[i]Maybe trying to return this boy’s bag was a mistake... Why did I not just punch one of the boys instead of magically spurting water from my hands...?[/i]

My thoughts were rapidly spiralling into more punishing and depressing ones, as my now narrowed eyes focused on my bare feet moving across a stony path in an unfamiliar place for myself. I had decided to try and stay out of many people’s sight after the incident at the park, as the constant staring, pointing and whispering had quickly gotten to me.

I had even went up to one middle-aged woman who looked as though she hadn’t seen what had happened, but when I had just literally spoke ‘excuse me’, she turned to face me with wide eyes and ran off in the opposite direction, leaving me standing confused and more upset than I had already been feeling.

I stop in my tracks when I hear a sound that sounds like a snapping twig on the ground, and sigh softly. I had stopped feeling paranoid a while ago after figuring out that someone was indeed following me, but I was still feeling confused.

[i]‘Why would someone intentionally follow a monster?’[/i] I had thought to myself prior the last couple of times I had heard footsteps, something being kicked or crushed and soft curses.

After reluctantly lifting my gaze and looking straight ahead at the small lane I had been walking down, I speak loud enough for the mystery person to hear my words, but not loud enough to cause any suspicions at this point in time.

“I am not deaf, nor stupid.” I say as I slowly turn in my place, only to find a once again empty walkway. My brows furrow together as I hesitantly step forward once, taking a close look around at my surroundings.

Small shrubs, weeds and bushes cover the small grass patches on each side of the walkway, before being cut off by large and graffiti covered fences, which I can easily guess are barriers between house’s gardens. One thing that had quite easily caught my eye though, was a puddle.

It was definitely large enough to cover a person’s feet, and though it is at the side of the path, there are a couple of wet footprints leading from it and into the bushes, and the water is rippling to prove that there was a recent interference.

I only frown as I walk up to the stalker’s hideout, not even hesitating to forcefully push the leaves and branches out of the way of my sight. I only gasped in surprise with what I came face-to-face with, though I make no move away from the plant.

“You...” I whispered in disbelief, watching as the teenager bit his lip in what looked to be shame.
“I-I’m sorry,” he stuttered, looking up at me with large hazel eyes as he very slowly and carefully began to crawl backwards and away from myself. “I just... After I ran off, I forgot about my bag... B-But when I went to go back to get it, I saw that you had taken it and was walking in my direction... So I... I-I followed you...” He finished with a small whisper of his words, now pressed up against one of the dirty fences.

I only frowned more in the teenager’s direction and shook my head, dropping his bag onto the floor beside my feet before turning to walk away. I stopped just a few steps after starting however, just to turn back to look at him as he stood on slightly shaking legs.

“Do you really fear me that much to not approach me and come for your belongings, rather than watching me struggle to find you?” I asked sadly, though it came out uncontrollably bitter. The boy seemed slightly taken back, and he hesitantly shook his head as he stumbled out of the plants. Before he speaks though, he bends down to carefully pick up his bag and swing it over his own shoulder, never breaking eye contact with myself.
“N-No, I just...” He stumbled once again with his words before pausing, though after a moment or two he ran a quick hand through his dark shoulder-length hair and squeezed his eyes shut in what looked like frustration. “I’m sorry, okay? It’s not every day you see fucking water jets or something shoot out of people’s hands to knock others away, alright? It’s not normal!” He cried; throwing his hands around in front of himself as he once again met my gaze.

It didn’t last long though, as I let my face drop sadly along with moving my gaze to once again stare at feet. I didn’t even bother to reply before turning and walking away yet again, only to be stopped in my tracks by the boy running in front of me this time. I reluctantly lift my head just enough to glance at his face, seeing his apologetic look and worried eyes.

“Wait, that’s not what I meant-”
“Then what [i]did[/i] you mean to say, huh?” I harshly interrupted the boy, watching him flinch at my sudden reaction but not stopping just yet as my eyes start to blur and sting slightly. “Do you think I wanted to be like this? Feared by people who have never even got to know the [i]real[/i] me?” I continue, watching as the boy in front of me just continuously and slowly shakes his head in denial. I let out a huff of breath as I just stare at him for a moment, letting myself cool down slightly before attempting to speak again in a calmer tone.

“Why don’t you go home; It’s starting to get dark out¬, and I’m sure you’re parents will be worried if you don’t return to them soon...” I try to explain calmly, though my voice breaks slightly at the end of my sentence, making me rub the back of my hand against my right eye in attempt to not let any of the salty drips fall from it. This only earns a sympathetic smile from the short boy before me, and a shake of his head.
“You know, you aren’t how they said you would be...” He softly told me, making me only frown and scrunch up my face slightly in confusion as I drop my hand to my side again. These simple actions erupts small giggles from the boy, and a small smile mirrors his own as I watch him for a moment. “Do you have a place to stay?” He then asks, making me lower my gaze again and shake my head.
“I was just leaving... No-one wants someone like me around...” I quietly admit, though before I even have a chance to move, strong arms are being wrapped around my middle, with a head resting against my chest.

“Okay; number one, you can’t just get away with teaching those bullies a lesson without a ‘thank you’ from me, so... Thanks.” The boy giggles again slightly, making me smile just a little more than what I had been previously. “And number two, I can’t just let you leave without an idea of [i]where[/i] you’ll be going...” He then sighs softly, pulling away from the friendly embrace just as I was starting to warm up to it.
“So what do you expect me to do?” I ask, looking down at him as he only smiles back up at me. As a reply he simply grabs my hand and starts to drag me down the path, though he speaks when I hesitantly follow his lead.
“Well, you’re going to stay with me, of course!” He exclaims cheerfully, and I bite my lip in worry.
“Are you sure your parents will be okay-”
“They won’t, and that’s why you’ll be living in my room for a while.” He quickly interrupted me, twisting his head to send a quick smile in my general direction before turning back to concentrate on pulling me ahead again. After many minutes of being dragged in different directions and past many confused faces, he lets go of my hand to quietly undo the latch on a gate that is attached to a fence, before pushing it open and turning back to me for a moment.

“You know,” He starts and smiles at me before continuing, “After all of what’s happened, I still don’t even know your name.” I smile back before speaking myself, extending a hand for him to shake as I do so.
“It’s Gerard.” I state, smiling a little more as well as the boy shakes my hand and smiles too.
“Frank.” He simply says, before walking into his garden and leaving me standing in my place for a moment or two, before quietly following.