Chapter 1 - Step One

The screaming was too close to be coming from Ironwood’s office or personal quarters, or even from the shared rooms where the kids were staying, on the other side of the main hallway. Clover’s chest seized up for just a moment, as he registered where exactly it was. Down the corridor, just beyond the Ace Ops’ special private quarters, towards the general private rooms. And there was only one person currently staying there. --And right then, they saw the way Clover was darting his eyes back to Qrow, how worried he was. They saw how much he truly cared about their uncle. And despite how concerned — and as much as he was trying to hide it, nervous — Clover was, the girls could tell that he truly thought he could help. He wanted to help. --But the light was gone just as suddenly as it appeared, and Qrow was still there. Somehow even the dark remained overwhelming. Whether in presence or absence, he didn’t know how to handle being part of the overbearing existence around him.Qrow could barely hear a quiet voice coming closer to him. It was gentle, safe — and some warm, twisting, calming thing in his gut told him to listen to it, told him to let it soothe him.