I Am Deaf

Chapter 12

Len POV

Rin was looking pained. I interlaced my hands.

"Gom-"

Rin stood up, looking upset.

"Why can't you trust me, Len?"

"Well, you didn't tell me about your dad," I said patiently.

"I was gonna tell you yesterday." She said bitterly.

"Yes, well I had to FIGURE it OUT to help you." I said, voice rising.

"You mean you eavesdropped." She snapped.

"Why don't YOU eavesdrop, then!" I yelled.

"I can't, you BAKA! I'm DEAF! Or have you already forgotten!" She was also yelling.

"I didn't! In fact, if I hadn't helped you..." I struggled to find something.

"Or what? Or WHAT?" She shouted. "Nothing! Exactly!"

"You wouldn't have met Kuo!" I said somewhat triumphantly. To my horror and a teeny bit of satisfaction, Rin had started to cry.

"He didn't do anything! He left! Just like everyone else! Mom, Dad, Rinto, Mikuo, and now you!" She threw my front door open and disappeared, slamming it hard behind her. I stood, frozen, in the room, and then collapsed into a couch.

"Oh god. What've I done?" I questioned out loud. An image of my sister, Riya, appeared in my head.

Bad Len. You made a girl cry. And a deaf one, too.

I know, Riya. I'm sorry. But... was it my fault?

A beautiful laugh, like chiming bells.

Len, arguments as trivial as that one aren't anyone's fault.

Then what should I do?

Well I don't know! Why are you asking me?

I scowled. Thanks for your help, Riya-nii.

Aw, I'm just teasing you, Len-Len. Go get her.

Wha-?

Yea! GO!

I got up involuntarily, grabbed my coat, and raced outside after the blond girl.

After two hours of searching for her, I plopped on a bench in my favorite park.

"Dang it, Rin. Where are you?" I asked, shivering lightly in the morning chills.

"Len!" I turned to see Kuo... holding... Rin...

I froze. Rin was unconscious, body limp and unmoving in his arms. He looked exhausted, completely weary.

"Rin..." My voice sounded broken.

"She's okay, Len. Just in shock."

"Why?"

"Her brother... was found dead... in the Carmeline River."

What? Oh, no. Oh no oh no oh no.

"Wh-Wh-What?"

"I know. But he was murdered, Len. There was a weight tied to his foot, and a note attached to the weight. It said, 'I'm coming for you soon, Rin.'"

"Over my dead body." I managed to spit out.

"She saw the body, and passed out. She didn't even have a second to cry. She just saw, went pale, and fainted."

"Does she know...?"

"About the note? No. But don't tell her, she's been shocked severely, poor thing. Let's take her to your house."

I took Rin's petite form into my arms and kissed her on the cheek.

"It's okay, sweetie." I murmured. "'S okay."

I set her gently on the bed and pulled the covers over her. Then I crept out of her room and went downstairs to Kuo.

"Len? Is there anyone in Rin's family who has a grudge against her?"

"Well... her dad..."

"...has an alibi. He was at home. Neighbors saw him. You know anyone who hates Rin?"

Miku.

Kaito.

"I have a pretty good idea." I said grimly.

"Well...Talk to them."

"I have school tomorrow, Monday. This will work out."

Rin was deaf. She had an abusive dad. Her brother was dead, and someone evil was probably stalking her, probably wanting to murder her. She couldn't live at her house because she would have needed Rinto's support.

But I would never leave her side.

Ever.