Memories

XLIII

BURY ME FACE DOWN

'When I go into the ground
I won't go quietly, I'm bringing my crown
When I go into the ground
Oh, they gotta bury me, bury me face down'

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Wymack was confused and more than slightly unhappy at the sight of Jean with Neil, though he was assured that it was okay, and that Neil would explain it when they got back. He didn't know how he was going to tell the rest of the team - especially Kevin - how his sister - who they didn't know was his sister - had traded places with Jean Moreau and made sure neither he nor Neil had to ever go back to the nest.

That was pushed from his mind for the first three days being back, however, as he spent most of his time trying not to fall asleep as he got used to the different sleep schedule, and making sure Jean didn't try to run away.

It was a full time job, looking after Jean, and Wymack mostly kept him at Abby's house, who had been explained some of the situation, just like the coach had. 

The words 'a debt for a debt' ran through Neil's head every time he thought about what Thalia had done. He'd told Wymack that she'd traded places with Jean, and that's all he and Abby knew, but the secret of what had really happened at Castle Evermore was stuck in Neil's mind, plaguing him forever.

When Wymack let Neil back into the dorms the morning the others were due to return, Neil took Jean and shoved him in the bedroom. Neil was unbelievable sore, and extremely tired, but the three days he'd had to relax and recover had done him some good. He shoved a finger in Jean's face, despite the other boy being taller than him.

"My sister did not give up her freedom for you to have yours, just so you could try and run back to Riko the rat bastard reject." Neil spat. "You will stay in here - we are six stories up, there is nowhere for you to go - until I return. I figure you don't want to face Kevin yet, and Andrew would be even worse. There aren't enough seats in his car for you anyway." Jean looked above Neil's head at the door, and Neil clicked his fingers to get his attention again.

"I'm going to tell Matt that you are in here, and he will stop you if you try to leave. The window is bolted shut and like I said, we're six stories up." Neil said. "But you are under my protection now, and I will not hesitate to switch you back if you try to run again. Do you understand?" Jean was silent. "I said do you understand?!" Neil yelled. He nodded and Neil relaxed slightly. "Good. Now, they'll be back any minute, so stay here, and stay silent."

Neil left the bedroom and shut the door behind him. Just as he stepped into the living room, Matt opened the door and walked in. When he saw Neil, his face went white. "Neil," 

"I'm fine, Matt," Neil said, avoiding his eyes. "Sit, I need to tell you something." Matt furrowed his eyebrows but closed the door and made his way across the room.

"I'm going to kill him," Matt said "If he comes within a hundred feet of you,"

"He has to. We're playing him again at finals." Neil interrupted, not really wanting to talk about himself. "This is about Thalia, though. Not Riko." That time, Matt stood and looked more feral than Neil had ever seen him. It was clear almost the whole team had come to love and protect Thalia, despite the way she'd yelled at them near the beginning of her joining the team. They understood what she'd been talking about. What she'd meant.

"She went with me to Evermore, and stayed behind." Matt looked surprised and frightened. "Thalia switched places with Jean, and he's here." then he looked to the bedroom door and tightened his jaw. "It was her choice, Matt. You can't change these things."

"Why are you telling me this now?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the door.

"Because Jean's been trying to escape the past three days. I need you to watch him while I go with the others to get Andrew." Neil said. Matt looked at him. 

"Kevin was worried sick throughout the whole break." Matt said. "He had no fun, no matter how much Nicky and me tried to cheer him up. He watched Thalia run off and get on the plane with you. I didn't know why he was so torn up about it." he looked Neil up and down, from the newly dyed hair to his electric blue eyes, to the scars and bandages littering his face and hands. "Now I know why."

'Matt, please just watch him," Neil said, sounding more tired than he had in a while. Matt's jaw tensed and untensed a few times before he nodded. "Thank you. I'll be back later. You don't need to go in there, don't need to interact with him. Just make sure he doesn't escape."

"Fine." Matt said. As Neil headed for the door, he stopped when Matt spoke again. "Coach called and told us not to ask about your face." he said. "But I want you to know that you can talk about it if you want to."

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As soon as Neil stepped out into the hallway, Kevin pushed him against the wall. It hurt, but Neil didn't bother struggling to get out of his grip.

"Kevin!" Nicky said, moving forward to pry him off Neil. "Get off him!"

"Nicky, stay out of it," Neil hissed in German. Nicky's eyes looked hurt and sad when he saw Neil's face, but he stepped back, nonetheless.

"Where is she," Kevin asked in French. Neil could see the bags under his eyes, showing that what Matt had told him just before was true. "Where is she, Nathaniel."

"I told you not to call me that," Neil responded, and then paused. "She's still at Evermore. Made a deal with Riko."

"Why would she do that,"  

"Get off me and I'll tell you." Neil was beginning to find it difficult to breathe, and Kevin saw this. He let go, and Neil rubbed his neck. "Thanks."

"Why." Kevin said slowly and Neil stood tall, looking at him.

"Riko said that either one or both of us had to return at the beginning of the next season, and Thalia negotiated with him," Neil said, ignoring Nicky and Aaron's presences. "She said that if she stayed now, that I wouldn't have to back ever." it was mostly the truth. Neil had just left out the fact that she'd said Neil and Jean would never have to go back, not just Neil.

"She wouldn't," Kevin said quietly. Neil felt sorry for him. It was clear he had feelings for Thalia, and Neil was okay with that. He trusted Kevin. "She won't survive. Not after she left him before."

"She'll be okay," Neil said, though it was to reassure himself as well. "She can handle herself. She can handle it." Kevin looked up at Neil with red eyes and shook his head.

"No," he said. "She can't."