FIngering the trigger

[deadvil_horrer]

In the back of his mind Koel knew he had slept through his last class. He’d just about jolted out of his skin at the sound of the lunch bell, blinking out of his daze both confused and rattled. Though his eyes hadn’t closed, and he was sitting up straight, he’d been completely lost to the world.  He hadn’t even heard a word the teacher had said all

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[deadvil_horrer]

Once they settled into studying Hazel fell silent at their side, his nose buried in his book. He didn't make a sound throughout the visit, just sat and read. Every so often he'd peek up at Harlan from over the edge of his book, a sort of curious expression on the little boy's face. Once they were finished for the night Koel packed up their stuff and bid his adieu. He walked away with Hazel in tow, the little boy peaking over his shoulder at Harlan and waving as they left.

It was one of the only times that Hazel would join them, smiling shyly over his book. Though every day Koel would show up in the library after school. He and Harlan would go through their work, and then at the end of the lesson Koel would walk to the elementary school down the road to pick Hazel up.

It became a regular part of Koel's schedule, sitting with Harlan after school. It became something that he thoroughly enjoyed. Harlan's company broke up the painful monotony of his life. It gave him a reprieve from the weight of Frank's presence in his life.

It was almost like having a friend.

They exchanged numbers after the first few weeks, just in case Koel needed any extra help. At first, Koel had been too nervous to send him a message. He'd almost done it a couple of times, after Frank got too rough with him, or when the man went after Hazel. But he'd just end up staring down at the name in his phone, too unsure to message him.

Then one day his phone went off.

Koel had no friends, so he knew instantly who it was. The simple "Hey, how's your night?" made his heart pound nervously. He stared at his phone for damned near an hour before he worked up the courage to respond.

After that, they texted nearly every day. About everything, and about nothing. Koel even let Hazel text Harlan o
ccasionally, the 8 year old delighting in messaging the older boy.

It was the first friendship that Koel had had in years.

And when he walked into that Library every day, he couldn't help but beam.