《Where is... Alice》


 Part One: Doe

    There was no other choice. To assure the Knave would give his heart she had to break it. Guaranteeing her own breaking in the process.


    Hatter had helped her figure out a way to do it. A way to make sure every pawn moves the way they needed them to. The only piece they were unsure of was the Knave. As long as he held the feelings he did the Knave was never going to be able to do what was needed. He¡¯d never bring her to her death. Not when she had filled both of their heads with false promises she now had to take back.


    Doe waited in their spot at White Knight Lake. A place they were guaranteed the Queen wouldn¡¯t hear them.


    It didn¡¯t take long for the Knave to arrive with only a sword at his side to protect him. Not that a sword would be able to do much in protecting him from her.


    A letter would have been easier than facing him, but she couldn¡¯t be that cruel. To write such words only for the last time he¡¯d see her to be when her head is rolling down stone steps. She knew doing this face to face wasn¡¯t truly kinder. It was simply an assurance to make sure his heart would break. That someone saw how broken it was. Of course the only way to know the plan was successful was when the Queen took his heart.


    Forcing a smile Doe hopped off her perch on the cracked marble that had once been a knight piece. Half the horse''s muzzle had been caved in as its base only sunk deeper into the lakeside every time they visited.


    She went up to Fleix, to the Knave. It was hard to think of him as only a role. Of the role in this game he was meant to play.


    The Knave worked for the Queen of Hearts in every life. Felix had admitted that the Queen had saved every life before him in away by taking their hearts. How it was fate that every Knave was to have their heart broken. That was also when he had admitted that he had been tempted by the Queen''s offers of taking his heart in this life as well. How tempting it had been to feel nothing.


    Then he came to the Academy.


    It was Doe¡¯s fault he hadn¡¯t given into temptation. She had changed the story in a way Hatter warned her against since the beginning. Some nights she¡¯d stay awake avoiding the Dream wondering if Felix would have already given up his heart if he had never met her.


    She shouldn¡¯t have, but she hugged him in greeting. It felt safe in his embrace as it always did. Safe in his strong arms where no one else could touch her.


    ¡°Em, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Felix asked, his soft smile turning to worry.


    It was unfair that he was able to see through her so easily. Just a look was all it took for him to know something was wrong.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Doe forced out, stepping back out of the hug. It had been a mistake. One she wanted to be able to keep making.


    Unconvinced Felix caught her. ¡°You¡¯re a terrible liar, as always.¡± Tilting her chin he forced her to look at him. She wanted to look anywhere but didn¡¯t. Couldn¡¯t. ¡°Em, you can tell me anything. You know, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Of course she knew that. He was the only one she could freely speak to. The only person who truly listened to her was him. They could spend hours talking nonsense or revealing parts of themselves they had thought dead long ago. For cards sake she had plotted a whole gruesome murder in front of him and he had kissed her at the end for the first time. The murder had never happened, but there had been so many kisses after.


    Even now Doe wanted to close that tiny distance between them and press her lips to his. All it would take was tip toes and leaning forward just a bit. It would be easier than what she had to do. To be lost in a tangle of fabric and skin. Of fuzzy thoughts and warm embarrass. Felix had always had a talent of making her forget when she wanted to most.


    No.


    Doe pulled away. To do this she couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted by his touch or sweet imagined kisses. Honestly she should find a way to shut his mouth to stop any more honey coded words from coming out as well. The only way she could think to keep him quiet involved neither of them doing much speaking at all.


    That could not happen.


    ¡°Knave-¡±


    ¡°Since when do we call each other by our roles?¡± Felix interrupted with a playful laugh. There was hope in his eyes. She never had been able to understand how he¡¯d been able to hold onto such things regardless of roles.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°It is the proper way we should be addressing each other.¡± Doe explained, looking away.


    Grass rustling could be heard with him stepping closer. She took a step back to keep what distance she could. ¡°Since when did we listen to those rules?¡± He asked, his steps pausing. ¡°Since when do you follow those rules?¡±


    Never. Not till now.


    There was a reason there was a target painted on to Doe¡¯s back. She knew there was more to it than breaking rules. There was something in her blood that they needed. It was just their luck that she was given the role they needed to hold the blood. Doe breaking rules was more of an excuse for them to get their hands on her.


    ¡°Knave,¡± She pushed through, unable to give him an honest answer. None of the words she was about to say would be true. There should have been gratefulness she hadn¡¯t been cursed with the inability to lie. ¡°I think this should be the last time we see each other like this.¡±


    Silence fell between them at those words. No trickling water or buzzing of rocking horses. Not even the sound of their individual breaths hit her ears as she waited for a response. She hadn¡¯t dared to anticipate his response, or to look and see for herself.


    ¡°What?¡± Was the only words to break a too long a silence. Voice of confusion turning with hurt. ¡°Why?¡±


    Tell him. A small voice inside of her said. Tell him the truth.


    No.


    The truth would bring understanding, not heartbreak. Felix wouldn¡¯t willingly give the Queen his heart if she told him the truth. He¡¯d want to find another way that didn¡¯t exist.


    He wouldn¡¯t believe her either if she kept her head lowered the way she was.


    Shaky breath Doe forced herself to look up at him. Facing dark circled eyes filled with confusion and hurt. How she wanted to reach out. To whisper to him that all would be fine as she ran fingers through tangled hair.


    Nails biting into the meat of her palms was her own reminder that she couldn¡¯t. That she¡¯d have to make herself bleed before she¡¯d be able to reach out to comfort him ever again.


    ¡°This,¡± Doe gestured between the two of them. ¡°Was never going to truly happen, not more than it already has. Even this was never meant to be given our roles. Felix, you are the Knave, and I am-¡±


    ¡°And since when has that ever mattered?¡± He snapped.


    Maybe she should have prepared better for this.


    ¡°Since I came to the Academy you have taught me that we are more than what the Sleeping Sickness claims us to be. That even in the Dream we don¡¯t have to be our roles.¡± Felix was fighting.


    Doe never would have been able to prepare herself to be worth fighting for. That someone like Felix would fight for her. Against her technically at this moment, but still for her. He shouldn¡¯t have. Doe wasn¡¯t worth it.


    ¡°You are more than Alice.¡± Felix said gentler as he took her hand. She fought the urge to pull away despite herself. ¡°I am more than the Knave. Doe please don¡¯t tear us apart because of what others believe or because of this stupid Dream we¡¯re trapped in. We will find a way to break this curse. Together.¡±


    ¡°Together.¡± She repeated in a whisper as she had so many times before.


    It was meant to be a promise. A promise she was meant to keep. That they kept making to each other. That together they¡¯d find a way to change the rules they were forced to live by every time they closed their eyes.


    She could see the pleading in his eyes. How he was begging for her to stay. Assuring that they would find another way.


    There was none.


    Despite everything in her screaming not to she pulled her hands from his. A cold came over her. A shield and away to assure he would end this. ¡°Stop it. We both know those were made up promises made by fools. Fools who thought love could cure all. Well love isn¡¯t ever going to be enough.¡±


    ¡°Em-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± She warned knowing his words could draw her back into his arms. He didn¡¯t reach out this time, thankfully. ¡°None of this was real. We both know what we felt was something we both were using against each other. Even if you weren¡¯t I was. You were a tool to get to the Queen and your usefulness has ran out.¡±


    A lie. All of it was lie.


    Apparently Doe was a good liar.


    Felix staggered back. A hand clenching at his chest balling the dark tunic he wore. ¡°Em, no. Please don¡¯t do this.¡± He begged.


    But she had to.


    ¡°You are the Knave.¡± She stated, taking a step closer to him, pushing him into the defensive. ¡°You were a tool for my use and nothing more to me. I tried to be nice about this, but you wouldn¡¯t let me. Now goodbye, Knave.¡±


    Turning she felt his fingers brush her wrist. That was all she gave him time to do before running off. Away from White Knight Lake, past the crossroads and chatting flowers. Running deep into the woods where she knew Hatter would be. In the clearing she found him at his tea party waiting as he promised.


    ¡°Alice,¡± He greeted with a curl of his lips. She never could understand how easy it was for him to play his role. ¡°Has it be-¡±


    Was all she allowed him to get out before throwing herself into his arms. Sobbing, she felt the moment his body softened under her. No amount of comforting head pats would stop the tears. A small pool had formed around their feet but not even that made her stop.


    ¡°It had to be done.¡± Hatter whispered into her hair, but not even that assured her she¡¯d done what was right.


    This was the plan. To break the Knaves heart and have the Queen come for her. How she¡¯d willingly give herself to the Queen.


    Doe would still do so, she had to.


    For tonight though she¡¯d let herself mourn the love she¡¯d so willingly given up for the others. For the hope of a better future.

 Chapter 1: Andy

    Whatever the rumors were saying they were over exaggerated. Andrew Madden hadn''t broken Shane McDonales nose or used any Magic on him. Even for someone like Andy, Magic was still outlawed. He might not have any control over the Sleeping Sickness and its symptoms like the Dream that took over each night, or even the Madness that crept in more and more each day warping his reality, but Andy knew never to use the Magic that supposedly ran through his veins because of it despite never being marked with a collar that would prevent just that. He wasn''t a complete idiot. He knew the laws. They¡¯d practically drilled them into his head since he was six.


    Andy didn''t even know what his Magic might be let alone how to use it to begin with. The Doctors even had signed off saying that they believed Andy was one of the few with the Sleeping Sickness that didn¡¯t possess Magic since he¡¯d never showed any signs, he never had, and was believed never to. It made him one of the lucky few that had a chance of blending into everyday society with only those who¡¯d read his file knowing the truth. That is unless one lived in a small town where everyone thought they knew everything about everyone.


    No one cared about that though. Not the students walking by the office pointing and whispering. Not the Doctors in charge of his medications who still tested him every now and then just in case despite them signing the papers saying otherwise. Not even Mrs. Patty when he had come into the office with fresh bruises forming on his face and split knuckles with Shane behind him bleeding from his face. Both had been held onto by other teachers but they had all decided to help Shane McDonale first. They had probably thought Andy might heal on his own, there had been case''s where those with the Sleeping Sickness had been able to do so. Andy was not one of those case''s and needed to be bandaged as well.


    Now Shane and Mr. McDonale were in the office speaking with Principal Martiz, well Andy sat on a hard bench waiting for his own parents. Mrs. Patty waited with him behind the safety of her desk doing busy work, occasionally glazing at him through cat eyed glasses. He couldn''t help thinking that if he did have Magic there wasn''t much the desk would have been able to do to stop him. History class had taught him that much. Still it made Mrs. Patty feel safer and there was no reason to vocalize that observation as he¡¯d been told the last few times when he had.


    Even if Mrs. Patty had left, Andy wouldn''t have been alone. Not as long as the flower pot on the desk held chittering flowers and Emmilia sat next to him talking his ear off. Mrs. Patty couldn''t hear her flowers or see Emmilia, but they were there when the meds weren''t doing the one job they were supposed to be doing. To be fair Andy couldn''t remember a time when they had worked on Emmilia. The Madness was always stronger when it came to her.


    Another known symptom of having the Sleeping Sickness. Possible Magic for approximately half diagnosed with the Sleeping Sickness, and defiant complete Madness for all. It was the price one paid for something they never wanted. It was the price Andy paid everyday, but that was where the meds were meant to help. There were plenty of drugs on the market these days thanks to desperate testing. Effectiveness however was in question to the majority of them with nothing that could completely work when it came to the Madness created by the Sleeping Sickness. Even when you''d think it was gone, it would only last up to a week at most before the Madness came back. They hadn¡¯t touched on any meds that would work against the Dream or Sleeping Coma either.


    "Tap, tap, tappity tap." Emmillia sang to herself as she swung her legs.


    Andy frowned at her choice of words. Whenever she said that it meant Sophia was on her way. How Emmilia knew he wasn''t sure but it was just another thing he''d never get an answer to. There was no sound of heels trotting down the hall leaving the only sign being Emmilia to warn him of Sophia¡¯s arrival.


    Sophia entered the office out of breath and in running shoes, that explained the lack of clacking heels. Her dark eyes darting around till they found Andy, didn''t take long when he was the only visible one on the bench and Ms. Patty was the only other one who could be seen in the office. "Jesuses Andy, you look a mess." Sophia cursed as she took a seat next to him on the bench. Cupping Andy''s chin she began tilting his face this way and that to get a better look at the damage.


    Well she was better than Dad showing up.


    Sophia was young with flawless skin and bouncing blonde curls. Her pencil shirt and tight blouses normally showed off her assets in a much too flattering way. At the beginning none of the Madden children had been the biggest fans of hers. Yet somehow she had warmed her way into their hearts. Probably because she was far too honest with them, or maybe because she wasn''t the blonde bimbo they had expected her to be.


    She had graduated top of her class and one of the best lawyers Andy had ever seen in action. To be fair, till he''d seen Sophia in action the only lawyers he''d seen had been the ones actors played on TV. Quick to think on the spot and always wishing to show people how wrong they were of her. There was also the part where she tried to be understanding of Andy''s ¡°problems¡±. She didn''t scare away as they all thought she would, everyone attempted to run when they heard Sleeping Sickness, and instead found her own ways of being helpful.


    She also never tried to be Mom. Never tried to fill the role Mom left behind, instead finding her own place with them. Sophia was Sophia.


    Snarling at the busted lip and blackening eye Sophia somehow looked more concerned than pissed. Andy tried to hide into his hood which she stopped by pulling at his chin to keep him where she could see and making sure the hood stayed down. "For fucks sake. Tell me you at least won, and there was a good reason."


    "Not a very authoritative parenting thing to say." Andy pointed out. "Shouldn''t you be yelling or trying to come up with a punishment for me?"


    "Not an answer to my questions." Sophia snapped back, fighting a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She wasn''t mad, not at Andy at least. That was a good sign, for now, right? "Need all the information before coming up with the cruelest of punishments. Though now thinking of it I''m sure Mathews lacrosse gear needs some cleaning."


    "You already force me to share a room with the monster, isn''t that punishment enough?" Andy asked wrinkling his nose only to wince at the pain.


    "Not even close." Sophia promised. ¡°And what have we said about calling your brother a monster?¡±


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    Before Andy could respond the sound of a clearing throat stopped him. Looking over, Sophia quickly got to her feet letting go of Andy. "Mr. McDonale. What do we owe the pleasure?" There really was no need to answer that question. Everyone knew the answer given Their current situation.


    Principale Mariz''s office door was open, Andy had wished Emmilia would have warned him about that happening. She was busy now looking over Mrs. Patty''s shoulder at the computer screen ignoring the rest of them.


    Mr. McDonale gazed at Shane, his young double, still holding a paper towel to his nose. By this point Andy was curtain he was just doing so to gain sympathy points. It didn''t look any more bloody then it had when they had first got to Principal Matiz office. It was for obvious sympathy points that he was unfortunately gaining. The giggling flowers worrying over someone who would never hear their shrill voices proved that much.


    "Unfortunately I do believe it is because your son attacked mine, Mrs. Madden." Mr. McDonale stated looking back at them clearly unimpressed.


    "Attack?" Sophia looked at Andy. He sank down into the bench finally able to pull his hood up to hide. With a sigh she looked back to the McDonales. "Well I''m sure that isn''t the case. They are boys and sometimes horsing around can get out of hand, most times unintentionally. We shouldn''t make accusations without valid proof Mr. McDonale. We should all be careful of the words we choose to use. After all, our boys have had problems in the past with getting along."


    Problems with getting along wasn''t how Andy would have phrased it. More like Shane enjoyed pounding the shit out of him and pointing out to the rest of the school of how freakish he was. Just like now at a certain point it would become too much and Andy would snap. This time the snap had involved fists. At the time Andy hadn''t regretted throwing the first punch, now he wasn''t too sure.


    A click of a tongue was enough to show Mr. McDonale disapproved of Sophia''s words. She was one of few who didn''t take the McDonale''s shit. Mostly because Sophia grew up in the city and not in their small town kingdom. She used to tell stories of people she thought were much worse than them and how she wouldn''t back down from them and wouldn''t do so to a family of bullies regardless of how much power they had. There was a reason she couldn''t find work in town and had to commute to the next one over each day. Still didn''t stop Sophia from treating them like everyone else when they interacted.


    Dad wasn''t going to be happy with any of this.


    "Yes, but we all do know the problems your stepson has. You yourself are still young as well. It can be understandable if you are unable to handle everything he throws your way." Mr. McDonale said, sounding almost sympathetic. The villainous salt and pepper goatee paired with a designer suit was a reminder that the McDonales didn''t care for anyone but themselves. "As for proof, the proof of the situation is my son''s face. Clearly he did not do that to himself. There are also many who have stood up saying it was your stepson who threw the first punch."


    Sophia sent a glare to Andy for that.


    Rule number one in the Madden household, if you get into a fight you better not be the first one to throw a punch. Doesn''t count as self-defense if you''re the one to technically start the physical beating. Andy had clearly broken that rule.


    "I am very much aware of my son''s condition, and we are very much capable of helping him." Sophia stated straightening herself. She didn''t normally call the Madden children hers saying it wasn''t her place, but in situations like this Sophia made it very clear they were her people. "Now can you say the same for your daughter?" Because Sophia wasn''t against a low blow.


    Mr. McDonale''s face twisted. No one spoke about the McDonale''s daughter. That is unless you were Sophia and more then willing to bring up the smudge on the McDonale''s almost perfect record.


    Cindy McDonale had been a straight A student, cheerleader, and crown Homecoming Queen. She was the perfect daughter, that is until eight years ago. Eight years ago she had ended up dropping out of school and running off to join a biker gang, or so the rumors said. No one spoke of it and the McDonale''s overnight made it seem as if they never had a daughter.


    Sophia enjoyed reminding them of Cindy and was rather proud of the girl. When Mathew asked if he could do the same however Sophia had told him over her dead body. Definitely circumstantial praise.


    "How dear you? You do not know what it is to truly be a parent, Mrs. Madden. Let alone a parent who''s lost their child." Mr. McDonale informed her with a snarl.


    "Ooh, I know plenty. I may not know what it is to give birth but I do know what it is to raise and hold a child in your heart as if they were your own. I know what it is to lose a child." Sophia stated, anger heating her words. "If I were you I''d stop accusing others children without valid proof and only hearsay. After all, your Shane did quite a number on Andy''s face as well."


    "Mrs. Madden, Mr. McDonale." Principle Martiz''s voice drew everyone''s attention. Principle Martiz was a short woman, even in heels, who held herself high. Respect was demanded wherever she was and even more so when she spoke. "Please come into my office. I would like to speak with both of you about the events that took place with your son''s now that you both are here."


    That put an end to their bigger dick contest for now. With one final look to Andy, Sophia then followed with Mr. McDonale and Principle Martiz into the office.


    Shane chuckled as he took a seat on the other bench. "You''re so fucked."


    That in itself made Andy want to swing another punch at Shane''s perfect face, or not so perfect face anymore. At the very least it would get him to shut up.


    "I wouldn''t do that. It would get you into more trouble and would only make Sophia''s words meaningless." Emmilia helpfully stated.


    Andy looked at the imaginary girl his brain had created who was now standing in front of him. "You can read my thoughts now?" Actually that would make sense the more he thought about it. Emmilia always knew things she shouldn''t have, and more than once things Andy didn''t know.


    She thought about it before shaking her head. "Nope. You''re just easy to read."


    "Talking to your friend again, Madden?" Shane questioned mockingly trying to get a reaction.


    Andy did his best to ignore it. The gushing flowers made it hard.


    "He''s so dreamy." One squeaky voice sung. A few giggled in agreement.


    "Why did you have to ruin such a pretty face?"


    "Ooh, but he kinda looks like a baddie now. A leather jacket would make him look so hot right now."


    "Yes! Tell him to get a leather jacket!"


    "I hope you get into big trouble for what you did."


    "How dare you hurt the handsome boy, even if the bruises look hot."


    "Would you all shut up." Andy hissed through clenched teeth finally having enough of that.


    Shane, of course only hearing Andy, moved further down his own bench. "Freak."


    Making sure his hoodie hid his face Andy looked to the ground sink more into his own bench. He didn''t need Shane''s approval but he also didn''t need his disapproval over something he couldn''t control. What he needed was to be able to disappear. To blend into the background so no one would know who he was, or that he had the Sleeping Sickness. That wasn''t the kind of Magic he had though. If he did he would have known by now. That was the only way for someone like him to survive the hell known as public school.


    That had been the plan for this year. To not draw attention. Actually that had been the plan long before high school, and just like every year before that Andy had failed to do so. Didn''t help that he had been going to school with the same kids since elementary.


    This time hadn''t fully been his fault. He had been going with the plan, that is until he wasn''t. Andy had tried to watch his temper and avoid Shane. Hell he''d been eating his lunch in the washroom just to avoid getting into a fight. Still he failed, because Shane and his goons just had to have their fun.


    "Don''t listen to them Andy. I''m sure everything is going to be fine. Sophia will fix it. I''m sure of it." Emmilia sounded much more sure than Andy felt as she slid back into her seat next to him. She always did. Another thing he didn''t know how she could do.


    Sophia couldn''t fix everything forever though. There had to be a limit to her power of persuasion. She was the only reason Andy had been able to keep going to school here so fair. Could she really be able to win against the McDonales forever?


    Eventually Principal Martiz''s office door opened again. Mr. McDonale came out looking proud of himself with Principal Martiz behind him. "Mr. Madden, would you please join us."


    Hesitant Andy stood up and began to make his way into the office with Emmilia following behind him.

 Chapter 2: Andy

    Principal Martiz''s office was what you would expect from a Principal''s office. Neat and tidy with filing cabinets and books on all the shelfs. There were plaques on the beige wall with diplomas showing Principal Martiz''s credentials next to a school wide photos as well as ones with just the staff from all her years as principal. Few personal things could be found with a family photo on her desk being the one exception.


    Emmilia floated around the office as Andy took his seat in the chair next to the one Sophia was already in. Emmilia moved, looking as if she were picking things up to examine them. Andy knew better than to think Emmilia really was holding the books or objects she was looking over. As the Doctors always reminded, it was all in his head.


    "Please tell me your meds are working." Sophia whispered to Andy, snapping him out of his thoughts suddenly.


    "What?"


    "Your med, Andy, are they working?"


    A difficult question that wasn''t really difficult when you thought about it. Andy had been taking the meds. Sophia had seen him take them this morning with a bowl of marshmallow cereal for breakfast. Wasn''t the best combo but it was either that or dry toast with butter. Andy had taken his meds that morning but that wasn''t the question being asked. He was being asked if they were working. If they had been working he wouldn''t have heard the squealing flowers on Mrs. Patty''s desk.


    Sure it sounded unnecessary to take the meds if they weren''t working, but it had become a habit. Every morning and night he''d take them, except for that one time in middle school but that was a different story for a different time. It also had nothing to do with Sophia''s question now.


    "Yes?" Andy sunk into his chair not being the slightest bit convincing.


    Sophia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Never mind. As far as I know, they''re working and we''re leaving it at that." Probably the safest option. Deniability was a wonderful thing when it worked in one''s favor.


    Andy didn''t need to vocally agree for Sophia to know he was game for the plan. His silence was more than enough to do that.


    Both facing Principal Martiz they watched as she took her seat behind the desk. It wasn''t like with Ms. Patty where it felt as if the desk were a bearer of protection between them, it felt more like a throne. Principal Martiz was the ruler and the school was her little kingdom. Andy liked to think of Principal Matiz as a fair ruler unlike the McDonale family who were tyrants.


    "This is a difficult situation." Principal Mariz began. "For one this isn''t Andy''s first physical altercation. As well many witnesses, including staff, have stated Andy was the one to start the fight. There is also the matter that a few have stepped up stating that they believe they witnessed Andy using Magic well doing so. I understand the complications you have Andy but even so the use of Magic is still outlawed even if you possess it not by choice. The law is the law.


    "That being said, I understand if it was by accident." And by the look on Principal Martiz face she was trying to be understanding, but she also looked tired. So he bit his tongue when it came to defending himself from the Magic accusations. One look at his file would have said it was impossible. "That does not mean though you will not be punished accordingly."


    Punished accordingly? She was going to punish him for something he didn''t do? Or more partly didn''t do?


    "But I didn''t use Magic." Andy instead unable to hold his tongue any longer. His chest grew heavy. Salt was in the air. "The Doctors said I can''t."


    Sophia took his hand, giving it a squeeze. He looked over at her but Sophia''s dark eyes were on Principal Martiz. "Like Andy said, we don''t even know if he has Magic, and every Doctor we''ve been to says he doesn¡¯t. Only half those who are diagnosed with the Sleeping Sickness have been proven to be able to possess Magic. Andy has proven not to be one of those." There was Sophia with the facts, but the panic was still there in Andy''s chest.


    Principal Martiz nodded. "We are aware of this, but there is also a reason why Andy is the only student in my school with the Sleeping Sickness. The world does not want to take chances if they don''t have to on the unpredictable." She told them. "Andy may or may not have Magic, but we do know he has Madness."


    "Madness that for as long as we have known was there he''s been taking medication for." Sophia defended.


    It was half true. Andy had been on the medication for those with Sleeping Sickness but that didn''t always mean they worked, there was also the fact he didn''t always mention when they had stopped working. Like how he hadn''t mentioned that the ones he was on now had stopped working.


    Principal Mariz nodded in understanding tiredly. "Yes Mrs. Madden we are aware of the medication your son is on does, numb, the effects of Madness. That does not mean it doesn''t show itself from time to time however. It has also been the leading cause to many of the fights Andy has ended up in well attending this school."


    Right, the Madness was the reason Shane McDonale and his goons had been bullying Andy since middle school. Him avoiding speaking back to the flowers or ignoring Emmilia''s existent or when he ignored the rising water levels only he could see that threaten to drown him when panic and sadness took over. Taking the medication all this time in hope it would, in Principle Martiz''s own words, numb the effects Madness had on him was a wonderful reason for other students to taunt him mercilessly. Helped that they could get away with is given how the world saw those with the Sleeping Sickness.


    Andy wondered if his sarcastic thoughts reached Principal Martiz. He knew she couldn''t feel the ice cold water rising to his ankles. Refusing to look down at the water covered ground, his eyes stayed on Principal Martiz.


    "A pattern is showing itself Mrs. Madden." Principal Martiz said with a sigh. "Just as with any other student I can not ignore these patterns that are showing themselves, and have been for years now, but I no longer can."


    Sophia hadn''t responded at first. The gears under the blond flawless curls ticking away. "And what exactly do you believe is the right action to take with these patterns?"


    Andy¡¯s heart was pounding, forcing blood to rush to his ears.


    "I believe the best course of action would be for Andy to no longer continue as a student here." Principal Martiz began.


    "You do know you are the only high-school in this county?" Sophia asked. "Where are we meant to sent him?"


    Dread filled Andy, twisting his stomach. He sunk further into the chair as his own brain found the only answer there was for those like him. There was only one other place they could send him, that would accept him as a student. For years he had been begging Dad and Sophia not to. Wendy had even made a PowerPoint explaining all the reasons why it was in Andy''s best interests to stay at home over going there.


    The water began to fill the room faster, crawling up his knees to get to his torso at the thought. He did his best not to acknowledge or shiver at the cold.


    Emmilia had noticed. She was the only one who had. Floating over and placing delicate fingers on his shoulder to give a firm squeeze. It was meant to bring him back to reality the only way she knew how. It had not worked.


    "For Andy''s particular situation I would suggest what many of the experts have for the minors with the Sleeping Sickness." Dark apologetic eyes looked to Andy and then Sophia. "I would highly recommend sending him to the Academy."


    The water rushed to his neck pouring in from its unknown source. Emmilia''s dress and ends of her dark hair were soaked. She didn''t seem to care or notice as she moved to face him, squeezing both shoulders tight. "Breath Andy. You aren''t drowning, not yet."


    Technically he wasn''t even going to drown, at least not from the water threatening to do so now. It wasn''t real no matter how much it felt as if it were. Andy was hypothetically drawing because those words were enough to make him feel as if he were. That didn''t change how real it all felt.


    In all honesty it was possible that the Academy really was the best place for Andy. It was where most of the youth with the Sleeping Sickness went to get their education. Unfortunately that also meant after their time in the Academy they were more likely to go to one of the research facilities or nuthouses that focused on the Sleeping Sickness if they weren¡¯t able to fit with society''s standards.


    They were looking for a cure. That was good since they knew so little of how it worked, but Andy didn''t want to play the role of guinea pig if he could help it. So far they had made attendance at the Academy a choice, he hoped it would never become mandatory and added to the list of laws.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Sophia and Principal Martiz had been speaking but Andy didn''t hear them. Their voices background noise to the growing panicked thoughts.


    They couldn''t make him go. They couldn''t force him into the Academy. Right? Other schools could decide not to accept him. Even public schools were allowed to if they didn''t think they were able to handle a student with the Sleeping Sickness. No school could take him, leaving him with no other choice. It wasn''t like he''d be able to do home school since both adults in the house were full time workers, he also highly doubt they''d trust him to teach himself properly or at all.


    "I''m not going there!" Andy declared jumping to his feet the moment the water passed his nose. The freezing liquid splashed around him reacting to the movement and Emmilia stepped back removing her hands. It may be fake but his brain knew the tricks to make him believe it was real and life threatening. "I''m not going to the Academy! You can''t make me!"


    "Andy." Sophia''s voice was soft and under the clear water he could see her hand holding the pamphlet. The same pamphlet the Doctors and shrinks had given them. The one''s with smiling children and promises of a semi-normal life. The same pamphlet in the cluster draw in the kitchen that had gone untouched since they were given it when Andy was ten. It was going to stay there never touched for another seven years if Andy had a say.


    He had a say, didn''t he?


    "It is up to you and your family to have this talk." Principal Martiz interrupted. "But starting today Andy will no longer be welcomed here as a student. Mathew is more than welcomed to stay as a student-"


    "Because there''s nothing wrong with him." Andy snapped.


    "Andrew." Sophia snapped back. It was rare to hear anyone call him by his proper name these days. He knew he was in trouble already but he didn''t really care. All he could think was that they were going to be sending him to the Academy, the one place he didn''t want to go. The place Mom didn¡¯t want him to go.


    Water filled the office quickly, things were floating around. Things the others would see in their proper places. "It''s the truth." He told her trying to fight the instinct to become small. His shoulders slumping in on themselves hadn''t helped with that.


    "Andy." Sophia said too softly.


    He couldn''t take it anymore. He rushed to the door, opening it only to let the water spill out from the office to cover the floor of Mrs. Pattys domain. He felt soaked but knew he was dry. Gasping he filled his lungs with real air. Air that not even his brain could take away from him.


    "He looks upset."


    "Do you think something bad happened?"


    "I hope it did after what he did to Mr. Gorgeous."


    Andy''s eyes snapped to the squeaky voiced flowers. He had no idea what kind they were. What he did know was that he was done with them. Done with hearing as they praised Shane and put him down.


    Shane wasn''t any better than him. He was a bully. A bully that got away with it because Daddy could pay all his problems away. If it weren''t for the McDonale name others would have told what really happened. Others would have spoken up about how Shane treated them. Instead they cowered and acted as if it were fine.


    Well it wasn''t!


    None of it was fine. Shane should have to pay as much as Andy was. Andy was being kicked out of school and what did Shane get? A slap on the wrist? A warning to not get into fights? A medal for defending himself against the crazy kid?


    "Come on. Tell us what happened?" One of the flowers asked as he hovered over the pot.


    "You look angry. Was it a tough break?"


    "I bet he got in a lot of trouble."


    ¡°Don''t listen to them Andy." Emmilia called from behind. "Come on, Sophia is calling for us."


    Us? Sophia wasn''t calling for both of them, she was just calling for him because the only one she saw was him.


    "You know, I hear he actually has an allergy to pollen." Andy said, ignoring his voice of reason. Ignoring Emmilia. "Which means he''d never be able to reciprocate even if I were to deliver your messages."


    "Lies." One shrieked.


    Andy shook his head. "You know, I bet if he had it his way you''d be thrown in the trash. He probably hates the very sight of you."


    "How dear you."


    "Lies. All lies."


    "La, la, la. Not listening."


    "Now I have an idea. Why don''t we get rid of the problem?" Andy suggested. It was the only problem he could get rid of.


    "What? No! Please don''t hurt us!"


    "Andy!" Emmilia cried but he didn''t listen.


    With one swipe of his hand he knocked the flower pot off of the ledge. Hitting the ground the pot smashed into pieces. It wasn''t enough. He could still hear their squeaky voices. Raising his foot he began to stop down on him. Jumping up and down as pieces of clay and petals covered the ground.


    He didn''t care anymore. All he wanted was for their voices to stop. Tears brimmed the edges of his eyes as he listened to their screams and pleads. They were just flowers. Squeaky voice flowers that couldn''t actually feel.


    So why was guilt crawling up his throat?


    "Andy!"


    It wasn''t the sound of Emmilia''s voice that snapped him out, but Sophia''s. Looking up from the ruins he saw both the horrified look of Principal Martiz and Mrs. Patty, saw Mr. McDonal holding Shane behind himself as a protective barrier. He knew the look all too well. One of disgust and horror. They didn''t have to hide it anymore since he was no longer a student. Didn''t make it hurt any less.


    Sophia quickly went to Andy. "Let''s go." She said with an arm over his shoulder.


    "I didn''t mean to."


    "I know." She said quickly, stopping him from saying more. "Let''s get to the car and we can talk there."


    "What about Mathew?" Andy asked.


    "He''ll be taking the bus home." Sophia assured him.


    **************


    Sophia took a moment before getting into the driver''s side. Andy had watched from the passengers seat as she paced before getting in.


    Gripping her hands tight on the steering wheel she pressed her forehead against it. Her way of taking a moment to breathe and think. Whenever she did so Andy knew to give her that moment to process exactly what it was she was going to say. To calm herself before the possible outcome.


    Taking a deep breath Sophia straightened herself. "I''m going to ask one more time, are the meds working? And this time I want an honest answer."


    "You should tell her. You know she''ll help if you do." He hated how Emmilia was a voice of reason. He also didn''t understand why she was in the back seat fussing over putting on a buckle that couldn''t protect her since she wasn''t real.


    Pulling at the sleeves of his sweater Andy looked down. "No."


    "How long?" Sophia asked next. "Because I know you took one this morning and every morning and night before today."


    "A couple of days." He answered hesitantly but honest.


    ¡°For fuck sake." Sophia said, hitting the steering wheel. "Why didn''t you say something earlier?"


    Andy shrugged, his eyes staying down.


    "You know we can''t help if you don''t say anything. We''ve been over this. You can talk to us." Sophia told him, trying to keep her voice calm. The annoyance was still there mixing with her exhaustion. "Why didn''t you say anything?"


    There were many reasons Andy could have given. That he didn''t want to be on another batch of pills that might or might not work. That he was fine without them, though earlier events would prove otherwise. That he was tired of seeing Dr. Hamish. Dr. Hamish didn''t really want to help. She just wanted to get him in and out as quickly as possible. She was looking for a paycheck, not a permanent solution, just like all the ones he¡¯d seen before. Was there even a solution to this?


    Andy chose silence over explaining any of it.


    Another deep breath Sophia started the car. "For now we won''t tell your dad. Wendy''s on her way home and we should have one nice family dinner before figuring all of this out."


    One nice family dinner. Were those even possible?


    There was always something that would happen at the dinner table. Some kinda news that got multiple reactions. It was a Madden tradition.


    "Don''t you think he''ll question my face before then?" Andy asked, glancing only slightly towards Sophia.


    She glared back at him for that. For such a pretty face she sure could be scary. "If we''re lucky he''ll think it''s from the last one. You are also staying in your room till it''s time to eat. Consider it part of your punishment till we talk to your dad about something more permanent."


    That was fair. They had to punish him in some kind of way. Confinement to the room wasn''t really a punishment but it would give them time.


    "I don''t want to go to the Academy." Andy finally said as they began to back out of the parking lot to the road. He could hear the pleading in his own voice.


    Sophia sighed. "I know, but our options are getting limited."


    Limited options. That had always been a problem when it came to the Sleeping Sickness. Limited options, limited resources. There were only a few organizations made to figure out the Sleeping Sickness, and even fewer putting money towards it. It was the same story everywhere you went. No one wanted to touch the Sleeping Sickness with a ten foot pole because everyone feared Magic and what it could do. It always came back to Magic.


    Some believed the only way to stop the Sleeping Sickness was to use Magic because it had been made by using Magic back when the extermination was taking place. Author Opaline had really done a number and now innocent people like Andy had to suffer because of his actions in the past.


    Watching the school he had been going to the past three years disappear behind them had a sadness to it Andy hadn¡¯t quite been expecting. A sadness knowing he''d never be able to be a student there, but there was also a relief. A relief he''d never admit to but he was glad he wouldn''t have to deal with Shane and his goons anymore, but it also meant he was possibly going to the last place he wanted to be.

 Chapter 3: Andy

    Thank God for Wendy.


    Despite Sophia having sent Andy to his room when they had gotten home, a well earned punishment on his part, the moment Wendy came through the door he had come running down the steps to greet her. It had only been a little over a year since Wendy left for college but it had felt like forever. Especially when she didn''t come home for summer and instead went to travel Europe as an educational trip the school offered to students in the form of a prize for winning a writing contest, which Wendy won of course. Collin also decided to come home with her which only made things better. Now the two boys could do more than just mop around the house missing the one person they both loved.


    Collin and Wendy had been together practically since they were eight, but they only really started to date in middle school. Wendy had told Collin during rescue that she wasn''t going to wait around for him to ask her to be his girlfriend and if he didn''t right at that second she was going to find a guy that would. Collin''s response was, "I didn''t ask because I thought we were already together. I''m sorry." And then proceeded to ask her on a proper date that took place that night in his tree house just next door.


    That was the first time Andy wasn''t allowed to play in the tree house with them. He understood now why, but he refused to speak to Wendy till she apologized for taking Collin all for herself for about a week back then. She apologized but never gave Collin back to equal playing grounds. At least Andy could still look. That was one privilege Wendy couldn''t take away, and boy was Collin something to look at. Sandy blond hair and dark eyes, and the body of a football player. He was an American golden boy, too bad he was Canadian.


    When the two came through the front door Andy hug tackled Wendy right into Collin who braised himself against the door frame to keep them all from toppling over. Even if they had fallen to the ground it would have been worth it. They were here, Wendy was here.


    Looking at Wendy he saw the same brown waves for hair and blue eyes they had shared with Mom. Even the same batch of freckles that danced along their noses to their round cheeks. The only difference was the height, and gender obviously. Wendy somehow had become the taller out of the two. Only by a few inches but it was enough to be annoying and for her to use Andy as an armrest from time to time.


    Those things only made Mathew look even more odd in their family. Unlike them Mathew had taken after Dad with brown eyes that were hard to find his pupils in and strawberry blond hair Mom had insisted he had gotten from her even though she had never been a strawberry blond herself. Despite being two years younger than Andy he also had gotten the tall gene as well, already surpassing Wendy. It was unfair to say the least.


    "Need. Air." Wendy choked out giving Andy his indication that he needed to let go now. He did and stepped back so they could fix themselves up.


    Straightening herself and making sure Collin was okay, Wendy then made her way to Andy pulling him into another life squeezing hug. She smelled of vanilla and apples, Andy missed that smell. "I missed you too, Nutcase." She whispered.


    The two had always been close. She was only two years old but she had always had a way of seeming way older than even that. Any problem Andy had he always went to Wendy for help. She was the first he had told about the Dream, back then they had felt more like nightmares. He''d wake up in tears running to her room crying for help. She''d pull him into bed promising to make it all go away. Wendy had always been protective and tried her best to help. She had been convinced that if only she could get into his head she''d be able to stop it. To fight off any monsters who dared to make him cry.


    Wendy was his real life superhero.


    As they got older they had learned no matter how hard she tried Wendy couldn''t chase off those monsters. Not the ones caused by the Sleeping Sickness or the ones that showed themselves in the waking world when they learned someone had it. Though she was good at chasing off the bullies in real life temporarily. She always had been. It was a talent both her and Sophia had.


    "We need to talk." Andy mumbled into her hair.


    Wendy pulled back, keeping her grip on his shoulders letting her eyes wander his face. "Clearly. You were in a fight, again. You won, right?"


    "Wendy." Collin chid taking off his coat. Always the responsible one.


    "What? If he''s getting into fights again I want him to at least win one of them." Wendy told Collin placing her hands on her hips to add that extra bit of sass to her words. "Can''t I be proud of a win?"


    "You shouldn''t be encouraging fighting at all." Collin returned with a heavy sigh.


    "Says the football player."


    Collin shook his head. "I don''t purposefully get into fights, or tolerate them even on the field."


    It was as if nothing had changed. Andy smiled brightly ignoring the pain the cut on his lip and the bruises brought by doing so.


    Wendy kissed Collin on the cheek. "Yes, and that is why you are my gentle giant teddy bear. My gentle giant teddy bear, that is going to be a good distraction for the rest of the family well I talk to Andy."


    Collin rolled his eyes as he smiled back at her. "Do I have a choice?"


    Wendy pretended to think about it. "Nope."


    "Then you better get going upstairs. The others in the kitchen?" Collin asked, already moving in that direction.


    Andy nodded. "Sophia''s cooking and Mathew is glued to a game.¡±


    Collin nodded. "Then if you need me I''ll be helping with dinner.¡±


    "Alright, just make sure not to burn anything." Wendy called as she grabbed Andy''s hand and raced upstairs. Collin had called something at them but they were both too busy giggling to know exactly what he said. It really was starting to feel like home again.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Wendy''s room was a safe haven. Even when she was gone Andy would sometimes go in just to feel as if she were there. Mathew was all for it since the nights Andy spent in Wendy''s room made it so he had his own.


    Her room was warm with each wall painted either bright orange or neon pink. The selves around the room were cluttered, as well as her desk, and so were the walls with posters from all the things she grew up loving. She never took down a picture or poster once hung. That included the Jones Brothers poster middle school Wendy had pinned to the ceiling above her bed. Either out of laziness or nostalgia she kept everything. There were even elementary art projects still hanging up. Wendy was a collector and enjoyed capturing every moment. Her Instagram was digital proof of that, her childhood room was the physical. You never had to wonder what Wendy was up to, all you had to do was scroll through her page and you''d find it.


    Flopping down onto her bed she patted the empty side next to her. Out of habit Andy crawled onto the mattress laying down next to her looking up to the post. For the first time all day he could breathe. There was no salt water pushing its way into his lungs, no squealing flowers, there wasn''t even a sign of Emmilia at this moment. It was a peaceful silence that Andy would enjoy for as long as it was possible.


    "Alright, spill it. What is it you wanted to talk about?" And there was the end of the silence. To be fair he had asked for it. "Is it an explanation for your busted lip?"


    Andy shrugged as he mumbled. "Yes.¡±


    Wendy sat up at that moment. Pulling a pillow into her lap she crossed her legs. "Goodie. So who did you get into a fight with?"


    "Who said it was a fight?" Andy questioned defensively.


    "Andy." Was all she needed to say.


    Andy pulled at his sweater sleeves. He was trying to find the right words to use to explain what had happened. "McDonale."


    There was a moment of complete silence. Turning to look at Wendy to see her reaction Andy was met with a pillow in the face. "What was that for?" He questioned sitting right up.


    "You got in a fight with a McDonale? You little shit." Wendy stated with a mix of glee and questioning which flowers he''d like at his funeral, as if her actions weren''t obvious enough to that. "An actual McDonale. Please tell me you broke that pretty boy''s nose of his."


    There was the reaction Andy was hoping for. Wendy hated Shane more than he did. It had a lot to do with Shane trying to break up Collin and Wendy. Obviously it didn''t work but she had hated the guy ever since.


    The McDonale''s and Madden''s had history. History Dad tried very hard not to bring up well at work. It was a good thing most of the problems were with the children and not the adults, well besides Sophia. Till now they had also been none physical, kinda. All Andy''s fights that involved fists being thrown had been with the goons well Shane laughed in delight on the side lines. That had changed.


    "I didn''t break his nose." Andy stated picking at the pillow. "It just happened to bleed a lot, and then he just had to keep the bloody tissues there for sympathy points long after the bleeding had stopped."


    "Shame, but you won, right?" Wendy asked far too eagerly.


    Andy shrugged. "In a way, yes."


    Her dark browns frowned, leaning closer. "What do you mean in a way?"


    "Well I guess I won the fight, or would have before we were pulled apart. There''s also the fact that I kinda technically was the one who started it." He admitted as he visibly grew smaller. Pulling in his legs close to his chest and shoulders rising to his ears as his back hunched.


    "You started the fight? Since when do you start fights?" Wendy questioned, concern in her voice. If she asked anyone else in their small town they would have answered with always, but Wendy knew Andy better than that.


    Andy shrugged again. "I didn''t mean to start it. His face just happened to be there when I swung. He was also bullying some ninth grader and I had asked him to stop nicely."


    "But?" Because there was always a but.


    "But he didn''t and decided to remind the school just how much of a freak I am." He mumbled into the pillow as he sunk his face into it. "So much so that there were witnesses that claimed they saw me use Magic against Shane."


    "Did you?"


    "Of course not. I can''t use Magic!" Andy raised his head in disbelief that she¡¯d even ask that. If Andy could use Magic Wendy would have been the first to know.


    Wendy sighed. "Dad''s not going to like this."


    "It gets worse." He admitted shoving his head back into the pillow.


    "Worse?!" Wendy''s eyes popped wide. "How does this get worse?"


    Hesitancy grew. He could hear the trickling of water hitting Wendy''s carpeted floor. It was beginning to fill the room as panic rose inside of him. The last thing he wanted. "I got expelled."


    Another moment of silence. "Shit, Dad''s going to have a cow when he finds out."


    "More like the whole barn." Dad was going to flip even if Sophia were the one to explain what happened. There was no getting around it either. Andy had to talk to Dad about what happened today. He''d have to tell him that they were going to have to look into another school. Andy knew that the possibility of that new school being the Academy was ever growing.


    The water was getting closer to the top of the mattress. It was filling the room too quickly. The salt burned at his nostrils as he held the pillow tighter.


    "I don''t want to go to the Academy." There was a pleading in Andy''s voice that not even he could hide.


    He didn''t want to go there. The first time Dr. Hamish had suggested the place Andy had put his foot down about it. Dad at the time had said not to worry because they wouldn''t be able to afford it in a million years. The Academy wanted people like Andy though. They wanted people who had the Sleeping Sickness so they could learn more about it. It was the whole point of the Academy after all. The Academy themselves had even reached out offering full boarding with not a cent coming from the Maddens pocket. They had begun handing the offer out to many more families as well after the mace Sleeping Coma a few years back.


    Andy had still refused, though Dad seemed more tempted by the offer. It was understandable. The offer was a school that could help Andy get better well also learning what exactly it was that was wrong. It was becoming a specialty of theirs to deal with those affected by the Sleeping Sickness and the symptoms that came with it. The idea of having the Sleeping Sickness alone was one Andy hated, let alone being trapped in a school filled with others just like him.


    Gently yet firmly Wendy wrapped her arms around Andy holding him tight. The water had reached them but the scent of vanilla and apples was stronger than salt. "I know. I''m sure there are other options."


    Sophia''s words from the car came back to him.


    They were running out of options, and they all knew that.

 Chapter 4: Andy

    Lasagna with bruschetta bread was made for dinner. Collin had indeed not burned any of the food well helping Sophia, to be fair he never had in the past either. When it came to cooking Wendy was honestly the one more likely to burn water then Collin was. Maybe that was what he had yelled when the two had ran away? Turns out the cooking classes had been going well after all for Sophia.


    Everyone sat around the table and after a quick prayer began to dig in. "Andy, hood off well at the table, and Mathew, hat." Dad said as he filled his own plate. These were not new rules but given the circumstances Andy had hoped for leniency tonight. He was a fool for hoping.


    Rolling his eyes Mathew tossed off his hat grumbling about it. Andy was more hesitant, and for good reason.


    Dad was a good guy. Definitely a workaholic but a good guy. He only ever did what he thought was best for his family, but when it came to fights he had strict rules. Well there was only one rule. Only ever get in a fight out of self defiance, which also meant you could never be the one to throw the first punch. Andy had obviously broken that rule.


    Pulling down his hood Andy made sure to keep his eyes down, like that would help hide the black eye and busted lip. Part of him had hoped if he couldn''t see Dad then Dad couldn''t see him. He was not lucky enough for that to be the case. It was times like this when Andy wished he had Magic.


    "Now I could be mistaken, but when you left this morning your face didn''t look as if it had been attacked by a cat." Dad said, the tone of his voice changed to unimpressed and disappointed.


    "He doesn''t look that bad." Sophia defended softly as she offered more lasagna to Collin. When he politely declined Mathew swapped in happily to take more.


    "Not that bad? Sophia, have you seen the boy?" Dad questioned with a wave of his hand at Andy''s face.


    Sophia looked at Dad. "Yes, and I also saw the other boy. Now let''s enjoy this meal and we can talk about it later."


    "Other boy?" Dad''s voice rose slightly. Guess he really had been thinking Andy lost to a cat. Thanks for the confidence boost on that one.


    "Oowe, you''re in trouble." Mathew so helpfully pointed out.


    Andy kicked him hard under the table in response.


    "Ow, he just kicked me." Mathew whined.


    Rubbing a hand over his face Dad sighed. "Mathew to your room."


    "Why?"


    "Just go to your room. Take your plate with you." Dad stated.


    "Fine. Not like I haven''t heard the rumors at school or anything." Mathew grumbled, piling his plate a bit more despite it already being full, honestly where did the kid put it all?


    Mathew began to head upstairs mumbling about how it was unfair that he couldn''t be part of the conversation but Collin got to stay. Reason being because they never let Mathew stay for these conversations because of his age, and Collin they honestly had accidently come into or was forgotten too many times well having these conversations to no longer have a reason to be excused.


    Once they heard the door slam upstairs, the indication that Mathew was the furthest out of ear shot as he could be, the true conversation began. "So would anyone like to explain what exactly happened?" Dad asked, looking at each one of them at the table. "Andy?"


    Andy was already trying to hide by sinking into his chair, his plate becoming the most interesting thing he''d seen in years. "Not really." He admitted. Maybe if he didn''t say anything there was nothing Dad could be mad at. He knew that wasn''t the case or possible, though he was glad that Sophia really hadn''t said anything to Dad about what had happened.


    "Sophia?" Dad turned his attention to his beloved wife.


    She looked more eager to be eating the food she had prepared. With a smile though she looked at her husband lovingly. "Yes my love.¡±


    "Care to explain what exactly happened that got our son''s face mangle. I''m assuming the school called you since I didn''t get a call about it." Dad pointed out using that darn logic.


    Sophia looked at Andy then back to Dad. "I wouldn¡¯t say his face is mangled."


    "And that''s not the point. The point is how it happened. How did it happen?" Dad unfortunately had a point none of them could play off. It was less of how bad Andy''s face looked and more of how it got the way it did. That was something they couldn''t avoid speaking on even if they clearly all really wanted to. Even Wendy was looking at the framed picture on the wall as a distraction.


    "Well you see, Andy got into a fight today at school."


    "A fight?" Dad''s dark eyes whipped to Andy from the other side of the table, there was concern in his voice now. "You got into a fight? Who was it with? What happened that made it evaluate to that? Are you okay?"


    Andy could feel his throat closing on itself. He knew how quickly that concern was going to change right back to disappointment. Disappointment was always worse than anger with Dad. He wasn''t ready for that. No amount of time could ever prepare him for that.


    "It was Shane McDonale." Wendy answered for him.


    It took Dad a moment to process the information. "The McDonale boy? Jesus, of all the people, the McDonale boy? This is going to be a mess." Already Dad sounded tired as he leaned back in the chair pinching the bridge of his nose.


    "Actually, not as much as you think it will be." Sophia said.


    "What do you mean? The two are still in the same school. Even in separate classes they will still see each other in the hall. I can only imagine how Mr. McDonale is going to be spreading the story, I can also imagine what you said to them." Dad said knowing his wife too well. "You know how the McDonale''s operate. They''ll play the victim card and make Andy look as if he is out of control. Paint you as someone more than willing to defend such people."


    Such people. Andy knew what Dad meant by such people. Those with the Sleeping Sickness, because who in their right mind would ever defend such people?


    Sophia took Dad''s hand, giving it a squeeze. "Tom, there won''t be any problems at school anymore." She really was able to twist anything into sounding fine. Scratch Magic, Andy wanted lawyer powers.


    "And how are you sure of that? Did Martiz come up with a plan to keep another fight from happening?" Dad questioned his body having softened.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Andy didn''t want to have to tell Dad the truth. He didn''t want to tell Dad that Shane in everyone''s eyes was already the victim of one of his episodes, multiple episodes and accusation of using Magic. Heart thumping he could smell the salt. His soaks felt wet as they stuck to his skin.


    "Not exactly." Sophia admitted. "Andy is actually no longer welcomed at school."


    "Not welcomed?" Dad''s voice raised again as his body tensed. "Is that the nice way of them kicking kids out of school now?" No one answered. There was no need to nor did anyone think Dad actually wanted an answer this time. Rubbing his face, Dad groaned. "Who threw the first punch?"


    "The fight is just a small part-"


    "Sophia." Dad interrupted her. "I asked who threw the first punch, and I''m expecting the answer from the one who was there."


    His eyes moved to Andy. Looking down Andy saw as the water had reached his ankles. It was all in his head but it only made the panic grow as it always did. This was the third time today the salt water had shown itself as well. It was going for a record.


    "I did." Andy answered in a small voice.


    He knew Dad heard it as a curse could be heard. Andy sunk into his chair, shoulders reaching his ears as he fought the urge to pull his hoodie up. He was ready to disappear and he hadn''t even looked over to face Dad. He didn''t need to, not when he had seen the look too many times before.


    Scratch again, screw lawyer powers when all you ever want is to disappear from the world and its problems.


    A long sigh could be heard. "So what we need to do is find another school for him to go to." Dad said, speaking as if Andy wasn''t there anymore.


    "We can check in the next town over, I could drive him when going to work." Sophia offered.


    Dad shook his head. "No."


    "No?" Sophia questioned, puzzled by the quick answer.


    Andy looked up from the water as it was now at his knees and freezing. He didn''t understand why Dad was saying no. This was a solution, wasn''t it?


    "This was the last straw. Do you think any other school would want him with his record?" Dad questioned. Once again no one needed to answer.


    Andy knew what his record looked like. Accounts of episodes getting out of hand, and fights other than with Shane. It was a large file with plenty of information that could either be used to help or go against Andy. It also had the sticker right on the folder warning that he had the Sleeping Sickness. A walking red flag no one wanted.


    "We don''t have another option." Hearing those words from Dad the water rushed into the room. It was reaching up to his neck. Tablecloth and dishes rising off the table floating by. Dad hadn''t even heard about the accusation of Magic use and this was happening. Andy resisted the urge to face the ceiling away from the water. "We''re going to have to call the Academy."


    "No!" Wendy slammed her hands to the table as she stood. "That''s the last place where he wants to go. Shouldn''t we be keeping him home where he feels safe?"


    "Wendaline." Dad said warningly.


    Wendy waved her hands unknowingly splashing the water. "Dad." She said just as warningly back. "Andy wants to stay here. Look at him? He''s panicking at the idea alone."


    Andy was but he hadn''t realized just how much it was showing. He had been so focused on not showing that he was seeing the water that was about to drown him he hadn''t had time to think of what his face might be showing his other emotions. The panic and fear of having to leave the only home he knew. Looking down at his hands in the water he could see nail marks in his palms.


    Quickly he looked back up not wanting to get the water in his lungs. He couldn''t look Dad in the eyes. Looking forward he tried to focus on a family photo. One with smiling faces, the opposite of what was happening around them now.


    "Changing his atmosphere could make it worse." Wendy warned.


    "It already is worse!" Dad stated, almost yelling. He took a breath to calm himself. "Wendy, you haven''t been here and seen how much worse it can get. You haven''t been here the past year hearing him scream at night. Watching as he spoke to things that can not talk back or are not there. This is not the first fight he has gotten into since you''ve left either. Things are already worse and the meds clearly aren''t working any better then they have before."


    Wendy looked at Andy. She hadn''t been there in person but they had texted and called almost everyday. That didn''t mean Andy told her everything that was happening. He had tried to keep their talks light hearted only talking about troubling things here and there. It was so he wouldn''t worry her, even that plan was failing him now. Everything was falling apart.


    She looked back to Dad. "Then I''ll move back."


    "What?" Collin said at the same time Dad said, "No you will not."


    "And why not?" Wendy questioned her own voice raising.


    "Because you shouldn¡¯t have to put your education on hold.¡± Collin spoke up. ¡°Wendy, I know you don¡¯t want to hear it, but the Academy might just be the best place for Andy.¡± He looked over apologetically but Andy didn¡¯t feel it. ¡°They have the tolls to help him. They know what they¡¯re doing a lot more than any of us, and it¡¯s not like your Dad has any other options.¡±


    ¡°Yes, exactly.¡± Dad agreed. ¡°Your education comes first Wendy. Just like Andy''s. So it is settled-¡±


    Dad kept going but Andy couldn¡¯t hear him.


    Wendy''s shoulders slumped. She was defeated.


    Water submerged his head. Andy stood up too quickly. All eyes turned to him in that second. Dad looked as if he were expecting him to fight back. He wanted to. He wanted to give every reason why not to send him to the Academy, but he couldn''t think of any. Not any that would win this fight of words.


    Not saying a word he left the dinner table making a beeline to the front door. Sophia called his name but that only made him move faster pushing against the water. Opening the door the water spilled onto the front lawn, that didn''t stop him from moving. He needed to keep moving.


    His legs were moving on their own now. Up and down, up and down. Andy began to run, not bothering to remember to put on shoes. He ran as fast and far as he could. There wasn''t a plan, all he knew was that he needed to run. To feel the wind on his face and the way it made his lungs burn when he pushed too far.


    It wasn''t that he was going to run away. Eventually he knew he''d have to go back. For now though he just needed to run. To run and not look back for once. Even if it was only temporary.


    ************


    Dad was sitting on the steps leading upstairs waiting when Andy had returned from his sudden run.


    "You shouldn''t exert yourself like that." Dad said more tired than concerned in greeting.


    Andy''s hands were shoved in his hoodie pockets as he shrugged, his eyes kept lowered. In truth Andy shouldn''t have been doing a lot of what he did. He shouldn''t have been going to a normal public school for the safety of those around him. He shouldn''t be allowed to go on morning runs for fear it would bring him closer to the Sleeping Coma by using too much energy, reasons why he shouldn''t have gone on a run now. He shouldn''t be allowed to go anywhere without properly working meds.


    "Sophia told me more of what happened. The main reason that they are not saying to why you were expelled." Dad avoided the word as he so often did.


    "You mean that I totally used Magic against Shane to win the fight." Sarcasm and annoyance bleed from Andy¡¯s words. Apparently Andy hadn¡¯t run them off as well as he had thought he did.


    "You didn''t use, you didn''t, did you?" Dad asked as if it were the most important question to ever exist that he didn''t want an answer to, not if it were the wrong answer.


    Thankfully Andy had the right answer. "Of course not. I still haven''t shown any signs and probably never will." He mumbled some. "Just like the Doctors have said after every test."


    Dad nodded as he stood up pushing on his knees to do so. "Good. That is good. Then it''s time to get some sleep. It''s going to be a long day tomorrow."


    Watching Dad turn and take the steps one at a time Andy''s stomach sunk. "Wait." Dad stopped but didn''t turn around. "Are you really making me go there?"


    There was a moment of silence. "Andy, I am sorry, but I don''t know what else to do."


    They both went to bed after that. Andy didn''t sleep though not wanting to go to the Dream. Instead he counted the bars holding the mattress above him up and listened to Mathews snores from said mattress.