"So, can we meet the people we're trying to save?" Thomas asked.

"Virgil thought then shrugged,"It's up to Patton- he's the one who started this whole mission, so he'd know what's okay to tell."

Talyn looked unsettled, "Was it okay for you to tell us?"

Virgil pursed his lips, "Probably? I mean; I didn't give away their identities, and it's technically none of our business, either."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Patton noticed something was off and kinda forced his way into this mission- managed to drag the rest of us along with him. He was new; had just met them, and was already prying. So I figured- the more witnesses, the better."

Joan crossed their arms, "Well, I don't care if it was morally okay, or not. If people are being hurt, physical safety comes first. Then we can deal with therapy and apologies. We know people who work with CPS, so it's good that you told us."

Virgil shrugged, "Okay. I mean- it's not like they consider us friends. Patton's out, right now, but you can meet the rest of the squad."

"Yes!" Thomas cheered, to the amusement of his friends.

.

.

.

Remy was estatic to see them. You can tell, because he greeted them first, rather than waiting to be noticed.

" 'Sup, sluts."

Thomas frowned, "Are you wearing sunglasses inside?"

Remy looked Thomas up and down, "Are you really wearing that out?"

"Remy!" Emile scolded.

Joan brought Thomas into a comforting embrace.

"Sorry," Said Lark, "Emile has the duty of controlling our morals while Patton's gone- it's not a one person job."

Talyn smiled, "It's cool. I'm Talyn, by the way."

"Cool, pronouns?"

Joan let go of Thomas, "I'm Joan. Talyn and I are they/them. Thomas is he/him."

Emile smiled, "Hello, I'm Emile. Everybody uses he/him, except Lark, who uses they/them."

"You're those Viners, right?"

Virgil rolled his eyes, "As if we didn't binge their videos 'till 3 am last night."

Remy glared, "There's something called being casual and nonchalant."

"Those don't describe you at all."

"Look, I will-"

The argument got broken up by Thomas' awkward laugh, "Looks like we're already fairly well known, here."

"Now," Joan said, getting serious, "Who is it we need to save?"

.

.

.

Virgil was leaving the bakery when Lark caught up with him.

"You told them? What the hell, Virgil?"

Virgil turned and looked at them, "What?"

"Roman's life isn't a story to be broadcast! What if it went wrong?"

Virgil stuffed his hands in his pockets, "I figured...more witnesses. Besides, they seemed really nice."

"Since when are you that trusting, Virgil?"

"I'm trying to be! Being suspicious all the time is tiring!"

"This is something you need to be careful about! Choose your timing better!"

"Look, their lives, in a technicality, are no one's business, not even yours. So, why not get more people who can help? Roman and Janus will resist us, no matter what."

"We shouldn't be giving them reason to."

"They'd find one. Look, I know you care about them. I do, too. And I'm trying my best- none of us actually know what we're doing."

"Maybe you don't! That's the difference between you and me. You don't actually care about them, you never have. You're just doing this for Patton!"

"What the- where is this coming from? Lark, you think I don't care that kids are being mentally and possibly physically tortured? How shallow do you think I am?"

"I-"

"This isn't just and us thing, Lark. Roman is famous, their families are famous. This is all so much bigger than us. Yeah, you're famous too, but it's bigger than you as well. We need help. Quite frankly, it should be an adult."

"That's not the point! They need to be able to trust you! How can they if you spill their situation to strangers?"

"I did what I thought was best. You're not the only one who has the ability to think, y'know. Maybe I'm quiter than the rest of the group, but I'm not dumb. I'm not announcing this to the world. And in waiting 'till we have evidence to tell some adult. I'm a part of this, too."

"Tell an...? You wouldn't dare."

"We're in highschool, Lark! What the hell are we supposed to be able to do on our own? We're kids! No one respects us! You need to think farther ahead than the present. Even if we somehow convince Roman that his situation is abuse- then what? What are we gonna do about?"

"We...we help him."

"That's the plan? That's our only plan? We help them? How? No one here actually knows what to do! We're barley getting any headway what the them. In fact, things have been getting worse."

"I do know what I'm doing!"

"Really? Great! Then tell the rest of us!"

"..."

"Exactly. Nothing."

With nothing else to say and moods low, they both walked away.

---------------