" The look on his face was serious and his tone almost pleading.From behind Keith Alex heard, "Move out of the way Keith, it's time Alex gets his ass ...icked."Keith winced before saying over his shoulder, "Just hold on, Frankie, and you too, Stevie." Looking back to Alex he said softly so only Alex could hear, "Alex, take my word on this, you need to back off man. Right now, just back away."Alex was taken aback, what was Keith doing? Why was he trying to stop him? What the fuck was he. Then Ryan transferred to our school and saw a bunch of guys and girls cornering me, yelling things in my face. By the end of the day, he had a cut above his eye and a bruised lip. Since then, the rest is history. He was one of the first people I ever came out to and when I told him, he just grinned and said we could go ‘girl hunting’ together. He’s had my back since day one, and has been one of the greatest friends a gay girl like me could have. He’s also a horrible influence on me as he is one. . you can't let yourself think that way. And now, we don't know what's happened to her, and blaming yourself is not going to bring you any satisfaction. We just have to wait and learn what comes next."We were walking slowly back to the motel room when Thomas's phone went off."Hello?"(pause)"Great! What have you learned?"(pause)"How long will it take you to get there?"(pause)"Call me as soon as you do, please. We've got to know."(short pause)"Thank you," he said, signing off. "They've found the. A farmer couple notices them.)Farmer: Higashidani? What're those bags? You running off then?Higashidani: Idiot! Me, running away in broad daylight? That'd be worse than me and Fudozawa killing each other!Uki: Dad!Higashidani (heading on his way): Quit worrying about us and raise our share of the daikon. We gotta eat this autumn!Farmer's Wife: No matter what happens, he never changes.Farmer: Hope he does all right. This isn't just about silkworms. If we lose the waystation, we'll all....