If anyone has ever told me that, "Kurt, one day you will find yourself sitting between a crowd of dirty, sweaty boys, eating fat ridden food (god forbid) and having the time of your life as a straight boy"—I'd have told them to fuck off. But now, I would have told them they were the geniuses.

Because this is exactly the situation I find myself in.

Here I am sitting in Hill Tavern, between Jake and Ryder, across from all my friends and the two new boys, Blaine and David, who are from the Warblers—whatever that is?

At first I am too overwhelmed by the sight of the Tavern. It's rustic and chic at the same time, an old spot with splashes of new here and there. The woodwork is absolutely to die for; the bright lightening conditions are welcoming compared to the continuously darkening outdoors. The AC sprinkles the gusts of cool breeze toward us and—for the group of sweaty boys who worked their asses off in heat all day—it is heavenly.

Jake filled me, and the Warblers, in on the Tavern history even as we drove here. He told us that this has been in Puckerman family for well over fifty years. That his great grandfather set the foundation of it back in 1940s. And that Old Riley, their grandfather, was going to give it to their father but he died as a soldier. So naturally, Puck was the legal owner of the Tavern now. But the responsibility for running and regulating the Tavern was still Old Riley's, as Puck had a lot to do besides that.

And then I started imagining about what else Puck might be doing for the betterment of the town folks. But my thoughts are disturbed when a robust, kind looking woman comes to greet us all. It is Millie Rose, Marley's mother and Tavern's head chef, known to Puck and everyone else lovingly as Rosa.

Rosa exclaims and half-hugs all the boys as her own, telling them off for not coming here as often as they used to. She then notices me and the two Warblers and introductions are made.

"So, you are Kurt!" she says excitedly and I blush. I hadn't realized that I was already so famous! "Finally! We thought Paul would never bring you to us!"

An awkward silence follows. And I realize that none of the boys has said anything about my Dad's death to her. So I stay silent too, and answer her with another smile.

Blaine shatters the silence by heartily saying, "Well, I'm starving! What do you have for us Rosa?"

And it works. Everybody starts listing off their order and Rosa has quiet a job on her hand as she tries to understand every one of them. But I was too busy trying to catch Blaine's eye, to thank him, for I do believe he just saved me the trouble of discomforting myself further. But the boy is too excited and ravenous to notice me.

The boy. The very same one from the first night. Ever since I'd seen him on field today, all I can think is—how the hell I didn't notice that he was so breathtaking? Why didn't I notice how beautiful his face was? Or how adoring his curly hair looked, when ruffled by the warm breeze? Or how perfectly delicious his skin looked under the orange-ish light of clouds?

Oh, because I was so confused and suspicious of my uncle's motives, that's why! But seriously, how could I have thought that my friends were all handsome? Because next to him they dulled in comparison so majestically, that I hardly notice when Finn throws himself in the door with a huge smile.

Only the noisy cheers of my friends draw my attention away from the curly-haired boy. I see as Finn launches himself for a few hugs and pokes Ryder until he is squeezed beside me. He looks so happy and excited, but his smile fades when he notices additional boys across from us.

"Who are you?" he asks directly.

"Blaine Anderson," says Blaine with a frown. "We came to visit your father a few nights ago."

Finn nods with sudden realization. "Oh. Yeah. You did. What are you doing here? I thought my Dad made it clear that he didn't want—"

"I invited him, Finn!" Puck intervenes hastily. "I know that your Dad is—uncertain." I swear he briefly looks at me here. "But we need help. And they are offering so, yes, I invited him and his Garglers to work with us."

Finn looks conflicted. "Can I tell Dad?"

"Yes, and may be he will reconsider their offer."

Blaine joins in with agreement. "Look, our priority is the betterment of everyone in this town. And also of your—well, we meant what we said at the meeting. We want to ally." He looks at Finn with so much intensity and sincerity that I suddenly feel hot. What happened to the AC?

Finn only nods but his face doesn't break into that excited goofy smile again. He looks at Puck meaningfully and says, "Can I talk to you for a moment, Puck?"

They both excuse themselves and get up from the table. They walk over to the other side of the vast Tavern and sit down in a deserted booth, talking rapidly in hushed voices.

OK, here's the thing. I know that I look delicate and innocent. I have, at some points in my life, been called innocent and na�ve by so many people that I've lost count. But here's the catch, I'm none of the above. I'm determined and reasonable when the situation demands it. And I have to prove this to everyone before they believed me. And as my father always said, I'm strong when it matters to be strong. Clearly my friends have the same opinion and they want to save me the horror and trouble. But no more. They have to stop this madness.

"Ok, someone," I say with conviction, "tell me what's going on here, right now. I'm not an idiot! I know the only reason they are over there being secretive is because they don't want ME to know. And I also know that you guys know what they are talking about. So, please, tell me what's going on!"

Of course, they look surprised. But I don't give them a chance to recover. "Either you guys tell me or I'm leaving."

I readily get up to leave. Three or four voices cry "NO!" and hands grab me and yank, till I'm seated again.

Joe and Rory look sort of sad, but Jake and Mike have this desperate look on their faces, the look of people who are about to break down. Ryder's the only one who doesn't look like he'll drop dead due to nerves.

But to my surprise, it's Blaine who answers. "Look, Kurt," he clears his throat tensely. "There's a lot you don't know about this place—"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm new. I'm a stranger. There're rules. We are servants!" I snap at once, fed up with all their round about answers. "I know all this shit, OK! But that's not what I wanna know and you all know it! So, please, I'm asking just one more time. What. Is. Going. On?"

Joe opens his mouth—I'm sure, to say something wise and kind—but I don't let him say anything. My anger is peeking rapidly and I'm just warming up.

"I am the ignorant new-kid here. Oh, yes, let's protect the new-kid like he's a maniac. Oh, let's make him a laughing stock by taking his case to town's Sheriff. Let's ask the poor boys to stand guard outside his house all night! Let's, to make it worse, tell him nothing at all! And yes, let's don't forget about making him work in the field all day, despite the fact he nearly fainted in the first two hours of his first day!"

Blaine gulps visibly. What has he got to be so nervous about! I'm the victim here!

By now everyone is looking at us—or more specifically, at me. I catch sight of Marley poking her head out of the kitchen door, her eyes round and wide in shock. Finn and Puck break up their discussion and come over.

"Back to your food, everyone! It's not the opera!" Puck yells loudly and all the customers ignore us with a display of obedience that makes me angrier. It's like EVERYONE here wants to make me feel like a stranger, an ignorant whining kid!

Finn hovers close to me. His innocent eyes wide and worried. "Kurt, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Oh, great. My eyes are leaking. Just what I need right now. I sniff heavily and shakily, "What's going on, Finn? I need to know."

When he understands my meaning, and still doesn't answer me, instead looks down in shame and uneasiness—I break down completely. Tears pour down my face in pools and the sobs threaten to escape my mouth. I get up—this time no one stops me—and head out the door. The hot air attacks me with a vengeance, but I'm too miserable to care. If I start walking now, I'll be home and in my room in the next hour.

I walk away, not looking back to see if anyone is following me or not.
~~

Blaine and others sit in shock. The evening that had started with a promise of being a happy one, has turned into a nightmare so fast they had no idea what they did wrong.

But they had done everything wrong. Kurt was right after all. They were the ones to blame. The ones with shithole of a town and shitty rules and even worse problems—problems they couldn't just speak of that easily to Kurt. He'd run away in the opposite direction if they told him, he'd turn tail and run till Hilltown was just a distant memory for him.

But they needed him.

Mike wouldn't admit it openly but he had started to like this kid. Kurt was all things good and compassionate, qualities that he admired and that reminded him of Tina and why he loved her. There were less kind people in the world—in Hilltown to begin with—and Kurt was a beautiful addition to their motley group of friends.

Puck was in misery. How the fuck did this all happen? It was so perfect! Kurt was their man, now. He was their buddy! But, no, they had to treat him like child and alienate him like this! And he'd worked so hard to make this happen, to make Kurt comfortable. He had built so many hopes on what Kurt might bring to this town, love, peace, and cure! When did it all went wrong?

Ryder and Jake were confused. They knew why Puck looked pissed. They must have let slip something in front of Kurt without realizing it. Or worst, they must have done piss-poor job of keeping him safe in school. Yes, that's what it was. Kurt would never suspect of anything otherwise.

Rory sat sadly in his chair. He could understand why Kurt was sad; he was new here, and he missed his father. Rory missed his family too and missed his home back in Ireland. He could understand only too well how confusing and mysterious it all must seem to Kurt. He could see it in his nice looking eyes that he felt unwanted and an outsider, what with all the secrets they kept from him.

Joe wished that Puck would stop working too hard. Wished he'd stop going to such length to save Kurt. The new kid was obviously able and talented, and he wasn't even arrogant like some out of town people are. He was actually really nice. But no matter how nice, anyone could freak out the way Puck had treated him.

Each boy sat and contemplated upon the situation. And each one of them came to the conclusion at once. They had to let Kurt know everything.

"We can't!" Finn broke the silence, reading it in their expressions that they all wanted the same thing. "Dad would kill us all! We can't! He specifically told us not to freak him out—and this!—this will freak him out!"

"Do you have another suggestion?" asked Puck miserably. "I'm sure if we told him how much he means to us, he'll stay. Not like he'll run away. He's sworn to you guys, isn't he?"

Finn shook his head in agony. "That's just it. He isn't. It's just a document with Dad's signature on it. We never asked Kurt about it! We never even went through the initiation!"

Blaine wasn't paying any attention to the farmer boys. He was too deep in thoughts. His mind was filled with images of Kurt angry, Kurt vulnerable and Kurt crying. The doubt and hurt in Kurt's eyes as Finn failed to answer him. All these images were too vivid in his trained mind. He could practically feel Kurt's anger, humiliation and desperation in his veins, in the air as it vibrated off of him.

And all he could think was, how can Kurt look so beautiful when his face was flushed in anger, when his eyes went icy green and sparkly. How could he manage to influence Blaine so greatly? When he spoke, all Blaine could see was Kurt. All he could feel was Kurt. In that moment, Blaine was so feebly open to Kurt that he shuddered at the possibly of it.

He? The trained hard-core leader of Warblers, the best assassin in the entire town, was rendered paralyzed by just one boy. A devastatingly beautiful boy, but still. What would his Warblers think of him, had they seen how frozen he was?

But his thoughts shattered as Finn uttered those words. Blaine came back to earth in a flurry of dread. "Wh-what? What did you say?"

Finn hid his face in his hands. "He isn't sworn to us. Not yet," he mumbled miserably.

David and Blaine sprang into action at that. "But that could mean that anyone can do anything to him while he's out there!" Blaine nearly screamed.

Puck nodded, looking a little scared. "Yes. I know it's too much to ask and that it's our first day—"

"Don't bother. I'm going after him," Blaine said hastily and signaled David to follow.

They both came outside and frowned in agitation. Yes, the night was already deep, meaning they no longer had the upper hand. They started jogging toward the direction of the hill.

"David, I need you to go and call on Wes," said Blaine between strides. "He's been on duty on the roof today. Ask him where Kurt was headed. Run to it, now!"

David broke into a run at his words. Blaine made a beeline for Hummel's house. If he knew Kurt, as well as he could in the few hours he'd seen him today, he'd make his way home to cry in peace. But they had to be certain. Anything could've happened to him already.

But, it couldn't have. If Wes was on duty, as Blaine knew he was, the Warblers must've acted immediately. If they'd spotted anything out of the ordinary going on in town's streets, they would've responded with action at once. And since none of his Warblers have texted him, he checked his phone as he ran once again, it means nothing has happened yet.

The answer presented itself to him as he rounded the first bent toward the suburbs. A lonely, hunched figure was slowly walking a few paces ahead of him.

As was his training, Blaine made his way toward Kurt in absolute silence, placing his hand gently on the other boy's shoulder. He was so silent that he sacred Kurt to death—and into reaction.

Kurt gasped heavily and turned—and delivered a punch in Blaine's gut, followed by a knee in his groin.

"OCUH! SHIT!" Blaine screamed and fell on his knees.

"Oh. My. God!" said Kurt, his tear-filled eyes wide and worried. "I'm so sorry! I thought—I thought I was being mugged!"

He didn't want to, but Blaine almost complimented Kurt on his reflexes. His gut was still clenched and his balls hurt like hell. But all he could do was gasp and stare at Kurt.

Kurt came near and sat on his knees too. "Here, let me help you." And Blaine found himself in Kurt's gentle, yet strong, hold as he steadied him to his feet. "Was I too harsh? Did I—" Kurt blushed and looked at Blaine's groin, "Did I get you bad?"

Now he couldn't help himself. Blaine laughed. He laughed till his gut hurt more and his eyes watered. Kurt looked at him in shock and silence, unable to take his eyes off the beautiful curly-haired boy as he laughed brighter than sun. How stupid he was? He could've at least stopped to look who it was behind him before bursting into action. But he was trained by his father to "react and run." That's how he was still alive after all the miserable years at school.

Blaine sobered a little. His gut was back to normal but it still hurt to stand up on both his legs without wincing. So he couched, bending and placing both his hands on his knees, wheezing to get hold of his breaths. "YOU—" he chocked back another laugh. "You should see you face!"

Of all the things Kurt thought Blaine would say, this wasn't it. He could only stare as Blaine suffered another fit of repressed giggles. "Look," he said, not caring if Blaine listened, "I'm sorry. I should have seen who it was before reacting like that. But I need to go now. I'm not feeling really chatty or in mood to laugh right now."

Blaine stopped giggling at these words. He remembered why Kurt was here alone in the first place and he felt mortified. "At least, let me walk you home."

Kurt held back a surprised gasp. He was by now used to walking home with Finn or any other of his friends. But such an offer from Blaine was—well, unusual. But pleasant. So he just nodded.

Both the boys walked in silence. Kurt kept his eyes down on the way and Blaine kept looking at him surreptitiously. Kurt looked thoughtful and he chewed on his lips without any conscious thought. Blaine found it highly amusing. So much so, that a chuckle escaped him.

Kurt looked at him in annoyance. "What's it now?"

"You. I'm trying to make sense of you."

If anything, Kurt looked more uneasy at that. He pushed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and bit his lips more furiously. Then he said suddenly, "Are you going to tell me or do we have to just walk home in silence?"

Blaine knew what he meant. "I want to tell you, Kurt." He felt a little uneasy at having to say his name. Could Kurt detect how gently he said it? "I really do. But my only concern is that you wouldn't take the information that easily. I have no idea that you'll kick me in the balls again or just run in the other direction."

Kurt stopped short, looking at Blaine in incredulity. His mouth hung open slightly and he blinked rapidly. This wasn't the answer Kurt was imagining. He had thought it was more personally regarding himself than any other person involved. "I don't understand. You are telling me it's not just my Uncle or Finn who want to keep things from me? That it's the entire town?"

Blaine chuckled again. "Yes, Kurt. This entire town. These phony rules. The taxes, the servility. It all is due to a reason. And if I told you that reason, you'll do exactly as your father did all those years ago. You'll pack up and leave, never contacting Burt again, never calling Finn, never attending his wedding and never seeing your nephews or nieces when they are born."

His words hit Kurt like a whip. He visibly flinched, curling in on himself. His face flushed in mortification. "Is that why—why Dad left here? Is that why I never knew about Burt or Finn or Carole?"

"And you also didn't know about Burt's first wife. Elizabeth." Blaine tried to make it sound light. Tried to talk more of his family than their original topic. "She was Sue Sylvester's best friend. She was, I've heard, really beautiful and Burt was madly in love. But—she died due to reason I am not certain about. She died and Burt was miserable. But your father was always there for him. Burt lived to keep your father happy, he married Carole because your father introduced them. He fell in love with Carole too, but it wasn't the same as Elizabeth. But Carole already had Finn, he was three years old, I think. And ever since, Burt has devoted all his life trying to keep his family safe."

Kurt was smiling now. He looked proud of his Uncle, but he also had tears in his eyes. He looked at Blaine in wonder and said, "Then? Then what happened?"

"Well, the Smyths happened. They won the elections the year you were born to Paul and Lily." Blaine didn't realize it but he was leaning very close to Kurt now. Kurt, mesmerized with the story as he was, also didn't comprehend how close they had moved. "Burt and Paul had a fight, from what my Dad told me. They argued and it went to a point that Paul said he'd leave and never come back. I don't know why they argued, what the reason was. But it has something to do with the Smyths and their new and strange rules for the town. I believe Paul wanted Burt to leave with him but Burt decided to stay here and help people with his job and expertise. Well, the rest is history. Paul and Lily went away and never came back." Blaine took another step toward Kurt. "Until you did."
~~

I hardly dare to breathe. All I can see are Blaine's eyes. The hazel and green blown away and replaced with only darkness and passion so relentless that my breath hitches. When had he moved so close? Is he even aware of what he is doing to me? Can he hear how hard my heart was beating against my ribs?

All I want to do is to step forward, and kiss him senseless. My entire body is aware of just this one course of action and I would've done it too. But suddenly, I can't see Blaine. Suddenly it is darkness everywhere.

When I can finally see again, I nearly smile. Blaine is hovering over me, looking down at me with concerned honey colored eyes. His face breaks into that smile again, the brighter-than-sun smile.

"Welcome back," he says, helping me up. And, I'm in his arms. "You fainted," he explains casually.

Oh, wow. Great. Two times in a day. This must be a record. I'm not usually a fainter. "Sorry, I forgot to breathe." Shit. Now why would I tell him that?

Blaine smiles again, eyes sparkling. "Yeah, I figured."

Wait, he figured? Did he know that he was the reason why I wasn't breathing? Did he know the effect he had on me? Judging by the faint smile and slight blush on his cheeks, maybe, he had an idea. Oh, lord, kill me now! This is beyond embarrassing! I can't be outed like that!

"I think I'm fine now," I hurriedly get up and away from the circle of his arms, swaying a little. "I think I can walk home by myself, too."

"Oh, no, you don't!" Blaine garbs my arm forcefully. "If I haven't made it clear why Burt wants you safe and sound, I can tell you everything all over again. But believe me when I say, you are not getting out of this. Burt wants you protected, so Puck and I will make sure you stay protected. End of discussion." He let go of my arm.

We start walking home again. He is in front of me, walking on purposefully. I dare say it is quiet a view, and I try very hard not to stare at his ass. But after a few seconds, something else strikes me about his pose. His shoulders, although nicely shaped, are tensed. He keeps looking about, in distance, in shadows. He even half-stops, as if listening to something and then moves on, sometimes picking his pace or slowing it.

"Are we—are you looking out for the muggers?" I ask him the obvious question.

He spins on his heels till he is facing me, looking shocked. Then he chuckles tightly. "Muggers? No, not muggers. They wouldn't be out here at this time."

"Uh, yes they would," I argue. "The evening and darkness is the best time for muggers to come out. They can't get caught that way."

Blaine flashes me a smile over his shoulder. "Let's just say there are worst things to worry about in this town at night than measly muggers."

"Like what? Boogie monsters and werewolves and vampires and what-nots?"

He stops and spins around again. This time he looks amazed and a little—I think—impressed. But he shakes his head slightly baffled. "Yes, Kurt. Like that. Can we walk fast now?"

I had no problem to his walking fast. As long as I get to enjoy the view, right?

When we are close to our street, Blaine stops altogether. And holds up his hand to stop me as well. This time he listens and observes for two minutes full. Looking at every shadow, peeking in every yard and tree. Then finally, he nods to himself and continues on.

"You know, you are either being extremely weird," I say as we walk up the driveway of my house, "Or just trying your hardest to scare me."

"Actually, I'm trying neither," he says. "Well, that's that then. And just for the sake of people, who care about you, don't storm off outdoors after sunset. Ever. Please."

His sudden dismissal and request makes me more confused than I ever felt in a presence of somebody so hot like himself. But he looks sincere, so I agree. "I'll try my best."

"And, I shouldn't be saying this after how you nearly castrated me," he adds with humor, "But if somebody sneaks up to you again, do exactly what you did to me. All right, bust some balls. And then run like hell."

I mock salute and giggle. "Yes, sir!"

He chuckles again and seems to realize something and suddenly stops. When he looks at me again, his gaze is inscrutable. The expression on his face is nearly terrified and stunned at the same time. But he says nothing. He mock salutes back.

"So long, Kurt! Until we meet again."

He backs out of the driveway, and keeping an eye out again, walks down the street till I can no longer see him.

When I had fled from the Tavern, I thought I'd spent the rest of my evening crying and feeling miserable because my family was keeping things from me. But incredibly, due to Blaine, I did none of those things. Instead, I lounge in my bed and stare at the ceiling, thinking about what Blaine has told me of my father and his escape from this creep-town.

It makes sense, and it doesn't. It makes sense that's why Dad never talked about Burt or Hilltown. But it doesn't make sense why he'd just let go of his family like that. And it doesn't make sense that any argument could ever force my father so far away from his family. Because of things that Paul Hummel was, vengeful wasn't one of them. He was the most compassionate and loving person I've ever known—kinda like Burt—and he taught me about love and friendship and importance of family all the time.

"Family is like breathing; you can't just stop breathing for no reason. Not unless it's the only thing left to do," he used to say. And in retrospect, and in light of Blaine's story of my family, for the first time his words made sense.

When Carole knocks on my door and asks if I wanted something—I guess, Finn called ahead and told her about my meltdown as she didn't come inside my room— I tell her no, thanks. Even Finn knocks at my door some time later when he returns. I ignore him and don't bother answering. I still feel angry about him. Burt doesn't come up and I know that Finn must've told him everything. I am grateful that he didn't. Because if he did, I'd have gone to town on him with all my frustration and questions and my head is aching as it is.

So I take off my clothes and throw myself in hot shower, freeing myself of the sweat and grime of the whole day. It's such a relief to just be clean that I turn off the light, change into my night clothes and surrender myself to sweet sleep. I sleep deeply, considering all the stress and anxiety, and I dream about melting, honey brown eyes looking at me with wonder and something more.
~~

This isn't right, thought Blaine as he yet again stopped for a moment, listening closely.

The things he felt, the way he let his guard down in front of Kurt. It was all wrong. It was all against his training and his aims. He should be thinking about something else. He should be thinking about plans, strategies, what to do with Puck and his friends, how to best help them now that they were allies! He should be thinking about what he can get back from Puck and his connections, he should be thinking about the ways he could make Warblers far reaching and more influencing than they already were.

Most of all, he should be thinking about why he felt that something was following him.

He stopped short once more and focused all his hearing upon the slight shuffling sound. Yep, someone was following him.

But whoever it was was being careless. They were actually letting him hear about the pursuit. The only reason they'd do that is if they wanted a confrontation or wanted to talk.

Understanding this, Blaine walked and stopped when he was standing, feet apart, in the middle of the street under the yellow glow of the streetlight.

"All right, show yourself!" he said to the night.

A round figure stepped out of the darkness and stood ten feet away from him. It was a girl wearing slacks and maroon t-shirt, her hair falling loose and glasses perched on her nose.

"Lauren Zizes," Blaine muttered hatefully. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She smirked. "I was waiting when you'd let our pretty boy go, before I could talk to you."

Blaine waited, watching her every move closes.

"I see that you are quiet stunned by him as everyone else is," she snarked.

"Everyone else?"

It was credit to his rigorous training that he maintained his composure at her accusation. Was he that obvious already? And it's been only a few hours since he'd met Kurt.

"You, us and them, you know." She came closer a step. "I dare say Sebastian is literally besotted with him. Kurt is all he could talk about the last time we met."

"You are telling me all this because..."

"Oh, just letting you know that all this protection is useless," she said, fiddling with her nails. "Sebastian's partiality to him renders every threat from us ineffective. He doesn't want Kurt hurt at all, you see. He just wants the opposite. If Kurt is willing and agreeable, Sebastian might make a man out of him, if you know what I mean."

"All I heard was 'protection is useless', and then I tuned the rest of the rubbish out," Blaine said unreservedly. "No can do, Zizes. Kurt is gonna be protected no matter what. And I should think the protection should be double if Sebastian intends to make a man out Kurt. That's more dangerous than anything we could have imagined."

A growl ripped from Lauren's throat at this direct insult to her Master. Her eyes behind the specs darkened till the whites were swallowed whole.

Blaine smiled slightly and put his hand inside his jacket, ready to draw out the short-length saber that was jammed in its sheath in his jacket inside pocket. Finally, he thought, an honest fight.

But Lauren composed herself in the next minute and smiles sweetly. "I didn't come to rip your heart out, as much as I'd like to Anderson. I came here with a proposition."

"I'll make no deals with you. I know what they say about making deals with devils," said Blaine coldly. "But let's hear it anyways."

"My Master wants you to know that we'll recommence the complete supplies for your father's store, if you'll let us communicate with Kurt."

Blaine bristled. "What do you mean? Are you behind the supply shortage?!"

Lauren just smiled. "Make the deal, and the town's people will leave your father alone. I heard he's had a rough day up there today."

Blaine's gaze wandered toward the hill, where he could see a few lights of Dalton House and his father's warehouse/store. "But that's an outrage!" he said, trying to be logical. "Mayor made it clear that he'd let us have full supplies if we let you alone to your own business. That's against the law, and we signed the contract!"

"Oh, that. Master also wanted me to tell you that from tonight, your contract is nullified. This is the new one. Let us near Kurt, and the town's people won't suffer from food shortages."

Blaine drew his saber out now, ready to behead the bitch. But Lauren only smiled, making no move to fight back. "Are you gonna kill me Blaine? Are you gonna kill the messenger? You know that it's against the parley."

"No. I'm gonna kill you because my contract is nullified. I'm no longer under obligation to let your kind live!" And he charged.

Lauren dodged the first slash easily, but the second one caught her on the cheek. Her cheek smoked and sizzled and she hissed in pain, slowly backing away.

"Make the deal, Anderson, and everyone goes happy. And its just one boy, what do you care! Let us have Kurt and you can have the town in peace! Or else..." Her voice was fading away as she retreated further in the darkness.

"Or else what...?" he shouted after her. No reply came.

His phone buzzed in his jeans pocket. He fumbled and found it and accepted the call from Wes.

"Blaine! Are you OK? I saw from here, are you hurt!" Wes sounded concerned.

"I'm good. Everything else all right?"

"As far as I can see," said Wes. "Why did you attack her, Blaine? You know we can't do that unless they are hurting any of the humans! Why would..."

"They nullified our contract!" Blaine nearly shouted in frustration.

"They WHAT?"

"Assemble the Warblers, Wesley! I'm coming up and we need to have some major discussions. Call one of Puckpeople too, if you can. They need to know about this shit!"
~~

The reason I wake up from my sweet sleep is that I know that something is wrong in the house. I can hear Finn's heavy footfalls outside in the hall, as he tries to hurry in some kind of late-night—it was 1 A.M.—chores. I am so curious that I forget about my anger and frustration earlier, and I get of the bed and in the hallway.

Finn is busy tying the laces of his sneakers, looking disheveled as if he just got out bed and got dressed clumsily. He starts when he sees me.

"What is happening?" I ask.

"Oh, Blaine called and Dad wants me to go," he mumbles groggily.

"Why did he call?"

"No idea. Something happened maybe."

I suddenly feel concerned. "Is he OK?"

"Of course, he's OK. He's a fucking Warbler." He says as if that explains everything

"Why isn't Burt going himself?"

"He's busy," says Finn evasively. "I gotta go, Kurt. Can you make sure Mom is not, like, worried."

I just nod and he half-runs half-walks down the stairs. I follow him barefoot. Carole is huddled on the sofa in the den; she perks up at the sight of us. "Kurt, honey, why are you up?" she says worriedly.

"Just heard the commotion. Stay calm, Carole. Sit down. It's fine. Finn's just stepping out for a moment."

Finn shoots me a thankful glance before rushing out the door. I lock it from inside and sit beside Carole.

"Where is Burt?"

Carole smiles but she looks worried. "He got held up in the shop. Someone's car broke down badly and they want it fixed and soon. Don't worry; he sometimes stays in the shop when cases like these come along. He'll be fine."

I nod. And I'm worried now. "Do you want some coffee?"

"Yes, dear. That would be lovely."

I make coffee and persuade Carole to go to bed and leave the worrying to me. I have slept some hours and I wasn't that sleepy anymore. Besides, I want to wait up till Fin returns and ask him what happened and why Blaine-fucking-Warbler wanted to meet at this ungodly hour.

It's been half a day, and already Blaine was such a mystery that I felt fidgety just thinking about him. There was his personality, charming, quiet and mysterious at the same time. And then there was his house up on the hill and these Warblers he represented who seem to be the talk of the town. And now this, it's been hours since Puck's alliance with them, and the urgent late-night meetings were happening.

What pisses me off is that Carole seems OK with it. If I was a mother, I'd never let my son out like this for such a short notice meeting. But then again, it was one of those things that were just baffling in this town.

I look myself in the mirror. Yes, my face is clean. But I can't neglect my moisturizing. I can't have a freckly face. So I get busy in applying various creams to my face, all the while watching the clock and waiting for the doorbell.

When by 3 o' clock Finn doesn't come back, I get worried. I look outside my window, and wait. Out of curiosity I check the roof of the house across from us, and yes, there are two people standing guard there tonight as well.

One of them must be a Warbler, seeing how I don't know him. The other one is Jake. Looks like the watch duty goes to both Puck's team and the Warblers now that they are allied. I don't know if they can see me. I wave over to them and they don't respond. So I guess they can't see me.

To wait and watch the driveway, I drag a chair to the window and observe the watchers across from the roof. They do nothing, but stand in the chilling air. When I starts trembling a bit, I place the comforter around my shoulder, feeling worried for the poor boys outside who were protecting me from the lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

When a few more minutes pass, and I become a bit droopy, Jake and Warbler drop on their stomachs flat on the roof. I perk up and see them, trying to get my focus back. Their heads peek out of low raised walls of roof and they seem to be watching something on the street. I get up and push myself close to the glass, and my eyes go wide.

A man is standing right by the foot of our driveway. He wears dark clothes and a hooded jacket, with Ray Bans covering half his face. The man is watching our house, standing still and not moving a muscle. Then he looks up right at me. I know that face; I've seen it somewhere.

I squash closer to the glass till my nose is flat against it, trying to see why this man's posture and shape seems familiar to me. He responds with titling his head upward a bit more, and I see him smirk.

It takes all in me to not scream. Because Dave Karofsky is standing right outside my house.

Before I can lament the fact that I still don't own a cell phone or that I should go and call the police from the telephone downstairs, Dave perks up and tenses. The street floods with the illumination of headlight of a car. He looks toward the approaching vehicle and runs toward the shadows—very fast.

The two watchers on the roof stand up simultaneously, keeping their eyes in the direction where Dave ran off. The car shudders to a stop right in front of our house. Tall and clumsy, Finn climbs out of it. The car's battered Toyota which Mike drives. Finn says goodbye to Mike, who reverses out of our street. Then Finn waves and solutes the watchers on the roof.

I ran down the stairs and throw open the front door just as Finn is about to ring the doorbell.

"Dude, what's up? You look like shit!" he exclaims in alarm.

"Dave Karofsky was here!" I gasp out, just wanting someone to know. Before he has the chance to figure out what I mean, I am talking in alacrity and telling him everything that happened tonight—minus the Blaine part.

Finn swears when he at last understands what I am trying to say. He takes out his phone and calls Puck. Then he tells me that Puck knew, Jake called him a few minutes ago. Then he calls Blaine. Then he calls Burt. In short, he calls everyone there is to call. I just sit there while he freaks out about various 'promises,' 'initiations' and 'perimeters'.

All I can think about is the casual way Karofsky was just standing there, like he owned the very land he walks on. The way he was unafraid or unfettered about the fact that it was late in the night and that the Sheriff had announced of my safety in the school assembly. Most of all, I remember what Blaine said about nights in Hilltown—the worst things to worry about at night than just measly muggers. How worse is Dave if I need watchers and protection against him? Looking at Finn's concerned face, I believe, Dave is worse than anything I can imagine.

"Are you all right?" Finn asks me at last, sitting by me.

"Why was he here?" I have other, detailed question to ask, but for now, this one'll do.

"Probably to scare you, and it worked if your face tells me anything. You look paler than normal."

"Finn, what would happen if you guys aren't protecting me all the time?"

This is the worst question to ask from Finn. His face falls and he clenches his jaw. I am sure that he wouldn't replay me at all. But he does, and I haven't seen him so determinedly angry up to now.

"So that he can own you. You—you are new here and so nobody is exactly sure of your place in the town. Today was, like, your first day on fields but that doesn't make you a confirmed farmer. Being just a student doesn't count either. As long as they know that you are new, and useless, they'll try to own you."

Something clicks in my head; a memory of my first day at school. "Is that why I have to be—sworn to Hummels? So that it asserts my place in the town, in the family?"

"Yes. We haven't done the proper ceremony for it. Yet. But Dad would want to, after tonight. Dave's presence so close to the house is the most audacious step toward the rule breaking. Dad wouldn't want anything like this to repeat so, yes, soon you'll be formally initiated."

I don't even bother to ask if I would have any say in the matter. As far as they are concerned, my family wants me safe. So I'll do as they want me to do. Get trained as a farmer, get sworn in with the family, and make a place for myself in the town. I am happy here (not counting the weird stuff that keeps happening) I have friends who actually like me! I have a family here. And I don't want to loose any of this, not so soon.