The day had been simple. I made it past the security checkpoint without issue. Malverie talked my ear off before the advisory started, but I still had no idea how to feel about it, in honest truth. We hung out once during lunch, and now he stuck by my side like a wolf pup attached to its mother.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEyqvQC6FG
If I were to say anything, it was disturbing. It was how clingy he had been today. Alas, that didn’t quite matter now. Like the previous day, we ate together at lunch,
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvFu8Y32d2
“Did you hear? Cinderash was deemed innocent in the fire! According to several news sources at least…” Malverie told me.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtKJq5R9MK
It should be noted, it sounded more to me like a conversation starter. A weird one, but Malverie in general was weird as he was again. Latched onto me like a lost puppy.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm1tHzMJpq
I answered him with a nod. “I know.” I swirled the metal spoon in my lukewarm pudding. I continued as I tilted the spoon for a scoop. “Ironic isn’t it? Sources also indicate that Cinderash was caught on security footage from nearby buildings dragging kids out.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5Ec03h0Kd
I had only known in honesty because Marco spammed texted me, though I was late on replying to them due to the other business of the night. I moved the blob of chocolatey goodness to my mouth and ate a bite. Malverie nodded. “They even RELEASED the footage!”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrRlA7QM5m
I swallowed, froze then blinked processing that. “..already? Doesn’t that usually take time when the investigation is still ongoing?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH6V3Az0sf
If true. It made me consider the idea of searching for it. An act that may or may not make me reconsider an old habit I had when I was fourteen…
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS2bTTCq0L
Malverie sighed. “I assume it has something to do involving…the fact Zel.corp confirmed they would be working with him…?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwxzDld1Zh
That felt like a joke, it had to be. But low and behold when I searched for it I was met with the first link being an interview with a representative from Zel.corp named ‘Mason Meltin. There was the addition of other links that also covered the case I clicked on the first link I saw for a news report… I stared at it, only moments before twisting my head to Malverie.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEPnVVQX9K
“The world is ending, isn't it? Cinderash? One of Dashburke’s most renowned foes? Working with The Zel.Corporation of ALL things!?”I practically shouted at the boy.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w8CZNVVT1
Malverie somehow despite being the more energetic one between the two of us put his hands on my shoulder, to my surprise steam rolled off his hands on contact. Malverie looked me in the eyes and said. “Carter. Heel. The world is not ending, don't doomsay it. Think. Cinderash has proven himself to also be the sanest villain in our city—surely with that implication he has limitations somewhere right?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt4qmnpzJe
I could figure it was an attempt to calm me down but…
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoSNv0InWQ
“And if more villains end up collaborating with the Zel. corporation on this?” I asked. “Not…everyone in that line of work is sane Mal… if more join in…”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa99UJGtF5
Malverie sighs. “That is a major if Carter—“ I interrupted. “But IF it happens the worst of the worst are working with heroes to save the world they want to burn so much and—“
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfXp6GkkiJ
He put his hands on my cheeks, they were surprisingly warm. “AND. NO.CONFIRMATION. ON.ANY.OTHER.VILLAIN.INVOLVEMENT. Calm down please?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj5uYScRsn
I was about to say something when a new voice piped up from behind me. “You’re both fighting ya know? Nah a good sign. Nah doomsaying. Nah confirmation of worse. Cinderash has always been a bad guy questioned the most. He is known for his hatred of Zel. I believe Carter is right to a degree that him alone working with them is a red flag as high as the Burj Khalifa.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIns5nmvnCf
I turned my head at the voice. The feeling of numbness felt like it coated my cheeks like a blanket. “Hey Marco…” I murmured.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWvlntGLD9
And Malverie looked at Marco and spoke. “Oh, an upperclassman! Do you two know each other? Typically hang out or…?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYT7b4ipgU
Marco waved him off. “Not so much anymore. We were friends, stuff and things happened. Still making our attempts to reconcile ya know?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLP9julPjO
Marco casually pushed Malverie to the side and then sat between us. “So news drama? That kinda thing is up ma alley if I say so ma self! I have theories, if it's okay with ya Mr errr?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ8mbx4NgC
Malverie answered. “My name is Malverie Serai. Just Malverie is fine.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5ZRwK0U19
Marco asked with a snicker “What about ‘Mal’ Carter called ya that just a moment ago didn’t he?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDThTpkFMGz
Malverie shrugged. “I knew him longer than I knew you.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxXwL1mUfG
I mentioned. “A day longer.” Malverie retorted. “And a day difference!”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwK4HfBFn8
Instead of being offended —seemingly—Marco chuckled. “ ‘kay ‘kay got the hint, newbie. Carter's specific nickname. But are ya in on the theories or nah?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIp9TPq7ZH
Malverie nodded. “I’m fine with it, what about you?” Malverie asked looking at me.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18GtJFSU6i
I had the feeling they either didn’t like each other or the dislike was a mutual one. I nodded. “Marco used to hear all my theories when I was younger, so it stands to reason I’d be okay with it.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJn3Dyqe7B
Malverie squinted his eyes. “You? A theorist?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNAUxpuMIU
Marco answered. “Ya, ya! Though Carters tended to focus on Nitilem patients. He used to have a folder that held speculations on the conditions of heroes and villains alike…speaking of which do you have it on ya Icicle?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSLAdr5vrt
I shook my head. “Haven’t touched it since the argument.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEAAMkYfKJ
“Ah. Damn it then.” Marco answered with a frown. “Either way ya Carter likes specific topics for theories. Typically not ones like this un. In case you couldn't tell just hearing anything fishy sent him into a squall.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZPj7Z05Yb
I smacked Marco up the head playfully for it, he snickered and then spoke. “Seriousness seriousness listen up ya loafers. In some news articles, a picture of a blue and purple liquid was found on the scene. Speculations are that some students brought a drug on school grounds. What does it do? Nah something that has not been mentioned in the news yet, but Zel. Corp has been searching heavily around to confiscate and destroy it. Likely? A very bad and flammable drug. It was spotted as a puddle in what remained of the janitor's closet the edges were burnt the innards of the puddle still fresh. I speculate currently that they are relying on criminals to remove it, likely have some inside folk too. Not much else related to the fire, however…”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyn4OERHpC
Marco shrugs. “Opinions?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNKDrKbTOg
I pondered, “flammable substance with high heat tolerance. Let’s also consider the fact there are numerous chemicals in a janitor's closet…perhaps it was sparked as a chemical reaction?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2TR1Ih3qB
I mumbled that to myself but Marco nodded. “Chemical reaction with a drug the public knows zilch about…”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztbgThgs91
Malverie mentioned, “something that the company is desperate to remove from the city…more desperate than even the ones that have been on the market longer perhaps?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjfS5fXU4B
Marco nodded. “But what is the difference between this and that? I wonder..”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeTDvxz2Sn
An idea struck me. I didn’t like it, though I mentioned it. “Nitliem patients…”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQEe2MFOdU
Malverie’s red eyes and Marco’s green ones landed on me. Suddenly I felt a pressure that led elaboration to spill from my lips. “Drugs, like cocaine.. heroin…meth…the works..they haven’t been known to work on people with Nitliem. Nitliem patients are in essence immune to those drugs…but what if we aren’t immune to this one?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfRtxN3CCm
Marco frowned. “The public is still terrified of the condition for the most part to boot if someone made something that can drug our heroes and villains, doing who knows what can possibly even manipulate them to have control over them…”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O03l7i5Pp
Malverie nodded. “Then it's…no wonder Villains would work with Zel.corp.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxYQFvNErR
I let out a nervous chuckle. No, that couldn’t be. Please someone tell me it couldn’t be. I was just taking a shot in the dark! I sighed. “I was just throwing ideas around—let's hope it's not the case. For all we know it could be something different that is also problematic for the bad guys.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE2usFYZeO
They both nodded and the subject got dropped just like that. Then the lunch bell rang. The day went on as normal as it could. When I left the school grounds I held onto the straps of my backpack tightly. I felt my fingers dig into the fabric bringing some form of distraction. I didn’t want to think about that conversation, it made my stomach churn uncomfortably. I twisted my head when a whistle brought me out of my daze.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVsDZMCoDa
“CARTER FOUND YOU!” a very panty Zachary spoke running up to me. He continued. “I was asked to pick you up—but I didn’t see you anywhere—“
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdkAT4QU2u
I placed my hands up. “Hey, hey calm down Zachary. School lets out at 4:53.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7LjtQwODc
He stared at me. “Why does school let out at that specific time? Could it not be rounded down or-?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmYP6lK6hg
I shrugged. “Most staff in particular.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZdvLasdi8
Zachary visibly groaned. “Back in my day school let out at 3:30pm and the teachers didn’t care where students went after the bell rang.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x0opRtReC
I felt my eyebrow quirk as I inquired. “Sorry, sorry…’ back in my day’?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODrVhDOGoM
He shot me a glare. “Oh shut up Carter, c’mon let's get you home.” He said shuffling me back to his car. A black sedan of which I knew not the model. He opened the passenger side door and gestured for me to sit down then went to the driver's side. He put the keys in and the car roared to life.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISEpfjKU4A
Zachary asked. “How was the school day bud?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKsYEbP9un
I answered with a shrug. “Spent lunch fear-mongering with friends.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBNM5kCQe9
Zachary laughed, it had an undertone of nervousness from what my ears could discern. “Uhhh Carter? Context?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3LvYW6x7P
“Life.” At that answer, he hit his head against the steering wheel as we drove down the road.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeVCCkvQDV
“Oh my god kids these days.” I heard him murmur.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViM0drzSmf
I chuckled a bit. In a way I guessed I can see why it was a bit bizarre without context.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiijO9ftUhM
“No bullies?” Zachary asked, he added. “I know you have a iffy at best history with some of the students there…”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lgK7tzT01
Ah. Mom must’ve told him. I shook my head, “No, no one is stupid enough to risk being turned into an ice sculpture for the sake of their pride. “
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQDkdHGROG
Zachary’s response was. “Alright, fair enough. No one offering drugs right?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaoXmPKXkO
I raised an eyebrow. “They would have to get that past a ZEL. CORPORATION-LEVEL SECURITY GUARD. That said I think yesterday I saw a few kids be escorted off the property so…”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qu3habcYp
I shrugged. Zachary seemed taken aback. “Christ you kids are ballsy these days.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9RW9CTX6C
“Aha! This is the way of life…I guess. I dunno maybe almost dying just does it to people.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXUORuMrQh
Zachary let out a sharp scoff. “Okay. Trauma, got it. That makes sense.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElX36icISk
I nodded, “Yep! It does! Why not live on the edge when we can die in a classroom?”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo9Pr48i5j
Zachary frowned. “That mindset is…so sad.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMSVdKdE4H
I shrugged, “villains everywhere, people sneaking flammables into school. Potential psychopaths attending said school I’d say I’m lucky if I survive until graduation.”
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ruOv2zd2c
Zachary went silent. He had a sad expression on his face. He dropped me off at the house, and we said our goodbyes. Then I made my way to my room and collapsed in the bed for the day.
ns216.73.216.12da2
and then Add to home screen.