There was a sticky feeling on my pajamas. I threw off my blankets to get a better look at my crotch.

Did I pee?

No...

It couldn't be...

"Kids?"

I covered the shameful wet spot as soon as Derek came in. He looked at me with a smile. Kennedy was snoring and uttering something about seahorses giving birth.

"Good morning, kiddo. Are you okay?"

"I...Yeah," I murmured.

"Go take a shower, breakfast is ready."

I was lost for words. Derek must have noticed my flushed face but didn't comment on it. I couldn't believe this. Why do teenagers go through this sinful phenomena? A shiver coursed down my spine. In that dream I was doing it with a man. I know that at some point in my life I have to engage in that activity with a girl but I felt like I would never be prepared for it. Would I even have an erection?

I was too young to think about this. I have other problems to ponder and here I was, worrying about my ability to follow my Lord's orders to multiply.

After having a cold shower to lower down my heated body temperature, I got dressed in my white and thick hoodie and red skinny jeans. I slipped my feet into some black rubber shoes. As of now, Kennedy was still asleep but wasn't snoring anymore. I had to wake him up before he got us all late for work and school. I placed my hand on his shoulder and shook him.

"Kennedy, wake up."

Kennedy opened his eyes; the hairs on the back of my nape stood. His entire eyeballs were tinted black. His blank stare ripped into a massive grin.

"The time is near...our master will come."

His voice was shadowed by another one. My blood ran cold as he snickered and landed a loud slap on my face that sent me back to reality.

"Have you fallen for my charms, Keetan?" Kennedy yawned his question.

What?

Was I losing my mind?

My hand went to stretch Kennedy's eyelid to see if I was seeing things but his eyes were normal.

"Woah? What's gotten into you? What's for breakfast?"

I swallowed my saliva, shaking my head. What in the world was happening to my sanity? I turned my back and grabbed my bag.

"Is it pancakes?!" Kennedy shouted as I got out.

My brain must be playing tricks on me. I was still shivering from what I witnessed. This was disturbing. I acted normally in front of Derek and Samantha. Thankfully, Kennedy did not talk about my misbehavior when he smelled the aroma of maple syrup and freshly cooked pancakes.

I avoided Kennedy's eyes. Derek and Samantha took us to school as I listened to their son's blabbering. I just couldn't shake the feeling that what I heard and saw were all real. Supernatural things weren't fiction for me as I have experienced their playful and mischievous antics to knock me out of my faith. This must be one of their tricks.

I got out of the car and thanked Derek and Samantha. Derek reminded me to call him if ever my parents tried to drag me home. They treated me as their own. I must repay my debts to them someday.

I stepped inside the school campus, feeling the usual eyes staring at me. I was glad that they were dissipating little by little. Maybe one day I'd be treated as their equal.

"Keetan!"

I glanced away from my locker, seeing Ethan running towards me.

"Can I help you?"

"Have you seen Edward?"

I scrunch my eyebrows. "No...Why?"

"He's been missing since Saturday. His folks are...well mom, since his dad doesn't really care about him, is worried."

"Did something happen between them?" Edward's dad could be really aggressive. He was the source of Edward's violence.

Ethan seemed hesitant to tell me. He pulled me to one corner and sighed. "I...no one really knows but me since I'm his best friend but I heard from his mom that Edward's dad really gave him a beating. I think he has a broken arm too."

I covered my mouth to restrain a gasp. "Why...why would he do that?"

Ethan rubbed his neck. He was awfully worried. "His dad suspected that he's gay."

"Suspected? He has no proof at all!" I shouted angrily. Ethan immediately clamped my mouth with his hand as he smiled at the students passing by.

"Lower your voice down, man. You don't want the whole school to know, right? Edward will be destroyed," he whispered, releasing my lips.

"Sorry..." I muttered. We stood silent for a while. "Why aren't you angry at him?"

Ethan made eye contact with me before letting out a sigh. "Even though I'm his friend I don't favor his bullying at all. I joined in his purge for gays once or twice but I never liked it and never found the joy in it. Whenever I remember those kids he bullied, I get haunted. It ain't right. You can't choose who you are. You are what you are and people can't change that no matter what they do to you."

I stared at Ethan with such awe. I never heard anyone say such things in this town.

"Hey, quit staring," he chuckled awkwardly. "Anyway, just let me know if you see him. Thanks Keetan."

I watched as he inquired from one person to another. Each person he talked to either shrugged their shoulders or waved their heads. Class started yet my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't help but worry for Edward.

"How you doing? Still think you're straight?" Samael whispered. I honestly forgot about this man. He was quiet the whole time. The teacher was writing a couple of sentences on the blackboard so I took my chance to talk to him.

"Samael, have you seen Edward?"

"Oh yeah, I saw him lately."

My eyes widened. "Where?"

"On the television, he looked really pale."

Oh...was he on the news already? His dad must be arrested by now. "Was he brought to the hospital? Was his mom with him?"

Samael crossed his long and strong looking legs, placing the fingertip of his index finger against his cheek. "No, Bella was with him."

I looked at him in confusion. "Bella who?"

"Bella, you know, the emotionless girl who is played by an actress who can't act. I swear she only has one expression on her face."

I palmed my forehead, Samael snickered. He could never be serious. I huffed on my seat, forcing myself to focus. I guess I wasn't the only one having family problems.

Class ended. I wouldn't be able to sleep until I was sure that Edward was found. He wasn't a close friend but I still knew him.

"Are you worried about him?" Samael popped out from behind me.

"Of course I am, aren't you?"

"Nope," he replied, popping the sound of 'p' at the end.

I glared at him for his uncaring nature. "How can you act so frigid towards a human being? We should love thy neighbors," I scolded him.

"I live outside of town."

Samael shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, shouldn't you ask Edward that? I learned that he beats people up for being faggots. If you ask me I'd say he got the taste of his own medicine. I'm sure a few of the people he mistreated will say the same. Good for him."

I groaned at his reasoning but at the same time he had a point. I hate it when Samael brings out the bitter truth of things sometimes. "That won't stop me from finding him. He can still repent for his sins and change."

"Uh huh. Whatever. Look, if I was a homophobic dad and I found out that my son is gay, I wouldn't let him out of my sight."

"What do you mean?" I asked him, trying to read his expression.

"It's just a viewpoint. See ya."

Was that a clue? I don't know if it was the truth but if Samael said it, maybe it had some relevance. Or maybe I was just overestimating him? Ugh.

Ethan was on his way to the exit. He was disheveled.

"Ethan, can you take me to Edward's house?"

"What's up?"

"I want to talk to his dad."

Ethan waved his hand, disapproving. "His dad is in jail."

"Then take me there!" I demanded before bowing. "I'm sorry, please take me there. I need to talk to him."

Ethan analyzed me with his eyes for a minute before agreeing. He got me into his scooter and drove towards the police station. When we got there, one of the police men greeted me by the entrance. "Hey there angel, what can we do for you?"

I blushed at the hypocorism. "Sir, can I please talk to Mister Campbell?"

The middle-aged man frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea son. He can be verbally aggressive."

"It's fine sir. I just really want to talk to him."

Ethan was behind me. The officer made us wait in the visiting room that had several chairs and tables. I do hope Mister Campbell knew where he was.

Edward's dad was brought in front of us with his hands cuffed behind his back. His eyes gazed between me and Ethan before he broke into a creepy smile.

"Well, what does the pretty faith healer want from me?" Light was reflected by his bald head. Did he just call me pretty?

I cleared my throat. "Please tell us, do you know where Edward is?"

Mister Campbell snorted. "I don't know nothin' about that faggot. He ain't my son."

"Now that's not nice," Ethan muttered angrily.

"Mister Campbell-"

"I told you, I chased him out after I beat my wife who produced that failure. I don't know where he is!" He growled, struggling against the grasp of the officer.

"Behave Campbell."

"If anyone is a failure here, you are. You're a failure as a parent and as a husband. You misguided Edward and made him hateful to those people who did absolutely nothing to him."

"Tsk...Shaddup. I know what I'm doing. That kid deserves to have a few more broken bones on him."

Ethan suddenly punched his face, making him fall on his back while he was still on the chair. The officer didn't even bother helping him up as he watched in an amused expression.

"He is still your son, you asshole!" Ethan shouted, his voice was drenched with rage.

"Son of a bitch! I'm fine being alone! I'd rather die than be the father of that homosexual! God curse him!"

I held back the tears that attempted to pour out. This wasn't what our Lord wanted...He wouldn't have forgiven a person for having so much detestation.

The officer lifted Mister Campbell. "Anything more you kids want to talk about?"

I clenched my fists. "Edward seemed to really respect you sir but I'm sure now he is asking himself why he even got influenced by your hatred. If Edward dies because of you..." Mister Campbell glanced at me with eyes occupied with fear. The officer and Ethan had the same response. "Our Lord will curse you to the depths of hell. I am sure of it."

I straightened myself and looked down on him before going out. Ethan followed me after thanking the officer. I didn't know what had gotten to me but my shoulder blades ached that I had to stop and take a deep breath.

"Are you okay Keetan? Wow, I got chilly when you said that. You're scary, man."

I wiped the sweat forming on my forehead. "I don't know what came up to me. Did Mrs. Campbell see the direction where Edward went when Mister Campbell chased him out?"

Ethan looked up in thought. "She passed out so she doesn't know. She just saw how that asshole broke Edward's arm."

Where could he have taken Edward? It should be somewhere near and less suspicious.

Ah!

"Ethan, can you take me to one more place?"