Quadrant Feathers

Chapter 23 "Play A Game of Hide And Seek"

Phandrin tripped catching himself as he made it to the washroom.

Kwared stood back facing the mirror as Phandrin watched him carefully shift his wings.

Kwared heard the boy enter glancing to him sighing. He watched his expression for a moment and looked back to his wings.

"Let me help-" Phandrin said moving forward and turning Kwared around.

Kwared almost protested instead just listening as Phandrin placed a hand on the boys wings.

"I told you to forfeit..." Phandrin said quietly. He stared at the new gouges in the boys back, every shift cause a bit more blood to spill as feathers redeveloped infront of his eyes.

Kwared scoffed tightening the belt around his waist.

"I'm fine, and I won, I just came here to let my wings redevelop and get a drink, Phandrin," Kwared said as Phandrin shook his head turning the boy around.

'h-hey let me go-" Kwared sputtered when Phandrin lifted his shirt up.

He unhooked the buckle over his chest grabbing tissue papers and placing them over the gauge.

"I'm just stopping the bleeding, you won't be able to continue fighting," Phandrin said quietly. His eyes stayed on the paper towel that slowly turned from white to red.

Kwared eyed the boys expression feeling a twinge of guilt before his vision doubled again.

"...what drugs did you take," Phandrin asked quietly as Kwared stayed quiet for a moment.

"None," he deadpanned as Phandrin sighed pulling the boys shirt down softly.

".. if you're gonna lie I'm not gonna let you back onto the field.. I can report you if I need to-" he started as Kwared growled.

"You won't tell anyone anything without proof Phandrin, it's none of your business. I choose if I wanna fight or not," he hissed stepping away from Phandrin.

Phandrin grew annoyed stepping towards him again glaring for a moment.

"It is my fucking business. Kwared you're not going out there until you tell me what the FUCK you took, you're acting selfish and your gonna get hurt severely out there if you don't smarten the fuck up. Not everyone is out to hurt you and the only resort isn't pills" Phandrin spat, his face red from anger as Kwareds expression darkened. Phandrin watched Kwareds tail wilt feeling a twinge if guilt. He sighed suddenly shutting his eyes.
Kwareds ears bent back as Phandrin moved forward leaning his head down on the boys shoulder.

"-'m sorry for yelling, just tell me what you took, I'm only worried," Phandrin said quietly as Kwared stayed silent placing a hand on the boys shoulder.

"...it'd be better if I didn't tell you, I'll be fine, I promise" he said quietly pushing the boy away and heading to the door.

Phandrin stayed where he was for a few minutes as Kwared left. Small tears rolled down his face as he let out a punch to the granite wall.

He yelled angrily gripping his hair for a moment before storming out of the washroom.

He headed back towards the auditorium where he heard the first match starting.

Ace and Icarius were fighting in the distance as Kertia glanced at him.

He didn't bother wiping the tears away as Kertia looked at him with pity. Walking to his seat he turned to face the fights, his grip on the arms of his seat didn't loosen.

Kertia turned to Kwared who stood beside him smacking his arm.

"What the fuck did you do to Phandrin?!" He whisper yelled as Kwared furrowed his eyebrows shrugging.