Chapter Nine:

Murder

So, in case you haven't noticed or you've never done this before… When you disappear, unexcused, from school at the same time the most popular guy there does, and come back at the same time, questions come up, along with accusations and assumptions.

And as you can imagine, most of those came from that bitch Gwen. I've concluded that she must be some sort of blonde and much less horrific version of Sasha. And instead of Cole, she's infatuated with Lance. She tests my patience like none other, and has more-than-once tried to humiliate me in front of my classmates. Too bad for her that her breasts are made of silicone, because they could accidentally spontaneously combust in science class… Accidentally, of course. Poor her. [Insert care here.]

So, let's count off what I've done with Lance that she hasn't. Number one: sat with him. Number two: gone on a trip with him. Number three: went to an awesome concert. Number four: (unwillingly) had his arms around me. Number five: slept with him (but I'm not telling her anything about that, or anyone else!).

So, waiting at the front doors for Lance and I (who had offered to drive me that day) was Gwen and her gaggle, giving me the best death-glares they could muster.

"Oh great," I muttered as I spotted them. "It's the gang of bitches."

"We can ignore them," Lance suggested as he parked the car.

I shook my head. "They don't give up that easily. You of all people should know that."

"Yeah, I guess." Lance got out of the car the same time I did. "Well, there is a back door…"

"Why haven't you told me this before?" I snapped.

He grinned. "To torture you, of course."

I rolled my eyes and stealthily followed him around the school. We finally got to a grey door that had red letters printed on it.

"It says, 'Teacher's Entrance Only'," I read.

Lance opened the door. "They never use it."

I followed him in quietly, and sure enough, there were no teachers around. We snuck into the hallway and merged into the crowd like we'd done nothing wrong.

"Piece of cake…" Lance murmured. "Now we just have to get to class."

We did, and Mr. Nordstrom paid no attention to us as we got in early. We sighed and took our regular seats, and as I was unpacking my things an announcement came on the intercom.

"Would all students please head to the auditorium when the bell rings for first class? There is a special presentation today."

Lance and I got up as the bell rang, and we headed to the auditorium.

Kayce

I watched the students hurry inside, as the bell was about to ring. Even though my eyes were pitch-black, no one paid me any attention. To them, I was just another student. I smiled and rested a finger on my lips as I surveyed the area. I was in their uniform, so people would only barely see me.

A teacher, however, came to me as I leaned against the wall. "You there!" he called. "Why aren't you heading inside?"

I smiled. "Sorry sir, but there's a change in plans."

"What do you mean?" he snapped.

I placed my hand on his chest and incinerated him, giving him no chance to scream. When his charred body hit the ground, I was moving towards the entrance. No one saw, which helped my plans.

Get ready, Joan, I thought as I walked through the doors of the school just when the bell rang. You're about to become nothing.

Joan

Lance and I sat beside each other in the auditorium, with Gwen and her gaggle sitting about two seats above us. I felt like the light of my red hair was a beacon to tell them where I was exactly. Which it probably did; their glares to the back of my head started to make me feel like Swiss cheese.

The principal made his way onto the stage, his tie seeming a bit too tight as his face was red. Oh wait, it's "headmaster", not principal. Silly me. I've already been corrected once.

The principal came up to the podium in the centre of the stage and cleared his throat. "As you all know," he began, "New Marias is in a state of turmoil. The Militia and the Rebels are at it again, and having those super-freaks running around doesn't help."

I gripped my armrest so tightly my knuckles turned white. Lance noticed and subtly pried my hand from it.

"The New Marias Academy for the Gifted has, luckily, been untouched, and we've been able to continue schooling all of your children."

I heard a groan in the crowd. So, it wasn't just me that was upset that school continued. The principal pulled on his collar a bit. Does he have a fever? I wondered.

"And… in light of all of the things that have happened, I wanted to—."

The principal was cut short as he suddenly burst into flames. Everyone screamed in horror as he fell off of the stage and at the feet of a few students, groping for them as if to plead for help or mercy. When he finally stopped moving, the screaming continued. I realized then that it wasn't just flames that covered the principal.

They were black.

Lance noticed too. I saw him slip a gun out of each of his pockets, and the magazine turned to flame.

Kayce strolled casually onto the stage, in the school's uniform. A few people muttered "Joan", but that was quickly rectified once they looked back and saw me. I was sure they could tell the difference in-between us, since Kayce had black hair and eyes, and she was wearing a skirt.

People started to get out of their seats and ran to the doors, but upon opening them they met Militia troops. They were forced back into their seats; some people crying while others were shaking with fear.

Kayce smiled at every one of them as she got to the podium. "Hello, students," she said into the microphone. "Having a nice day?"