Chapter Two: Killer on the loose

Magnus Bane had never been either embarrassed or ashamed of his own name, ever. In fact, he took great pride in it because it was unique, special, and nobody else shared his it, not that he knew of anyway. But now... now his name was something attached to a murderer, a man that killed his own flesh and blood. Of course he had no choice, in that moment it was either kill or be killed.

So he killed.

Magnus was brought out of his thoughts as he heard his name being called by a feminine voice that must have come from the tall woman wearing a blazer and pencil skirt walking towards him.

"Hello, it's nice to finally meet you Mr Bane. I am the principal here and I'd like to be the first to welcome you to Alicante High," the woman said in a friendly manner with a hint of an authoritative tone. Magnus took the outstretched hand of the principal and said a quiet "Thank you, principal."

"Please, call me Mrs Fray. Come on into my office, there are some things I would like to discuss with you before you start classes if that's okay with you," Mrs Fray said. Magnus gave her a slight nod, thinking that he would have to go whether or not he was okay with it, despite the principal's words.

Magnus followed Mrs Fray into an office, yawning as he sat down in the chair indicated by Mrs Fray. Magnus was tired. He had to wake up early to have this "discussion" as Mrs Fray called it, before classes started. He knew what it was about and though he tried to seem as though it didn't bother him that everyone thought him dangerous, it did.

Magnus had always enjoyed the attention, that was the reason he threw parties in his old house whenever his parents weren't at home. And it was the very same reason why wore such outrageous clothes that no one else would dare think of wearing. Now that he was getting plenty of attention every time his name was mentioned, he wished the very same attention he'd always wanted would be diverted away from him, because the reason of the attention was not what he would like it to be.

"Mr Bane, are you listening?" Mrs Fray said, bringing Magnus from his half-conscious state. "Uh? Oh yeah, you were saying?" Magnus asked, trying his best to be attentive.

Mrs Fray looked at Magnus sympathetically and said, "I'm assuming that you are aware of your current situation, am I correct in my assumption? " Magnus looked at her for a moment, contemplating what she had said and of course he was aware of his situation. Anyone he introduced himself to would either get frightened and try to stay away or call him names he had never associated himself with. Well, not until recently. It wasn't going to be any different here. "Yes, you are correct." Magnus whispered, even though Mrs Fray's question had probably been rhetorical.

"I have spoken to your mother and your attorney and I am to understand that you will not always be in school due to your meeting set to ready you for your court hearing?", she asked, not really looking for confirmation since she had already spoken to a couple of people about this.

"Yes, I'm sorry if it's an inconvenience to you," Magnus said, in an attempt to be polite. "Oh not at all Mr Bane, I am simply checking with you that I have the right information. I have sent for a teacher, Miss Knight, to come get you. She will be the teacher for your first lesson and will be here in a moment," Mrs Fray said. Magnus nodded at this, not liking the obvious sympathy in the older women's voice.

The office door opened and a woman Magnus assumed to be Miss Knight walked in. She looked a little young to be a teacher, with her thin body frame and long light brown hair that matched her soft brown eyes. "Hello Mrs Fray, you called for me?" Miss Knight asked, looking directly at her boss. "Yes, this is the new student we spoke of, Magnus Bane, and he will be joining us from now on," Mrs Fray said, nodding her head in Magnus' direction and he took that as an indication to stand.

Miss Knight looked at Magnus in surprise, as if she had just noticed him. "Oh hello, I'm Miss Knight but you may call me Miss Lola. I'm a maths teacher here," Miss Lola said and outstretched her right hand to Magnus and he took it in his. Miss Lola gave him a nice soft smile.

"Right," Mrs Fray said, gaining the attention of both teacher and student. "Mr Bane is in your first class so I would like you to take him there," Mrs Fray said, just as the bell indicating the beginning of the first lesson rang. "Of course, I will," Miss Lola replied with a big smile, seemingly happy with the responsibility bestowed upon her.

Magnus was near the door when he heard Miss Fray say, "Oh, and Mr Bane, if you have any problems at all settling in or problems with any students, please don't hesitate to inform me." At this, Magnus turned around to face his new principal, "Thank you... and please, call me Magnus," he said and walked out of the door to meet Miss Lola, who was quite confused at the irritation Magnus had at the principal's kind words.

"Right this way, Mr Bane." Miss Lola said, pointing to the corridor leading to the maths class. "Its Magnus," Magnus said, following his maths teacher.

"Of course, Magnus. So how is your first day here? You like it?" Miss Lola asked, despite the awkwardness of it all since Magnus hadn't actually been to any lessons yet. "It's good, so far," Magnus replied, already anticipating the horrible day ahead.

"Umm... well, this school is quite friendly but if anyone makes you uncomfortable or says anything about.. you know... you can report it. You don't have to take it," Miss Lola said, looking at Magnus sympathetically. "Oh, thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Magnus said as they reached a door which Magnus figured was his maths class. With a last reassuring look from Miss Lola, they entered the class.

Magnus looked around the class as Miss Lola gave a speech he had no doubt was given every Monday first lesson since it sounded so practiced. He noticed that everyone was looking at Miss Lola intently, apart from a boy sat at the back of the class. He seemed to be drawing in a small book. He had messy black hair that fell over his eyes as he looked down to whatever he it was he was drawing. He had on a simple black leather jacket and underneath that, a dark grey T-shirt. Magnus couldn't see all of the boy's legs due to the table, but he could tell the boy was probably wearing jeans from what he could see.

Magnus turned his attention back to the rest of the class and the whole class, apart from a boy sat at the back, looked at him in curiosity until his name was mentioned. The looks of curiosity were now turned into looks of fear, terror and shock.

Magnus looked at the boy at the back, wondering what his reaction to his name would be. The boy still had his head down, but he seemed to be looking up at Magnus, slowly. Magnus kept his eyes on the other boy and when he finally looked up all the way, Magnus saw that the black haired boy had the most magnificent blue eyes in the universe. He could now see the boy's whole face and he had high cheek bones and pale skin that was emphasised by his raven black hair.

Magnus was intrigued, the boy was a work of art.

Magnus was confused for a while because the boy lacked the look of fear, terror or shock that the rest of the class shared. He was simply... looking.

The boys were supposed to meet in this chapter but I got carried away while writing it so that should happen next chapter, if I don't get carried away again.

~Sherry