Shadow of doubts

I always thought the adults were the good guys. They smoothed things over, even if their methods were...questionable. They always said they were protecting us, trying to keep the peace. But now? Looking at them, at this, I wasn't so sure anymore. Was this real? Was this the world I thought I knew?

"I beg you, I'll pay you back with everything I've got!"

"Are you a slut or something? Are you going to spread your legs? Then take my order now."

One of the guards approached her and began to choke her, watching her struggle for every breath of oxygen. The man was about to commit a sinful act, something that shouldn't be done - to lay a hand on a woman, on one who couldn't fight back. It was as if the world had tilted on its axis. Was this the world they always talked about?

The girl started kicking and crying, and then it hit me: I had no choice. I had to intervene. This crossed all boundaries! All the unspoken rules!

"No way, I not was a bad guy when I stood up for others. The adults claimed that I was destroying the peace and quiet in the team with my actions, and they themselves did terrible things behind our backs!"

I hit my fear in the face and ran to the guard.

"How dare you touch her like that? I'll beat all your hands off!"

I pushed him away, but then the senior guard decided to intervene - he started beating her. They flatly refused to notice me, or maybe they were all so busy with their own business that they didn't care. My goal was different.

"Wait!"

I shouted, stopping his hand and squeezing it so hard that he looked at me. The head guard roughly pushed me away, gestured to the girl behind him, ordering her to follow him.

"How dare you call yourselves men after that? None of you have the right to hit a woman!"

The guards leading the mysterious stranger stopped and stared at me in confusion.

"Why did you stop? It's just a child. Let's go!" - one of them said, not wanting to give in.

Are they really that blind? Or is this all... part of the plan?

"Stop it! Can't you all see that she's in pain?"

I unable to contain my protest. The girl sighed in surprise and looked at me, her eyes filled with hope.

"Listen, kid. Didn't adults teach you not to ask adults unnecessary questions?"

"I did"

I refusing to look away. They would probably punish me for this, but I didn't care anymore.

"Then mind your own business."

They were about to leave when I called out to them again.

"And I was taught that you can't leave another person in trouble."

All the guards froze, looking at me in surprise. Even the girl was amazed. Only the head guard continued to smirk, approaching me with a contempt in his voice that made my heart beat faster. But I couldn't retreat. I completely forgot about the fear that bound me like handcuffs. I was standing against those whom I didn't even dare call people!

"Where did you see this person? She's all covered in fur and looks like the monster she really is"

His voice would coldly, like steel and as if that explained everything.

"She has two arms and two legs, like us. Look at her long blond hair. Aren't such signs only found in humans?"

I objected, feeling a hot wave of righteous anger rising in me.

All the guards, following their commander's example, laughed. Their laughter was heavy, oppressive, as if it was supposed to break something.

"What's your name?"

The question sounded like a death sentence.

I just silently recovered from the shock, trying to ignore his screams.

"I'm asking you your name, comrade. And if you don't tell me, I'll have to throw you in a cage to be eaten by my dogs"

In his voice one could hear threateningly, and I felt his words pierce me like a sharp blade.

"Kyo, my God, what's going on here?" - A familiar voice rang out.

"A-asagi?"

I didn't have time to be surprised.

"So you're Kyo, hmm. Now you're going to have big problems. And you won't get off that easy, son"

The chief guard pointing to my fright.

And then the fear returned to me again, and I felt the shackles on my hands, the feeling of suffocation did not leave me, as if I had come face to face with death. Will people hate me again? Will I become an outcast again and lose my friends? Will everyone shun me again, like the monster I saved? I felt a rush of nausea in my body and my body trembled with fear as if I was cold, which attracted the attention of others. The guards laughed, and I felt my heart shrink from fear.

Tears came to my eyes - I felt as if I was on the verge of losing everything, I was breathing heavily, feeling as if the air was leaving my lungs.

"What's wrong, Kyo? You've turned pale."

The words were Asagi's, but when the teacher ran up after her, his face was a mask of worry. I clung to the hope that he could unravel this impossible knot. But even his worry seemed… broken. Was it genuine, or a carefully constructed illusion?

"Please forgive him, it's my fault. Next lesson, we should focus on distinguishing monsters from humans, and why they should be feared"

Our teacher said, accepting the blame. But what did that mean? What was the danger? Was it more than just words?

The mysterious stranger turned away. Tears clung to her eyelashes, shimmering like secrets revealed. Why was she so upset? Was it the teacher's words, their sharp edges cutting deeper than they seemed? Or something ancient, something buried in the past that I couldn't fathom? Everything seemed reflected in a pool of shadows, the surface breaking apart, never revealing the truth.

"Don't think I'm going to let this go. You've raised a completely... unsuitable young man. He protects vile monsters like her"

The senior guard spat, his disdain a dark omen. Each syllable hung in the air, laden with unspoken power.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll... make it right. We'll make a public apology"

The teacher muttered, his voice barely audible. Watching him was like watching a shadow dance, its movements reflecting unknown commands.

"Neglect your duties again, and this student will find that house arrest is merely a prelude to real prison. And from there... to the end"

The threat lurking just beneath the surface. What was meant? What was the end?

"Okay, I'll try..."

The teacher muttered, his voice lost in the invisible currents that swirled around us. And me? I was drifting in a sea where nothing was what it seemed, where every word had meaning, hidden beneath layers of deception.

Asagi lowered her head in a sign of humility, and the three of us had to apologize to the entire assembly, except for her. She looked like her soul was bursting with bitterness and sorrow.

"Thank you" - she said to me suddenly, so quietly that only she and I could hear, "I won't forget your kindness. You were brave."

For the first time ever, someone praised me.

"Take care."

I said it quietly, and she nodded to me. The head guard kicked her in the side and, giving her one last look with his evil look, went forward, followed by his entire army. Finally, the girl smiled at me through her tears, but I realized that she was pretending that everything was fine, and now she was trying to be strong for both of us. I felt Asagi excitedly squeeze my shoulders and look after her, her gaze full of fear and uncertainty.

It was a strange feeling in my chest, and her words stuck in my head for a long time. And thanks to this, I realized that I had done the right thing. But I still did not let go of the heaviness in my chest and what awaited me ahead after all I've done. What consequences await me and how will they affect my status, which I raised in people's eyes with blood and sweat?

I spent the whole day in the garden, painting pictures under the strict eyes of the guards. It was awkward and terribly embarrassing, but luckily I got away with it. Strangely enough, my drawings did not arouse anyone's suspicions. I didn't think I'd be grateful to Minato for ruining my drawing—thanks to him, the punishment wasn't too harsh.

Nevertheless, the face of the mysterious stranger did not leave my mind. I tried to distract myself, but thoughts of her wouldn't leave me. What was she really like?

I wonder if we can ever meet again. What if she wasn't really a monster, but something more?

There were more and more questions, and I knew that I needed to find answers to them. But how? I felt a growing desire to protect her, at least from afar. What was done to her was unfair. And I realized that, despite the fear, I needed to learn more about her story and what lies behind that mask of fear.

I remembered how after the correction class I was transferred to another class, there were friendly children, but I could not make friends with them no matter what - I was afraid that if the truth about me was revealed, they would stop treating me well, and I would become an outcast again. However, one girl followed me, and she was now next to me.

"What are you thinking about, Kyo?" - Asagi asked quietly as I sat by the window, looking out into the darkness. The days seemed to have dissolved.

Asagi came every evening, tending to my wounds. That one... left its marks. How can I explain it, who can I explain it to?

"You're thinking about her, right?"

Asagi whispered, changing the bandages.

"I... don't know who you're talking about, - I answered, trying not to give myself away."

"Yes... You were... different. The teacher said it was all because of... stress. But you saw her, right?"

The teacher was spinning his own version. Convenient. I wanted to tell Asagi... but not now. She was already stressed... And I didn't want to lose my best friend - she was the only one I felt comfortable with. And I wasn't sure I'd meet a wolf girl after everything that happened back then. Apparently, it was for the best - I didn't want any more trouble. And I couldn't trust anyone anymore. The adults I knew - betrayed me and my trust. Before, they helped me resolve conflicts and maintain peace in our school. But now they themselves were dragging me into this conflict, showing their dark sides. I didn't expect such cruel actions from calm and reasonable adults. And looking at Asagi, I wondered - what secrets does she hide behind her kindness and what is she really capable of?

"I heard... there are rumors... about those who are beyond. They say they are looking for a way... to get out. Do you think... she was one of them? I was afraid for you, Kyo. What would she... take with her?"

Asagi pressed herself against me, trembling. Everything she did was sincere or so it seemed to me. I didn't know, I didn't know what to believe - my eyes or my heart? But I decided that it would be best to support her.

"I'm sorry, Asagi. I... don't know what happened."

"No, Kyo. It's not you. It's always them. I'll make sure she can't... ever again."

But one question still lingered in my mind...

"Beyond the Boundary? What do you mean, Asagi? I've never heard of such a thing.

Asagi pulls back, and fear flashes in her eyes."

"You really don't know? Maybe it's for the best. It's... it's something that's not spoken of out loud. But, Kyo, please be careful. If she was one of them... it means that the danger is closer than you think. Promise me that you won't seek out anything like that again."

"But... but!"

"You don't need to know, Kyo. It's my concern. I'll protect you from them. Just trust me.

I notice a change in her behavior and I sense that she's hiding something. I'm not sure if I can trust her, but I hoped that she was trying to protect him, albeit in her own way."

"And now you need to sleep and rest, you're all stressed out! It shouldn't be like this, your young body needs to rest! Otherwise, you won't grow up."

I realized that it was useless to argue with Asagi if she buried her horn - she would never be put on fire. And I decided for a while leave this topic.

I took a deep breath and hugged Asagi back. I didn't know if she was pretending to be caring or not, but I knew that right now I needed her support, and I couldn't cope without her.

"Thank you, Asagi, for always staying by my side."

"Of course, should it be any other way? You are a dear person to me and you always will be, even if you back down..."

Suddenly, Asagi's gaze changed - more serious and there was sadness in it, which made me feel uneasy.

"Back down?"

To my surprise, Asagi ignored my question and continued to speak like a broken record.

"I will save you. I promise. I will follow you even into the depths of the forest."

But I still decided to support her because I saw how it affected her. Despite everything that had happened, I was still worried about Asagi.

"Where the big, bad, grey wolf lives! Roar!"

I trying to dispel the gloomy thoughts.

We both laughed, and for a moment, the tension subsided.

"I'm sure we'll find a way to defeat him."

"Yeah, we're a good team."

That gives me confidence. No matter what happens, I knew that with Asagi by my side, we could overcome any challenge. But was it false?

Suddenly, unexpectedly, there was a knock on our room. It was nurse Hinata, and as usual, she was smiling kindly, it seemed that this woman was the one they always talked about - a rose among the dung. And I wanted to believe, because she was the only one who treated children well, no matter what. She even protected us from teachers. I remember once I was running through the corridors from Minato, the teachers noticed this and began to scold us, but suddenly nurse Hinata stood up for us and acquitted us, saying that we were running away because we were afraidwith a large needle of her prick. She was on the same wavelength with the children and was always happy to see them. And she was the only adult whom I did not stop respecting.

I was about to get up and follow her, when Asagi immediately pulled me towards her.

"What is it, Asagi? Let me go! If the nurse Hinata came, then it means something important - another injection or an important examination."

But Asagi didn't listen to me, and as if in a trance, she said something that shocked me.

"It's not Nurse Hinata!"

What did Asagi mean by her words? What is going on? Will Kyo be able to figure it all out and find out what kind of creatures are breaking down and Who is the girl, what did he meet? And what is she doing here?