Saint Joseph School

She ran for joy this time.

With Kali over her shoulder, fast and furious across plush carpets meant for sedate walking, up artistically slim stairs not meant to pound with booted feet. Beneath quiet lighting that wasn't meant to shake with teenage laughter. They ran before the sun because she'd woken up restless and unsure and because Paragon never slept, not really.

It had been everything she'd wanted it to be, if she could have framed the request. A glory of motion if not intent, relishing the simple need to be alive, to prove it by caring nothing for preserving it. She was strong. Kali too, and it had been so wonderful.

And there had been Arkady's voice in her ear then, unexpected, teasing. Demanding even and she'd laughed at that too. What did it matter, first thing in the morning? So she'd made her own demands back. Hand in hand with Kali who was so happy in her pretty disguise, with breath short and tight with effort, she'd made a bargain to suit herself.

For joy and for the challenge. Prove yourself. It was simple enough.

The feeling remained, running back to the school, catching a train on a yelp and a prayer. So nearly late, just enough time to slide through the doors, press their faces to the moving windows and blow steam patterns on the glass. She drew her name in frost under the cover of her arm.

The cafeteria was busy and she'd chattered with Kali, watching to be sure that neither of them were pushed out of line, cleverly ported or phased. Filled her tray and scrambled to find an unthinking seat at a table half empty or half full, shoved herself into position next to somebody she didn't know. Less than twenty minutes left to eat and get to class. She picked up her apple, mouth already watering with anticipation of the crunch and the sweet.

Red for her.

And on her tray, the green for Jai.

Because he loved green apples. Because she made sure he ate one every morning that she could, just so that she could watch his face.

Helpless to stop the instinct, the predator need to scan the faces in the crowd to find the one she never forgot, not even when her head messed up and she remembered nothing else. Dark curve of cheek, the wild hair that never laid down no matter how often she tried to smooth it with her hands. The mouth that smiled more often than seemed possible.

Found him, and whatever breath she had compacted into something hard.

She looked instead at the apple. Why had she taken it? Habit?

Yes. But love too.

She picked it up, curled fingers around the shape. Felt the thin skin that would bruise if she wanted it to. So many choices, some she'd never had before. She could throw it, perhaps. Toss it away. Eat it, even though she didn't much like green apples. They were too tart, they made her teeth tingle. She could give it to somebody else. She could walk away and leave it ignored.

Yet. And yet.

Because it was morning and because there had been joy and because she was in that kind of mood, she left the hasty food she'd assembled. Took the red apple and the green and walked over to where he was sitting. Did he know? A wave of whispering ran through the benches ahead of her advance so maybe. He didn't look up as she ghosted to his shoulder, a figure of pale and white and fey anger.

She put the apple on his tray. Stared down as his eyes rose to hers.

Challenge. It was simple enough. A bargain to suit herself.

She ate the red apple on her way out the door.

The conversation of last night didn't make him angry, really. He could understand the attraction that fame might have, but they just refused to see, or try to see the other side.

Jason sat atop the building in Independence port, in the cool morning air. A slight breeze blowing in off the water kept the fog away, so he had a clear view of the walled off Terra Volta. He tossed pebbles with one hand, from a pile in the other, against the aluminum dome of a heat vent, plink...plink...plink. The ryhthm might have been pleasing, if he was paying attention, but he robotically tossed the stones, lost in his own contemplation.

Everyone seemed to think he had it made, and, he mused, to a degree, they were right. He had a career, and he was good. Something a lot of teens didn't have a grasp on. But they had no concept of how little of his time he got to spend just being a teen, or just being himself. Sometimes, he wondered who he really was. It was always this promotion, or that tour, in the studio working on the music till his voice and throat were raw (which was not so bad, admittedly), photo shoots, tailoring sessions, so he'd be dressed in the perfect outfit, to be seen at the 'right' places, and he rarely go to choose any of it. Always having to watch everyplace he went to be sure, if it were caught on film, it was acceptable.

Everyone looked at all that for the glamor factor. Your face in print and on film, the groupies, the screaming fans. He sighed and brushed his hands together, spilling the pebbles, and leaving pock-marks in the flesh of his palm. it frustrated him that he couldn't make, or they didn't want to see that that polished icon wasn't him. Not entirely. No moreso than a mechanic was always a mechanic, ready with a wrench, or a teacher always in front of a class. It was what they did not really who they were.

Stasi had typified it last night, when they talked, 'You are what you are, because of who you are.' She was right. He was music, and lyrics, and he loved to share it. If he moved one person with what he created, he was happy. The fame, the glitz, and glamor were just side effects. Tools, like the mechanic's wrench, and the teacher's chalkboard. All that was just the means to the end, but nobody understood that. They thought all that was the brass ring, the big prize.

He'd said, last night that having tons of women after him wasn't what it was cracked up to be, and was met with scoffs. They had no idea...

He pulled out the newspaper clipping again, something he'd done so many times now, that the clipping resembled cloth, more than it resembled paper. "Pop Star Jason Berenzhin Saves Fan From Freezing" is what the headline read, and so the press would have you believe. What they failed to report was the girl nearly froze because she waited all night in the cold so she could see him, be near him. That didn't make for as good a story though.

Jason put the clipping back in his pocket, and pulled his knees up to his chest, feet scrabbling against roofing stones, and hugged his arms around them. Thousands of fans, people that just wanted to be near him. Why did he always feel so alone?

Alice flies to the pool to meet Yuki for some after noon swimming.

Her private comm. channel clicks on and she hears Yuki's voice, "Where are you girl?"

Giggling she responds, "I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m coming!!"

As she gets there she hides herself and quickly changes into her swimsuit. "Hiyas Stasy!! Hiyas Kali!!" she giggles and reveals herself.

"Heyla Alice" Stasis responds.

"Hiya Alice!" Kali smiles and waves.

Giggling Alice finds Yuki in the hot tub and floats next to her and gently lowers herself into the water.

Alice and Yuki begin talking about the new boy and suddenly Stasis asks, "C'mon Yuki, you don't mind giving me your money, do you? Alice?"

"For the boy sale?" Alice asks "Hehe I’m keeping mine!!"

"I’m keeping mine too,” Yuki, says "I want a slave,” she adds with a slightly evil grin.

Stasis looks disappointed "Aw, man. Are you sure?"

Giggling Alice nods, as does Yuki. "I could really use some more.
Oh, you guys are no help!" Stasis slumps down, looking bummed.

After thinking for a moment Alice climbs out of the pool and flies over to her. "How much do you need Stasy?"

Stasis grumbles, "As much as I can get. I told you, I have a plan"

Smiling Alice tells her "You can have half of mine!! Does that help!?"

Stasis's face lights up "Oh, yeah! Half would be nice! Would you, please?"

Alice leans down and whispers into the white haired girls ear. "I'll trade you for a hug" she giggles

"Oh.... man! Do I have to?!" Stasis whispers back.

Alice simply nods giggling madly.

Looking crafty Stasis asks, "If I give you a BIG hug, can I have all your money?"

Alice laughs "600!!"

Stasis thinks for a moment "Make it 750 and I'll pick you up off the ground and whirl you around!" she sticks her hand out to shake and seal the deal of some poor boy.

Alice nods and takes her hand and they shake on it. "Done!" she holds her arms out waiting for her welcomed hug.

Stasis stands and examines the tall girl, considering armoring up and possible attack angles when suddenly Alice surges forward and grips her in a warm bear-death hug before she can rethink her deal.

Stasis thinks '.. Okay... maybe this... no, I'll ... ACK’

She laughs and hugs Alice as Alice laughs and hugs her back. Stasis easily lifts the 8-foot fairy off the ground and whirls her around in a circle "Weeheeeheeeheeee!!!" Alice giggles

"Thank you Alice! You are a good friend!!" Stasis says as she sets her down.

"Yay! A friend!" Alice's head is spinning at the thought of someone else to call a friend. She hugs the smaller girl once more before whispering in a very "Un-Alice" like tone "You are very welcome!"

Stasis pretends to have sprained something and hobbles back to Kali as Alice floats back to Yuki in the pool with a very big smile on her face. 'I have a new friend!' she thinks.

Kali laid on her bed staring at the ceiling with a smile on her face. A big smile , the genuine kind.
Not the ever present one most people saw day to day.
Her face beamed with happiness.

What a day it had been!
Breakfast with Stas , after they had rampaged through an office building taking care of what needed to be done.
Kali had laughed and joked with Stas all that morning.
School was out for alot of the kids, but Kali was still taking added instruction in a few summer courses so after breakfast she had went to class where surprisingly enough things had gone well. Classes flew by and before she knew it she was headed back to Peregrin with Stasis.
She had doned her disuise. The hoodie and dark glasses. It hid her hair , hid the spots unless you were very close. and the Glasses made her look famous.
She giggled at that.
Cindy Crawford can go anywhere like this and noone knows its her! this is perfect!
She had exclaimed excitedly to Stasis . Who, always the supportive friend laughed and said
"Kali you're just like a movie star !"

The duo tore through the assignments given to them by the PPD . Nothing stopped them or even slowed thier pace.
And then Kali's cell rang.
She had stopped for a moment when she saw the called ID. She didn't even tell Stasis to hold up.

After several minutes Stasis came on the comm.
Whats up girly? you lose your glasses or something? C'mon slow poke!

Kali answered hesitantly at first.
Uh no... just I got a call, it's Jaygo

No way! tell him come too ! But Uh don't tell him I said that just invite him along

It wasn't long before Jaygo was standing beside them in the sewer.
The two had become three.
Running behind them Kali did her best to keep up. It was awesome to see them work together.
They took down the criminals fast.
Kali felt exhilerated.
The most alive she had felt in a long time.
It was like the days when she first came to St Joes. Only different.

Laying in bed she thought back to days when she had followed Jaygo around like a lost puppy.
Days when she hated Stasis... " the Ice Queen" she had called the other girl to Jaygo more than once.

And yet tonight, it was everything she had ever wanted. Her best friend and the boy who had brought them together.
Who would have thought?
They had laughed together , teased each other about the days gone.
And when the night had ended, each parted ways smiling.

She laid there still with the goofy smile. Oblivious to anything or anyone else around her.

"Today was the best day of my life."

Alex knocked on the frame of the open door. "You wanted to see us, Gemini?"

She looked up and smiled. "Yes, come in, Alex, Eric. Please, close the door behind you. We have a few things to discuss."

The two boys stepped inside, with Alex closing the door carefully.

"We're not in trouble are we, Gemini? I haven't speedboosted anyone into a wall or anything all day! Promise!" Eric tried, unsuccessfully, not to fidget.

"No, no, you're not in trouble. In fact, that's why I'm talking with you instead of the headmaster. Please, take a seat." She smiled again and gestured at the handful of seats across her desk.

The two sat down. Alex glanced at Eric, then back at Gemini cautiously. "Then, why do you want to see us?"

"We have a problem. Actually, you two have a problem, the school has a problem, and the city has a problem." Noticing the looks of concern on the boys faces, she smiled reassuringly. "But it should be fairly easy to solve, if you're willing to work with me on it."

Eric squeaked a bit. "But what did we do?"

"You moved off campus into a building you didn't own, without adult supervision." She held up a hand, forestalling whatever Alex was about to say. "Meanwhile, the school didn't read over its paperwork well enough, failing to notice that you were without adult supervision. And the city failed to take care of the property quickly enough. So, everybody's a little bit to blame. You're not in trouble. But we need to fix the situation so that nobody does get in trouble."

"But I own the apartment." Alex frowned. "Scout gave it to me before he died."

"According to the city, Simian Scout left no will. They've actually looked into it already, especially since Eric told the appraiser about it."

"Whoa. Wait, Eric told who what?" Alex looked over at Eric, startled. "You didn't say anything about an appraiser."

"What's an appraiser?" Eric looked confused.

Alex was growing increasingly irritated by the situation. His terse tone carried over in what he said to Eric. "It's somebody the city sends by when they want to see how much something is worth. They like to send them out before they try to take something your dead buddy left you fair and square."

Gemini tried to reign the conversation back in, remembering Alex's temper. "Alex, work with me, please. At least let me explain myself."

Alex folded his arms across his chest. The temperature in the room dropped a few degrees, but Alex kept quiet.

"There are some complications." Gemini took a deep breath, and tried to keep her tone even. "The first one is the easiest. Since you're both legally minors, regardless of the adult capacity you've been living in for some time now, we can't have you attend Saint Joseph's if you aren't supervised. I know the both of you don't have very much to do with your parents, but because they're all alive and are paying for your tuition we can't arrange to take you into the school's custody. I looked into that one already." Gemini sighed, both with dismay at having to give them more bad news, but also with relief that Alex seemed to actually be listening. Eric, meanwhile, was looking big-eyed and pouty. "There are a few further matters. Legally, you're squatting on city-owned property. When Scout passed away, his technically unclaimed property went on to the City after six months. Squatting is illegal." Alex started to speak up, but Gemini kept talking over him. "Given the circumstances and your record of heroic service it's not likely the city would press charges, but still, it can't continue for those reasons."

"They'd damn well not press charges, not after all the times we've saved this place from being blown to bits." Alex said. Eric bobbed his head enthusiastically. "Jail would suck! We'd see everybody in there we arrested and they'd be really mad!"

Gemini nodded, smiling at Eric. "I really don't think anyone will be pressing charges against you, Eric. Now, we'd love to have you back on campus, but there's the matter of your... living situation."

Gemini guessed that Eric didn't quite get what she was saying by the deer-in-headlights look on his face. Alex leaned over and whispered a more direct explanation into Eric's ear, his jaw set resolutely. Eric initially beamed with comprehension, but then frowned. "But you don't allow couples to live together!"

"No," Gemini said. "We don't. I'm afraid you would need to live in separate quads."

Alex's cheeks started to turn red, more with contained anger than embarrassment. "And no, it's not because you're both young men. There aren't any circumstances where we'd let opposite-sex couples cohabitate, either."

"That's bullshit, Gemini. We've been trying it, things have been working. This is fuc--"

"Alex! She's trying to help us." Gemini was visibly startled by Eric's outburst, and in her defense. "Please be nice?" he said, giving Alex big puppy-dog eyes.

"Er... right." Alex cleared his throat and sat forward in his chair. "Sorry, Gemini. But I'm not happy about this."

"I wouldn't be either, Alex. It's okay. I looked into it for you, but it just can't happen. I'm very sorry."

Alex grunted in response.

"I've managed to get you two week's time to move back onto campus. I really need you to make sure you're moved out of the property by then, though, or the city may be forced to take action. They might not arrest you, but they'd be less reticent in assessing property taxes and fines for not having insurance. So, are you willing to work with me on this?" Gemini looked at the two boys hopefully.

Alex started to speak, but Eric quickly piped up instead. "Definitely! We can't afford to pay and our parents would probably KILL us if they found out. Alex, we'll get to hang out with all our friends more often now, that's pretty awesome isn't it?" Eric's eyes brightened up a bit and he started bouncing in his seat. "Oh! Oh! Do we get to pick our new roommates? I wanna move back in with Roo and Sam!"

Gemini hid a small smile while glancing at some paperwork. "Actually, that quad is already filled up. Why don't you stop back by my office tomorrow afternoon? By then I should be able to give you your new dorm assignments. Okay?"

"Awwwww... okay...." Eric started to pout for a moment, but then perked back up just as Alex looked like he was going to say something again. "Come on, Alex!" He jumped up and grabbed Alex's arm and started tugging him towards the door. "Let's go tell everybody that we're coming back! We aren't excited but I bet theeeeeey will be!"

Gemini let herself smile as Eric herded Alex out the door.

Getting up there had been the hardest part. Nigel still wasn’t sure how he’d managed the climb, especially carrying the gym bag with his supplies in it. The darkness didn’t help, but there was no doing this during the day. He’d had to wait ‘til nearly four in the morning for Atlas Square to clear out enough to attempt this. Now, looking down to make one last scan for stray heroes, he was starting to have second thoughts.

“Geez, this is a big statue,” he thought nervously, taking in the long drop and the hard concrete beneath him. “Alright, Nigel, my boy… let’s get this done.”

The young student slowly reached into the gym bag slung over his shoulder and removed a spray can. There wasn’t enough light to see which colour he’d grabbed, but it didn’t really matter. He’d made sure the bag contained only dark colours that would show against the light grey of the statue. Giving it a quick shake, he began to spray with straight, even strokes, forming letters large enough to be seen from the doors of City Hall behind him.

“Man, this is going to be the greatest prank ever! And if nothing else, it should put a smile on Faster’s face. If that doesn’t secure me legend status in this school, I don’t know what will.” Nigel smiled at the thought of imagined accolades for his daring and ingenuity. This was totally going to put him on the map. A sudden shout from below pulled him back to the present.

“Hey, who’s up there… hey… someone’s defacing the Atlas statue!”

“Let’s get him!”

“I’m on it! Check this out!”

That last shout was accompanied by a blast of energy that nearly took Nigel’s head off. The concussive effect of the near miss was enough to knock the mutant teen from his perch and send him hurtling to the ground below. Only by the narrowest of miracles did he escape serious injury, but from the pain, he was sure his ankle was broken, or at least severely sprained.

“I got him!”

“No, he’s getting up! I think it’s a Skull!”

“You n00b,” Nigel muttered to himself as he hobbled away from City Hall towards the streets of Atlas Park. “I’ve only been in town a few days and even I know Skulls wear grey.” Quickly scarfing down a painkiller from his emergency medpac, he gritted his teeth and picked up the pace as more badly aimed energy blasts went off around him. “Man, these losers wouldn’t have lasted two weeks at Seacli.. .OOF!”

That last exclamation followed a collision with a tall man in a red denim vest emblazoned with the logo of the Hellions. Two other young men in similar garb moved in behind Nigel, hemming him in. There was a dangerous glint in their eyes, and they looked at the young mutant like he was a feast set before starving men.

“What do we have here, boys?” the first one asked rhetorically. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you to watch where you’re going, kid?” The Hellion smiled as he spoke, but he also fondled the brass knuckles on his fist as he did so. His two comrades had produced a knife and a baseball bat respectively. Nigel figured he might be able to fight his way past them, but they weren’t his only problem right now, so he took a different approach.

“Please, don’t hurt me!” he cried, feigning terror. “Here, take my stuff.” Throwing his gym bag at the surprised Hellion, Nigel shouted at the top of his lungs “Help! Help! The Hellions have me!” Then, taking a deep breath and swallowing his dignity, he added “I need a hero!”

Seconds later, an energy blast sent one of the Hellions flying. Then a bulky man in black and yellow tights crashed into the other two and a furious melee began. Nigel wasted no time in making his escape.

The next morning, a truck full of orange-clad prisoners arrived to clean up the statue and do other routine chores around Atlas Square. After dropping them off, the truck’s driver and his partner enjoyed a coffee and looked up at the new graffiti. There, sprawled across Atlas’ buttocks in dark green, were the words “IT’S ALL A GRA”.

“What do you think they were trying to write?” the driver asked.

“Hell if I know. Stupid Hellions are all crazy anyway.”

As she flipped on the lights and slammed the door, Bri thanked God that she didn't have any roommates. The last thing she needed were three girls griping at her for waking them up. She was in no mood to explain her actions to anyone at the moment. She kicked her shoes into her closet, not even worrying where they landed. She felt like she needed to punch something, but couldn't remember why that would make her feel better. She wasn't a violent person. Just frustrated.

She pulled the scruchie from her hair and tossed it on her desk. It landed next to a pink rhinestone covered picture frame. Bri draped her jacket across the back of the chair and picked up the frame. She smiled back at her from the past, bouquet of roses in hand. She ran her fingers across the line of her bright red sequinned formal and the tiara resting in her golden hair. As she closed her eyes, she could hear the crowd cheering for her, feel the silk dress brushing against her legs. She smiled slightly, remembering how her father had flown in from a business meeting in New York just so he could be there to crown her. She had been so surprised to see him, she had started crying, nearly ruining her make-up. Her father had kissed her cheek and put her hand into the Homecoming King's.

As she sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes drifted across the picture to the tall, strong figure on her arm, which was also the object of her frustration. Stephen Reed. Star quarterback for Seacliff School, Dominion Club member, and Bri's on again, off again boyfriend. She should be thrilled that one of her closest friends from Seacliff had finally made it to Saint Joseph. Instead she was furious at him. She thought back on their conversation in Pocket D.

She had been so happy to finally hear from him at first. They had swapped stories about where they had been since the incident at Seacliff. Then she had happily introduced Jase. That's when things went downhill. Stephen had refused to shake Jase's hand and began calling Bri "babe". Then Stephen began checking out everything in a skirt that walked by. Her anger had gotten so high, she pulled Stephen aside to talk to him. She didn't even try to hide her frustration. She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.

"Why didn't you call me?"

Stephen had just shrugged. "I was at my parents' vacation house. I guess I wasn't really thinking. I got kinda distracted."

Bri clenched her fists. She knew exactly what that meant with Stephen. "That's your problem, Stephen. You never think. You had one thing on your mind and we both know it. What was her name? The girl at your parents' vacation house?"

Stephen frowned and looked at her accusingly. "Angelie. But that's not a problem, is it? You seem to be fairing well enough here. Running around with your pop star arm candy!" He took a step towards her and Bri stood up a little straighter. "What does he 'owe' you anyway?"

Bri sighed and rolled her eyes. She should have known that Stephen would be jealous of any attention she was recieving from any guy, no matter how many girls he himself was flirting with. "There was a school event. A guy auction. I bought him and we're going out on a date."

"I guess I can understand that. If Meghan Fox asked me on a date, I wouldn't say no." He flashed his smile and slipped his arm around her shoulders. "Alright, fine. It's all good. Let's not get into this. I am just glad to see you."

Bri looked down at the picture in her hands again. They looked so happy together. It's one of the few times we weren't fighting, she thought. She had wondered more than once why she kept going back to him. But of course she knew why. She just couldn't tell anyone else. They wouldn't understand. Did it even matter anymore? Bri set the picture frame back on her desk. Didn't she deserve better?

Jase, despite his constant stream of charity events to go to, was better to her. He made her feel beautiful, even when she was in faded jeans and an old t-shirt. And, even though she'd been against it to begin with, the trip to Boston had been fun. She smiled as she remembered sheepishly waking up with her feet in Jase's lap after falling asleep in the car on the way up. He had just grinned that amazing smile of his and asked how her nap was. Later, when he shoved an ice cream scoop in her hand, she had tried to hand it back, protesting that she was no good at serving ice cream. He just laughed at her and pushed it back into her hand. Bri laughed out loud, picturing the look on his face when she had "dropped" two scoops on the back of his neck.

Yep. Jase is definitely better to me, Bri thought as she reached for the picture frame again. With one last look, she opened the drawer on her desk and slid the picture in face down.

It had been a stark place once; now it was horrible. The smell of fear and death was everywhere, although the streets were clean. The National Socialist German Workers' Party were stringent about appearances. They were all children who didn't fit; they were all children who had been locked away.

He didn't know how to read. But he'd learned, early on, that if he listened to the thoughts of the people around him as they read, that he could get along quite well.

"Animals off the beds!" yelled Marli, cuffing him with his large fist. Marli had blond hair and blue eyes, squeezed into piggish folds of his face. "Jud!" he yelled. "Verminous Jew!"

It was true, his name was Jew, but shouting was uncalled-for. He wished his name were something other than what it was, that when he'd been found, three years old and starving for life, that it hadn't been wrapped up in a hebrew-language newspaper, that the proctor at Children's Asylum #29 hadn't decided to call him "Judah Tenbook" as a joke. Jew Torah. As if having fur, going more easily upon four legs than two, wasn't enough to be getting along with. The proctor couldn't have foreseen the trouble it would bring him, though, and so Judah tended towards equanimity. Marli was strong and big, but he was slow, in head and body. Judah ducked under the second swing and lashed out with his hind leg, scoring the older boy across the stomach with his nails. Marli looked down, saw the blood and sat, heavy rumped, on the floor and began to cry.

"He cut me!" he wailed, trying to get the attention of the nuns, but there was little attention to be had. They were having a meeting of some sort, and Judah had been trying to listen in with his mind, lying on his hard little cot, when Marli had interrupted him. He stretched out his brown sphinx's body and sauntered over to Toviel, who was playing with a picture-book. Toviel brushed Judah's head with his fingertips. Judah liked Toviel for many reasons. He was always nice, he always scritched his ears, rarely yelled, and often would share the nice parts of his dinner. Also, Toviel was a Jew, and this made them natural allies in a difficult world of high walls, taller people, and difficult fellow-inmates.

"What are you reading?" he asked.

"I am reading about the Egyptians. Look, Judah, there's a picture of the sphinx. He looks like you, cat-bodied, human-faced."

Judah looked at the picture and gave a derisive sniff. "I have a nose. He does not."

"He used to. It's stone. The french soldiers shot it off, see?" Toviel pointed to a color illustration of soldiers shooting old-fashioned looking guns at the Sphinx's face.

"Why did they do that?"

"I don't know. There are hard words in the book and I don't understand everything. You should put on your shoes, you know, Judah. You'll get a whipping if the nuns see you barefoot."

"I don't care. I'll get a whipping anyway when Marli shows them his bleeding pig belly." Judah made an oinking noise and they both laughed.

The door opened with a clack and a Sister walked into the room, her habit trailing around her like crow's wings. "Toviel, Judah, Moshe, come with me please." She extended her hands. Marli, not called for, but sensing a chance for redress, ran to her and buried his snotty nose in the hem of the nun's garment. "He cut me! He cut meeee!"

The nun pushed the boy back, not ungently, with her foot. "Then you probably earned it. Boys, this way."

Judah looked at Toviel, wondering what to do. Moshe, who spent most of his time lying on his bed, curled up, came more slowly. He always moved as if going to his own execution. When Toviel put down his book and went to her, Judah followed, balanced ungracefully on his hind legs, clever long forelimbs at his sides.

They went to the nun's chapel, a place he'd only been to on a few occasions, standing behind the lattice at some ceremony with the beautiful statue of the Virgin lit by candles. The Virgin was not in evidence today. There were three men there, strange men, soldiers. Judah wanted to run, but Toviel held his hand tight.

"They're very young," barked one of them, leaning down to grip Toviel's arm, feel his muscles.

"Moshe and Toviel are six and seven. Judah is either three or four."

"We can't take that one," said the soldier. "He'll never pass! Even if you shaved his face, his hands hang down to his knees there. Anyone would know him for an undesirable. We can't risk it."

"What is happening?" asked Toviel.

"But you can take the two?"

"Yes."

The sister went to the cloakroom and came back with a burden of coats and scarves and caps, the kind that were shared out among the children when there was an outdoor holiday, to take fresh air. She bundled up Moshe and Toviel with quick, elegant gestures, the competency of a mother.

"What is happening? Why can't Judah come?"

"We're sending you to a Christian orphanage, in France," said the nun. "You're Jews. We can't keep you here. They might find you, and hurt you. Do you remember how to say your Our Father?"

The soldiers came forward, two of them scooping up the dressed boys.

"I'll bring Judah myself, in two weeks," said the sister. "Be expecting me. Be brave," she said to the boys in arms, laying a hand on the crowns of their heads and reciting a blessing. "Now hurry, hurry."

Sister Mary Hilde had tears in her eyes as she watched the men go. Judah, feeling her misery, jumped into her arms and buried his face in her shoulder. She held his slight weight easily.

(During the worst years of Nazi German persecution leading up to the Holocaust, Jewish children faced greater danger than adults. Many Catholic priests and nuns worked to smuggle children into Catholic orphanages in Germany, France, and Italy. Some of these children survived, their Jewish heritage remaining undetected. Some did not. Sister Mary Hilde, of the Order of Cupertino, is one of these brave adults who risked their lives for children of a different religious faith.

Although his eventual escape from Nazi Germany was fraught with extreme danger, Judah Tenbook, father of Nennya and Toviel Drixxen, was saved in part by the efforts of Sister Mary Hilde. Judah never learned the fate of his childhood friend, but he named a son after him, in honor of his memory.)

Continued from: Impatient Inpatient

Horizontal slabs of sunlight filtered down to the weed-infested gravel, trapped in the limestone dust kicked up from scrambling beneath the bleachers, mingling with the smoke. She'd talked a thug into parting with his Camels over lunch period and had finally found some time to savor the success. No nuns, no nurses. The thumps, grunts, and whistles of football practice accompanied the cicadas to set a nice backdrop.

Monica had let her sneak out to smoke on occasion, being that she was underage. She knew Scarlett would bear any punishment in silence and never rat out her accomplices. Because she never cared, never learned. She had a way with words, weaseling cigarettes and favors out of the older patients and orderlies, slipping out of solitary early on "good behavior," staging mutinies on group outings that would lead them all to the ice cream shop.

Scarlett reflected on what it was about her that people found so charming--persuasive, even, as she blew a cone of smoke.

"Must be the socks," she mumbled to herself, lips closing round the filter again.

It now seemed to be a part of these "powers" she had. One of her classes was actually helping her get better at it. What was the administration thinking when they came up with that one? At least Dr. Conrads was beginning to see the issue.

"I think we could all benefit from you gaining a sense of personal responsibility, Scarlett; I think you might learn a lot by becoming a hero. Do you still have the application Dr. Holmes gave you?"

Dr. Snyder had already tried and failed on multiple attempts to "teach" Scarlett to care for the effects of her own actions, let alone to change her behavior bearing the consequences in mind. It was the reason she was one of Maple Ridge's "lifers." The catatonics, the rich schizophrenics, the anorexic Valerie, and her. They spent more time in than out. And because of that, they actually stuck pretty close together, Valerie and her, despite all the shit they gave each other.

"I'm not stupid," she sneered, huffing like a dragon.

She knew actions had consequences. she just had a different set of priorities, and some things were worth doing regardless. The way she saw it, calling Valerie, "Fat," was just telling her what she wanted to hear, affirming that there was a reason for her endless self-torture. It was some of the only comfort she received all day, back-handed though it was. They looked out for each other, the girls in the ward. They knew what made each other tick. Each was unique, but they were all "sick." All they were looking for was some validation, and all everyone else told them was that they need fixing.

She had to wonder: what was Conrads thinking, telling her to go out and be a vigilante? Was he mistaking her dislike of physical contact as a fear of harming people--a hint of a conscience?

Sure she was afraid, just a bit. For herself. She liked being covered because she had always been covered. It was armor.

"Beware of dog."

If she needed to, she could grab someone bare-handed and not think twice. Sometimes she could do it through thin cloth, too. But around here, so many kids had these armored costumes or special clothes that covered them entirely, or even robotic limbs. If they wanted to antagonize her, there was nothing she could do. Getting into a physical fight wouldn't do any good at all if the other guy wasn't getting hurt. No, better to keep them at arm's length with venom and threats and the occasional "accident." And this hero thing would kill the mystery, the secret of her only defense.

She stubbed out the last of her cigarette on her upper thigh, watched the skin melt and blacken with ash, tighten, and peel away. It never hurt--not really, because as soon as she tried, the hole would fill in, pink and smooth and new.

Better wear tights tomorrow. Fuck the dress code.

Continued in: Student Information

It was never a good thing when they sat him down and turned off the TV. They had been staying in a fairly cramped suite while the family hunted for a new place to live, and the couch he sat on felt plasticky and used by too many people. His dad sat with his shoulders hunched, looking intent and serious. It reminded Marshall of the look his father had given him when he told the family that their former and much hated cat, who was eternally shredding furniture and soiling the carpet, had been hit and killed by a city bus. He could still remember the twinkle of glee behind the strained look of empathy. His sister was onto it, too. They exchanged looks of mutual dread.

"Well kids, you know our house isn't in the shape it used to be in," said his dad, being unusually direct.

"Yeah, dad," noted his sister. "We were kind of in it when it blew up."

His mother gripped the fabric armrest of her recliner. Her nails dug into the cloth.

"Right, of course. And we've been looking for a place to stay in the city, but, truth be told, there isn't much to be had, what with all the people that've been bombed out."

Marshall nodded, giving in to the sudden urge to clutch a pillow.

"Your mother and I have been talking." His father said. Of course they had. Marshall inwardly rolled his eyes. She'd been shouting and he'd given up.

"And we've decided that we're moving out of Paragon City."

"What?!" Marshall and Chloe said in unison.

"Settle down, settle down! It won't be so bad! We've been talking. And thinking. And... discussing. And talking some more. And we've decided to move out to the country. We found a little farm in northern Pennsylvania and we're going to try to live closer to the land."

Marshall was furious. "I'm not going. I'm staying here. I'm moving into the dorms at the school."

His mother spoke up. "No, you aren't. You're coming with us. You can make it rain. You, mister, are going to be our secret weapon."

"No I can't!" Marshall snapped back. "I don't control weather! I screw it up! I'm as likely to make it snow as I am to make it rain!"

"That's neither here nor there, Marshall." His father said, dismissing him, not really listening. "You can help with the weather, and Chloe can help with the field work. We'll need someone good and strong."

Chloe folded her arms. Her tone was flat, but it was clear she wasn't budging. "I am absolutely not going. I like it here."

Their mother leaned forward, scheming. She placed her hands together, fingertip to fingertip, steepled. "Of course you will, Chloe. You've always wanted a horse. With all that land, we might even be able to get a couple of them."

"We... could?" Chloe asked, a smile spilling across her face.

"If you work hard, we sure can try!" His mother was smiling, but he saw it as more of a sneer. Marshall knew when he'd been beat.

He figured they'd probably turn around when he accidentally dropped a tornado on their house.

"I look like a dork."

Sushi pinched the bridge of her nose. "You do not," she said encouragingly. "I'm sure you look great."

"How do you know? I haven't even come out yet."

"Look, who did you ask to go shopping with you? Me. Why? Because I know what I'm doing. So when I tell you you look fantastic you are going to believe me. Now get out here already."

There was a muffled sound and something that might have been a curse word but of course Stasis never swore. That word must have come from the next changeroom over. The curtain finally pulled back and the blonde girl stepped into the little hallway.

"Is this stuff supposed to show this much of me? I feel like I'm flapping in the wind here."

Sushi Q smiled. Okay, so it did show more of the fair haired girl than she'd ever seen before but it did look great, no question. Her friend had a body and there was nothing wrong with showing it off. The white over-and-under wrap skimmed spare curves and made what could only be considered a modest contribution to the world look like more than it was. The matching white jeans looked as soft as velvet with a trim little belt to draw attention to the narrow waist and rock hard abs.

It was tasteful, it was understated, it was gorgeous... it was only eighty dollars.

"If you've got it, flaunt it - and you've got it, you're flaunting it and guy radar is going to go off all over the city with that getup."

"That's it, I'm changing right now." Stasis turned on one heel. Sushi grabbed her arm, sighing.

"You are not. Didn't you say you wanted to dress up? Didn't you tell me you wanted to feel like maybe you weren't a scarecrow for once? Didn't you say you were tired of being somebody's redneck cousin?"

"Okay, okay! No need to rub it in, holy. And I didn't say anything about being anybody's redneck cousin."

Sushi Q rolled her eyes and took her friend by the shoulders, turning her squarely to face the full length mirror at the end of the hall. "Close enough to what you did say. Look. Imagine that's not your face in the mirror. Look at the rest and tell me you don't like it."

"I look like a dork."

"I have no idea why you weren't drowned at birth. Would you just look already?"

Stasis plucked at one seam with two fingers, rubbing her thumb over the thick denim fabric. She crossed her arms over the midriff top and cocked her hip. Dropped her arms and hooked her thumbs into the tiny pockets. She frowned at her reflection for a moment but then a small smile quirked one side of her mobile lips.

"Not so bad then, heyla?"

"Not so bad. God, keep this up and maybe you'll get your ears pierced."

The St. Joseph student snorted, studying herself some more. "As if. Last thing I need is holes where I'm not supposed to have any." Stasis took a few steps towards the mirror and then turned, looking at herself from the side. "I look like I'm from Ethiopia or something. No tits either."

"There's always surgery," Sushi remarked dryly. Stasis grinned.

"Ayuh, I'll totally keep that in mind when the pain gets unbearable. Sush?"

"What?"

"Will this make boys look at me?"

Eye rolling strain was a definite possibility. She'd have to cut back pretty soon or risk injury. "Stas?"

"Yeah?"

"That outfit will make straight girls look at you."

The blonde turned a little and looked over her shoulder at the mirror, inspecting the rear view. "Ah yeh? Well, perfect."

Interesting. "C'mon JLo, let try some more stuff on before you get all diva on me and we end up having to peel you out of that gear with the jaws of life."

Sushi chivvied the girl back into the change room, mentally wondering what else she could add onto the tab. A hat was probably out but maybe a second belt? Something metal silver would probably look nice. And there was those couple of stores on the third floor they should probably look at.

This might prove to be a fun trip after all.

the bracers were directing her and telling her to be strong but she would rather do her own thing and not risk her neck out there until she inevitably get killed yet they were like manacles on her wrists holding her trapped as people shot at her so it was like that jerk said that getting killed was the only way out anyway so she might as well fight but how the hell was she supposed to be strong when she was wearing that silly pink skirt anyway so they got sick of her complaints and they put her outside herself and she got to watch the spark princess fight without her and the spark was graceful and fluid and invincible and enjoying herself but graceful wasn't elly's style not at all--

"Uh... Elly?"

Elly blinked in the morning light and yawned. "Watizit, did I sleep in 'gain?"

"Yeah, but that's not why I woke you." Someone else behind Brianna gave a brief giggle.

"Then what--" She suddenly realized her voice had a slight reverb to it, and what should have been a t-shirt felt more like silk than cotton. And she most definitely didn't go to sleep wearing boots... "Oh hell no."

She pulled the sheets all the way over her head in embarrassment while Amandine broke into a giggling fit again. Now she was transforming in her sleep? She'd never hear the end of it.

Why don't you date anybody, Stasi?

Boys, she decided, were dumb. Even boys that weren't actually boys at all. It was like being a guy just made you automatically clueless about some things, like blinders on a horse or those cheap sunglasses you couldn't see anything through.

The well worn litany in her mind went downhill from there. By the time she ran out of loose pieces of concrete and gravel to chuck over the edge of the roof, and had started to pry bits up with her fingers, she felt only marginally better about the whole thing. She blew the ragged hair out of her eyes and wondered about going through the list again. If Kali had been there to egg her on it might have been worth it.

Was it so difficult a concept? He'd seemed to understand just about everything else she'd babbled on about as they'd gone from door to door, the shared bag of candy and treats getting bigger and heavier. At least he'd said he'd understood - maybe he'd just been making agreeable noises at her because it's not like she'd know any different. Apparently her track record for explaining stuff was about as good as always. The only time she knew anything was going wrong was when it blew up in her face.

How could he possibly get mad at her though? It was so obvious! Just because she'd gotten mad a little back didn't mean she was any less right.

She chucked a final piece over the side, hard enough to wrench her shoulder. She grimaced and then gave up, wrapping her arms around her knees. No, really. She was right. Just because he didn't like it didn't make it less true.

He wasn't a boy. He wasn't. Sure, he looked like one and he was friendly and nice to be around. But he wasn't, he was a sun-ball of light who only sometimes looked like something that ought to go to school. Sure, he'd told her what he was, he hadn't tried to lie about it or disguise it. But that wasn't the same as actually seeing it. There was probably some sort of lesson in that, about being happy to accept the surfaces of things even when you know different. At least Kai's differences had been right in front of her.

She shifted, uncomfortable. The ugly little word of prejudice tried to whisper itself in the corner of her mind but she squashed it before it got half going. She liked Nova just fine. She even liked him as a sun-ball although he sure sounded funny when he talked. She'd seen so many weird things at school that shapeshifting into sunshine hadn't done much more than make her blink. Really, that wasn't the problem. It wasn't.

No, what she didn't like was how he'd gone on and on about wanting to know what to do to flirt with the girls he'd met, how to go about maybe getting a date with one. Like it was some sort of grand experiment, figuring out what to do with the feelings he had. Like... like a kid. Not serious about it at all, not like it was supposed to be if you really felt something.

And that was fine, she told herself. If he dated somebody like Brianna or Pluto... or, well anybody who wouldn't take it to heart, it'd be just fine. She'd told him that. As long as it wasn't serious, it wouldn't matter if he wasn't exactly what he looked like.

Something mean and ugly right next to the word prejudice piped up and reminded her that for a sun-ball, he'd sure managed to end up awfully good looking. All blonde and muscles and those wings that just made you want to run fingers through the feathers to see if they were as soft as they looked, as warm as they looked. He'd probably be dating half the school in a week if he wanted to. When he wanted to.

And that was fine too, she told herself. She put her chin on her knees and felt unaccountably prickly. He had no right to get mad at her. She'd explained it just fine. Maybe she hadn't had a chance to say all of it, why she felt the way she did, but he'd gotten mad because he hadn't been listening to what she'd actually said and then she'd gotten mad right back and that wasn't her fault this time because he was the one who'd started it.

So there.

She jerked her chin up aggressively as if he was right in front of her and she demolishing him with her inescapable argument. She felt better for a few seconds.

Why don't you date anybody, Stasi?

The answer hovered on the tip of her tongue like a butterfly too afraid to fly away.

{{WARNING The following story contains a brief scene that may be graphic for some readers. Please read this post concerning Jessiy's story. WARNING}}


The door to the dark room opened, and a small hand reached around the doorframe to the light switch. A blue finger slipped up, and the room was flooded with light. Jessica blinked a few times, sighing as she looked around the quad, her home away from...well, "home". Yuki's bed was made neatly, as was her own. Scarlett's was a pile of sheets and clothes; laundry day. Jessica's eyes fell on the fourth bed, and she raised an eyebrow, confused. Alice's bed was stripped. Pictures that had covered the walls were gone. The little bright pink bear Jessica had given her for her birthday years ago was missing. There wasn't so much as a strand of hair left in the room.

Jessica sighed. This had happened before; Alice would leave, without warning, for one reason or another. She always came back though...

But something didn't feel right...

"She always said goodbye too..."

Jessica thought for a moment, and then shrugged the thought away, frowning.

"No...She couldn't say goodbye...I wasn't here..."

Jessica clenched her fist and threw her duffel bag on her bed. I was getting HELP, apparently...since when did it HELP to lie to your DAUGHTER?!?! she thought. You just picked me up, made me miss two WEEKS of school, for what?! So I could listen to a bunch of shrinks telling me to "Just stop?" "Just CONTROL myself?" Holy hell... There was one thing she wanted to do more than anything right now, and she had the perfect reasons, in her mind, for it too.

Hurt.
Betrayal.
Lies.
Abandonment.

All those ideas flashed in her mind as she dug through her desk drawer, looking for the little band-aid box that contained so much more. How could he do this, she thought as she opened the box, then pulled out a slim razor blade. WHY would he do this?

He told me we were gonna spend time together...all he did was drop me off with a "I'll see you in two weeks." Nothing else. He leaves for a year and suddenly he wants to try and pick right back up? He leaves for a year and suddenly NOW realizes the consequences, and tries to save face by FORCING help on me? I don't NEED help! I don't WANT help! Why would he do this to me?

Jessica opened her eyes and looked down. The razor glinted in the light, the edge red. She looked down at her leg. Purple lines criss-crossed her thigh, blood escaping and, with it: her guilt; her hurt. She breathed deeply as she got ready to stand up. Her leg flared up in pain, and she gasped as she steadied herself on the bed. There were steps outside the door, and suddenly a key was going into the lock. Quickly, Jessica pulled her shorts legs down to cover her thigh and turned to look like she was unpacking, quickly pocketing the razor. The door flew open.

"Jessiy! You're back! Where have you been?"

Jessica turned, smiling at Yuki. "I was...with my Dad...we had a LOT of catching up to do. How you doin?"

Yuki smiled and began to fill Jessica in on all the gossip of the school from the last two weeks.

All Jessica wanted to do was cry.

“Barlow, come see me in my office when you’re done changing.”

Nigel nodded his assent to the coach’s request, manfully ignoring the curious looks from his teammates. He didn’t think he was in trouble, but he also knew he’d had a bad practice. He’d been caught out of position on several plays, and even dropped one sure interception. Most of the looks were sympathetic, but there were a few smirks too. Most of those came from the knot of boys gathered around Stephen Reed. One even went so far as to mime a “cutting the throat” gesture.

Nigel paid no mind to the hostile glances, or the friendly ones for that matter. Over two months on the team and he still felt like an outsider. He was honest enough with himself to admit that it wasn’t the team’s fault. They’d been more than welcoming. He’d been treated at least as well as any of the other first-year players. It was just… well… Nigel didn’t know. He just didn’t feel like he belonged sometimes. Scowling suddenly, he finished lacing up his boots and made his way to the coach’s office without saying a word.

“You wanted to see me, Coach?”

“Yes, have a seat”. Coach Waters put down his phone as Nigel came in. From the look on his face, he wasn’t happy about whatever he’d just heard.

“How’s Lonny’s ankle?” Nigel asked. Lonsdale Rayburn was the team’s starting Free Safety. He’d been taken to the infirmary after a rough tackle early in today’s practice, and never returned. The coach’s expression was grim as he answered.

“Not broken, thankfully, but a severe sprain. He’ll be out of action for a few weeks at least.”

Nigel winced, thinking about the injury. He’d suffered a mild ankle sprain in Junior High and been forced to use crutches for a few days. He didn’t even want to think about a sprain so bad it was going to take two weeks to heal. Two weeks at a school with access to advanced medical facilities or even magical healing.

“I hadn’t realized it was so bad. It looked like a harmless play.”

“You can never tell, son. Some of the worst injuries happen on completely innocent looking plays.” The coach shook his head sadly, no doubt thinking back to other serious incidents he’d seen throughout his career. “Anyway, that’s indirectly why I called you in here.”

“Oh?”

“I’m moving Kasim over to Free Safety. That moves you up to number two on the corner behind Lucas. Congratulations Barlow, you’re a starter.”

Nigel noted that in spite of the congratulatory words, the coach wasn’t smiling. Thinking back to those missed plays and that dropped ball, he knew why.

“I won’t let the team down, sir.”

“See that you don’t,” the coach replied sharply. Then he took a deep breath and continued. “You know, Nigel, you had all the tools to be a starter the day you walked in here. You’re one of the fastest kids we have, and you’ve got all kinds of talent. But your head’s not in the game! And I know it’s not because you’re stupid. You’re a bright kid, Barlow. You know you’re not giving me all you’ve got.”

“I’m sorry…” Nigel squirmed a bit in his chair, a little unnerved by the coach’s scrutiny. “I’ll try harder, I promise.”

Coach Waters paused a moment before answering.

“You need to figure out if you really want to be here.”