Sharpshooter01: I'm so sorry Red

RedLion2000: YOU FUCKING IDIOT I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD

Sharpshooter01: Well I'm not

Sharpshooter01: Thanks to some random people on the street

RedLion2000: What happened?

Sharpshooter01: I went to a bridge and I almost jumped. I was so tempted. Like... just looking down into the waves made me feel a weird sense of calm I haven't felt in a long time. Sadly they convinced me not to and called my friend so now I'm going to stay with him for a bit.

RedLion2000: Don't say sadly

Sharpshooter01: I'm sorry

RedLion2000: I was so scared for you... I don't want to lose you Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter01: You won't

Sharpshooter01: For a little while at least

RedLion2000: Yeah...

RedLion2000: Do you think we're friends, Lance?

Sharpshooter01: Of course I do

RedLion2000: Good because I do too

Sharpshooter01: I should probably go because Hunk's asking question

RedLion2000: Hunk?

Sharpshooter01: Oh yeah he's my friend. The one I'm staying with

RedLion2000: Tell him I say thank you for looking after you

Sharpshooter01: hahahahaha no

RedLion2000: Well... I hope we can talk later

Sharpshooter01: Me too :)

-

"Who's that?" Hunk questioned, trying to peer over my shoulder. I kept trying to turn away so that he couldn't see my screen. I hadn't told him about Red and I didn't think I would for a while. I wanted to keep him to myself, as stupid as that was. Hunk might have made me stop talking to him because I had never heard his voice or seen his voice so he could be a paedophile for all I knew. Not that I cared. "Come on! Have you got a secret girlfriend?"

"No." I muttered, standing up and walking away from my friend whilst I typed. I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face when Red responded with something sweet. Hunk was staring at me with thin eyes.

"Boyfriend?"

"No, Hunk. It's just a friend."

"Well who is it then?"

Realising he wouldn't shut up until I told him, I gave in. "His name's Red," I eventually said and that stupid smile appeared on my face again. Red just made me feel so giddy and happy which was odd. I didn't even know what he looked like so how was it that he gave me a reason to live? "I met him online."

Hunk's face fell and he met my gaze. I knew he would be worried but he was never going to get me to stop talking to Red. Without Red, I was nothing. "He could be a serial killer from Texas."

"Why Texas?"

"Why not? How much do you know about him?" Hunk grabbed my hand as he stood up. His house was only a couple of streets away so we were probably going to walk there. He didn't disconnect our hands as we set off but I didn't mind. The contact was nice. And I could almost imagine I was with Red if I closed my eyes. I wondered if his hands would be as warm as Hunk's and if he'd walk as slowly.

"Fair enough... but really, I don't know much about him except we're in the same time zone and his name is Red."

"That's seriously dodgy, man. He could actually be a serial killer or something and you wouldn't know."

"He isn't. I know he isn't." Red was too caring to be a serial killer. He was too sweet, too intelligent, too kind. There was no way on earth that Red, my best friend, was plotting to hunt me down and kill me.

"How?" Hunk sounded suspicious but I wasn't going to let him take Red away from me. When I thought about it, Red and I hadn't actually talked too much but I already liked him a lot.

"He's just really nice. The only reason I messaged him was because I stumbled across his blog on Tumblr. I hardly think a serial killer would have a blog dedicated to fictional characters."

"You never know. All kidnappers have hobbies." I laughed a little at that response but I knew he was kidding for the most part. We then lapsed into silence for a moment until he spoke up again with concern laced in his voice. "You know you can talk to me whenever about whatever, right?"

I nodded and let out a gentle sigh. "Of course I know that..."

"Then why... why didn't you tell me you were feeling like- like this?" His eyes were glistening underneath the streetlights. I frowned, glancing down at the floor so I didn't have to see him cry and know it was because of me. I kept my eyes focused on a little puddle whilst Hunk's breath hitched beside me.

"Because... I didn't want to be annoying. You and Pidge always told me I was annoying so... and it only got really bad today because of what my parents were saying to me."

"It's mine and Pidge's fault?" His voice cracked and I could just feel my heart shatter. I finally looked at him so I knew he could see how rapidly I was shaking my head.

"No, no, that's not what I meant. I didn't want to bother anybody."

"Please talk to us next time, alright Lance?"

"I will." At that exact moment, we approached his house. It was smaller than mine but only housed two kids and two parents. It looked a lot more tended to with short, mowed grass and a patch of flowers out front. My parents rarely bothered with gardening because they were always so busy. Keeping the garden tidy was just at the bottom of their list of priorities.

I followed Hunk up to the front door and inside. His mum and dad were sitting in the living room and immediately called Hunk over. I hid behind him as we walked into the room, slightly embarrassed about showing up without his parents knowing. "Why did you leave so suddenly without telling us?" His mum asked, worry laced in her voice.

I couldn't help but wonder how my parents were feeling right at that moment. I bet they didn't care. They were probably throwing a party or something, happy to finally get rid of me. The only reason they needed me was to look after my siblings but they would be fine without me. I was so lost inside my head that I didn't realise they had been talking to me until Hunk elbowed me in the side. I hummed a response, glancing between his parents with hope they'd repeat themselves.

"We said your parents were stupid for saying things like that and we're really sorry. You can stay with us as long as you need but we will need to contact your parents so that they know you're safe."

"Please don't..."

"I'm sorry, Lance. It's late. I'll talk to your parents now and you and Hunk should go and get some rest."

Hunk nodded, linking his arm with mine and taking me up the stairs.

As I climbed into Hunk's bed beside him, I couldn't help but wonder if I was a burden. Hunk and I were laying so that are backs faced each other. I stared out into the darkness with my mind on overdrive.