“Hey,” Arran caught September in the passage and pulled her into her studio. She was working from home today, there was no way she’d go into work and face Kai. He was already blasting her phone. Saying she should face him and not hide behind Sehun. Sehun couldn’t protect her. Sehun was a chicken anyway. Arran wondered whether these messages were even about her or Sehun?

“I’m heading out now. About your case.” September told her. 

“Shut it about my case already. How can you go back to that monster?” Arran accused.

September inhaled. Counted to three, “I have no choice. He has something of mine. Something I need to get from him.”

“Is it more important than us? Than Sehun?”

“Please spare me for today.” September bowed.

Arran was not impressed or convinced that this was really what Isa wanted, “At least promise me that you'll give that psycho hell. Don't let him hurt you again..." Arran suppressed the terror that rose up when she imagined Isa being violated, again.

“Zhang Yifeng can't hurt me anymore." 

Arran approached softly, “I am really, really, going to miss you House Master.” She pressed her forehead against Isa’s chest. “You know everything. Everything. When you leave, there won’t be anyone who knows the real me. It will be lonely. What if I get the urge to do something? To find bad people? Who will protect me? Who will buy me Mcdonalds at 3 am?”
September lifted a hand and rested it on the back of Arran’s head. Arran shuddered, then drew back. “Wish me luck. I’m going to try something I haven’t done in five years.”

“What’s that?” September asked.

“Sleep with my boyfriend,” Arran said and left the room. September turned and stared out the window. She beat her chest repeatedly. It was sore. Her heart was paining. 

It was late afternoon when Kris left Sehun’s room. The kid was still sleeping soundly. It was like they both missed the warmth of someone sleeping beside them.