[hr][right][sup]Monday — Morning — Hallway[/sup][/right][color=82ca9d]"H-How do you know that when you're not—?"[/color] Keone caught himself at the last moment. Kat could see the boy looking intently at him, as though trying to double check some detail of his appearance, finding nothing. His body language exuded vulnerability. He held his arms together weakly in front of him, as though cradling something. [color=82ca9d]"I mean...you're right. I did get hurt."[/color] He admitted, [color=82ca9d]"But that's not..."[/color]

Any of your business. The words were right there, hanging in the air. And yet, Keone couldn't bring himself to say it.

Kat's friends had been hurt. [i]Kat [/i]had been hurt. Almost killed. If it wasn't his business now, then when?

[color=82ca9d]"That's not...important."[/color] Keone replied slowly, [color=82ca9d]"I just...I mean..."[/color] He shut his eyes and grimaced, shaking his head. [color=82ca9d]"You can't help Rebecca anymore. Please."[/color] His voice was cracking. [color=82ca9d]"If you're close to her...you'll get attacked by [color=ed1c24]that thing[/color] again. And the more good she tries to do here, the more she'll draw its attention. Do you understand?"[/color] He pleaded, [color=82ca9d]"It's best for her if she keeps her head down...grins and bears it. But I can't explain why. It wouldn't make sense, it wouldn't mean anything. So, the only thing I can do, is...just...discourage her."[/color]