Ethan takes my hand without hesitation. There is a store nearby the voices inform me. They give me directions and I follow them. It’s good that they know what I wanted that makes things easier for me. “I have never seen you around here.” Ethan notes. I guess he is here often then. It makes sense that he doesn’t see me here often. If I have a choice I prefer to stay at home but if I get dragged out I tend to hang out at different places.

We are both walking together to the store. I make sure to walk slower so that he can keep up. If you ask me, it’s weird how much he seems to trust me. “I happened to be in the area.” That’s a lie and the walk from here to the cemetery isn’t short either. I tell Ethan to wait on a bench and go into the store. I’m looking for things for Ethans wounds when my concentration is destroyed by the voices. That hyperactive girl’s mother is a criminal. “Is that why she left?” I wonder out loud. No, that women simply is an asshole. The voices correct me. “… I see” I take a deep breath “Why are you telling me this and why now.” We need entertainment the voices whine. “How about I throw you off a bridge how is that for entertainment.” We don’t even have a physical form. “I will find a way.”

After that the voices shut up. Well I find this pretty entertaining. I find all I need and pay before leaving. Could have just stolen it the voices complain. I start to work on Ethans injuries neither of us said anything.

Fuck this is awkward. I’m done with Ethans injuries and he is now looking at me. “How did you know about all of this? Those guys didn’t tell anyone as far as I’m aware.” Ethan finally talked. I’m starting to think that he is getting blackmailed on top of everything. He is, those assholes are trying to pin their crimes on Ethan the voices confirm my suspicion. They love to wait until I know certain things myself before telling me. Honestly it would be way faster if they just told me.

Also why are they calling Ethan by his name? They don’t tend to do that. “You seem pretty sure I didn’t commit any crimes. What’s up with that?” I sigh Ethan is not giving this up. “You don’t seem like the type to commit various crimes.” Ethan still has that weird look on his face. I’m starting to have a bad feeling. “You also don’t seem like the type to beat people up but look at what happened not even five minutes ago.” “I wouldn’t say that I beat them up.” Should have killed them the voices sound disappointed. Ethan looks at me more curious now. Actually he seems to be looking at me like I’m some puzzle he wants to solve.

“Aren’t you scared that you will get in trouble? You could get sued or bullied for harming them” “They won’t sue me and even if they do, I’m not worried.” It’s true I always have multiple ways to get out of trouble. Otherwise you would have been executed ages ago the voices agree. I don’t think I’m that bad. “If you say so. Is that your real hair and eye colour? You have white hair and red eyes. Well slightly red it’s hard to tell. Did you dye your hair? I’m pretty sure that the blue parts in your hair are dyed. Pretty sure the white is dyed too but I could be wrong. You never know.” That’s too much. “Sorry but I have to leave.” I don’t give him a chance to say more before going back to the cemetery.

It takes a while and I curse the whole way. First because I fucking hate walking and second I left a murder investigation for this and apparently am already a suspect for some people. Listen I know that children can kill people I had a few cases myself were the killers were really young. Additionally the youngest killer in the world was like 5. However I could fight with a door and lose. Does this guy have selective amnesia the voices whisper I think he is in some type of denial they continue.

I arrive at the cemetery while the others seem to be giving statements. A police officer turns to me the second I arrive. “You are aware that you can’t just walk away, right?” He is talking to me like I’m 5 “Sure” I walk to my friends. “You are back, mystery boy.” Ava almost screams. “Glad that you survived.” Kai jokes and Liam nods. “I feared that you found another body.” I title my head “I’m not that bad.” I don’t get an answer just three unimpressed faces. Deciding to not deal with this I go and look for things that could help with the investigation.

Ava and Liam start talking again and Kai goes back on his phone. I finally had some peace and quiet. Of course the universe hates me so I hear a voice. “It’s that guy over there.” It was Ethan. “Why is he next to a dead body?” A second voice which I don’t recognize asks. I don’t want to turn around however accepting my fate I go over to them. There is indeed Ethan standing next to a girl with brown and pink hair. She looks pretty cool. “You can’t be here this is a crime scene.” The same officer which was talking to me earlier was now talking to Ethan and the unknown girl. He was still talking in that voice which makes me regret throwing the metal pipe away.

“What are you doing here?” I join them. Mostly because I fear that I might have to deal with a second corpse if that girl’s expression is saying anything. “Hello Ermine!” Ethan was waving at me enthusiastically. I don’t want to know. You look like you ate a lemon the voices laugh. “Ermine?” Liam looks to me for an explanation. Something must have shown that I was just as clueless because he didn’t look to me for an explanation anymore. “Those things are really cute.” Kai joins he showes us all photos of ermines. Apparently, he got curious and googled. “I think it fits you.” A second later Kais cheeks seem to heat up in embarrassment. He blushes really easily. You are not better the voices say. Fucking traitors. That’s not true.

“Omg they are cute! I can totally see it. You both also got white hair.” Ava squeals. “Did you dye your hair?” Liam asks me. What is it with everyone and my hair today. “The blue strands are dyed the white is not.” “It looks nice.” “Thanks” Thank fuck Ava kidnapped Liam or I would have lost my sanity. You already did the voices say with pity. Acting like it isn’t your fault, assholes I cuss back. Ethan adds his own opinion “They both have white hair and ermines are known for looking harmless but they are capable of killing threats way bigger than them.” I decide to not react to that statement. “Who are you two?” Kai eyes them with suspicion. He looks even more hostile then when Liam first joined us.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“I have to ask you to leave since this is a crime scene.” The police officer who I have completely forgotten existed pushes us away until we left. We are now just standing in front of some shop. “Did you adopt some strays. You usualy are not the type to pick up random people.” Ava hangs from my shoulders. Though she quickly decides that Liam is a better target. “I’m Ethan, nice to meet you.” “I’m Myra” Well I at least know her name now. It was a weird to constantly to refer to her as the girl. “I’m Ava! It’s nice to meet you too.” “Hello I’m Liam.” “Kai.” “I’m Noah.” Ava still has too much energy. “How do you know each other?” “I don’t know him.” Myra says her voices is monotone. Though I think that's her default way of speaking.

“He helped me.” Ethan says he looks a bit like a puppy. Ava gasps dramatically “Oh my, how nice you are! I can’t believe my little baby brother is all grown up. Finally going around and socalizing on his own.” “We are the same age.” We both punch each other. I didn't even do anything! Why am I getting punched? Kai looks at me. “What did you do?” “Why are you asking me like I did something wrong.” Before our conversation could continue Ethan injected “He just suddendly appeared, you know! He knew things about-” I slapped a hand over his mouth. Everyone seems perplexed by my action except for Myra. It’s like she is looking into my soul. “I think we should leave. Don’t you have kick boxing today, Ava?” Said girl suddenly jumped. She forgot again? That must be a new record the voices laugh. “You are right! What would I do without you.” Ava fake cries using my clothes to dry non-existent tears.

“You are joining me today.” She declares to Liam before running off. Even though she seemed a bit hesitant it appears that she wants to spend quality time with Liam. If you ask me, I’m not sure how good using someone as punching bag is to strengthen a friendship however I also think she has some pend up frustration. Looking to the side I notice Kai looking uneasy. He catches my eyes and opens his mouth but gets interrupted by a phone call. “Wait a second please.” Kai goes a bit away also very hesitant to do so. “Would you like to join us at a café?” Myra asks me. I don’t think she blinked even once the voices seem to shake. Stranger danger is apparently no longer a thing. “No thank you. I still have some things I need to do.” I will try to stay polite and just run. “We would pay and you could get whatever you like.”

Before anything else happens I want to say that free food is worth the possibility of getting stabbed. While my family doesn't struggle with money, especially since they started to work more to avoid me, getting free things doesn't hurt. Most of the time. In addition the café is really good. “How is it?” Ethan leans towards me when asking this question. If he were a dog his tail would be hitting something from the aggressive swinging. It’s almost like he has stars in his eyes. How did I get here again? This is your own fault for going with strangers the voices chastise me. However they are perfect targets for pranks just imagine- As soon as they started going on their usual rant I tune them out. “You are distracted.” Myra notes. I turn my attention to her. “Sorry.” I get no other answer. Ethan on the other hand is still talking about something. “I really like animals. I immediately thought of ermines when I saw you because while they are cute you don’t want to be their enemy. They are known for being ferocious hunters.” Myra then decides to add “Also you both are small.” “My hight is perfectly normal thank you.” I feel offended by the following silence.

“Anyways did you know that weasels and ermines are the same thing since they both are genus Mustela. Other animals who are part of this family are mink, polecats-“ he suddenly cuts himself off. “I was rambling, sorry.” “It’s fine.” I don’t really care while it can be overwhelming I’m quite used to it because of Ava. Myra looks like she softened a little though she looks just as dead as before. So I could be mistaken. “You can continue if you like, Ethan.” She didn’t even finish talking when Ethan lights up and starts to name more animals of the Mustelidae family. “All that aside you are almost like an all knowing god!” Now that escalated. He knows talent when he sees it the voices arrogantly agree. All I know is that I either need patience or a gun. If there truly is a god out there please help me. All that aside how did he jump to that conclusion the things I knew weren't that strange, right? “And what you did to those guys! I wish I could defend myself. No one ever comes to that alley so I was really surprised when you showed up. You knew I was there, didn’t you?” I look to Myra for help but she doesn’t help. I take everything good I said about her back. “It truly is a miracle that you were there. You also seemed to know Ethan before hand.” You weren’t even there!

How did this happen? "I think I should leave." and you should get help. Ethan doesn't stop. "I know it seems weird but I'm sure you know more than you admit. I can't really explain it but I know more than I should too. Though probably in a different sense than you." The voices are something too. It's too loud. Ethan isn't making any sense and Myras gaze is giving me the creeps. It's not a threatening or harmful situation but I want to leave. This is Ryans cafe, right? Why am I not sure. I know I checked. Bro is getting double amnesia the voices say. Not. Helpful.

I can leave. They aren't holding me down and don't seem like they would restrain me. So why am I not fucking moving?! Am I even breathing. Why is everyone talking? "-nah. Noah!" That's Alex. Why and how is he here? "Alex?" "I was nearby and saw you. If you were about to leave I could bring you home." Alex offers me. Thank fuck. I will never complain about Alex messing up my hair again. I realize I still need to talk so I force my mouth open. "That's perfect I was just about to leave" I grab my stuff and walk away. My hands hurt a bit seems like I unconsciously gripped my clothes. "Wait! Here" Ethan hands out a paper with a number on it. It's his. Alex takes it for me and give a strained and obviously fake smile before leaving without saying a single word to the duo. Sometimes I wonder how they are related the voices muse. Ethan and Myra look similar so I already assumed that they were related- Wait you met them today why are you surprised. "You okay?" Alex forces me out of my thoughts. "I'm fine." "Sure you are. So do you look like you got hit by a car in purpose or?" "At least I don't look like an emo." Alex hits me on the back of my head. "How many times do I have to tell you I'm not an emo. Do you need glasses?" I hit him back. "Not as desperately as you."

"Who was that boy?" Alex asks me. His eyes look weirdly cold. "Just some random guy I met. His name is Ethan." Alex hums before stopping. "First of all you socialized?" Can people stop being surprised by that. I socialize for fucks sake. "Don't give me that look. I had to pry open your mouth when we first met so that would talk to me." Asshole. "Second of all Stranger Danger. Ever heard of that?" "Ever heard of not looking like an emo." "Do you have any other insults?" "Do you have any clothes that aren't black?" "Next time I won't help you." "Sure you won't" Alex takes a deep breath. "Back to the important topic." I hoped he would forget about that. "I don't think you should hang out with that boy." Alex looks serious. "Besides why would you go to a café with him?" Because free food. Was it worth it? the voices ask. Yes, it was. "It doesn't matter, what happened happened." "Noah I mean it when I say that you should stay away from him." What does Alex have against him? and why only Ethan? Did he not notice Myra. No, I'm sure he did.

"Don't worry I'm not planning on meeting with them anytime soon." Despite still looking worried Alex finally drops it. You should totally meet with them again the voices disagree. To be honest the first meeting wasn't great. I would prefer to stay away from them. NOOO the voices whine. I wince. Alex notices and looks at me. "It's nothing." Alex opens his mouth to say something but I scream. "IS THAT A CAT!" That idiot turns around. I run past him and steal the piece of paper, which Ethan gave him, from him. That moron didn't even notice. "See you on Monday!" I tell him and then run to my house. It wasn't far but I will regret this tomorrow.