12

Hey man! What's up?" Aaron said as he sat on a sofa in the cafeteria watching everyone eat lunch.

Kevin looked over at Aaron for a split second before taking a bite out of his burger, he couldn't remember the last time he ate anything.

Aaron noticed that Kevin wasn't responding and began waving his hand in front of Kevin's face. "You ok man?"

Kevin slowly turned his gaze to Aaron and mumbled, "Yeah."

Aaron nodded his head and turned to look back out of the window, the rest of the lunch period continued uneventfully while Kevin remained quiet. He hadn't even moved his food, but he didn't want to seem rude so he left it untouched.

After the bell rang signalling the end of lunch Kevin gathered up all of his stuff together and quietly walked to his locker to pick up his lunch. He stood leaning against the metal of his locker thinking about what had just happened, what was Aaron going to say when he found out what had happened between Kevin and Vanderwood earlier? What could Aaron possibly say that wouldn't make him sound mad, Kevin thinks to himself.

All of a sudden Aaron slams open Kevin's locker and starts slamming it closed repeatedly and yelling loudly. "YOU FOUND HIM?!"

Kevin jumps slightly in shock and tries to regain composure by composing his emotions as soon as possible "Wha-"

Aaron cuts him off angrily and shouts "I knew it! I KNEW YOU COULDN'T BE THAT HARD TO FIND!"

He pulls out his phone and punches Kevin repeatedly in the chest "If you ever betray me like that again I swear I'll kill you myself!"

what you said Aaron says Xerope, Aaron looks back is sees Xerope with a serious look at him as if telling him that Xerope means business, Aaron sighs and turns back to Kevin who is staring at him with wide eyes, he then turns back to Xerope with a frown on his face and says, "Oh right sorry buddy, um...can I have some privacy please?"

Xerope with a serious look at Aaron, Xerope says no.

Xerope takes his gun and shoots Aaron in both knees causing Aaron to drop to the ground screaming loudly in pain. Kevin watches in shock as Aaron falls to the ground with tears rolling down his face, Aaron's hands cover his groin tightly trying to prevent any further damage to his legs. Xerope goes to Aaron falling down moaning in pain.

Xerope says no one threatens a member of our community.

Xerope says no one will kill anyone in my community as long as I'm in charge.

xerope says no one will harm a member of our community, we will kill any who threaten that rule.

xerope says no one will touch us as long as you follow our laws and regulations, that includes protecting us.

Xerope grabs Aaron's arms and forcefully throws Aaron to the side knocking him onto the floor. Xerope gets up and goes over to grab Aaron by his shirt, he lifts him up by his shirt and throws him to the floor once again. Xerope says no one will hurt our brothers unless they've committed an act which violates our code of honor.

Aaron holds his head and groans in pain after getting back to his feet. The other members of our community surround Aaron, holding him down. Aaron begs them to let him go, but they simply ignore him and continue to hold him down as if they were weights. Aaron screams, but the group pays him no attention.

As they finish binding his arms, Aaron struggles underneath them. As the other members drag him away Kevin looks at Zack, who is glaring daggers into Aaron, Kevin nods his head indicating that Zack should leave before it escalates into a fight.

Zack nods his head understanding and heads towards the exit.

Kevin turns back to the other members of our community, but they are gone.

Kevin sighs and runs a shaky hand through his hair, he begins walking towards Aaron's house slowly in fear of being murdered. Kevin's footsteps echo throughout the empty hallway as he gets closer and closer to Aaron's house.

Kevin knocks on the door, he can hear shuffling inside before the door is opened by Aaron's mother who's wearing her pajamas and glasses, she seems worried and shocked to see him.

"Oh my gosh, Kevin...you scared me" She says while covering her mouth in surprise.

"Is Aaron here?" Kevin asks nervously, hoping that he isn't in danger.

Mrs. Vazquez shakes her head and replies, "No, he's still at school. Come inside, you must be tired, I don't think we've seen each other in awhile" she adds smiling sadly.

Kevin follows his mother into the house, it's small and cozy, there's a coffee table and a couch in the living room with a TV in the corner along with some chairs, Kevin wonders how this place could fit all these members of the community who live inside it.

"Would you like something to drink sweetie?" Mrs. Vazquez says gesturing to a wooden cabinet near the counter in the kitchen.

Kevin shakes his head no," No thank you"

Mrs. Vazquez walks over to the coffee table and sits.

then he hears someone knock on the door Mrs. Vasquez goes to answer and when she opens the door and Xerope

Xerope says You and Aaron's mom right?

she smiles softly at Xerope and replies, Yes. Can I help you with something Xerope?

Xerope nods as she signals for the community to bring Aaron in with two mutilated eyes and one arm sticking out of its socket. Mrs. Vazquez screams in horror and covers her mouth with her hand, Kevin steps behind her trying to avoid seeing the sight and looks at Aaron's body as it's carried inside and laid on the couch next to the members of our community that had brought Aaron in. Aaron doesn't even look as if he was alive;

Xerope says he disobeyed one of the rules so he was punished by me and our community for breaking that rule. You know the one where no one touches a member of our community unless they've done a bad thing against their own safety. Aaron has broken the law Kevin. I am punishing him because I believe that he deserves to suffer the consequences. If he does not comply, he and all of the members of our community deserve to be punished by death, and you will pay. Xerope says as Xerope looks around at the members of our community, I would like you to start making your way back home now.

The entire community stands there, unmoving except for Aaron and Kevin whose blood boils. Kevin is ready to tear Xerope limb from limb and he feels his rage grow. It doesn't take much for him to make up his mind, Kevin's fists tighten as he looks at Aaron who is still lying on the couch with the only movement he makes is to occasionally turn his head, and he knows that Aaron can feel his glare. Kevin is about to walk forward and attack Xerope, when Xerope places his hand on Kevin's shoulder and tells him, Don't forget that you belong to us. We will punish those who disobey our rules by doing whatever we feel is necessary to ensure our safety. Xerope says, and you will understand everything later in your life, but don't worry you'll learn to live by your values. Xerope says smiling brightly at Kevin as he lets go of his shoulder and heads out the door.

Kevin walks over to Aaron who is looking up at him in confusion, Kevin takes a seat next to Aaron and gently pushes Aaron's head to lay on his lap. Aaron closes his eyes and relaxes as he feels his head rest on Kevin's.

Kevin realizes Aaron can no longer see because his eyes have been mutilated, and he can feel his anger building up again, but he decides not to lash out today. Kevin puts his left hand on top of Aaron's head and his right hand is resting on Aaron's chest, he strokes his fingers against the skin of Aaron's chest carefully in attempt to calm him down. Aaron leans into Kevin's hand. After.