Oden made his way into the bedroom, buried under the dusk, only to be seen with every flash of lightning from the uncovered window. The blade in his hand was concealed from the light with its weathered matted sides, walking soundless. In Oden’s thoughts, it didn’t matter what the attention he received was going to be, as long as it was recognition—recognition for doing the good or bad deed—he wouldn’t know until after the fact. The voices of everyone had to be blocked out once it was finished, only to focus on Her response, and if it was negative, may his life be over for all he cared. On this night, Justin has easily drifted under, and it was Adius who had not. This certain feeling told Adius he shouldn’t have it easy tonight, and that he should be alert as if he were doing his job. Now, he sensed Oden. He knew they had broken in to enact something; he knew this had been bound to happen, and he lay silent. He guised his stiffened muscles for relaxed ones as he felt Oden creep closer to the side of the bed. Justin’s side.

  Oden had always been strict about the amended rules whilst residing in Orycto, the ones put into effect ever since the War: No unnecessary or unfit use of sensing abilities, No unjust violence, No collaboration with other kingdoms against your Residing... These were ones that came to him before; now his mind was blank. The ever-loving community he had been ingrained in since birth, and they always kept their doors unlocked.

  Adius touched Justin, administering him adenosine, to ensure he wouldn’t wake and putting him into a deeper sleep.

  Oden saw the two motionless, with Adius lying on his right side, and the thing facing the same direction. He couldn’t pin any thought the think, but at last he reached the bedside. I’ll run, he thought, hard and deeply. Oden shortly hesitated. It will be over before it started. He’d come here to do this. He raised one arm quickly over his head, the knife faintly glistening. But as fast as he had ascended, he was stunned.

  Adius had shot around and up, pushing Oden hard with an outstretched hand, dealing them a message to their brain. Oden’s entire body contracted, as if he had touched an electric fence. His heart burst out of his chest as he dropping the blade and stumbled backwards, falling. The scarred rabbit panted from shock and vague pain as he lie on the floor, catching his breath. And the knife hit just as he did, bouncing erratically and clattering. Adius leapt out of bed. Words couldn’t describe how angry they were.

  “ODEN! What-!” Adius was stopped by the realization of the sound the weapon had made, hitting the floor as it settled. He quickly looked at Oden. “You tried to-!”

  “For the GOOD OF ORYCTO!” Oden heaved out, “He’s dangerous! You don’t know what you’re doing! Keeping them here!”

  Adius’ face was boiling. “You have no right to rid Justin of life!!” Adius began to choke as he said this. “I am going to Her Grace, and I am having you restrained!”

  “It’s no use!” Oden even still finally caught his breath as he sat up; his intentionous expression all the while locked with Adius’ dread, “She’s on my side! That’s why she took away your duties!” He staggered to his feet with purpose, immodesty and indignation, knowing deep down that his business here had failed. And now, he stared at his enemy in the flesh, both of them as one. Oden spoke again, letting his corrupted view spread out into the room.

  “Everyone will be saved when he’s dead!”

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  “GET OUT OF HERE!!” Adius screamed, and Oden did just as he should have done right as it has failed. He ran.

  Adius crumpled back into his bed, thankful that his handling of the situation has worked, and Justin was still asleep. Not only was he shaken, but now he fought whether to tell Justin of the thought that they could be dead. He sweated, lying on his back, before turning to face his friend, half-curling into a ball beside them. Before long he physically shook after everything had sank in, and he was left to his own devices. An hour later, Justin awoke, Adius staring back at him.

  “Are you okay?” Justin asked.

  Adius’ shaking started up again immediately after hearing him, “Not me... but I’m glad you are.” He mumbled.

  “What do you mean?”

  Adius, using all his honestly, told him of the attack. He couldn’t hide this from Justin, and he knew it would break their trust. Adius watched as their heart grew heavy through their skin.

  Despite Justin’s thankfulness, he chose to be left alone in the end, pushing their savior away. Adius felt a sense of guilt, but he knew Justin would come around. More storm clouds rolled in, and each raindrop grew more distinct from one another.

  Justin’s paralyzed dropped far into the mattress, and his eyes widened from the bottom of the deep hole. The opening shown a shifting black mass, who gleefully threw knives down into the pit, some of them piercing his body with their newly smithened sharp metal and their warm handles. Every blade which stuck into him stung and felt warm, and the warmth would grow, not knowing if it was the blades itself or blood. He was not able to look down onto his body. He could only feel as they entered in quick succession. Without warning, Justin screamed, though he didn’t know what for.

  Justin opened his eyes again, and felt Adius wrapped around him, with the quilt swaddling at his waist.

  “Get off!” Justin yelled out. He’d been clear before.

  Adius jolted awake himself, “Ah! Sorry! I thought...”

  “Leave me alone!”

  “I just want to help you!”

  Something clicked inside of Justin. “Don’t touch me! Don’t do that shit! Stop manipulating me!!” Adius couldn’t get a word out, “Use your shit to take me home now!!” Justin stared for a brief moment before throwing himself down onto the bed facing away.

  Adius sat silent for a while, “I can’t...” He admitted, “I can’t take you back...” The silence drew out for a few more moments, “I need you to hear me when I say, I want you to be as comfortable as possible... I know...” He trailed off, knowing he shouldn’t say their name, “They did what they did, but you’re here! You’re alive! ...I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. I’ll leave you alone.”

  Justin drowned in his pool of self-depreciation while the rabbit stayed true to their word. Adius didn’t sense anything, forcing himself to ignore it.