Sighing softly and pausing just before reaching the edge of the forest that acted as a shortcut, Rayne crouched down and gently ran her pale fingers trough black-white fur. cobalt-blue eyes met warm ice-blue before a rough tongue gently swiped along her left cheek. "I know girl, now on home you go." Rayne stated softly, rising to her feet and gesturing with her left hand towards the now well-worn path they traveled. A whine of protest escaped into the slightly frigid air, Rayne reached forward and gently wrapped her fingers around the warm snout. She shook it gently before letting go, another lick was placed on her wrist before her dog turned and began to trot home, tail high in the air. Shaking her head in amusement, Rayne turned and glance both ways before crossing the street that separated the forest from the school before it, her black boots softly thudding on the concrete as she nears the building that was as much a place of education as it was hell.

Tucking her hands into the front pockets of her gray jacket, Rayne dodged around a group of cheerleaders and continued on her way, her cobalt-blue eyes scanning the halls as she absently allows her whirling mind to shuffle through the blurry images of the nightmare that woke her up last night. She could make out white wings and light so bright it seemed to rival the sun's brightness, the feel of something gritty clinging to skin as screams and snarls fill the air around the blurry image of a girl in white, a boy standing before her as it to protect her. Rayne blinked twice and shook the images away, her feet automatically guiding her to the first class of the day, her heavy eyes blinking once more as she passes through the door and pauses long enough to scan the room and spot a seat near the window.

She wondered briefly if she'd be able to doze off for a bit, the good thing about being awake before anyone else usually meant that she could easily dress and leave before anyone offered to drive her to school. She refused the bus idea when it was posed with a vehement shake of her head and and pointed look at her older brother. He'd only raised his hands and stated that Essa was to go with her. That was the deal, she could leave early if she chose but Essa was to follow and a note left on the fridge for her parents. Absently tugging her sketchbook out of her messenger bag, Rayne began to draw, her cobalt eyes focusing on the darkening sky above as the sounds and voices faded to nothing around her. @SomeoneSomewere

Xavier awoke to the feel of paws pressing against his chest, licks running over his face and chin. He grimaced, pressing the dogs face away from him. He grumbled," stop Leo, get off!" He slowly sat up, running a hand through his wild and crazy hair with a grumble. He slowly got up, avoiding the wiggling and happy dog around his legs. He was sure that Leo was a puppy still, despite being several years old. He was way too happy in the morning. He snatched a shirt from his dresser, tugging it on over his head with a yawn. He trudged downstairs, his footfalls heavy on the ground. Walking over to the backdoor, unlatching the dog door, before grabbing the water and food bowl from its mat. Filling both up, he returned upstairs.

After a quick shower, he tugged on clean clothes, letting his fingers drift over the scars on his arms. He still wondered what they were from. Running his hands through his hair to ensure that his hair looked decent, he once again clomped downstairs. After grabbing a quick snack, he left out the garage door, hoping on his motorcycle and turning it on. Rolling out, he tore off down the street, heading towards his least favorite part of every day.

School.

He got off his motorcycle before walking inside, looking around briefly before heading to his first class. He was almost late, but he generally always arrived at this time. Entering the class, he gazed around for the empty seats, and spotting one next to a girl by a window. He walked over, easily dodging around desks and backpacks, before sitting.

A startled gasp sounded from him when his eyes laid sight on the picture she was drawing, his heart pounding in his chest. That looked exactly like he place that he had seen in his dreams, over and over. He then let out a slight hiss of pain, his hand flying to the scars on his arms as pain radiated through his arm and back. @Arista

Rayne blinked slowly and jerked her gaze away from the window, the hiss drawing her attention. Glancing dorm she noted that while her mind had wandered her hand had taken to drawing of its own accord. Glancing up at the male and noticing how tightly he clutched hid arms, she places her pencil down and shifts her gaze away to check the time. Class would be starting soon.

"Are you alright?" She asked quietly, a strange ache began in her chest and her hand reached up to rub just above her collarbone. For some reason this male, who she didn't know nor cared to know, had her full attention. Her eyes drifted back to sheet she'd been drawing on ad found the same scene that filled so many of her other notebooks.

A faded kingdom seemed to be the focal point, smoke rose in thick clouds as ash fell from the sky. Creatures of Shadows seemed to be in mid-attack position with their clawed hands reaching out. Before the creatures were two figures, their forms were faded but Rayne could make out the small form of a girl and a boy. She never got past this part, it seemed to her that her dreams changed slightly but her drawing of them remained the same. She wondered briefly why that was, she closed her notebook and focused back to the male standing statue still be of her desk. @SomeoneSomewere

His eyes flashed over the drawing on her desk, confusion clear on his face. How did she know what he had seen in his dreams? His eyebrows furrowed, grimacing slightly again, the pain worsening the more that he thought about this. He slowly sat down, rubbing his arm, nodding in reaction to her question. "Yeah I'm fine. Just some uh... Old injuries acting up." He moved his hand slowly from his arm, his muscles twitching slightly.

He looked over as she closed her notebook before saying slowly," where did you get that scene from?" He studied her face, his eyebrows drawing closer together again. He wasn't sure of what was going on, or why this was making him hurt, but there was something significant with it. @Arista

Her eyes shifted from her closed notebook to the others face, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she leaned back in her chair shrugged her shoulders. She should of called in sick today, no one would of noticed or cared.

"Dreams. Mostly the same one every night since I can remember." She offers him after a few moments of silence, the bell ringing as the last word left her lips causes her to wince sightly. And there went the chance to try to get a fee mmoments of rest before class, turning pointedly away from the male she slipped her sketchbook back into her pocket before tugging out her Calculus textbook.

She was going to make it through this day, winter break was only a few days away, she could do this. @SomeoneSomewere

He looked down at the desk, taking a sharp inhalation. He rested his face in his hands, shaking his head very slightly. There was no way on earth he was going to be able to focus, in calculus no less. He let out a puff of air, absentmindedly running his fingers over the scars on his arms. The ones on his back were much less noticeable, they twinged in pain, but the arm was the easiest to react to and try to diminish. There was no way he could tell her how he saw the exact same thing in his sleep, just from a different perspective.

His fingers rubbed at his temples, feeling the headache setting in. Like little people were taking hammers to the front part of his head. He looked up at the board, before blinking in confusion. He zoned out for too long, and now he didn't have a clue what on earth the teacher was talking about. Story of his life. @Arista

Eyes flicking from the board to the male who sat quietly in the desk beside her own, gray-blue eyes narrowed before glancing away. His reaction to her drawings was odd and for some reason she wanted to comfort him. They just met and she wanted to soothe him and she didn't know why. Rising to her feet and taking off the moment the bell rang, booted feet absently guided her to her next class.

The notebook she'd tucked under her arm seemed to weigh heavily as she entered her Art class. Sighing softly and taking her seat, she absently places her sketchbook on her desk and takes a few moments to breath. She knew she shouldn't of come today, people were acting odd. @SomeoneSomewere

He slowly rose from the desk as the bell rang, confusion causing his eyebrows to furrow together. He didn't understand. And he felt oddly connected to her. He wasn't going to his next class. Decision was made. He wouldn't be able to focus. He collected his bag, before disappearing down the hall, heading to his secret retreat. He just hoped his father wouldn't be home soon to hear about his ditching. Entering into the library, he slipped along the wall and to a darker part, sitting down on the ground with his back against a bookshelf. Reaching to his side, he untucked a book from behind some others, before opening it. Several pages had his writing on it.

He collected his pencil, starting from where he last left off. He would continue like he always did, write as much as he could about what happens in his dreams until the pain wins over and he could no longer write about the situation. Several of the pages had this exact same process on it, but simply from slightly different situations that he had experienced. @Arista

The rest of class dragged on, gray-blue eyes distant and hazy as Rayne rose to her feet and made for her next class. The hand that fell on her shoulder stilled her just as she turned to head up the stairs to the roof, half-turning she found two boys and a girl standing behind her. Pain flared up her shoulder as the fingers holding it tightened, her stomach rolled and after taking a deep breath, she took off running. A frantic urge to get away, to hide, to be far away from the three that were chasing her.

This was a fear she'd never felt before, her shoulder stung from where she'd been held, glancing down as she ran she noticed that red was slowly coloring her gray shift. Forcing herself to keep moving even as she passed the Nurse's office, Rayne skidded around a corner and yelped when a large hand shoved against her side. Hissing when her back hit the wall, she rose and blinked the black spots from her vision, her stomach rolling unpleasantly as she focused on the male before her. H

He was a transfer student along with the other two she'd seen before she'd taken off, he couldn't recall from where but that they were parole for something or other. "What do you want?" She asked warily as she rose to her feet, his head tilted to the side and a grin began to spread across his lips. His blonde hair swayed as he shook his head and his pale fingers twitched at his sides as he took another step forward. Rayne grit her teeth and shifted her weight from one foot to another, her side was matching the burning that still radiated from her shoulder.

"Nothung really. Just to...verify something." His voice was sort and smooth, an accent clear as his words filled Rayne's ears, eyes scanning the empty halls she silently debates her options. When the boy moved another step closer, Rayne took her chance and ducked under him, dodging his grabbing fingers and taking off down the hall once more. His touch burned her skin, rounding amother corner, her booted feet guided her up a flight of stairs and towards the library. Glancing back and nearly coming to a halt at the fact that no one was behind her, she turned forward and nearly slammed into him. Skidding and missing his hands, she enters the library and is glad that the Librarian is away on leave for her new baby's recent birth. She stops behind a row of books and glancea down, her lips thinning as a hiss escapes into the air, her chest heaving with shallow breathes. Her side is sliced open and her shoulder was openly bleeding, after lifting her shirt, she finds another deep cut matching the one on her side. She slide down the shelf and winces when both cuts protest and a wave of nausea hits her stomach, the cuts were deep though not life threatening.

She focused on regulating her breathing, her head falling to rest against the books as her ears strain to hear for footsteps. @SomeoneSomewere

A grimace filled his expression, his head tilting back against the bookshelf with a grunt. His entire arm ached in pain. He looked at the progress he was able to make, and it wasn't much. He let out a slight groan, setting the book down in front of him before resting his elbows on his knees. He didn't understand, why did this cause in this pain? It wasn't logical and it didn't make sense. A puff of air escaped him as he closed the book with a low grumble, sliding it carefully back into its hiding black behind the others. He rather is not be known that he wrote, or even what he wrote about. Resting for a few minutes longer, he let his eyes drift close, taking a brief rest.

A way to brief rest. He jumped awake, startled at the sound of the door to the library bursting open. Since when is anyone in such a hurry to get to the library. He turned, rising up on his heels, looking towards the door that the sound came from. He say the shape of a person dashing away, and another frown colored his face. He crept in the direction of the movement, eyes narrowed. His ears soon picked up on labored breathing, with the obvious sign of trying to control it. A grimace covered his face, such action was one he knew so well. He approached the sound, having between bookshelves and books, until he spotted a figure huddled up against them. Looking closer, he recognized the girl from this morning. What was she doing here? He crept closer, feeling the need to talk quietly, he did so," what on earth is going on?" Just as he finished speaking, he got close enough to see the red coloring that was forming on her shirt. And, with no reason, he felt the sudden urge to protect her. He had only just met her. He didn't understand it. He clamped down on his thoughts, waiting for an explanation. @Arista

Rayne jerked up to her feet so fast her head apun, swallowing the nausea filling her stomach, gray-blue eyes focused on the male Berkey her. Body relaxing completely at noticing that it wasn't the other male, Rayne clamped her teeth over her bottom lip. Should she? When she didn't know this male?

"I-I don't...I was heading to class when one of the new transfer students grabbed my shoulder. I bolted and just noticed that he'd somehow slashed it when he suddenly appeared around the corner I'd just turned and slammed his palm into my side. He-he said that he j-just needed to v-verify s-so-something." Her words were halted and choked, her knees trembled as her heart thundered in her chest. This wasn't good, if she didn't calm down she'd have a panic attack, fingers gripping her side just under the wound, she blinked in surprise when she noticed her backpack missing. She remembered dully that she'd tossed it as she'd taken off, eyes squeezing shut she tried to calm her breathing and heart. The sudden sound of the library door opening had her whole body stilling, the soft thuds of shoes on carpet filled the silence.

"I didn't mean to scare you...I just need to see if your bleeding. Are you? Can I see?" His tone was curious and held a tone of glee, Rayne's knees buckled as the open wounds suddenly began to burn. Her lips parted in a silent scream as laughter filled the air, pain like no other she'd ever felt filled her with terror as her vision faded and a half-choked sob escaped her lips. @SomeoneSomewere

He quickly moved over to her," heyhey, hey, its ok, just try to take some deep breaths. He tugged off his jacket, using it to press into the wound to attempt to stop or at least slow the bleeding from it. During this time he was thinking, a frown forming on his face. How could a person do this much damage, and why? He didn't have much time to think, because at that very moment the door was slammed open. He turned, gazing out towards the door and seeing the figure in the light. He stood up, leaving his jacket with her and approaching the guy who was taking way too much happiness from this. A small shudder ran through his body. He positioned himself between them, narrowing his eyes dangerously. He placed his hand out to the man, not wanting him any closer.

He felt a tingle in the back of his brain, like he'd been in almost this exact situation before. He shoved it away, he didn't have time to think about that. He spoke, his voice harsh," do not come a step closer, I suggest you leave now, and do not come back here or anywhere near her or you will pay the consequences." His eyes flashed dangerously, the dark scar on his arm catching the light and making it more noticeable then it was before hand.@arista

"And you are?" His voice was flat but the maniacal tone still laced his words. Rayne rose slowly to her feet and gritt her teeth as another wave of heat rose from both wounds, she slowly walked towards the back of the library. Her muddled brain reminding her of the storm that was headed their way, slowly and thankfully reaching the small red box. Rayne's fingers just touched the handle, when the intercom came to life and the voice of their principal filled the air.

The storm has begin, please pack your things and head for the buses. Walkers are asked to please call a parent or ride a bus, enjoy your winter break. Come prepared for next term The boy huffed and stuffed his hands into his pickets, his nostrils flairing as the copper smell of blood filled the air. He grinned and after a glance at the male, turned on his heel and left the library. He knew what she looked low now, the poor angel didn't know what would happen to the wounds if untested.

Rayne turned and made her way back to where the boy stood, her head muddled and tongue heavy. She stopped just behind him and swallowed the nausea rolling in her stomach.

"I'm sorry to have...disturbed you." She offered him softly, her voice sounding odd and weak as she began to move passed him, she was glad that for once her parents were off working and wouldn't see the blood. @SomeoneSomewere

He raised his eyebrows," who I am is not of your concern, but you are leaving now." He continued glaring at the person, on edge, one of his hands curled into fists just in case the male decided to attack. His eyes trailed up to the ceiling at the sound of the intercom beginning, announcing that school was out for the day due to the storm that was starting. He looked back down at the man, eyes narrowing again, but nodding as he turned around and left. Something was up with that guy, and he wanted to figure out what. He turned slightly at the sound of someone approaching, immediately recognizing it as the girl. He turned completely to face her.

"You didn't interrupt me, I was getting ready to leave actually, I couldn't skip two classes in a row. I would be dead if my father got that call and is actually home for once." His smile was stiff, and fake. He wasn't joking. He would wish that he would be dead if that did happen. Swallowing hard, he noticed that she was walking off. He shook his head," hey, I can't just let you go off like that. You'd probably pass out, you look out of it as it is. Let me drive you home, and I can help with that. I've dealt with things like that much more often then I'd care to admit. @Arista

Rayne paused and blinked her heavy eyes at the male, her head shook slowly before stopping as a wave of nausea spiked through her.

"I-I can patch up wounds as well, I just...Essa -my dog- usually waits for me just at the edge of the forest that divides this school from where I live. I can't leave her out their with a storm on the way." Her voice was hoarse and had her wincing after each word, her legs felt like led and her arms lIke rubber. She was glad for once that her parents worked busy jobs and didn't get home until late, Rayne swallowed and offered the male a sheepish smile.

The halls were quieting quickly, the sound of strong winds slamming agains the windows had Rayne's head and body turning back to the doors. She paused through when the opened and her Spanish 4 teacher came in, the elder woman paused and blinked.

"You should be long one Rayne. Off with you now, your friend can take you home if he has a car, your not walking back." Her tone was soft but firm, Rayne stepped forward and found her legs giving, her head spun and her stomach gave a hard flip. She was so tired, she couldn't really move anything to catch her fall, her eyes closed and she focused on breathing and keeping her breakfast. @SomeoneSomewere

He looked at her, worry filling his eyes. He said," I can swing by and pick her up in my car. If my dog, Leo, was out before a storm like this I'd do the exact same thing." As the wind slammed against the windows he swallowed, looking at the windows. The drive would not be a scary one, and he wouldn't want to wait much longer. He heard the door open, and he turned towards it, tensing automatically in reaction. His reaction stopped however once he realized that it was simply a teacher, worried about her safety.

He saw her step, and almost immediately saw her legs began to give, quickly moving to catch her before she hit the ground. He quickly moved her position to where he could pick her up easier, bridal style, and he lifted her up, feeling his hair stand on edge touching her. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could be. He hurried out of the library, walking as quick as he could without causing her any pain, before bursting out into the parking lot. A shiver raked down his spine, quickly walking out to his car before, after a brief struggle, unlocking the doors. Moving to the passenger side, he opened the door with his foot and sat her down, going back to the drivers seat and turning on the car. He opened the trunk then, and got out two items. A box, and a blanket. He entered back into the car, closing the door behind him this time. He took the blanket and used it as a very quick bandage around the wound, something to slow the bleeding until there would be proper time to handle it. @Arista

Rayne blinked and after a moment slowly focused on her surroundings. Her lungs felt tight and the wounds only seemed to bleed more as she sat ztill, gritting her teeth and rolling her good shoulder, she focused on the other boy and gave a firm nod.

"I'll take you up in your offer, we need to get out of the storm and quickly." Pushing him away and hopefully towards the drivers side, Rayne leaned her head out and after cupping both hands around her mouth, whistled sharply into the howling winds.

The sound of paws and a bark answered her immediately, Essa didn't pause as she skillfully jumped onto the truck and hunkered down. Rayne smiled weakly and closed her eyes, she felt dizzy and sick to her stomach. @SomeoneSomewere

Xavier nodded, jumping into his seat and quickly driving off as fast as he would dare. He glanced at her worriedly, he could tell she was going downhill quickly, she needed serious medical attention, and fast. He grimaced, carefully taking the turns so he wouldn't loose control of the car. He took a deep breath before pulling up and into his garage. The deep barks of a highly protective dog rang out, and as Xavier hopped out he let out a short whistle, the barking quieting. He hurried over to the passenger door and helped her get out, prepared to support all of her weight if need be. @Arista

Essa jumped down and shook out her body, her ears perking up and a soft woof escaping her muzzle before she focused upwards. Rayne hissed softly and blinked her eyes open, swallowing and moving gingerly, she manages to slide out of her seat. When she lands on her feet however, she has to grab for the arms that are held out towards her, her stomach protesting all the while.

"Inside." She manages to grit out, Essa whines and rubs her side against Rayne's, her finger twitch slightly at her side. A sudden frigid gust of air as Rayne stiffening and Essa moving towards the front door. Rayne doesn't want to move anymore, but staying outside with dripping temperatures with the condition she was in wasn't an option. She steels herself and squeezes one of the boys arms, she won't be able to do this without his help. @SomeoneSomewere

Xavier looked at the poor girl, and quickly moved, lifting her into his arms. So what if he got her blood on him, he didn't overly care at this point in time, he was more worried about her health and safety. Shoving open the door, he was wildly greated by Leo about his owner. With a grunt, however, the dog quit the wildly running, beginning to understand that something slightly more serious was going on.

Walking inside, he quickly laid her down on a couch, snatching a blanket off of a chair and throwing it over her lower body. He said, his words fast," I'll be right back. I need some stuff." He sprinted off, clambering up the stairs into his room, grabbing a red bag from inside before nearly jumping down the stairs. Crouching beside her, he opened the bag, showing it to be full of medical supplies. He grabbed some supplies, before cutting away part of her shirt with trauma shears, doing his best however to leave her covered. Grabbing a towel, he tried to wipe away some of the blood, attempting to get an idea of what exactly he was dealing with. @Arista