The New Academy-East Canton, 10:00 AM, 22nd July, 250 A.D
"Nice going there, Val. You've forgotten your old friends and found new ones. Really charming."
Mandy was pissed and it was only the beginning of day two. Val couldn't stay mad at her though, not with her overly dramatic behaviour.
"You were too engulfed in your boyfriend affairs," Amy replied ironically and Mandy sulked for a second. Then Val hugged her tightly and she gave in.
"Speaking of friends, do you have a friend on the Test today? We all had our turns yesterday."
Mandy nodded. "Yes, in fact, I do. Doug and Scott. Nelson's pals. You remember them, Val, right?"
She did. Scott was an extremely timid and introvert guy, Doug a handsome older athlete. Val and he had a short affair, which ended abruptly after three months, mostly because of her insecurity and refusal to let out any information about her past. He had always been sweet and kind, so Val felt glad he was here too.
"Of course, I remember them. It'll be interesting to watch them compete."
The girls reached the Main Hall after their breakfast, locating their trio of boys right next to the Training Room's entrance. Next to them stood Nelson with his two friends. Seb seemed to be talking with them in a quite passionate mood.
"Good morning, all of you."
Mandy sat next to Nelson and kissed him sweetly.
"Get a room" shouted Mike.
"You forgot your own shit back in the day, Mike."
He looked back at Seb, his face red. "Nice support, dude."
Valentine was still laughing when she was greeted by Doug.
"Hey, Val. Long time, no see. Nice job, the show you put up yesterday. Helping that coward with his werewolf wasn't a bad thing either."
Val laughed, truly grateful and saw Doug looking at her with great interest, studying her. "What's wrong?"
"You seem changed, somehow. For the better, I mean."
"Thanks. You look great, too. So, what were you guys talking about?" she asked, changing the subject swiftly.
Sebastian got fired up from her question and started talking non-stop. It turned out the three of them knew each other, through some Internet forums for a major online game. Val wasn't a great fan of computers, gadgets or the exchange of electronic information, although it had been a crazy trend for the past ten years, especially in the two Canton cities, the Capital and Cancun. It looked the technological frenzy of Old was back again and Seb was its ultimate ambassador. His knowledge around the subject was uncanny.
"Anyway, we had this crazy idea. We'd like to set up a sort of a local Internet line, just inside the Academy. Like having an electronic newspaper of sorts. That way we'll get to upload of profiles, throw events, you know, team stuff. We can't really be considered Heroes if we don't know each other's names and faces."
Amy was the first to respond, looking amazed. "Wow, Seb, that's a really smart idea."
Seb looked at her, slightly annoyed. "You thought I was an idiot before?"
"No, God, of course not. I told you yesterday, that you are excluded from the idiot list, didn't I? But you just... you don't seem that social, you know. Like you prefer keeping to yourself."
"Don't judge a book by its cover, Amy."
Amy looked timidly at Seb. "I am sorry, Sebastian, I didn't want to offend you," she said, earning a polite smile.
""Did one of the biggest new stars in Canton just asked for Seb's forgiveness?", John whispered in Val's ear.
She put her hand in front of her mouth, trying to contain her laughter. "I guess the Academy is a magical place, after all."
***
The second test was less surprising, smoother than the first. Val felt like the day would pass uneventfully. She had almost forgotten about her encounter with Alice Green until she saw her on stage. She faced her monster with great decency, a giant figure with grey hair and black eyes, looking suspiciously like her father Aldus.
If he was my father, he would also be my greatest fear.
Aldus Green was one of the twelve Counsellors, a doctor in profession. But the man was no philanthropist for sure. He was powerful, a little too powerful in fact. Frightening even.
At the end of the day a few people remained. Val was alone in the Training Grounds, her friends gone, either too bored or too preoccupied to stay. A small part of her still held her there, her curiosity to discover all her fellow contestants. When the last of them entered the stage, Val realised she was a tiny girl with enormous eyes, constant unhappiness drawn in them. She recognised her right away.
Emma Brown. Her old classmate and Alice's favourite victim. One of the people who had been threatened by Aldus Green to testify that Val was, indeed, a dangerous, unstable individual. Val had never blamed her. The Greens are too powerful to be messed with.
Emma's nightmare was a shadowy figure in a school roof. Val felt needles in her heart just by watching the damn thing. The girl got through it though, by pushing the figure down the ledge with all her strength. The bells rang and the second part of the Exam came to its end. Emma left the stage running, her cheeks red from frustration. Val stood up and walked in a hurry, trying to catch up with her. The chance for closure was too great for her to ignore.
"Emma, please wait. Hold on for a second, will you?"
The girl looked at her, letting out a little scream when she realized that someone was following her. Then she saw Val standing in front of her and her gaze grew sadder.
"Valentine. How... why did you follow me?"
"I saw you in the Exam. You showed great spirit, really. Finally pushing the shadow of that ledge."
Even the tips of Emma's ears grew red from shame. She looked at the ground, whispered a hasty "Thanks" and turned to leave. Val realized she had to do this quickly.
"I want you to know, I never held that testimony against you. They are terrible, father and daughter alike. You had no other choice."
The girl's face was full of tears as she turned to face her. "I wanted to tell the truth, but they threatened my parents..."
Her voice was just a whisper and Val took a step towards her. All she wanted was to comfort the crying girl when someone grabbed her from behind and pushed her violently to the ground. Val fell on her bare back, her muscles screaming from pain, her elbows scratching the floor. She turned her head up as fast as she could, her body sensing the danger immediately, but it was already too late. Alice stood at the stairs, her small black eyes turned into malicious slits. She grabbed Emma's hair and pulled it violently.
"Would you look at that?", Angie uttered. "A true high-school reunion. Boys, aren't you happy to see our old friends again?"
A shrill laugh pierced the air. Val's head snapped to her right and tried hard to keep her mouth from hanging open.
Well, I'll be damned.
In front of her stood two big-boned, muscular idiots. Toby Simpson, your typical "brawl-over-brawns" high-school bully and Angie's sweetheart since childhood. Violent and dangerous when provoked, his sadistic tendencies could only be matched by his friend Will Lauris, Angie's best friend and protege since early school days. Both boys were always eager for tease and mayhem, but Will seemed a little more hesitant than usual. Toby, on the other hand, was thirsty for blood. He looked at Val and licked his lips, like seeing a delicious meal.
Alice made Emma fall on her knees, as she squealed from fear. "You want to throw me off a roof little Emma, don't you? You thought I wouldn't be around to see that, did you?"
Her fingers messed with her hair, digging on her scalp and the girl screamed.
"And not only that, you also wanted to make a fool of my father in the trial. You wanted to double-cross us, side with this bitch. I think I should teach you both a lesson."
She slapped Emma's cheek, hard. Toby realised the torture party had begun and, hungry like a wolf, made his way to help Alice. Images flashed through Val's eyes, painful memories she wished to forget.
The sun burning the school's white roof tiles, the open space on the balcony, the cries and pleas of Alice's victims begging for her to stop, to not push them off the ledge...
No way, you fucker. Not as long as I live and breathe.
Strangely, she felt no fear. Her teenage anger had again emerged, hidden from all the years of hospitalisation and abuse. Val had promised to keep to herself, to stay out of other people's troubles. But tonight, that was a promise she couldn't keep.
"What's wrong Toby? Even after all those years, Alice's sour cunt is the only one who'll take your tiny cock in? That's why you are still her servant?"
She spat those words to his back, irony and provocation clear in her voice. She knew there was a serious risk of getting beaten for her courage, but she wouldn't go down without a fight. Not as long as Emma had a chance of escaping Alice's clutches.
Tobias charged at her, screaming like a raging bull. His extended arm flew straight to her face, but Val rolled to the side at the nick of time, interrupting the assault. He howled like an animal, confused and enraged. One second of disruption was everything Val needed. She took her momentary chance and forced her foot to his knees, throwing him head straight to the ground. He shouted surprised, but she was faster. Another kick on the back of his head did the trick, and Toby lost his consciousness, giving Val a little bit of space and time.
Alice was already out of her mind, slapping Emma even harder. "This is what you get for being friends with that slut!"
Val ran towards the stairs, her feet just centimetres away from the first steps, when two strong hands caught her arms in a tight grip, twisting them behind her back. Will's stinking breath was in her ear, and she shuddered from the coldness in his voice.
"Just let her do her thing, Val, and then we can all go to our rooms. It's the best for you. You should have known by now, playing the hero won't do you any good."
Val writhed on his arms, trying desperately to kick him and be set free, but he was swifter than Toby and surprisingly strong. Alice raised her hand again, her fingers glistening with tears and blood. Val shouted at the top of her lungs.
It happened in an instant, like an answer to the girl's protests. A black smoke appeared suddenly between Alice and Emma's tormented face, with a foot coming out of nowhere, kicking Alice in the stomach, sending her straight to the ground. Amy materialized out of the black smoke, angry like never before, her face a mask of pure rage.
"Run," she told Emma. "Go straight to your room and lock the door."
Emma didn't need to be told twice. In a matter of seconds, she was gone and Val felt Will's grip loosen, reflexively running to Alice's rescue. She took the chance and pushed her elbows deep into his stomach. Will was doubled in half, all air escaping from his lungs and Val started making her way towards the stairs, her rage against Alice blinding.
A strong hand pulled her hair and she felt her neck cracking, shouting from pain. "You are dead, bitch!" screamed Toby, and raised his left first, ready to pulverise her face. The black smoke emerged again, and for a second, Amy was suspending into the air, before landing a blow straight on Toby's face. His nose cracked and the blood gushed out in streams, as he was sent spinning towards the floor once again, defeated.
John, Mike and Seb were already descending the stairs as fast as they could, catching a breathless Will and bleeding Toby by their necks. The two boys fell on their knees, exhausted. Amy held Alice's hair, much like the bitch had done with Emma. Val sat at the staircase, trying to shake off a little bit of the shock, in a painful effort to regain her breath.
By the Deities, I dragged the others into this.
Amy was the one doing the talking, her voice full of deadly calmness.
"I don't know who the three of you are or why you attacked that poor girl or Val. But" she pushed harder when Alice opened her mouth in protest, "I don't care. We don't care. We are a team, and if you hurt any of us again, your state is going to be sorrier than just a couple of bruises and a broken nose. We don't react well to threats. Do you understand?"
Alice and her boys nodded their heads frantically.
"What should we do with them now?" Mike asked, even though he knew the answer.
Sebastian looked at John. "There is no way for us to prove we didn't start the fight. And only one way out."
Taking a deep breath, John addressed the attackers with the utmost determination, his eyes shining under his glasses. "We are going to let you go now. You are not to tell anyone what you did, and you are not going to try this shit again. Is that clear?"
They all nodded, slower now, mesmerized, and Val couldn't help but let out a small gasp. This was so wrong, but all the while, so impressive. She couldn't even begin to imagine what it would feel like to have such a Power.
"If anyone asks you what's happened with your ugly faces, you had a bathroom accident. I suggest you stop your attacks, for we are always watching. And you don't want to be further hurt, do you?"
They all looked at him, scared to death like their minds projected their terrible fate.
"You can go now."
They all got up slowly and ascended the staircase, Alice to the left, both guys to the right. John exhaled relieved and Amy sat next to Val, holding her hand.
"It was very brave to stand up for the girl, but please do not try scary things alone next time ok? They would have sent you to a hospital bed, seeing how determined they were. That's why the PA has a quick-call button."
Mike and Seb nodded in agreement and Val couldn't help but thank her good luck. They all thought she had been at the wrong place, at the wrong time. That Alice had only a grudge against Emma, when in fact her one and only nemesis was Val. John stared at her intensely, speculating the possible connection, but chose to remain silent.
"Thanks, guys. You really saved my ass. These guys were downright crazy, but I couldn't just stand around and watch them harm a poor girl."
Amy nodded and Val looked at her, impressed. "You know you teleported, right?"
She looked slightly embarrassed, but her flushed face was a proof of her excitement. "I know! It was automatic, really. I saw you from the edge of the stairs and I just wished I could be down there fast enough to stop that fucking bitch, and the next second I was. The weirdest thing is, I wasn't even shocked by the fact. Like I was expecting it my whole life. A part of me not yet revealed."
John's face lit up with a charming grin. "I am glad I am not alone anymore." Then, in an unexpected sign of affection, he turned around and hugged Val tightly. Amy gasped and the boys stood speechless, their eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
If anyone tries to hurt you again, he is dead. I guarantee it. I had been late all my life, but not anymore.
Val heard those beautiful words inside her head, and she hugged John even harder, a tear escaping her eyes.
I really hope you are right, John. For both our sakes.
***
Vanessa looked at the files on her desk, her brows shaped into a sceptical frown, her stomach clenched. She had a bad feeling about this whole mess of a story, and not without a good reason.
She had been at the Instructor's office, preparing the last details for tomorrow's training with John Lucas, when the doors opened and a breathless Priscilla, accompanied by Beth, stormed inside, speaking frantically.
Their tale had been one for the books: Two confused boys, wandering outside the Library, badly wounded. Both were rushed to the infirmary, where the Academy's physician confirmed that they had been beaten-up. Problem was, the boys stubbornly insisted they had been in a bathroom accident.
Guido had taken a good look at their bruises. "These are offensive wounds, no doubt. These blocks got themselves into trouble."
"Why would anyone want to fight two massive boys?"
"Maybe they tried to pick a fight", Beth said skeptically. "And got their asses handed to them. That would explain the bullshit excuses they've trying to sell us."
"What if they fought each other? That would make up for their weird story, too."
"I highly doubt it, Vanessa. If they had fought with each other, they would have gone straight to their rooms, never mentioning the fact. But they were running around aimlessly. And their bruises are smaller than their hands. I have to agree with Beth on that one. These guys probably ganged up on someone smaller, but were sadly mistaken."
Vanessa sighed as she sat in her chair, remembering how Tom advised her to put cameras in all public rooms. She had dismissed the thought as silly, an invasion of everyone's privacy. Besides, they were four highly trained professionals, with a bunch of armed guards for protection. They were a just a hundred of them kids. The number had seemed ridiculously small to her then. Not so much now.
We are too few.
That wasn't even her greatest concern. With Priscilla's help and cans of hot, steaming coffee to help them get through the night, Vanessa and Peter had dug up a few personal details about the kids. They both had minor charges against them, mostly assaults and property violations. Most importantly, they were associated with a famous name. Alice Green. Aldus' daughter. One of the most frightening Counsellors and powerful men in whole Canton.
They all fell silent once they witnessed her name. Vanessa knew it was wrong to judge a child by its parents, ridiculous even. Her parents were practically angels, and she was nothing but. But as they dug a little deeper, Alice's name also came up in various cases of physical abuse, which conveniently always ended up in parents and students denying the incident, refusing to speak any further.
"She is Aldus' kid alright", Beth said, completely unashamed. "Just like he was back at our training days at the Resurrection Camp. Pretending to be a doctor, when he is nothing but a sadistic pervert."
"Seems like it," Vanessa frightfully admitted. "Did you question Alice?"
"Of course not. All the girls' rooms were dark and locked. They've all fallen asleep. I didn't want to cause any more panic than necessary by banging doors and asking questions."
Vanessa nodded. Beth was right. They couldn't afford to lose control from day two. They had to stay in charge, especially when such people were Aurelia's candidates.
"Only one thing still doesn't fit", Guido added. "Their confusion."
But Vanessa did have a slight idea about their confusion. While digging up the cases of assaults caused by Green's little gang, Vanessa's eyes fell on a name. Valentine Stone. John Lucas's friend, the most impressive candidate of them all. John was the only one who could in her knowledge who could manipulate minds.
Vanessa decided to keep the thought to herself. They had no evidence for once, and also... John Lucas was just too damn sweet. She didn't want to cause his friend Val more trouble than necessary. At least not yet.
"We just let it go for now. But tomorrow, as much as I hate it, we'll install the cameras, as High Counsellor Rosenberg suggested."
They all nodded in agreement.
"And boys, get your day-trip packs ready. It's time to pay an old friend a visit."
A.N. Song: White Lines by Tenderloud