Chapter 1: A Warm Welcome
Instead of the expected 5-minute bell, a fire alarm blared throughout the buildings of Vector Sigma Academy.
Great, thought Moonracer as she scooped her arm through her backpack strap and stood. After three years of attending the school, she knew for a fact that fire drills were never held until halfway through the quarter. This was the real deal. Second day back and the school's already burning.
People never evacuated in a quiet, orderly fashion in high school; it was full of teenagers, and teenagers loved to talk. Chatting students flooded the hall, a current of noise and faces flowing out the exit that lead to the parking lot. Moonracer herself would be talking if there was anyone to speak to, but her first class lacked any of her friends, something she didn't realize was possible until senior year.
The girl shielded her eyes as she squeezed out of the door, sighing with relief as she escaped the piercing alarm. She glanced around as she strode to the designated spot, hoping to locate a familiar face outside. It didn't take long to find one.
"Moonie, there you are!" called a nearby junior girl. The sun glinted off her dark red hair as she waved to Moonracer from another class' line. Her pale yellow blouse was a little too bright to stare at after being in the classroom for so long, but Moonracer didn't shy away.
"Hey, Sari!" she greeted, slowing her pace. Her class would stop near Sari's; as long as she remained within earshot of the teacher, she could stop and talk. She shifted her course towards the other girl, hugging her when she reached her. "It's great to see you again! How was your summer?"
"A little slow, but still great," replied Sari. "How about yours?"
"Fun!" she said. "I went with Flareup and Greenlight to Six Flags, so that was awesome."
"Oh yeah, I saw the pictures." Sari glanced down and pointed to the camera hanging around the senior's neck. "Speaking of which, take any good beginning-of-the-year ones yet?"
"Hm? Oh!" Truth be told, Moonracer had forgotten she was wearing it. Considering the circumstances, she was lucky she hadn't left it in the classroom. "Well, not yet. Everything's been test shots so far- books, people in the halls, that sort of thing."
The teacher called her name a few feet away, and she let out a "Here!" before continuing.
"Although I guess whatever's going on now would make a good story for the Key." The Key to Vector Sigma was the school's online newspaper, and Moonracer was one of its top contributors. "I wonder how someone managed to set something on fire on the second day, though?"
"Who knows? I don't see smoke, I hope it's nothing big. I think it happened on the other side of the school. The cafeteria, maybe?"
"Good thing it's nowhere near lunchtime."
The wail of a fire truck grew close, its source turning the corner down the street and driving up to the academy.
"We've got a good view of that from here," said Sari as she gestured to the approaching vehicle. "Could make for a good pic."
Moonracer had already raised the camera to her eye, her grin spreading wider. "You know me," she chimed, "I never miss a shot."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Stay turned to find out the culprit, the motive, and more! Another thing I should mention before it gets confusing, though- anyone who has "special" skill sets is keeping them. Not weapons, really, but abilities. I don't know how else to word it without spoiling who's showing up, but it should be clear soon. Thanks!