Warning: Pedophilia (not detailed)

~~~~

See you soon, guys!" Johannes exclaimed as he waved his hand.

Nathaniel had already picked up his sons.

As for Royce, he'd already been driven to his house from help with Johannes.

Another day has come to an end, everything was stressful for Johannes but he was glad that Jonathan was there to take care of Hellebore and Graham.

However, the worst part of the day is just about to start.

Johannes glared at the man that started to get off his car, which was parked on their property, a proud grin plastered on the man's face. "Jonathan, get to your room now," Johannes ordered, and Jonathan immediately followed.

Johannes' persona has once again changed; he loathed his father a lot. However, he's doing this to save Jonathan from him.

As the man started getting close to the entrance of the mansion, where Johannes stood still, he gave off this uncomfortable mood trailing him. His disgusting grin on his face made it worse.

"Johannes! My business with Nathaniel went pretty great," his father said with a smirk while he stared at his son. "I would like to celebrate this day with you," he added as he closed the door behind him.

~~~

"Has anyone seen Johannes? He's not replying to my messages nor has he read them," Cameroon informed his friends—and Royce, since it was still confusing whether or not they were all really friends or just good acquaintances. "He's usually fast with replying during the daytime." He frowned, staring at his phone, still awaiting a response from Johannes.

Cameroon looked at Jonathan who took out his own phone and started typing.

Richard heard his phone had a new notification. He took it out and read what Jonathan just sent.

"He left earlier than you?" Richard asked Jonathan, which nodded in response as he continued texting Richard what he knows.

Richard sighed. "I'll go find him. I'll be back in a minute."

Royce was curious about what happened and got worried about what happened to Johannes; he seemed joyful yesterday, what could've happened to him?

"Can I come with you?" Royce asked, but Richard declined immediately. It had the appearance of something sketchy, but Royce didn't push it.

"I'll go find him on my own," Richard said once again.

~~~ (On Richard's POV)

Richard found himself at the corner of the school where no students usually head near at the beginning of the day. He waited there alone.

"Did you find anything?" Richard asked as he looked at the almost transparent humanoid that walked to him, with a pair of bright angelic soft white wings and bright pastel halo.

They nodded as they started to walk. Richard followed behind them.

"I heard him sobbing while they were on their knees, something must've happened at his house." They explained what they saw. "Their guardian angel is trying their best to make him feel better, however, he didn't budge," they added.

Richard's special ability.

Richard can see and communicate with spirits and angels. It started out when he was young and tried to communicate with the angel-like figure that followed him everywhere.

As you have guessed, Richard is talking with his guardian angel—which he is also close to. This ability helps him a lot.

"I'll go talk to him," responded Richard.

He felt bad for Johannes, with the information that Richard has, it must've been hard for Johannes. Fate has been rough on him.

Richard could hear someone crying. He finally found him.

Richard's guardian angel stopped as they pointed at the area where the sobbing was coming from.

Richard immediately thanked them as he rushed to the area. The sob started getting clearer and clearer when Richard approached.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

There Richard found Johannes crying on his knees while his guardian angel was attempting to comfort him. It was a depressing view for Richard, probably anyone. He treasures each of his friends and seeing them sad hurts for him too.

Johannes felt a warm and tight embrace, "Everything is going to be alright, just stay strong and things will soon get better."

"Is fate really unfair, Richard? Why is life treating me like this?" Johannes croaked, his voice weak and tired, "I wished the way social media sees my life... is real." Richard looked in pity.

Talented, spoiled, rich, and carefree. That's how Johannes has been described his whole life—however, Richard sees a puppet playing for his role that he doesn't want to be in. Richard knows what Johannes is going through, it's sad to see him in reality compared to Richard seeing him on television.

"Hang on there. I know God has something in store for you, just wait. Luck will come by soon, and I'm positive everything will go okay soon." Richard smiled as he let go of Johannes.

Richard put his hands on Johannes' face and wiped away his tears, "Even if you fall or rise, remember we, your friends, will always support you in the end." Richard continued.

Johannes couldn't help but smile, Richard is always there for everyone. He's truly an angel sent by the heavens.

This wholesome scene had to end however when Cameroon decided to rush in.

Cameroon's eyes widened when he saw Johannes, all he could feel was anger just by looking, "There you are, you dwarf! Why are your eyes red!? Who hurt you this time? If I knew who hurt you, I will blackmail them soo hard, it'll ruin their life!" Cameroon swore.

"Stop being the psycho of the group, Cameroon. I know how much you care, but why are you like this?" Richard said as he rubbed his temples.

"Psycho? I prefer to be called Cool and Handsome, thank you very much," Cameroon replied, sass showing in his smug smirk.

"Enough you two," Johannes chuckled, "I'm glad you two actually care." He smiled as he tried to get up, eventually getting help from Richard.

"Can you tell me who did this to you?" Cameroon questioned again.

Johannes shook his head as a response. "No, I don't want to. It's best to keep it private. It's something personal, insisted.

"Oh..," Cameroon muttered.

The two respected Johannes' answer, but they were still worried about what happened.

Surprisingly, the two finally agreed on the same thing; something definitely bad happened.

~~~ (Leaving Richard's POV)

"Jonathan! Royce!" Richard exclaimed while he and the others approached the two.

"Classes are about to start, want to go together in a group?" Royce suggested.

"Sure! Why not?" Johannes answered with a gleeful smile.

He finally started getting comfortable with the group, usually Royce has a hard time trusting, but with Johannes' friend group, he feels like he's a part of it.

Speaking of Johannes, why did he disappear all of a sudden? His friends were on a severe level of worry, but Johannes seemed okay right now—for the time being—nothing to worry about, he guessed.

"Royce?" Johannes asked all of a sudden.

Royce widened his eyes after realizing he was staring at Johannes the whole time. Bright blush appeared on his color-drained pale face from the embarrassment.

Royce was not the only one blushing the whole time however, Johannes had a pinch of red growing on his cheeks the whole time Royce was staring. The others that witnessed the scene just chuckled silently.

Suddenly, someone walked in front of Johannes, blocking Royce's view from him.

"No," Jonathan said as he glared down at Royce.

His glare differently scared the crap out of Royce, who knew someone really shy can be that overprotective? Honestly, it was wholesome to Royce that Jonathan has a good relationship with Johannes.

"Sorry about that, Jonathan can be overprotective towards anyone he's close to," Richard chuckled as he shooed Jonathan from Royce's view. "Don't worry about him, he never hurts people. He may look intimidating but he's really kind-hearted," Richard explained.

Royce smiled. "It's fine! I don't mind. Nice to know about other people's unique traits."

"Jonathan apologises for the sudden interruption," Richard informed him. Royce looked at Jonathan, now realising his head down while fidgeting his fingers.

Royce laughed quietly. "No worries, anyway, shall we go to our classes now?"

~~~

The group walked together in the school, chatting about random topics. It seemed like any other friend group walking together, and Royce looked like he was part of it.

How wonderful, having friends was something new to Royce. In the past, Royce barely talks to other people and always stays in the shadows trying not to get attention.

Royce suddenly thought of something. Royce realized that he had his guard too low this time that he didn't notice something was off the whole time.

How was he found?

Royce had high grades in the past school years but he studied in a school not that known, how did the principal of Evergreen University find him and randomly decide to recommend him to the school?

Had Royce fallen right to their trap?

He had messed up big time.

With the exploding thoughts blasting through his head, his face froze and he walked with his mouth half open. His train of thoughts was cut off by Cameroon suddenly suggesting something.

"Guys, guys, let's go eat somewhere together after school again! Somewhere you guys like to eat at. Royce, would you like to come?" Cameroon asked.

Is this friend group real? Or is it part of their traps too? It's definitely not a coincidence.

Royce met them on the first day of school and they immediately accepted him in the friend group. Something is wrong. His younger sister was right—his mother was right.

Never trust anyone.

The name of the principal is Michelle Wilson, it was written on the letter that was given to Royce when he was recommended to the school.

Wilson.

Cameroon's last name is Wilson and he's trying to get close to Royce too, not to mention, this guy is trying to invite him somewhere too, not only that, the principal had invited Royce to Johannes' house too.

Johannes is Cameroon's best friend, could they be part of the plan too?

Royce was glad that nothing bad happened to him at Johannes' house. Or could it be part of the plan to make Royce closer to the friend group and eventually fall down to their trap?

Everything is suspicious to Royce. He can't trust anyone anymore.

Royce had to make-up a good reason to not come with them; this could be the final part of their plan.

"I don't think I can go, I have work today. I can't come, sorry." He scratched his head while the lie came off clean.

Cameroon made an 'o' with his mouth, until he came up with an idea, "You worked at a restaurant, right? Ooooh! We can hang-out where you work!"

The group agreed.

Royce is dead.

—