Bumbleby

Chapter Eleven

*A/N* This chapter is quite a bit darker than others. This one focus's on Blake's past with Adam, and yes, does mirror the show a bit with some things that happen. The next chapter or two will also be on the darker side, but I'll throw in some lighthearted moments as well.

BLAKE'S POV

Yang's overall mood seemed to change over the few weeks that she started taking her meds. She still has doubts about taking them, but still does anyway. When we're not spending the night together at one or the other's house, I send her a message asking if she's taken them just before bed. She still has her moments where she needs extra comfort, and I always try being there when I can in someway.

School is coming to an end for the year, the weather becoming warmer, which means I have more places to nap in the sun around my home. My worries about Adam seem to disappear, but when I wake on the last day of school, there is this twist in my gut that I can't shake. Something feels wrong.

I go through my usual morning routine regardless, then head downstairs where I can hear a heated discussion coming from my father's office.

"I can't just take her away again. There has to be some way of finding him, he's not exactly subtle with his messages," I hear my father say through the door. "Surely Ozpin will let you hang around the school as a TA, Qrow. You are a teacher after all."

What?

The door starts to open, so I quickly head to the kitchen, almost tripping over myself as I do.

"Morning dad," I say, pulling out a plate for some toast. "Were you in a meeting?"

"Yeah, I hate early morning meetings," he tells me, picking up his morning newspaper. He kisses my forehead. "Nothing to worry about though."

I want to believe him, but the twist in my gut became tighter. Something is wrong. He's just trying to protect me, I know that.

Yang meets me like usual when I get off the bus, lacing our fingers together and giving me a kiss before we head through the school gates. We head to my locker first to grab my things. I open it and my heart sinks.

A single, black rose lays on top of my books, a note attached. I reach in to grab it but quickly pull away and slam the locker shut, breathing hard. I sink to my knees and just cry. Yang starts rubbing my back, unsure what is going on. I still haven't told her about Adam. People begin to stare, I can feel their eyes on me.

Yang gently pulls me to my feet and we head to the nearest bathroom where I fully breakdown in sobs on the floor, my head buried in my hands. This can't be happening. He can't be here! Please, no...

Yang sits next to me on the floor and I all but collapse into her side, silently begging for her comfort, and she provides, wrapping her strong arms around me and kissing my head.

"My ex, Adam," I begin, sniffling and wiping my face, unable to look Yang in the eyes just yet. She may hate me for what I'm about to tell her. "He was my best friend when I was around 15. We dated for nearly two years, in that time, he convinced me to run away with him. He was so angry with the world, with humans because of what they did to him and his family. I thought he wanted justice, but all he wanted was vengeance. He got in my head, and made me feel small, and he hurt me, in many ways. I couldn't do anything, until one day, he got badly injured, so I ran. I ran back to my parents, ignoring all his threats. They moved us here to keep me safe, hired Qrow and some others to try find Adam because the police weren't doing anything. I thought maybe I was free, but then..."

"The rose. That was him?" she asks and I nod, breaking down again and hiding my face. "I won't let him hurt you."

There's anger in her voice, but it wasn't at me. She holds me close, kissing the top of my head. The bell for our first class rings, but neither of us get to our feet. Opening her bag, Yang pulls out her water bottle and hands it to me. I sip at the water a bit before attempting to stand, my legs shaking.

"Let's go to class," I say, breathing deeply. "I'll be okay, I promise."

"If you're sure," she says, rubbing my back. "We could go to Ozpin?"

I shake my head, just wanting to forget about it.

The teacher seems a bit annoyed when we walk in, but he takes one look at my puffy, tear stained face and says nothing as we sit down next to Ruby, Weiss and Jaune. Ruby passes over a note, asking if everything is okay and I just shrug, unsure how to answer her.

I spend most of the school day practically attached to Yang's side. I hate being clingy, but just being near her makes me feel safe. Like Adam can't get me. I also do see Qrow around occasionally, with Ruby pestering him at any chance she can get. That girl adores her uncle. It's sweet.

The last class of the day is gym. I have no energy left, but I change and head out onto the field with Yang and the rest of the class where we're made to run laps. As I run, I catch a glimpse of a shadow underneath the benches and my gut twists painfully. Yang is busy trying to race Weiss, Ruby and Nora, so I slow my pace, looking around for the teacher. Seeing him distracted by his scroll, I sneak away under the bleachers. No one.

Shing! 

Pain. White hot, burning through my side. I grab my side, falling to the ground. My hands become wet and warm and red. I look up and see Adam, his white and red mask, covering his eyes but his cruel smirk tells me everything.

"You shouldn't have left me, Blake," he tells me, running the tip of his sword along my jaw, just gently enough that it doesn't cut me. "I'm going to show you pain. Real pain."

"No..." I whimper, trying to hold back my tears. "Please, just leave me alone!"

"And why would I do that?" He asks.

I move my hands away from my side, trying to see the damage, but he takes it upon himself to kick me hard, right on the wound. I scream loudly, the pain nearly makes me throw up. The world spins as I fall backwards, laying in the ground. I try to cover my side again but he just digs his boot in.

"Get away from her!" Yang yells.

No...

Shing! Woosh!