TURNS out Sapphire's family owned their school. Yes, they were the ones who provided such luxurious dorms and the school facilities. The ones who gave Sapphire her place, car and all. They were her father's people, and that made everything click in his head. University of Vanity, Sapphire Vanity...he was so dumb sometimes.
Of course, all these weren't discovered until a particular Friday when he met Sapphire's uncle. Before that day came, he was more occupied with other things like Rowen being injured.
Sapphire wasn't interested in attending classes and Timothy didn't even remember that she was a student in the business department anyway, so he didn't bother questioning her. She'd dropped him off at school and immediately drove off to the supermarket to get some groceries since they were out, and Timothy wasn't too fond of takeouts...he never said anything about it to her though. He'd thought about finding a job soon so as not to just live off of her and decided to ask Rowen when they meet. But for now, he'd be focused on cooking for her and washing the dishes. Sapphire had a cleaner that came once in a week to clean up everywhere, even the garden. And she barely ever used her washing machine, instead took her clothes to the dry cleaners... All these made Timothy realize that she was really high maintenance.
If only they met when he at least had a job. He had to act fast.
"What the hell happened to you?" Was the first thing that came out of his mouth when he saw Rowen.
They were in class, at the far back, so they really wouldn't be noticed even if they didn't lower their voices.
Rowen had walked straight to his seat after recieving a text from Timothy on where he was sitting. Timothy had a smile on his face and was oblivious to the fact that he was limping. But he certainly wasn't oblivious to the fact that his friend looked paler than how a healthy human being should look. He was dressed in all black and the hoodie he wore covered his face. He'd even worn a nose mask, but removed it when he saw the expression on Timothy's face.
Rowen tried to give him a smile but it fell flat, as he winced instead. He'd say down as carefully as he could, but the pain was still evident.
"I'm okay. I just got a little injury. I'll be fine within a day or two."
That was a lie. And not even a smooth one.
"Someone hurt you, right?" Timothy whispered, not wanting any stray ears to hear him. It wasn't their business. But Rowen was usually bubbly and bright in class, so people kind of knew him. There were glances at him every now and then even now.
"Row--"
"Let's just focus on class," Rowen's voice cracked, wincing as he opened his notebook.
Timothy noticed his hands shaking and told him not to bother himself. "We're definitely going to talk about this."
Rowen nodded. "Of course, man."
"You can collect my notes later, when you're healed at least."
Rowen smiled gratefully.
There was silence between them, but not necessarily in the class. Timothy struggled to pay attention in class and to glance at his friend every few minutes. Each time, he seemed to be in more pain. He was really worried.
"So how're you doing?" Rowen asked when they got out of class and went to one of the cool shades nearby.
Timothy really didn't have time for small talk. "Tell me what's going on, Rowen."
"How're your abilities?"
Timothy sighed, trying to relax on the hard bench they were sitting on.
"What abilities?"
"Hearing... Do you crave blood? Have you turned yet?"
Timothy shrugged. "I bled a few times through my ear and my hearing got better. Hurt like hell, but I guess it's necessary." He paused. "I haven't turned into a werewolf and I really don't see the appeal on drinking blood...so, I think I'm more human than either species."
He'd heard Rowen gasp at his first sentence. "Does Sapphire know about this? The bleeding."
"I could handle it. As you can see, I'm not wincing every few seconds... unlike someone I know." He looked at Rowen, grim. "Tell me what happened to you."
"Can we go to the dorms first?"
Timothy really wanted to get mad at Rowen for not responding.
"Rowen."
Rowen sighed. "The Mavericks. It was the Mavericks that did this. Now, can we go to the dorms?"
Timothy nodded, silent.
Rowen got them a ride and they were silent all through. Especially Timothy.
***
Rowen didn't waste anytime in showing him what had been done to him. And Timothy was horrified.
Rowen had the largest and deepest whip wounds that he'd ever seen. Rowen explained what had happened, while giving Timothy the ointment to apply on his back and neck.
Rowen started by saying that Roxanne had nothing to do with it. She was a part of it, yes, but it wasn't her idea. It was the leaders. He'd received punishment because he'd refused to be an accomplice in using magic on Timothy to bring him to the werewolves by force, or in using them being close to win Timothy over to their side. They'd mentioned how powerful Timothy was, and important he was in the grand scheme of things...how he would be a perfect in their plans. They'd never mentioned their plans but they did mention that they'd kill anyone that'd get in their way.
The reason why they didn't kill Rowen was because witches were very important. Magic would be a nice addition to their power. Killing Rowen would make the others unwilling to help. The witches were very loyal to each other, especially when it came to someone like Rowen who's their future leader and their only hope.
"Do your parents know what happened to you?"
"Yeah," Rowen answered. "But we can't run anywhere, you know. It's our only home and we'd promised to do whatever the wolves wanted if we wanted to be fed, protected and all that."
"So you aren't really family then."
Rowen frowned. "Fuck no. They killed so many witches before deciding to spare us when we begged for our lives. I was a kid then, but I remember everything that happened." He sighed. "Maybe we should've died a noble death and all...but nobody wants to die."
"So..." Timothy said."The reason they're hurting you is because of me."
"Yeah." Then he rushed to say, "It's not your fault though. It's partly mine because I brought you right to our doorstep. It was really foolish of me. If not for me, you'd probably still be oblivious and..."
"They probably still would've found me," Timothy said. "I don't blame you and I'm not mad at you."
"At this point, you really need to find a way to protect yourself. And fast." He continued, "Because I know they'll be calling me soon because I still haven't brought you over. This is very serious, man."
Timothy nodded. He had no choice. His mere existence was causing someone and his whole family pain.
His mood was down when Sapphire came to pick him up.
"You don't look happy to see me."
"Hi," Timothy simply said as he got into the car.
Sapphire paused her actions. She'd wanted to turn on the car engine and start their drive to pick up his sister when she heard his tone.
"What's up with you?" She asked, gripping his chin and making his eyes meet hers. "Who pissed you off and made you sad?"
"Rowen."
"Rowen pissed you off and made you sad?"
Timothy shook his head. "No."
Then he began telling her all that happened, all that Rowen went through and all that he was feeling.
"I'm guessing it's a good thing that we're going to meet my uncle then," Sapphire said after everything.
"It's all my fault, you know."
Sapphire sighed, letting go of his chin and instead, placed her hands oh his. "Nothing is your fault. He decided to defend you because you two are friends, Timothy. It's not your fault that you were born, neither is it your fault that you're a powerful being," she said in a soothing voice. "All we need now is the way forward. And the way forward now is definitely us meeting the vampires."
Timothy nodded. "You're right."
After telling him a few more things, Sapphire started her car and drove out of the school environment. They were going to meet her uncle.
Timothy briefly thought about Rowen and got worried about him being all alone in their room. What if someone comes and tries to hurt him there? He wasn't exactly in the best shape now. He wasn't able to worry any longer because he felt his phone vibrate and realized that it was a text when he checked it. It was from Rowen.
Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. Just make sure you take care of yourself.