#Im upset so I write for Welt

[myfanfic-urfantrash]

When things go wrong write for Welt

He surrounds them with the blanket before drawing them under his chin. Pressing a kiss to their forehead he sighs. "Not everything goes to plan but that doesn't mean you can't be upset about it."

He rubs their back frowning as they sniffle and wipe at their eyes angrily. He kisses their head this time rubbing their arm through the blanket. "Go ahead and let it all out I'll be here."

[patchesproblem]

do you have any spare hcs abt karl or joyce 😭 im starved

YES I DO ACTUALLY!!! I think about those two sm like you don't even understand. I really need to talk about them more, tbh.

I have A Lot to say, so sorry in advance for my nonsensical ramblings.

Actual answer under the cut

OKAY SO!! Starting with our favorite pathetic bean sprout.

I'll separate the au hc's and actual main universe hcs just to keep everything semi understandable. It'll have HC's for relationships with Karl, Planck, Einslas, etc. Also including Elysia and Joffrey because siblings can't be separated <3

AU headcanons:

Joyce is smarter than he gives himself credit for. I'm being serious when I say this. It doesn't express itself as obviously as the Einslas, but that's only because his strengths are in other areas. While the Einslas are extremely smart when it comes to STEM, I feel as if Joyce's strong suit is more in creativity. It's hard to exaplain, but think writing / reading and all that. He enjoys learning new information about things he likes (examples include astrology, writing, etc.) and he will often be able to remember details that others normally wouldn't.

He probably spent a lot of his childhood reading stories, and was probably ahead of his grades reading level. He didn't really have many friends because he has social issues, despite the fact a lot of people did actually like him. He just knew a lot of people, but he wasn't really able to form any close friendships until his insane scientist bestie came along. Though that was partially because he just was awkward and didn't know how to talk to others. Was worried he'd come off as weird or get bullied for his interests.

Tesla probably comes to him sometimes to ask for help with her own writing, actually. Although he doesn't write much himself, he's somehow one of the best people to ask for advice LMAO. They probably bonded over their shared passions, even if they are technically different. (Different in the sense of she's into writing, and he's into reading. They go together hand in hand. Idk I just feel like it's a cute little thing. Besties and siblings <33) He also probably proof reads her stuff occasionally when Einsteins too busy to, though he might've had a few objects thrown at him at some points. He also gives her advice / ideas.

Has a fear of people leaving him bc his parents just kinda. Disappeared leaving him with Karl and Emma as his care takers, and Elyisa eventually left soon after because she got married to Eden and all that. Then when Einstein left with Planck it just kinda destroyed him. He's not upset with them, he's actually really happy for them. Though it gets lonely and he's afraid that he'll get replaced (haha Joachim haha. Sorry.)

Probably really close with Joffrey tbh. Does anything in his power to make sure his little brother has a good childhood. He reads to him A Lot, and actively engages in his ideas. For example: if he has an idea to make something Joyce will help him make it. He also encourages him to pursue his own interests even if it's a one off thing. He'll often draw / write with him too. He's very proud of him

Karl is basically his dad at this point. He doesn't treat him as his nephew, but instead he treats him as if he was his own son in a sense. He's extremely proud of him and that someday he'll make a positive impact on the world. Joyce looks up to him heavily, and wants to follow in his foot steps once he gets older.

When Ein originally came he was terrified of her LMAO. She was an absolute menace as a child and lived up to Karl calling her a brat. He was relentlessly teased and messed with by this tiny goblin who could turn on the water works at any second if she felt like it. She still actually is the reason he's called Welt. Though it's because he's the clumsiest mf in the world, so dual meaning there.

She's actually one of his first actual friends, and partially responsible for his love of space. How they became friends is blurry just because it's more of a "she won't be leaving I need to learn to survive" but despite being eccentric, he eventually came to see her as his bestie / sister. Though he's still absolutely terrified of her. He still has zero clue what goes on in her head and that's terrifying to him.

He's absolutely terrified of Tesla too. Both his besties scare him half to death and he's convinced one of these days they're going to be the reason he gets killed, but that won't happen surely. They're at each others throats constantly, and would probably be those two people threatening to kill the other in a waffle house at two in the morning. They want to throw each other through a wall, but also trust each other with their lives. The only man Tesla remotely tolerates along with Karl. They have sibling energy and you can pry it out of my cold dead hands.

Him and Elysia also probably used to be really close. She cares about him deeply, and would drop anything at a moments notice to help him if he needed it. Though she also does tease him often, as a big sister should. Eden acts as a parental figure towards him as well. They both met when he was young, and he grew up with her around a lot so he just started looking up to her tbh.

He originally goes to Lab 42 to become Einslas assistant while he went to university there, and would help them with stuff similar to how he helped out in canon. Though Tesla basically said "Fuck you, we're your superiors now so you'll refer to us as Dr. Tesla and Dr. Einstein now!" and that's how he started calling Einstein Ein lmao. Tes wasn't amused.

They also drag his ass to Alaska. He never wanted to go on work related trips with them after that.

He's terrified of Planck. That's all. He's terrified. Her constant midlife crisis scares him.

Okay so for non AU headcannons:

Tes and Ein 100% got together in private and planned how to torment him. Just Trust Me on this. They were feeling a little bit silly and goofy and just coordinated together on how to torment him next.

Him and Tes' relationship is a little bit different in the main universe, for obvious reasons. Though they stay besties and have sibling energy. Neither of them trusted each other at first. Tes didn't trust Joyce because 1. He's a man 2. He's a man 3. He's a man and 4. She was scared he'd hurt Ein (was also just jealous and scared she'd pay less attention to her but yanno), and Joyce didn't trust Tesla because she's an angry redhead who would probably kill a man if given the chance. Didn't help that she threatened his life and threatened to castrate him within the first minute of meeting him, but yanno it be like that sometimes.

Over time Tes begrudgingly accepted that he wasn't going anywhere for awhile and that she should probably get used to it. While Eins was out they probably were forced to bond, and eventually Tesla realized that maybe he wasn't as bad as she originally thought and slowly began to trust him. Honestly they were best friends by the time he just decided to die like a pathetic person on them. He'd stay up to make sure she got home okay and alive, and he eventually just became her rambling buddy. AKA Einstein was asleep and she just went on long nonsensical ramblings to Joyce while he just went "uh huh.. interesting.. they did what now?"

Probably admitted some embarrassing things to him in all honesty. Though he'd never be able to tell anyone that considering she herself didn't even remember telling him half the stuff she did, and even if she did she'd actually kill him if he said anything about it. Not like he really wanted to, anyways. Was just happy she was willing to talk to him and didn't completely hate him tbh. Was also happy that he could be there for her considering his whole depression thing and knowing how horrible it was to not have someone there for you.

Though she also always cared and worried about him. Her and Ein had read his 'profile' beforehand, and Tesla immediately was scared and concerned when she realized he quite literally was diagnosed with severe depression. Though she'd never admit that and would prefer to pretend she just found him annoying and pathetic LMAO. At least before his death, after his death is a different story. (AKA she finally admitted years later she cared about him to Einstein and still missed having his dumbass around and constantly had to be held back from nuking Otto off the face of the earth.)

Another note I forgot to add that I'm adding after the fact: He was actually amazed by Tesla's knowledge. Like he knew she was smart, but the extent of it surprised him tbh. Especially after hearing how she didn't even have her degree.

With Ein it's pretty much the same, though she's legitimately just an absolute menace to everyone around her. She intentionally dialed it to ten just to make sure that he was terrified of her and never knew what she was going to do next. She did it just for the funsies tbh. Things were going slow in the lab and as much fun as it is to tease Tesla, it was funny to be able to just bully some random man who had no clue what was happening at any given second. Plus added bonus points for being able to still tease Tesla but making it 100% worse because someone else is around and Tes just gets embarrassed and loses it.

VN is basically two lesbians harass and bully some poor traumatized man for an entire month.

That aside, I feel like him and Joachim got along really well. I like to believe that he took him out sometimes to watch him while Einslas were working, and that Joachim constantly asked the Finn to go see the three. While the Einslas taught him to gaslight gatekeep and girlboss, Joyce taught him actual life lessons and tried to negate the 'damage' the Einslas had done. AKA try to make him stop being even worse than them.

He cared A Lot about Joachim, and probably saw him as his little brother honestly. I feel like they spent a lot of time together, even if it often resulted in Joyce being bullied constantly by three people instead of just two. The explosions also didn't amuse him because he's lame and a coward.

He's terrified of Planck. That's all. He's Terrified.

After his death he intentionally hid from Tesla Einstein and Joachim. He didn't want them to find him, and try to bring him back. He felt like he'd disappointed them all and he felt guilty over what happened, and he was scared they hated him and despised him over what happened. He only shows up for Bronya because he knew that she'd be his successor, and even at that he refused to talk because he didn't want to disappoint her too. Didn't want her getting too attached to him, mainly because he's too scared to hurt yet another person.

Had to end it off depressingly, sorry </3 I'm sure you understand.

Was going to do non AU and AU versions for Karl too but like... He wasn't alive near long enough to even have hcs for the main universe. I've just hit him with the dad beam honestly.

Anyways AU Karl hcs <33

He's a dad. Literally just a dad. Will adopt any insane scientist within a 1000 mile radius.

He met Ein similarly to how he does in canon, and managed to convince her parents to let him and Planck allow her to continue her studies at a college level. Ever since then he's basically become her dad, and that's how she views him. Has accidentally called him dad before.

For a majority of the time he was one of Eins main mentors, though as time went on and he became more busy, Planck began to become her teacher.

He's awkward, and is kinda oblivious. Very Oblivious. He tends to not over think peoples words, and doesn't even think that there's a second meaning in most circumstances.

For the most part he's extremely dedicated to his work, and has issues with accidentally over working himself. All he wants to do is help others, even if it causes himself issues. He's often extremely busy and running about.

Though he also is extremely dedicated to his family and cares about them more than anything. If ANY of them needed anything, including Tesla, he'd drop whatever he was doing to make sure that his family is okay. He loves them all.

I'll have to add more later, but a lot of my thoughts have simply disappeared. I'll dm you on discord when I put more for Karl LMAO.

[benhardyisdaddy]

Royal Protection - Part 10

MASTERLIST 

(ooof hello ily im sorry) 

Word Count: 1,356

The figure became visible and you knew exactly who it was. Your heart fell as their face was lit up by the bright light above you. 

“Claire?” you barely whisper. 

Her face was twisted up with regret and fear. Tears were welt up in her eyes as she takes a step forward, causing you to flinch back. She stops and opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. You begin to shake as you feel your head pounding. You have so many thoughts running through it right now, you don’t know what to do. 

“I don’t understand what’s happening.” you say as you lean your head forward. 

“I’m so sorry.” she says fast. “I didn’t want to do this. Please believe me. It wasn’t my idea!”

Your eyebrows knit together as you try to wrap your head around everything that’s happening. 

“If it wasn’t your idea, then explain to me why I’m tied up to a bloody chair!” you scream out of anger. 

You were breathing hard and your face was red. You were beyond angry at the situation. Claire had slightly jumped when your voice raised. 

“He made me befriend you!” she explains. “He had this whole thing planned from the beginning!” 

“Who!?” you scream. 

“I can’t tell you!” she yells back. “I-I wish I could. I’m so sorry.” 

You catch your breath as you look down at the floor and feel yourself beginning to sob. 

***

“Are you sure that’s where the phone says she is!?” 

Ben’s sat in the driver's seat of the car as he speeds through busy traffic. He’s on the phone with Lucy as she correctly and accurately pinpoints your exact GPS location. 

“I’m sure!” she says nervously. “Ben, you have to find her. Please.” she begs. 

Ben tenses his jaw and nods. 

“Believe me, I will.” 

“Should-” Lucy drops her voice to a low whisper. “Should I tell everyone? They need to know. We have alliances in the states, they can be there to help you.” 

Ben’s quiet as he thinks for a moment. He nods his head to himself and exhales. 

“Yes,” he breathes out. “Tell them.” 

And with that, he hangs up. His phone is on route to an old abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, Lucy had gotten the exact address for it. Ben’s back seat was filled with a duffel bag filled with everything he needs for something exactly like this. He was trained for this. His heart broke knowing you were all alone and terrified with god knows who. 

He keeps thinking about what could be happening right now, which causes him to grip the steering tight. His knuckles turn white as he tenses up on the rest of his drive. He was angry at himself for leaving you alone. He was angry and knew this was all his fault. If he hadn’t of let his feelings get in the way, then maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe you would still be okay. 

***

“So us being friends,” you start. “It was all fake. You only did that for… What? This?” you ask as you look around the dark room. 

“At first it was an act. I was told not to actually like you, but I couldn’t help it. You were so kind and funny and nothing like royalty at all. You weren’t who I thought you would be.”

“And yet, here we are.” you say rolling your eyes. “Me texting you about everything and where I was - Was that part of your little plan?” you spat. 

Claire frowns and looks down. 

“I thought the plan would go away. I thought he would forget about it, but he didn’t. He’s so hell bound about getting this money.” 

Claire is close to you as she kneels down to be at eye level. You’re staring at the floor as you slowly move your head up to look her in the eyes. 

“This is all for money?” you ask, confused. “So when he gets his money, you’ll let me go?” 

“That was his plan.”

Your eyebrow raises up as the same question fills your head over and over again.

“Who is he?” you hiss. 

Claire slowly shakes her head and closes her eyes. 

“You don’t want to know.” she says as she stands up, turns and begins walking away. 

“Why not!?” you shout upset. 

Claire freezes and turns her head to face you. Her expression is so sad. 

“Because... It’ll break your heart.” 

***

“Did you tell them?” asks Ben to Lucy. 

“I did.” she says. “They’re furious. I’ve never seen them like that. The castle has gone mad with people running around. I’m terrified.” she whispers as she begins to cry. 

“I know,” says Ben softly. “I am too. Lucy, don’t worry. I’m gonna find her. Trust me.” 

“I do trust you. Just, please. Hurry.” 

She hangs up and once more Ben is alone with himself in silence. He’s trying to focus on the directions and turn at every road he needs to, but the thought of you is making it difficult. He drives several more minutes when suddenly ‘you have reached your destination’ pops on. Ben stops his car fast and looks around. It’s a two-story old abandoned warehouse factory. Some of the building is exposed to the outside world, while other rooms were still closed off. All of the windows were boarded up and the building itself looked hauntingly terrifying. 

Ben made sure to park somewhat far away from the building, not wanting anyone to spot him. He jumps from the car and opens the back door. He pulls out his duffel bag and unzips it. He pulls out his gun and a few of it’s rounds. He looks back to the building and quietly shuts the car door. He sneaks around the forest that blocks the building and creeps up to what should be the entrance. Ben freezes when he hears something in the distance. 

“Let me out!” 

It’s muffled and far away, but his heart jumps when he realizes it’s you. He looks around his surroundings and realizes it’s clear. He makes a break for it and holds the gun out in front of him, aiming at anything and everything. He turns a corner fast and holds it up quickly, but there’s nothing. Ben quickly takes his phone from his pocket and checks your GPS location once more. You’re not too far from him. 

“Let me go!” 

He hears you scream again. You sound so terrified. He puts his phone away and holds his gun up once more. He’s getting closer. You’re not on the top floor, nobody would be on the top floor. This building looks like it could fall down at any moment. He glances down at the floor to make sure he won’t step on anything that will make too much noise. He maneuvers his way around walls and feels like he’s in a maze. Ben walks by a door and stops. He hears something. It’s the sound of muffled cries and something moving around. 

He turns to face the door and aims his gun. Ben’s breathing hard as he reaches forward and gently twists the old rusted doorknob, allowing it to creak open. He winces at the piercing noise, but stops when he finally spots you. He stomach drops as he gets closer and realizes you’re tied up and now have fabric tied around your mouth, making you unable to shout out. Ben lowers his gun slightly and walks closer to you. When he’s visible in the light, your eyes go wide. Tears slide down your face as you attempt to say something to him. Your eyes go wide with fear as you shake your head and slash your body around. You’re screaming out something, but he can’t make it out. 

“It’s okay! I’m here now! It’s oka-” 

Ben realizes you’re not staring at him with wide eyes, but you’re staring at something behind him. You were warning him. Before he can turn around and aim his gun, someone had ran up and used an old crow bar to whack him in the back of his head. 

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[deutsian]

25 German expressions with 'Kritik'

Below you will find a list of words that frequently feature with the word 'Kritik' (criticism/critique) in German, as well as some Noun-Verb-Combinations. This’ll prove useful particularly for essays :)!

Kritik + Verb

auf Kritik stoßen - to meet with criticism Ex: Ich glaube, dass ein derartiger Schritt international auf scharfe Kritik stoßen würde. Tr:: I think that such a step would meet with severe, international criticism.

bei den Kritikern gut/schlecht ankommen - to be well/poorly accepted by critics Ex: Er spielte einige Konzerte, die sowohl bei den Kritikern als auch bei den Fans recht gut ankamen. Tr: He played several concerts which were well accepted by both critics and fans.

eine Kritik verfassen - to write a critique/review Ex: Er will über andere Bücher eine Kritik verfassen. Tr: He wants to write a critique about other books.

in die Kritik geraten - to come under attack Ex: Wahlgeräte sind aktuell in die Kritik geraten. Tr: Voting machines have recently come under attack.

Kritik auf sich lenken/ziehen - to draw criticism Ex: Auch wenn die Rentenreform im Jahr 2002 viel Kritik auf sich zog,... Tr: Although the 2002 Pension Reform drew a lot of criticism,...

[einem Trommelfeur der] Kritik ausgesetzt sein: to face [a barrage of] criticism Ex: Sollten wir in einem Markt wegen unserer Kommunikation Kritik ausgesetzt sein,... Tr: If we were to face criticism because of our communication,...

Kritik [für etw.] einstecken - to get a lot of stick Ex: Die Fußballer müssen ihrer blamablen 1:4-Niederlage gegen die Niederlande saftige Kritik einstecken. Tr: The footballers are being given a lot of stick for their embarrasing 1:4 loss against The Netherlands.

Kritik hervorrufen - to evoke/engender criticsm Ex: Dieses Traditionsverständnis hat bei evangelischen Theologen harsche Kritik hervorrufen. Tr: This understanding of tradition has evoked harsh criticism from Protestant theologians.

Kritik [an jmdM/etw] üben - to criticise/pass criticism on [s1/sth.] Ex: Öffentlich können Sie Kritik üben im Gästebuch oder Fragen stellen an alle Besucher. Tr: You can publicise your criticism and your questions to all visitors in the forums.

sich der Kritik aussetzen - to incur censure, be criticised Ex: Gambari sieht sich der Kritik ausgesetzt, weil er bisher noch keinen Erfolg aufzuweisen hat, so Aung Naing. Tr: Gambari is to incur censure because he has stil yet to demonstrate any success, said Aung Naing.

sich der Kritik stellen - to face criticism Ex: Die Regierung muss sich nun weiter der internationalen Kritik stellen. Tr: The government must now face further international criticism.

Kritik + Adjektive

beißende Kritik - scathing criticism Ex: Auch beißende Kritik kann großes Lob sein. Tr: Scathing criticism can also be great praise.

fördernde Kritik - constructive criticism Ex: Prof. Dr. E.Fick danke ich für die Anregung zu dieser Arbeit, für sein ständiges Interesse und seine fördernde Kritik. Tr: I thank Prof. Dr. E.Fick for the suggestion to this work, for his constant interest and his constructive criticism.

heftige Kritik - severe critcism Ex: Die heftige Kritik von einigen Nichtregierungsorganisationen an der Regierung. Tr: The fierce criticism of the government by some non-governmental organizations.

konstruktive Kritik - constructive criticism Ex: Konstruktive Kritik verstimmt mich nicht. Tr: Constructive criticism doesn’t upset me.

scharfe Kritik - fierce criticism Ex: Bundesinnenminister Thomas de Maizière äußerte scharfe Kritik. Tr: Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière voiced strong criticism.

sachliche Kritik - factual criticism, fair comment Ex: Ich bin offen für sachliche Kritik und Verbesserungsvorschläge. Tr: I am open to fair comment and suggestions for improvements.

vernichtende Kritik - damning criticism Ex: Nur so wäre nämlich die vernichtende Kritik von Herrn Willmann erklärbar. Tr: This is the only way to explain Mr Willmann's devastating criticism.

Kritik-Ausdrücke

eine Welle der Kritik - a wave of criticism Ex: Die Machtübernahme löste eine Welle von Kritik und Besorgnis in weiten Teilen der Welt aus. Tr: The seizure of power triggered a wave of criticism and concern in large parts of the world. 

ins Kreuzfeuer der Kritik geraten - to be caught in the crossfire of criticism Ex: In der Vergangenheit sind Exportkreditagenturen wiederholt ins Kreuzfeuer der Kritik geraten. Tr: In the past, export credit agencies have repeatedly fallen into the crossfire of criticism.

kritiklos akzeptieren/befolgen/hinnehmen - to accept sth. at face value Ex: Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass das Europaparlament so etwas kritiklos akzeptieren/befolgen/hinnehmen wird. Tr: I can’t believe that the European Parliament would accept something like that at face value.

über alle/jede Kritik erhaben sein - beyond reproach Ex: Wenngleich diese Weltbankstandards nicht über alle/jede Kritik erhaben sind,... Tr: Although these World Bank standards are not beyond reproach,...

unter aller/jeder Kritik - beneath contempt Ex: Leider ist der Katalog unter aller/jeder Kritik, sowohl was Sprache als auch Fakten betrifft. Tr: Unfortunately, the catalogue is beneath contempt, both in terms of language and facts. 

von der Kritik gefeiert - critically acclaimed Ex: Die Einspielung mit Kocsis' Adaptionen von Werken Debussys und Ravels wurde von der Kritik gefeiert. Tr: The recording of Kocsis' adaptations of Debussy and Ravel's works was critically acclaimed.

von der Kritik hoch gelobt werden - critically acclaimed Ex: 2008 dirigierte Ashkenazy die HPO-Einspielung von Josef Suks Asrael-Sinfonie, die von der Kritik hoch gelobt wurde. Tr:  In 2008 Ashkenazy conducted the HPO recording of Josef Suk's Asrael Symphony, which was highly praised by critics.

[mew-mew-mothertrucker]

Cold Storms Chapter 2

Chapter 2 (1)

Word Count - 2178

TW - mentions of/ actual child abuse (it gets intense like if you want to know what happens but don't want to read it message me or ask me and I will gladly tell you!)

Summary - The rest of the day at school and Virgil’s dad who i will make people hate :)

Fun Facts of this chapter - People and places of this fanfiction are based on people and place i know. Also, i cried while writing this

Tag - @minamishipsit @theprotectedpuff @preyed-llama

When recess had ended, Virgil watched as the other students walked back into the classroom, the last three being the ones at his table. He felt Patton’s pitiful gaze, Logan’s analyzing one and finally, Roman’s look of disgust. Virgil already knew that eventually, they would all be like Roman. Virgil’s own look at himself was of pure disgust, and soon everyone else’s would match.

“Okay Kiddos, so since we have been with the same people all day, I’m going to have you move around. I will give all of you at your table a number and then you have to go to that corner of the room and talk to the other students! Let’s start over here with Andy and Chris’ table, Andy you are number 1, Chris you are number 2, Kellen you are number 3 and  Eric you are number 4” Mr. Sanders continued around the room, eventually reaching the table where Virgil sat. Roman had been ignoring him, talking to Logan and Patton had tried to talk to him but Virgil just ignored him.

“Virgil you are number 1, Patton number 2, Roman number three and Logan number four”

The teacher moved on to the next two tables to be sorted and Roman looked at Patton. “Pat, just stop, he said no, now let’s get back to normal.”

As soon as the teacher pointed where to go, Virgil got up and walked over to the area, feeling like he was now the single one out in the group he sat with. There stood a boy with short brown hair wearing a shirt 3 sizes too large, one of the twins who was wearing a pink dress, and a girl who was wearing a pink polo and looking at Logan bu turned her attention to the group when Mr. Sanders started talking.

“This is going to be your second group, so introduce yourselves, hey maybe if you need friends you can find them here.” Mr Sanders said. He seemed to pay close attention to the group Virgil was in as he began to hand back the papers from earlier.

“Are any of you guys also new kids?” the twin asked.

All of them raised their hands in response. The twin perked up. “I’m Rosanna. My sister over there is Amber. The only way to tell us apart is that Amber has scars on her shoulders and face.”

“What from?” The boy with a shirt 3 sizes too big asked.

“She hurts herself for me a lot. She’s only older by like 4 minutes but that doesn't stop her from protecting me.”

Virgil saw the look in the girl’s eyes. She experienced the same as him. The boy seemed to have seen and understand it too.

“Well, I mean, at least one of you doesn't get hurt. Maybe one day neither one of you will!” He said. “Oh I forgot to say my name. It’s Andy!” He then looked at Virgil in the eyes. Virgil could see how broken they were, despite the smile that could almost compete with the smile that Patton had across the room as he spoke to their kids who had been attending the same classes as him since Kindergarten,. The eyes that Andy had related his own, broken. Too broken for a child of only eight, too exposed to adult-themed activities that let one scared and hurt, with bruises and pain.

Virgil forgot about Patton and his smile that could blind people, about Logan filled with facts, and Roman filled with an unexplained hatred. For now, Virgil was with Andy, a boy with shirts 3 sizes too big and a hint of a bruise under one of the sleeves, Rosanna, a girl who looked at her twin sister who had bruises and marks that were crappily covered with make up, probably done by Rosanna, and Alex, a girl who seemed to understand what they were talking about but showed no sign of the same past the other 3 faced, just a kind smile and an understanding glance in Amber’s direction, almost as if she was being reminded of someone.

All too soon, they had to go back to their original seats. But at the afternoon recess that day, Amber, Rosanna, Andy and Alex stayed inside with Virgil and read books that Mr. Sanders had in his room instead of playing with kids who only wanted to play with the twin to talk to them, or sitting alone on a field.

When classes started again, Virgil was back next to Patton and across from Logan. He put the book he borrowed from Mr. Sanders in his desk and took out a notebook for English.

“Now class, I want you all to write as if you are an animal. I’ll read the best interpretations after the assignment is complete, but if yours is nt read then please don’t get upset. Now, I will give us all fifteen minutes. You may begin!”

Virgil stared at the paper but slowly began to write. Soon the writing became long and by the time that Mr. Sanders had stopped the students, Virgil had written an entire page whereas other students had only a few sentence max.

“Oh well Virgil, let’s see what we got here!”

Mr. Sanders read over the work and nodded. He placed the paper different than the others and slowly he gained a few to read aloud.

“Okay class, let's start with Virgil’s wonderfully written story about a mouse and a cat. ‘I was the mouse. Small and weak, running up and down away from the cat, hiding in walls and place the cat couldn't reach. He was the cat, chasing me down and hunting me, all intent focused on killing me. It was a game of cat and mouse, a game of Tom and Jerry. I tricked him into running into frying pans and any time he comes close to ending me I escape, leaving i'm choking on dry bread. I am the mouse and he is the cat, I run while he attacks.’ Now virgil, that was beautiful, so well written for someone your age now class, this is not how i expect you to write, but all i’m saying is that when you are all adults, I would not be surprised if kids like Logan Gisie over there were reading books by our talented student.”

Virgil felt himself blush with the compliments given by the teacher. No one had ever said that he had a talent before. He gave a weak smile to Mr. Sanders, and the man seemed content. He began to read other student's papers and Soon enough, the school day was over.

At the end of the day, Virgil ended up walking home. He knew what he would most likely come home to and was fearful. He saw Rosanna and her sister walking in the opposite direction, holding hands, both of them looked back at him, the same expression on their faces. The expression of a child who has a home worse than school and wishes they could stay forever and never go back to the dreaded house that they had to call home.l. He waved goodbye and they did the same.

He turned and started to walk along the side of the road.

“Verge!” He turned to see Andy running up behind him and soon they were walking together.

“What street do you live on?” andy asked as he got in step with Virgil.

“Selman” Virgil responded, continuing alongside Andy.

“Hey me too!” Andy looked at Virgil and smiled.

“Why do you always smile?”

“Well, someone has to”

“And who decided that it would be you?”

“Myself. I told myself that I would smile so i could help people. I mean, look at that kid you sit next to. He makes people so happy with his smile, I want to try that too.” Andy looked determined. Virgil looked at him. Faded bruises around his neck, the bruise he noticed under his sleeves was new. Virgil pulled his hoodie closer to him, hiding all the bruises and cuts his father had given im in a drunken rage.

“You really are different Andy” Virgil said as they turned down a street.

“Why do you said that?”

“Well, you’re like me and the twins but you smile so brightly and you’re so happy.”

“It’s all a lie”

“I know, but you make is seem like it’s not”

Andy turned to Virgil and let out a sigh. Virgil gave a half smile and Andy gave one as well. Soon, the two faced the same street. Virgil’s house was first, so Andy waved goodbye and walked further down the street. Virgil walked up to the front door, already hearing loud music and smelling cigarettes.

He opened the door and saw his father. Awake. Virgil tried to sneak into his room across the hose but the big man had already noticed him.

“WHere were you, you little piece of shit?” THe large man said, not looking up as he lit a cigarette and inhaled the smoke before slowly letting the gray cloud out of his nostrils and mouth.

“S-School”

“Prove it”

“I-I have my classwork we did in class.” Virgil pulled out the paper that he had written his answers onto.

“What was it?”

“Q-questions about us.” Virgil said, slowly coming in sight of his father to show him the paper.

“Did you tell anyone about you being the reason your mother is dead, you fucking faggot?” his father asked, taking the paper and giving virgil the look that a predator gives pretty that it plays with before it makes the final killing strike.

“N-No”

“Did ya tell them where we are from?”

Virgil thought back to telling those he sat with that he had lived in New Mexico. “Y-yeah”

The man took a long drag off of his cigarette. “You shouldn’t have done that, you faggot.”

His father stood up and Virgil ran to his room. He locked himself in and pushed his dresser and desk against the door before collapsing on the bed, thanking that his father had bought a furnished house and had yet to throw the items in Virgil’s room into the trash.

Virgil sat on his bed, as far away from the door as possible. He heard his father bang on the door and the wood of the door crack. His father’s hand punched a hole through the door and his angry face showed. Virgil watched as the door was ripped into shreds and the furniture was pushed. The large man had already taken off his belt and began to spend out all his rage onto the small child. The 8 year old cried out with each new lash.

After 30 minutes, virgil was left alone, bleeding on some spots, other spots welted and bruised. He walked over to the closet and hid in the corner, holding his knees close to him. He slowly fell asleep, crying as the nightmares came.

“Oh Virgil I love you so much.” A woman with long dark hair looked down at him. He smiled as he ate ice cream and held the woman’s hand.

“I wanna go give Daddy some ice cream too!” The child said, jumping up and down, almost dropping his ice cream. The woman laughed and spotted her husband across the parking lot.

Virgil let go of the woman’s hand and ran over to his father. “Daddy!” he shouted.

The man turned to him and turned from the calm man into a rage. The ice cream turned into a stuffed toy cat, the woman screamed. Virgil turned, trying to find her. “Mommy? Mommy? MOMMY WHERE ARE YOU?” he called out, running around, holding the cat close to him, slowly breaking out into sobs.

“You killed her Virgil. You killed your own mother” The man was larger now, his face obscuring the sun. He looked down at virgil and spat. The saliva from his father’s mouth took it’s hold on Virgil, burning him like pure acid. Virgil cried as he burned and watched as blood surrounded him. His mother’s body flashed, the gunshot in her head, the knife across her neck. Virgil screamed

Virgil woke up screaming. He hated nightmares. He looked outside to the dark and calming moon and stars in the night sky. He got up slowly, being sure not turn hurt himself. He walked to the bathroom and turned on the light, looking at himself. He began to wash were the lashes from the belt had split opened and bled and bandaged himself up. He carefully sneaked to the kitchen which was next to the front door and grabbed some food before walking back to his room. On the couch was his father, an empty bottle of what looked to be vodka in his hands, comedy central television on the tv. Virgil turned away and walked back to his room, eating the small bag of chips he managed to get. He sat under his window and closed his eyes as he slowly fell into a dreamless sleep.