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Chapter 10: Gym Meet

Geoff didn't sleep well last night. He was woken several times by Nathanial's nightmares, and each time the dreams started he could feel different objects in the room shake. 'At least it wasn't like in those horror movies where things start flying around and the whole room shakes. Those trophies could do a lot of damage.' It was only seven in the morning, but he just couldn't get back to sleep. He crawled out of bed and gently licked Nathanial's muzzle. He pulled on his gym shorts and went to the washroom. Once he was done, he went into the gym and began his workout.

A few minutes into it Liam walked in, still unclothed. "Good morning, McDougal. I did not expect anyone up at this hour. I have neglected to pack my shorts."

"'Morning," he said as Liam began stretching. "Half the time someone's naked. Just get a towel to put on the benches first. You exercise often?"

"Daily. Mornings, I do some forms as a warm up and then do weights. After school I go to the kwoon -- that is a kung fu centre -- and spend an hour to an hour and a half training. Sometimes I teach the masters and top students, but usually it is solo practice."

Geoff felt his jaw drop. "You...teach the masters? Like the black belt, kick-your-butt type masters?" He could see Liam wanted to kick himself, which was answer enough.

"Yes."

"Oh." He paused for a moment, wondering if his pride would let him ask the next question as he started his bench press routine. "Would you, I mean do you ever, um, take on students?"

"If they put out." Liam hastened over to spot Geoff when he almost dropped the weights on himself. "That was a joke, McDougal -- the first I have made, according to my father. I take sex as a mutually exchanged gift, not a payment. It is much more enjoyable when both people desire it." He shook his head. "I have not taken on any students, as such. I do not consider the masters of the local kwoons as students. I exchange periodic lessons for use of the facility, as we have done for eleven years. I would be reluctant to take on a student, as I would insist that lessons be daily, and I have little time to spare. I would have to try to fit such lessons around my afternoon exercise. It would be doable, in theory, should my students prove their dedication and worth."

Geoff put the weights on the rack, slowly counting to thirty before the next set. "How would one prove their worth?"

"It is a matter of character. They must be able to control their temper, be trustworthy, honourable, dutiful, and compassionate. If you are asking, I would need to watch you more. You have been generally acceptable. Last night was...unfavourable."

Geoff was partway through his second set. He finished it off before sighing. "It was. I'm sorry, I was...surprised and hurt. I lash out too quickly when that happens. I apologize for what I said." 'Gods, I hate apologizing like that. Especially to him, but...'

"It appears that this move, and the circumstances around it, are harder on you than you let on, or even realize yourself. You should think on that and speak to someone if you need. Do not be afraid to speak of your feelings." Liam grabbed a towel from the stack by the door as Geoff racked his weights; they were large bath towels and kept there precisely for that purpose. "Good set. I am impressed by your strength."

The Rottweiler resumed stretching, and Geoff found he was having a hard time paying attention to his weights. He didn't know dogs could bend like that.

Liam cocked an eyebrow. "Your shorts are getting wet."

Geoff looked down to see he had a large wet spot on the front of his shorts. He blushed, feeling like he was betraying Nathanial for getting turned on by someone else.

Liam's ears swivelled around. "It appears Faelen-san is awake." Geoff was surprised to see the tip of Liam's cock poke out of his sheath.

"'Faelen-san'? You're on first name basis, now? Never mind, I don't think I want to know." A sneaking suspicion entered his head. "Wait. Did you and Nathanial...?"

"I do not kiss and tell. If you wish to know if anything happened between us before you were dating, you may ask him. I will tell you that now that you are dating, he is off-limits for me."

Geoff felt his eyes narrow. "Is that why you pushed me into asking him to formally go out with me?"

Liam looked a little shocked. "Of course. I believe he has views closer to mine on sexual matters. I did not want misunderstandings to hurt either of you. Now that the rules of your relationship have been laid out there is no chance of confusion. Anything that happened before that point is only your business if he chooses it to be."

Geoff felt himself get angry again. He disagreed with Liam, but could see his point. Just because they liked each other the day they met didn't mean they were friends or boyfriends at that point. It still hurt.

Faelen walked into the gym naked just as Liam was stretching on his paws and knees. The pup would reach as far forward as he could, keeping his butt in the air, and then roll forward by straightening out his legs, while pushing his face up and toward his tail as he lowered his groin to the mat. It stretched his back nicely, but it still looked a little erotic. Liam smiled. "Good morning, Faelen-san."

Geoff suppressed a laugh as he saw Faelen's jaw drop and his sheath thicken and twitch. He couldn't blame him.

"Gah! Eh, um, hi, Liam. You are, heh, flexible."

Liam flipped his hindpaws over his back as he raised himself onto his paws in a handstand. He continued to lower his hindpaws past his head to the ground so he ended up on his paws and hindpaws, with his back facing to the floor. Both Geoff and Faelen's jaws dropped. Liam continued his forward momentum to rise up into a standing position facing Faelen.

"You are looking for some exercise this morning?" Both Wolves read a double entendre in his words.

Faelen stammered for a bit. "Hehe, um, y-yeah. Weights, there." He pointed at them, "Y'know, lifting, um, weights."

Geoff couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. Faelen was fully erect, and while Geoff knew he was erect and dripping too, seeing Faelen so out of sorts was hilarious. "You should've been here earlier, if you liked that. Now, if you feel well enough to exercise, the weightlifting type of exercise, let's go. I'll spot you; I'm half way through my arm routine. Just take it easy today."

Faelen shot another glance back at Liam. "Oh, I don't know. Any exercise sounds good."

Liam's sheath twitched, and Geoff chuckled and shook his head.

"What? You got the bubble-butted Akita there. What's wrong with some Rottie meat?" He sat down on a towel he had laid out on a bench, facing Geoff.

"So, you're dating now?"

"No...I don't think so. We haven't talked about it." Faelen sounded doubtful.

Geoff saw Liam stalk over, but Faelen couldn't see him as he was facing the other direction, looking over the dumbbells, trying to decide which he should use. All of a sudden, Liam swung his leg over Faelen's lap and sat on Faelen's groin. He gently took a pawful of Faelen's scruff and pulled him into a kiss. Geoff saw Faelen's penis rubbing between Liam's glutes.

Geoff moaned as he thought, 'Gods, that's hot!' He could see Faelen squirt a large jet of precum onto his towel. 'I don't think I've ever seen Faelen fully hard before today. Gods, he's thick! And I thought I leaked a lot!' His shorts were getting so wet they were clinging to his fur. "Ahem! Cough, Cough! While there may not be any children here, um, still!"

Liam let Faelen go with a smug smile and a wink, while Faelen sat there completely stunned. "We are not dating, McDougal. I do not know Faelen-san well enough to consider going steady, but should we go on dates and get to know each other better, I would likely change my mind quickly." He ran the claw of his index finger along the bottom of Faelen's muzzle as he stood to grab his towel from the mats. Faelen whimpered as his muzzle turned to follow the finger. He jumped up and grabbed Liam, carrying him from the room.

Geoff felt annoyed again, but he knew if Nathanial had done that to him he'd have done the same thing. He looked down at his groin. 'No way I can exercise like this.' He peeled his soaked shorts off and put Faelen's towel beneath him. He ran his right paw down his dripping length as his left paw curled around his swollen knot. He replayed the kiss that just happened in front of him as he stroked his penis. After only three strokes he closed his eyes as he firmly squeezed his knot, shooting several long ropes of semen onto the towel.

When he opened his eyes, his father was standing in the doorway, gaping. "Oh, hi Da. Sorry. I, um, had something to take care of."

Conor tore his eyes away from Geoff's slowly dripping cock. "Clean up and wipe the bench down, please. I don't mind nudity around the house, but do that in private."

Geoff whimpered slightly and twitched as he gently wiped his rapidly fading and sensitive erection clean.

"How is Nathanial? Or Faelen and Sensei?"

Geoff couldn't help but smile. "Just be glad you came in when you did. Smith and Faelen are doing very well, which is why I had something to take care of."

"Faelen and Sensei? That's...surprising. He's only fourteen, though..." Conor shook his head.

Geoff's expression wilted. "Nathanial isn't doing so well. He had nightmares all night. I didn't get much sleep, but I'd wager I'm better rested than he will be." He shook his head and put the wet towel by the door to toss into the hamper. He grabbed a new towel and the sanitizer and cleaned the bench.

"Poor pup. Nathanial has had to deal with way too much. Micah seems to be extremely resilient, but Nicholas had a lot of nightmares, too. Dirk ended up spending the night with them after Nicholas woke us up for the fourth time. I just hope Micah behaved himself. I can overlook Dirk and Faelen, but Micah? I don't know, even if the scamp is as seductive as a Succubus." He shook his head. "Don't tempt the Fates, Conor."

"Um, Da? About f...soccer? Faelen looks like he may be able to go with me to tryouts. Would you be able to talk to Ms. Paul and see if we can still go? And I may be taking kung fu in a week or two, from Smith. He is putting me on probation to see if I'm 'of proper character' to become a student of his. He said if it wasn't for last night, he likely would. I just need to control myself better." He rolled his eyes. "And yes, I need to control myself, regardless. Faelen deserves it."

Conor had finished stretching and was about to start his bench presses. "I'll talk to Margaret. Now, spot me."

Geoff wondered how long it'd take before he could press as much as his father.

---

They were back. He could feel them sniffing around the edges of the room, beyond the Veil in the Void. Things. Monsters. Creatures even the Demons feared. He gathered his magic and sent a bolt of raw energy into the Void. The Things fell back, cautious, and he felt the Darkness wrap him in its comforting presence, again.

The Lion fell. Bones snapped and a soul left its body. The death called to the Things. He saw them roving around him. The Demons that had been tormenting him fled back to the safety of the hells, afraid of Those from Beyond. The Lion lay dead on the ground, taunting him, calling the Things closer, promising them the anchor that would let them cross the Veil to feed.

He screamed, summoning his magic and killed the Lion again. And again. The Lion would not stay dead, but taunted him and called the Things each time he died. The Darkness was not there, the Veil was the only thing around, and it would not save him. It sought his life, his magic, his being. The Lion died again and laughed. The corpse's medallion shone brightly, trying to drink in the magic.

Where was the Darkness? Why wasn't it coming to save him? He screamed and poured all of his magic into a force to try to rip the Lion into microscopic bits, so he couldn't laugh or reform to die again. The Things were getting restless and drawing closer. He released the magic, still screaming. Where had his Darkness gone?

---

Geoff stood in the dark washroom, about to get in the shower, when he felt it. The house was trembling, the air quivered, and a piercing scream shattered the early morning calm. Nathanial was screaming, an unending sound full of fear, anger, and despair.

Raw magic burst from his room, and images of creatures from his worst nightmares clawed at him from the corners of his sight. He could hear the sound of footsteps from all over the house.

He hadn't realized he had manifest, and didn't recall crossing the rec room to get to his bedroom, but he was kneeling on his bed drawing Nathanial up into his arms. Blood dripped from scratches along his arms and back, but he never felt them. He wrapped his darkness around Nathanial, who had stopped screaming, but wasn't moving.

His eyes were open, but vacant. His breath was shallow and barely audible.

Geoff gently kissed him. "Pup, Nathanial, I'm here. Answer me. Come back from wherever you are." He sat back, drawing Nathanial onto his lap, pressing Nathanial's head onto his shoulder as he rocked back and forth.

He heard the door to his room open, his father calling out, "Geoff? Are you in here? Let up on the dark. We can't see."

Geoff stood up, carrying Nathanial into the rec room as he let the darkness fade slightly.

"What happened?"

Faelen and Liam stood naked at the door to Faelen's room, semen dripping from muzzle and penis. Faelen said softly, "You're bleeding. A lot. Did he do that?"

Geoff paused, realizing for the first time he was cut. He shook his head before realizing they couldn't see him. "No. That magic temporarily called forth nightmares; they did this. He isn't moving, and he's barely breathing. Liam, Sensei, whatever, please do something!" He looked into Nathanial's eyes, thinking that if Faelen could give some of his energy to Liam, maybe he could help Nathanial the same way. He gathered as much of his Spirit energy as he could to his lips and kissed Nathanial, trying to let his power find Nathanial wherever he went.

Nathanial stirred. "Dark...is back. Don't lea...my Darkness...ay." His breathing returned to normal.

Geoff suppressed his Spirit, and light returned to the room. "He's fine, I think."

Liam stepped over. "What did you do!? His chi is horribly out of balance! That much yin could kill a person!" He ran his paws over Nathanial's naked body, frowning. "Eh? His body does not appear to be suffering many ill effects from that much yin. I have never seen the like. I will give him some yang to make sure. I seem to have a little extra in me at the moment." He glanced at Faelen as he licked some semen from his muzzle then put his paws over Nathanial's heart and focused.

The pups could be heard running down the stairs, but Liam didn't twitch. He remained motionless as Nicholas and Micah ran up to them, terrified.

"There. I will need some food, and a bit more sleep, but that should help him. Do not do that again, McDougal, please. I recommend putting him back to bed, for now, and staying with him. I will patch up those scratches. They are clean cuts, and I do not sense any malign energy in them."

He turned to the younger Markses. "Worry not, pups; your brother seems to have had a rough night, but he is in tolerable health. How are you two feeling?"

He checked their chi, Nicholas first. "Marks, you need more rest. Please refrain from dashing about. High caloric foods would also be of benefit. Marks-kun, you appear to be fit."

And now he turned to Faelen; an evil glint appeared in his eyes as he said, "I am impressed with Faelen's performance, but some extra time in bed may be in order."

Micah was staring at the two dripping penises, and his tongue hung from the side of his mouth as he panted.

Conor coughed. "Yes. I see." He shook his head. "Dirk, could you whip up a large batch of scrambled eggs, the last of the bacon, and some toast? Faelen, if you could spare some time from your bed 'rest,'" and here Conor made air-quotes around the last word, while Micah stopped staring and clapped his paws over his mouth, smothering his laughter, "you could make some more juice and slice up some grapefruit."

Faelen blushed, while Liam looked smug. Dirk looked a little jealous as he arched an eyebrow. Geoff saw Liam wink at Dirk.

Dirk and Faelen went upstairs, while Liam walked a little unsteadily toward the bathroom.

Conor reached out and placed a paw gently on Liam's shoulder. "Sensei, do you want me to see to Geoff's wounds? You look like you need a little more rest."

"You are right." Liam pointed at his bag, which was still by the closed bathroom door. "The small pot of ointment has a mild topical painkiller and hastens the healing process. I have never used it on a Spirit, so I should apply the first dose and observe it for a minute before you treat the other lacerations." His tone was dry. "Maybe I will be given an opportunity to recover enough to walk across a room easily soon."

He moved back to the wall and steadied himself as he followed Geoff into his room. "May I turn on the light? I will need to see to properly treat you." Geoff put Nathanial on his bed and grunted. Liam turned on the light. "It is not overly bright, but I see well in dim light. If you could slide Nathanial over farther and sit, I will begin." Liam nodded to Conor, who had walked in with the small container. "Thank you. This does not hurt in the slightest; it should feel cool and soothing. Let me know if it does not fit that description."

He tapped a finger on the thick ointment, picking up a tiny amount. He gently touched it to a small cut on Geoff's arm, watching his face for any reaction. It felt just as Liam said it would, so Geoff nodded. Liam rubbed the rest into the wound.

He waited a minute, but it was acting just as it should. "All is well. I will retire to Faelen's bed for now. If I should fall asleep, please wake me when food is ready. I need the food more than sleep." He made his way out of the room.

Geoff shook his head as his father rubbed small amounts of the ointment into each cut.

---

It was early afternoon, almost two, when Nathanial left Geoff's room. He had a small breakfast and lunch earlier, but wasn't feeling very hungry. He was tired, but was sick of staying in bed. Geoff spent almost the entire time with him; he seemed to be studying and doing homework whenever Nathanial woke up.

Except once; that time Geoff had manifested and it looked like he was trying to make things out of darkness. He made a bat and had it pick up a pencil and fly around the room. He had an eye for detail, it seemed. Nathanial could sense the texture of the fur, the muscles flexing along its chest as it flapped, and even its heartbeat. The bat visited him in his dreams after that, flying around him and driving away the nightmares.

Nathanial snapped back to the present at the door of the washroom. He left the light off as he went in and closed the door. He emptied his bladder and placed his paw on the wall to steady himself. 'Shower: Yes/No?' He sniffed his fur. 'Yes. Most definitely Yes.' He walked his paw along the wall as he went into the shower. He rested for a moment and sighed.

"Nathanial?" Geoff was on the other side of the bathroom door. "Are you alright? You seem to be a little weak."

Nathanial lifted his head, curious. "How can you tell? The door's closed. I was just going to get in the shower."

Geoff opened the door and walked in, closing it behind him. He still had his gym shorts on, but he dropped them as he grabbed a shedding brush. "I just could. Heh, you do like the dark now. My pup." He nuzzled the back of Nathanial's neck. "Let me get your back first. Sit on the toilet. I need a shower, too. I never got a chance to clean up after my workout this morning. If I'm going to soccer -- Hah! Got it the first time! -- ah, soccer tryouts, I should probably clean up."

Nathanial's voice got a little panicked as vague, muddled, memories of the 'monsters' in his nightmares returned. "You're going out? They'll be... I'll be fine. I'll talk to Liam-sensei to see if I'm well enough to watch." He sat on the toilet seat facing the wall so Geoff could brush his back.

Geoff knelt on the floor and made long strokes down Nathanial's back. "Sensei has gone out with Micah. They won't be back until later. Soccer tryouts usually take an hour. I'd be back before five. I'd love to have you come watch, but I don't know if you're well enough. Who's troubling your dreams? Hunters or Demons?"

Nathanial began to shiver. "I can't remember. Every time I wake up I forget the dreams. There seems to be two different ones, though. But the things tormenting me are the same. The bat you made earlier has been in them, too. It drives the things away."

Geoff stopped brushing Nathanial's tail as he manifested and focused. Nathanial felt a folding in the dark and energy flowing into the room from elsewhere, the Elemental Plane of Darkness, he guessed. The bat appeared out of the folds like an intricate piece of origami. It landed on his shoulder and Geoff smiled as he resumed brushing.

Nathanial felt himself relax a bit. "Could you wrap me up in the dark, too? Like a blanket, or something? It, it, um, feels like you hugging me. I feel your presence in it." He felt Geoff grin widely, his tail wagging, and a cloak of darkness wrapped itself around him, soft and cool. The bat chirped, its roost disturbed, and circled around Nathanial before landing on his shoulder again. "Are you trying to get Liam-sensei to teach you kung fu? I heard you talking to Faelen about it earlier, around lunch. I should ask him, too."

Geoff's voice was almost sad as he answered, "Yes. I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you if something happens. Sensei seems so much more...competent, I guess. I need to learn how to defend you; that's also why I was practicing this morning." He shook his head and continued in a happier tone, "I need to shower. I'll have to leave before long to get to tryouts. I need to talk to the principal, the coach, and Ms. Paul first."

They went in the shower, and scrubbed each other's fur. There was a fair amount of kissing, but they kept it tame. Nathanial didn't feel up to a lot of exertion, and he knew Geoff really wanted to make the soccer team. They finished drying at half-past. The bat circled overhead the entire shower.

"I need to suppress my Spirit, pup." The darkness dissipated and the bat disappeared. "I really don't think you're up to going with me to the school. Why don't you rest with Nicholas? He's barely made it out of bed, too. He could use the company."

Nathanial nodded and followed Geoff to his room to put on a t-shirt and shorts. While he felt more comfortable in this house than his own, he was still embarrassed by his puppy fluff and slightly chubby belly. He was also a little ashamed that he was noticeably the least fit person here. He kissed Geoff and went upstairs to find Nicholas. He stopped outside Gwen's door and sent a quick text to Liam.

---

Geoff wished that Nathanial was feeling well enough to watch his tryouts, but he still looked a little unsteady as he left his bedroom. Right after Nathanial left he sent a text to Liam: "Pls buy plush flying bat for Nats. Will pay back. Black pref." Geoff was pretty sure this wasn't the reason Liam gave him his number; it was more likely to call the Rottie if Nathanial had more trouble, but Geoff didn't really care. He put on his football kit, then knocked on Faelen's door and opened it. Faelen was pulling on his jock strap. Geoff always thought Faelen looked hot in one. "Almost ready?"

"Yup, just getting dressed. Da and Conor are going with us. They want to talk to the principal. I don't know if they'll watch the tryouts." He pulled his football jersey from last year on. "I wonder if they'll object to this?"

"Doubt it, as long as you don't wear it to a match."

They went up to the kitchen, Conor and Dirk wore suits, and Dirk's made him look like one of those security guards for the American president. He even had the glasses. Conor looked like some sort of powerbroker. 'I guess Da isa powerbroker, when you get down to it. The contacts he has across the Hidden World are probably even more impressive than I know.' "Faelen said you are coming with us, Da?"

"Yes. I was talking with Sensei this morning. I have things to discuss with your principal."

Conor's tone was grim, making Geoff and Faelen step back slightly. Geoff said cautiously, "What sort of things, Da?"

Conor started walking to the garage as he shook his head. "Car." Geoff and Faelen exchanged glances at his brusque response before following in silence.

Conor pulled the car into the parking lot of the school, at quarter-to-three. He parked in a visitor's spot and led them into the reception area.

The secretary looked up from his computer, he was a middle-aged Horse with a chestnut coat and black mane. "Mr. McDougal, Mrs. Davis is in the meeting room. You remember the way, sir?"

"Yes. Thank you." Conor strode down the hall to the meeting room, the others following.

The door was open. Geoff saw Mrs. Davis, a Cougar in her late fifties sitting at the head of the table. She often looked older than her actual age. Ms. Paul, Mr. Ryhorski, and Mr. Harper were there as well, sitting by Mrs. Davis. Mr. Ryhorski was the school counselor; he was a bulky Black Bear and was fairly short, only about 165 centimetres tall. Mr. Harper was the Panther who answered the door to the staff room yesterday.

"Good day, Mrs. Davis, Ms. Paul, gentlemen. Thank you for seeing me."

Mrs. Davis stood up from the table and motioned them to sit. "Mr. McDougal, please allow me to introduce Mr. Ryhorski, the school's counsellor, and Mr. Harper, the soccer coach." Geoff looked at Mr. Harper in surprise. He was rewarded with a smug and unpleasant smile.

Conor sat at the foot of the table and motioned for Geoff and Faelen to sit beside him. Dirk stood at Conor's left shoulder, back a pace. There were three empty seats between Geoff and Mr. Harper. "I see. As he has tryouts to observe, let us begin immediately. I have four topics to cover before we discuss the tryouts; the first three are all related to one subject. First, it has come to my attention that one of the students in this school has started vicious rumours that my son has raped a fellow student, one Nathanial Marks. Second, a teacher has taken these rumours and has directly accused my son of rape and said that the victim of the alleged rape has deserved such treatment." A silent snarl crossed Mr. Harper's face as he glared at Geoff. "Third, I wish to see how the investigation into the source of this slander is progressing, and, if the alleged perpetrator is the same as the one who accused Faelen O'Conall of paedophilia, what the punishment is to be. Fourth, as you are aware, the victims of yesterday's carjacking and attempted kidnapping stayed the night at my home last night. I am sure Mr. Ryhorski and Ms. Paul will have questions."

Mrs. Davis shot a look at Ms. Paul and Mr. Harper. "My staff have brought the rumours to my attention, and I have judged them to be serious enough to request the assistance of the police. It's out of the school's hands until the results are complete. When the investigation is done, we will see if it warrants charges or if a suspension will suffice. If you wish to press charges you may, but the school will suspend the investigation as the formal charges will supersede ours. As for your second point, I haven't heard of this. Young Mr. McDougal, if you would elaborate?"

Conor answered for him. "He didn't mention this to me; another student did. Mr. Harper answered the door to the staff room yesterday when Geoff and Nathanial went to speak to Ms. Paul about Nathanial's arm. They had not heard the rumour at that time. I quote what was relayed to me, and you may ask Ms. Paul about its accuracy." He cleared his throat. "'Mr. McDougal, you had best hope these rumours are false. We take a dim view of extortion and sexual exploitation at this school. Mr. Marks, coming on to male students in the school washrooms is a very stupid thing to do, and I dare say you got what you deserved. I hope you find the desks quite uncomfortable for the rest of the week.'" He sounded almost exactly like Mr. Harper, except for the pitch of his voice. Mr. Ryhorski looked horrified as he stared at Mr. Harper. Mrs. Davis also looked shocked.

Ms. Paul almost managed to keep the expression of triumph from her face. "That is exactly what was said yesterday. You even sounded like him. You and that student did a great job. There were some other faculty in the lounge that can confirm it."

Mr. Harper glared at her. "I said it was a rumour. I didn't accuse him of anything."

Conor smiled grimly. "Yet you indicated that you believed the rumours by stating you hoped Nathanial remained in pain for the rest of the week. The little caveat at the beginning doesn't change that. Hoping an alleged rape victim suffers isn't a quality I want in the faculty at a school my son and the son of my employee attend. And to say such a thing to someone you believe was raped is disgusting, regardless of your personal beliefs."

Mr. Ryhorski looked like he was trying to talk, but he was too agitated to. Mrs. Davis locked eyes with Mr. Harper. "We will discuss this with the board of directors."

Ms. Paul spoke up. "Then Nathanial and Smith. How are they? Is Nathanial's arm better?"

Conor answered. "His arm is better; an acupuncturist and traditional healer treated it yesterday. He seems to be suffering no ill effects from the injury." Conor's tone was cautious as he continued. "Nathanial and Smith are...physically well. Smith's arm is tender from the bullet wound, but is expected to recover fully. They may require a little more time to emotionally recover, especially Nathanial. He...did not sleep well." He smiled sadly. "Which meant none of us did. His nightmares woke us frequently."

Mr. Ryhorski had a few more questions, but Conor either said he didn't know or it wasn't his place to say.

Mr. Harper spoke up. "This is all entertaining I'm sure, but I have tryouts to conduct."

Conor fixed him with a piercing glare. "I would be uncomfortable having the teacher who accused my son of rape conducting his tryouts. I'm uncertain if you could remain impartial. I request, Mrs. Davis, that the coach of the girl's team be on hand to observe, if she's available."

Ms. Paul smiled sweetly. "I'd be happy to watch, Mr. McDougal. If Mrs. Davis wants me to, of course. I understand their team," she said, nodding at Geoff and Faelen, "won the national championships last year in Ireland, and they both received awards. Geoff was MVP, I believe, and Faelen was acclaimed the best goalkeeper in the league. It isn't often we get to see such talent, as soccer isn't a huge sport here."

Mr. Harper looked like he wanted to strangle her.

Mrs. Davis looked impressed. "While I trust Mr. Harper to remain professional at all times, I'll accept your request. Ms. Paul, if you'd please watch the tryouts. I think I'll watch, too. I enjoy watching soccer. I played on my university team when I was younger." Mrs. Davis stood and ushered everyone from the meeting room.