MP   Get down from there, Kit.

MP   You're going to hurt yourself.

You kick the tree for good measure, hearing him hiss and scamper upwards. Some leaves scatter across the forest floor, and you absent-mindedly singe the few that fall in your reach.

MP   Didn't you hear me?

RW   ...i said im not comin down

MP   ...

MP   Tch.

You wipe the ash from your fingers onto your pants.

MP   Too bad. The rest of the world is down here.

MP   You know. The people's world.

MP   As freeing as it might be for an ape-man,

MP   We all know you wouldn't survive a day in the wilderness.

MP   You barely know how to camp.

MP   That's survival with assistance, by the way.

MP   Which you could learn if you bothered to pay attention.

RW   shut up

Sore spot. That gets a smile out of you.

MP   I'm just saying.

MP   If you're really committed to this, you'll want to try harder.

RW   i dont care

RW   im one w/ the trees now

Unfortunately, whatever feral DNA he has that allows him to scale trees in a second isn't one that you possess. Which is why you take out the foldable ladder you've brought with you this time.

RW   thats cheatin

MP   Civilization invented tools for a reason.

Once you get to his branch, you can see him contemplating jumping to another tree altogether. So you slow to a crawl in the same manner you would approach a cornered animal.

MP   Now we're both in the tree.

RW   yea

He sounds mildly pleased with himself. As if sitting in a tree together is some brotherly bonding activity.

MP   I mean, now we're both away from whatever you're scared of.

RW   i aint scared

MP   I can see that stupid tail of yours, Kit.

RW   thats it bein in attack mode

MP   Yeah? Then why are you running away?

MP   If you want an old-fashioned ass-beating, we can take care of that on the forest floor.

He swallows.

RW   cause uh

RW   im sparin you

RW   from these claws

You can almost hear the pitiful hamster wheel struggling to turn in his head. In the meantime, you adjust yourself on the branch, leaning your back onto the tree.

MP   Let's cut to the chase.

MP   Was it school?

And just like that, he's hiding in that tattered, oversized hoodie. The only parts visible are his shoes and the top of his head.

As much as he insists on picking out his own clothes, he still goes back to Rudyard's jackets for comfort. You wouldn't be surprised if he changed into it right after coming home.

MP   If it's just homework, we can try the tutor again.

RW   (...)

MP   Speaking of homework, I actually have a lot to do tonight.

MP   If you think your shit is tough, wait until you get into high school.

MP   It really puts things in perspective.

RW   (your biggest problem is schoolwork)

RW   (its just one of mine)

MP   What, is it your classmates?

RW   (...)

MP   Lord. Is that what this is about?

Peeking his head out (presumably to breathe, it's too warm a day to be swimming in a hoodie), he stares down at the ground with that stubborn pout.

RW   everybody hates me

MP   Don't be dramatic.

MP   Plenty of people tolerate you.

RW   yeah right

MP   ...

MP   There's always going to be people to dislike you.

MP   But you don't think about them. Don't give them the time of day.

MP   You can't let them get to you.

MP   Worse comes to worse, tell the teachers.

RW   they hate me too

That's not too surprising. Most teachers are condescending pricks. To kids like Rowan, especially.

RW   they all think im stupid

RW   just b/c i dont wanna be there

MP   In that case, there's a good chance they think your bullies are stupid, too.

RW   no

RW   everyone gets better grades than me

RW   and theyd rather believe people who get good grades

RW   so i cant do anythin

He sniffles into his sleeve. Like he's trying to muffle it.

RW   i hate it there

His tail sits limply behind him.

RW   it sucks so bad

A more experienced older brother would probably spout some wise mantras about growing up. Something he would come up with, something that would put everything into perspective in a mature, peaceful way.

But you've been getting more and more irritated, and seeing him fold into himself has you grinding your teeth.

MP   So what?

He looks at you, eyes wide.

MP   Poor little victim.

MP   You're just going to accept it?

MP   Let them affect you like this?

MP   I didn't think you'd be so weak.

RW   sh-shut up

MP   This is exactly what they want.

MP   They want to see you turn into a whiny sopping mess.

MP   You think they're going to stop?

MP   It's just fuel. They're going to eat it up, seeing you so pathetic.

MP   You're not helping yourself.

MP   You're just making yourself more of a target.

There's that tail, perking up again. Good to know he's still got some fight in him.

RW   then what

RW   what the h-hell do you want me to do?

MP   Raging Ruber, do I have to spell it out loud?

Your fist, which has been clenched for a while, is starting to sizzle. You bite back a swear and wave it around until the flame dies out.

MP   They won't leave you alone until they get something they don't want.

MP   And it's the one thing you haven't been doing.

RW   ...what?

MP   Fight back, damn it.

MP   Make sure they don't lay a finger on you again.

MP   You're not someone they should be messing with.

The way he's looking at you, you'd think you just told him to commit arson.

RW   thats

RW   thats just gonna get me in more trouble

RW   the teachers already think im the one causin everythin

RW   if i do somethin like that

RW   ill

RW   i dont know if ill be ok

You scoff in disbelief.

MP   You're already not okay.

MP   Look at you. I had to find you out here, for Gods' sake.

MP   If you're going to be labeled a troublemaker, at least do some damage to the right people.

MP   Make it hurt.

MP   They're already hurting you.

RW   yea but

RW   i dont wanna hurt anyone

MP   Then, I don't know.

You exhale, running your hand through your hair.

MP   Pull a stunt on them. Like one of those tricks you like to do.

MP   They piss me off plenty.

MP   And they're definitely up your alley more than practicing actual self-defense.

MP   Which I have generously offered to train you for, in the past.

MP   So, fuck it. Put it to use for once.

MP   Maybe then, they'll finally leave you alone.

RW   ...

MP   Now, come on. It's getting late. Don't make Rudyard climb up here, too.

MP   Or worse, the fire department.

RW   i like the firefighters

MP   Well, I don't.

As the two of you head back to the cabin, you take quick glances back, just to make sure he's still there. And he has that same expression on his face. Contemplative.