• F I V E •

"You win some, you lose some. Except for me. I always win."

• • •

You'll never guess where Kolton and I went. The woods. Oh, how I love the irony of it. Kolton leads me down a dirt road into the woods. Then we leave the path.

"You know, most horror stories that take place in the forest start when people leave the path," I remark, tossing my black hair over my shoulder.

Kolton grins, "I've always wanted to be in a horror movie. It'd be so much fun."

"Agreed," I state with a dangerous grin. "Killing all those little people..."

"Oh. I was talking about beating the villain," Kolton responds looking at me kinda funny.

"Don't worry, Kolton," I laugh. "I'll be the villain to your hero."

Kolton smiles widely and announces, "Not too much farther now."

I take careful note of my surroundings so I can find my way back on my own if need be. Following Kolton, we end up at a cottage.

"Seriously? A cottage in the woods?" I snort. "Cliche much?"

"You're just jealous," Kolton replies playfully.

Calling it a cottage is a bit of a generous name. The place is more like a cabin, small and tucked away, hidden in the forest. It has large windows and a chimney with smoke coming out of it, showing me that Nekoda is already there.

Walking up to it, we enter through the door. There are no lights inside, just some flashlights, the fireplace, and the windows for light. Since it is the day, the sunlight and fire provide plenty of light inside. Nekoda is sitting as far away from the fire as possible.

"Boaz is going to be annoyed that you started the fire without him," Kolton snorts plopping down on the couch.

"Boaz? You guys know him too?"

Kolton freezes and looks to Nekoda. Nekoda, as smooth as ever answers, "Just in passing."

I nod and take a seat on the opposite couch, an old plaid couch that is surprisingly comfortable.

"So what do you guys do up here?" I ask curiously, looking around the place.

Kolton shrugs. "Board games, talk, hang out. You know, just the boring stuff."

Something about his answer feels off, but I ignore it and lean back.

"What are we going to do?"

Nekoda, completely blank-faced, replies, "We plan on sitting in complete and total silence for the next forty-five minutes."

"Just warning you," I laugh. "I don't do sitting still or silence very well."

"Don't worry, I don't either," Kolton remarks, running a hand through his golden hair, messing it up further.

Nekoda rolls his eyes. "Well then what do you have in mind?"

"What board games do you like to play?" Kolton asks.

"I played a bunch when I was younger. I know most of them, just not the newer ones," I answer thoughtfully.

"What's the matter? Too old for board games now?" Kolton calls playfully as he moves to grab one out of a cabinet in the corner.

I clench my fists at the accusations. I wish that was why. My brothers and I used to play them together. Ever since I—I mean, ever since they died, I haven't had anybody to play board games with. I have never had friends or family since my brothers.

I force the emotions to clear from my face as I notice Nekoda carefully studying me.

"How long have you known each other?" I ask Nekoda to distract him.

"A few years."

"How old are you two?"

"Seventeen almost eighteen."

"What's your favorite color?" I ask rapid fire.

"White."

"Any siblings?"

"Some brothers. All jerks."

"How long have you known each other?"

"Our whole live—Hey!"

Grinning smugly, I lean back against the couch.

"She got you!" Kolton exclaims, cackling with laughter. "Hey, Rage, know any good jokes?"

"I'm not sure where that just came from, but yeah," I say. "Why did Anakin Skywalker cross the road?"

"Why?" Kolton asks while Nekoda freezes slightly.

"To get to the Dark Side."

Kolton chuckles. Nekoda grins and all but squeals, "You like Star Wars?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Oh, he more than likes it," Kolton answers for him.

Nekoda tugs on the ends of his white hair and cleans the emotions from his face.

"I enjoy watching it," He says stonily.

"Oh, please," Kolton scoffs. "She already saw you, you don't have to pretend to be so icy anymore."

"Thank goodness!" Nekoda exclaims flopping backward on the couch. "Do you know how uncomfortable it is to sit properly?! I don't advise you to try it, that's for sure."

I blink. And blink again.

"I'm a little lost here..." I announce slowly.

"Aren't we all?"

"Ah! Let's play a card game," Kolton decides, pulling out a simple deck of cards. He quickly shuffles through them.

"What are we gonna play?" I ask, leaning forward. I like to win.

"Go Fish!" He announces.

I shrug. Why not? Unfortunately, it is a game of chance which will make my win harder. But it will make it so much sweeter of a victory.

We spend the rest of our time hanging out and just getting to know each other. And winning. I won every single round.

"I know you cheated!" Nekoda exclaims as we walk back to the school.

"Nope. Not that it would be that hard," I reply thoughtfully, dreaming up all the ways that I could cheat at Go Fish.

As we enter the school, Nekoda straightens up instinctively and his face goes completely clear. I am about to question him about his behavior when I spot Darkon.

"Bye, you guys!" I call as I hurry to Darkon. "Darkon!"

He turns around and sees me. He has healed remarkably well from the damage that I did. In his black eyes, I see the worst possible emotion. Defeat. He isn't mad at me, he isn't upset, he isn't scared. He has given up. This isn't just from me, this is from something far worse. Something I know all too well.

I grab him by the wrist and gently pull Darkon into an empty classroom. I sit down on a desk and command, "Spill."

Darkon just stares at me with empty eyes.

"What do you want me to say?" He asks finally, his voice as flat and empty as his eyes.

"Tell me who is hurting you," I order crossing my arms.

"Other than you?"

"Look, I'm really sorry for what I did. I lost control over something stupid and hurt you even though you were just trying to help me out. But please, tell me what is going on," I plead.

"Why? So you can go and tell everyone?"

I snort, "Believe me, I have plenty of secrets. What's one more?"

Darkon gives in like I knew he would. He wants to talk, I can tell. So he does.

"My older brother," He answers with a sigh. "He's the one that hurts me. It's nothing really."

"Don't say that."

"What?" Darkon asks, confused.

"Don't say that it's nothing. Everything is something. Every action has a consequence. Clearly, your brother is doing something," I tell him.

"Amadeus, he-he," Darkon says, choking up.

I stand and tentatively wrap my arms around the large man. He instantly envelops me in a hug. I lean my head on his chest and we just stand there.

We both know what it is like to have someone hurt us over and over again and have no way of stopping them. I can't fix the problem, but I can be there for Darkon.

Pulling back, I stare into his eyes and say, "I don't care what's going on. If you ever need someone, I'll be there."

A smile spreads across his face and he murmurs, "Thank you, Rage. For now, though, we should probably get to class."

With a laugh, I follow him out of the room and head to my class.

I meant what I said.

I will be there for Darkon as long as he needs me.

• • •

I grab a tray and pile food onto it. After putting in my lunch number, I survey the cafeteria. Asher and Darkon are sitting together and Kolton and Nekoda are sitting together. I'd have to choose which pair to sit with. Thankfully, I spot a familiar head of pastel green hair.

Making my over to Victoria, I keep my head down and ignore the catcalls and shouts of the other students. Until one stops me cold in my tracks.

"That girl Rage is my new whore."

I stride to Victoria and set my tray down.

"Watch my food. I gotta kill a guy."

Victoria nods. "Have fun!"

"Oh, I will," I agree, my lips curling into a dangerous smile.

I stomp over to the table where I heard the voice.

"Hey, babe," The owner of the voice says. "I got your seat right here."

He slaps his thigh with a cocky grin.

I purr sweetly, "No thanks, it looks kind of small."

"Aww, come on. We're just having fun," He replies, sulking slightly as his friends all exclaim, "Oohh..."

"Fun?" I echo, grinning wildly. "Thanks for the invitation."

Quickly, I reach out and slam his head into his tray of food. Discreetly, I freeze part of the food so that it will stick to his face for a while.

"You're right!" I laugh. "We are having fun, mother fucker."

Frantically, he tries to wipe his face off, but the macaroni is stuck to his face and won't be coming off until it thaws out.

"Never. Have I been so insulted," He spits, giving up trying to wipe his face.

"You don't listen to people much, do you?" I snort.

He rises and towers over me with a glare, as if he intimidates me.

"If you were male, you'd be dead right now."

"Oh?" I say, an all-new rage entering me.

I spent years listening to people mock me for being alive and for being female. I was beaten for my existence and my gender. The thought that I am not even worth the fight because I am female is... well, more than enough to send me into a rage.

"Yeah," He scoffs.

"THAT'S IT!!" I yell. "YOU'RE DEAD!!!"

I lunge for him and wrap my hands around his throat when I am pulled off by strong arms. I'm turned to face the owner and instantly calm down. I look into his dark eyes.

"I'm here for you too," Darkon whispers.

I lean my head against his chest as he wraps me up in his strong arms. We stand like that, ignoring the shouts of the idiot behind me and his idiot friends until a teacher comes and sends me and the idiot to the principal's office.

I know that we met in the most strangest of ways, him being suspicious of my genius in Elemental History and me beating him for being kind to me, but it doesn't matter. Darkon and I came to an understanding earlier. We are the same. We are both hurt and hurting from something that we can't exactly say. Yes, I like to be mad, I like to be strong, I like to be a bold badass. But something about Darkon just instantly soothes me, the way that we both understand each other and each other's pain.

He is the calm in the midst of my storm.

"Sure thing," I tell the teacher who is ordering me to the principal's office.

I stride to Victoria and grab my food.

"Thanks for watching my food," I say with a smile.

I eat it quickly on my way to the office and set it down outside on the bench before entering through the door.

"Principal Sharpe," I call, flinging the door open and startling the idiot who is already seated at her desk. "I'm so glad to be speaking with you! This child here was being sexist, demeaning, and a downright fucking jerk."

"Watch your language," Sharpe snaps. "Now, I know this, Rage. However, you are in trouble as well for laying hands on another student."

"Ooh!" I squeal. "Am I suspended?!"

"Yes," Sharpe says, her lips twitching. "You can return to school on Friday."

Well, I was hoping Monday, but that works too, I suppose.

"Thanks, Sharpe!" I say, striding out the door and out of the school building.

I take a deep breath.

Freedom? Is that what you smell like?

A giddy smile splits my face as I take off at a run.

First order of business, I need to find a job.

• • •

Apparently, finding a job is hard. Huh. I never needed a job before so this is an all-new experience. Finally, I stop at the last place near my house that I can get to in walking distance. I have tried all the other places, but they either don't need a new employee or they won't take me. I pull open the door to a restaurant bustling with customers and workers.

"Hello," I tell the hostess at the front desk who is frantically pressing buttons on a computer. "I'm here looking for a job."

"Oh, thank goodness," She breathes, still typing. "We are seriously understaffed right now. What's your name and age?"

"Rage Falls, seventeen. And no, I am not joking," I answer quickly.

"My name is Alyss. What hours can you work? Are you good to just be flexible?" Alyss continues, blowing the strands of brown hair out of her face.

"That's a thing?!" I exclaim, hope rising in me.

Alyss shrugs. "We're a small but busy place. Give us your number and we'll call you when we need you."

"Oh." I bite my lip, worried that my lack of a phone will cause me a job. "I don't have a phone, but I plan on getting one tonight. Can I come back tomorrow?"

Alyss agrees, "Sure. Can you work a few hours now?"

"Definitely," I state with a grin.

"Alright, then. Follow me to the kitchen," Alyss says with a matching grin.

We make our way quickly to the kitchen and Alyss calls, "Everyone, this is Rage! She'll be filling in when we need her!"

"Hi! My name is Emily!" A young and cheerful chef announces while stirring something in a pot.

"I'm Rook, the owner of this humble abode," A man calls back, giving a wave.

"My name is Fiona," A middle-aged waitress informs me while taking a tray of drinks.

"I'm Martin," Another man says. "I help where needed. I can cook, clean, and wait tables."

"Hi! Nice to meet you all!" I call to them.

"Alright! Get to work!" Rook exclaims cheerfully, running a hand through his salt and pepper hair.

Rook is the manager, apparently, although Alyss is next in the chain of command.

Donning an apron, I take a tray full of food from Martin.

"Table Three in the back corner!"

Nodding, I head out, being careful not to spill anything.

"Here you go," I say cheerfully, handing the woman her food.

The shift is fun. Slightly exhausting, but fun. One thing is for sure, I'll be happy to come back tomorrow.

On my way out, Alyss hands me the cash I made from today.

"Thank you!" I call over my shoulder.

I hurry to a phone store and buy the cheapest phone I could find and pay for the line before heading home to train. For the rest of the evening, I work on combat skills and fine tuning my skills. It is important to maintain control of my powers so they do not control me. Every new level of skill I learn is a new way that I master my powers.

I don't ever want to lose my powers; it would be my undoing.

• • •

William's POV

• • •

I leave my final class, thankful that my Elemental Testing class still isn't on flora testing. The process is... horrible. Hurrying to my locker, I make a point of avoiding the other six. During school, I keep my distance, not wanting others to know how close our group is. I jog to the path in the woods where the others are gathered.

"William is here," Kolton announces.

"Oh, really?" Boaz snorts.

"Let's go," Gage calls, leading the way as we head off the path and to the cabin.

"You can't tell me what to do, Gage," Nekoda laughs with a smirk. "Remember? We hate each other."

Gage glares at him. "Knock it off or I'll give you a reason to hate me."

"Guys, you know I don't like it when you fight," I groan.

"Oh, we're just playing," Nekoda says with a genuine smile.

I know that they're just messing around. Our fights are rarely real. That doesn't mean that I have to like them, though. I hate it when people fight, when the peace is broken.

Asher and Darkon are walking together, like normal. The two, a pair like night and day, are often together. We are an extremely close group of friends that are closer than most brothers, but those two are even closer to each other. They are both quiet people who enjoy the quiet.

Looking at Asher, I notice that he has grown tan, oddly so. I hope things aren't getting worse at his home. I'll make sure that he knows he can stay with me. If he is being kicked out of his house, he needs to know that he can always stay with me. The rest of us aren't in much better places, but I have a good home now.

We quickly arrive at the cabin, the place where we go to get away from everyone and everything. It's a place to be together where we know that we will be safe. It is our safehouse.

Boaz instantly makes his way to the fire.

"Who started a fire in here?!" He roars, whirling around.

"Since when did we let pyromaniacs in our group?" Kolton mutters, a grin on his face.

"Calm down, I did," Answers Nekoda calmly, surprising all of us.

Out of all six of us, he is the least likely to start a fire.

"Why did you start a fire?" Gage asks, his curiosity growing with the rest of ours.

Kolton answers for him, "Oh, because Rage came over."

"Rage?" Gage echoes as Boaz shrieks, "You let the devil in?!!"

Nekoda rolls his eyes and Darkon glares silently at Boaz. I don't know why Darkon is taking offense at that comment, but it is certainly interesting.

"The devil?" Kolton repeats. "Rage... well, she rages and has yellow eyes, but she is no devil."

Yellow eyes? Like the girl I saw in eighth period yesterday?

Boaz crouches down by the fireplace and bites his lip, as if contemplating something, something troubling. He shakes his head and pulls out a box of matches. Soon, a fire is going and heating up the room.

"Rage, as in Rage Falls?" Gage asks.

"Yeah," Kolton nods. "You know her?"

"Yes, I bumped into her yesterday," Gage answers, somewhat distractedly.

"I met her as well," Asher offers quietly.

"Wait," Gage says. "How many of us know her? Kolton, Nekoda, Asher, Boaz, myself, and who else?"

"I know her," Darkon rumbles.

"I think I know who you're talking about, but I don't know her well," I inform them, rubbing the scar on my forearm as I think.

Gage folds his hands and uses them to prop his face up.

"How do we all know someone who just joined school yesterday?" He questions contemplatively.

"You don't think she's up to something?" Boaz poses, far too eagerly.

"What on earth did she do to you?!" I exclaim, my green eyes wide.

Flopping on the couch, Boaz mourns, "She made me run!"

"Woah," Kolton says, his own eyes wide.

"How did she do that?" Gage asks, raising an eyebrow.

"No!" Boaz shouts, his eyes darting around. "I'm not giving you any ideas!"

I exchange an amused look with Asher and lean back against the couch. Rage must've sat here, it smells different, there is a faint, sweet smell lingering.

"Interesting," Gage murmurs before losing himself in his thoughts again.

"Well, if he's just thinking," Nekoda announces, "I'm going to get going and head to my place and have a Lord of the Rings marathon."

"Have fun doing your nerd things," Kolton calls cheerfully, causing Nekoda to stick his tongue out at him.

"Bye," I tell him, somewhat worried.

Nekoda lives on his own in a studio apartment paid for by his crap parents. He is the only one of us to live completely on our own, but he seems to be doing fine.

"Asher," I say, causing him to jump. "Do you need a place to stay tonight?"

Asher hesitates for a moment before slowly nodding.

"You're more than welcome to head back to my place," I offer.

Asher gives me a crooked grin and says, "Sure, William. Thank you."

I nod and smile back, glad he accepted.

Boaz groans, "Ugh... I should probably be getting back."

Lazily, he gets up and ambles out the door.

"If you don't hurry, you won't get there before dark!" Kolton calls after him, laughing.

Boaz exclaims, "It's not even five yet!"

"Well, at that rate, you won't get to your house before next week!"

Boaz sticks his tongue out at Kolton and continues on his way, only slightly faster than before.

Kolton announces, "My dad's home, I gotta hurry back and train. Football tryouts are this week."

"We should leave now too," I tell Asher.

He nods and we leave together. Soon, we get to my house. Well, where I live. It isn't a house; it is an old hotel that my grandparents fixed up to live in.

Pushing open the door, I call, "I'm home!"

Grandma comes out of the kitchen. "Oh! I see you brought Asher over!"

"If you don't mind," Asher says quietly.

"Of course not!" She exclaims. "Are you staying the night as well?"

Asher nods and Grandma beams.

"Jim and Christian are fishing, Maverick is doing a repair in room seven, and Night is helping me with the cooking," Grandma tells me before adding with a twinkle in her green eyes, "The rest of your grandpas are probably loafing around in the rooms, watching television like the lazy bums they are."

I chuckle slightly and head upstairs to my room, Asher silently following me.

"Pick whichever room you feel like," I tell him, entering my room to set my backpack down.

"I will and thank you," Asher says, giving me another crooked grin.

A smile as I enter my room still feels strange, out of place. My parents have been out of my life for years, but they certainly had a lasting effect on me.

Shaking my head to clear my darkening thoughts, I finger the leaf on one of the potted plants in my room and head downstairs to see if Grandma needs my help with dinner.

• • •

Yay!! Rage is getting to know and interact with the boys!

And, yes, Rage is oddly close with Darkon for having JUST met him, but it's because of their unique connection and this will be explained and developed further later.

• • •

Q: Fruity candy or chocolate?

A: I like both, but normally fruity candy, especially sour stuff. I love to eat sour things!