To Run with the Wolf Pack When Your Legs Are Tired

One

Frank receives the letter on a particularly rainy day in August.

He'd just finished a six-month-long tutoring job for a unknown, but well-paying family in the next town over, and is staying in one of the town's many inns, spending the last of the meager earnings from the job on a room. Though he didn't earn much, Frank often never received money from the families he tutored for and really only required food and a place to stay in trade for tutoring a family's children. And, of course, as long as they didn't look into his less-than-qualified history before hiring him. As long as a family was able to respect those wishes and provide, Frank would most likely teach them. Money was just a bonus, when he got it.

But otherwise, he's content to live as a sort of nomad, as long as he can inspire and improve the lives of children.

The letter is unassuming when Frank sees it, but once he reads the return address written neatly at the top of the page, he swears he nearly feels faint. It appears to be from Michael Way, Lord Way, the head of the Way family, one of the most prestigious and well-known families in the county. What Lord Way could possibly want with Frank, of all people, he has no idea.

He carefully tears open the envelope, gentle not to break the wax sealing marked with the Way crest, and takes out the letter inside. The letter is even written on some of the nicest parchment Frank's ever seen, and the writing isn't decorated with ink blotches like Frank's typically is, alluding to the sign of a good, quality pen being used.

Frank lets his eyes scan over it, then looks over it again. Once more, he reads it over, just to truly confirm the words he's seeing. He puts the letter down, stares blankly at the wall across from him, then looks down and reads the letter just once more, completely shocked.

'Mr. Iero,' The letter begins, 'I want to start this letter simply. I've heard many wonderful stories of your work tutoring children, and I am honored to say that, from what I've heard, your work is rather awe-inspiring. I am the father to two young girls - Charlotte, my eldest, and Penelope, my youngest - Lady Way and I have been in the process of looking for a new tutor for them. We're glad to say we've reviewed several stories of your work, and have agreed that you are one of the best options for our girls in all of England. If you would have us, we would be honored for you to enter our home and work as a live-in tutor for our daughters.
They're very excited to meet you.
Michael J. Way' It ends in a flourish.

Frank immediately rushes over to the feeble desk of the inn's room, pulling out a quill and well of ink to respond to the letter.

+++

Frank snuck out of his room one day when he was 11, while his parents were out on business in the next town over, leaving Frank in the care of the manor's many waitstaff. He was hardly ever allowed out in other parts of the manor, only for meals. He especially was never allowed in the East Wing, his mother giving him a stern warning of punishment if he was ever caught lurking there.

But he disregarded the rule on that special day, and once he saw the carriage his parents were to travel to the town in depart, he dashed out of his room, his thin, little legs carrying him far. He breezed past maids, caretakers, and butlers, knowing exactly where he wanted to go.

The library.

Once arriving in the East Wing, he was more careful to sneak around as to not be seen.
While the waitstaff was typically less harsh on Frank than his parents were, he knew they all knew what he was and was not supposed to do, and still feared someone would find him in the east wing and berate him, telling his parents of his misbehavior as soon as they arrived home.
Luckily, Frank was stopped by no one as he made his way to the library, and as soon as he was behind the large, wooden double doors of the room he sighed and strolled in rather confidently.