HIVE: Otto's Past: Chapter Three
Otto stood in front of the metal door. He had a vague idea as to why Nero wanted to see him, probably because of his distractions in lessons. Taking a deep breath, Otto gave three loud knocks on the door.
There was a pause before a, "Come in." Otto swung the door open and arrived in Nero's office.
It was a round room with brown walls, filled with pictures of his successful students. Huge bookcases and shelves lined the walls where there weren't any pin-ups. There was a lone wooden desk in the centre of the room, with a computer on top of it. Two chairs were set on either side of the desk, one was presumably for Otto, the other was taken up by Nero. He was a serious man, and very respectable. His black hair dominated his pale face, and his great height made him even more imposing. But despite all this Nero was a kind and fair man, if not a bit strict.
Otto noticed a tall dark figure to Nero's right. It was Raven. She was in a full length black jumpsuit, and her mask had been taken off to reveal short brown hair and Russian features.
Nero gestured for Otto to sit down, watching his every move like a hawk. Not wanting to show how uncomfortable he felt under Nero's gaze, he looked him straight in the eye.
"What's wrong?" Otto said, his mind reverting back to his nightmare.
"You seem to be distracted in classes," Nero started, leaning forwards. "Why is that so?" Otto shrugged.
"No reason, I can't be good all the time." Unfortunately Doctor Nero didn't look convinced.
"Has something happened Otto?" Nero asked more gently. Otto squirmed, chewing his lip.
"No," he lied. Nero glanced at Raven, then turned to Otto.
"You can go," he said. Relieved that he didn't have to say anything, Otto almost tripped over himself in his hurry to get out from under their questioning glares.
"He was lying," Raven said as soon as Otto was out of earshot. Nero frowned, unconsciously rubbing his chin.
"I know, he looked very nervous." Nero said. He turned to Raven and smiled.
"Can I trust you to put tabs on him?" Nero didn't need an answer, but Raven nodded all the same. "And check on the new science teacher as well, we want to make sure we can trust him."
Mr Littleton stood in a semi-circle along with the other scientists. They were listening to their boss: Ms Loom. She was telling them about Avian 4, the boy who currently called himself Otto Malpense.
Mr Littleton remember Avian 4, the albino boy who had been born without wings. Mrs Harvard glanced at Mr Littleton, reminding him of their conversation eleven years ago.
"Now Avian 4 had reached his teenage years, he will probably develop his wings," Ms Loom said, her black hair slicked back into a perfect ponytail. She surveyed her workers with an experienced eye. "Avian 4 is at a secret facility called HIVE, and Mr Littleton is going to be the Science teacher over there." Everyone turned too look at Mr Littleton, who held his head up proudly. He was getting the important job of spying on Avian 4!
"Ever since we lost Avians 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, we haven't had any hybrids to experiment on. Now we have! As soon as Avian 4 has grown wings Mr Littleton will let us know so we can capture him."
All the scientists cheered, and Mr Littleton smiled happily. He would get loads of money for this, he just hoped they wouldn't harm the boy too much. There was so much potential in him....