As Much As I Love The Idea Of Charles And Edwin One Day Burning Down St Hilarions, The Place Of Bad Memories

As much as I love the idea of Charles and Edwin one day burning down st hilarions, the place of bad memories and pain for both of them, I don't think they would do that.

At first they would want to, but why wouldn't they inflict more torture on boys who might be suffering like themselves? I feel like Edwin and Charles would be ready to burn the whole place down, but something stops them...

*cue mini fic ish*

Edwin leans to watch the boarding school through the window of the attic. Painful memories flood his mind and for a moment he feels like he has been sucked into the whirlpool of his past, like he is helpless and beaten all over again-

Charles' voice jolts him out of his thoughts. "Edwin? Everything all right? "

"Yes, just... Just some rather unpleasant thoughts is all, no need to worry. "

Charles regards him with a knowing look. He knows his thoughts are not just "unpleasant", neither are his. They both tend to suppress their memories of the place when they sense the other is stressed- it's natural by now, being almost able to tune into eachothers feelings.

Charles and Edwin pour a small amount of gasoline on the wooden floor of the attic. Once the fire is set, the school will come tumbling down from above. Charles reaches into his bag to retrieve a box of matches. His hands are aquiver as he reaches into the box for a match. This one little flame will be the flame to end the torture for so many boys just like them...

"Charles?"

Edwin places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. His eyes reflect the dewy shine of gasoline as he looks at Charles with a sincere expression.

"Charles, are you quite all right? "

Charles sighs and drops the match.

"Yeah mate, just a little off... You sure we're doing the right thing? "

"Of course we are Charles- we are responsible for the demise of this dreadful school, perhaps-"

His words are cut off by a sharp in take of breath followed by harsh, gut wrenching sobs. Charles and Edwin look at each other and almost telepathically decide to stand of and go observe.

They fade through the wall to a small, closet like room. It was the old storage room from Edwin's time, when the school was smaller and they made use of the room. In the far corner, a boy, no more than 15 or 16 is convulsing with these heart breaking sobs. Each sob brings a new wave of pain that punches Edwin and Charles in the guts. Even from their vantage point behind the crouching boy, they can see the torn collar and bleeding ear. They watch as the boy breathes sharply and clutches his ribs. The sobs cease but he breathes shakily and starts to rock himself. Charles turns to Edwin to ask how they should help.

"Edwin so-"

"W-who is that? " the boy winces as he turns and stands up in the direction of the boys. From there, they can see the full damage. Bruises creeping up from his ribs to his neck where there are red marks. Blood trickles from a wound above his ear.

"I said, WHO IS THAT?! " he shouts with the little energy he has. He collapses on the floor again to resume his helpless sobs. Edwin turns Charles by the waist into the other room. In a hushed whisper he says

"He can hear us and feel us, but he can't see us. This means he's close to death but not that near. He'll recover, I should think. "

Charles leans closer.

"We have to help him. Burning the school down wouldn't help him would it mate? Perhaps he is just like me, please..."

He swallows as memories threaten to rise. Edwin gives him a look, which means that in this case Charles' idea is the right one. They step back into the other room.

"So, mate don't worry-" Charles begins. He is cut off by the sobs immediately stopping and the boy spluttering through pain:

"It's you again. SHOW YOURSELF! " the boy's confusion melts into anger as he tenses into a rigid stance, pushed right back into the corner.

"We're not here to hurt you. We just want to know if we can help you, 'kay? "

The boy's tired eyes begin to shine with vulnerability as he let's down his guard. Being defensive like that is exhausting, Charles would know. He kneels down to the boy, who has slipped into his previous crouching position again in the corner.

Edwin watches from the opposite corner. He knows that he can't interfere, this is Charles' moment and he can't help without breaking the fragile feelings that have been aroused.

"Look, mate. You don't need to know who we are, or why other can hear us, but what matters is we want to help. I've been, " Charles gulps, "in a similar situation before. I know how difficult it can be, and it's better you don't go through it on your own. I would know that too. " he glances at Edwin and smiles.

"I think I'm going insane." The boy buries his head in his arms.

"But are you okay with us.. Helping you?"

He sniffles. "Don't help me, help my friend. Those fucking bullies, they wanted to beat him up just cuz he had an accent that wasn't english. I couldn't let them get the best of my friend, so I stood up to them and now I'm here. Oh fuck I really am going insane, talking to the voices am I now? "

Charles takes a moment to recover. This sounds like a retelling of his life, with a couple different details. He feels like he has been dipped back into his past and the pain feels as fresh as ever. The pain morphs into a raging anger that overcomes him, it's flames showing in his eyes.

"Edwin, stay with the boy. "

"There's another-? "

"That doesn't matter. He'll keep you safe. Where are the bullies? "

You don't need to look at Charles to tell that he is seething with anger.

"I-i don't know! " the boy seems to be on the verge of tears as his eyes widen.

"I'm sorry, " Charles begins. He might have been too harsh, he can't take out his anger on him. "I'm sorry, but where are the bullies? Do you have any idea? "

The boy takes a deep breath.

"The four of them share a room, 2 bunk beds. It's room 50c, so the last room in building c. "

Charles and Edwin give each other a confused glance. Building c?

"I'll find it. Thanks mate, you don't know what this means to us. Edwin you'll be all right yeah? " Charles looks nervously st the pair.

"Charles, I'll be fine. I am the least of your concerns. Just, don't do anything... Rash."

Charles nods. He know that he won't go about this in a calm way certainly, but he'll need the warning. He turns to go, but he stops at the sensation of a hand on his. Edwin is holding his hand. He looks at Edwin who is kneeling with the boy. His eyes beg him to not let his anger overcome him. Charles takes a look at the shivering boy, now huddled in Edwin's overcoat, and realises the vulnerability this has exposed in both of them. He realises how Edwin is taking care of this boy like he once took care of him. The anger lessens it's iron grip on Charles and he gives Edwin the reassuring smile that he can control himself, that everything will be all right. And with the fleeting warmth of Edwin's hand still on his, he fades out if the room on his way to 50c.