He got a phone call the next day. “Simon, it’s Shane. Aden wanted me to tell you that he got a hold of what’s-his-face guardian. He isn’t the problem apparently and will talk to what’s-his-face shortly. Okay?”

Simon snickered. “What, have better things to do besides talk to me?”

“Better people to do.” He hung up, leaving Simon snickering.

Friday, Bob showed back up in class, completely unrepentant. Red didn’t. Neither did he Monday. Tuesday, Simon held Bob after class. “Do you know where your boyfriend is?”

Bob snorted. “No. That slut dumped me.” His eyes were angry, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Simon sighed. When he spoke, his voice was sharp. “So you have no idea why he isn’t here?”

Bob shrugged. “Probably dropped out. He isn’t actually smart enough to graduate high school so why should he bother with trying?”

Simon glared. “Ryanson! Show some respect. That is one of your peers-”

Bob glared back. He said it himself often enough. I’m just repeating him. Okay? Lay off.” He stalked out.

Simon took a deep breath and counted to ten. It helped calm his temper considerably. He really did not like Bob. But, if what he said was true, Red had just quit, nothing to worry about. Well, it was something to worry about, just not something to freak out about.

He sighed, but pasted a smile on when his next students came in, but stayed marginally annoyed all day.

--

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Red remained missing. Aden called him Friday afternoon. “Red dropped out. I got a call today.” His voice was flat.

“What the hell?” muttered Simon. “He was actually doing okay.”

Aden sighed. “Yeah, and he really was incredible at art. But, his guardian said he wasn’t doing well enough and refused to go.”

“Well that sucks. He can’t be convinced?”

“I didn’t even talk to him. He refused.”

Simon sighed. “I know you hate losing students…”

“I hate it when they drop out! This school was created for kids like Red- kids that have talent, but wouldn’t be able to make it in a normal high school.”

“I know Aden, but some people just can’t deal with school at all. It looks like Red is just one of those people. You can’t save them all.”

Aden sighed. “I know, I know. I’m still stopping by at his house today. Few enough students try and drop out that I can make house calls to each one.”

“Call me afterwards please. I’m a little bit worried,” Simon admitted.

“Bad feeling?”

“Sort of. A little bit,” Simon said, flushing slightly.

“I’ll be sure to.” Simon could hear the grin in his voice. “But, I got to go. Bye.”

“Bye,” Simon muttered back.

-

Later that day, he got the expected phone call.

“Nobody was home,” was the first thing he heard. Simon didn’t even get a chance to say hi.

“What?”

“I went to Red’s house. Nobody was home and the door was unlocked.”

“Did you try calling?”

“Yeah, I called the Red‘s guardian. He picked up, sure enough, but not from inside the house. Funnier thing, he had no idea Red had dropped out. The kid’s missing.”

“For how long?”

“Not long enough to call the police. Not yet. We need to wait another twenty-four hours before we can declare him officially missing.”

“Shit!”

“Yeah.”

“Well, what can we do until then?”

“Nothing,” Aden said with a sigh. “His guardian said he would look for him, but couldn’t do much else. Apparently, Red’s pretty independent.” Aden’s voice was dry.

“Great parent.”

“Brother actually. Or something. I’ve met the guy. Way too young to be his dad, but he’s Red’s legal guardian.”

Simon sighed. “Well, better just hope he isn’t another one of the kid’s lovers.”

There was a moment of silence. “That would be bad.”

“Ya think?”

“Sarcasm isn‘t nice, Simon.”

“Whatever. Call me if anything happens.”

“Same to you.”

They both hung up without saying goodbye.

Simon ran a hand through his short brown hair with a sigh and rose. He gathered his briefcase and left, getting to his car quickly and leaving. However, instead of heading straight home as he usually did, he stopped by a favorite club of his, a throwback to the days of the Beats. It was technically a club, but for 3 nights a week, the owners changed it to an open word joint with the liberal sale of alcohol and music for dancing between speakers. Friday happened to be one of those three nights.

Several hours later, Simon walked out of the club feeling happier and more relaxed, as well as just a little tipsy. He smiled slightly and cheerfully started whistling as he walked towards his car. A small sound made him stop, and he eyed the alleyway where the voice had come from earlier. Another low moan made his curiosity sharpen. That didn't sound like a moan of pleasure... He knew he probably shouldn't give into his curiosity and go into a dark alleyway at night, but he was tipsy enough that his curiosity won against his common sense and he walked in, awareness strained as much as possible for movement despite his slight drunkenness.

There was a lump on the ground. It was covered in some liquid that was reflecting the moonlight. When his eyes adjusted somewhat, he gasped. It was a body. Slender with pale skin and laying in a pool of water face down. He instantly went to his knees by it. He fumbled for its wrist and exhaled in relief when he felt a pulse.

He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed 911 but before he could press the send button, a hand grabbed his wrist. "Please don't," the boy, as Simon just found from his voice, rasped.

Simon eyes widened with recognition and he glanced at the figure just to make sure. Small, pale with long hair, he couldn't tell the color in the moonlight, and staring up at him, nearly glowing green eyes. That were looking at him with pleading and desperation easy to read in them.

"But..." he trailed off.

"Please."