Where boys fear to tread

[Frank]

Danny lay on the cold stone floor. Broken. So broken. The cold seemed to seep through him, seep through his clothes, through his skin, through to his still and silent heart. He cold feel it, even though his flesh had stopped responding to such things a long time ago. His usually bright eyes were dull, their welcoming green hidden behind closed lids. If anyone were to see him, they would of thought he were sleeping. Though if he could sleep, it would be such a twisted and broken sleep that he would never wake again.
Dried blood cracked on his pale skin, the wound of its origin no longer visible. He looked beautiful, as always. But different too. He looked fragile in his beauty, weary, sad. He looked as if he had lost his purpose. And those people that would see him and think he was sleeping, they would be relieved that he could hide in the oblivion of sleep, away from whatever had so obviously ruined him. They would say he looked like a fallen angel.

But Danny did not have the comfort of hiding in sleep. No. He was awake, more awake than he had ever been in his life. More awake than he had ever wished to be. His dull eyes snapped open, taking a moment to focus on the floor directly before his eyes. His eyes traced the lines of dust in the gaps between the stones, focusing on each particle with such determination, such concentration, blocking each pressing thought out of his head.

<sub>Somehow, Danny had found himself in the towers. He couldn’t remember how he got there, or why. He could only remember wanting, needing to get away. He remembered walking, thinking, and then - nothing. He was here. That was all he knew. He stood silently then, wondering what to do. He wanted to stay here. To watch the sunset. To get lost in the pink-orange sky. But he was afraid. Afraid he would remember and that those memories would break him.
Suddenly there was a noise, the sound of something dropping carelessly to the floor behind him. Danny spun with astounding speed, finding a cocky, arrogant, blonde wolf in the doorway. Danny looked at Kaiden with indifference, not even a sigh leaving his softly parted lips.
“Hullo, pretty-boy” Kaiden’s voice was brimming with confidence. He was planning something, Danny could see it in the gleam of his eyes. He stood there, staring at Kaiden blankly.
“Not speaking today I see?” The wolf-boy cocked an eyebrow at Danny “Well, that suits me perfectly. I knew you never had anything away from that blood-sucker that you always kept around”
A well of sorrow and self pity reared inside him. But he couldn’t speak. He hadn’t spoken for two weeks. Not a word, to anyone. Not even Isabella.

He closed his eyes for a moment, while the familiar ache became almost overwhelming. In that moment Kaiden’s body collided with his, sending them both backwards into the far wall of the tower. Danny hit it with a quiet ’oomph’. It was a full minute before he opened his eyes again.

When he did, Kaiden was there, smiling so wickedly at him. Danny looked at him with indifference. “No screaming for your boyfriend this time?” (That well of pain again) “No fists?” Kaiden looked almost disappointed “Nothing. Oh well”
Kaiden slid a hand slowly up Danny’s thigh.</sub>

[/i]Danny moaned and rolled over on the stones, his eyes now torn away from the dust on the floor

<sub>“Well, I always told the blood-sucker that one day he wouldn’t be there to protect you” The hand slid higher “That one day he wouldn’t be able to stop me” Uncomfortably close now, but Danny was frozen. He could not move. Kaiden’s words had trapped him.
“And I would be able to do whatever I wanted” Kaiden’s icy blues pierced Danny’s eyes as a strong hand grabbed and caused pain to explode in his groin. Danny would have screamed if he could. He would have forced the wolf off him if he could. But he was stuck. And his mind was slowly abandoning him.
In patches he remembered.

Kaiden threw him to the floor, the boy caught somewhere between man and wolf. That was when Danny got cut.

Blackness.
Then Kaiden looming over him again, taunting him.


Then blackness once more.</sub>[/sub]

His mind tried to force the memories upon him, but Nothing could make him re-live that moment. That shame[/i]. That which he had let happen to him. He had given in.
He shuddered against the stone. His back arched.

He screamed, quietly at first, then growing in momentum until tears streamed freely down his cheeks and his voice echoed. Then he lapsed into silence, his body shuddering with silent sobs.[/blockquote]

[Isabella Black]

The evening had been a beautiful one. That is if Isabella had paid any real attention to it. The clouds mixing with hues of pink-blue. Ready to be dominated by the dark ting of night, claiming it's kingdom; the sky. Back from the day. The land beneath was, covered with an array of oranges, browns, and reds. The leaves having found their way to making the ground their home for the season. It had been a sight to see, if only a pair of violet eyes had chosen to take the time to have a gander.

No, For Isabella Black, time was something far more precious. Something she could only hope to ever have, if she managed to successfully master Necromancy. For she had spend her days and nights, at the graveyard, with the dead. Isabella was not one to waste that time on something as mundane as sight seeing. Not when she couldn't afford it. It was taking it's toll, the rather ambitious desire for 'power'. She was rarely ever home, the only time she saw Danny was at school, and he mostly seemed to avoid her. Not that she could build enough emotions to care. Isabella wasn't seeking to announce, just why she looked more sickly looking than ever before. Hunger to be the best had it's draw backs, especially on her health.

Stepping down on a bunch of red leaves, Isabella sighed as she heard the little crackling sounds they made. The pressure of her foot having destroyed their shape. It had been like this for about an hour. Currently she was making her way towards the castle, back from walking, human speed, from the graveyard.

These days, Isabella could be called elusive. No one saw her, and that worked fine when she didn't want people to ask questions. That, and she tended to like being on her own. It reminded her of why she was doing this. So that she wouldn't have to be alone.

That was all good and dandy, but as Isabella stepped through the great hall doors, a scream she faintly recognised from a night so long ago, made every instinct in her body jump alive. Isabella was already heading up, towards the sound.

Her small heart thumped out of tune.

Danny!

The crimson liquid, Isabella knew more about than she ever wanted too, made her stop. It was the first thing to be picked up by her, than Danny's scent. - Danny's form on the floor, his face a broken picture.

Then, Kaiden's almost perfect scent. It told her a million story's.

Isabella swallowed. Moving her unresponsive legs toward Danny. Her violet eyes shifting from his face, to the floor in front, to the ceiling, to the wall. Everywhere. Trying to understand something, before asking.

Isabella felt like speech was impossible, but she knew she had to say something. As she knealed down next to his fallen body. Her face going instantly solid, a mask of pretend that had been created in the graveyard. One she used for when her emotions didn't make sense.

"..Danny ?" So softly, she forced the words from her seemingly caged up throat. Hoping to Merlin, the foreboding filling her mind was all just nothing.

[Frank]

The sound of Isabella's voice shocked a choked sob from Danny's lips. He hadn't realised until this moment how much he needed her company. How much of a comfort it provided, even with her blank-faced and confused.
She was only hiding, his Isabella, behind that confusion.

Something tore through him. His mind tried to force upon him the memories again. A pained moan tore from his cracked lips.
His body convulsed forward, upwards, and his fingers clawed in the material of Isabella's clothing, almost tearing it with his strong fingers.
'Isabella' The word seemed cracked and broken, falling from his lips and shattering, rather than being said. It was as if in those two weeks he hadn't spoken, his voice had forgotten itself and now rejected the idea of being used again.

His head dropped forward, onto her shoulder and his clawing hands dragged her, closer and closer to him. Against her his body shook with those pained, silent sobs, seeking desperate comfort.

[Isabella Black]

The pain seemed to vibrate off him silently, like waves ready to devour. It was made worse by the cruel agony from his lips. Adding sound to the pain. Isabella couldn't hold onto the blank mask. She just couldn't. It shattered, like pieces of glass breaking.

Then his fingers wove into her clothing, gripping on and tearing down. Pulling her down along with it. As if something was possessing him.

But it was his voice, among all, his voice, with her name being spoken. It seemed to tear at her unprepared ears. Terrifying her, more then his desperate need for her comfort. He sounded so, pitiful, - weak - and Isabella couldn't grasp onto a thought as her own fingers trembled. Danny, he was so lost, and not the person she first knew. Frank. 'Danny'. It was all the same, wasn't it?

Isabella didn't know why, but anger sparked through her. While she encircled her arms around Danny. Providing comfort, for she couldn't just leave. He was shaking, and crying, and Isabella didn't want to see him in pain anymore. It hurt, to see him in such pain.

"Danny what happened, what's wrong?" Isabella mumbled out, making it as clear as she could, before her throat could stop by it's tight hold. Still, even as she asked, Isabella knew of a thousand things that were wrong. One of them being, everything.

[Frank]

For a time, he was silent, unable to speak the words that would tell her the truth. His reluctance was partially to do with the pain of remembering, but also in part because of his unwillingness to hurt Isabella with the reality of what happened to him.

It was an age before he could manage to pull himself away from her, to still the sobs enough that his eyes were steady when they met hers. Even then, though, his lips could only move soundlessly.
His eyes spoke all the sorrow, all the pain, and all the wrong that had taken place here. How could he bear to speak the words? How could he put that upon either of them?
No, it would suffocate them both.

[Isabella Black]

Ice-cold despair formed it's web. Chilling her like an old friend. Isabella didn't know what to make of it, as Danny pulled away. His lips moved but nothing. Nothing...

Didn't he want to tell her? She could make out, through his green eyes that had once upon a time told of so much happiness, now, Isabella was lucky to feel anything but sorrow. She could make out the emotions, sure. But what of the cause of such strong emotions?

Or better yet, who?

For Isabella wasn't about to let whoever caused Danny to act this way, to hurt, get away with it. It was beyond the lowest thing you could do to someone, to make them feel so much pain.

"Please Danny. Who?" Isabella didn't want to ask again what had happened, she got that he didn't want to remember, whatever had occurred. But, if she could just get a name, she would find them. Just as she had done in the past for him, with Evie.

Somehow, Isabella knew this was different. Still she didn't want her mind going back the scent of Kaiden. She didn't know what she would do, what she could do. If Kaiden was the cause of her bestfriend's pain.

[Frank]

Danny's eyes widened as he spat out the name.
'Kaiden'

It tasted foul and bitter in his mouth, the wolf-boys name. It was like a poison, and when he spoke it he coughed it out. It was as if his very body was rejecting it with a great shudder and convulse.

He leaned forward, so that his lips were by Isabella's ear and his hands were a death grip on her shoulders, strong enough to crush the bone if she had been mere human.
His musical voice was laced with something indescribable when he whispered to her. When he told exactly what he had done to him.

[Isabella Black]

It took a tremendous effort not to pull herself away when Danny confirmed her thoughts. Like poison from his mouth. Still, she didn't dislodge her body from Danny's arms as he continued, even if she wanted to move away, Danny's hold wouldn't let her. It was as if he knew she would try to pull away. It wouldn't matter anyway, Isabella whole body stiffened by his words.

Violet eyes showed the sheer anger that shined crystal clear. Her face contorted in betrayal as a tremor swept through her thin frame. She couldn't hide it, nor the sick feeling that erupted. One so strong, Isabella turned her head away from Danny. Her eyes closed, while her fingers struggled to grip onto the back of his shirt. The small beating of her heart dulled. As if preferring it wasn't beating at all.

Isabella had not a word to say. What do you say? No one had taught her what to do in a situation like this. A situation where your bestfriend was raped, by someone you were falling in love with. Worse yet, Isabella knew Kaiden was a monster. Capable of practically anything. But she couldn't help herself. Did that make her equally a monster?

And now, she didn't think she could help Danny. Who deserved more than she could offer. More then anyone could.

"..I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Isabella said pathetically, unable to look at him. Each word saying not what she really wanted too. What he should be hearing. She was shocked, and confused, but most of all lost. Isabella, as much as she felt she should be, couldn't managed the tears to form, to cry with her bestfriend.

Lanor should be here. Isabella thought. He would know what to do, he always did.

But if he was, this never would of happened.

Danny was stuck in her company, her comfort. Isabella could only do her best, and she intended too.

[Frank]

Danny put his hand on Isabella's cheek, gently forcing her to look at him, to meet his eyes and see everything they held, unguarded and unsure, and in desperate need of her comfort.
His eyes told of so much more than his encounter with Kaiden. Without words, he told her just how he had missed her, how he had hated not speaking, and how he needed her now, more than he ever had, just to survive this.

[Isabella Black]

It took a moment for Isabella to focus her violet eyes. The image of Danny, clear through eyes that wanted to deny what they were seeing. His hand was cold upon her cheek, awakening her mind, some what, to reality. To the situation. To understanding Danny's complete need for her. Green eyes held everything Isabella was afraid of seeing, yet relieved that Danny was finally back. Not her Danny entirely, but enough of him, that she felt she didn't need to hold back, in fear he would hide away again.

Grasping onto the wrist of the hand that held her cheek, Isabella gently pulled it to the side. Her other hand taking hold of it, in a gesture of comfort. While her bottom lip was founded by her front teeth. Being bitten softly. Her tell tale sign, she was thinking of something, but unsure.

"You need rest," Isabella stated, barely whispered. Her eyes flickering up, to the surrounding environment. Wondering how no one seemed to interrupt them. The teachers were useless. The school itself dangerous. Looking back at Danny, Isabella gave a quick, small reassuring smile. One that vanished, like a phantom. Unused. She wanted Danny to know she wasn't going anywhere fast. Not without him.

"What do you want to do?" Isabella asked, her voice soft, allowing herself to offer comfort. As she kept her eyes straight on his. Showing kindness. Isabella needed to know what he wanted to do. They both needed to get to their dorm, or possibly Swan Manor. Somewhere safer than where they were currently.

[Frank]

Danny heaved an unnecessary breath.
'No,' he shook his head, his eyes never leaving Isabella's. 'I can't rest, not ever again.'

His eyes became cold and calculating, as he jumped into the depths of his thoughts, ignoring the fear that came with them.
His fingers dragged gently against the back of Isabella's hand, briefly gripping it tightly. The comfort he drew from her was unspeakable in volume.
'Haud. Ego necessitas alius res rei' The words fell from his lips before he had chance to correct them. 'I need to go home'.

Home. A place he hadn't been in years. A place he hadn't had in years. He needed to go back. There were unanswered questions, things that didn't quite make sense. It was all he could ask, for Isabella to come along.

[Isabella Black]

"Okay." Isabella replied, if only a little hesitantly. Peering into Danny's eyes. A mixture of puzzled understanding showing. Isabella knew what 'home' he meant. The desire was clear to see. But after everything, to want to put extra strain on oneself, and go back there was intense. Isabella didn't understand, but she would go with him. To provide whatever assistance he needed. Besides necromancy, there was nothing really keeping her here until Lelouch came home. Isabella felt it was her duty in a way.

"I will go with you."

[Frank]

Slowly, Danny rose to his feet. Even though there were no bruises to sting, no torn flesh to hurt, every part of him ached. Joints and muscled seemed to snap and break when he stood, as if they were made of something solid instead of supple flesh. Had he really been lying against the stones for so long?
As he drew up to his full height he reached for Isabellas hand, encouraging her to stand with him. He would leave as soon as they could. Nothing here mattered to him anymore.

It was irrelavant that he had almost finished his schooling, that by leaving now he was throwing it all away. He needed to go home. Now that Alec had found him there was nothing to run from. Now that Lanor had left him there was nothing to hold his heart steady.
Nothing mattered to him anymore.
Nothing beside going back to the place he was raised and finding the answers to long-buried questions.






Well, nothing apart from Isabella.