The Knights Trinity

Chapter Seventeen: A Place to Call Home?

The next morning they joined Twilight and Anthony for breakfast.

“What’s on the agenda for today.” asked Dustin.

Twilight unrolled a scroll and laid it on the table.

“Anthony and I are going to start on the recruitment efforts. Adrian and Applejack are drawing up training camp designs with the construction ponies, and you are... What exactly are you doing?”

“Rainbow Dash and I need to get Scootaloo back, I suppose after that we can work on a training regiment for the recruits.”

“That will be great.”

“Dustin. Do I really have to go back there? Why can’t I stay here with you and Rainbow Dash?” asked Scootaloo.

“You’ve been gone long enough Scoots. But I think we can see about you spending more time with us if you’d like.”

“Oh yeah!” she replied, “But I still don’t wanna go back.”

“Come on, Rainbow Dash and I will go with you.”

“We’ll see you later Scootaloo.” said Anthony with a smile and a wave.

With that they headed out of the dining room.

“She really is a sweet kid, how is it she hasn’t been adopted yet?” asked Anthony

Twilight sighed as she put the scroll she was reading down on the table.

“Orphan ponies aren’t that common actually, what we call an orphanage is really just a house on the edge of town. There is only one other orphan pony there. I don’t really know much about the couple that cares for them, we don’t see them around much. In most cases you end up in a situation like with Applebloom. If something happens to a pony’s parents usually other family steps in to take that roll. With Scootaloo there is no other family, so she really is all alone. But, she is always happy being out and about with Sweetiebell and Applebloom. Now that I think about it she always seems to be running around with somepony as often as she can. But she does good in school and is pretty well behaved considering the circumstances, so it must not be to bad for her.”

....

Scootaloo grew more and more quiet the closer they got to the small house standing alone on the edge of Ponyville.

“What’s wrong Scoots.” asked Dustin running his hand through her mane.

“Nothin, it’s just Mr. and Mrs. Prig don’t really like uninvited guests.”

“It’ll be okay, I just want to explain to them what happened last night.”

“SCOOTALOO!!” came a yell from a disheveled looking mare in the doorway. “What in Celestia’s name are you doing. You said you’d be back yesterday, do you think you can just show up and leave whenever you want? You got work to do.”

“Hello Mrs. Prig may I speak to you for a minute?” asked Dustin as they walked up.

“Ya ain’t got nothin to say that I care to hear.” replied the mare gruffly.

“I only wanted to talk with you about Scootaloo staying with us every once and awhile.”

“As far as I’m concerned, ya won’t ever see her again.”

“Scootaloo get your flank inside. Your in BIG trouble missy!”

Scootaloo’s head dropped and she slunk into the house.

“Now ma’am, Scootaloo showing up late is my fault not hers. We got back to Ponyville late last night and I thought it would be better if she stayed with us.”

“The hay it’s not her fault. She knows how ta get here, she coulda walked herself.”

“I wasn’t comfortable with her walking by herself. What kinda stallion would I be to let a little filly walk clear out here after dark. There was no harm in her staying with us last night, and we’d love to have her stay over anytime she’d like.”

“Stallion! Phhff, you ain’t even a pony, and I didn’t ask what you was comfortable with. Did ya think by coming here pretend to care I was just gonna let her start livin with ya.”

“ I might just adopt her, I doubt she’d object. So what are you going to do about that?”

“They’d never let a creature like you care for a filly. The law wouldn’t allow it. Anyway, she’s perfectly fine here with us.”

Dustin fought hard to control his anger and not blow up on the unruly mare, but it was a battle he was quickly losing.

“Maybe I need to get Princess Twilight or Princess Luna involved in this conversation. That might change your tone.”

“Like the princesses would waste their time with some useless bum like you.”

“He’s not a bum, he’s a hero of Equestria.” shouted Scootaloo sticking her head out the door.

“Shut up! I told ya to get inside.”

“Now listen here , I’m not going to stand here and let you ta..”

Dustin was cut off by a hoof in his face.

“No, you listen, I don’t wanna hear about Scootaloo being around you again. Ya got that.”

“Hey, you better show some respect. Your talkin to a Royal Knight lady.” exclaimed Rainbow Dash crossing her legs over her chest.

“Yooouuu! Your the one stuffin that fillies head with all those crazy ideas about the wonderbolts aren’t ya. Rainblow something or other. You need to shut yer trap, she can’t even fly, and I doubt she ever will. And you, a royal knight huh. Do ya think I’m really stupid enough to believe that. I don’t know who or what you are but ya both need ta get outta here.” she replied walking inside and slamming the door.

“Man, what does she have shoved up her ass?” said Dustin. “I’ll talk this over with Luna and see what we can to.”

Two loud SMACKS rang from behind the door, causing Dustin to jerk around.

“Scootaloo?” he yelled

He grabbed the door knob but it was locked, so he slammed into it with his shoulder trying in vain to force the door open.

“Open this door NOW!!!” he ordered, hearing Scootaloo’s quiet cries on the other side.

He ran back and prepared to ram the door, but the increasing level of pain in his chest made him stop.

“Rainbow Dash go get Anthony, and have Twilight send a message to Luna fast.”

Rainbow Dash disappeared in a blur without speaking a word.

Dustin turned and ran to a nearby window. He realized it was to small for him to get through so he tried to just see inside. Unfortunately the curtains had been drawn obstructing his view.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Each new sound was quickly followed by a muffled scream from Scootaloo. Dustin’s eyes filled with panic and rage as the sounds echoed in his ears. It reminded him of his own childhood, the sound of a belt striking flesh.

He grabbed a nearby rock and hurled it through the window.

“Scootaloo I’m coming.” he shouted before running back to the door.

......

The castle door crashed open and hooves skidded across the marble floor. Twilight and Anthony jumped to their feet, running into the hall to see what was going on.

“Twilight message Luna to meet us at the orphanage, Anthony come with me, Dustin needs your help, that witch of a mare is beating Scootaloo.”

“One second.” replied Anthony running to his room. He came back with two rifles slung across his back. “Point me in the right direction and go get Adrian.”

Twilight yelled for Spike and shoved a scroll in his face as he stumbled into the hall.

“Send this to Luna now! Anthony follow me!” she ordered.

Spike watched in total confusion as the three of them ran out the door. He scratched his head and sent the letter on its way before running to catch up.

.....

As Anthony and Twilight neared the edge of town they saw Rainbow Dash, Adrian, and Applejack headed their way. They met up and ran to the house where Dustin was still pounding on the door.

Dustin grabbed his rifle from Anthony and took aim at the doorknob, but was stopped by Adrian.

“Do you know what’s on the other side?” he asked.

“I don’t care, I’m getting in there. Scootaloo needs me.”

“But it won’t do any good if you shoot her in the process.”

“Let me handle this!” exclaimed Applejack running up to the door.

She spun around and bucked hard knocking the door clean out of the door frame.”
Dustin charged in, followed closely by Anthony and Adrian.

“Scootaloo.” he yelled as he started making his way through the house.

As he neared the last door in the hallway he heard another crack and Scootaloo cried out in pain.

Adrian ran forward and threw himself against the door causing it to fly open with a crash.

Anthony and Dustin ran in around him and scanned the room. A disturbed looking earth pony stood defiantly by the far wall. She lowered her head and charged forward.

“Get outta my house.” she yelled taking aim at Anthony.

He flipped his rifle up and brought the the butt stock down hard against the ponies head, with a sickening crack she fell in a heap on the floor. He looked her over and shook his head.

“Is this her?”

“Yeah, but keep an eye out, she has a husband too.” said Dustin as he found Scootaloo shielding the other filly in the corner. “Scootaloo its okay, I’m here.”

She slowly lifted her head and looked his way. He could see the fear in her blackening and swollen eyes. When she saw Dustin the fear melted away with the tears that cascaded down her face.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause more trouble.” she cried.

Dustin knelt down scooping her up in his arms.

“None of this is your fault Scootaloo. Never blame yourself for this.”

Applejack and Twilight gasped when they walked in and saw the mare laying on the floor.

“Is everything alright?” asked Rainbow Dash, pushing her way past Anthony.

Dustin was to choked up to respond. He just sat there gently rocking Scootaloo in his lap trying to calm her down.

“It’s under control for the moment, but we don’t know where her husband is.” replied Anthony. “What are we gonna do with the other pony.”

Twilight walked over, but stopped short when the young filly coward at her approach.

“Everything’s going to be okay.” she said in a soothing tone. “Do you know who I am?”

“Y-your da princess.” replied the filly meekly.

“That’s right, you don’t have to be scared. We’re all here to help, you’ll be safe from now on I promise.”

“Do ya mean it?” she asked in a squeaky voice.

“Yes I do. These are my friends, Applejack and Adrian.” she said pointing to the approaching couple. Their going to take you outside, so just stay with them and you’ll be okay.”

The filly nodded cautiously as she stood up, and walked over to Applejack. The filly huddled close to the yellow pony’s legs. She was still unsure about the strange giants that had burst through the door.

“Come on, ain’t nothin gonna happen to ya as long as we’re around.”said Apple Jack, leading the little pony out of the room.

“So, is she dead?” questioned Rainbow Dash. While she reached over and poked the mare that was still laying motionless on the floor.

“Nah, just knocked out, she’s lucky all I did was butt strike her. I could have just shot her.”

“It’s not to late.” said Dustin, still holding Scootaloo tightly against his chest.

The tone and anger in his voice made Rainbow Dash shiver.

“See what she did to Scootaloo and you might want to.”

Twilight walked up and looked over the weeping filly. Her eyes went wide when she saw the blood on Dustin’s hands. There were three distinct open wounds across Scootaloo’s back.

Twilight picked up a piece of braided leather rope she saw on the floor and levitated it over to Anthony.

“Tie her up. When Luna gets here I’m sure she’ll bring a few guards, we’ll let Celestia decide what her punishment will be in court.”

Anthony took the rope and bound the mares hooves together tightly.

“I’m so sorry Scootaloo. If I had known this was going on I would have stopped it a long time ago. Why didn’t you ever tell somepony?” asked Twilight.

Scootaloo raised he head off Dustin’s chest and looked at her.

“As long as we did exactly like she told us she didn’t do nothin bad. Today’s the worst I ever seen her. I think she was mad because I brought Dustin and Rainbow Dash with me. She always warned me that if I ever told anypony she’d be even harder on Rose Petal. That’s why as soon as I got away from Mrs. Prig I ran in here to try and protect her. She got even madder because I stood there and wouldn’t let her hit Rose Petal, so she started whipping me with that rope.”

Tears started down her face once again.

“I was just trying to be brave and strong like you Dustin.”

“You are brave Scoots and I’m proud of you. But she had no right doing this to either of you. Did her husband ever hit you?”

“No, he isn’t around much. Whenever he comes home she made us leave or stay in our rooms until he left.”

After a while Rainbow Dash heard a commotion through the broken window. When she realized it was Luna’s chariot arriving she flew outside to explained what had happened.

“Where is this monster that would do such a thing to a filly, I shall teach her a lesson she will not soon forget.” shouted Luna as she walked into the room.

She picked the mare up with her magic, as the blue flames danced across her eyes.

“Luna please calm down, Scootaloo is frightened enough as is.” said Anthony.

She looked over at Dustin and the filly. The look on Scootaloo’s face made the flames quickly subsided.

“Lets get the two of you out of this dismal place.” said Luna as she walked over and placed her hoof on Dustin’s back.

Her horn started to glow and she carried them outside. Rainbow Dash landed next to Luna as she put them down on the soft grass in front of the house.

“Guards there is a mare tied up inside, she is to be taken before Princess Celestia for judgment immediately. Princess Twilight will send a letter to my sister informing her of this monster’s crimes.”

The guards saluted before running into the house. Soon they emerged and placed Mrs Prig in the royal chariot.

“Continue on without me. I shall join my sister when my business here is complete.”

Once again the guards saluted and flew away in the chariot.

“I will take the other filly with me to Canterlot when I return, she can stay in the castle until we find her a proper home. Until then is their anypony that would be able to brighten both their spirits after this tragic ordeal?” asked Luna.

“Pinkie Pie could do it, she’d be just the pony ta cheer em up.” replied Applejack.

“Then we shall all proceed to Sugar Cube Corner.”

“Wait, huuh uhhh, What’s huuh going on?” huffed Spike running up to the group.

“Perfect timing Spike, I need you to take a letter for princess Celestia.” said Twilight.

The purple dragon held up a claw while he tried to catch his breath. Once he calmed down he pulled out a scroll and quill and wrote almost as fast as Twilight spoke. When they finished Spike was fighting back his own tears. He held the scroll up and sent it away in a flurry of green flame. Dustin took off his uniform top and brown t-shirt, pulling his knife out he cut the shirt into strips and wrapped Scootaloo’s wounds.

“This will do until I get you back to the castle.” he said putting his uniform top back on.

“Dustin did you really mean what you said earlier.... about adopting me?” asked Scootaloo.

“Yeah I did, but I don’t know how to do it. Or if I legally can, I’m not exactly a pony after all.”

“Dustin, with your actions here today I can think of no other pony more suited to be a father for young Scootaloo. You have the love and caring to see she is raised properly, and as far as the law is concerned, I am aware of none that would prevent it. I’m sure no pony will question my decision at granting you full custody.”

The smile she saw on the filly’s face looked like it shouldn’t have been able to fit.

“What about you Skittles? Could you handle being the marefriend of a stallion that has a filly?”

Scootaloo looked over, her smile quickly being replace with a look of worry.

“I don’t know. I think...”

“WHAT?” shouted Scootaloo, quickly clasping her hoof over her mouth.

“I think that would be AWESOME!” said Rainbow Dash with a grin.

“So Scootaloo, would you like to be my daughter?”

“Like you really gotta ask!” she exclaimed throwing her hooves back around his neck.

Luna looked down at Rose Petal. The sadness on her face was almost to much for her to bare.

“Worry not little one, for when we arrive in Canterlot I will see that you have a good home with kind parents. Never shall you endure such conditions again.”

“Weally?” said Rose Petal excitedly.

“Yes, I give you my word.”

“I’d wather have you Pinkie Pwomise.”

Luna though for a moment before raising her hoof to her chest.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

With that they made there way through Ponyville to the famed confectionery. Pinkie Pie’s flamboyant mane popped into view as they walked inside.

“Hello everypony! Huuuuuuuuh, your having a party and you didn’t tell me?”

She disappeared from behind the counter and reappeared only inches from Anthony’s face.

“I want answers mister and they better be good!”

“Calm yourself Pinkie Pie. We have come here for a treat and to speak with you. I fear something most horrific has happened today.” said Luna.

“Dustin’s adopting me!” yelled Scootaloo from out of no where.

“WHAT???” Pinkie Pie cried out in shock. “Wait a second, I thought you said something horrific happened. That’s not horrific, that’s wonderful. No no that’s fabulous. No wait I got it, that’s Wontabulous!”

“Yes that is wonderful news.”

“Wontabulous!” corrected Pinkie Pie.

“However the events leading up to this are most saddening indeed.”

“Pinkie Pie c’n I talk to ya in private for a minute?” asked Applejack.

“Ookie Dookie.” she replied leading the way to a side room.

While they waited the two fillies looked over the list of desserts excitedly.

Pinkie Pie came back into the room. Her hair seemed somewhat deflated and she looked on the verge of breaking down. She came around the counter and hugged the two young ponies.

“You can have anything you want, just tell your Auntie Pinkie Pie and I’ll make it up quick as a whistle.”

“Princess Wuna, can we weally have anyting we want?” asked Rose Petal.

“Yes little one, the choice is yours.”

“Alwight!” cheered Rose Petal as she looked over the pictures again.

“Princess Wuna! I’m gonna have to remember that one.” said Dustin with a chuckle.

Everypony ordered and sat down as Pinkie Pie zipped around the kitchen in a blur of flour and frosting.

The fillies found a smaller table by the window and sat staring outside, making the occasional joke about one pony or another.

“The three of you shall never cease to amaze me.” said Luna looking at Dustin. “What you all have done today is most noble indeed, my sister will be pleased with the outcome of these events. It is nice to see just how correct the oracle was in its decision.”

“We couldn’t just sit back and let that happen. Human’s maybe barbaric at times but we damn sure aren’t heartless.” replied Anthony.

“Especially when children are involved.” added Adrian as he watched the kids making silly faces at each other.

“That reminds me, how did you and Applejack get there so fast?” asked Twilight.

“Ah shucks, we’d just sat down at the restaurant ta get somethin ta eat when Rainbow Dash found us. She told us what was goin on and we galloped all the way there quick as a whistle.”

“Thank you all for coming so fast. I’ve never felt that helpless in my adult life. I could hear what was going on and I couldn’t do anything about it until you showed up.” said Dustin.

“But I’d hate to imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t been there makin all that noise.” replied Rainbow Dash. “I guess now we know why she didn’t wanna go back.”

“Heeere ya go.”exclaimed Pinkie Pie popping up out of no where.

She placed two giant cupcakes in front of the fillies and disappeared again. They looked at each other and back to the treats before digging in with both hooves. Pinkie Pie popped up again giving everypony else their orders, before taking a seat with the group.

“Twilight I have to apologize. I made these decisions today and didn’t even take into account that I’m living in your castle. I hope you don’t mind.” said Dustin between bites.

“Of course I don’t, it’s not like I don’t have the room, In fact I have larger rooms available if you’d like one. There would be enough room for a second bed.” she replied.

“Worry not Dustin, these living arrangements will be temporary. Soon you will have a home of your own.” added Luna.

“I don’t know Luna, I haven’t even found a place to build one let alone talked to the construction ponies yet. Now their going to have their hooves full building the training camps, so it could be awhile.”

Luna started to giggle softly as she listened to Dustin’s response.

“I hope you do not find my actions premature, but construction of your home has already begun.”

“How? I don’t even know what kind of place I want yet.”

“Yes you do, you showed it to me in your dreams. I took the liberty of sharing what I saw with one of our architects in Canterlot and he drew up the blueprints. I found a piece of land for sale between Ponyville and Sweet Apple Acres which I purchased. The construction crew has already started. You are not upset with me I hope. Perhaps my decision was a little brash.”

“Hold on, you mean that big place getting built out there is his house?” asked Adrian somewhat shocked. “I guess I kinda shot myself in the foot designing mine. I could have gone all out.”

“You where promised to live as royalty if you agreed Adrian, It may not be to late to make adjustments to your plans.”

“Yeah, look at Anthony his new house is a castle.” said Applejack playfully.

“I may live their but I don’t consider it mine.” he replied

He didn’t notice the pained look in Twilight’s eyes.

Adrian stood up and smacked Applejack on the shoulder.

“Lets get going, we can finish up the plans for the camps and go over the blueprints for the house too.”

“I say we all go, I’d like to see our new house.” said Rainbow Dash.

All eyes fell on her at the statement.

“What?” she asked looking around the table.

“N-nothing. Ya just kinda caught us off guard with that one Skittles.”

“You don’t want me to live with you? Somepony has to stick around and make sure Scootaloo is being taken care of.”

“Damn straight you can move in, I just wasn’t expecting it this soon. I mean the place isn’t even done yet.”

“So what, just know I plan on helping you decorate. Oh by the way, how do you feel about tortoises?”

The table erupted with laughter at the look on Dustin’s face.

“Is this some kind of inside joke?” he asked.

“She has a pet tortoise.” said Anthony once he got his laughter under control.

Now it was Dustin’s turn to start laughing.

“You, the fastest pegasus around, have a pet tortoise.”

Rainbow Dash flew nose to nose with Dustin and glared.

“Got a problem with that?”

“Not at all.” he replied with a gulp, pulling his head back.

“Good!” she said with a nod before flying back to her seat.

The rest of the group burst into laughter again at the confrontation.

“Alright everypony lets go have a look.” said Twilight as she stood.

“Have a look at what” asked Scootaloo.

“Just a little surprise before we head back to the castle okay.” replied Dustin.

“A surprise. Could this day get any cooler.” she cheered jumping into Dustin’s lap.

Dustin took a napkin and wipe the frosting off her face and hooves.

“Now we can go.”

The group made their way out of Ponyville to the new worksite.

“So what do you think Dustin. Does the size appear sufficient?” asked Luna.

“It’s even better then I dreamed.” he replied giving her a kiss. “I expect you to come stay with us as often as you can.”

“There will always be room for the three of you at the castle as well.” she added in return.

“So where’s the surprise?” asked Scootaloo.

“Right there.” said Dustin pointing at the partially finished structure. “When that’s done it’s going to be our home.”

Scootaloo’s stared in disbelief as she took in the size of the project.

“All that’s going to be one house?”

“Yep, so you’ll have your own room and everything. I’ll bring your stuff to the castle later.”

“Adrian and I are headed home. Ya’ll take good care of those two fillies. I expect an invitation to yer house warmin party once ya get settled in.”

“You got it Applejack.” said Rainbow Dash with a wave.

Dustin picked Scootaloo up and walked over to Rainbow Dash..

“Don’t we just make an odd group. Now lets take you back to the castle, so we can get you cleaned up.”

“Can I go see Applebloom and Sweetiebell tomorrow? Their not gonna believe this.”

“I don’t think that would be a problem. Rainbow Dash and I have work to do anyway.”

Twilight’s horn started to glow as she put Rose Petal onto her back, and started off towards town.

“Princess Luna, Dustin can’t carry me very long since he’s still hurt. Do you think you could?”

“It would be my pleasure.” she replied with a smile. Rainbow Dash helped Dustin set her between Luna’s wings and they walked off together, as a family.

Once they got back to the castle Anthony took the rifles re-securing them in the lock box, and showed Dustin how it worked. Then they started moving Dustin’s things to the larger room.

“I’m kinda jealous.” said Anthony walking over to a rather large wardrobe standing against the wall.

There was a loud bang like a shotgun blast when he opened the door, which caused them both to drop to the floor.

“Holy Shit Anthony what did you do.” shouted Dustin.

“Are you guys okay?” asked Twilight as she came running into the room.

“I think so.” said Anthony climbing back to his feet. “What the hell was that.”

Twilight chuckled awkwardly, after she picked a pile of confetti up off the floor.

“Sorry, the girls decided to decorate the castle for me and Pinkie Pie kinda lost a few party cannons around the place. I thought we had found most of them, but I guess we missed one.”

“A little advance warning would’ve been nice. That nearly gave me a heart attack.” said Dustin, grabbing his chest.

Anthony reached into the wardrobe and pulled the small cannon out setting it on the floor. Twilight smiled as she picked it up and carried it out of the room. Soon after Luna came in and gave Dustin a kiss.

“Forgive me my love but my chariot has arrived I must take Rose Petal back to Canterlot.”

Dustin gave her a hug and kiss in return before walking with her to the entry way. Rose Petal ran up and placed her hooves on Dustin’s leg.

“Tank you mister Dusin.” she said with a toothy smile.

He knelt down and patted her on the head.

“You take good care of Princess Luna for me okay.”

“You gots it.”

Dustin watched as they walked onto the chariot and it took off into the evening sky. He walked back inside and helped Anthony finish preparing the room. After supper Scootaloo curled up on the bed while Dustin and Rainbow Dash started drawing up a training regiment.

.....

Aura’s eyes ached from the sunlight reflecting off the snow. He pulled his goggles up and rubbed them, taking in his surroundings. After several days of searching he hadn’t found the slightest hint of the long forgotten fortress.

This is like hunting for a needle in a stack of needles, he thought to himself as he started pulling his goggles back down.

A glint of light in the distance caught his eye at the last second. His hoof froze in place as he focused on where it had come from. Just as he was about to brush it off as glare from the snow it flashed again.

“That’s as good a lead as any.” he said aloud and started his way towards it.

.....

The next morning Dustin and Anthony got up early. They grabbed a cart and headed to the orphanage to fetch the fillies belongings. Armed with their pistols they cleared the small house, just in case Mr. Prig had returned. Finding it empty they started cleaning out the bedrooms.

Dustin looked over a few posters of the Wondercolts carefully before taking them down. He found a scooter, a stuffed pegasus the somewhat resembled Rainbow Dash and a collection of various odds and ends. Anthony grabbed Rose Petals meager belongings and they placed them all in the cart.

“So any idea on how soon we will see the first unicorn and earth pony soldiers?” asked Dustin as they walked.

“I’m thinking a minimum of two months, maybe three depending on how long it takes to get the camps set up. The thing that is bothering me is what Discord said.”

“Discord?”

“He’s a weird looking magical creature that likes to pop up when it pleases him. He told me there is something under the castle we would find intriguing. He wouldn’t be more specific then that.”

“I say we go have a look, what could it hurt.”

“Discord’s loyalty is questionable. Fluttershy thinks we can believe him, but I’m not so sure. From what I’ve read he’s been the cause of some pretty major conflicts throughout Equestria. Twilight is kind of on the fence about him. I guess he helped her out in a similar fashion but I’m not sure she completely trusts him.”

“If you decide you wanna go just let me know, Adrian and I will have your back. Who knows it could be fun. By the way, are you ever going to ask Twilight out on a date?”

Anthony went suddenly silent as they walked.

“Sorry, I’ll keep my mouth shut about that.” said Dustin as he picked up the pace a little.