ´Šĺďźć犚éé | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game) Â
Jiaoqiu, close to death, bleeding out after Hoolay left him there.
Restrained by BNTarwarn for Dye_Iguess
Fandom: One Piece (Anime & Manga)Â Â
Whump artwork of Roronoa Zoro for WLC 2026 Spring Exchange!
Why didn't you listen by TitanicChick for Enigma_TM
Fandoms: RRR (2022)Â
This isna fanart I did for an exchange. It takes place after the flogging scene in rrr
Podfic
[Podfic] No such thing as a simple mission by BlueLaceAgate0590 for Siegrrun
Fandom: Batman - All Media Types Â
A lucky strike turns a simple mission into a dangerous situation.
Podfic of "No such thing as a simple mission" by Siegrrun.
[Podfic] An Ode to the Chili Dogby BlueLaceAgate0590 for Crayon
Fandom: Batman - All Media Types Â
A podfic of "An Ode to the Chili Dog" by Crayon
Jason takes a morning to himself to remember why he's fighting.
[PODFIC] A Light In the Dark by SneakySteef @sneakysteef for Crayon
Fandom: Batman - All Media TypesÂ
By the time he was twelve, Jason Peter Todd knew deep down that he was meant to be alone. Knowing that he was meant to be alone, however, did not mean that there werenât nights where he really wished that he had someone (anyone) to rely on.
As Jason clung to the brick wall clutching at the stab wound on his abdomen, he reflected that tonight was one of those nights.
Or, Street kid Jason suffers a stab wound. Luckily, bat themed vigilantes arrive to help.
"Just... leave him alone, will you!?" Carewhumpee finally snapped after minutes of watching in silence, struggling against his bonds with a vigor Whumper hadn't seen in months.
"Oh?" Whumper pauses his assault on Whumpee to look over at Carewhumpee, eyes lit up like a child on Christmas day. "Does this bother you?"
the hottest thing a guy can be is barely conscious on the floor while someone lifts his head up by the hair so that you can see his glazed out eyes and the blood running down his face
1. Ensure every member of the opposing team receives at least 1 gift.
2. Total points score is higher than the other team.
Phases
1. Battle: participants will earn points by gifting to members of the opposing team.
2. Diplomacy: participants will earn points by commenting on the gifts their team has received.Â
Timeline
Fight Begins: June 20th
Battle Phase ends: August 10th
Diplomacy Phase begins: August 11th
Fight Ends: August 31st
Setup
âEach participant receives a list of people they might like to create for based on their preferences
âThereâs also a filtering system to help you find participants to create for
âWorks will be posted to ao3 collection
âEach team has own private channel for strategizingÂ
âUpdating scoreboards to show progress
âPay attention to Battle periods!
Attacking
The first time you âattackâ (post a gift), you will earn 1 point for your team. Every time you attack after that, you will earn +0.2 points more than the last time you attacked. You can attack up to 20 times.
Battle
Throughout this phase of the Fight, there will be 36-84 hour time slots during which your Gift can earn bonus points (+0.5, etc.), but only if you post it during that period of time. These are called Battle Periods. The times of the next Battle Period will be announced as the last one ends. NOTE: the bonus amount will not be revealed until after the Battle Period is over.
BP Server VoteÂ
After each Battle Period, every gift sent during that Battle Period will be presented for the server to vote on.Â
DiplomacyÂ
All comments made before the end of the Fight will count for points; this includes comments made before the Diplomacy phase started. Only comments made on gifts created by the opposing team can count for points, and you can only submit 1 comment per gift. You will receive 0.3 points per comment.
Final Bonuses
âYour team will receive a 15% bonus if the team creates 2 gifts for every member of the opposing team. That is 15% of your final score.
âYour team will receive a 5% bonus if every member of your team comments on each gift they have received. That is 5% of your final score.
Further minor details can be found in the announcements channel!
The overwhelming frustration of a single ankle shackle.
Whumpee may be incredibly resilient, but once that shackle is secured and the other end is bolted, thereâs no escape.
Conflicting emotions. Most limbs are free and there may even be some movement with metres of chain, providing some hope.
Yet whumpee knows that they wonât be getting out of this situation anytime soon. They are now whumpers captive plaything to be hurt for sadistic pleasure.
Living Weapon Whumpee, conditioned to see every person as either a handler or a threat, but they only ever met adults.
Suddenly, on a mission, they run into a kid. Itâs certainly not a threat, the Weapon knows that. But what is it then? It must be⌠a handler then, right?
Weaponâs suspicions are confirmed when the kid orders them to come play. Well, who is Weapon to disobey a handler?
Meanwhile, their real handlers are sitting back in their headquarters, wondering where the fuck their weapon has gone.
I want more rescues where whumpee is transported in a cage. Maybe it's because they're not human and need to be restrained for everyone's safety or maybe it's because they can't be coaxed out or maybe the team doesn't have the time/tools to open the cage or maybe whumpee can't walk and there aren't enough hands to carry them or or or...
It's... not as bad as it was, but it isn't good either. It still hurts and now there's a constant throbbing of pain in the background. It's exhausting. And when they need to clean the wound, there is nothing to take the edge off either.
Today, the 27th, marks nine years since I started this project, so here's another chapter! There's been a slight name change since this has ballooned into three books; this first instalment is Full Moon Waning, and the series itself is called Shifting Phases.
Enjoy this direct continuation! One more chapter comes tomorrow :)
Beginning | Previous | Next
CONTENT AND WARNINGS: Guns.
wc: ~3.0k
Liz's Perspective
Raging fury burned through Lizâs every vein, but there was nothing she could do, not when the muzzle of a loaded gun dug into the back of her skull. Her breath misted in hot, fast puffs. Her hands opened and closed, squeezing at her sides. Her heart raced and every muscle twitched; adrenaline still coursed through her body, electrifying every nerve. âYeâre a fuckinâ coward, Colette,â she hissed, face twisting into a snarl.
âConsider this a favour, a gesture, if you will;â Colette said flippantly, âIâm stopping you from starting a fight you and your boyfriend canât finish.â
Liz could hear the glee in that smarmy bitchâs voice. Her fists itched to connect with something, or someone. Preferably someone. Preferably Colette. But until that gun was gone, Liz couldnât do a damned thing. Pete needed her. He wouldnât stand up to Burton, not on his own; he would just take the beating, no complaints. He needed confidence⌠and numbers. There was no way he could win a fight against four, not even with Lizâs help.
The fuckers did that deliberately, Liz thought bitterly.
⌠Not that he wouldâve tried.
Liz just couldnât understand himâhe let himself be beaten time and time again. The only difference earlier was her and Timmyâs presence, that was the only time he fought, but now he was alone again. She couldnât let it happen. Sheâd fight for him, sheâd make sure he never got hurt again.
Colette and Liz approached the edge of the gardens now, having walked back on the path that she and Pete had strolled just minutes before. Liz weighed her odds. They were alone, but with the gun still to her head, she stood no chance. Liz gritted her teeth as Colette fished around her coat pockets until she found her phone, and moved around, muzzle still trained on Lizâs skull until they stood eye-to-eye.
Laughs broke out back in the park, along with cries that could only have been Peteâs.
An opportunity was coming, Liz could sense it. Colette would surely leave soon, and that meant sheâd turn her back; she was cocky enough. One punch to the back of the head was all it would take. As cowardly as it was, it was no more cowardly than pulling a gun when faced with loss.
As if she could hear Lizâs thoughts, Colette said, âDonât interfere, Liz. Iâm going to leave you here now. If you decide to play hero, Iâll shoot you both before you can throw a punch.â
Liz stared after her. She wanted to scream, chase after her, tear her limb from limb, but she couldnât, sheâd kill Pete. When she could no longer hear Colette jogging away, and the red faded from her vision, she let out a shaky breath she didnât realise she was holding. The adrenaline faded, leaving her panting in the cold night air. She had to do something, but the dire threat was not one she was willing to contest; she wouldnâtânoâshe couldnât risk Peteâs life for a chance at saving him. No. Her hands trembled at her sides.
âŚSheâd almost died a few minutes ago. That was⌠real.
What good was she to Pete if her brains were splattered across the cobblestone? She would only hurt him more by subjecting him to the sight and loss. Her imagination, excessively creative, conjured too many vivid scenarios. They needed help, real help.
The coppersâŚ!
This stuff was their job, theyâd help! If only she could just call the coppersâŚ! Pete would surely be furious with her if she did, Burton might just kill him if he got arrested, but it didnât matterâPete would be alive to be mad at her, and that was all she cared about. They could manage from there. She decided, with trembling determination. âŚBut the bitch had taken her phone.
Cries of pain and desperation still occasionally rose above laughter. Liz paced, wringing her hands, dragging one through her tangled curls, and cursed. She cursed. A lot. She spat every single word she knew. She had to call the police, but how?
She shook, and her muscles twitched, itching for action, leading her to jog down the path along the edge of the gardens, heels clacking against the pavement, red hair bouncing behind her in the wind. If she could justâ
There!
On the distant corner was a phone booth, dimly lighting the mist that circled its base. Yes, perfect! I hope I have enough change. Liz ran faster, closing the distance until she yanked the door open and slammed to a stop against the boothâs wall. In the tight space, her panting echoed off the walls. Beyond the rattled glass, mist billowed and curled high into the air along the street where sheâd run. The various items in her purse clacked and rustled as she plunged her hands into it, searching frantically for spare change. The phone only took half-creditsâshet, where are they! She was sure she had more, sheâd put some in her change purse that morning, but all she had left where three quarters and tenths. Credits clattered to the ground, all small and nickel, none the right value. Liz reached to the bottom of her bag and emptied everything onto the floor. She didnât have the right change. Nothing would fit into the slot. Nothing would work.
Liz looked up to the phone again, searching for any other option; maybe sheâd misread! But the label was clear about the required denomination, and there was no place to swipe a card.
âShet!â she cried, âShet!â Angry tears gathered in her eyes.
They mustâve thrown it in the fountainâshe hadnât noticed what sheâd given Pete, or even what sheâd had; it hadnât mattered. Her cheeks coloured at the thought of her brashness. Swiftly, she gathered her belongings and swept out of the booth, running along the street. Maybeâ
âPlease,â she begged, matching her frantic pace to a man who hurried down the street, paper grocery bag in hand, âcould ye lend me yer phone, or, or if thatâs too much trouble, a quarter? I need the police! Please! My friendâheâs in trouble!â
âSorry Miss, I donât have change, and I have ta get goinâ,â he said, and kept walking as Liz faltered to a stop.
There was someone else across the street, maybe they could spare her a minute. By the time she asked two, three more people, she realised theyâd never listen, they didnât care. In a fit of desperation and frustration, she yelled into the night, sobbing out curses and pleas for anyone to stop and help, anyone at all.
As if the Powers heard her plea, she spotted a dark van cutting slowly through the mist: hunters.
Slowly, Liz raised her arm. Surely, she thought as she waved and called, âHey! Help, please!â Theyâll stop and call the police fer me. They canât refuse a call fer help.
And they didnât.
The van pulled to the gutter short of where Liz stood, and she ran to meet them. A man stepped out. The beautiful mask adorning his face glimmered the same gold as the long hair that flowed behind him. A House Master. Compared to some other men, he was somewhat small, but his presence and gait, elegant yet purposeful, was anything but. One hunter exited behind him, but Liz spotted more silhouettes behind the darkly tinted windows. This other hunterâs mask was black with gold along the brows. He seemed dishevelled, a sharp contrast to the House Master, whom he closely followed.
âPlease, House Master sir,â she begged the man in the golden mask, âMy friend! Theyâre goinâta shoot himâtheyâre hurtinâ âim! They chased after us, they have a gun! With bullets, and Iâthey threatened meâusâI canât help! Please, I need the police, or a half-credit, if a call is too much hassleâtheyâre gonna kill him this time!â
In a blink, the House Master was at her side, steadying her with his calm, odd-coloured faze. A sweet smile tugged at his lips. âSteady, Miss, steady,â he said, voice velvety smooth. âYour friend, he is in trouble? We can still be of service until the police arrive, if haste is required. Even if there are no demons.â
âYesâŚ!â Liz nearly sobbed with relief. She couldnât bear to appear so distraught in front of people; the tears could wait. âYes, please, please help him!â
âWhatâs his name?â
âSpencer, Pete Spencer,â she said, trying to steady her voice, âheâs in the park, by the fountain thereâre four of them, beatinâ on âimââ
âAnd yours?â
âLiz Millen.â
âPerfect, youâre doing well, Miss Millen. You seem shaken. Iâll have one of my hunters escort you home, and weâll take care of the rest,â the House Master said. âGreene, youâre with the young lady. Elmer, move the van further up and meet me there. Nelson, with me.â
As the van pulled off and the House Master and Nelson began a brisk jog to the park, another hunter stepped out of the van; he mustâve been Greene. He wore the same mask as Nelson, and he was similarly broad and lean in appearance; though tidier. The thin black beard along his jawline was finely shaved, and he had long braids drawn back into a large bun, with some shorter strands woven with golden cuffs, framing his face. Behind the mask, his dark eyes glittered with a kindness that seemed absent from the other two. âLetâs get you home, Miss Millen,â he said.
It wasnât long before they arrived on Lizâs street and walked down the path to her family townhouse. It wasnât large, but it was enough, and even had a small garden occupied chiefly by a swing set that shone coldly in the moonlight. The silence between her and Mr Greene was more comfortable than she expected. She would have preferred to continue the silence to the front door, fearing her voice would warble and betray how rattled she really was, but she couldnât forget her manners; Mr Greene and the other hunters had gone out of their way to help her. When she got to the gate, she paused. âThank you,â she said earnestly, âfer stoppinâ I mean. I uh, canât tell ye how much that means. Peteâs my good friend, and IâI just walked away. Thank you fer stoppinâ ta help him when I couldnât.â
Mr Greene looked her over, eyeing her mussed hair, dirtied clothes, and stinging, bruised skin. He spoke in a deep, soft voice, âIt sure doesnât look like you walked away. I donât think you let anything happen. You know, itâs not healthy to blame yourself for something out of your control. You did the right thing by coming to us for help. Thereâs no shame in it. Iâm sure your friend would be heartbroken if you got shot.â
âAye, but⌠I⌠I just donât feel like I did enough. They really wanted ta hurt him this time, Mr Greene, I shouldâve done more; he even thought we were beinâ followed and I justâI didnât listenââ
âHeâll be glad youâre home safe, Miss Millen.â
Liz thought for a moment, dropping her gaze. Pete was kind and selfless⌠he always seemed to worry about her more than himself. âYeâre right, he⌠he would be relieved. Heâs always worryinâ about dragginâ me anâ Timmy inta his problems, but heâll be alright now, and Iâm alright. Thank you, Mr Greene.â
âIt was no trouble, really,â he said. âThis is the most rewarding part of my job. I just wish I could see this more; itâs easy to lose sight of what youâre fighting for. You have a good evening, Miss Millen.â
As quickly as Liz blinked, Mr Greene faded quietly into the mist.
Once Liz was through the door, the tension drained out of her body, taking with it the last of her energy. From the glimpse of herself she caught in the hall tableâs mirror as she hung her coat, she looked like shit.
âHey Lizzy,â Papa called from the kitchen. âIâm preppinâ at the moment, would ye mind helpinâ when yeâve cleaned up?â
Oh, she did not feel like dealing with the kitchen. Of all the times, it had to be right then. âYeah, Iâll be back soon,â she said, and trudged up the stairs.
Liz was covered in much more muck than sheâd realisedâeven her clothes were filthy. Fuck. She was hoping to wear that coat again for a few more days at least before getting it cleaned. Under the grime, she was covered in bruises and grazes, from her jaw to her chest, arms, and knuckles. She didnât even remember what gave her the bruises on her chest, just that they gradually darkened, and were tender to touch. She should ice them⌠But first, sheâd shower⌠and almost fall asleep under the warm cascade of water.
~*~
Hours had passed since Liz arrived home, escorted by the kind Mr Greene. Sheâd helped cook dinner, clear up, and now she sat in the living room with her newest scrap journal. Already half filled, the previous pages bulged under her palm as she braced it and began scribbling small doodles shrouded in melancholic shadow. Sheâd use blues for that page, she decided, maybe purples, as well as her penâs black ink. Though she tried to disguise it, her misery did not escape the notice of her father.
Papa asked, âLiz, is everythinâ alright? Ye havenât been in high spirits all eveninâ, and yeâre covered in bruises. Is everythinâ alright?â
âItâs⌠Itâs Pete.â
âMmhmm?â
âBurtonâs gone âim twice today. The teachers punished Burton twice; once fer foolinâ around with the teacherâs bullets, and again fer pickinâ a fight with us. But while we were walkinâ over here after class, his pals cornered us at the park. IâI was gonna tell him, Pa, I did, but before he could say anythinâ himself, they were on us. I tried ta fight, butâbut there were too many, one had the teacherâs gun and forced me awayâŚ! I called fer help, and some hunters came by, but⌠I hope they got there in time. Burton was furious with him. Looked like it was gonna be badâŚâ Liz said. Her voice wavered as the returning memories threatened to spill as tears. âIâm worried about himâŚâ
Papa sighed, running blunt fingers over his prickly cheek. âThat sounds like quite the predicament⌠but heâs a resilient young lad. Iâm sure Burton wonât have an easy timeââ
âBut thatâs the thing, Papa!â Lis started, âHe never fights back, he always lets Burton have his way! I just donât understand itâŚ! If he justâjust did somethinâ, told someone, he wouldnât have ta deal with this! He barely even says anythinâ ta me and Timmy, but we always know when Burtonâs had âim; somewhereâs always tender, or we can see where heâs masked the bruises with cheap foundation. I justâI just wish heâd at least tell us. Weâll always have his back. Heâs gotta know that, right?
Papaâs thick brow furrowed. Though Liz searched his features, his expression was unreadable; or perhaps she just couldnât read the story each little line told.
âThere⌠may be more to it, Lizzy,â he said slowly. âI donât doubt you two will always be there fer him, but, sometimes thereâs more happeninâ under the surface or behind closed door than meets the eye. I wouldnât be so quick ta judge. Meet his shyness with kindness and patience, just like yeâve been doinâ, and Iâm sure, eventually, heâll grow comfortable enough ta confide in ye the barest details. And then when time passes, maybe more.â
Liz nodded slowly, eyes and fingers trailing the wrinkled edges of the journal pages.
ââTis best not ta rush these things, âspecially not trust. It may take years, but itâs important he has a pal with him all the way,â Papa continued, âGive him room, give him safety, and heâll come ta ye. Ye just have ta be patient.â
âIâI will, Papa,â Liz said, determination rising in her chest.
It mustâve showed in her expression because Papa laughed and said with a warm smile, âYe shouldnât rush ta fight his battles fer âim either, lassie, even if ye can kick their arses and make âem sorry.â Papaâs smile was infectious.
âIâll do my best.â
She closed her journal and stretched. Papa reached over to muss her hair as she stood and wished him a good night. On her way to wish her twin siblings Casey and Kaiah a good night too, she found them with their door ajar, still playing with their wooden soldier legion. âGoodnight,â Liz whispered, and chaos descended upon the roomâthe lights flicking off, and one diving into his bed, while the other dashed across the hall to her own room, flashing her a cheeky grin on the way.
Liz smirked, âI wonât tell mum.â
Finally, Liz made it to her room. It was dark, and she felt as though she could collapse onto her bed and sleep for a month, but as she again recalled the eveningâs events, she figured sheâd better give Timmy a heads up. Instinctively, she reached for her phone until she remembered that bitch Colette had stolen it. Liz groaned, cursing her up and down before sliding off the bed to fetch and open her laptop which nearly blinded her with its light.
Hey Timmy, she wrote, Burton cornered us in the park after class. The fucker brought all his pals. They beat him bad, I couldnât do anything, they stole Miss Mooreâs gun and ammo. I havenât heard anything since. I need to sleep now, Iâll explain more when I see you tomorrow. Goodnight.
Despite her words, she kept her laptop open for a moment longer, waiting to see if Timmy came online. He didnât, nor did he reply, but it was late and he had been working. Disappointing, but expected. She could tell him tomorrow morning when she saw him at the academy.
With a sigh, she closed her laptop and set it to the side before settling down to sleep.
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