Rain lashed against the dormitory windows that night, the wind howling through the cracks. The boys were meant to be asleep, but the darkness in St. Brenard's never truly slept. Whispers and laughter floated from the far side of the room, where the older bullies plotted their next torment.
Harry lay curled on his thin mattress, rabbit tucked beneath his chin. His body still ached from yesterday's shoves. But above him, on the bunk, Lucas shifted and leaned over the edge.
"You awake, kid?" Lucas whispered.
Harry turned his face up, eyes big in the dim light. "Yes…"
"You're safe. Go to sleep." Lucas's voice was low, steady, the way a big brother might sound if Harry had ever known one.
The next day brought the same cruel rhythm gray skies, cold classrooms, older boys with hungry eyes for weakness.
"Hey, crybaby!" one sneered during recess. They surrounded Harry near the fence, shoving him back and forth like a ragdoll.
"Let's see if he cries faster than yesterday."
Harry whimpered, clutching his rabbit.
Before they could strike, Lucas's shadow fell over them.
"You deaf?" Lucas said, his voice deadly calm. "I said leave him alone."
The tallest bully scoffed. "Oh look, little prince Harry brought his nanny."
Lucas didn't flinch. "You want me to make you eat dirt again?"
The boys exchanged glances. They'd tasted Lucas's fists before swift, merciless, and unafraid. They backed away, muttering curses.
Lucas crouched in front of Harry, brushing mud off his sleeve. "Told you, kid. You're not alone."
Harry's lip trembled. "Thank you, Lucas…"
Lucas gave him a crooked smile. "Stick with me. We'll make it through this dump."
Later, in the dead of night, Lucas whispered down from his bunk, "Hey, kid… you ever miss home?"
Harry hugged his rabbit tighter. "Every night," he murmured.
Lucas was quiet for a long time. Then he said, "Me too."
Harry's eyes widened. "You… have home?"
"Had," Lucas corrected softly. "Mom got sick. Dad… didn't want me. So they sent me here."
Harry's small hand crept up to clutch the edge of Lucas's blanket. "I sorry, Lucas."
Lucas laughed quietly, but there was no humor in it. "Don't be. That's life."
Harry's voice trembled. "I… I had Grandmma… she was nice… but she gone. And Dad… he no want me too?"
Lucas leaned over, his face shadowed in the dim light. "Listen to me, Harry. Sometimes grown-ups… they're broken inside. It's not your fault, you hear? Not your fault."
Tears spilled silently down Harry's cheeks. Lucas reached down, wiping them away with his thumb.
"Don't cry now," Lucas said gently. "You've got me. That's enough for tonight."
Weeks passed.
Harry followed Lucas everywhere through the crowded dining hall, across the cracked yard, even sneaking into his secret hiding spot behind the gym.
Lucas showed him how to knot his shoes properly, how to tuck his rabbit into his coat so the bullies wouldn't see.
"You keep him close, like this," Lucas whispered, adjusting the coat. "And if anyone tries, you scream my name. Got it?"
Harry nodded eagerly.
When the matron yelled, Lucas took the blame. When Harry cried at night, Lucas hummed softly from the bunk above until the little boy drifted to sleep.
But the darkness of St. Brenard's never stayed silent for long.
One stormy evening, the bullies cornered them in the storage corridor.
"Think you're so tough, Lucas?" the tallest one spat. "Always playing hero."
Lucas pushed Harry behind him. "Walk away," he warned.
They didn't.
A fist flew. Lucas dodged and swung back, catching one boy in the jaw. Another lunged with a wooden stick. Lucas shoved him, but a third grabbed Harry, twisting his arm.
Harry screamed. "Lucas!"
Rage ignited in Lucas's eyes. He wrenched Harry free, shoving the attacker hard against the wall. The stick cracked across Lucas's shoulder, but he didn't flinch. He grabbed the stick mid‑swing, snapped it over his knee, and threw the pieces aside.
"Touch him again," Lucas growled, voice low and dangerous, "and I swear you'll regret it."
The bullies scattered, curses fading into the distance.
Lucas knelt, brushing tears from Harry's cheeks. "You okay?"
Harry nodded shakily, arms wrapping tight around Lucas's neck.
Lucas hugged him back, strong and steady. For the first time in months, Harry felt safe.
That night, Lucas sat cross‑legged on Harry's bunk, stitching the rabbit's torn ear with a needle he'd snuck from the laundry.
"See? Good as new," Lucas said, handing it back.
Harry beamed through watery eyes. "You fix him! Thank you!"
Lucas smiled faintly, ruffling his hair. "We fix each other, kid."
Harry's voice softened. "Lucas… you like brother?"
Lucas froze, then laughed softly, though his eyes shone. "Yeah. I guess I am."
Far away, Kay received another report: Harry Stevenson: emotional dependency noted on older student Lucas Morgan. Improved resilience observed.
Kay crumpled the letter in irritation. "Improved resilience? Tch." She tossed it into the fire, watching the edges curl to ash.
Back in the dormitory, Harry lay tucked under his thin blanket, rabbit cradled in his arms. Lucas sat beside him until his breathing evened out.
Outside, the wind howled against the old school walls.
Inside, a boy of five slept soundly for the first time, knowing someone strong would fight for him in the dark.
Lucas remained by the bunk, staring at the shadows on the ceiling. His own scars ached, but in that small, fragile boy he saw something worth protecting.
And so, in a place built on cruelty, two broken souls found each other holding on, hand in hand, against the darkness.