When Youma finally emerged from the bathroom, John was nowhere in sight and the phone was ringing. Taking a deep breath to calm his frayed nerves, he picked up the phone. “Hello?”

Ishrael sat on a bed, watching and wondering what was going on. John had left just a few minutes before, a furious look taking over his normally handsome features. And Youma... he looked very tense and depressed. His mood brightened only the tiniest fraction as he said “thank you” and hung up.

“Who was that?”

“It was the hospital. They said Toni’s going to be okay.”

Ishrael smiled. “That’s good to hear. Are you going to visit?”

Youma shook his head. “Not yet. He’s still unconscious; they don’t expect him to wake up for another week yet.” He caught the look on the angel’s face. “I really would like to visit him Ish, but... I’ve got a lot going on right now.”

“Would John be part of it?” the angel asked, leveling his friend with a serious gaze.

Youma tensed again. “That’s... Yeah, he is.” He admitted. “But I’ve also got a lot of schoolwork to keep up with, and getting notes for Toni from his classes...”

Ishrael sighed to himself; that had to be Youma’s worst trait. Whenever he was suffering emotionally, he’d distract himself by taking on a ton of work that only wore him down even more. “Why can’t you just talk about it like normal people, instead of shutting yourself away...” he muttered without realizing he’d said it aloud.

He felt a shiver run down his spine, and looked up to see a hurt glare on Youma’s face. The angel steeled himself for the argument he knew would be coming. “It’s easier that way.”

“What, taking the coward’s way out? Your method of ‘coping’ only makes it worse! You always work yourself to the point of exhaustion and things never get any better! You keep this up and you’ll work yourself right into your grave!”

The reply came so quietly, Ishrael wondered if he didn’t just imagine it.

“Things would be better that way... Wouldn’t they? After all, I’m only a monster...”

Ishrael froze. “Youma...”

“No. You’re right and I’m wrong. That’s what you wanted to hear, isn’t it?” The student gathered up his text books, preparing to leave.

“John knows, doesn’t he? And now he believes you’re helping the demon attacking the students. That’s what he told you to make you upset, isn’t it?”

“He didn’t say.” Youma cut him off before he could reply. “But that’s what he was thinking... I could see it in his eyes.” He walked out of the dorm room, leaving a rather stunned Ishrael behind.

--

John had stormed out of the dorm building, despite the numerous warnings it was almost lights-out. Why hadn’t he seen it before? There had been enough signs... Finding Youma next to a mutilated Toni, the fact that he always seemed to be hiding something... Hell, even Ishrael had said he thought Youma was a demon.

How could he have been so blind!? To think that he had even become that monster’s friend... Would he be the next target now? Blinking as he suddenly returned to reality, he noticed he was in the park, and the sun had long since set. That was quite a long way to walk...

The blond dropped onto a bench, running his fingers through his messy and still-damp hair. Another thought came to him. If he had discovered one of Youma’s secrets, and he was supposedly the demon (or at least helping it)... why hadn’t he attacked? Perhaps he was giving John time to doubt his judgment, and then he’d pounce? It was likely.

But then... He’d seemed so afraid, and even depressed, when John had given him that suspicious glare. And they seemed to be genuine emotions too, not just part of a play. He’d never sensed anything particularly dark about his roommate either, despite his odd appearance. In fact, he always got a warm, fuzzy feeling whenever the other student was around...

Christ, what had he done?! He jumped up, prepared to sprint back to campus, but a strange feeling froze him before he could even take a step.

How cliché, he thought. A big bad monster in the park at night, preparing to attack a lonely, defenseless innocent... Only, I’m not so innocent or defenseless.

“What do you want?” he demanded. The wind picked up a bit, tossing his hair around. He grinned. “I’m not going to be intimidated by a little wind.” On a hunch, he added, “Or a little rustling in the bushes. Honestly, that’s so overused.”

‘How clever,’ the reply finally came. The voice seemed to be sneering at him. ‘It seems I have no choice but to face you.’ A black mist gathered on the other side of the path. It towered over John, but didn’t take any definite shape. It simply kept swirling and writhing in place, almost like a living cloud.

“You’re the one tormenting my school.” It was a direct statement. John shivered; he could almost feel the shapeless mass across from him grinning.

‘You’re clever, I’ll give you that.’ It admitted. ‘But not clever enough.’ The mass seemed to turn, but John couldn’t tell for sure. ‘I will be back to finish off the pretty one.’

That was no idle threat, he knew. He threw back his own promise. “And I’ll be sure to take you down when you do.”

‘We shall see.’ With a sinister laugh the demon disappeared, and a sudden rush of warm air nearly knocked the man off his feet. When had it gotten cold? He pushed the thought from his mind; right now, there was something more important to think about.

--

Youma was so lost in his studies, he didn’t notice when the library door opened and softly clicked shut. In fact, he wasn’t aware of the other’s presence until hands were on his shoulders. He jumped, flinging his pencil into the bookshelf behind him, and looked up.

“You...”

John smiled sadly. “I came to apologize. Don’t be mad, but Ish told me I might find you here...”

Youma sighed grumpily, glaring at the books in front of him. “Apologize, huh? And why the sudden change of heart?” the blond lowered his gaze in shame, trying not to let that comment sting.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. Sure, there were a few things that made... that make sense. But then I realized that I’ve never gotten any bad vibes from you. Actually, you feel more like Ishrael... And most of the victims were your friends, right? Or at least good acquaintances.”

The violet-haired boy nodded silently, reaching a hand up to rest over John’s. the man grinned, taking it that that meant he was forgiven.

--

Ishrael looked up as the two entered their room, looking slightly red from the scolding they’d gotten from their hall monitor. They seemed at ease around each other again, so the angel guessed they had it all worked out and solved. He gave a sigh of relief.

--

Six days later, the hospital called again. Toni had finally woken up. The drive to the hospital seemed too long for Youma; he had to see Toni for himself.

Within twenty minutes they arrived and were shown to Toni’s room. The boy had been cleaned up, his hair back to its usual pale blond and aqua. He was sitting up in bed, poking at his meal. His dark emerald eyes seemed glazed over. He blinked once, then turned his gaze toward the door where John, Youma and Ishrael were standing.

Youma smiled a little and waved at the boy. His eyes weren’t as glazed now, but still seemed a little unfocused. His gaze saddened. “Terrance didn’t come...”

John sighed softly and walked to sit in the chair beside Toni’s bed. “We did ask why they were calling us instead of your family... But apparently we were the only option left.”

The patient nodded silently. He understood. The only family he had left was his twin, and a rich great uncle; neither of which really cared for the ‘odd one out’ of their family and only pretended that they did to keep up appearances. Toni lifted his gaze up to John. “Um... Could you call my roommate? Please?”

John nodded and pulled out his cellphone, punching in the numbers as the boy told him. Youma sighed softly, leaning against the doorway.

“There’s something different about him.” Ishrael stated.

“Tell me about it...” Youma whispered back. “He seems so spaced out.”

“It’s not that.”

“Huh?”

“He’s, well... glowing. Sort of.” The angel played with one of his sleeves. “You know how they say when someone wakes up from a coma, they tend to have strange powers? Well... Toni has a psychic aura around him now. He might be able to sense, or even see things people don’t normally allow themselves to.”

Youma watched the two sitting on the bed as he thought. Did that mean Toni could see ghosts now? Or even Ishrael? It was likely.

John handed his phone to Toni, and the boy allowed a small smile as he heard Zander’s voice. He listened for a while, then said “okay” and hung up.

“So...?”

“He said he’s on his way here... I’ll be okay on my own for a while, if you all want to leave...”

“Is that alright?” Youma suddenly asked. “I mean, would they really let him see you? I know how stingy they can be about visitors, and he’s not exactly family...”

“But he is the closest I’ve got to having one. Either they let him in, or I’m leaving.” The boy pouted stubbornly.

John smiled. “Then I’m sure everything will be just fine.” He said, flipping his cellphone closed. “We’ll be back tomorrow, okay?”

Toni nodded his assent, and waved as they left.

“I wonder who that brown-haired boy was...”

--

On their way back to school John had decided to stop at a Taco Bell for lunch. Youma watched, a little disturbed as his blond friend practically inhaled one soft taco after another.

“Not going to eat?” said friend asked. “They don’t bite, you know. Actually this is pretty good for fast food.”

Youma picked one up by the paper wrapping and peeled it open, wondering what that brown... paste under all the toppings was. Oh well, when in Rome... He wrapped the tortilla back up as he’d seen John do, and took a bite. Surprisingly, it was pretty good; it didn’t taste like it had cooking grease dripping off it. He chewed, swallowed, and took another, bigger bite.

“See? Now what did I tell you?” John teased, grinning in triumph.

“This is good.” Youma admitted. “Can we come back tomorrow?”

John laughed.