Few days of rain passed and so did school and everything started getting unto the right track. Lessons were the same old boring stuff, while the highlight of his day remained Kathrin.

  Just like now.

  "... that can't be right." Adrian said.

  "But it is. You wouldn't believe what my mother is capable of when 'she's standing up for what she should get'." Kathrin said acting like her mom, cold tone, the look of superiority, the whole set. "Because 'Kathrin you won't get anything if you can't stand up for it'. Like yes, but sometimes that just makes things worse or doesn't change anything. Just being sympathetic can take you a long way."

  "You're right, but you must also see her side. If she's getting something for you, her daughter or the family it's a different matter altogether."

  "I know. It's just..."

  "It's okay, I understand. My mum" Adrian scratched his neck while a smile played out on his face. "She does act like that sometime. Used to anyway." It was slightly different then.

  "So, you also had the pleasure of just standing there."

  "Dozing off."

  "And being kinda embarrassed."

  "Yeah."

  "Good."

  "What's good?"

  "That there's one more person that has suffered as I have." She looked with a cheeky smile at him.

  "Yeah, you little monster want to see me suffer? That's what you like?"

  "No. How could I?"

  They both stopped the doorway of St. Anna's looming before them, the light from below still yet to fully reach their faces.

  "We're here." Adrian remarked.

  "Yes."

  They were both looking forward, wishing this walk could perhaps last just a bit longer a bit more. Neither of them voiced out those thoughts and then they passed as fireflies started flying with the stars.

  They followed them up in their flight up the balconies till the sky full of appearing stars. In them the fireflies disappeared like one of their own. And so, their sights returned back to Earth and met in the middle staring at each other.

  "I should go." Adrian said.

  "Yeah. Me too, so see you..."

  "We can go out for dinner tomorrow. It's a weekend. If you want to, of course."

  "Yeah, I'd love to."

  "Then see you then."

  She hopped away like a startled doe, her face down turned and moving by instinct. Adrian looked on with a foolish smile having a bit of red in his cheeks too. Not that he'd admit it.

  He remained there looking up at the sky. Not thinking just... feeling. Letting the night breeze in and out his lungs in satisfying low breaths. This was the life. Carefree and light, easy with some rough edges here and there of not so sure future, but all future is unsure and right now for a while Adrian though it didn't matter. Neither the marks or the university or the label that comes with whatever degree. And fame. Recognition. What's that? Being here fluttering with every word of hers was more than he could’ve gotten.

  He smiled and felt his feet back on the ground. Back at the parking lot before her dormitory. But so what it's not so bad of a future, but it can be better. Yes. Adrian thought back to his room and the computer with a still opened 3d model. Another of a myriad. For him it was more than a hobby, but a ticket to freedom. A financial freedom. The only freedom that seemed to matter in this time.

  He walked away, determination reigniting with every step he took and oh the growing grin. It was all going to work out well. And he damn well will take care that it does.

  A window roller rattled and closed.

  "Did he finally leave?" April asked as she put her head on Kathrin's shoulder from behind.

  That earned her a gasp from Kathrin.

  "Did I scare you? I didn't mean to." April said and while Kathrin was forming her answer stealthily slipped her arms around her and ended with them on her breasts. And as Kathrin was about to answer squeezed them like dough and kneaded them like one.

  "Ahh." It elicited a moan from Kathrin before that got turned a notch higher and it clicked for her what was going on. "April!"

  "What's wrong?" April did a last unwilling squeeze and stopped. "Just enjoy it. You don't know how therapeutic it is for me. I'll let you fondle mine."

  "No. You've asked me that now about a million times and it’s still a no."

  "Why? You always let me do as I please. Why's it different now? Don't tell me..."

  "I have a boyfriend now." Kathrin turned and forced that way April off her. To be sure she crossed her arms around her breasts as a countermeasure which only accentuated them.

  "Noooooooo. What then about me Katie, you can't do this to me."

  "Yes, I can and you should go looking for someone yourself. Get over Nataly, that's over. Here's a new chapter of your life."

  April didn't expect that. To hear that much truth and of all things her accursed name. She had mulled it over in her mind time and time again without Kathrin having to tell her. It all accumulated in a single. "I know."

  "Soooo?"

  "Yes. I did speak to some of our classmates and dormmates and there are some girls that would previously make my heart flutter. Their supple skins, sweet faces that remind you of little animals. Oh what would I do to see them change under me. But -"

  “Please language.”

  “Yes, I know but it’s just…”

  "Not one of them can measure up to Nataly."

  "Yes, not one of them is as good as Nat. As understanding as her, kind as her, as humane as her, yet so angelic."

  "Yes. Not one of them are like her and no one will ever be."

  April focused as she heard that, her eyes tightened into small pins as her heart clenched.

  "And that's a good thing. You know each of them has something of their own. They might not be as kind as her -"

  "And no one will ever be."

  "Yes, but that doesn't mean they can't be more caring or gentler than her."

  April froze there as she heard it then burst out laughing. "Yeah, she's not exactly one for subtleness and being gentle. She has her own love in a hard way but ultimately it's good for you." She said with a sweet smile before it got complicated. "No matter how unwilling you are to receive it and admit it."

  "And here we are again. I know it's hard but can't you just call her. I'm sure you two can do it together. Even if that means running away from her parents. I'm sure she'll be willing."

  "It's not that easy, but don't worry about me. I'm getting there." She flashed her a smile, self-assured and content with her path. "Rather than that let's talk about that boyfriend of yours and how he stole you from me."

  "As if I was ever yours to begin with." Kathrin huffed and puffed. April again with her antics.

  "Don't be so mad, chipmunk."

  "I'm no chipmunk."

  "Whatever you say chipmunk."

  Kathrin only looked at her now knowing that denying it further will let April stick it to her more.

  "I wanted to say you two look cute that's all. And how none of you want to take the first step it's so dramatic and nerve wrecking. Just kiss god damn it. Is it that hard?... and look as I'm saying you're blushing, that's what I mean."

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  "April!" Kathrin shouted now without the previous ferocity of a tigress but a little kitten begging her ma not to embarrass her in front of other kittens.

  "Don't try to deny it. I see it and you better French kiss the living breathing ghost out of him or I'll go insane watching you and muttering to yourself in your room." April said panting as her rant was coming to a close. "And yes, I heard a lot of it and let me tell you girl you're a bigger freak than me. You'd want-"

  "April!" She hurled herself at the now running April. And without a hitch April dodged doing a graceful spin in the process.

  "Or it's worse you yourself aren't aware of it. Is that it?"

  "You won't sleep tonight till I get you."

  "Don't threaten me with a good time!" April said and let herself be caught. A bit smaller than Kathrin as she held her against the wall, but what she lacked in height she compensated by sharp speech.

  "Argh, that's not what I meant and you know it."

  "No. I don't. Tell me what was it?"

  "I can't… with you. You don't take anything seriously."

  April sighed and lowered her head as Kathrin let her hands go. She still stood in front of her though with crossed arms now.

  “I hope you’ll get out of here without any sequalae.” April whispered, nothing from the previous good mood visible on her face.

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing.”

  Adrian was walking back to his dorm. His steps took him across the streets and into the park that formed the backside of the Southlane dormitories. Light was sparse, the lamps far in between and more like decorations.

  He saw it or at least thought he did. A pair of his schoolmates at first kissing by a thicket before after a lengthy wrestle they disappeared in the far reaches of the thicket.

  It seemed the world was laughing at him. Showing him what he can for now only dream about. It didn't bother him and why should it? He thought to himself. This way it's better, we have time we can enjoy ourselves and when time comes, we can tear each other like animals.

  Footsteps were getting closer to him. All he did was glance behind, but that did nothing other than reveal there to be two people walking. No more no less as the sparse light didn't allow him no more than to see their silhouettes.

  "Now what do we have here?" He turned at the sound of a male voice behind him. He stopped in his track right under the park lamp and was about to call out to the dark who it is.

  It was Nicolaus and of course along with him Becky.

  He turned his head in front to check.

  "Yes, Nickie's talking to you."

  The buff guy Nickie grunted as Adrian turned back to them curious enough to see what's their business.

  "What's wrong Nickie?" Becky asked tilting her head while twirling a sucker in between her index finger and thumb.

  He grasped her hand and the twirling stopped. Her searching sight returned back to his face.

  "What did I tell you about that name in front of strangers?" He said.

  "But come on he's not going to be stranger no more so what's the big deal?" She tried putting the sucker back in her mouth, but his grip was too strong.

  He remained looking at her and at her futile struggle. As each time she was about to succeed he pushed it further away from her. He was in control and that’s how he liked it. After her third attempt he put it in her mouth and turned whilst saying "So, now you have two choices either you join..."

  Adrian was nowhere to be found, his place occupied by a healthy amount of oxygen combined with sodium plus a sprinkle of carbon.

  "Couldn't you have said he ran?"

  "No, you were more interested with playing with myself and why would I refuse that?" Becky flicked her hair behind her ear and revealed a defiant expression saying 'what are you going to do big guy?'.

  And the big guy didn't disappoint.

  He smacked her behind which elicited a hop followed by a moan from her as she nearly closed her eyes looking at him from enjoying the sensation.

  She let his hand rest in her butt as his imprint reddened.

  "I'll play with you much more later." He said and pinched her butt. "For now, I still have a… fun to have."

  She opened her eyes fully and huffed at being so rejected. She started walking a few steps in front of him. Letting her hips sway and showing her bubble butt from under her mini denims with the red imprint peaking right from under.

  He laughed.

  Some few hundred meters away.

  That was weird. In anyway If they want something serious then they'll say it in the dormitory. I for sure don't want to be part of whatever's that. Adrian thought as he was quickly getting closer to his dormitory. His thoughts went back to them again and again wondering what they wanted on a dark night, in a park, all alone… yeah that looked more and more like some sex play awaiting to happen.

  Maybe the big guy likes to share. Everyone’s different. Adrian laughed.

  The dormitory was already in front of him, right behind those bushes. He crossed them at once and the rest was just a hundred meters lit up by the faint lights from the first floor.

  His walk got slow as he saw a myriad of people on their balconies or just hanging from their windows and smoking. It was all right, he was on the dry ground.

  Not a moment later he heard something. Too quick and he was on the ground, tackled. Adrian rolled and that didn't help him.

  A pair of arms grabbed him from behind around his neck and pressed. That wasn't all though, he saw another guy, tattooed and casual wear with flip flops.

  Casual kidnapping huh. Such a ridiculous thought ran through his head before he kicked. He planted it right in this kidnapper's thigh.

  That stopped him for a second, but as another kick was coming for him, he dodged and stepped on his other leg. Adrian grunted and thrashed and kicked again this time hitting squarely his chest. The kidnapper folded into himself, Adrian didn't let that chance slip and kicked again aiming for his head.

  It didn't happen. The one underneath him turned and reoriented the trajectory of his kick while also twisting his clasped leg.

  Adrian gnashed his teeth as if that would help with the pain. Instead, what did was this curtain that was overcoming his whole vision. It was there, then with a jolt it wasn't.

  Grass tickled his face, the sensation dulling each second.

  All he did know was looking at the balcony and seeing the people looking down at him. Shadows in basked in lights of rooms. Flashing, flickering, whirling around, closer and farther. He thought he saw someone on the fifth floor and third window, he hoped, a shadow hovering in the window and… nothing.

  The next time Adrian woke up it was with a shower of cold water. He wanted to sit up, but found himself unable to as there was a suffocating feeling in his abdomen.

  "What.... the Princess… nothing... what do you... I didn't... And that's... I'll... Everyone.... No one will... to beat me... No one will beat me." The voices they were blending in and were incoherent once loud the next second too quiet to catch.

  He opened his eyes and saw a boot pressing down on him. Trailing his sights up along the boot he found a towering presence hovering above him.

  "He's getting up... I... Let's get.... Yes... Get him too, double the fun."

  But no face. There was instead an orb of light shining into his eyes blinding him while voices were getting clearer and clearer.

  "What's the matter sleepyhead?"

  "What... do you want from me?" Adrian asked, he had difficulty breathing. He moved his arms a bit to get rid of the stiffness, but it didn’t help. They were tied above his head to something.

  "Nothing much."

  "I can give it to you whatever it is you want just let me go. I don't know how I have offended you, but I'm sorry if I did." Adrian said trying not to sound worried. Not worried as any person in an unfamiliar environment, with kidnappers and without a chance to move could.

  "Wonderful. This is what I'm talking about cooperation and everyone's happy."

  A smile flashed across Adrian's face, a crooked broken smile. While he thought about it all how when he gets out of this the first thing he'll do will be to get the police.

  His dreams though were to be postponed a little.

  "You know there is something I want from you." The boot went off his abdomen and he sat up, not completely as his arms were taut.

  "Thanks. I knew we'd be able to come to terms-" As Adrian said those words a sharp pain assaulted him and thrown him back to the ground. Now his voice lost, his breath gone and mouth open in a silent scream searching for lost oxygen.

  "Yeah, I knew we'd be able to." Another kick followed this time to his face.

  The light started spinning and strong urge to vomit overtook all his senses until he let it all out.

  "Hey you're going to knock him out. That's no fun." A different, a female voice called, Becky's voice. The puzzle pieces fell together, but didn’t paint the whole picture. He knew who’s doing this to him. But why?

  "I couldn't help myself seeing that pretty face and that hope. Hah, this sets nicely for him."

  But"...Why?" Adrian breathed out with a hoarse voice.

  "What speak up? Didn't people teach you how to speak properly?" Nicolaus said.

  Adrian straightened himself as much as he could and caught some of his breath back. Then it came out naturally, an accusatory "Why?"

  And nothing followed other than deafness.

  "Why not?" And maybe sometimes it’s simple as that.

  Adrian wanted to say so much and then more as there was not one case where he'd go so far as to hurt someone. And for what? Not for himself, not for someone else...

  "Is it because I looked at your girl?" Adrian scrambled for an answer, a truth why it's happening to him. More so for the silence of his soul than to get out of this ridiculous situation.

  A silence followed.

  "He got it." A one-man applause followed, with the pause between each clap being progressively longer. Like a scream into the dark and yet no one other than the people gathered here seemed to care about it.

  "Nickie. Please, punish him more and more. Do it for me, he sullied me and I can't stand that. It's too much to be looked at by trash such as him. You wouldn’t let me stoop so-"

  "End of this act. And stop leaning against me."

  "Why?" She said.

  He grunted at her as an answer.

  Short silence followed before a sound of heels click-clacking was heard and then a sting in both his palms. "It's all because of you."

  Adrian’s face went from pain and settled on confusion.

  "So, to answer your big question." A big tattooed hand reached down and grabbed him by the neck, inclined him so he would face towards him. He couldn't see him through the blinding light, but Adrian for sure knew he was there. Looking at him and grinning from ear to ear enjoying what he brought him.

  "At first I wanted to give you a choice, but I changed my mind. It's all because of what I saw. A pussy and no more... I don’t know what she saw in you." He pushed his head even closer. Adrian felt his arms go taut again. "And now I'm doing it all because I'd like to. You're going to be my trophy and a warning. Right boys."

  "Yes, boss!" A plethora of voices called out. So near, so close to him. Adrian felt this was the opportunity and took it.

  "So-" Nick's voice was cut short as he felt something wet in his face. Then it hit him, it was spit. "You motherfucker."

  The grip around Adrian's neck tightened. The one hand was enough to reach all the way around his neck and still have the strength not only to disable his breathing, but to allow him to feel his bones creak against each other.

  "Nickie. Nicolaus. It's okay."

  His grip tightened and Adrian was about sure this will be the last thing he'll see. There'll be no rude waking up. No more kidnappers humiliating him. No more Kathrin.

  "Remember what we have planned." Becky's coy voice continued. It had its effect as the hand slowly came lose and Adrian started coughing.

  "Yes. Get to it, Lian, Tobias."

  And before Adrian could properly cough to his heart’s content a face appeared from behind the light. It was covered by a shadow, but Adrian knew. He knew that damn face and he for sure knew he won't ever forget it.

  "Mutt. This is the last time you'll be able to breath for a while. So enjoy it while it lasts." He spit down at him, a childish retribution. "And one more thing we invited a guest over that'll be your main host. I expect you to properly welcome him."

  Another silhouette was pushed towards him. This one jittery, with strong smell about it pungent of dead fish and whatnot. It was a strange silhouette nothing Adrian expected from these gangsters.

  Tattered clothes. Yes, it was a homeless man. But there was something off about him.

  He glanced up in his quiet acknowledgment and saw a sink head above.

  So, this woke me up.

  He felt his pants coming down by themselves and before he could get a good look on what’s happening a bag was thrown on his face.

  His body tensed as it knew what was going to happen though his mind didn’t let him know, but let him roar out. All the last of his air as if there’d be no tomorrow.

  "You're going to pay for this, Nicolaus!"

  “You hear me!” he shouted.

  “You’re going to pay!”

  “Nicolaus! Nicolaus….”

  He heard no answer as water clouded his senses.