I had a strong gut feeling about this. They say always follow your gut except if you have diarrhea.

Ethan and I arrived in front of the abandoned residence just within our neighborhood. This house was close to Campbell's residence and no one would have thought of searching this area. I got over the fence with Ethan in tail. The knob to the shabby wooden door was broken.

"What are we looking for dude?" Ethan asked.

"Edward," I replied.

"You think he's here?"

"I feel it." I turned around to face Ethan. "Let's split up. You go upstairs and I'll look here."

He took two stairs at a time with his long legs. My desire to search for Edward turned into desperation after I met his uncaring father. Edward and I weren't close; however, we were in a similar situation. I would like to share with him the kindness that I received from Derek's family and let him know that he was not alone. I truly believe that he was not as rude and unreasonable as his father.

I checked the kitchen, the restroom, and one bedroom. The place was so dusty that it could murder a person with asthma. The furniture was left uncovered. The family who lived here before was in a hurry. They couldn't live through the town's unfathomable hate.

While most of the people laughed at the memory, I for one, did not find the death of that boy amusing. He was constantly bullied at school by Edward. Edward seemed to know if a person was gay or not. He had a strong radar for it.

The last room was the basement– the usual room for ghosts to drag their victims inside. Swallowing the growing fear, I went inside. It was pitch-black downstairs. The stairs creaked from my weight. My heartbeat grew louder as I made my descent.

At this time I wished I had brought my phone with me but I always considered it useless so I usually store it in my drawer. There was little light from the small window at the top corner of the basement. There was lots of junk in here ranging from toys, an old piano, boxes and clothes. Two boxes beside me fell; the sound of chains rattling showed evidence of human life.

Edward was lying on the ground with his feet tied with barbed wire, drawing blood through his jeans. His one arm was twisted. A shirt gagged his mouth. He sobbed through heavy and trembling breaths.

I rushed to his side, taking off the shirt that silenced him.

"I can–can't....I can't live anymore. Oh God...I'm so sorry. I don't want to be gay...I don't want to be hated...I want to be normal! Please! I don't want this! Someone...help me!" He cried. "Oh God please..." He wheezed out.

"Edward, you'll be okay, you'll be alright," I comforted. I grasped his twisted arm, releasing my power. His arm coiled back but with a price of agony to pay/ I winced as his screams turned uncontrollable. Heavy and hasty footsteps emerged with a series of "Oh shit!" chanted through.

"My dad should have killed me. He could have killed me like what he did to him but he didn't. I deserve to die! Every faggot deserves to die!"

He was truly misguided. Not even near death could be a remedy for his father's brainwashing.

"Shut the fuck up man! No one deserves this!" Ethan reprimanded him.

Edward glared at Ethan. Anger fueled by his self-loathing was evident in his face. "Gays are an abomination. I am an abomination," he seethed. His angered face twisted back into a sorrowful one once more. "Can–Can't you see? I'm not normal. I'll be hated by everyone. This will happen again so I might as well die!"

I smacked Edward's cheek, stopping an impending argument between the two of them.

"Ethan and your mother were worried about you! I was worried about you despite the rumors because I do not care if you find men attractive. You have hurt so many people because of your own denial. Samael was right; maybe you do deserve this. But that doesn't mean we won't help you get back on your feet!"

"I don't care if you're gay, straight, or whatever sexuality there is in the world, I accept you," I told him firmly.

Ethan patted Edward's chest and nodded at him.

"Brother, don't expect any less from me; I accept you for being a rainbow."

Edward was left speechless. I could already imagine Samael's victorious and smug grin.

Edward sat in silence as we waited for the police to come. Ethan waited upstairs.

"Ke-Keetan."

It was awkward. I was guilty. I was never used to getting angry and worked up about something when it came to other people. My parents were number one in elevating my blood pressure.

I wasn't that angry at Edward, especially now when I saw how red his eyes were and how pale his complexion was. I was guilty of scolding him in his weakest state. I would understand if he was bitter with me.

Edward reached towards me and attempted to scoot closer. "I'm... I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." He sobbed. "I saw him...I saw my dad kill the kid who lived here before. I was afraid to be his victim so I promised myself to be like my dad and hurt those who I suspect were gays to ensure myself that I wasn't one..." He confessed. Edward wiped his tears sloppily. He was trying his best to stay conscious. "But...but I can't hide anymore. I'm afraid but...you...I really like you."

My voice left me for a good one minute. "Wh-what?" Why me?

Edward placed his forehead against my chest and sniffled. "It sucks that it's you..."

The ambulance came. Two muscular paramedics carried Edward out with a stretcher. I was confused and slightly offended from what he had said but I understood him.

I was a faith healer...

I was the most important person in this religious and homophobic town...

And lastly...

I severely go by the Lord's rules...

It really was unfortunate for Edward to fall for me.

"Keetan, the police want to talk to us!" Ethan shouted from the top stairs.

"I'll be right there!"

Something red and glowing stopped me by the first stair. There was a card attached to a rose. Since the card glowed in the dark, I could see the letterings fine.

"Hair that's bloody red...

A body that I want in my bed...

You are my desirable flower...

You are the reason for my power...

A familiar scent was emitted by the flower. It didn't smell like a flower at all but it was an addicting smell that brought the feeling of nostalgia. Ethan caught me standing at the bottom of the stairs sniffing the flower like a fool.

"Ey! You sniffing cocaine? Come on, man!"

I blushed, slipping the card into my pocket. We talked to the police together, telling them what we knew and basically ensuring that Edward's dad stayed in jail for many years.

"I'll call your parents and take you home," the chief told me.

"Sir, I'll do it. No need to trouble yourself. Please just make sure that Edward will be okay."

"Well you healed him already. I doubt that he would even stay for an hour in the hospital," he laughed. "You really are an angel in this town. God bless you, son."

"Thank you sir but I think I'm far from being an angel."

Ethan offered me a ride home and I accepted eagerly. When we got in front of Derek's house, the likable boy got off from his scooter and extended his hand for me to grab. I was hauled towards him. My chest bumped to his. It was his signature friendship handshake.

Ouch.

"Thanks for the help man. You're alright Keetan. No wonder Edward sends you flying hearts with his eyes whenever he sees you."

I awkwardly chuckled. He made it seem that gay love was no big deal. "You notice that?"

He shrugged. "Edward and I had been best friends since childhood. I know a lot about his movements."

I gave him a smile. It really was nice to have loyal friends. I wished I had one. I bid Ethan farewell and got inside the house. Samantha was standing parallel to the door with her eyebrow raised in question.

"And where have you been, young man?"

I scratched my nape, remembering that they didn't know where I was. I wasn't in front of the school where I was supposed to wait. "Um hi Samantha, I was-"

She held her hand high to silence me. "Do you know how worried we were when you weren't waiting in front of the school?! What if something happened to you? What if you got kidnapped and have people do nasty things to you?! What can you say for yourself, young man?!"

"Um-"

"Wait, scratch that! You are grounded."

Derek came from behind her with an apologetic expression.

"Honey, let's hear what he has to say. I don't think you can ground him since Keetan doesn't even go out much. He doesn't even play video games," Derek pointed out.

Samantha's mouth formed into an 'o' shape in realization that my only activities in life were going to church, going to school, having my daily prayers, doing my homework, and reading the bible.

"Well then...I want you to go out with anyone tomorrow in any place and go home at 12 midnight! Those are your punishments! No school for you young man and that's final!"

What?!

What kind of punishment was that? That was too harsh!

"But I want to go to school!"