Kurt sighed as he walked down the sidewalk, ripping open his first candy bar. His dad wasn't going to be there for another five minutes, but he had to get outside. It was just too noisy inside. He heard some yelling, but tried to ignore it. Teenage boys (not including himself) could be so crude. Probably fighting over some girl.

And then his blood ran cold as a screech pierced the air. His heart seized up. It sounded like Blaine. He moved quickly towards the sound, knowing how unsafe his action was but not caring because Blaine. He gasped, hiding in a shadow as he turned the corner. It was Blaine, sprawled out on the pavement, sobbing like a baby as he was hit mercilessly over and over. He couldn't see Colin and at that moment he was selfish and didn't care. He desperately wanted to run over and pull them off of his friend, but he knew he wasn't strong enough. He turned away quickly, racing back to the school. A police officer was standing at the entrance, watching as people left.

"Sir," Kurt panted frantically as he stumbled over to the officer. "You have to help him,"

The man frowned. "What's going on, son?"

"My friend. They won't stop hitting him." Tears welled up in his eyes. "Please."

The officer nodded, frowning seriously. He places a hand on Kurt's shoulder comfortingly. "Where?"

"Around the corner." The cop nodded, running off in that direction.

"Hey!" He heard the officer shout. "Away from him! Now! Hands where I can see them and don't even think about running."

Kurt hugged himself tightly, shaking violently. He closed his eyes, but all he could see was Blaine lying there in a pool of his own blood. He let out a shaky breath.

"Hey, Kiddo, ready to leave?" He jumped at his father's voice. Burt walked so he was facing his son when he didn't respond, frowning in concern. "Kurt, what's wrong? What's going on? Kurt, talk to me." His voice was a little harsh, but Kurt knew it was only because he was starting to get a little scared.

"Blaine." It was all he could manage.

"Blaine hurt you?"

Kurt shook his head. "No, never. They hurt him."

Burt leaned closer. "Hurt him how." Just then an ambulance pulled into the parking lot, weaving its way through the crowd. "Shit," Burt whispered under his breath, pulling Kurt towards him into a tight hug. "He'll be okay, buddy."

Kurt could tell his father wasn't convinced. "He has to be," he gasped. "I need to see him. Dad, I need to see him," he muttered frantically. "I need to see if he's okay."

He felt more than saw Burt shake his head. "Buddy, he's probably a mess right now. You don't need to see him like that."

Kurt stopped trying to fight back his tears, everything just too much to handle. "He needs me. I'm his friend."

The arms around him tightened. "I know it sucks, but I don't think there's anything you can do for him right now, bud."

"Excuse me," a relatively familiar voice interrupted. Kurt turned in his father's embrace to look up at the officer he had dealt with earlier. "Are you the boy who told me about the attack?" Kurt nodded numbly. "Are you his father?"

"Yeah, um, Burt Hummel, Officer," he introduced himself, offering his hand.

"Just call me Carl," the officer instructed, taking his hand. "Mind if I ask your son a few questions?"

Burt's grip tightened. "Kurt didn't do anything."

Carl smiled. "I know, but he might know why two students were almost beaten to death back there." Kurt gasped for air, suddenly feeling like he was going to pass out.

"Hey," Burt muttered in his ear. "I've got you, kiddo."

"Don't worry, son, they'll both be alright, thanks to you. You have quite a kid here, Mr. Hummel."

"Please, it's Burt."

Kurt inhaled deeply. "Blaine's going to be okay?"

Carl nodded. "He's going to be in the hospital for a while, but the paramedics seemed optimistic." He paused, seeming not to know if he should continue. "Do you have any idea why they were attacked."

Kurt shrugged, suddenly aware of his father's presence like he hadn't been before. He had kept everything from him, all of the bullying and abuse. It was embarrassing; he didn't want his dad thinking he was weak. But he had to help Blaine. That was all that mattered now. "I...well, they sort of give us trouble a lot."

Carl frowned. "What sort of trouble?"

"Calling us names, shoving us into lockers, you know."

"How long has this been going on, kiddo?" Burt asked softly. Kurt couldn't bear to look him in the eye.

"About since school started." Burt took in a sharp breath. "I mean, mostly after Blaine came out."

Carl nodded in understanding. "I see. What sort of names did they call you?"

Kurt shrugged. "Gay, fairy, the other eff one."

"Thank you, Kurt, I think that's all I need to know. I'll be in touch if I need anything else. And Kurt? Thank you for doing the right thing."

Kurt shrugged. "Anyone would've."

Carl shook his head sadly. "I wish that were true. Goodnight," he said before walking away to converse with some of the school officials.

Burt gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Let's get home, kiddo."

"But-"

"No. He'll probably be going through a lot of tests tonight. You can see him in a few days once he's doing better. I promise, we'll call his parents tomorrow and check on how he is,okay?"

Kurt sighed. "Fine."

The car ride home was silent except for the soft hum of the radio. Kurt felt drained, and was hoping his father would just let him go to bed, but instead he was steered towards the couch. His dad perched himself on the coffee table so they were sitting right across from each other. "Kurt, why didn't you tell me you were having problems at school?" Kurt just shrugged, eyes glued on his clasped hands. "Kurt, look at me."

He did and it made him want to cry. That worry on his dad's face, the disappointment. That was why he never said anything. Kurt knew he wasn't the son he wanted, he didn't want to give him another reason to be let down. "I didn't want to bother you."

Burt let out a disbelieving chuckle. "Kurt, this is the kind of stuff you can bother me with. I want to know if someone is giving you a hard time, okay?" Kurt nodded, not entirely convinced. "Did you get a look at those idiots who went after Blaine?"

"Yeah,"

"Are they the same ones that usually bother you two?"

"Some,"

"Are there others?"

Kurt hesitated, but nodded slowly. "Yeah."

Burt swore under his breath. "I'm going to have a talk with the school. This is ridiculous." Instinctively, Kurt curled up on himself. "Hey, bud, don't shut me out. What's wrong?"

"I don't want to go back there," Kurt muttered, his voice small.

"You have to go to school, Kurt, it's the law."

Kurt shook his head vigorously. "I don't feel safe there," he managed to get out, heaving for air.

Burt slid onto the couch next to him, scooping him into his arms. "Hey, hey, you're safe now, I've got ya." He kissed the top of his head gently. "You don't have to go back."

"But you just said-"

"I'm going to find you another school. One where you can be safe."

Emotions flooded over Kurt, but all he could do was nod and cling to his father. "I love you, Dad," he whispered.

"Oh, Buddy," his dad mumbled, hugging him tighter. "I love you too."