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Paige walked back to Venerer with Lucy in toe. It was a silent few minutes, both girls lost in their own thoughts. Paige couldn't stop thinking about Aaron, about Lucy's warnings. Her visions. Was something actually coming for them all? Something no one can possibly hope to stand against? If Aaron was involved, Paige didn't doubt it. Something dark was coming. There was no doubt.

Lucy certainly seemed to think so. Paige had no idea what the other girl saw in her visions, but it was enough to almost bring the poor girl to tears. She was almost on the verge of a full-on meltdown, and she wasn't all that stable to begin with.

Joshua. She needed to find Joshua. Nothing else mattered right now.

Who the hell was Joshua? Another werewolf? Or was he someone like Aaron? Dark and twisted. Unnatural. Or just another unsuspecting soul?

Paige glanced down at her watch as they ascended the stairs to the porch. She knew Kendall was eager to head back home as soon as possible, but Paige did promise they'd be home before dark, so they had a few more hours to spare.

Paige found Kendall and Brittany in the kitchen, both with a steaming mug in front of them. Paige knew Kendall didn't really like coffee, so she assumed it was either hot chocolate or tea. The kitchen looked more institutional styled than homey with stainless steel countertops, wooden framed stools and not a single décor item in the room.

"I'm gonna show them around," Lucy said, snagging one of the biscuits off the plate on the counter.

Kendall slid off the stool. "We better be off soon." She didn't want a tour, but then again, Paige had no intention of being given one either.

She gave Kendall what she hoped was a firm look. "We won't be long," she said, her chin jerking back the way they came.

Kendall looked from Paige to Lucy. There was an odd look on her face, one mixed heavily with confusion. At last, her confusion cleared as understanding took over. "Sure." She glanced at Brittany. "Is that okay?" She didn't really know how Brittany, who was admittedly a complete stranger, would feel about two other strangers being loose in this facility with a bunch of other kids she was charged with caring for.

Brittany didn't seem that concerned and only dismissed them with a single wave before she went back to her coffee. She probably assumed that if they were a threat, they would have acted on it by now.

"So, what's the plan?" Kendall asked, following Lucy and Paige back through the lounge and into the foyer. Paige had to admire her dedication. Kendall was still on the fence with the whole Aaron issue, but she never hesitated to go to unknown places, just to appease Paige. Maybe she was hoping Paige would one day come to her senses and see Aaron for the guy everyone else did – a popular, charming werewolf. If anything, this road trip and speaking to Lucy, only confirmed what Paige always suspected about Aaron. He wasn't a werewolf.

Lucy led them away from the wide staircase towards the narrow hallway. Paige had quickly dismissed this hallway at first glance. It didn't seem anything interesting, just a bunch of closed doors, but as they walked down the hallway, Paige saw that there were more doors, far more doors than she first thought. The navy carpet was covered with a brightly coloured rug that seemed to contrast against the white-framed, hand-painted artwork that dotted the walls. Each artwork were signed with familiar names; Helga, Keith, Diana.

As they walked, Paige told Kendall about Lucy's visions. "She's seeing Aaron. I'm not very clear on the context, but it's not good." She then finished the tale with Joshua, a mysterious resident. Like Paige, Kendall was conflicted.

"Why would Aaron care about a resident at a youth centre?"

Paige shrugged. "Don't know. But I'm gonna find out."

They came to another narrow staircase. Lucy gestured for them to follow as she took the stairs two at a time. She passed the first floor and travelled higher, stepping off at the very top of the staircase. The house seemed much larger than the exterior appeared at first glance.

This new hallway was decorated the same as the one below; navy carpet, colourful rug and artwork from residents hanging on the wooden walls. They were silent as they walked and after a few minutes, Lucy came to a stop beside a door that remained firmly closed. Now that they had come to a stop, there was a detail that Paige didn't really notice until now. Every door was labelled.

In the centre of the door, in large black letters, was the name 'Joshua'.

Unlike several other doors they had passed on their long journey through the house, there was nothing else on the door. No stickers, no papers with hand-drawn pictures, no signs of Private entry only. Every other door down the hallway had some kind of unique decorations on it.

Joshua either didn't care enough to decorate his door, or he was a guy of simple taste.

Lucy didn't hesitate to push the door open and stroll inside. She walked with a confidence that wasn't evident before. It didn't seem like her.

Kendall hesitated in the doorframe. "Shouldn't we knock?"

Lucy glanced over her shoulder. "Don't bother. He never answers."

Paige glanced at Kendall, and with a slight shrug of her shoulders, she followed Lucy inside the small room. Paige didn't really expect much in the way of a bedroom set up, but she really expected much more than this room contained. Most bedrooms were an extension of the person that lived there, but she couldn't get a reading on this occupant.

A tiny bed was pushed against the wall, the duvet in shades of grey and black was made without a single crease. A wooden dresser matched a work desk that had schoolbooks stacked into a neat pile on the edge of the desk. Apart from that, there wasn't much else. No TV, no comic books or game consoles, not a single poster or picture decorated the wall.

It was depressing that someone actually lived here. Surely Venerer wasn't so strict that they didn't allow the residents to actually decorate their bedrooms. It seemed criminal.

Paige herself wasn't an over-the-top girl, but even she had a few movie posters or magazine cut-outs taped to her walls. She even had a few stuffed toys from when she was younger chilling out on the window seat.

Joshua, it turned out, was a small boy with dark shaggy hair. He wore tattered jeans and an old baseball cap. He sat beside the open window, gazing out into the backyard. He didn't even turn to the intrusion. Didn't even acknowledge his guests.

Paige stepped forward and cleared her throat, hoping to get the young boys attention. He didn't even stir. "Josh?"

"He doesn't like that name."

The harsh sound of Diana's voice was an unwelcoming sound. She stood by an open door across the hall. Past her, Paige could see a brightly coloured duvet with a dozen large pillows resting on her bed. Every surface of the wall was taped with hand-drawn pictures. Some weren't that bad, actually. She strolled across the hall and into Joshua's room, her body wrapped in a bright pink fluffy coat.

"What are you doing here? Don't bother Joshua."

"We're not," Lucy said, her tone uncharacteristically sharp. "Go back to drawing and leave us alone."

Diana only crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. She spoke to Paige, assuming she was the leader of the two trespassers. "Joshua's fragile at the best of times. You'll make it worse."

"That's not my intention," Paige said as sincerely as possible. She glanced over at Joshua. He had a blank expression on his face. The tension in the room didn't bother him. It seemed like nothing bothered him. "What's wrong with him?"

Diana lifted her shoulders. She didn't have her usual scowl on her face as she gazed over at Joshua. She seemed almost concerned. "Number of issues. Hard to keep track."

"I don't recognise him from the therapy circle," Kendall said. To Paige's amazement, Kendall was right. Joshua hadn't been there.

"He doesn't really participate," Diana said. "He doesn't really speak either."

"He's mute?" Kendall asked. That was a little detail Lucy failed to mention.

Diana shook her head. "Selective mutism, I think. He kinda withdraws from reality. Doesn't really respond that well. Spends most of the time trapped inside his head."

It was a little concerning and it reminded Paige of some of the psychology textbooks she been reading for Ms. Bland. Her psychology teacher did often speak about catatonic symptoms. Sounded a lot like Joshua.

Paige looked away from Joshua's defeated posture. He looked weak and so vulnerable. She couldn't understand Aaron's interest in this boy. As her eyes flashed across his dresser, something caught her attention. Something stood out that didn't match the bland interior of his bedroom.

It was a single photo in a pale blue frame.

As far as Paige could tell, it was the only personal item in the room.

Paige walked across the room and hesitated briefly before picking up the frame. It was a picture of Joshua that looked recent. He stood outside on the porch, with an expression that didn't match the one he wore now. In the photo, he looked alert. His dim eyes were wide and watchful, weary even. A thick arm was draped over his shoulders as the tall boy beside him pulled him close.

Dark eyes. Short hair. Perfect features.

Shit.

It was Aaron.

Paige felt an iciness enveloped her heart as she recognised the type of frame she held. She had a similar one at home. It was a picture of herself and Heather when they were younger. Unlike this frame, her own frame was purple with the words 'sisters' in small block letters along the bottom.

Paige's fingers lingered across the small letters that were printed along the side of the frame. She felt herself tremble as she read the letters over and over, half hoping she suddenly could no longer understand the letters that constructed the word.

Brothers.

"Paige?" Kendall stood nearby, her voice taking on a worry tone as she noticed Paige's panicked exterior. "What is it?"

Aaron looked so happy in the photo. So at ease. Like he does most times Paige crossed his path. At other times, he looked like he could conquer the world. Like nothing and no one scared him. Like nothing could stand in the way of what he wanted.

And for some reason – a reason Paige could never comprehend – he wanted Paige. For what, she didn't know.

No, that wasn't entirely true. Aaron has been very clear. Paige's power intrigued him. Her stubbornness, her defiance could also be another factor. She had the impression that no girl ever really stood against him, resisting him time and time again.

Brothers.

Why would the photo say that? Could it be true? No one ever mentioned a brother, but then again, no one really mentioned his life before Aaron moved to Purefin. No mention of his old school or his relatives.

His life before Purefin was completely unknown.

"Paige?" Kendall said again. Again, Paige didn't respond, only continued to stare down at the photo. Kendall moved to Paige's side, her own eyes widening as she saw the photo. "Do you really think he's . . ."

"I don't know," Paige muttered, finally shaking off the fog that seemed to immobilise her. She moved to Joshua's side and kneeled beside his chair.

Paige didn't know how Joshua would respond to her invading his personal space, but he remained unconcerned and didn't even blink with her sudden appearance. Something terrible must be going on inside his mind for him to be so absent. Or maybe he was trying to escape his reality. Maybe there was something in his reality he wanted to hide from, and he withdrew into his own mind to do so.

Someone like Aaron, maybe?

"Joshua?" Paige spoke softly. Now that she was up close and personal, she saw that Joshua was younger, much younger than she first thought. Eight, maybe nine. Paige felt a familiar sensation wash over her as she summoned her magic. Her magic was eager to be used, but she held on to the sensation so it didn't grow into something she couldn't stop. The last thing she'd want now was to blow something up.

But if Aaron was in fact Joshua's brother, Paige had to know. She couldn't stop herself. She was curious.

Did Joshua have the same magic Aaron did?

If he did, then maybe it was something hereditary.

As her magic took hold, Paige felt Joshua's magic react. His magic was so weak, it was as if it was barely there. Barely alive. Not that surprising. Joshua didn't look like the type of person to get outside and use his magic often.

The longer she held onto her own magic, the clearer Joshua's magic became. It was weak, but there was no mistaking it.

Werewolf magic.

No darkness. No coldness. Nothing like Aaron's own magic.

Whatever Aaron was, Joshua wasn't. She let go of her magic, almost compelled to hold it in place, but she didn't need it at the moment. Paige didn't know if she could get through to him, but she had to try.

She held up the photo frame, her finger tapping against the image of Aaron. "Is he your brother? Please respond. Talk to us. Do something, anything so we know you can hear us."

"I told you," Diana said, her tone taking on a snarky nature. "He doesn't really communicate."

"But he can," Paige snapped back. "You said it was selective. That means he can talk. He chooses not to."

"Why would someone choose not to interact with anyone?" Kendall couldn't shake the discomfort she felt. It would be awful to isolate yourself, especially when you're so young. Joshua should be outside in the sun, playing soccer or skateboarding, watching movies or reading comics.

"I think he's scared." Paige didn't know how accurate her words were. Joshua certainly never did anything to indicate fear. He just seemed so numb. Paige reached out and touched him, hoping some physical contact would make a difference. Her words certainly weren't.

She was right.

While Joshua didn't look away from the window, his body gave a violent lurch. He finally seemed to realise that there were people in his bedroom. While his eyes didn't become as aware as the look he held in the photo, he at least seemed to semi-acknowledge the girl kneeling beside him. There was a weary look in his eyes, his eyelids drooping. It was a look Paige knew well. It was full of distrust. Paige could hardly blame him.

Now that he seemed more alert, Paige held the photo frame up to his face. His face remained blank as the image crossed his eyes.

Paige tried again to get some answers. "He's your brother?" She felt like she was on repeat. Come on, Joshua. Say something.

His eyes left the photo, as if he couldn't stand to look at the image of the two boys any longer. There was a glimmer of emotions in his eyes, but Paige couldn't quite comprehend the look yet.

"Joshua." Paige discarded the photo to the side and shifted on her knees. "I'm here because of your brother. I go to school with him. In Purefin. He's a senior like me." That more than anything else seemed to gain his attention. Paige didn't know whether it was the revelation that Aaron lived only an hour away, or that Paige knew him personally. Probably the latter.

"Something's not right with him. I can sense it. He claims to be a werewolf, but I think he's something else. Something much darker and dangerous." As she spoke, the emotion in his eyes grew clearer. Paige could finally pinpoint it. It was fear. Intense fear. "You know Aaron, Joshua. Better than anyone else. I think you know what he is . . . or at the very least, know he's something dark."

Joshua leaned away from Paige, his eyelids fluttering rapidly. Just when she thought he was about to provide some answers, Joshua opened his mouth and let out a frantic shriek. It began slowly, almost like a wail, until it morphed into something filled with so much despair and grief that the raw emotion froze everyone in the room.

Paige remained fixed in place, submerged in so much uncertainty, she had no idea how to react to a child screaming. Diana was the first to react. She moved with so much certainty she was obviously familiar to this kind of reaction.

The young amazon sprinted forward. She moved towards Joshua with so much speed it seemed as if she suddenly materialised out of thin air. She lashed out towards Paige, and using a strength inherited from her race, she shoved Paige to the side. Paige flopped backwards, landing roughly on her side. She wanted to intimidate Diana with a death stare, but the young girl probably wouldn't notice.

Diana's arms were wrapped tightly around Joshua's shaking form. He continued to wail, whimpering in-between each intake of breath. "Get out," she barked at Paige and Kendall. "You've upset him. Leave!"

"But . . ." Kendall moved towards the frightened boy, but she stopped approaching with a nasty glare from Diana.

"Go! Just leave."

Kendall looked like she wanted to try something, anything to appease Joshua, but Diana probably wouldn't let anyone get close to him again. Paige stopped Kendall's feeble attempts. Paige grasped Kendall's arm and almost dragged her out of the room.

"Come on, Kendall," Paige said, her voice almost as shaky as the young werewolf. "Let's just go."

As Kendall and Paige descended the stairs, they could hear Joshua's frantic cries. Brittany, alerted to the sound, breezed past them, sparing them nothing more than a quick glance as she rushed to the young boy. Paige didn't begin to breathe properly again until they were outside.

"We shouldn't just leave," Kendall complained, following Paige off the property. "Paige, you're the one who upset him."

Paige only shook her head and climbed into Kendall's waiting vehicle. She didn't doubt that she pushed Joshua over the edge, but he had been dangling by a thread long before she waltzed into his bedroom. Her presence – a complete stranger – may have unnerved him, but she doubted that caused him to react the way he did.

He was scared. Completely and utterly scared.

Paige was silent as Kendall pulled the car away from the curb. She couldn't help but glance at the reflection of Venerer as they moved further away. After a long moment, Kendall turned a corner and the massive house vanished from sight.

What could cause such a reaction from Joshua?

Even as Paige thought about it, she knew. The answer was obvious, even if Kendall, Lucas and everyone in town was oblivious to it.

It was Aaron. It had to be him. The mention of him had been enough to send Joshua over the edge. Joshua was terrified of his own brother. Paige still didn't quite understand the reasoning, but she understood the emotion. Aaron made her feel the same way, but unlike Joshua, she wasn't almost catatonic.

Was Aaron responsible for his brother's condition? Did he do something to the young werewolf? Probably.

Kendall was sneaking glances at Paige as she drove out of town. "Paige?" For the first time since they met, she almost sounded delirious. "What's going on?"

Paige didn't have the strength to comfort Kendall. She was too busy wrecked with her own emotions, she couldn't bother with Kendall's emotions at the moment. With a weary sigh, she closed her eyes and leaned her temple against the cool glass window. "Just drive, Kendall."

Kendall looked like she was about to protest, but she thought better about it. She kept her mouth shut and turned back towards the road. They drove in silence, the sound of the radio becoming the only break to the silence. It was still fairly early when they arrived back in Purefin. The sky was still as blue and cloudless as it had been that morning.

Shane's car was gone from the driveway. He had today off work, so he must be out doing errands or something. Kendall tried to talk to Paige again as the car came to a slow stop upon the gravel driveway, but Paige only meekly shook her head and climbed out of the car. Without waiting for Kendall to drive off, Paige was unlocking the front door and inside the silent house.

Or near silent house.

Faint music waffled down the staircase. Paige was tensed as she climbed the stairs, half expecting to see Aaron leering at her from the second floor, with anger on his face as he guessed where she spent the day. What would Aaron do if he knew she had bothered his younger brother, interrogating Joshua about himself? She couldn't imagine he'd be happy. Paige just hoped her impulsive visit didn't cause Joshua any future problems with his psychotic brother.

Paige didn't find Aaron upstairs. Instead, as she followed the sound of the music to her bedroom, she found Finn sprawled across her bed. Unlike last time she had seen him, he was fully dressed.

She released a heavy sigh. Paige didn't know until that moment how tensed she was. Unwinding from those emotions was harder to do than she expected and she almost sagged against the doorframe. She had completely forgotten she abandoned her friend here.

Finn pushed himself from the bed, his eyes bright as he moved towards Paige. Paige didn't know how long Finn would remain here, but she didn't want him to leave. Not yet. Not with everything that's been happening lately. With Aaron, Lucas, Joanna and now Joshua. It was all too much.

"How was your trip?" he asked. "Since I'm your friend, do I get to know what it's about? You don't usually leave town without a reason, Paige."

Paige only shook her head. She was afraid if she spoke, she might tell Finn more than she should. She knew Aaron was dangerous and she was afraid Finn would barrel after him if he knew Aaron was threatening her. She couldn't deal with anymore complications. Aaron would incapacitate or possibly kill her friend. She couldn't be responsible for that.

"Paige?" The light humour was gone from his voice now. His eyes were watchful as they passed over Paige. He reached forward, his fingers lightly grazing her cheek. Almost at once, Paige began to feel lightheaded. Her stomach flustered as his fingers grew warm. She knew his magic was responsible for this sudden surge of emotions, but she didn't push away from him just yet. Finn was only trying to calm her, make her feel better.

Paige leaned towards his touch, her breath tickling his fingers. Finn smiled as he drew her near. This time, when he brought her lips to his own, she didn't stop him. She was tired, exhausted even, but Finn always made her feel good. Right now, with Aaron and Joshua's freak-out, she needed to feel good. Alive again.

Paige pulled Finn closer, her arms latching onto his neck. As Finn hoisted her up, her legs wrapped around his waist, she couldn't stop her frantic thoughts. She knew there was a lot she had to worry about. Aaron. His brother. Kendall. It wasn't going to be an easy task, but one she knew she would eventually have to deal with.

Aaron has made it perfectly clear that he wasn't going to go away anytime soon. It was like a whirlwind of thoughts and right now, she just wanted to rely on one of the most basic human desires there was.

As Paige's and Finn's clothing mixed together on the floor, he lowered her onto the bed, his fingers roaming over her exposed flesh. Heat washed over her as his fingers continued their journey. As their limbs entangled and bodies connected, Paige couldn't help but feel content, and for the first time in weeks, she felt safe.