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Chapter Text

     He only knew his name was Roman and he was the prince of Lalandia. He found himself on a bed, his mind fuzzy and the magic beneath his skin felt dull and weak. He shot up, looking around at the red wall and found two doors in the room. Suddenly the door in the back slammed open as a guy who looked like him busted through what Roman could make out as a Jack and Jill bathroom. 

    “Who the hell are you?” Roman shouted, vaulting off his bed and grabbing a nearby sword and pointing it at the guy.

    “I’m Remus, who the fuck are you?” Remus said, swinging up a morning star.

    “I’m Roman, prince of Lalandia!”

    “No, I’m the prince of Lalandia!” Remus snapped, his eyes wild, before swinging the morning star at Roman, and Roman raised his sword to shield his body, but the two were frozen and a towering dragon walked through the other door. 

    She was a rich amber color, and her horns were twisted around her head like a halo. She wore a pink apron with the word ‘Mom’ scrawled elegantly across it as she held a bowl of batter and that she used to stir it. “Boys, behave. You were both the prince of Lalandia, but now you are my sons, normal boys of Lilith Crown.” She said, her eyes were dreamy and calm as she waved her spoon in the air, pulling the weapons out of their hands and returning them to what Roman could assume were the original spots. “Now get changed into your clothes, I’ll have to drop you off at school soon.” She then slinked out of the room, her large frame somehow fitting through with little resistance. Roman finally was able to move and shifted back as Remus fell face first. 

   Roman looked at Remus, “Dragon Witch.” They both said. 

    “She must have done this.” Roman said, “What the hell happened between Lalandia and wherever here is?”

   “I dunno?” Remus shrugged, rubbing his fingers where a moustache would be, “I just know my name is Remus and I’m the prince of Lalandia.” 

   “Whatever happened I have to get back to Lalandia and sort this mess out.” Roman said, moving his hands at the two. “Bad enough you think you’re the prince, now I have to fight a Dragon Witch!”

   “Same goes here bastard.” Remus taunted, “I’ll find a way back home first.” He said before rushing back to his room. Roman slammed the bathroom door shut and tore through his closet. He found clothes in white and red with gold accents and he threw on a white long sleeve shirt and layered a red t-shirt over it and pulled on a pair of blue jeans. It felt weird that he knew so many words that he knew shouldn’t be familiar to him. He slipped on red and white converse before slipping into the bathroom. 

    Remus was in there, his face barely an inch from the mirror as he stared at his green eyes with a smile. Roman stared at him, “Did- did you draw a mustache on your face?” He asked before looking at himself in the mirror and brushing his hair with a red brush, his eyes a shining amber. 

    “Yep! Thought my face looked blank.” Remus said, brushing his hair up with his fingers. Roman sighed and began brushing his teeth with strawberry toothpaste and red toothbrush as he watched Remus dig underneath the sink.

     Remus could not be the prince of Lalandia, he was too- Roman watched as he pulled out a bottle of bleach and stared at it with intent- chaotic, stupid, he couldn’t possibly be the prince. He slipped out of the bathroom and his bedroom as he made his way to the kitchen that smelled of fresh pancakes. 

    The Dragon Witch stood over the stove, her tail wrapped around the island as she hummed a song he didn’t recognize. She turned to him, a smile perched on her snout as she pushed a plate of pancakes into his hands. “Good morning,” She paused and sniffed the air, “You brushed your teeth, do you like that toothpaste? Your father used to say you hated mint toothpaste.”

   “What?” He whispered, before Remus slid in. 

   Remus had on a loose black t-shirt and skinny black pants that had rips that stretched up his legs and thick black boots. 

   “Remus, why did you rip your pants?” The Dragon Witch asked, and handed him a plate of pancakes, but she didn’t let him answer. “Sit, let’s eat together as a family.”

   Remus looked at Roman, “she’s fucking weird.” he whispered before going to sit at a small round table. Roman sat down and looked up at the Dragon Witch, his heart pounding as he stared at her. 

   “Go on, eat, it's not poisoned.” She cooed and took a pancake off Roman’s plate and ate it. 

  “What do you want from me?” He asked, pointing his fork at her. 

   “I want a happy family, I know you’re so sad about your father’s death, but you and Remus need to accept that you are living here now.”

   “Can I eat bleach?” Remus asked, slamming his hands on the table and pushed himself closer to the Dragon Witch. 

  “No, and both of you need to make friends. This is a fresh start for both of you.” She said, her voice calm.

   Roman stabbed his fork into the table. “Tell me what the heck is going on here!” Remus looked at Roman, and slowly moved back as the Dragon Witch’s eyes narrowed. 

   Finally she snapped, “Listen here you little shits, I didn’t take you for you to misbehave. I have and will give you all that you need.” She took a deep breath, “Just behave.” She smiled, and returned to her cheery tune. 

   Roman looked to Remus and they both slowly ate their pancakes. They slowly ate in silence as Roman looked at the Dragon Witch, wondering what curse she had placed on them.

Chapter Text

    Roman Crown. The name stuck to the roof of his mouth like sour honey as he sat in the back of a tan car next to Remus as the Dragon Witch drove them to school. She had insisted they call her Mom, but Roman refused and Remus-

     “Can I jump out the window?” He asked as Roman watched the Dragon Witch lock the window. 

     “No Remus, can you not be so chaotic?” She asked, making a turn down the road and pulling up to the school. 

    “Why would I do that?” Remus said, pressing his face against the car glass, “What if I suck their dicks?”

    “No!” She snapped, and slammed the brakes. 

    Roman didn’t know what spell she had placed on herself, but no one mentioned her dragon-esquie form as she kicked the two out of the car. She drove off, leaving Roman and Remus in the sea of other people. Before she had corralled them in the car, she had explained that they would be new students at Sandersville High School and they would go to the main office to get everything else sorted out. Roman easily slipped through the crowd, constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure Remus was behind him. 

    Remus was constantly looking around, sniffing the air and making random noises that made people stare at him with fear and disgust. Roman gave small smiles to people as he waved and got smiles and even a few ‘hi’s’ as he slipped into the building and grabbed Remus’ wrist and dragged him through the crowd and into the office. 

     The office was starkly quieter than the chaos in the halls and Roman walked up to the receptionist with a smile. “I’m Roman Crown and this is-” A sudden ding made Roman turn to see Remus putting a pen-filled mug he had knocked off the counter back up with all the pens inside just to knock them off again, “My brother, Remus Crown. We’ve just transferred here, our Mom said all the paperwork was filled out."

     The receptionist, whose name was Mrs. Smith according to her nameplate, quickly sorted through some papers and pulled out two papers and handed one to Roman and slowly pushed the other to Remus, who snatched it up with a wicked grin. “Patton Grove and Janus Mesa will be up soon to help show you around. There are some volunteers that help integrate new students.” 

     “Thank you,” Roman sighed out with a smile. Gods this place couldn’t get any worse, he watched Remus start to draw on his arms with a sharpie, correction, it could get worse. 

     “Mrs. Smith, we’re here!” A soft, but booming voice said as he and someone else stepped through the door.

      Mrs. Smith peeked her head up, “Patton, Janus, thank you for showing these two around.”

      “It’s no problem.” The other person said, their ‘s’s sounded like a hiss. “Janus Mesa, any pronouns work.” They said, offering their hand. Roman slowly shook their hand, noticing patches of lighter skin dotting their hands, neck, and face that contrasted with their soft brown skin. Bleach blonde hair fell over their face and stuck out from their black bowler hat. Their yellow messenger bag was covered in thin black drawings of snakes and had a few patches of bands.

      “Roman Crown, he/him.” He said before turning to Patton, who was slightly taller than him. “And you must be Patton.”

      Patton grabbed his hand with both hands and shook it, his smile wide and glowing white. “It's nice to meet you!” He said, his thick mop of curls flowed from his head and slightly over his round, thick-framed glasses. His brown eyes seemed to glow and his dark skin was clear of any scars or imperfections. 

      Roman gave a small smile, feeling better. “I’m assuming Janus is dealing with-” A loud smack echoed in the air as Remus slapped his hands against Janus' outstretched one. “What the heck Remus?” Roman snapped. 

      “It’s quite alright,” Janus said, shaking his hand out. “You should, however, learn to control your strength.” They said, pointing their finger at Remus.

       Roman turned back to Patton, “Can we go, I’d rather not be stuck with my brother.”

       Patton nodded, “Of course! Now what’s your schedule look like? I can show you all your classes and we can go from there.” Roman handed him his schedule as they walked out of the office, the waves of students filling the halls as they walked, offering smiles and waves to Patton, who would smile and offer small bits of small talk as he peered at the schedule. 

      “We have a lot of the same classes, and you’re a junior too!” Patton smiled, his voice made Roman’s nerves ease as they walked. “So what brings you here?”

      “Family stuff, don’t want to talk about it.” Roman said with an eyeroll, “I want to go back, but guess I have to make the most of this.”

       Patton nudged him with his elbow, “Cheer up champ, you haven’t missed much and Logan would be happy to help you out.”

      “Who’s Logan?” Roman asked as the two slipped into a classroom.

       “That would be me.” A cool, collected voice said from the front row, gesturing to two seats next to him.

       “Thanks Lolo!” Patton said before turning to Roman, “This is our English class, so don’t worry too much, we just started Macbeth. We are having a play for it later this year.”

        “Patton, ease up will you? You do not want to overwhelm them.” Logan stood up and offered his hand, “Logan Orion, he/him.”

        “Roman Crown, he/him.” He said, slumping into his chair and sliding his backpack underneath it. “So you mentioned a play?” Patton nodded as he sat between Roman and Logan.

        “Yep! Our drama club hosts a play every winter and spring. They’re having a club meeting after school. I have a habit of managing the small things there.”

        “I would not call managing the wardrobe, schedules, and providing food for the cast and crew ‘small things’.” Logan said, but Patton just waved him off.

        “Nonsense, it’s perfectly fine Lo,” Patton said, “I think it's Macbeth, it might be Romeo and Juliet though, a classic.”

       “I see, I might attend this club meeting, I do enjoy the theater.” Roman smiled, his chest letting out air and uncrushing his chest. 

        Patton let out a gleeful giggle, “Wonderful! I can tell you all about the people there, oh you’ll just love them.”

        Roman nodded, getting a thumbs up from Logan. Maybe this place would be fine until he could return home.

Chapter Text

    “Janus Mesa.” He said, offering Remus his hand. 

    SMACK HIS HAND! 

    A loud crack echoed as Remus slammed his hand against Janus’, pain ringing up his hand and into his arm as he smiled at Janus. 

    “What the heck Remus?” Roman snapped. 

    “It’s quite alright,” Janus said, shaking his hand out. “You should, however, learn to control your strength.” They said, pointing their finger at Remus.

     “Sure thing Daddio!” Remus smirked, getting an eyeroll from Janus. He watched as they curiously pulled out a pair of thin glasses that were nearly invisible. 

     “You must've been popular back from where you're from.” Janus halfway hissed, the door closing behind as Patton and Roman left. 

     “I dunno,” Remus shrugged, walking around Janus as he spun on his heels, “What’s next Daddio?”

      SCREAM!

      Janus sighed, “Let me see your schedule.” Remus whipped the paper out and Janus took it. 

      SCREAM!

       Remus opened his mouth and let out a sharp shrill, making everyone jump and cover thor ears, and Janus immediately slammed his hand over Remus mouth. Remus licked Janus’s hand and Janus pulled his hand away and wiped it on his black pants.

      “You really are a feral rat.” Janus said.

      “Yep!” Remus said, leaning over so far on one leg, he fell over. 

       Janus scoffed, “Come on, you're lucky we share a first period.” Pushing open the door as he muttered to himself.

      RUN! RUN!

      Remus dashed in front of Janus before the shorter man snagged him by the back of his shirt and dragged him back. “Oh come on!” Remus whined as Janus dragged him through the hall, Remus’ heels squeaking against the floor.

     “Gods above, it's a miracle you’ve alive.” Janus hissed, dragging him with no effort.

      “I dunno how I’m alive either!” Remus chuckled, his mind running as he passed people, their faces twisting around as his imagination twisted the world around him. 

       STAB THEM ALL!

       GO LIMP!

      SPRINT FOR THE EXIT!

      SLAM YOU BOTH INTO A LOCKER! 

       Suddenly Janus pulled him upright and made Remus face him, “Kinky~” Remus smirked, and Janus rolled his eyes with a chuckle.

      “Of course you're into that.”

      “I’m into a lotta things.” Remus said, bending slightly to meet Janus eye to eye. He looked around to the door, math. “Numbers are not sexy. How can anyone get off to that?” 

       Janus choked out a laugh, slamming his hand over his mouth as he cackled. “Do you have a filter?”

      “The fuck is a filter?” He asked, his brain trying to think as it was bombarded with ideas. 

      PISS

      FUCK

     SHIT

     SPIT

     BUTTHOLES

     “You’re a piece of work, ya know?” Janus smiled, “You wanna skip class?”

     Remus smiled, “Finally something not boring!” 

    Janus chuckled, “Come on, not like anyone would miss us.” His ending tone sounded, sad? Remus was struggling as his mind yelled ideas at him. 

    EAT YOUR HAND!

    EAT THEIR HAND!

    HANDSTAND!

    FUCK!

    “Are we going to the hookup spot?” Remus smirked as the passed students gave both of them sideyes and glares. 

    “No, but there won’t be a lot of people around.” Janus said, leading him deeper in the school until they reached the theater. “They don’t check here and it's pretty nice.” They said, holding the door open and Remus slipped in. 

    “Janus?” A croaky voice echoed from the stage, though Remus couldn’t see where it came from.

   “Don’t worry Vee, I brought a new friend.” Janus said, pulling Remus to the stage, where a boy, much taller than Remus, stepped out from behind the curtains. 

    He had dark wavy hair with purple bangs that covered most of his eyes and he had to constantly brush them to the side to see. He wore a baggy, black hoodie with purple patches covering the sleeves and baggy black pants that covered most of his black shoes. 

    “Heyo sexy boy.” Remus smirked, giving a small bow. “Name’s Remus.”

    “Virgil, umm Janus, did you?” His nearly black eyes flicked to them. 

   “Yes, I’ve dealt with attendance, don’t fret.” Janus said, hopping onto the stage and sprawling their body out under the dim lights. “I’m glad you made a copy of the backstage key.”

   “Well yeah, if I lose it I don’t want to face Mr. Kennedy and disappoint him. I can’t be a disappointment-” Janus placed a hand on Virgil’s foot.

   “Sit down Vee, and breathe.” Janus smiled, and Virgil slowly sat down. Remus climbed onto the stage and flopped on the other side of Janus. “He likes you.”

    Virgil nodded, holding his legs close to his chest, “Right,” 

    “You seem more fuckable than hateable!” Remus chimed in, making Virgil roll his eyes.

    “I doubt it.” Virgil said with a small smile. “But thanks.”

    Remus nodded. He watched the other two talk as his head filled with a hurricane of ideas.

FUCKTHEMBOTHEATSHITBLOWSOMETHINGUPBLOWEVERYTHINGUPBLOWYOURSELFUPJUMPINFRONTOFACARSTABSTABSOMETHINGANYTHING!

    “Remus, did you hear me?” Janus asked, shaking Remus’ shoulder.

    “Nope!”

     Janus rolled his eyes, “I was asking if you wanted to play cards.”

     “Strip poker! Great idea!”

     Virgil rolled his eyes as Janus produced a deck of cards from their vest pocket, “How about just poker?”

     “Fine.” Remus said, “I don’t know how to play.”

     Janus raised an eyebrow, “And you suggested strip poker?”

    “It’s called faking it, Jan.” Virgil said, pulling out his phone and scrolling on some website. 

    “I should’ve seen that.” Janus shrugged, dealing out cards, “We won’t start betting until you’ve learned.”

     “I’m broke!” Remus smiled, and Janus pulled out a bag of dice from his yellow messenger bag.

    “And we bet dice, you can take a set you like and keep it for the game.” They said, picking out a set of gold dice and Virgil pulled out purple dice with liquid floating inside. 

     EAT THE DICE!

     Remus reached for the dice and Janus smacked his hand, “Don’t even think about it.” Janus finished setting up and picked up their cards, “Now let’s begin.”

Chapter Text

     The cafeteria was noisy, Patton had warned Roman after he had explained that he was homeschooled. Roman still wasn’t sure what homeschooled meant, but it earned some pity from Patton and Logan explaining the current social hierarchy to him. 

     “So most of the jocks, layman's term for those who play sports, typically football or other manly sport, sit in that corner. They are not mean outright, but if you embarrass yourself enough or bother them, they will bully you, typically verbally and socially.”

     “But that’s not going to happen!” Patton interrupted as he tossed his bag at the end of a long table by the windows. “They can be nice.”

     “Before we became close, they constantly bullied me for how I talk, and lack of social skills.” Logan murmured the last part, but Roman felt bad. Logan was quite genuine, and he was a good person, as was Patton. The three slid into the benches, Roman across from Patton and Logan, who sat right next to each other.

    “I know, and I dealt with it.” Patton smiled, pulling out a metal, blue lunchbox covered in cartoon characters and dents as Logan pulled out perfect blue containers from a black fabric lunch bag with his name messily embroidered on it.

    “By telling them not to mess with your boyfriend?” Logan said with a raised eyebrow and a chuckle.

     Patton’s face flushed bright red, “Shush!” he said, playfully smacking Logan’s arm.

     “Well it ended well, we are dating now.” Logan smiled, “In case it wasn’t clear, me and Patton are romantic partners.”

      Roman smiled, “A fairytale love story, such a classic.” he pulled out the red lunch bag with his name printed on it and a small sword piercing down through the ‘o’ in his name. 

     Right, he was still prisoner to the Dragon Witch.

    “Are ya good Roman?” Patton asked as he bit into his hearty sandwich, which had bits of lettuce, cheese, meat, and various other foods stuffed in between two slices of white bread. 

     “I’m fine, just… thinking about the drama club.” He quickly lied, “I’ll have to message my mother.” He pulled out his phone from his backpack, another thing she mentioned. 

     The phone was pristine, the screen clean and the phone case a bright red with a yellow popsocket in the shape of a crown. He opened it and opened the messages app, and there was only one contact in it with a message from the Dragon Witch. 

Have a great day sweetie!

Roman wanted to crush the phone in his hand, but he sent her a quick message.

I am going to a club meeting after school

When will it be over?

Four

Ok, I’ll make sure Remus is good and 

pick you up at four. Have a good lunch!

I packed your favorites! 

     Roman slipped his phone into his pants pocket. 

     “What did your mother say?” Logan asked as he ate a salad. 

     “She says it's fine and she’ll pick me up when it's over.” Roman replied, opening his bag to find a cheese sandwich, potato wedges that were somehow still warm, and dipping sauce that was cool. Inside there was also a soda can, and when he cracked it open, it opened crisply.

     “By how much you’ve been swinging that bag around, I’m surprised it didn’t explode.” Patton joked, moving his hands away from Logan’s salad. 

      Roman nodded, slowly picking up the sandwich and smelling it. “I guess I got lucky.” he said, finally biting into his sandwich.

     “It is entirely plausible that between the times you left the bag alone, the soda inside was able to rest and not explode.” Logan agreed, continuing to eat.

      That could be as equally plausible as Dragon Witch magic. 

     “Epic is a good musical, but I think Logan does have a point about Hamilton being better.” Roman said, the conversation from earlier had persisted. 

     “HEY JOCK ASSES!” a familiar voice cracked across the cafeteria. Roman turned his head as he watched Remus and Janus being pulled out of the cafeteria at light speed as the jocks raced after them. 

      “That idiot!” He grumbled.

      “Isn’t that your brother?” Patton asked as Roman stood up. 

      “Yep, and he’s about to get himself killed.” He said, and the other two followed him as they ran into the hallway. 

      The football team made a circle around as he heard someone hissing and growling. 

      “Hey back it off.” Patton said, Logan grabbed Patton’s shoulder.

      “Go grab a teacher, now!” He said, shoving Patton away as he cracked his knuckles. “Roman, I hope you know how to fight.” 

       Roman nodded as he looked at the crowd, Little Wolf playing in his head as readied himself. Then to his shock, one of the jocks stumbled back with blood pouring out of his nose as his buddies started to look at the lanky guy, who was nearly as tall as the biggest guys. The guy with purple hair shed his hoodie to show a black, long sleeved shirt. 

       Remus was on the ground with blood trickling from his mouth as Janus hissed at a few others and swung his bag around, which Remus quickly copied. The purple haired guy raised his fists, “Anyone else?” He asked, moving in a circle as the jocks closed back around them. 

       Logan started to step forward, when a resource officer and several teachers raced past as Patton grabbed Logan’s hand. “That was quick.” Logan said and Patton nodded.

       Someone screamed in pain as the purple haired guy shoved several guys to the ground as Remus and Janus slammed their bags into others with hefty force. Remus cackled as swung his bag around like a flail and purple haired guy launched himself at guys and knocked them around. It was not to say he wasn’t getting his own beating as they punched him down, only for purple hair guy to get up and attack again. 

     The jocks quickly saw the officer and began to back off, before he got to the purple hair guy, who was making the jocks have a run for their money. The three near him had to slam into the wall before he finally saw the officer and froze. 

     The teachers quickly separated everyone, dragging them to the office. Great, Remus was causing fights. 

      “When did Virgil get so strong?” Logan asked as Patton nervously muttered under his breath. 

       Patton shrugged, “I don’t know, he barely talks to me, you know he likes to hang out with Janus.” Patton spat out Janus’ name like a curse. He sighed, rubbing his eyes, “Let’s just get back to lunch.”

        Logan grabbed Roman’s hand as he pulled him back to the cafeteria, the blood spotting the floor.

Chapter Text

    “And why did you think it was a good idea to antagonize them?” The principal asked Remus as the room shifted around in front of his eyes. The shadows grew arms and the walls beat like a heart. 

   “They were jerks, I was just calling them out.” He shrugged, leaning back in his chair and kicking his feet up onto the desk. 

   “You do understand the seriousness of this situation?” The principal asked, raising his eyebrow.

   “I understand that I was calling out some assholes.” Remus said, rolling his eyes as he looked at the ceiling, the popcorn ceiling looked like the inside of a dying, smoke-filled lung. 

    “Do you want in-school suspension?” The principal asked, and Remus cackled. 

    FIGHT HIM!

    SCREAM!

    Suddenly, the door swung open and the Dragon Witch walked in. Her large body scraped against the body, but nobody seemed to notice. “Principal Morris, Remus.” She cooed with poison. She sat down in the chair, but it didn’t break under her massive form. 

    “Ms. Crown, I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” The principal said.

     The Dragon Witch smiled, “Well, I’m here.” She cooed, “I heard Remus was causing some issues.”

     “Yes ma’am, he started a fight.” 

    “Did he?” She said, raising her hand and poured out of her palm like blood. “Those jocks should be in trouble, those boys were defending themselves.” She said.

     Remus looked at the principal’s eyes, glassy and wide as he stared at the magic. “Yes, Remus Crown is not responsible. Janus Mesa and Virgil Mallory are not responsible.” 

    “Good,” She said, the magic slowly disappearing in the air around the principal. “Now I will be taking Remus home for the rest of the day.”

    The principal still looked high, but he nodded his head. The Dragon Witch grabbed Remus’ wrist and dragged him out of the office. He looked at Janus and Virgil. Janus was patting Virgil’s shoulder as Virgil stared in horror at the Dragon Witch. 

     She didn’t say anything until she got in the car after throwing Remus into the back seat. She glared at him through the rearview window. “Buckle up.” she grumbled. 

     Remus didn’t respond as the strap buckled itself across his chest. 

    BITE THE SEATBELT!

    Remus dug his teeth into his seatbelt before his head was snapped up against the back of his seat. “Remus, can you not be a feral rat for two minutes?!” The Dragon Witch hissed. 

    “I like being a feral rat!” Remus replied, his heart churning with worry as the Dragon Witch raised her hand.

    “Silence. I’ll decide when you can talk again.” Smoke poured out of her nostrils and clogged the car up so bad she had to roll all four windows down. When pulled into the driveway she yanked Remus out of the car and into the house. He tried to scream, yell, anything, but his voice was gone. 

     Once inside, she threw him into his room and he listened as all the doors and windows lock, except the bathroom. Remus slammed his body into the bedroom door repeatedly until he felt the right side of his body bruising. 

    LOSER!
   YOU AREN’T WANTED!

   SMASH YOUR HEAD THROUGH THE DOOR!

   BREAK THE WINDOW!

   EAT GLASS!

   DRINK THE BLEACH UNDER THE SINK!

   Remus laid on his back and stared up at the white ceiling. The wall of his room was a light green and in a small corner by his desk, he spotted a box. He slowly crawled over to the box and opened it. Inside was paint and Remus smiled as his head swarmed with ideas. 

   He grabbed a tube of black, and using his hands, he began to paint a monster. It had twenty spider-like legs, three deer heads, and a long tail that was twice the size of its body that split open to reveal a mouth. He grabbed other colors and began coloring the beast shades of brown and gray before painting humans running away from it. 

   He began drawing other monsters in every color he could. Paint splattered across his body, the floor, his stuff, some even up in his mouth. He grabbed his desk chair and stood it on his bed to reach the ceiling and began painting. He could feel the paint drying in his hair, but he kept going as it trailed down his arms and stained his teeth as he smiled. 

   After hours of painting, he collapsed on the floor, every tube of paint empty, but his walls coated in monsters and blood. He heard the Dragon Witch return, then he heard Roman’s voice. He scrambled to the door and pressed his ear up to it.

   “Auditions are tomorrow, so I’ll have to stay late for those.” Roman explained. 

   “That’s wonderful dear. Go do your homework, dinner will be ready in an hour.” She said, her voice soft and like honey.  

    Remus raced to the bathroom door, but watched as it slammed into his face. He bagged on it, but Roman never responded. Remus slummed to the ground, staring at his hands.

   BREAK YOUR HANDS!

   BASH YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL! 

   PUNCH A HOLE IN THE WALL!

   Suddenly there was a tapping at his window. He looked up and saw a yellow snake, banging its head against the glass. Remus tried to pry the window open, to no avail. He could see the woods outside, but he could only look at the snake sadly. He pressed his hand against the window, but it went through the window.

   Remus stuck out his head, looking at the snake. He grabbed the snake and climbed out of the window. He felt adrenaline pump through his veins as a smile crossed his face and ran into the woods. His mouth was open, and even though no words came out, he laughed.