A Murder Of Crows {11}

Monday morning, I stared at my face in the mirror. I'd stayed locked in my room all weekend, telling Jamison I had a lot of work to do and didn't feel like getting dinner.

My top and bottom lip were both split, a nasty cut that ran down from the skin above my upper lip to just under my bottom lip.  We hadn't heard from Kieran, and I hadn't been able to come up with a believable excuse for how this had happened. Make-up sure as hell wasn't going to hide a wound like this, either.

There was a soft click and then Val opened my door, slipping into my room and shutting the door. She locked it after a glare from me.

"Oh, still looking bad," she said, cocking her head to the side as she viewed my injury.

"There's no way to hide it," I said. "I'm fucked, plain and simple. No bullshit story will cover it."

Val sat on my bed and shook her head. "I couldn't think of anything either. The Crows will surely know Kyle fought back. He'll want you and Mia found, so he'll tell the cops to keep an eye out for a boy around your height with an injury like that."

I stared in the mirror again, lightly touching my fingers to the wound. Was this really how it was all going to end? All because one kid managed to hit me in the face?

"I've already blackmailed Kyle into paying the rest of what he owes," Val said. "The Doctor won't care if you get found, as long as you don't rat on us or him. And even if you do get caught, you're not going to spill."

"This isn't the fucking time," I snapped. I took a deep breath. "Just get out, Val."

There was a knock on the door and Val and I glanced at each other. The knock came again, louder and more impatient.

"Kieran," we said at the same time, Val getting up to let him in.

Sure enough, he shoved past her, Mia trailing behind him. He came right over to me, grabbed my chin and tilting my head so he could get a good look at my injury.

"You'll walk behind me and Mia, Val will walk behind you, and you'll keep your head down. This plan is going to hurt, but it's going to be the only chance at keeping Jamison from catching on," Kieran said, dropping my chin. "Fucking dumbass can't even do one simple job right."

"What plan?" I said, suspicion and a traitorous bloom of hope mingling inside me.

"You'll see. When I start yelling, you shove me as hard as you can," he said, heading for the door. "Grab your shit and let's go already."

I definitely didn't like the sound of that, but the chance at being saved was too tempting. I knew Kieran was only doing it to protect himself; if Jamison caught me, it meant Kieran and the others would be under heavy suspicion. There was always the chance I would give in and spill the truth for a lighter punishment, too. I wouldn't do that, but Kieran was the kind of guy who didn't trust anyone.

I fell into step behind Kieran and Mia, keeping my head down. Val trailed along behind me, all of them keeping a careful eye out for the Crows.

"Cole and Jamison shouldn't be a problem this morning," Val said as we walked the sidewalk towards classes. "They probably have a meeting about the attack over the weekend."

My heart was hammering in my chest, my hands trembling. I shoved them in my pockets, trying to take even breaths. Now that being caught was a rapid reality, it was hard to keep my composure. I was putting my hope in a plan I didn't know a single detail of, concocted by a man who didn't even like me.

We reached the academic building, heading inside. My heart was beating so fast now it was hard to walk right. There were so many kids. Anyone could look at just the right angle and see my injury.

We didn't walk into our classroom. Instead, Kieran led us off to the side, where we stopped, me hidden behind them. Kieran looked around, tensing up a little and turning to face me.

"You want to keep saying that shit to me?" he said, his voice getting louder, catching the attention of the kids in the hallway.

"Now, now, boys. Calm down," Val said, having no idea what was happening but jumping in anyways.

"You're so fucking high and mighty," Kieran said, and he was yelling at me now.

I took my cue and shoved him as hard as I could, sending him stumbling back a little. "Shut the fuck up. You're too loud."

"You fucking-" Kieran finished that sentence with a fist.

He hit me right on my cut, hard enough to split it open again. I could feel the blood instantly start pouring from my cut again, but Kieran didn't stop there. He hit me again, and again, his blows lighter now but still enough to hurt.

I hit the wall, throwing my arms up to defend myself as Kieran threw blows at me. I tried to duck around them, but being cornered made my speed useless.

"Kieran!"

The voice was Jamison's, loud, commanding, furious. I looked up as Jamison and Kenz restrained Kieran's arms, yanking him off of me. Kieran struggled, more focused on trying to get Jamison off of him than anything.

Val came over and put a hand on my shoulder, frowning at my injuries. Cole stepped in front of me, body ready for a fight.

"Look at you. You've been reduced to a wild animal," Cole said coldly, watching Kieran struggle.

Nia hurried over to me, checking my face. "Oh, no, that's bad. I think I have a pack of tissues in my bag, hang on."

She dug around and handed me two tissues. I pressed them to my lips, too dazed to register where else I was injured.

I watched as Kenz applied pressure to Kieran's brachial plexus origin, her movements as calculated as Mia's, almost a mirror of it. Even through my surprise at the situation, I registered that in the back of my mind.

"Bitch," Kieran snarled as Kenz pushed him to his knees, keeping her fingers on that spot to keep him from struggling.

"If it keeps you from throwing a temper tantrum, I'll do it all day," Kenz said, putting a little more pressure. "Stay down, Kieran."

Jamison looked down at Kieran, his back to the crowd of students watching eagerly. His expression was dark and cold, and he shook his head at Kieran.

"Look how far you've fallen," he said, his voice quiet but sharp.

"You're one to talk. Nice to see you with the mask off for once, president. Feel free to slap a smile on when you turn back around. Hate for the crowd to see how you really are," Kieran said, taking on the emotionless voice he used for Collector jobs.

Jamison shook his head again before turning to me, that cold look melting to concern. "Are you okay, Cor?"

I pulled the tissues away from my mouth, looking at the blood on them. Val lightly touched my cheek, turning my head so she could inspect my face.

"Your cheek is swollen," she said, pointing at the opposite cheek. "And there's a bruise on your jaw. Your nose is bleeding, but only a little."

"Let him go, or we'll be sending two people to the nurse," Mia said, shooting a glare at Kenz.

"I'm making him uncomfortable, not bloody," Kenz said, not moving her hand off of Kieran. "I'll hold him here until the security shows up."

"He brought it on himself," Cole grumbled, turning his back to Kieran.

Kieran's mouth twitched, and something in his eyes made me think Cole turning away from him hurt more than any pressure point. But then Kieran's expression hardened again and he waited, not struggling anymore.

"Here, come on, I'll take you to the nurse," Jamison said, putting his hand on my shoulder. "Did he hit you in the head? Can you walk alright?"

"I'll be fine," I finally managed, already sick of the taste of blood in my mouth.

"What happened?" a security guard asked, pushing his way through the crowd with another guard close behind him.

"He attacked another student," Kenz said, gesturing to Kieran.

"Go to your classes," Jamison commanded the crowd. "This kind of behavior is not tolerated at Crowe Academy, and will be punished. I'm also disappointed in every student who simply watched this happened, without trying to stop it or getting a guard. And don't think I didn't notice your phones out. Anyone who posts anything about this online will be sent to the headmaster for disciplinary action."

The security guards helped disperse the crowd before pulling Kieran to his feet. Jamison pulled me away.

"I'll escort him to the nurse," Jamison said to the guards. "Just take Kieran there to the headmaster's office. The rest of you, get to class. Kenz, you and I will fill out the report tonight for this incident."

Jamison led me out of the building and onto the sidewalk. I pressed the tissues back to my mouth.

"What happened?" Jamison asked.

"I got my ass beat," I said.

"No, I meant-" He sighed. "I meant, what happened to set him off like that? He usually only goes off if you..." He trailed off and looked at me for an answer.

I just shrugged, because I didn't know what story Kieran would tell, and I didn't want our stories not to match. "It's over now. We'll both get over it."

"You'll get over him punching you in the face that hard?" Jamison said in disbelief.

Not that I had much of a choice. Kieran's plan seemed to have worked.

"Yea. I don't hold grudges," I said. "We pissed each other off. He's a fighter. My face will heal."

Jamison opened his mouth, thought better of, and shut his mouth. We walked in silence to the health center, where the nurse in charge looked shocked to see my face.

Jamison held up a hand before she could say anything. "He was attacked by another student. Please fill out a health report while you take care of him and email it to myself and the headmaster."

"Of course, Mr. Heitor," the nurse said, gesturing at me to follow her.

She led me to a back room, sitting me on a cot and pulling a curtain around us so we had privacy. She proceeded to clean my wounds, asking me detailed questions and writing on a clipboard as she did so. She inspected my face carefully, and made sure I didn't have injuries anywhere else. Thankfully, she didn't seem to catch onto the fact that my lip had been busted before Kieran ever hit me.

Finally, she stood up and looked at her clipboard. "Alright, Mr. Sander. You're free to go for now, and if you wish to take the day off of classes, I'll be sending an email to your teachers to excuse you. But only for today. If you open those wounds again, please come right back here. And if you need any pain medication, come back and we'll get in touch with your doctor and your parents about it."

"I'll be fine, but thanks," I said, standing up.

I left the backroom, not even surprised to see Jamison sitting in the waiting area of the health center. He stood up as I approached the exit.

"Cor, wait," he said. "The headmaster wants to see you. He wants to speak with you and Kieran about the incident to determine the best punishment for Kieran."

"Honestly, what a pain," I mumbled, shoving open the exit door.

Jamison hurried to follow me, and we started towards the building that housed Crowe Academy's headmaster. I'd let Kieran handle most of the talking, since this had been his plan. He surely had no intention to get expelled from Crowe Academy, so he must have some sort of plan to lighten his punishment. Attacking another student like that was grounds for expulsion.

Jamison didn't say anything as we entered the building, but I did notice the way he lightly fidgeted. He kept straightening his blazer, fidgeting with his Crow pin, and tapping his fingers against his thighs. He was nervous, and I wondered if it had to do with the possibility of Kieran getting expelled.

We approached the headmaster's office, and Jamison knocked on the door. "Sir, it's Jamison. I have Cor Sander with me."

"Come in," a voice on the other side of the door called.

Jamison pushed the door open and led me into the headmaster's office. I'd never had reason to be here before, and I looked around as we walked towards the chairs in front of his desk.

It was comfortable but professional. Degrees and awards decorated the walls, along with pictures of past headmasters and the Academy through the years.

The headmaster himself sat behind his desk, eyeing my injuries. Alan Crowe had taken over the Academy when his mother retired, and he'd made relatively few changes to the way things worked around here. He kept the academics just as rigorous as always, but encouraged the Crows to submit more ideas for entertainment to help the students relax. He thought it was important for students to work together to solve issues they were having, but stepped in if he was needed. And clearly, he was needed for this.

"Have a seat, both of you," he said. "I'm having the security bring Kieran up. They've been holding him in their office. Mr. Sander, would you like to tell your side before he gets here?"

I shook my head. "Not particularly. It was just a fight."

"Just a fight," Jamison muttered, shaking his head. "Headmaster Crowe, would you like me to leave?"

"No, please have a seat Jamison. You were there to witness the fight between Kieran and Mr. Sander, and it'll be good to have a witness's side of things," Crowe said.

"Cor," I said. "You don't have to call me Mr. Sander. Cor is my name."

"Cor it is, then. Are you feeling alright? The nurse hasn't sent me her report yet," Crowe said.

"I feel fine," I said, despite how sore my mouth was after all the damn punching.

There was a knock on the door, and then a guard led Kieran into the room. Kieran took a seat in front of Crowe's desk, his face neutral. The guard left, and Crowe looked between us.

"What happened?" he asked, and his voice was much more serious now. "Kieran, you're facing expulsion right now."

Kieran looked at me, his expression going from neutral to dark. "He said shit about my mom."

Jamison made a quiet noise, something like a sigh or a deep breath. Honestly, I didn't know shit about Kieran's mom, other than that he went home every once in a while to help her with stuff. But, hey, his plan, not mine.

Headmaster Crowe shook his head slowly. "Kieran, I received a call from your home yesterday, and I understand your situation. However, this does not give you a free pass to injure another student. This is a serious thing you've done. Look at Cor's face."

"I think I made it better, to be honest," Kieran said.

"I think I'm going to throw a party when you're expelled," I said.

He shot me a dirty look before returning his gaze to the headmaster. "He was saying bad shit about my mom and I just-" He glared down at his hands. "It won't happen again."

"It shouldn't have happened in the first place," Crowe said.

"I ran my mouth, he threw his fists, and now it's over," I said. If Kieran got expelled, it would only make running the Doctor's jobs harder. When he was on campus, we could communicate plans in person and leave no paper or electronic trail. If he was off campus, it would make it easier for him to physically do the job, but more complicated for us to plan it without leaving a trail. "Just drop it. It's not worth it."

"Unfortunately, I cannot just drop it, Cor," Crowe said. "However, if that's how you feel, and given your home situation, Kieran, I suppose we can compromise. Cor, while I understand you are a victim in this situation, mocking another student's family is unacceptable, and you'll have two days detention. Kieran, you'll be put in ISS until the teacher in charge feels it's acceptable to send you back to regular classes. I'll also be arranging a video conference with your father to discuss this matter and how close you came to being expelled. You're on probation, and any rule breaking will result in severe punishment and possible expulsion."

In school suspension for Kieran and detention for me? I'd take it over jail time.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to tell your side, Cor? Or are you satisfied with his punishment?" Crowe asked.

"Pretty satisfied, as long as he doesn't punch me again," I said.

"Jamison, anything to add?" Crowe said.

Jamison shook his head. "No, sir. If they're okay with this, then there's nothing more to say."

"Very well. Kieran, you'll report to ISS immediately. Cor, Jamison, back to class. Jamison, I expect a report by tomorrow," Crowe said.

Kieran got up and left the room without a word to any of us. As I started to get up, Crowe gestured to me.

"Cor, if you felt uncomfortable speaking in front of Kieran, you're more than welcome to come and talk to me about the incident in private. His punishment can always be adjusted. We take students' safety very seriously here," he said.

"Yea, I get that. It's fine," I said.

Jamison was waiting for me, and we left the office together, shutting the door. Sure I had a free pass to get out of classes for the day, but I might as well go back and get the staring over with now. Besides, missing even a day of classes could put me pretty far behind.

"Are you going back to the dorms?" Jamison asked.

"Nah. I don't want to miss so much class," I said.

Jamison chewed on his lip for a moment. "It's none of my business, I know that. But what did you say about his mom?"

"Shit things," I said. "Won't make that mistake again."

I'd never thought much about Kieran's home life, but a video conference with his dad probably meant his dad didn't live close to the Academy, and it seemed like something was going on at home with his mom. I wasn't overly surprised though; someone who willingly worked for the Doctor probably didn't have the greatest home life. It wasn't my business though, and as long as it didn't affect our Collector jobs, I didn't care.

"You're worried about him," I said, glancing at Jamison and raising an eyebrow. "But yet, you made it sound like you barely knew Kieran."

Jamison gave me an apologetic smile. "I might've downplayed it. Look, we were young, and he wasn't quite as difficult back then. We were friends, I guess. Friends when everything with his mom happened, at least. I can't help but feel bad for him. It doesn't excuse what he did to you, not in the slightest. But he was always really close with his mom. I'm sure it's only gotten harder as he's gotten older." He looked up at the sky, the smile slipping into a frown. "Like I said, it doesn't excuse his behavior. I guess he hasn't matured much since we were kids."

Well, I had no idea what was wrong with his mom. That certainly tugged at my curiosity, but being nosy would only cause trouble. Kieran's family was none of my business.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I pissed him off, he broke my teeth, and now it's over. He'll find his chill or he'll be expelled," I said.

"You could've gotten him expelled. You act like you don't care for him much, but you didn't want him expelled," Jamison said.

I couldn't out and tell Jamison that I needed Kieran at the Academy for Collector related purposes. Instead, I just shrugged at him.

"If he got expelled because of me, he'd have nothing to lose. He could knock my teeth into my throat and then curb-stomp it until they impaled me," I said. "Not a risk I'm willing to take."

"Has he ever threatened you before?" Jamison asked, and I nearly laughed. Had he ever threatened me before? Threats were about 90% of the things that came out of his mouth.

"Doesn't matter. Subject change time," I said, rubbing right next to the wound on my face.

"Okay, subject change. But one last remark," he said. He looked at me with a serious expression. "He won't hurt you again, Cor. I don't care what he's going through at home. You're supposed to be his friend, not his punching bag. If he so much as threatens you, I want you to tell me."

"All very noble of you, but he'd whoop your ass faster than he'd whoop mine," I reminded.

"I'm serious," he said, his expression leaving no room to dispute that.

Still, I didn't need his help. "I'm sure you are. No promises from me. I'll handle my own drama."

Jamison grabbed my shoulder, pulling me to a stop. He looked frustrated as he met my eyes.

"Cor, he doesn't get to just..." He struggled for a moment. "He doesn't get to just hit you and have you forgive him. That's not how it should work, no matter what went down between you two."

I pushed his hand off my shoulder. "Look, maybe you don't get it, Jamison. He's not a friend. He's someone I put up with. Keeping him at the Academy meant keeping him controlled; he knows if he hits me again, he'll be expelled. I doubt he wants that. So I wasn't doing that out of forgiveness or friendship. It was self-preservation. Not everything is about the power of friendship. Next you'll tell me to believe in the heart of the cards."

"Then who is your friend, Cor?" he demanded. "Going through life friendless, that's not easy. That's not something mentally healthy people do."

Who was my friend?

Those haunting blue eyes. A smile so small and delicate it sent a chill down my spine.

"I said Kieran isn't my friend. I never said I didn't have friends in general," I said. "Besides, what does it matter? I don't need a million friends to be happy and healthy. In fact, the more friends you have, the more chance you have of getting hurt by them. It's better to keep your friend group small, and only keep around people you trust. I don't want friends for the sake of saying I have them."

"Friends, good friends, can build you up. It's hard to get through life without good friends there to support you. I'm sure Kieran would be a lot less angry if he just trusted friends, instead of pushing everyone away when things get hard at home," Jamison said. "You act like you don't care about anything or anyone."

"That's not true," I said. "You only think that because I don't feel the need to give passionate speeches about who and what I care about. Some people like to keep their personal lives personal."

Jamison pressed a hand over his eyes and let out a small laugh. "Goddammit, Cor, I've never met anyone like you. It's frustrating."

"You could always just leave me alone," I offered.

"No. I'm intrigued," he said, dropping his hand from his eyes. "Come on, let's get back to class."

We started walking again, and I kept quiet. I got it, I really did. Some people loved their friends and had nothing else. Some people came from bad families and all they had were the bonds they made on their own. I didn't think it was pathetic that Jamison was so passionate about his friends and the importance of friendship.

It just wasn't something that meant a lot to me. I had people I cared about. A small few, admittedly, but still some. And I'd do absolutely anything for those people.

Even work for a drug dealer. Even jeopardize my future. Even risk my freedom.

I cared. I cared, and it sucked.

"Hey, Cor," Jamison said as we neared the academic building. "You know, sometimes it's a little scary to listen to you. You're just so logical about everything. It almost makes you seem kind of heartless."

I shrugged. "We all have our own ways of dealing with things. I think you sound too emotional."

"I wasn't trying to be an ass. I was just trying to say..." He ran a hand through his hair, giving half a smile. "I suck at talking, for someone who gives a lot of speeches. I guess I'm trying to say maybe you could use more emotion and I could use more logic. Maybe we can learn from each other."

He held the door open for me and I stepped through. We made our way to class, and even all the staring and whispering didn't catch my attention. My thoughts were on Jamison's words.

Because it sounded too sincere. It didn't sound like a Crow investigating a Collector. It sounded like he was serious. Like a future beyond the game.

Like a promise.