The Blazing Rebellion

Chapter 20

Sera POV

Sera bit her lip as she sat down in class, glancing around the room. It was just as she'd heard; John wasn't here. This fact only made her more worried.

He hadn't come back to class after being called to the office earlier. Later, Sera had heard students whispering in the halls about him, too. Apparently he'd left school grounds before the day had ended. They'd said that he had appeared really pale and shaky, too, as if he were sick or something. Sera had hoped that she was just hearing things, but he still wasn't back... he hadn't been to school in two days now. Three counting the day he'd left.

She knew that he was probably just taking a break or something, but she couldn't help but worry. After all, did he have anyone to check on him? She'd been his best friend, possibly his only friend... she hadn't seen anyone else talking to John since he'd come back. Now, with the silence that had been going on between them, he was even more isolated.

Sera hated that she couldn't talk to him. She wanted to check on him, to see that he was okay, and to tell him that it wasn't his fault she was hiding things. I don't have a choice. I can't tell anyone about Spectre. He'd just be in more danger if he knew, and that's the last thing I want. Still, Sera couldn't help wishing that there was some other option. Keeping things from John just felt wrong. She had the feeling that doing so was only making things worse.

She wanted to make things right, but it was so hard to approach him... the expression of hurt in his eyes every time he saw her made Sera's heart tighten. It was hurting her as much as it was hurting him. Why couldn't they just go back to what they'd had before, when they'd be friends? Why couldn't it be just like old times? Why is nothing ever that easy? She sighed. Class was starting, and she should be listening.

Still, she couldn't help but notice that John made no appearance during this class, either. Where is he? As she entered the crowded hallway, Sera noticed that the other students were glancing towards the classroom fearfully, as if waiting for John to come out and attack. Did they really still think he was doing that? Sera wished that they would notice, as she had, that John was different. He was trying so hard.

He needed someone by his side, but she'd left... Sera winced. I tried to stay! I just can't comfort him at all because he won't tell me anything, and I can't give him information about Spectre to get him to talk! It was an impossible situation. Sera didn't think she could do anything, but it still felt like she wasn't trying hard enough.

Especially when she heard the whispers start back up again in the hallways.

"Hey, where's John? I always try to avoid this path because he's scary, but I haven't seen him..."

"Yeah, he's not in class. I heard that he left a few days ago."

"Is he sick or something? I haven't heard about him visiting the infirmary..."

"Maybe he left. I'd be glad if he did. Honestly, after everything he did, things would be better without him."

This last comment caused Sera to pause in her steps. No. John shouldn't have to just leave. A sudden wave of fear rushed through her. What if he had left? What if he'd just given up on Wellston? It was clear that none of the students here would tell him to stay. If he'd heard even a few words of what was being said now, Sera wouldn't be surprised if he'd at least thought about it. Still, he couldn't have left, could he? Her heart tightened at the thought of him vanishing without her even getting the chance to say goodbye...

"Will John Doe please come to the Headmaster's office?" The loudspeaker announced to the hallway. There was silence. This same request had been repeated yesterday, too, and late on the day Sera had last seen John, before he'd left class to go to the office. The office.

Had something happened there that had made him leave? He'd hidden from her what had happened last time since she wouldn't tell him about Spectre, but was it connected to that? The only information he'd been willing to give was that he'd met someone he didn't like. That didn't tell her much at all...

Then, Sera remembered that this wasn't the only time he'd been shaken after a visit to the office. A few months ago, before she'd known about John's ability or the fact that he'd been Joker, he'd had to go to the office soon after she had. His hand had been shaking the entire time he talked to her about it. He hadn't told her much then, either, besides that Keon from the authorities had visited him. His behavior in that moment had been what had caused her to think that Keon had been his instructor at the readjustment classes. If everything that she'd found out and guessed was true, then it wouldn't be surprising that John had been freaked out by him.

Could John be shaken now for the same reason? Was Keon back?

Sera's blood ran cold. Do they want him to go back to those readjustment classes?! He had hurt more people since they'd last seen him. If they'd wanted her to go simply for reading a book, then it wouldn't be a surprise if they wanted him to go back now.

It would explain a lot... and if she was right, then she needed to talk to John. They couldn't take him away this time. She wouldn't let it happen.

Sera pulled out her phone and clicked a few buttons. It rang for a few minutes before the person who she was calling picked up.

"Hey, Seraphina... How come you're calling me?" The voice on the other end asked. Sera sighed.

"Blyke... do you still have a key into your old dorm room?"