Chapter 83: My Ability

Charles Dalton was having a hard time. He had faced many perils, brush past death many times and in the past if anyone ask him to spy on a man, he'll ask how long. If you ask him to sneak into the mafia, he'll ask as who. If you ask him to steal an artifact he'll ask, steal what. 

But asked him to pick a flower for a woman, that he has no idea. 

He stuck still, standing in front of a batch of flower decorating the front store of a flower shop. There were roses, lilies, daffodils and orchid. He could have picked a random flower for all he cared but he had once bought a flower a bouquet flower he picked whatever he thought was good and his sick mother complaint if he was preparing her funeral. 

Besides that, it has been long since he was an actual Interpol agent so he was aware he was getting rusty. 

"Professor Dalton?" 

He looked up to his side, responding to the sound of his name. He hid the confusion he had at the sight of an unfamiliar girl. She was maybe around 14-15 years old, blond bob cut hair, a grayish blue eyes, a bit of tan on her skin and angular face. "Yes, do I know you?"

The girl smiled and pointed toward the name on her apron. Charles Dalton was a little bit ashamed that the name 'Miley J. Ross' didn't ring a bell on his head. The girl, Miley noticed his blank expression meant he still had no clue who she was. "I guess you still don't remember me, seeing as you only taught my class for a year"

Then a flashback flashes in his mind and he remembered one normal girl who was alone at the corner of her class. She used to have her hair in ponytail and he had never noticed her problem because she kept smiling all the time. Literally! Charles never knew anyone who could smile even after that incident where the whole class was covered in mud. He took a double take on her and his heart warmed that smile wasn't as hollow as 3 years ago. Her bob cut looked a lot nicer on her and Charle hope she was in the same class as her two best friends.  

"Ah, sorry about that Ross, it's hard to keep track all the students I've taught before"

She chuckled, "That's fine, can I help you picking up flowers? Is it for an injured friend?"

Charles raised an eyebrow, "how can you tell"

"Well...considering what happened after...you know...I thought you would be visiting someone who got hurt in the aftermath, and you didn't look gloomy so I was hoping it wasn't somebody who died and you're not the first to pick up flowers for someone of the incident" she looked bashful at the impressed look Charles was giving her. 

"Yes, a friend of mine was shot and I was hoping I could get a flower or bouquet for the right occasion"

"Then should I recommend a few flowers?"

"Please, I'd be more than grateful if you could arrange a bouquet, whatever's fine with me anyway"

Miley nodded and clip a few fresh flowers that was starting to bloom. It was a mix of......and Charles felt at peace watching her repetitive work with grace. "Have you worked here long?" He tried making a small talk. 

Miley glance up, looking taken aback and switched to a mocking look. "You haven't read the full signboard have you?" 

Charles wasn't sure what she meant and recalled the signboard hanging above the entrance door that said 'Ross's Roses and Flowers'

He slap his own face at his stupidity, "you lived here...I should have figured that"

Miley couldn't help but chuckled, "It's fine professor and here...the flower is ready" Miley looked satisfied at her finished work and so did Charles. He took the flowers and paid her accordingly. "Professor, you're paying a bit much don't you think?" But Charles was already out of the door and sent a wink at her. 

"Think of it as a small tip" 

Miley looked like she wanted to complaint but Charles was already long gone, much to her surprise. "How did he left so fast?" She asked herself in wonder, and yet she was glad he left as fast as he did because her heart couldn't take more of him or the giddy smile she was trying to suppressed. 

#

"She'll be at room 2026, would you like a nurse guide you there?" Said the receptionist. Charles politely decline and made his way to the second floor. He found the room quite quickly and made a knock. 

"Come in..." he heard the soft woman's voice from behind the door. 

He did just that and he was greeted by a friend and mentor to him and he smiled at the fact she looked well. "Good to see you alive Ms. Fley"

She groaned but she went back to her lopsided smiled, "Good to be alive Charles" she chuckled. It didn't took long for him to realize the drug was still affecting her. 

"I hope there wasn't any difficulties of using your ability at that state"

Catherine Fley began to laugh once more and Charles was beginning to feel worried and uncomfortable. "You have no idea how scary and funny this is, I mean...all my life I've always thought my ability was useless and undesirable and I pretty much live a normal life unlike most espers. I even hated my ability at first, but then...a massive group of terrorist had a gun on you and boom, it saved my life!"

"Ah right, you're ability...what was is called again?"

"Cryonic...the ability to put my body into suspended animation. First time that ability is actually useful for something"

"I actually thought you died at first if it weren't for Professor Laxon reminding me that you couldn't be dead"

"By telling you I'm dead over and over again, how does that even work?" Charles only smirk in respond and put the bouquet into the empty vase. "Lovely flower by the way, who picked it for you?"

"Ignoring the fact you didn't think I could pick them myself, I'll keep that small fact to myself Cat"

Her lopsided grin became a bit more meaningful and her hazy look became more focused and amused, "You just gave this a cat a curiosity to crack"

"Let's hope she doesn't die from it then shall we?" Charles jokingly responded. 

#

"Today we broadcast this news surrounding the mystery of the masked girl sightings and what back story behind her action. While there are viral videos of her defending the FBI from overwhelmed by out of control espers, there is astonishing news from last night that the very same person was sighted by the FBI threatening the famous professor, Dr. Ars. Furthermore..."

I tuned out the news, knowing the content. Is this how those heroes feel in comic book? Being a hero then turned to a criminal by the media? I wasn't trying to be a hero but the sentiment is the same. 

"Honey, what's wrong? Aren't you eating your cereal?" My mom asked in concern. It had only been recently I left the hospital so she's in my case in every mood swing I had. 

"I'm fine mom, just wondering what I'll do today with no school today, or tomorrow, or the few days until further notice"

"Yes that's true" Dad chimed in, "your school is fine..." he stopped short at the glare from the rest of his family, "I mean barely fine, but many students were left traumatized and preferred to transfer or better yet move out of the city. Lots of things are damaged so until the school is appropriate to attend to, they'll send you two to another school for the time being?"

"Wait, two?" Beth questioned. 

"Because the high school section is undamaged they'll go there as if nothing happened apparently, some parents protest at that but that's why there's a week off, to make sure the school is danger free" 

"So...when will we get assigned to the other school then?"

"An email will be sent to one of us and it'll probably be in public school seeing as they're isn't any other private school for espers. Claudia and Beth would have to go to a public institutions as well for your weekly ability checkup"

Huh, so that's how it works. I almost thought I would have the rest of the month off until the school is back into track. My thoughts were interrupted from the door bell ringing. Karen took the liberty to checked on our mystery guest and came rushing back with two unexpected character and one of which was my living nightmare. 

"Hello Adrianne...Mike...kids, it's great to see you all well and healthy since the incident."

"Uhm...Uncle Steve, who's that?" I asked with a surprisingly normal tone despite the nervousness taking over me. Three times I see his face and he can't seem to stop popping out. 

My uncle pointed the man beside him, "This is Hawkins, he is an acquaintance of mine and had recently moved here. I planned to show him around the city after I visit and see for myself how the kids are doing" he explained briefly. 

"Sean Hawkins, pleasure to meet the rest of the Robertson's family" that wretched Hawkins politely said with a small smile on his face. If my parents weren't here I would have gladly welcome him then merrily asked when he would leave. 

Oh I'm sorry, you must have been dying to know why I hate this mature and smart looking man that I've been bashing in my mind. If you insist in knowing then he happens to be a knight in my past life and my personal hunter, because every time I get into trouble he pops up like weeds. Wherever I go, there he is! It's like he could read my mind from mile away! I already had enough with him chasing me in my past life, I do not want to have the same experience in this life as well. 

My life just can't get any easier. 

Mr. Hawkins met eyes with me and gave me a warm smile. I thought there's nothing wrong with acting childish at this moment and stick out my tongue on him. 

I know why you're here, and let me tell you. You've never caught me then and you'll never catch me now. 

Unknown to me, Hawkins had noticed the challenging gaze I gave to him, but didn't ponder about it. 

#

I've always known there was a dormitory set a few blocks from the school. I just never visited, but hot damn they sure have great facility. The lounge reminded of a 4 star hotel or more, there was a game room at the side open only for the weekends, a cafeteria, and even a small home theatre. Praetor Academy really goes all out with this. 

I waited for the ginger head boy at the lounge as I read a novel about a girl dating a sparkling vampire. I heard the ding sound of the elevator and I glanced to the side to find Rick strolling his way here. He paused a three feet away from and pointed at the book, "That's a chick flick"

"Seriously, this is an adult book and that's what you pointed out?"

"But you hate chick flicks"

"Well reading a grown adult went into depression and attempted suicide because of a guy reminded me that my life doesn't suck so much" 

Rick rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile, he leaned in closer to me as we had a silent staring before he started to ask, "so...why did you call me here?"

I snapped the book shut and put it back at the small book shelf, "Want to take a little walk?" I said, tilting my head to the door. 

Rick made a curious look as he crossed his arm, but he shrug his shoulder then said, "No probs, anywhere in particular"

"Just walking around the neighborhood should be fine" I made the first step to walked out and Rick soon followed and we walked side by side. My arm reached out to scratch the back of my neck, "I need your help Rick"

"To the point...that's good, so why would you need me for?"

I pulled out a wrinkled letter from my pocket and had him read it. He must have noticed how nervous that letter made me and decided to read it aloud.

"Dear Mr and Mrs. Robertson. We send you this letter to notify that you're child, Claudia Robertson will be attending Emerson Elementary School and will continue her education until further notice. However it is to our knowledge that your child has not awaken her ability so if she wishes to continue her education as an esper she would need to demonstrate her ability at the 3rd Public Institution. Please contact us if you do so but if she fails to pass or no contact has been made, she will not be welcome to Praetor Academy as an esper."

A moment of silence stretch between us, Rick turned to me with a curious look. "So what's the problem? Can you do magic to pass this?"

"That's the problem Rick, there's limited thing I can do and I can't use magic without revealing it's magic! I thought if I came to you I could ask you if you could somehow help me with one of your ability to pass it because I need to"

"I could...but then what happens afterward?"

"What do you mean?"

Rick's shoulder slumped down as he sigh, "Look, once they registered you with the particular ability, they're going to ask you to do it repeatedly every week and I can't always be there when you need it."

That was a point Rick made that I can't refute. "So...I guess I'll have to be normal then"

"If you're so strung about hiding your magic, why didn't you be normal in the first place?"

I looked up to him and met his bright nocturne eyes, eyes that resembled him so much that constantly reminded me he had the soul of a family I loved deeply and yet at the same time he is not. "Because I don't believe I could lead a normal life"

Rick leaned back and he looked at me as if recalculating my value. "True, if I were you, being normal would just suffocates me" he put his hand on his chin and tried to come up with something. "Hey one question, why were you trying to kill a professor last night?"

My feet halted and my spine shuddered. I was too nervous to meet him in the eye and kept my head straight. "Was it that obvious?"

"Gee a woman wearing an owl mask and had a silver sword now who else fit that description?" His sarcastic tone was more than obvious and I relented with a sigh. 

"He was the one who made that mind controlling bracelet which he guise as a 'limiter'"

I wasn’t sure what kind of answer he was expecting, but my answer was certainly not on his mind. "What? How did you...you've got to tell Dale about this, this is major news! One of the Research Department’s head was in cahoots with terrorist, do you know how serious this is?"

"Off course I do, but how am I supposed to tell him? That I knew he killed someone and he was the one who design the bracelet so I just put two and two together. He just admit it to me last night when he had a sword on his neck"

"Wait...how did you know he killed someone before, I'm getting confused here."

I cursed inwardly in how much I talk, I wasn't sure I was ready to say out loud my other secret. The one I wished it never exist and a reminder of what I become. "I could feel ill will"

"You could see what now?"

"I said...I could feel someone's ill will like an aura. From the small feeling of trying to hurt someone to those who actually enjoys it. It's not a pleasant thing to feel" 

"...what did his aura feel like?" he asked with unsure tone, I don’t think its everyday he asked about people’s aura.

"...like iceberg, as if my bones were encased in ice, his stench was filled with copper and he was pitch black from head to toe. All I wanted to do when I saw him was to get away from his sight" what raises my goose bumps the most though, was the fact that ill will was intended for me. 

I gripped my arms to reassure myself he wasn't really here. I usually find ill will in everyday lives but I had perceived it as flies surrounding someone or the stench of molded food. It was easy ignoring that but being with him just reminded me how abnormal I am. Well...more abnormal than I already am. 

I waited for a reaction but he was looking thoughtful, I remembered he had that face when he was close to an answer he had been searching for a while. "That ability of yours, you don't need spell or the like right?"

"...yes..." I answered attentively.

"And just to be clear, you could tell whether someone has ill will toward somebody else"

"Yes...Rick where are you going with this?"

"Don't you get it? You could use that as your suppose 'ability' there's no record of such ability so it explains the 'unknown' label and that way you'll prove that you're an esper"

That...is a brilliant idea. Without a need for a spell my magic will be categorized as an ability which they will examine every other week. 

"No" I said flatly. 

This seem to take Rick aback, "Why not, isn't that the perfect opportunity?"

I shook my head sadly, "You don't understand Rick, my power is just...not something I'm comfortable with. You don't know what it's like to feel whenever someone wishes to hurt somebody. To know…to feel they're never what it seems, you don’t understand!"

Silent befell us and Rick had an expression I never saw him wear before. 

Disappointment. 

It irked me that he had the nerve to be disappointed with me when he knew nothing what I was going through. "What? If you have something to say spit it out!" I snapped at him.

"No, I have nothing really to say" he turned his heel and walked away from me, I stayed stood, watching his retreating back. "Just so you know Claudia," he turned to me and kept his slow pace as he walked backward, "you're not the only one having a hard time" 

#

The nerve of him! 

Who the hell does he think he is to judge me that way, and what did he mean I’m not the only one having a hard time? As if I need someone to point that out, that jerk. My door was slammed loudly that I cringed, but with no one but my sisters at home, I didn’t care much and just rest at my bed alone and screamed at my pillow. Letting out all the frustration I had.

After a while, the anger inside me subsided and I fell to my bed with a thud and recounted his reaction. “What do you want from me Rick?” I whispered thoughtfully.

I heard the knocked door and without waiting for my answer, Beth came in looking obviously concerned. I guess I wasn’t hiding my anger very well. “Do you want to talk?” she asked. I didn’t answer her because no, I didn’t want to talk. However, she wasn’t taking a no for an answer as she slipped beside me on my bed. “What’s wrong? It’s not like you to get this emotional”

“As if you have any clue what I’m like” It came out wrong from me and instantly I felt bad when my sister was just being concerned. “Sorry…” I said in the end.

“Its fine, you just had a bad day, anything you like to share?”

And say what? That I’m a witch capable of seeing the evilness of people and my friend wants me to exploit it so I could stay as an esper? Yeah, not likely.

“I don’t think you’ll understand even if I tell”

“Now why would you think that?”

“Because you’re not me” I answered simply.

Beth scowled, “You really are weird”

I scowled in return, “What makes you say that?”

“You’re sometimes like that, assuming no one would understand you or that you think you’re different from others. That bothers me”

“Well it’s none of your business if I am different!” I snapped at her loudly.

Beth kept her calm though and looked at me like I was a troubled child who needs help. That look of hers is what makes me tick even more because I don’t need help, I’ve never need help! Beth sat upright along with me and she made me hold out my hand along with hers, “Do you see this, what do you see Claudia?”

“…a hand?”

“Does it look any different with one another?”

“…no…”

She then softly pulled my hand to her chest and my other hand with mine. “Can you feel this? What do you feel?”

“…heartbeat”

“Not that different with one another right?” I nodded, feeling unsure where this is going.

“So we look similar, our insides the same, we both eat and we both sleep, I’m sure you know what I’m trying to say but if you ask if we’re different…yes, despite how much we are the same we are different. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to understand each other, because I think we were born different so we could learn to understand our differences but at the same time, learning to never ignore that we’re also the same.”

I blinked a few times, hearing her inspiring little speech to make me, her little sister better, but despite that, “Beth, did you just re-enact and quote a scene from the Animal Squad again?”

Beth blushes and threw my hand away from her, “Way to spoiled the mood”

I snickered but came up to hug her in the end, regardless of the source she did made a point. I was so focused thinking I was different I didn’t let Rick or anyone to understand me.

What’s the point? A voice in my head said. Do you think they’ll accept you just like that? You’re a hero to them now, but one little mistake and they’ll turn your back and leave you to the dogs. A memory flashed in my mind, a man who I trusted with my life. Turned his back and watch me burn and he didn’t even look the slightest remorse.

Would the same thing happened again?

I wasn’t sure why but my eyes stung and tears had almost broken out, and like a real child I held my sister tighter and asked her, “Beth, how are you sure someone will understand me?”

Beth made a knowing smile with one eyebrow raised, “…Claudia, do you really think I didn’t go through the same thing? Almost all espers go through this which is why we stick together often” I looked at her in bemused, not sure what she was talking about. I didn’t get to chance to ask before she continued, “Listen Claudia, we’re espers, so it’s understandable if someone normal would sometimes sneer or bully us. Especially those who has a useless ability. One time, I had a few kids threw me trashes and asked me to throw it away for them” 

WHAT?! When did that happened and what kind of kids actually do that? Somehow the conversation turned oddly here. 

“It’s normal really but I do have some normal friends, they aren’t scared or anything and know I’m not some kind of different species, so don’t be dramatic and give whoever it is a chance. More importantly, don’t let anyone tell you you’re anything but special. That’s what mom told me anyway”

The new fact that I never even considered blown me away as if someone just told me I was pregnant. “Beth aren’t you afraid? That someone may not be what they seem and was just using you?”  

Beth looked thoughtful, “Hmm, I guess that might happened. If someone did was using me I’ll just get revenge”

“No, I’m serious. What if, for example, someone used you and got you kicked out of school as result and you can’t get back?”

“Huh, never thought of that. You’re questions are weird Claudia but I guess I have to say though I’ll hold a grudge to whoever it is but then I’ll have to move on. I can go to a different school, I can still stay contact with my friends, and I’ll just live as life goes on. It’s not like I would think of revenge 24/7 but it’s better to think how I will make things better for myself”

“…is that another quote from Animal Squad?”

“Jeez Claudia, do you have to point out every good advice I make as a quote I took?”

“Is it?”

“…yeah…” she said with shy admittance.

I thought a bit of her answer and decided to ask the other thing that’s been on my mind, “What if…what if the teachers had you used your power for something you don’t like, something that makes you uncomfortable?” to my surprise, when Beth heard my question she laughs.

“Oh sorry Claudia, I just never imagine you have normal worries I could actually relate too, you usually be so mature at my problems I wasn’t sure if I could ever made a good sisterly advice”

Wait a second, it’s a normal concern?

“I’m not sure what the professor says to have you think like that or whoever said it but don’t be afraid. The teachers always consider what you’re capable and if you’re mentally strong enough to do it, off course they would ask your consent if it’s something weird like when they ask if I was capable to turn a pipe into a few screw driver. Altering shape are always hard for me and mentally taxing, I almost faint the first time I did it. Anyway, you could always talk to me or mom and dad if you ever feel they give you strange experiment so you don’t have to be scared all right?”

A thought formed at one side in my mind and I began to nervously asked, “Do most kids have this concern?”

“Oh sure, I mean…they are a lot of kids with weird abilities right? So sometimes there are kids who don’t like using it, doesn’t mean they can ignore their ability which is the institution is for” the faces of my friends in Class S popped in my mind and the few stories Foax had told me about them. Didn’t Dean had the same problem as me, and what did I say to him?

Your ability is something you should love, otherwise you couldn't love yourself.

Talk about hypocrite.

Yet there’s no way I ever liked my own ability but…do others feel that way. Not liking their ability, a reminder of difference, failure, and their own darkness?

You’re not the only one having a hard time. I remembered Rick saying.

…

I’m officially a world class idiot.  

Hey readers, good news!

My laptop is FINALLY working swell again so now the Glossary is editable again and makes it easier for you to go there. And gosh, looking at the counter we're almost reaching one million! 

Thank you so much guys, remember I love you all

Chapter 82: Most Wanted

Rick wasn't sure how to make out the situation. 

She said she knew what she was doing, she said he shouldn't worried...that he should trust her before his telepathy link was ignored. 

Then how was he to explain the blazing fire burning the whole school. He felt his heart stopped and his lips felt dry and cold, his minds kept denying what he's watching. There were cries of anguish parents, sirens blaring and the officials screaming orders. All of it sounded like muffled noises in the background.

He didn't need to think about it. He dashed to the school, toward the dancing flame crackling around, he didn't need to consider his well being with one of his ability being fireproof. He ignored the lack of oxygen and the toxic cloud of smoke covereing the air. Half way through he was in torn between saving any survivor he might find or just made a damn storm but risk losing time for anyone who needed. His mind was going through all the list of abilities he could remember that could help make the situation better, but the fire has spread too far for him to really do anything. 

Rick cursed repeatedly and decided to just drop being fireproof and used his Detector Ability to track anyone alive around him. 

What he found out next almost made him trip to a fire. 

To his utmost disbelief, there were many signs of life that should have been snuffed by the explosion. Feeling there was something wrong with the ability, he went toward the nearest life, which is a couple of girls in janitor's closet. 

They were teary eyed, and looks like the've just woken up from the explosion. They werr supporting one another admist the enclosed room, too afraid to get out. "It's alright, you're safe, help is here" he gave them his outstreched hand and only then when he was fully calm to eased the two girls that he finally noticed. 

The gym was intact. 

Or rather...all the school buildings were intact. 

With explosion that spread the fire almost throughout the school, the buildings doesn't look like it was going collapse. It's like the fire was sticking on to the building without burning it. To test out his theory he stuck out his hand to the fire, the girls beside him screamed from his action. 

5 seconds, nothing happened. 

10 seconds, his hand still looked normal. 

20 seconds, the fire is barely ticklish. 

"That...not possible?" He couldn't help say out loud. He tried putting it out by blowing out water and it works like reguler fire, yet he couldn't understand what kept the fire alive when it's not burning anything, it's as if it's ma...then he was reminded of one person who could do the impossible. 

Rick turned to the girls and explain that the fire doesn't burn and asked if they coud get out by themselves. He felt bad not accompanying them but there are more children who needed his help. The older of the two seemed reluctant to go alone but the other one, who reminded him of Claudia, nodded and while holding her friend's hand, floated and flew away in record speed. He let out a breath then tried reconnecting with Foax. 

Foax can you hear me. 

Rick waited, but even after a minute, no respond was heard. 

Foax...FOAX...dammit JESSICA FOAX CAN YOU HEAR ME!

I told you never to call me that name!

Good...you're alive, can you explain your situation?

...I'm not sure how to explain...

I know...it's surreal for me too with a not-burning-fire spreading everywhere. Unfortunately it's still not safe here from the lack of oxygen so you better use your ability to get people out as many as possible. 

Oh sure...make hundreds of kids bend to my will to get them out without panicking, say that AFTER you're in my shoe numbskull! How many people do you think woke up from the explosion and now running around like a clueless ducks!

...it's a pandemonium is it?

Ya think?

Anyway...if they want to panic, let them panic outside, I'm sure help will be on their way. By the way, is Claudia with you yet?

No, isn't she with you?

Foax's mine could be heard worried. Rick bit his lips and considered to find Claudia or help out Foax. He didn't know how magic works but he wasn't so naive thinking everything could be done without a price. 

Go... said the voice in his head. Check on Claudia, mine and Jeremy's ability could deal with this one way or another. 

Rick wasn't sure what to say other than thanks. He scuttled away to the opposite end, searching for any life signs around. If it weren't for the weird fire, his other tracking abilities would have help but instead he randomly searched for any signs for the black haired girl. 

Come on Claudia where are you?

He stopped short where he was when he saw something that almost stoped his heart. A body was falling down right toward the Research Building and he didn't need to think when he uses Telekinesis and let himself flew toward her with his mind screaming faster, faster!

His arm outstretched and he almost let her hit head fist to the roof but thankfully he caught her in his arms, he slid down the roof until he wedge his feet to the edge, halting their fall. It was hard holding a grown woman in his arm so he turned her back to her original age and watch her shrink. He held on her hand and felt the steady beating of her blood pumping and diagnose of any serious injuries, which she had none other than her broken arm, and sigh in relieve. 

She groan and slowly opened her eye yet she still looks disoriented. "Feeling allright?" I asked. 

"Flying red horses"

"Uhm...I'll take that as a no"

"Hey it's Rick, Hai Rick, have I ever told you you have pretty hair?" Before he could ask what he meant, she grabbed a chunk of his hair and pulled, "I mean I always wanted to be ginger, why can't I be ginger, red has always been my favorite color"

"Okay, that's nice even without the pulling" 

"I mean you were ginger back then as well but you were a lot more handsome, maybe because you were middle-age, I even had a crush on you but that was before you had me chase down a bear"

"You chase a what...you know what never mind, you don't even make sense right now"

"Rick, Riiiiiiiiiiick, Rick, Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Ri Rick"

"WHAT?!" He said more exasperated than ever. 

"I have a favor to ask you"

"What is it?"

She edge closer to his ear and whispered to him, his eyes went round and looked at her in shock. 

"You're serious?"

She giggle, "No, I'm Claudia"

Rick rolled his eyes, "You know what I'm say-" he was cut off when a pinky was thrust to his face that she might have accidentally picked his nose. 

"Pinky swear with me" she said with a childish pout that made Rick gape at her. 

"You have got to be Jo--"

"Pinky sweaaaaaar"

"All right, all right" he locked his own finger with her small slender one, she began to chuckle happily before she passed out on his arm. He sigh when she finally fell silent and can't help but look at her as she was in peace. He carefully slid her hair of her face, her warm breath tickled his arm, she was slightly pale but more importantly alive. "You work hard today, rest well Claudia" he took her within his arm and they went off where a crowd of people were demanding answers. 

#

-Claudia Robertson-

Okay, maybe firing off a big spell more than 30 feet above the ground may have been a bad plan. As soon as I finished my spell, I shrunk my wand back and clutched it tightly before unconsciousness crept to my head and I fall down without a back up if ever such cases happened. 

Hey to be fair, I was in a hurry, don't blame me! I was panicking over the bomb than the after effect. 

By the way, I'm sure you're curious to what I did. Well that was one of my original spells called [Burnlock] as you can see just like that black flame that sometimes appear won't hurt me, the spell would burn off my magic and absorb the heat so it won't burn anything or harm anyone. It also controlled the air to make sure it doesn't blow off anyone from the blast. 

Okay, back to me. What happened after I black out...I dreamed.

A horrible beautiful dream. 

I was there soaking wet at the river, washing out the blood from my clothes, skin and hair. There were scars all over my arm and I stayed afloat on the river, just gazing at the night sky and the brightly lit stars. 

"Why do the sky look pretty when people had died?" I remembered saying. 

"Because while people change, the sky remain the same" my heart jumped in surprise and i rushed standing to be confronted with my former teacher. To say I was surprised was an understatement, I almost thought it was a trick but my heart knew it was him. 

He still had his rugged bearded chin, his nasty looking eye, his untidy ginger hair and the jade ring he always wore. I was on the verge to run across to river and flung myself to him, to cry and burst out my worries like I did when I was child. 

I did neither of that, I stood my ground with unreadable expression, "what do you want?"

"Do I need a reason to see you lad? It's been what? 4 months since we last each other, I thought I should see how you're doing"

"We have no connection whatsoever with each other, why should you care?" My tone was flat of any emotion but I wondered if I was quivering. 

Chester Rolex had the gal to looked confused, "why would you think that?"

That question cut the string that was holding me back of my emotion, "Oh so were you joking when you said you would expelled me, when I had to choose between what I think is right and to be with the one man I regarded as the only family I had, did you not THREATEN TO CUT OFF TIES WITH ME?!" I was breathing hard by the end of it and Rolex only looks at me with silent straight face. I gritted my teeth and suppressed a growl, I refused to look at him. 

"Was it worth it?" He finally asked. 

A stream of flashback flowed in my mind. Hiding within village to salvage any sorcerer before getting caught, watching innocent getting burned at the stake, fighting battles after battles that came out with both parties receiving casualties, seeing my friend dying in my hand wondering when will it end?

"Yes, it's worth it" I said as a matter of fact but I couldn't look him in the eye. Silence overloom and I thought he was gone after confirming if i had regrets or not, then I felt something cold and metal around my neck and I looked down at my newfound necklace. It had a beautiful engraved cross charm with the word Aeternus at the back and a ruby embedded in it. The charm radiated power and mana flowing in it and I knew what it is when I touched it. 

I turned to find myself face to face once more with my former master. "This is..." I only managed to say before he cut me out. 

"I once said to you when a Teacher gives his student her wand, it would mark as the day they stand together as equals. Claudia Oriente, you may not have been my student anymore but just as I have taught you spells and potion, you have taught me far more important things. You taught me how to care, to love, to fight what you believe and I would like to say no matter what you'll do in the future I am proud to have you as my family and you will always be a family to me. May this charm protect you from the flames of fate of our kin; I just hope that time will never come for you"

My eyes began to blur as tears welled up at each passing word, he smiled kindly at me then came as our forehead touch together and his warm hand was reassuringly at the back of my head. "Happy 17th Birthday Claudia" he whispered before a gust of wind took him away toward the dead of night and I fell on my knees as I cried to the moon how i realized I had a family and I lost it before I know I had it. 

The moon became brighter that I had to close my eyes from it, except I didn't feel I was closing my eyes, instead I was opening them. The first image I saw was my two worried parents. The moment they noticed I woke up, my mother threw her arm around me and almost squeezed the air out of me. "I'm just so glad all my baby girls are okay" she said between tears. Hearing both my sisters were fine took most of the strain on my body, i asked what happened that day after the explosion and my parents just looked at each other, not knowing what to say. 

Oh no, please don't tell me the spell didn't...

"I think watching the news should explain enough, you've only been out for a day" he took the remote and turned on the TV. The news channel was the first to pop up and the headline below was ridiculous and gratifying that I almost laugh my head off. 

SCHOOL UNSCATHED FROM EXPLOSION, PRAETOR'S MIRACLE FLAME

So the gist is like this; when the teachers and employee had gotten out some of the SWAT agent who stayed state that a loud explosion was heard and there was a blinding light included and the school was in sea of flames. It was weird that none of the buildings looked like it had crumbled or burn so they decided to sweep in and found that ALL the kids survived from the blast and the flame didn't even do anything. They suspect someone had an ability for that though it's unprecedented, people were saying it might have been the owl-masked girl and was thanking her through interview. However, everything wasn't all happy, there were many casualties most were kids who barely reach 12 and a memorial service for them was planned for next Sunday. They authorities hauled off few of the terrorist but either they don't know anything or they died within custody, they didn't elaborate how. What they did elaborate was how the news caster was casting suspicion of mind-controllig device that risk then endangerment of espers getting out of controlled and attack out of the blue. The feds clearly stated they knew how it happened and weren't telling but they were making something that will counter such attack if ever happened again. 

You know...all this would have been cool if I wasn't involve in this at all. 

After skimming the news for almost an hour, both my parents left me to rest and lay there alone with my thoughts. 

All that was interrupted from a knock. 

A list of people went through in my head who it could be behind the door. You can bet your hair that I was grinning happily more than in weeks when I saw two of my best friend, Eric and Lora. 

"Claudia!" She said when we met eyes and rushed over to hug me, followrd by Eric and his mother. I was glad Lora's mom hadn't been here, considering I had tailed her and witness her mental breakdown I wasn't sure I could keep a straight face. 

I asked why they were here and Eric took the liberty to explained, "Jeez Claudia, the attack it's all over the news, how could we not check up our best friend knowing her school is up in flames and got attacked by terrorist. So I called up Lora and we agreed meeting you together, she was on the verge to cry when she find out you were in the hospital"

"Speak for yourself, you were the crying the whole way here praying she'd be allright"

Did I mention I love my two adorable friends?

"I miss you guys" I finally croaked out. They turn from each other to look at me and they both had that knowing smile. They weren't able to stay too long until Eric's mother had to drive Lora home or her mother will freak. I didn't get to salvage my alone time before another visitor pops in. 

He lean to the half open door and knocks, "hey" he simply said. 

The first thing I felt when I saw him; relief. "Hey yourself" I simply replied. 

Rick walked over from the door and sat on my bed, I tried to sit upright but my body still ache so I just kept my position. I waited for Rick to say anything but he was oddly silent, as if he was lost in his thought. "So...how's it going?" I tried snapping him out and get his attention. 

"Good" he said but he kept looking the empty space. 

"Okay off with it, what's wrong?" I decided to be blunt, using curveball doesn't seem to get any reaction. 

"You're going to erase my memory aren't you?" 

That...well anyone would jumped from a heart attack from that. My hand was left dangling in the air before I could held his sleeve. How did he...?

What? You can't possibly think I let a group of children keeping my secret. Yes they promised to keep it, yes they help saving the school, yes two of them had given up their secret for me. But keeping my magic tuckly secret and safe is the one thing I won't hand over to anyone. So yes, I had planned to erase our adventures from their mind and I found no remorse in that. 

Judging from Rick's action though, I doubt denying it would work. He knew something I don't and I hate not knowing especially when it's about me. "Yes Rick, I know you don't like it but you have to understand, I can't let anyone know about you-know-what"

"Then why can't you trust us with it, your secret I mean?"

He had a good point and I wasn't sure I could answer it but the truth, and the truth was..."because I don't trust any of you" I know it was the harsh blunt truth but I'm selfish like that, I don't want to give away my secret, not to them anyway. 

Rick just stayed quiet but he let out a heavy breath, "All right" he said, "I guess I had no choice" he pulled out a phone and handed it to me then he press the play button on the screen. 

There was me in my mask and I was yelling things about flying red horses. 

At that moment, I sat upright, ignoring the aching pain. I saw myself pulling Rick's hair and murmuring about being ginger, and for the love of god I did not just say I had crush on his past life! Then when the embarrassing scene switched with me fighting the kids in school then afterward meeting up with Rick and took off my mask.

...he's not thinking what I think he's doing isn't he?

"You know, one of my favorite abilities I have is that I could download any of my memories and watch them whenever I want. Quite useful especially when you want to blackmail someone" he took a piece a pear from the fruit basket beside my bed and ate it. 

"You...you...YOU..."

"Yes me, and by the way, I erased the rest of the Class S's memory about you so the only one who knows about you is me and Dale"

I became even more speechless than before, "bu...bu...but why?"

"It's in the video really, you asked me if I could erase their memory for you and even made me pinky swear" he snorted at the last word. "Anyway, I have the hard drive save elsewhere so erase my memory if you can but one look at that video then everyone will know about magic"

"You...wouldn't...dare" I growled, I was now wholeheartedly mad at him. 

He step closer until our noses are inches apart and he took his phone away as he smirk, "Try me" then he whistled away as if he made a job well done. Throwing my pillow at him did not satisfy me.

#

The phone rang with silent buzzing, Dr. Ars decrease the volume of his televison and picked up his phone. He smirked when he knew who is it from despite being block. "Hello, I see you've done a great job today"

"Save your breath Doctor, I lost half of my men there and too many witness saw our face. Don't be counting on us for a while"

"Oh I'm sure you could find new recruits, it's not like your mercenary group is small enough for such thing to get you in setback"

"No, doesn't mean I wasn't satisfy with our end result, I don't know how but that witch must have done something with the bomb"

"Witch?"

"Oh right I like to ask what was the point of all that anyway? Not like we ever question what we were ask to do, just curious"

The old man chuckled at his opponent's curiosity, he had never let it out before which he finds fascinating, "Oh other than extracting data for my new mind control device? Well as you can see the uproar you made has gone through worldwide television it would sell at a high price if I sold it at the black market don't you think?"

"Cut the crap Doc, you've never cared about the money"

"Ah, guess doing business together has made you know me well" the Doctor got up and stride to his window, "to answer your question I would say..." he pulled away the curtain and what greeted him was the sight of a woman in black dress and black boots, her black hair waved back and fort from the wind, her face covered from the elaborate mask of an owl, her green eyes was bright and in her right hand was a silver sword. "I want to know what I want as well" he disconnected his phone and unlock the balcony window. Dr. Ars did not find it a surprise to see her, he had even expected her. He began to chuckle at the name people were giving her, "to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you Wonder Owl?"

Claudia did not hesitate aiming her sword at hos throat, "I would cut you down right here, right now if I didn't have questions for you"

"Now why would you want to cut down a harmless old man like me"

"Do you think I'm stupid? You were the head of your group that design the newest Limiter that cause that day events, the only way for anyone capable to make a mind controller that no one capable to make is if they have the money and resource to do it and for anyone to actually embedded it inside the Limiter without anyone noticing would have to be an inside job, I say you're a great candidate for that position"

Dr. Ars began to clap his hands, as if the sword aiming at his throat was nothing but a toy, 

"Marvelous deduction" he finally said. 

"Don't kid with me, anyone could have thought of that, but unlike the feds I don't need prove to know it's you"

He raised an eyebrow at that, "Is that why you're so afraid of me at school, because you saw something in me?" He noticed her muscle had gone tensed and begin to smile more openly. 

"It would seem you've noticed but I have long but watch over you child, no I don't think you're really child, perhaps you're even pretending to be someone's child but I couldn't care less about that. I do care however, how you could have a wide set of abilities with you that in all I know with science is not possible and yet here you are...a living breathing contradiction. You create such a marvelous display with 'Killer Mole' it was enough for me to watch it over and over again"

"You knew Killer Mo...did you assign him to kidnap those children?" Her grip with her sword tighten. 

"Yes and right now I can say what I want Claudia, and I want nothing more but your body"

A shudder broke through her back and she begin to swing her sword up, "well that's not happening"

Instead of panicking or begging or even running away, he stayed at his spot and tsk at her.

"You don't get it my dear but I always get what I want, and usually I do it by any means" the sound of a door being forced open and Claudia look up to find the FBI crawling in to the room, armed, and ready to shoot at her. The one man who Claudia knew as someone from her past life came forward and she couldn't help but flinch at how familiar the situation with her past.

"...I repeat you are surrounded so put your weapon down" the man said with his gun pointed at her. She looked contempt at the insane man who knew everything about her and yet there wasn't a damn thing she could do. 

She lost this round but she knew there'll be another one. 

Hod, take me home. 

By your will. 

Her black dress began to enveloped her and her surrounding in shadows. The feds began to shoot at her but she was long gone before then. 

That day, the girl in the owl masked became one of America's Most Wanted.