I Am Deaf

Chapter 8

Len POV

I knocked on the door of Rin's house gently. Rinto opened the door. A flash of relief colored his face, but then his expression drooped anxiously.

"Len! Have you seen Rin?"

"No! That's what I came to see. She took off after tutoring lessons!" I said worriedly, running a hand through my spiky bangs. "Hmmm. I think she's at school but I'm not sure."

"Len...I'm really worried."

"I know, I am too. I'll find her." I waved to him, then started walking back to school briskly. Then, I saw long teal pigtails.

"Miku, Kaito." I nodded to both of them. "Have you seen Rin?"

Wide and innocent turquoise eyes met mine.

"No... Is she missing?"

I tried not to narrow my eyes at her, and sighed.

"Her parents are giving away a thousand dollars for her return plus tickets to that new Vocaloid concert."

Miku's eyes widened with lust and greed. "Suppose I do know."

"You get a thousand dollars! But you don't know." I shook my head.

"Wait, wait, I do! She's by the Sakura Tree!"

"You fell for that prank good, Miku." I smirked at her dumbfounded expression before racing to the tree.

Of course, there was Rin, propped up against it, looking like she was having the time of her life.

"Rin!" I yelled. She didn't turn around.

Right. Deaf.

I walked right up to her. Her eyes brightened.

"Len! Thank GOD!" She hugged me tightly as I knelt to look at her.

"Why are you on the ground?" I asked. She glanced down.

"Because Kaito Shion and Miku Hatsune fractured my kneecaps?"

A horrible feeling coursed through me.

"They. Did. What?"

"C'mon, Len, I just wanna go home." she whispered tiredly.

Fury showed on my face. "I'll kill them."

"Len..."

I picked her up, bridal-style, and carried her back home. I knocked on the door quickly.

"Thank you." Rinto said gratefully, before shutting the door. I smiled politely until the door closed. Then I stormed back to the school. I grabbed Kaito's collar and slammed him against a tree.

"You-"

"Don't touch him. Or else Rin's deafness will be all over the internet." I turned to see Miku.

"Miku. Why won't you leave her alone?" I spat. Kaito smirked.

"She's irritating. I hate her. She pisses me off." Miku listed.

"That's why?" I could barely contain my anger.

"Yes, that's why."

I felt like slapping her, but I still had my pride and boys shouldn't slap girls, anyways.

"Miku, I'm dead serious. Leave Rin alone."

She glared at me briefly before grabbing Kaito and leaving. I sighed and walked home slowly, knowing no one would be there to greet me anyways.

My parents were always on business trips. They always send stuff, and brief how-are-you letters, but they're never home. I used to have a sister, but she died because her car got smashed in by a drunk driver. I was always home alone.

The question was, how long before someone finds out? Finds out that a 14-year-old boy is at his house, alone? My aunt sometimes comes to check on me, but barely. Only once in five weeks.

I pulled off the yellow covers in my bed and went to sleep.

I remembered, the next morning, that I had to tell Kuo about Rin. We had to devise a plan to save her and Rinto from their dad.

I walked to her house slowly. Suddenly, I looked up to see Rin racing towards me, bow flying, hair in complete disarray, and tears streaming down her cheeks. She tackled me in a hug.

"Len..." she sobbed. "Len..."

I pushed her hair out of her face gently, alarmed and shocked by the suddenness. My arms tightened around her.

"Shhh. Rin, don't worry. You can tell me anything." I said, trying to be calm for her sake. I didn't know what was wrong yet, but judging by Rin's state, it was sure to be really bad.

"Len." she whispered, tear-soaked face tilted towards me. "Len, Rinto is gone. He's gone."

What?