“So yes,” Heidi continued. “Ayel. He talked in a bizarre, old-fashioned dramatic way, like a Shakespeare play or something similar. There was something very Quixote-esque about him. I wouldn’t call him harmless, but talking into people’s heads was all he had the ambition to do that night. Jason was there too.

Aya came back to her senses, and told us the name of the location where Uná was being taken; Nocturne. I happened to know where Nocturne was, because I’d seen it on google maps several days earlier, as one of many buildings in the area. So Ayel and I left Aya to Jason, and set off after Uná. Ayel could also....fly. Well, more like levitate. I’m not sure what other abilities he could have but once we got to Nocturne, we entered through the fire escape and split up. He searched up, I searched down. And I never saw him again.

He killed every henchman he came across. which was most of them, as he found Lex first. That was the name of the one who kidnapped Uná. I don’t know what they talked about. Uná herself might know. I was downstairs. I took down a few guards and rendered them unconscious but it soon became apparent that I was looking in the wrong place. So I went up. I found the bodies, and no Ayel. He’s still out there but I’m not sure if that’s something we need to worry about yet.

The sprinklers got set off shortly before I got to the room with Lex and Uná. Before I could find out too much, Uná turned invisible. I got closer, close enough to see the dance floor from the window.

There was a man on fire. And it wasn’t getting put out by the sprinklers. And they weren’t flailing. They were calm and deliberate. Just looking at them was the first time that crazy night I felt truly frightened.

Lex went to confront them. I picked up Uná and slowly started making my way to the entrance. Once we got there, we saw you two,” Heidi gestured to both Kaylee and Cleo. “And everyone else. And then we were stopped by what I’ve since deduced must have been an illusion of Lex. You probably know the rest. You were there.

So that was my perspective of the night’s events. Anything you need clarified or expanded upon?”

Cole rubbed both hands over his face slowly as they were scantly out of the car and it felt like she was calling a staff meeting. He did not like being called Mr. St John. Cleo had barely got a word in before Kaylee had turned on Heidi like a recording. He listened as she talked, stepping over to a concrete parking block and sitting down so he could watch the waves as the story was recounted. The rest of the evening was news to him. He hadn’t seen what happened in Avalon and only knew that it had basically been destroyed and that somehow Ashford managed to cover it up. He shook his head slowly as the story continued; his stoic expression hidden as he sat facing the beach in the dark.

“The man on fire, Heidi” He said finally, not turning his head. “Describe him, what did he look like?”

Heidi shuddered slightly as she recalled the memories. ”He was wearing leather, like a biker. He was dragging a large chain behind him on the floor. He wasn’t all burning. Just his hands and his head. He was wearing some kind of skull helmet, I think. I could have been a real skull. And...it wasn’t just him in fire. His footprints burned as did the trail of the chain, and the fire looked like it was spreading from them to the rest of the room.”

“How the hell do you remember what that guy even said?” Cleo interjected after Heidi had finished. “Oh… Forget I asked that.” Cleo paced a moment in thought, she couldn’t remember everything she was drunk. But some bits did begin to come back when she thought hard enough about it, she was fidgeting with her hands as the night was an uncomfortable one.

“Oh where to begin…. Okay so yeah I remember hearing a voice in my head just like Heidi amazingly remembered. Oh and Nik and Uná were dancing together. I think at some point I was on the dance floor before I saw Uná dancing with some really pale white guy, yeah he was pale white” She reassured herself.

“So yeah I was dancing the night away before there was this huge ass loud roar, all hell broke loose, to be honest I didn’t know what was going on, then there were gunshots, like lots of them, then... Then I saw it, this thing, a monster.” Cleo paused a moment in hesitation. She partially removed her leather jacket, gingerly pulling out her right arm from it’s sleeve, she then slight pulled down her arm sleeve and lifted up short sleeve of her shirt to reveal the small bandage covering where she got shot, she kept it secret from everyone while playing the lovely smile all day while still being in a bit of pain.

“I was shot when trying to save someone on the floor, I lost sight of Heidi, Uná and Aya..” A tear had begun to run down her face. “I saw a man die.” She cleared her throat before covering her arm back up. “Drake and Nik were still in the club and stood up to the monster, I grabbed a broken barstool leg and joined up with them to take it on. I know probably stupid thing to do. We attacked it and I managed to drive the barstool piece into its leg, I think I only made it angry, because all I can remember from the fight was being thrown by it and everything went black.”

“Next thing I remember, I woke up in a car, you were there, Miss Everose. We turned up at another club, it was darkened out if I remember correctly. Then that pale guy was there holding Uná, he wouldn’t let her go, I managed to sneak into a lit up side entrance using my abilities and ran from behind taking Uná out of his crasp, but I didn’t see Heidi and ended up crashing on the floor and failing to rescue them. I felt useless at that point, I couldn’t even save my friends”

Cleo Sighed. “After that I don’t know, It was all bloody confusing. After that, Uná started doing some weird things, Attacked Miss Everose and…I pleaded with her to stop, I couldn’t do anything.” A couple more tears ran down her face. “I am sorry miss, I couldn’t help you. So I just ran up to her and punched her as hard as I could in the face. It was the only thing I could think of doing. Everything seemed to stop, Uná was like standing in front of the place which was on fire and collapsed and not where I punched her, it’s all very confusing but she scares me, I have not felt right ever since”.

It was quite apparent that Heidi was taking this better than Cleo as Kaylee watched both girls go over the night. Heidi was detached and logical. Cleo was an emotional wreck. Sighing inwardly Kaylee came from around the car and put her arm around Cleo’s shoulder. "Hey hey. Shhh. We are here to help you all learn control. You and I both know that if Uná had been in control it wouldn't have happened. She looked terrified when the illusion broke last night. No one here, besides the staff, has full control of their powers."

Kaylee looked over at Cole. Heidi had just put everything out there that Cole said. She wasn't sure that he wanted it known what exactly he had done. At this point now the only reason she had to talk to Uná about the night in question was to take a pulse check on her mental health. Which brought her back around to Cleo. Looking back down at Cleo Kaylee went on. "Cleo we need to get you checked out by the nurse. I know things are difficult. I've been there. I was young at one point too. I'm here so you can hunt me down anytime. Now how do you think Uná feels, humm? Bet she's heartbroken and just scared if not more scared than you are." She looked back at Cole, worry and unsaid the weight of questions hung in the air.

Cole listened to Heidi’s recounting of the night, still just watching the waves as she spoke and listening to their rhythm over the sound of her voice. The sound of fear in her words prickled around a familiar feeling in his chest. He had never seen himself, but he had a sense for his appearance just in brief glimpses. When the time came, he was too focused to care. The sensation was far too overwhelming, like he was the final enactment of some law of nature, as natural as gravity. The wicked paid the price. There were no deals and no second chances. Judgment was final. He rubbed his chest uneasily as she described the man on fire.

He let a breath out slowly as Cleo gave her story, feeling his pulse calm a few beats per minute. The apparition the others encountered was not something he could explain, though he felt no remorse about not being there to help. His purpose was dictated firmly for that night and he had followed it through to completion. Everything else was an aside. He stood up and crossed his arms as Kaylee attempted to console Cleo. The ocean wind ruffled his hair as his thoughts churned. What he wanted to say, as the young girl sobbed, he wasn’t sure about. Once it was out there, he wouldn’t be able to take it back. Heidi was like a human recorder. Nothing would escape her memory and he wasn’t sure how they would react. He turned around and looked at them for a moment. “It was me that you saw, Heidi,” He said finally, knowing she could read lips. “I’m not a mutant, it’s... something else.” He paused for a moment and let a breath out slowly. “And neither is Una.”

Cleo leaned gently into Kaylee when she put her arm around her, her mind had been racing through so many thoughts that she really never stopped to take stock and assess. But it did feel relaxing at least when the teacher was consoling her. ”I know, it just sucks ya’ know. Maybe, but can you imagine me staying still for more than five minutes?, but thank you”. Cleo managed a faint smile to Kaylee for her caring efforts, Maybe she could spend some time with Aya.

Cleo began listening to Cole, he was still a man with few words and Cleo wondered why he was here with them, but from what Heidi said she saw it could be possible he was there, he seemed to confirm it and what he and apparently Uná was. “Wait what?” Was all she could come out with at the revelation, a concern and probably even more worry appeared on her features. Just what the hell was she? “I got a lot to think about.” She murmured quietly.

Heidi also had a lot to think about, but given her power, she had already processed this information by the time Cleo had stopped talking. Her brow was creased. It was hard to tell whether she was scared, angry or both, but whatever it was she was trying to restrain it. So, she wasn’t emotionless after all. She looked Cole in the eyes.

“I have a lot of questions, but...what happened to Lex? The guy with the white hair. What happened to him?”

Cole’s expression was unmoving at the mention of “Lex” by Heidi. There was something about the memory of any one of his marks that felt satisfying like he had fixed something that was wrong with the universe and in all honesty, just like he had decribed to Kaylee before, he wanted to tell them about a scorching inferno that erased the man from reality, but knew it would be better to spare them the grim details of Lex’s final moments. He could already tell that Kaylee was absolutely mortified that he had shared his opinion about Una in front of two students. “He didn’t survive the fire,” Cole said, answering Heidi. “When the building collapsed, he didn’t make it.”

Coleman Lee St. John - There is a date and a time below the name that corresponds to Ashford’s first sense of Cole’s arrival in the current timeline.

Adam Pierce - Likewise there is a date and a time below the name that corresponds with Pierce’s encounter with Sena on Saturday night.

Blank - This envelope is a control. There is nothing inside but a blank sheet of paper.

Avalon - There is nothing else on the page other than this one word.

Matt woke feeling unsure about the day. He had made a friend in Daniela the night before, although he was still unsure about others in the school and how they would receive him. He decided he would worry about that later. For now, he would explore the campus and get acquainted with where his classes will be. Grabbing the school map and his schedule hit set out for lunch.

After lunch, Matt went exploring and plotting out where his classes would be before adventuring outside to take in the grounds and other buildings. Stepping outside he walked around the outer edge; avoiding the cottage, he picked up a stick that seemed straight and began swinging it around imagining that he was fighting Orcs and Goblins from books. Many bushes died to his would be blade. His imagination temporarily sated, he continued on to the training center and tried his hand against some of the weights. Disappointed at his lack of physical prowess he decided to head back to his room and paint some of the miniatures he had brought with him.

Matt hurried from class to class arriving at each on early and realising he had a lot of catching up to do. In most of his classes he managed to borrow notes to copy later. Then he got to his last class of the day, History. As he walked in Professor Finn seemed preoccupied with something on his desk, but to Matt it was as if he had just walked into a world of forbidden treasures. Old texts line the walls and few items lay scattered about the room. The whole room smelled of history. Matt's eyes settled on what appeared to be an authentic Conquistador helmet displayed on the far side of the room. Matt allowed himself to get caught up in the helmet and didn’t even notice when the rest of the class came in or, more importantly, the old gentleman standing behind him.

“Young man class has started and while I appreciate your apparent enthusiasm it may be best for you to take your seat.” Professor Finn as he leaned in with a smile.

Matt jumped, startled and with murmured apologies scurried to his seat.

The Professor started to turn and stopped looking back at the morion. Obviously distracted from his planned course study. He then took the entirety of the class giving a mixed dissertation on the specific history of the helm and its significance to the Spaniards throughout history.

As the bell rang Professor Finn was back at his desk looking through papers while still lecturing the class. Picking up a folder he released the rest of the students and asked Matt to stay behind. He waited until the last student left and closed the door.

“Sorry for the ominous tone but what we need to discuss is none of their business.” The Professor stated picking up on Matt’s nervousness. “But first, you seem to really enjoy history?” A seemingly never ceasing yet disarming smile beamed across his face.

Matt had been nervous. He felt as though he was in trouble for holding up the class but Finn's smile put all that to rest. “History is a wonderful story always with two ways to tell it. At least that's what my dad always told me and I can’t say he was wrong. For example your Morion over there; I suspect you ran out of time or you would have gone into its significance with the American Tribes after the Spaniards. The faint remnants of paint along the edges say it’s history went on into the 17th century at least.” Matt’s voices got more and more excited as he spoke and he seemed proud to add the last part even if he was just showing off. In truth. Matt knew little of that time except that it had happened.

“Yes yes of course there was more to the stories very astute of you to pick up on that. Oh I think we will get along fine. Now for the part the other students didn’t need to hear. I have your file and although my time is limited I need to get an idea of where you are in your powers….”

“Abilities.” Matt interrupted and received a quizzical look from Finn. Matt went on “Calling them powers implies strength over others. Abilities is more honest in that it merely states I can do something. It’s how I was raised.” His words were direct yet apologetic at the same time.

“Don’t lose what respect you have gained but fine abilities then.” Finn said almost dismissively not caring one way or the other. “Your file states I should be able to see what you do so if you care to show me we won’t be disturbed.” The mustache seemed to droop giving Finn’s face an intensity as if he were studying Matt.

Matt removed a glove and touched the nameplate on Finn’s desk. The room filled with images as Matt stood rigid, his eyes could move and he could talk but he seemed as if frozen in one place. He stopped the images and let events play out. You could hear every word spoken. Finn recognized the moment as one of his earlier classes.

“Is that enough sir?” Matt asked

Finn’s face lit up in wonderment everything was in place and he could hear every word. “Audio as well? Show me your limits. Is that really how I sound.”

“I can only go back about a week and it takes some time to get there and yes that is how you sound.” Matt responded as once again the images flashed by in reverse.

“Do you have to...well let’s say rewind or can you go straight there?” Finn’s question was direct and utilitarian as he observed.

“It seems to work like an old VCR.” The images flashed faster.

“Ok well I have seen enough. Can you move around while doing this?” Finn asked, closing his eyes to the dizzying visions.

Matt let it drop and put his glove back on. “No, I seemed to be almost locked in place when I do this, but it is different with people. With people there is no control at least not on my part. It seems to be drawn to a moment of intense emotion of whoever I touch. Both of us are physically locked, so to say, but it’s hard to explain. It’s like I can imagine myself walking about; restricted by the confines of the image, yet that doesn’t appear in the projection.”

Finn went straight to the phone on his desk. “Hold on Matt I may know someone who can understand that better.” Without waiting for a response Finn called Professor Everose. “Sorry to bother you but I could use your assistance in my classroom if you have the time?”

Picking up the phone on the second ring Kaylee answered. "Professor Everose." Upon hearing Professor Finn’s voice she looked at the clock then down at her planner. She had some time actually. "Why hello Finn. Yes I do have some free time. May I have the reason, or am I looking at a non emergency?"

Kaylee prayed that it was a non emergency. She could handle an emergency but it would set her day back more than she was willing to admit. She paused so that Finn could update her.

Finn chuckled, his mustache seeming to bristle just the slightest. “No. No not an emergency. Seriously now would I have asked if you had the time if it were an emergency? No, I just need some advice on a new student I am working with. Seems he has some interesting issues.”

Kaylee smiled. "I don't suppose you remember that one incident, not too long ago, with Isaac Miller when you asked much the same question in the same tone. When I got there the boy was unconscious holding an artifact that was…" Kaylee paused to find the right word and also to jog Finn’s memory.

Finn interrupted Kaylee, “That was completely different, he was fine when I called. Want to keep interrogating me or help out before I mess up another one?”

Matt’s eyes grew big as saucers, “Uh sir….is this safe?”

“It’s fine. You’ll be fine.” Finn exclaimed. Then into the phone. “We are scaring the kid….you coming Kaylee?”

Kaylee pinched the bridge of her nose. She could feel a stress headache coming on. "No. I mean yes I'll be right there. Heaven forbid you 'mess up another one'. I don't think our insurance could handle that fiasco. We barely handled it the first time. Promise me you won't go all Merlin, from Sword in the Stone on this one."

“Yes. Yes no Merlin stuff here see you soon and thanks.” Finn hung up the phone “She should be here soon. So tell me what you can figure out about the morian while we wait.”

They talked more on obscure facts of the Spanish helmet while they waited.

To say that Kaylee was uncomfortable with the instant brush off by Finn was the understatement of the century. Attempting not to panic she quickly forwarded her office calls to her cell. She snatched her cellphone up and headed at a steady clip to Finn’s classroom. Her chocolate brown saddle Oxfords clicking out a sharp rhythm in time to the swish of her high waisted slacks that were a taupe color pinstriped with gold. Her blouse was a chocolate color with cream color cuffs and a Peter Pan collar.

She rounded the corner and opened the door to find them in discussion about a helmet. Of all things a helmet. She rolled her eyes and watched the duo covertly letting the door close quietly behind her.

As Kaylee came in the two were laughing and seemed to be in some debate over the significance of a helmet in tribal culture. After what seemed an eternity to anyone else, although it was only about 20 seconds Finn noticed Kaylee. “Ah, Professor Everose meet Mathew Frakes he has some rather unique “abilities’ which may be beyond my scope” There was an obvious emphasis on the word abilities as he spoke and Finn eyes rolled as he said it.

Matt stood as he was introduced. He appeared excited and nervous as if he wasn’t quite sure what was going on. He held out a gloved hand. “Nice to meet you. Professor Finn has told me nothing about you.” Matt put on one of his fake smiles he used when trying to hide his nerves. It never worked but it kind of made him feel better.

Kaylee released the hold she had on her abilities and looked from Matt to Finn. They both had an orange aura, which meant that their abilities were similar. Matt’s aura flickered like a candle. His was also more on the yellow end, whereas Finn’s was a deeper orange red. "So not entirely clairvoyant then? He seems more toward the psychic colors. But your powers seem to be more alike than either of you realize. Compatible. You are worried about something else Finn. Out with it. Matt has a right to know."

She didn't take Matt’s hand. Taking a clairvoyant's hand could potentially harm either you or the clairvoyant. Or in some cases both. "My apologies Matt, not to seem rude but I'm sure you'd like to keep contact to a minimum until you have a better hold on your powers." She smiled reassuringly at Matt.

Finn leaned back in his chair and smiled This should be fun. He thought though what said was, “Matt go ahead and tell her what happens when you touch someone.” Turning to Kaylee “He can explain it better than I can but I can tell you with objects he not only sees the stories he projects them somehow. It’s that he goes all rigid that bothers me.” There was only the slightest bit of amusement in his voice.

Matt took a deep breath. A look crossed his face as if not sure what or how to say what he wanted. He had taken on an uneasy look every time Kaylee had said powers but he had been raised to never interrupt a woman. He rubbed his gloved hands together nervously. “Well ma'am I explained this to Professor Finn here but here goes. If you don’t mind I prefer to call them abilities rather than powers. Power is about strength and abilities just seems more honest. As far as contact goes my abilities require direct skin contact, thus the gloves. I haven’t been around people other than my parents since this started. My Dad has similar abilities but he can’t project and he can turn his off." he went on to describe his abilities exactly as he had with Finn as well as what they had discussed when Finn was testing him.

Kaylee shot a glare at Finn when Matt mentioned that he had explained this all prior to her walking in. She then afforded Matt her full attention. She nodded as he explained his beliefs and powers or as he liked to call them abilities. "Fascinating. Now about the difference between the two words. Powers verses abilities. Matt, while I truly think your rational has merit, I hope you realize that while we all have the ability to change the world, few have the power to actually do it. So both are truly required to make the change. I prefer to think that we are an engine of that change allowing you to grow in both abilities and the power to use them correctly. Or if you'd rather, grow your powers and teach you the ability to use them correctly."

Kaylee looked over at Finn. "I said no Merlin stuff." She shook her head then looked back at Matt. "So Matt, why are you here? What do you wish to accomplish? Control? Growth? Both? You don't seem afraid of your pow-abilities much like other students here."

Finn gave a huff producing a flourish of his mustache but said nothing just looking at Matt.

Matt stood up a little straighter, if obviously forced, in an effort to seem more confident. “If you think I am not afraid of my abilities then you have misread me. I am terrified to touch anyone, but to answer your question regarding what I wish to accomplish. No more than anyone should, what I was raised to do. I wish to live my life to the best of my ability no matter what that means. No matter what I must learn. This I believe is how we gain control, discover new uses , and yes determine how we will respond to the world. So if that means asking for help then I am asking. I can’t go through life not touching other people and I sure can’t go around touching random people in an effort to learn control. I need a safe way to do this. Can you help me?”

Nodding Kaylee walked over to a desk and sat down in one of the chairs as Matt spoke. When he was finished she stood. "No no Matt. I have known many people afraid of their abilities, with good reason. However what you're describing is the fear of your loss of control. That we can help you with. Everyone fears the loss of control, or they should. Those who don't chase the feeling and don't last long. If you truly feared your abilities you wouldn't be here. But you knew that already didn't you? So control. Comes with time but like I said we can help there. Oh and you'll be taking Philosophy from here on out. You'd make a great addition to my class."

Just like that it was decided. Matt was already behind in most of his subjects and now he would have to add Philosophy. He had planned on taking eventually just not yet. The rest of the day was filled with note copying and homework.

Between class time and studying Matt barely had time for much else. The only thing of note was being notified that he was excused from class on Wednesday and that, instead, he should report to the Danger Room at 9am instead. No end time was given although he had heard this happened from time to time.

While taking a break from homework to settle his mind and paint some miniatures, Matt realised he was settling in. There was little to no mention of the drama he had initially witnessed when he arrived. Although, to be honest, other than talking with Daniela, that first night, everyone he initially met was older than him and at least grade ahead of him. He felt safe here and hoped that the promised lessons in control would start soon.

Matt awoke early, showered, and got dressed. A hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants. He taped the cuffs of the sweatshirt to his gloves so they would not ride up on his arms and put on high topped sneakers. Whatever this Danger Room thing was about, he was prepared for a workout. A light breakfast followed a light jog once around the track before proceeding to the TC.


He stood at the entrance to the danger looking in, before deciding to wait just outside until the last possible second. The frosty one and the loud one were already in there and he did not want to deal with them just yet. Despite telling himself that he wouldn’t let first impressions govern his opinions of others; in truth one he was afraid of and the other had seemed pouty. He did not quite remember what all that was about but personal impressions seemed to last longer than there reasons. He hoped those first impressions were wrong but he wasn’t going to chance it.

Aya stared at Professor Everose, confusion clear on her face, as the older woman explained the 'test'. She was supposed to... what? Her eyes flicked down to the small black envelopes, roman numerals drawn on them like calligraphy. She tried to wrap her mind around exactly what was being asked of her. After requesting a bit more clarification, Aya was even more lost than she was before.

She was supposed to just... sit with closed envelopes, not go to the Astral Plane, and what, have visions like some sort of oracle? Aya didn't fully understand her powers yet (and didn't think she wanted to) but she was fairly certain that wasn't how they worked. She only left her body to venture to other places, she didn't have visions, or...

But then that man's face flashed in her mind, smiling and surrounded by smoke. She'd dreamt of him. And then the next day he'd appeared on campus, standing with Dean Ashford, his eyes glued to Uná. A chill ran up Aya's spine at the memory.

She looked up to Professor Everose, still hesitant. She'd always been so kind to Aya - warm. Ever since that first day, when Aya had come stumbling into this very office, all apologies and hurried excuses, saying she wanted to withdraw from the school before even giving it a chance. Professor Everose was the reason she'd stayed. Aya didn't know if that had been a good or bad choice. Staying - belonging - felt dangerous.

But Aya hadn't felt like she belonged anywhere in a long time. She looked at Professor Everose's soft green eyes. She smelled the faint, sweet waft of her perfume. She thought of the small, carved butterfly on her bedside table, a gift given from Charles Xavier, to Professor Everose, and finally to her.

Aya wanted to belong.

She pressed her lips together and gave a small, meek nod. Aya didn't know why she was being given this test, or what the professor hoped to glean from it, but she would try. She reached forward to pick up the first envelope. It was heavier than expected - the black paper was thick, clearly of high quality. She looked at it, pinched between her fingers. With her other hand she grabbed the pen and clicked it open. Aya gave one last, uncertain look up at Professor Everose, before focusing again on the envelope. Then she waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Aya grew more and more exasperated as the minutes ticked by. She didn't know what she was supposed to do or how she was supposed to do it, she didn't know what was being expected of her, and she didn't know if she was a massive failure yet, or if it would take another 20 minutes for that to be decided. Aya didn't know how long she'd been staring at the little envelope in her lap. The plush chair that should've been comfortable was starting to feel stiff and misshaped, and her fingers felt stiff from holding the pen. With a sigh she dropped it, and listened to the pen clatter softly against the paper of the notebook.

Holding the envelope in her lap, she stared down at it. The innocuous little thing was slowly turning into a source of frustration. Aya bit her lip. Then she let out a slow, steadying breath, and closed her eyes. Memories of her childhood flowed back to her of afternoons spent with her mother, incense thick in her lungs. The strands of a tatami mat would dig into the flesh of her shins as she fought to keep her eyes closed and her back straight. Aya's mother had been insistent on meditation - the need to clear the mind and still the body.

Something petty in Aya rose its head. Even if this somehow worked, she didn't want to give her mother the satisfaction.

Professor Everose was still sitting across from her, as patient as ever.

Aya's fingers tightened on the envelope. Then she closed her eyes, forcing her muscles to relax. She let in a slow breath, and pushed it out again through her mouth.

It was shocking how easy it was to slip back into meditation, even after all these years. Aya let the sensations of the world wash over her - the soft tick, tick, tick of the clock along the far wall, the smell of books and flowers and Professor Everose's perfume, the feel of the chair leather supporting her legs and back, the soft cotton of her top brushing against her skin, the weight of her hair falling against her shoulder blades, the stiff paper in her hands, with its rivets and folds.

Aya let go of worrying about the time. The second hand of the clock sounded its path around the center, each beat in time with her heart.

Another slow, deep breath in.

Then out.

The world around Aya stopped.

Her eyes shot open. Sensations snapped into focus again, sight and sound and touch all rushing back to her. Professor Everose was still sitting across from her, in full color. She was still on the Material Plane. She looked back down at the envelope again.

Had... had that been it? Whatever she was supposed to do or feel or see...

Excitement flowed through her, that maybe she was onto something. Eager to complete whatever task Professor Everose had set before her, Aya breathed in again and closed her eyes.

This time when she found that vast nothingness she stayed with it. It was like all of reality had been sucked out of the room with a vacuum. She could still feel and hear the world around her, she realized. But as Aya sat with the nothingness, it was like being met with a void - like suddenly being without a sensation that she didn't know she had.

The longer Aya sat with it, the more the nothingness felt solid. Like if she were to push against it, it would push back at her. Aya tilted her head in thought. The seconds ticked by into minutes.

She's not sure when it appeared, but then within the vast nothing, there was something. It was a tiny pinprick, like a black star in a white midnight sky, or the sound of a TV turned to the lowest possible volume. Aya focused on it. She pulled it closer (or moved herself towards it, she wasn't sure) and felt a building sense of triumph as it grew. Eyes still closed, Aya reached forward to blindly grab the pen, placing the point against the notebook.


The something grew more and more distinct. It was familiar, she realized. It was the feeling of walking into someone's bedroom, and realizing that you can recognize their smell. But Aya couldn't place where she knew this from. Her eyebrows pulled together as she concentrated more. A figure was taking shape in the mist. It was still hazy, the edges indistinct, but it was a person. That much at least Aya could tell. Her mind reached for it, trying to will it into clarity. Then the figure seemed to shift in size and shape, growing slightly smaller. The smell of cigarettes mixed with vanilla and mint came to her, filling her with warmth - love. But in the same breath, sadness bloomed in her chest like a flower.

Soft hands with long, delicate fingers, brushed against Aya's cheek, and suddenly she wanted to cry.

I miss you. The thought wasn't hers. She wrote again in the notebook below her previous words.


Children's laughter chimed like a bell, distant through the haze. That feeling of love increased. There was joy. Pride. But there was that same sense of loss, too. It intensified, mixing with shame, sharp as a knife. She'd left them.


Why had she left? Her eyebrows pulled together as Aya tried to wade through the mist. Her family grew further and further away. Another sound started echoing through her mind: the low, quick thrum of a motorcycle. It sped at her, the engine rising in pitch, and Aya felt her adrenaline spike. Dread filled her in anticipation.

The inevitable crash seemed to rock Aya’s entire being, and all she knew was the screech of metal against asphalt. Pain exploded in Aya’s body – she gasped, her eyes snapping open. She couldn’t breathe. She felt raw flesh down her arm and the side of her body, nerves blistering in the open air. She heard the snap of bones as pain shot through her fingers, arm, torso, leg. Her vision spotted white as tears sprang to her eyes.


The letters were shaky, the pen tip digging too deep on the paper. The pain dulled, suddenly. Everything seemed far away again… misty. And then…


Suddenly she wasn’t in Professor Everose’s office anymore – she was in the Astral Plane, held aloft by one arm, the Sluagh’s claw plunging deep into her soul.

It was like fire -- like poison consuming her from the inside out, ripping her apart, and stitching her together. She couldn't see. She couldn't think. Her very marrow was magma, splintering her bones apart and flash boiling her blood. It all came from the monster's claws in her body, the intrusion – the monster suddenly shifted, reforming itself.

It burned like fire spread through her in her body – she was fire, she was burning, she was rage, she was vengeful hate –

The pen dropped from Aya’s hand. Her whole body was shaking, lips parted, voice caught in her throat. Tears sprang to her eyes as emotions overwhelmed her. Pain and fear and an overwhelming, inhuman anger filled her to the brim. It was too much. She couldn't tell which emotions were hers, but she couldn't handle them. She needed to escape, to get away from the Sluagh and the fire.

Aya latched onto the first thought that came to her - the family. She retreated to the woman and children, their love like a soothing balm.

But it was different. Something had changed.

Aya was a young woman, planning a funeral. It had been just last year - the minutia of sending out invitations and choosing a casket and picking flowers overwhelmed her. Papa loved red ginger, she thought to herself. No casket. He wanted to be cremated.

But there wasn't even a body after the accident - there'd be no casket, no cremation, just an engraved headstone over an empty plot. How was she supposed to do this, keep her head above water, raise three children without him, be without him -

Papa is gone he's gone he's gone he's gone -

Aya was a child again and her mama was walking out the door, and she was so angry. What kind of parent left their family behind? How could she? How could her daddy just leave like that? Her brothers wouldn't stop crying, and Mommy had an empty, sad look in her eyes that never went away, and she had to be the man of the house because Daddy died and she hated him for it, she hated her, Mama left and Papa died, and Aya was alone -

The funeral was small. She looked up at the adults she'd never met before wearing black suits and uniforms. At the front of the chapel was a table with Daddy's picture, surrounded by bouquets of white roses. Aya was made to stand beside it, carrying her baby brother as Mommy stood beside her and thanked strangers for taking the time to come. Aya looked over shoulder to look at the photo: a young man in uniform, with blond hair and a dour expression. Familiar, mismatched eyes stared back at her.

Aya's hands clapped tight over her mouth as she held back a cry. Her eyes squeezed shut, tears trailing down her face. Sorrow was a violent thing that wracked her body. Aya shook her head as if she could deny it entry. It was too much grief for a single body, too many memories, and losses, and deaths, and Aya couldn’t tell which were hers anymore as they faded into each other.

"I can't, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I can't, I'm sorry -" The words repeated over and over again as Aya fought to control her weeping.

As they drove up to the gate Charles turned to the driver. ”So what now? Who do I report to?” They had not said much since the diner.

“I don’t know kid...my job was to get you here and well...you're here. I don’t even know if they know you’re coming. There wasn’t much time.” The driver sounded as if he could have been reading off a grocery list. In truth, he had a job to do and it was done.

Charles exited the car and grabbed the case. Standing straight, he walked with purpose towards the security camera. Looking straight into, “My name is Charles Gannon. I am here to enroll at this school.”

There was a faint click as the gate swung inward, just as a voice came out of an intercom. “We have been expecting you. Proceed to the dorm on the right second floor room 21. I am told everything you need will be waiting for you.”

”Thank you.” A short response, no more than necessary. Charles quickly took in his surroundings and chose the quickest walking path. Then formally as if marching, with straight back and eyes forward, walked directly to the room without a further glance. He had been given instructions, and until he knew more of what to expect here, he planned to follow them exactly.

When Charles got to the room the door was open and a simple note reading “Welcome Mr. Gannon” was on the handle. He walked in, surprised at the size of the room. It had two beds and desks. Obviously it was designed with a roommate situation in mind. On one of the desks was a small stack of textbooks, an itinerary, a map, and a second note stating “You are free to roam the campus as you wish. Classes start tomorrow. For now, you have been assigned basic courses until a full assessment of your education can be determined.” Charles noticed there was no signature on either note. Also, there was no evidence of a roommate.

The rest of the day he acquainted himself with the school, walking purposefully but not talking to anyone as he witnessed the others doing. This is different, other than with the Doctor's you never talked outside of projects. This had been ingrained in him for as long as he could remember. The constant drone of the cafeteria had him unsettled. This whole place had him unsettled for that matter. It was chaos incarnate to his mind, but until he received new instructions he was going to have to make the best of it.

The sun was not yet up when Charles got out of bed, nor would it rise before he had showered, dressed, and eaten. He wore what he thought was right for studies; black jean slacks, a simple blue t-shirt, and a white lab coat all topped off the red Converse sneakers. He proceeded through the day as if it was not any different than he had always known. It was different of course, lawless chaos surrounded him at every turn. Most of the other students seemed to be distracted in class, talking or passing notes when they thought the teacher was not looking. For him classes were either beneath him or utterly boring; perhaps this was the case for them as well. The others students gave him odd looks which he attributed to be new and imagined himself looking at them the same way. That is until lunch time when he realised no one else wore lab coats. This, of course, he fixed by rolling up his sleeves.

After lunch, Charles spent most of his time watching the other students and how they interacted. As the other students freely talked between classes, making plans and seemingly deciding their own path, he realised he could not make any sense of it. He wanted to but he could not grasp the variables. Jealousy welled up in him. He had never had that. By the end of the day, he had decided to learn what that feels like.

May the sun never rise before you are ready to meet it.” That was the phrase Dr. Gourley used to condition him to develop a morning routine. Charles reminded himself of that as tedious boredom made it harder to get out of bed. He saw no progress or necessity in this course work, but he would trudge through it until this “evaluation” happened and he could progress to higher studies. He had decided to forgo the lab coat today picking out khaki slacks, a red t-shirt, and a white dress shirt left unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows. He kept the red Converse mainly because it was not just his only pair of shoes but it reminded him of his favorite television character.

Trudging through the monotony of the day, he had a plan to spice things up a little. If the other students wanted to laugh he would make that happen. Besides he needed something to break up the boredom. The last class of the day would be perfect and if he timed it right the least disruptive. Professor Everose was going over noble gases and if you did not understand them in the first minute you never would.

Charles had to sense the molecules in order to manipulate. He could feel every microscopic square nanometer as he entered the classroom. He could feel the similarities and identify precisely where each atom was as long as he had studied it. He had never really studied biology or anatomy to be able to understand it though; still he felt something usually familiar enough to tell you who it was. This time, there was one person in the room that felt different. Curious he looked over at the short red head, she felt different in a way he may never understand. He went on to his seat. He could not figure it out right this moment and the class was only an hour long.

Searching throughout the classroom for every trace of Helium he could find. Slowly, he gathered the element together. He could hear Professor Everose talking and half listened so as not to arouse suspension. Was she watching me? He asked himself as he thought maybe the Professor's eyes had stopped on him a little longer, but she kept lecturing. By the time he had enough gathered there was little time left in the class. He had been holding it all at floor level. Once released the whole room should get a quick burst of Helium changing their voices for a brief yet hilarious moment. Professor Everose was going into her recap, it was now or never. Releasing the gas the Professor's voice hit that high pitched squeak that so often accompanies breathing Helium. A cacophony of high pitched chuckles, snort, and laughs mixed with expletives fill the room for a brief moment. The bell sounded as the sounds reached a normal register. As Charles quickly made his way to the door he noticed some of the students casting accusatory looks at a blonde with streaks of pink coloring in her hair.

The familiar morning routine was not as tedious today. Charles had released, at least, some of the tension of boredom and was anxious to see if he should do it again. Only time will tell at this point and there was no sense in denying it. He was going to get caught eventually.