About ten minutes later, both boys found themselves on the rocky south shore of the small lake. They were skipping rocks like they used to do as small children, seeing who could make theirs skip the most times.

Bastian whipped another rock out over the water and watched as it bounced across the surface 8 times. ?It?s a really weird place, Jon. It?s like something from a book, really. If it weren?t for the fact that we had Cassandra living with us for all those years, I wouldn?t think that a place like this existed.?

?Is there anything that reminds you of home??

Bastian smiled. Yeah, there was a certain pretty girl who reminded him of home every day. In a good way, of course. ?Yeah, but I?m serious. It?s strange walking into the tavern to see a werepanther standing behind the counter. Or to see green hair elves, toddling suitcases, winged demons, vampires?.? He trailed off and glanced at his brother.

?That is weird.? He looked a bit put off. ?I believe you, I mean?you wouldn?t lie. But?still. It?s hard to really understand what you?re talking about when I?ve never seen it before.?

?That?s understandable. I?m still getting used to it.?

?Then why do you stay? You sound like you don?t like it.?

?No, it?s not that. I?m just having a bit more trouble fitting in than I thought. I do like it there?but?? He trailed off again, watching Jonathan?s rock skip over the water; 7 times.

?You were always popular. I?m sure it won?t take long for you to make friends. Hey, you might even meet a girl.?

Sebastian smiled but didn?t say anything. He was putting that subject off for as long as possible. ?I got a job.?

Jonathan stooped to pick up another rock and toss it to Bastian. ?You?re actually working?? The boy?s voice was full of disbelief.

?What?s so hard to believe about that?? Bastian tried to look indignant when Jonathan laughed. ?Alright, alright? so I got a job and I?m not that great at it, but I?m learning.? The rock was rocketed across the water, but his pitch was too low. It only skipped 4 times.

?What do you do??

?I?m a dock worker. Hard labor really isn?t my thing, but I needed a job. The offer was there, so I took it. I?ve made a few friends there.?

?Who else do you talk to? Do you see Cassandra very much??

Bastian shot a look over to his brother. Why hadn?t their mother told Jon that he was staying with Cassandra? It bugged him, but he wouldn?t mention it. ?Yeah, I see her often enough. I also talk to Grem and Lydia.? He paused. ?And?? what was with him and leaving his sentences unfinished? He shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked at the rocky ground.

?And?.who? Come on, man. I know you didn?t come all this way to just tell me you like your job and that you have no friends.?

?I have friends?it?s just?? he sighed. ?There?s this girl.? He looked away from Jon, out over the water.

?Geez, you met a girl already??

?Her name is Erin. She?s really quite wonderf-? Jonathan cut him off.

?She?s?.she?s not one of those magic people, is she??

Bastian frowned. ?No, she?s not. She?s from London, actually. Would you care if she was magical or whatever; if I said I loved her??

Jonathan took a step towards Bastian. ?Hey, brother. You didn?t say anything about loving her.?

?I do.?

?I?m not trying to be difficult?but I just don?t see how that?s possible. I want to understand?? he looked to Bastian expectantly.

?I don?t know how it happened either. It just?did. I mean, it?s not like I want to marry her or anything; I love her as much as I can at this stage in our relationship.?

?Then what?s wrong??

Sebastian looked to the ground. He could feel the lump growing in his throat and tears threatening to well up in his eyes. Jonathan gripped his shoulder in concern and he looked up. ?She?s in trouble and I can?t help her.?

?Sebastian, you can tell me. Anything. I?m here for you, brother.? Jonathan drew Sebastian into a hug. One thing neither brother was afraid of showing was the fact that they loved each other. They had a really strong bond.

He clung to his brother tightly, willing his tears to recess. Upon stepping away from the embrace, Bastian drew in a deep breath and began. ?She uhm?she managed to piss off a very powerful person. The first time I witnessed something between them nearly killed me. This?this woman was scaring her, only I don?t think she?s a woman. She?s a demon or beast?.something.? He shook his head, trying to keep his mind clear. ?And she?it ripped a handful of hair straight from her head.?

Jonathan flinched. How could his brother stand to live in such a place?

?I thought things were starting to cool down?until the day Grem stopped by the docks to tell me that Erin had the flu. But when I stopped by her house, she didn?t have the flu at all.? His voice caught in his throat as a sob rose. Finally, Bastian was provided with an outlet; a means and a place to let it out. He hadn?t cried since he found it. Bottled up emotion can be dangerous. ?She told me that she?d been beaten and?? the tears spilled over onto his cheeks and he turned away, shoulders shaking in the effort it took to keep from crying outright. ?That bitch,? he whispered through his tears, ?raped her.?

Jonathan?s mind was sent reeling. He couldn?t imagine what it was like to know that someone you love had that happen to them. The younger of the two hung his head and said a silent prayer for Erin.

Bastian spun back around to face his brother. ?She?s perfect, Jon. This shouldn?t have happened to her. I should have been there to protect her. She deserves only the best and I feel like I can?t give it to her.? He ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. ?And now, I feel like a total ass because I?m angry. Angry at myself for wanting out. I love her, Jonathan, but I can?t handle this. She cries at night; has nightmares. I can?t do anything for her except hold her. And even then, I don?t want to frighten her by touching her too much.? His face was getting red as his blood pressure rose. Brows were furrowed and lips turned down in a frown. ?There?s also Grem. He should have warned me; something! It?s not his fault but I feel so much hatred towards him right now. It?s wrong and I know it?but I can?t direct my anger towards the one person who is responsible. It?s not fair.?

At this point, Bastian simply broke down. He may sound like a little child, spewing these problems as if they were bigger than Mt. Everest, but there comes a point in someone?s life when it just become too much. Jonathan drew Bastian into another hug, both men clinging fiercely to one another.

And Bastian cried. Just cried.