The shrill screech of heavy metal grinding across the rail dents rang through the narrowly built building. Every head snapped up as the door hit the wall and came to a halt, every head but one.

A guard cleared his throat.

“Sir?”

Sebastian sighed begrudgingly laying his book on his bedside and standing to stretch out his tensed limbs.

“What is it now?” his asked, his eyes hard, challenging, as he impatiently awaited their response.

The shorter guard’s head hung low as he spoke, his palms sweaty. “You have a visitor.” He replied quickly.

A smile curled up across Sebastian’s thin lips. “A visitor?”

A gulp; followed by a short nod.

“Well we shouldn’t keep them waiting, should we?” He asked, his voice smooth and mockingly sweet.

“Of course not Sir.”

No keys were sought, as the guard slid open his unlocked cell door.

Sebastian smirked and strutted out, every curious eye instantly hitting the ground. Grown men three times larger than Sebastian flinched as they heard him pass.

The cumulative feeling of fear and obedience that hung in the sullen penitentiary air brought him a strong sense of pride; his work was nearly complete.

Several halls and doors later Sebastian was led into the visiting room.

“Orange suits you.”

He recognized his presence before his voice or face. He had to admit he was shocked to see him alive it had been almost a year, he’d been certain someone had killed him by now.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, as he took in the younger boy in the thick, royal blue Burberry coat, he smiled –this new look definitely beat the itchy sweater vests Sebastian had once suggested he burn; along with his wheelchair.

Neither was alarmed as the door clicked shut, both guards opting to wait outside of the fluorescently lit visitors room.

“Artie, what brings you around this neck of the woods? Did you finally give up on the decrepit and his pitiful excuse of a grandson?” Sebastian snickered as he made his way across the room.

Artie smirked, “I’ll have you know his pitiful excuse for a grandson happens to be exactly what we’ve all been waiting for; so no, that’s technically not why I’m here.”

Sebastian’s smile fell and he inched closer to the thick Plexiglas.

“You can’t be serious.” He asked in disgust.

Artie simply flashed him a pleased small-toothed grin in response.

Sebastian kicked the chair next to him, resulting in a domino effect as not one, but four other metal chairs crashed towards the wall, then he sunk into the one standing chair conveniently in front of him. Artie eyed the pile of bent chair amusedly.

Everything was ruined.

Sebastian felt his blood begin to boil as Arties words truly sunk in. If Artie was telling him the truth then that meant Blaine was a demon, and not just any demon; he was an entirely new species; stronger than most and much more manipulative than everyone else. A sharp and vile spike of jealousy rose in the pit of his stomach.

The very thought seemed ludicrous; Sebastian had met Blaine the previous summer and he hadn’t felt a thing. In fact he’d had Blaine at his every beck and call. The boy aimed to please not to give orders. How could he ever control others? He’d watched people step all over him then sneered in disgust at the mere suggestion that Blaine was one of them. What had changed?

“Why are you here?” Sebastian demanded harshly. He didn’t appreciate being made fun of.

“I’m here because I know what you’re up to and I need your help.”

At this Sebastian leaned back in the cold, cheap, steel fold out chair. He crossed his arms over his chest, deliberately stretching the silence.

“If you have Blaine then what the hell do you need me for?” He asked slowly, his voice icier than he’d intended.

Artie clenched his jaw, then spoke lowly, ”that’s the problem I don’t have him; not anymore. I’m positive Dalton hunters or trackers took him. I tried keeping them away but they just grew in numbers, they’re stronger than me, they’ve obviously been trained to find people like us and I couldn’t risk getting caught. That’s why I’m here. I know you’re building an army, I know what you’re after, and I know that if we work together we can both finally get what we want.“ His hungry eyes bled darker at the very thought of his plan.

Sebastian scoffed regaining his composure. “You may need me, but I don’t need you. Why would I ever help you?”

He shrugged, “Because I know exactly what you want”

“Do tell.”

Artie stared straight at him, “you want revenge, on him, Smithe, your uncle.”

Sebastian’s face darkened he looked just about ready to kill.

Artie grinned knowingly. ”What? Did you think I didn’t know? You only slightly altered your last name Sebastian; it wasn’t that hard to figure out.”

Sebastian was now trembling with an rage, as he shook his head at Artie.

Artie cocked his head to the side, pleased that he’d caught Sebastian off guard, then shrugged ignoring the deep animosity directed towards him, “it’s genius really, what you’ve done. You were always right under his nose yet he never suspected you for that very reason. No demon would ever purposely get caught. No hunter or tracker would even think of looking into you because you’re nothing but a washed up delinquent to them.”

“Look Artie,” Sebastian began, an erratic sly smile creeping up his long face, “ you may think you know me, but you don’t. If you came here to blackmail me into helping you because you think I’m related to Smithe then I suggest you leave now before I get someone to break that pretty little neck of yours.”

Artie blinked, not the slightest bit fazed, boredom dripped from his tone as he spoke, “I’m not here to blackmail you; I was merely suggesting we work together because I figured you’d appreciate the upper hand. There are plenty of other rouges that would be willing to help if they knew we had an army, we could potentially bring Smithe down once and for all, and we’d have Blaine on our side, but if you prefer Smithe keeps him and ends us, then go ahead and forget I was ever here. Enjoys your last days in this hell hole because if I go down, rest assured you will too.” He stood and glared down at Sebastian. “I’ll be at the Hilton, king suite, until 12pm tomorrow. My offer stands until then. If you don’t show I’ll assume you don’t want in.” He paused “I really do hope to see you soon Sebastian.”

**
Thursday February 16th, 5 am
Case No. 180001382
Inmate Sebastian Smythe - released.
Reason for discharge: Not Guilty: Prisoner found innocent of all charges.
Release: Immediate

**
Thursday 11am

“This is good Blaine, you’re holding a resistance to it.”

The sound of Jesse’s leather clad boots as he slowly inched closer was one of the many sounds Blaine was hyper aware of. He had remained fully conscious for two full minutes, sadly this was progress. Normally by this time Blaine would have been fighting off an intense drowsiness that came after every power rush.

To Blaine it felt like another side of himself was coming out, one that was aching to be free and reckless. He could hear it’s thoughts, it’s malice, and before he knew it those very thoughts became his own; they were his memories, his thoughts, his beliefs, and although a small part knew that nothing good would come of them they were always overridden by stronger feelings of power, and control. It never failed to lose it’s irony; the more control he felt the less control he actually had because it wasn’t actually him, his mind would go blank and he’d wake unaware of what he’d done or what he was capable of.

Today, however, was different. Today Blaine was determined to finally overpower it; he was going to prove to himself - and to it- that he really was in control.

“Breathe and try to remain this calm. If you can accomplish this then the battle is halfway won Blaine. You can do this, I know you can.”

Jesse was circling him; Blaine couldn’t see him but he could hear and feel him just like he felt the watchers around him, his eyes were shut tight as he forced his mind and body to remain calm and focused.

“Open your eyes Blaine.”

Blaine faltered.

Jesse was patient as he waited for Blaine to act; he understood how difficult this was.

When Blaine finally managed to open his eyes Jesse spoke slowly and steadily, like a hypnotist.

“Good, now ultimately I need you to focusing on staying with me Blaine, don’t lose yourself to it, do not let it manipulate you. Instead use that feeling of power that’s literally swimming inside you to manipulate someone or something else outside of yourself.”

Blaine’s heart pounded rapidly the racing sound filling his mind. “Try tapping into it Blaine, allow yourself to feel it and control it. It’s in your head, in your hands, in your body, and it’s on your mind; try to use it without losing consciousness.”

These were the same lines Jesse had been feeding him for days on end and Blaine wanted nothing more than to exercise them.

He began to do as he was told shuddering as violent current shot through him, he could feel his vision blurring and his mind going foggy; it was stronger now, and he was weaker. It took everything in him to stop himself from giving in.

“Don’t lose yourself to it.” Jesses words rang through his clouded mind as he struggled to keep focus.

What was worse, risking it overpowering him again, or shutting it out completely and gaining nothing? Neither option was productive. His heart was hammering in his chest while the lids of his eyes grew heavy.

“Don’t lose yourself to it.”

Blaine was breathing heavily and raggedly as he stood there in defeat forcing everything in him back down to its caged self. Jesse continued to circle, making him dizzy.

“Keep trying. It’s just like when you manipulate someone with one look. It’s that same process where you pull from something deep inside you, except this requires more of your strength; which is why you fear it but you need to learn to break through it’s control. You aren’t going to be able to hold it off or ignore it for much longer Blaine. You need to create a greater sense of control in yourself. I can’t stress that enough.”

Blaine stood sullenly in the middle of the room; feeling nothing but useless, his shoulders slumped. He was trying so hard to overcome what possessed him but every time it was like he couldn’t stop himself from giving in to it. It’s safety and possessiveness beckoned him and Blaine felt weak for giving in.

The entire process w as driving Blaine insane, he often wondered if this was just another lucid nightmare. Nothing about his new life felt real. It mostly felt like one terrible, sweaty nightmare after another.

A low, almost annoyed sigh came from a watcher and Blaine’s eyes flickered to the elusive face. He glared at him. He knew what he was thinking; he obviously felt Blaine was wasting their time; the thought made Blaine sick.

It was like that one sound had transported him back to his previous life where everyone made him feel inadequate. It was the same sound his father and grandfather had always made whenever he came up. It was that same impatient “I wish I was anywhere but here”, sigh his mother would give him, the one that grossly managed to twist at Blaine’s heart and leave him feeling worthless. It was hard to believe that such a little sound could make his skin crawl bringing every dark part of his childhood to mind, yet it did.

“Again Blaine.” Jesses commanded.

Blaine blinked his long slightly mussed lashes twice trying to pull himself together; he hadn’t realized he was still staring at the watcher most likely named Thad until Jesse had said his name. He lowered his gaze a mixture of raw bitterness and annoyance simmering to the surface as the boy rolled his eyes.

The group of watchers was smaller today. Jesse hadn’t bothered to explain why; apparently he didn’t find it relevant.

The watchers got back into positions. Being surrounded by them felt like being surrounded by an army armed with sharp daggers; every part of him felt threatened.

Blaine tried to center himself, yet every time he tried to focus the only thing that came to mind was the deep disgust that came with the pressure of being judged. It was a lethal combination of self-loathing and anger that Blaine couldn’t help.

Deep down Blaine knew that in that moment he should have asked to stop, but he wanted so badly to prove himself capable that he lost his head.

Anger continued to pulse through him as he allowed the fizzling energy to run through his body.

I can do this. I am not worthless. He thought as attempted to focus his mind.

I am worth every bit of their time.

The words seemed to be getting louder in his head.

I am not worthless.

The words seemed to be getting louder in his head.

I... am ...not... worthless.

Everything inside him had quickened but it was like the world had slowed down before him.

It felt like a raging fire had been lit inside him. He felt himself growing stronger as it spread through him his entire body humming with a power.

The feeling was intoxicating and heavenly; he was suddenly filled with an inexplicable sense of invincibility that made him want to moan with pleasure. It was a nearly suffocating sensation but there was something masochistically good about it.

He wasn't really sure when he'd closed his eyes it wasn't until a loud voice broke through his thoughts that he realized he'd even done it.

“Blaine stop……I said stop Blaine. Now!”

He panicked and looked around unsure of what was happening, of what he’d been doing. The realization was almost as terrifying as the fact that he didn’t know how to stop whatever it was he was doing it was like he was frozen inside his own body. His anger was now drowned by his terror as he felt himself sink into unconsciousness.

Soon Blaine was being washed over by a warm and familiar sense of relief.

It felt like nothing more than a blessing as the bright white walls of the room blurred into blinding white light. This was good, he was no longer scared, he was simply lost. Lost in nothing but bliss. Blaine let himself go to it.

His mind was sated and he was gone; for how long he wasn’t sure. Things may have been moving around him but he was safe and gone far, far gone.

The serenity was short lived as the white was tainted by splotches of dull colors, or perhaps they were blurry figures, he wasn’t sure. Blaine simply breathed blinking away at a blur of nothingness like he’d just woken from a coma.

Then came excruciating and unexpected pain. His head suddenly felt like it was about to explode, it was like he’d been submerged to the deepest ends of the ocean, a heavy pressure threatening to crack his skull open, and his throat felt raw like he was screaming but he couldn’t hear a thing, then the pressure was gone and he found himself cowering in a corner of the room covered in his own blood and sweat.

Jesse stood over him, four other stunned watchers behind him. Blaine turned away unable to face them but there at the other end of the room was something much worse; there was Thad, lying on the ground, twitching.

“Not a word of this to anyone is that understood?” A small grumble of yes’s filled the room, “Good. Get him out of here.” Jesse ordered loudly.

Blaine watched guiltily as they picked up the seizing, babbling boy from the ground.

“Whah-“ he swallowed and cleared his throat his voice felt too low and scratchy, practically inaudible, “What did I do?”

Jesse avoided his gaze instead he watched Thad be carried out.

“Your homework assignment is to remember what you did to him.”

Blaine’s eyes went wide. “How?”

Jesse ran a hand over his face and for the first time he looked completely worn out. “Figure it out. You’re a lot stronger than you realize Blaine, I think we all underestimated you.”

“I can’t.” Blaine yelled hysterically, his voice cracking.

“You can and you will.” Jesse said harshly.

Blaine buried his face in his hands, pressing his forehead harshly into the palm of his hands as he fought the urge to scream or cry. The short burst of anger was gone and all that was left was now was guilt and confusion.

What had he done?
**
Thursday 1pm

“I’m sorry.”

Kurt didn’t even look up; he simply patted the empty space next to him.

Rachel tentatively made her way to the couch, after a seconds hesitation she laid her head on Kurt’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

Kurt rested his cheek on her head and sighed; he’d actually missed her.

They remained this way for a few minutes, neither speaking but each silently apologizing to one another for letting things get out of hand. Rachel slowly opened her eyes again. She fiddled with a throw pillow’s tassels then sighed when Kurt flipped a page of his book.

“I know you hate people trying to tell you how to live your life but I swear I was only being pushy because I care. I’d hate to see you get hurt.”

Kurt sighed and closed his book on the history on New England. He turned to look at her, and spoke an exasperated tone that only conveyed his love. “Rachel, I know you’ve started this conspiracy against him but you didn’t see how scared he was that first night. I had to hold him as he came to the realization that he wasn’t normal, he’s just as scared as we ever were but he’s a fighter Rachel, one that wants to do the right thing, just like us. So I’m sorry for not taking your advice and drawing my own conclusions on him instead but I think it’s safe to say you have nothing to be worried about.”

Rachel gave him a slow nod, “of course. You’re right I’m sorry Kurt.”

Kurt’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, “Really, you’re just going to drop it like that?” This wasn’t the Rachel he knew.

Again Rachel nodded, “I don’t want to fight anymore Kurt, not today. I just need you to stop hating me.”

“I don’t hate you.” He squawked.

Rachel batted her eyelashes at him playfully. “Oh please. I’ve seen the way you look at me when I baby you, but you know you should be honored. You’re my prot�g� Kurt. You don’t know how proud I am to have been your tracker. I love that it was me who brought thee, Kurt Hummel to Dalton Academy. It really is an honor.”

“Oh stop that.” Kurt said playfully pushing Rachel away, she giggled that loud schoolgirl sound that made it hard not to smile and easy to forget who and what they were.

She pulled away as her big bright smile began to fade. “I should go and find Finn.”

“If you must.” He said as he picked his book back up.

“I love you Kurt and I'm sorry.” She kissed his pale cheek and slipped off the sofa. “Take care.”

Kurt snorted. “Rachel, calm down, you’re off to see your boyfriend you’re not leaving me forever.”

“Shut up and tell me you love me.”

Kurt chuckled while he shook his head at her madness; Rachel was the definition of a drama queen. “I love you Rache,”

She smiled sweetly in response, then was gone.
**
Thursday 8pm
“Where the hell is she!”

The eight ball skidded to the left and Puck cursed under his breath.

Santana stood next to Finn her arms crossed over her chest.

“You made me fucking miss.” Puck growled as he threw the pool stick on the table and walked to Finn. “What do you want?”

“Where is she?” Finn repeated as he ground his teeth together, his face flushed with anger.

Sam and Jeff straightened as the room tensed, everyone’s eyes remained on Puck.

Puck squared his shoulders as he walked closer to Finn showing no signs of intimidation. “Repeating the same question isn’t very helpful Finn. I still don’t know what you’re talking about.” He finished with a cocky grin.

Finn shook his head practically sneering at Puck. “Don’t play dumb with me. Santana told me she covered for you and Rachel the other day, and now she’s gone. First she was acting all weird, then Smithe called her into his office and now she’s gone, so where is she? What the hell did you say to her?”

Santana watched curiously as Puck’s face fell from defensive to dumbstruck he obviously hadn’t known Rachel was gone.

Santana didn’t particularly love Rachel herself but she didn’t hate her either. At least not anymore, she was, after all her mentor. Rachel had originally been Kurt’s mentor but after a while they had Finn take her place. Santana wasn’t sure if Rachel had simply agreed to be her mentor because she’d genuinely wanted to, or because she’d wanted to stay at Dalton with Finn. Either way Santana grew to love it. Mostly because it meant Santana could beat Rachel’s ass on the field without ever getting in trouble –although truth be told the little Jew was a lot stronger than she looked, but Santana enjoyed the challenge.

Rachel may have been a lot of things: particularly bossy, whiny, and obnoxious but she was also fearless, something Santana respected –not that she’d ever admit that. In a weird, slightly competitive way, Santana considered her a friend.

She had gone to yell at Rachel for not showing up for training and forcing her to work with Karofsky, but when she’d gotten to her room it was obvious Rachel was gone. Santana was no Sherlock Holmes, but she’d seen enough people run away in her life to know when someone had packed up and left.

She’d gone to Finn demanding an explanation but was more clueless than she was. So now she was here, in the common room trying to make sense of the situation while also getting her fill of drama- not that this compared to the fights from Lima Heights.

Kurt, who Santana hadn’t noticed, sat up on the couch the couch, his eyes wide. “What do you mean Rachel’s gone?”

“He means she’s nowhere to be found, much like your attraction to girls, Hummel.”

“I know what he meant. What I mean is why?”

Santana and Kurt’s little bickering was cut short by Puck’s voice; his eyebrows knitted in confusion, “Did Smithe really talk to her?”

“Does it matter?” Finn asked, clearly irritated, his face slightly contorted in a way that always brought the word constipation to Santana’s mind.

“Maybe.” Puck answered his voice low, eyes downcast.

“Why?”

Puck threw his head back annoyed. “Forget it,” he mumbled as he tried to walk past Finn.

Finn pushed him back, “I can’t just forget it. Rachel is gone and I need to find her.”

Puck who was still staring at the spot where Finn had pushed him looked up angrily. “I get it, we all get it Rachel is gone. But I can’t help you.”

“You’re a terrible liar, you know that?” Finn yelled as he inched closer to Puck again. “You both snuck out of here for a reason and I want to know why. I’m sick and tired of all these bullshit secrets that both of you have been keeping; so either you tell me why you were out alone with my girlfriend or you tell me where she went.”

Puck looked up at Finn his eyes narrowing as he shook his head in disbelief, he chuckled then looked away his trademark smirk trailing the corners of his mouth. “Dude, you said it, she’s your girlfriend not mine. If you don’t know where she went they why would I? It’s not my fault she left you.” He’d aimed to push Finn out of his way but Finn was inhumanly quick to jerk out of his reach.

“Don’t touch me Puckerman.” He said warningly.

The killers in both Puck and Finn were there present and daunting as they stared one another down.

Puck was the first to break the thick silence; he scoffed. “Fuck, all this for some stupid manipulative chick? I didn’t even do anything man, stop acting like it’s my fault! It’s really not my fault she didn’t trust you enough to tell you where she was going.”

Finn fisted his hands at his sides as he glared at Puck, his eyes hardening to nothing but large black pupils. Everyone around the room shot worried glanced at one another as they tried to silently configure a way to keep things from escalating.

At Dalton it was easy to feel normal. To Santana it often felt like she’d been sent to some rich kids boot camp where she was being forced to get into shape and fight for her life, but they were all far from normal; they were dangerous, capable of everything, especially when they were in an altered state.

A fact that both fascinated and scared Santana about demons was that they didn’t have to be pure of heart to survive. All it took for them to live past eighteen, as completely transitioned demons was control. What they did with their control was always up to the individual. Normally those selfish enough to want to use their powers for themselves were weak and unfocused, they were either easily distracted by greed or too empty to fight for themselves. These were the types of people that always lost their lives in the process, their souls would go out like flames to wind.

Those that managed to keep most of their soul intact, those that still had complete control of their mind and body, those like Finn, Puck and all the other elder demons that roamed the earth whether rogues or Dalton allies, were always a threat to the world, to themselves and to each other because they could always break. The decision to save and protect instead of kill and control could easily shift if that control was ever lost.

Finn looked just about ready to go off the rails. Santana had always figured if they actually fought one another to prove who was really stronger Puck would win. Finn may have been bigger, and taller but he had far less control than Puck. Rachel seemed to be what kept Finn grounded.

Cautiously everyone around the room moved to intervene. Both Jeff and Sam strode to Puck’s sides ready to hold him back if necessary. Kurt was now near Finn as well ready to restrain him or.hopefully coax him out of the room, Santana was the first to get between them- if she was scared she didn’t show it.

“Hey, this isn’t worth getting kicked out of Dalton. You two are friends.” She said looking from Finn to Puck.

Finn laughed mockingly. ”Friends? Friends look out for one another. Puck isn’t a friend. He’s a selfish prick who pines over my girl and then tries to hide it by blabbing about sleeping with the entire female population.”

Puck practically growled, “that’s it I‘ve had it!” Sam and Jeff pushed him back as he lunged towards Finn.

Finn laughed, a crazed look on his face “Do it.”

The air seemed thick with the challenge. Puck rolled his neck, his eyes fixed on Finn. Finn moved forward ignoring Kurt and towering over his challenger.

“I know where Rachel is.”

Santana’s head whipped back. Everybody’s did.

Quinn’s stood in the doorway, Jesse St. James by her side. She nervously pushed a strand of her short blond hair away from her eyes and walked up to Finn, Santana backed away as she made her way past her.

“You what?” Puck asked face scrunched up.

“I know where Rachel went.” She said directly to Finn who was still fuming.

“Why would she ever tell you where she was going? She doesn’t even like you.” Santana demanded, outraged, her eyes following Quinn as she walked.

Quinn stopped and looked Santana up and down, “because she knew I could actually keep a secret.” She deadpanned.

When Santana didn’t respond Quinn turned back towards Finn.

She sighed. “Finn, Puck has nothing to do with this and no amount of violence is going to bring Rachel back, at least not today, okay? She’s didn’t leave you, she just couldn’t explain everything; she didn’t have time and it wasn’t safe. She did however leave you a letter explaining everything, but I don’t have it with me. So you can either stay here and gain nothing- but the satisfaction of being an idiot “ she murmured practically rolling her eyes, “or you can follow me and find out where your girlfriend is.” She finished.

Finn stared at her dumbly, his eyes still dark and troubled.

No one in the room moved as they awaited his response.

Santana didn’t really know Quinn, she had always been quite, distant, and temperamental but it was moments like these where she was snarky and a tiny bit manipulative, that made Santana wonder if maybe in some alternate universe they could have been friends.

Finn seemed to shake whatever thoughts were racing in his mind out of his head as he agreed to go with Quinn.

“Fine.” He said as he glared at Puck.

Quinn nodded her eyes shifting uncomfortably around the room “Okay, good let’s go then.”

She turned towards the door and stopped when Jesse gave her a pointed look.

“Oh crap right.” She spun around, her eyes rapidly raking over everyone in the room when they stopped she perked up. “Kurt, I need a favor.”

Kurt looked predictably taken aback.

Santana tuned the rest out, slightly nauseated; she had a feeling she knew who this was about.

**
“So is sitting on floors a thing?” A gentle and familiar voice pulled Blaine’s eyes up from the same spot he’d been staring at for far too long.

Blaine wasn’t sure how long he’d been there; Dalton seemed to have that effect on him. With his neck strained upward to look at Kurt he felt an uncomfortable crick, it wasn’t until that very moment that he realized how much every part of his body ached, every muscle felt tight, every bone rusty to movement. He hadn’t really felt much of anything until Kurt’s voice had broken into his thoughts; it was like he’d been pulled back into a painful reality he hadn’t realized he’d run from.

“Jesus Blaine, you look like crap.”

The blunt honesty of his statement was enough to bring out a small huff of laughter from Blaine. The tension in his face slowly diminished.

“What are you doing in here?” he asked wincing at how raspy his voice had come out- a reminder of what had happened.

Kurt eased into the room a glimpse of intrigue in his eyes as he looked around.

“Someone pointed me in your direction.” He said as his eyes caught Blaine’s “I think the question is what are you doing here? It’s late, don’t you usually train in the mornings, while we study?”

An increasingly familiar pull in Blaine’s chest grew stronger as Kurt approached him.

Blaine locked his lips together “Yeah I do but-”he stopped seemingly fishing for some way to explain himself. “Things got a little out of hand today.” He finished lamely, that was probably one of the greatest understatements of his life.

Kurt nodded emphatically as if to say trust me I get it, when really Blaine’s explanation had given him nothing to get.

“I’m not sure I realized how long I’ve been here. There no real way to even tell time in this place.” Blaine said glancing around the windowless room.

Kurt bit down on his lower lip worriedly then slid down next to him, the act itself felt uncalculated and so very, very right.

After everything that had happened Blaine was certain he should have felt ashamed. He wasn’t used to having people see him this vulnerable; that just wasn’t Blaine. Blaine was smiles and confidence, but Kurt never seemed to judge him like others did, despite the constant meltdowns that seem to come with him. With Kurt, Blaine felt his usual fa�ade would have just been pointless and exhausting; it was a foreign, but welcome feeling, to be himself.

“I’m pretty sure you’ve been here far longer than you intended. Let’s just say you’ve been here way past dinner time.”

Blaine brow wrinkled “I’m not even hungry.”

He could feel Kurt watching him, his piercing blue eyes analyzing his face, before his own broke into a smile. “Of course you’re not hungry. You’re in battle mode. Demons can go weeks without eating but you shouldn’t actually do that; you need your strength.”

“Does that mean a demon can’t starve to death?”

Kurt’s smile dimmed “No they probably could if they really tried but I’m assuming it’d be an excruciatingly slow process so um, please don’t try it.”

Blaine shook his head. “Oh god no I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so morbid I just-”

Kurt wrinkled his nose and shrugged before cutting him off. “Don’t be sorry, our life is kind of morbid and it’s a valid question, one I’d certainly never entertained. Besides I was only joking.” Blaine watched him wave his hand in the air as he spoke as if he could wave away the awkwardness. He was grateful for the attempt but he could see it in Kurt’s eyes; he was a terrible liar.

Blaine offered him a small smile. “You weren’t kidding, but that’s okay I realize I look a little on the crazy side right now, but I swear I’m not looking for ways to kill myself; in fact I’m trying to do the opposite but that really isn't really working out right now.”

Kurt frowned. “What happened today?”

Blaine sighed rubbing at his tired eyes. He saw the small spatters of blood on his hand and realized just how gross he must have looked. No wonder Kurt's eyes had nearly bugged out of his head when he'd seen him, he probably looked like he’d just been jumped. He'd felt the blood when he’d woken up, but he hadn’t actually cared. Kurt continued to watch him patiently.“I don’t know what happened I just lost control, again.” He said shaking his head bitterly. “The worse part is I was so confident I was getting better. I found my outlet the other day…with you.” He added after a beat. “I felt calmer, ready. Then I…I completely lost it.”

Kurt pursed his lips. “But that’s okay it’s only been about a week, you’ll learn to control it eventually.”

“I don’t have that much time, Kurt.”

Kurt’s eyes widened with a fear Blaine didn’t understand “How much time do you have exactly?” It was a question no one had actually asked him. Most of Dalton seemed to assume he had a decent amount of time.

47 days.

“Uh…a few months.” Blaine muttered guiltily.

Kurt nodded briefly his expression as blank as a white canvas.

“We should get out of here now.” Kurt muttered after a moment of incomprehensible silence, and then he was up on his feet. There was something detached and non-inclusive about the way he spoke that made Blaine wonder if he’d said something wrong. Blaine pushed himself off the wall and silently followed Kurt out of the room.

Blaine had never felt more emotionally drained; which was why the moment he saw Thad walking towards them as they slipped out of the training room Blaine wanted nothing more than to turn to Kurt and ask to help him run away.

Thad looked slightly paler but unexpecly normal. He didn’t even look hurt or upset, just wary. He most definitely didn’t look as bad as Blaine, whose golden eyes were now tinted with worry and whose uniform was rumpled and stained with rust-coloured blood.

“Blaine, I’m so glad I caught you.”

Blaine tensed, ready to apologize.

Thad gave a polite nod to Kurt as he reached them. The three stood in the dimly lit hallway. “Can I speak to him alone?” Thad asked tentatively.

“Of course.” Kurt breathed out. He gave Blaine a weak smile then rushed off leaving Blaine alone in the hallway with Thad, the boy he’d briefly thought he’d killed, or at least injured.

Blaine couldn’t help but feel a little hurt at how quickly Kurt agreed to leave, not bothering to ask Blaine if he was okay with the situation, surely he could sense his apprehension.

“I want to work with you.”

Blaine’s mouth was open the moment Thad spoke. “Look I’m sorry I don’t know what happened I -… wait? You what? You?" he took a deep breath "you’re not mad at me?” he uttered in disbelief.

Thad laughed whole heartily. “I was earlier. Not at you though.” He added quickly.“Honestly I being a brat. I was upset that I didn’t get to go with some of the other watchers on a mission. This is my last year fully working for Smithe -I want it to be filled with danger or adventure- I didn’t think I’d find that here, but you Blaine, man you really are something else. I have a feeling you’re all kinds of dangerous, which is why I’ve offered to be your mentor.”

Blaine briefly wondered if Thad was insane. After what he’d done to him how could he have asked to work with him.

“I understand if you had someone else in mind but I just think you should be paired with someone who’s willing to work with you no matter the cost. I also think it should be someone trustworthy.” His voice lowered. “I understand you are different Blaine and I don’t think anyone else should find out what you’re capable of. I am willing to keep whatever you want private. In fact I fully support Jesse’s decision to keep your training session strictly code red.”

“Code red?”

“We aren’t allowed to discuss your progress or powers with anyone, if we do we risk being kicked out, that’s code red.”

“Oh.”

“I know today must have freaked you out, and I heard Jesse was pretty hard on you, but I don’t want you to give up Blaine.”

Blaine had expected a variety of things to leave Thad’s mouth -mostly different variations of threats, but this wasn’t one of them.

Blaine pressed down on his lips.

This could work.

“On one condition, Thad.”

“Alright.”

“I need to know what I did today.”