The holding cell was damp, dark and dingy. The police department in Crestwood Hollow apparently didn't see the need to keep their facilities up to date, Jonas noted as he looked around at the aged brickwork. The cell walls were only slightly better than the ones he had been in during the first world war. Standing up, he paced the ground slowly as he tried to think of the best way to get out of this predicament, there was the long route which was waiting to go to court against Elroy. Nothing would stand then, but he had to find a way to get out this sooner, preferably legally.
Then again, there was always the illegal methods, Jonas noted as a man entered the holding cells under police escort.
"Lehrer, you have a vistor." The first of the two officers remarked as some sort of poor introduction to the man he had escorted in.
"Ten minutes, that's all you get."The two officers parted, revealing Lehrer's guest who stood in the doorway of the cell. He was tall and slender, with his sharp features turned upwards into a coy grin at each guard as they left the room. He was wrapped elegantly in an outrageously large fur coat, almost to the floor in length and coloured with brilliant orange flecked with white. He turned to look at Lehrer, flashing his teeth in a mischievous smile.
"
Hello, old friend," he cooed. "
Fancy seeing you here."
"I hope for your sake Kit, you have nothing to do with this." Jonas said as he turned his back to Kit, choosing instead to look out the cell window.
"I should have assumed when I saw your fluffy tail running around the woods, trouble couldn't be far behind."Kit put his hand to his chest, feigning shock and offence and pouting at the imprisoned man's accusation. He moved further into the cell, each carefully placed footstep seeming like the calculated result of a year spent planning.
"
Oh, come now, Jonas!" he exclaimed, though his face was once again painted with a certain knowing smugness. "
That's no way to greet a friend. Especially one who's been looking out for you!" he mock-protested. His accent was oddly unplaceable, some transatlantic mix. "
And to think, I had been so excited about our little reunion. I came as soon as I heard the news." he said, running a digit along the brickwork and inspecting the layer of dust that had gathered on his fingertip. "
After all, what are friends for?" he laughed, joining Jonas by the window and clasping his hands behind his back. For a few seconds, the pair stared out over the grim waterfront backing the precinct in uneasy quietness. "
Lovely view."
"You do realize they have a live video feed in here? Or have you forgotten about the advent of technology again?" Jonas chided Kit as he joined the elder man inside the cell.
"Now if you're done beating around the bush, why don't we cut to the chase. What do you want?"Kit pouted. "
Why, I'm here to get you out of this mess," he snapped back, curtly. "
What makes you think I need anything in return? Frankly, Jonas, I'm offended." he said, a playful smirk returning to his lips. He gave Jonas barely a second to interject before continuing. "
Oh, very well, if you insist. I suppose there is something you could do for me. You know, to show your gratitude."
As he spoke, Kit unfasted one of the buttons on his shirt, pulling at the gap to reveal the remains of a tattoo. It was in poor condition; the ink was faint, and the design had patches missing where it seemed to have rubbed off the skin over time. "
I could use a touch up, old sport. Of course, only if it isn't too much trouble," he jibed, flashing a cheeky grin. "
I expect you've been awfully busy lately, what with babysitting your new protégés and such."
"You're as predictable as you've always been. I knew you were after something." Jonas bemoaned, whilst Kit could only chuckle in response.
"I will repair your runes... Once I am out of here, of course." He stated flately before turning directly towards Kit, a small smirk flaring up in the corners of Jonas' mouth before he spoke again.
"
Though as the mundanes' legal system takes longer than the Council to reach a decision, there is something I need you to do in the meantime..."
***
Monday 26th September, Mather Memorial High School
Aiden didn't like police officers. He had known it after his incident at the mall, when they had swarmed every corner of town looking for the supposed villain. He had known it in the hospital, where he had been interrogated and accused of a crime he did not commit. He had known it as the school bus had pulled into the parking lot of Mather Memorial High; feeling his stomach lurch at the sight of their red and blue flashing lights, and being relieved only momentarily as he realised it was not him they were after. And he had known it when, with little warning, he was whisked off to be questioned once more.
The police, it would seem, had quite the bee in their bonnet about Mr. Lehrer. Aiden was not entirely sure that he trusted the professor's motives; he had difficulty believing that anyone did things for the greater good anymore. The world was a cruel and selfish place. One thing he was sure of, however, was that Jonas Lehrer was the best chance any of them had at uncovering the truth; not to mention a valuable asset in their plan to ... Well, to survive the persecution of this mysterious Draoi.
And so, he told the truth, but not the whole truth. He wasn't dumb, after all. Whatever had happened with Lehrer and Elroy was none of Aiden's business; he knew it was in his best interests for his teacher to
not be incarcerated, and it was true that, whilst putting the class in a dangerous predicament, none of the classmates had been harmed by Lehrer on the trip.
He thought about this as he made his way up the stairs, towards the Social Conscience classroom. Whilst he'd done his best to keep his distance from his classmates, Aiden figured that this was something he had to attend. There were lots of things that the class needed to address with Lehrer, and Aiden fully intended on being there to hear what he had to say - that was, if he even showed up. For all they knew, he could still be in jail.
He gingerly pushed the door open, finding that most of his classmates had already arrived and taken a seat. But there was no sign of Jonas Lehrer.
Feeling awkward, he kept his head down and refused to meet the eyes of his peers. He may have been imagining it, but Aiden was certain he could feel each one of them silently projecting their hate. Sure, some of them had tried to make an effort back at the camp... Winter, especially, but Aiden didn't trust it. What did she have to gain? The most popular girl in school did not need the support of Aiden McKenna. He sat himself in his usual corner, and scribbled anxiously in his sketchbook as he waited for any sign of the professor.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and by now all the students had arrived and were growing restless. There was an overpowering sense of uncertainty that hung in the room, as the students collectively wondered what had become of Mr. Lehrer. And then, without warning, the door handle turned, and a figure entered the room.
But this man was not Mr. Lehrer.
Aiden looked at him, puzzled. The man wore a huge fur coat, orange in colour - he presumed it was fox, due to the flicks of white that accentuated the collar. He moved to Mr Lehrer's desk, without looking at the class or saying a word, sitting in their teacher's seat and sinking back into the cushioned chair. Nonchalantly, he kicked his feet up onto the desk, and crossed them one over the other.
"
Ever so sorry," he said, addressing the class, though his tone and the smug grin that seemed fixed onto his face implied he was anything but sorry. "
I was running a little late. But now that I'm here, I suppose introductions are in order." he said, springing back to his feet with surprising agility. "
Of course, I'm already rather familiar with all of you," he smiled, scanning around the room and taking in all the faces. "
But I expect you know very little about me. I'm Kit Renard, and I'm an alcoholic." he joked, before looking at Sebastian and feigning concern. "
Oh, terribly sorry, Sebastian," he purred. "
Sore subject, right?"
"
On a serious note," he continued, paying little attention to any response Sebastian offered, "
I'm going to be running this class for the foreseeable future. It would seem that your usual teacher still can't keep himself out of trouble." he mused, "
Though neither of us were ever any good at that."
"
I suppose you have questions. I'm willing to answer the more interesting ones." he said, looking at Belle, who already had her hand raised firmly in the air. "
Put your hand down, Abelle. I said interesting questions only."
Aiden sank into his seat. Whoever this Kit Renard was, he was intimidatingly pleasant in his viciousness. It was bizarre, as though Mr. Renard's very aura was magnetically endearing. Even when he was cutting down their classmates, he had a certain charm about him that seemed to be effecting the whole room, and not just Aiden. He was the epitome of a lovable rogue; a mischievous twinkle in his eye that accompanied each mean jibe and made him seem more playful than nasty. And how did he know their names?
But, those eyes... They were so familiar. Where had Aiden seen them before? In fact, he was certain that this was not his first time meeting Mr. Renard. To his surprise, the substitute teacher seemed to catch Aiden staring, and for a moment the two shared eye contact. But then Mr. Renard smiled a cunning smile, and winked, before turning back to the class and awaiting their questions.
Aiden swallowed. Something about Kit Renard made him very uncomfortable.
