[COLOR=GRAY][CENTER][COLOR=dimgray]
[sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][img]https://i.imgur.com/sXtoHzA.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=silver][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]The Southern Plateau[/I] - [I]Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=silver][b]Hope In Hell #2.016:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Crash into Me[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=dimgray][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][INDENT][sub][color=silver][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]None[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=silver][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Dark Necessities[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]While Miranda led Tad away, Jim motioned with his head for Jess to walk. She hesitated for only a second before Jim’s hand moved towards the shoulder holster hidden under his leather jacket. Escorting the student-faculty representative, Jim moved her toward his waiting vehicle.

[color=#ffffff]“I’ve known Thaddeus for a long time,”[/color] Jim started, opening the back door to the Manticore before engaging the containment mode. [color=#ffffff]“Watched that boy grow up, saw him fight through his studies, struggle to make friends and ultimately undergo the horrors of what Hyperion did to him. But-”[/color] Jim paused while climbing into the driver’s seat.

[color=#ffffff]“I also got to see him succeed, become a leader and ultimately fall in love,”[/color] He continued before his eyes locked on Jess in the rearview mirror.

[color=#ffffff]“It’s why I know you’re not Jessica Friend. Thaddeus Finch is a lot of things, but he sure as hell ain’t stupid.”[/color] He growled while igniting the vehicle’s engine. [color=#ffffff]“And I don’t need to read your mind to know for sure, though no doubt Miranda is taking Tad right now to rescue the real Jessica. I’d pray to whatever you believe in that there isn’t a hair on her head harmed.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“What gave me away, Chancellor?”[/color] The imposter smiled, continuing to maintain the facade of Jessica’s face.

[color=#ffffff]“Friend was trained by Miranda.”[/color] Jim retorted, [color=#ffffff]“She’d never let her mind be so open, especially knowing how many telepaths the school sees come through its doors.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“My guess is that makes y’all Naira Cameron, Sophomore, one of six shapeshifters currently attending Pacific Royal, but the only one capable of perfect voice mimicry, House Ursus, though you were almost placed in Lynx and Alces at your Trial.”[/color]

Jim looked in the mirror again.

[color=#ffffff]“How am I doing?”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“I think you should focus on the road.”[/color] The reply came as Naira dug her hands into the seat seconds before an explosion outside the Manticore flipped it off the beaten path through the woods that separated the Plateau and the Campus. 

Careening into the thick underbrush, the armoured vehicle took another hit that sent it further into the overgrown bush before it dove down into a ravine. Trunks and stumps on either side hammered on the armoured sport utility vehicle as Jim’s head collided with the steering column too quickly for him to protect himself. Blood sprayed from the gash that appeared on his forehead while his Stetson flew out of the passenger seat before coming to a rest on the now face-down roof of the vehicle.[/INDENT][/INDENT][/COLOR]