Quadrant Feathers

Chapter 32: "Teenage Dirtbag"

Phandrin glanced in the direction that Kwared flew to as Ace dragged him away from the crowd.

Humans glanced at him, even some quadrants that accompanied the area.

"I feel bad...," Phandrin said to himself quietly, guilt of his anger washing over him.

"I can't say if you should or shouldn't," Ace said as they made it to an alleyway away from people.

"I was just asking-"

"There's alot under his skin about his family, you saying he lied or accused him of it is really bad," Ace paused rubbing her eyes as she watched the sky for Kwared.

"He Uhm, they were slaughtered infront of him by that family.. the Darvin guy? His family," Ace said as Phandrins face fell.

"I-.. wasn't aware..," he muttered rubbing his neck as Ace nodded.

"The boy, he's nice but he's a problem. He cheated on Kwared when they were super close and even managed to manipulate him a bunch of time before Darvins family attacked his on an illegal hunt, then Kwared was later taken to the facility. His parents weren't the best, but he loved them alot." Ace rambled as Phandrin felt his chest tighten, he knew his anger could be an issue in situations like this.

"Yes, Kwared is bad for saying what he said, we don't know what life was like for you other than that.. you know, but you were both in the wrong," Ace said before pausing.

"...when you hit him.. he zoned out, he does it when he stops processing usually, he can't think in that moment and his head is just 'theyre hurting me again,' as he explained it, like a flashback. I think it's called an absent seizure state. He doesn't ever cry either, you really went at him," Ace continued as Phandrins guilt only grew.

Aces eyes widened as she realized how rude she must have come off before Phandrin spoke.

"That's why.. he dismissed me," Phandrin hummed as Ace nodded. They stayed quiet for a few moments, maybe minutes as Phandrin thought about the issue.

"Usually, he would've hurt you or fuckin killed you, but you must mean something to him. But with what you said after, I wouldn't be surprised if he flew off to another needle drug user," Ace continued as Phandrins eyes widened.

"What-? He just got out of the hospital though," Phandrin said quickly, his ears flicking as Ace nodded slowly.

"I think I know where he would be, he has alot of access to different drug sellers but we can probably find him before he can start using them," Ace sighed as Phandrin nodded slowly.

She opened her wings jumping up as they both took off, Phandrins head staying low as his guilt seemed to weigh him down.

They flew quickly, Ace heading in the general direction of the dorms only to move West suddenly.

"He should be fine Phandrin, try not to worry too much.. he knows his limits..," Ace slowed beside Phandrin who nodded slowly.

"There shouldn't be a limit.. it's lethal either way," Phandrin said imitating a needle.

"Just... Let's keep going.. ok?" Ace said as Phandrin followed her quickly.

They flew around a few buildings before slowing their flight down.

They landed down at a small building near the school.

"Who's house?" Phandrin asked as Ace shrugged.

"I think it was his," she said pointing to the smashed windows and decaying wood.

There was spray paint everywhere with different insults and slurs. Tape from bodies laid rotting away on the floors inside, various old house items and furniture littered the building.

They stepped inside, smashed glass creaking under their shoes as it ruined their attempt at being quiet.

"I thought he didn't consider you a friend... How do you know all this-?" Phandrin asked quietly as Ace sighed.

"He said that but he'd talk to me like I was the only person he could which was likely true, he must have spoken on a limb, or maybe he was lonely, I dunno," she said with a shrug as Phandrin nodded.

"How do you know about this place?" Phandrin said glancing into one of the room, likely a kitchen. Red stained the walls, the wallpaper decaying.

"We met here for a deal once, he slept here till he had a dorm I think," Ace said as Phandrins face dropped.

"Oh.."

Ace walked up to a door that was shut, a cartoon of a small fox running was on the door, scrubbed away by time.  She glanced at Phandrin before shoving him towards the door.

"You're talking, this is your issue," Ace whisper yelled as Phandrin paused, his hands up in a defensive manner as he almost hit the door.

He glanced back at Ace who moved into the living area to wait, a somber tone on her face as Phandrin turned back to the door hoping Kwared was in the room.

He sighed before placing a hand on the handle, creaking the door of the room open.

The sun rays made the dust in the air visible, a small cough escaping his throat as he whipped it away with his hand.

Once he could see fully he glanced around for Kwared, spotting him sitting against the wall facing the window.

He had a needle in hand, filling it from a bottle as Phandrins eyes widened.

He rushed forward grabbing the needle, a yell of shock escaping Kwared as Phandrin made an attempt to grab the bottle from him.

He barely fought back as Phandrin took the bottle and hit the needle from the boy's hand. Kwared sighed, his voice cracking as he clenched his eyes shut.

"Hey.. you don't need this C'mon," Phandrin said quickly smashing the bottle on the ground and leaning down in front of Kwared.

The boy looked away, facing the window as he rested his hands on his lap, his fists clenching as he tried to loosen his jaw.

"Oh well.. I'll get more later..." He said as Phandrin furrowed his eyebrows trying to get the boy to face him. Kwared tried pressing his ears down, there was too much noise...

"Kwared.. I know what I did was out of line- I'm sorry-" Phandrin said quickly.

"I didn't know what was going on, I was confused and I was angry, I understand if you're mad," Phandrin said quickly placing a hand on his face carefully.

Kwared shrugged him off before sitting up straight and facing him.

"I'm not mad, I'm glad you told me what you think of me," he said quietly, a low tone in his voice as Phandrin continued to kneel facing him. Phandrin eyed the floor hoping Kwared wasn't sitting on any glass or residue since thered been lots in other rooms.

"No no I didn't mean what I said, I stereotyped you, I didn't mean for it to come out as it did love, I was angry," Phandrin sputtered quickly brushing residue off of the boys sweater and collar. Kwared eyed him, the boys words reauing in his head conflicting him. He staying quiet before sighing. He didn't even acknowledge what Phandrin had called him.

"Then I must fit a stereotype... I'm not mad Phandrin.. just confused," Kwareds voice cracked, leaning his head into his hands as Phandrin pulled back a bit. He watched the boy's ears press against his head, his tail moving around beside them brushing glass and dirt around.

"Then let's talk, I'm not waiting this time Kwared. We need to talk, we need to figure this out before it gets any worse."