Chapter Twenty Five

"A MURDERER!"

Jade POV.

I had told everyone would be coming back soon when I'd bumped into them in town but, to be honest, I'd just found myself a girlfriend and wasn't ready to leave her yet. I told her I was leaving today and she accepted it in her usual quiet way and was looking forward to moving into beacon at the end of the term. I still wondered if the school were still affected but I wasn't too bothered about that type of thing.

I bid my goodbyes and shoving my tail into my hoodie I pulled up the hood, slumped my posture and made my way back. It was a long walk but I was ready to face the wall of trouble that was sure to hit me I the face when I returned.

Ironwood POV.

"YOU DID WHAT?"

"Let me remind you, once again, that I did nothing. It is not my fault that Jade committed suicide. She was very quiet and kept herself to herself save the odd sarcastic remark- how was I to know the extent of her self-loathing and depression? Tell me that Ironwood!"

"It isn't your fault I'm sorry it's just… I can't bear the thought of a child…" He swallowed the lump in his throat. "D-dying… When I lost Penny I only realised then how much I had really lost, how much she meant her… There were so many times I could have said I love you…" He broke down.

"I'm sorry James… I know it must be hard. Hasn't one of your students also gone missing?"

"Yes, the one who was going to move to this school. Her name's Catherine." He took a deep breath and composed himself.

"James, let's not talk about this now. How is the rebuilding of Penny going?"

"Very well, her memory chip and soul weren't damaged in the… incident. So all we are doing now is putting together her features and body again. I was thinking of changing the colour of her clothes… I have to wait two more months until I see her again Oz, I'm scared that she won't be the same child that died on that battlefield…"

"I'm sure she'll be just fine James. Don't worry about it too much-"

The elevator doors slid open and a familiar face smiled and the young blue haired teen entered my office.

Ironwood POV.

I stood and then marched over to the girl.

"HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO THE REPUTATION OF THIS FINE SCHOOL! HOW DARE YOU MAKE A RIDICULE OF YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU! YOU WILL SIT DOWN ON THE FLOOR WHEN ADULTS TALK TO YOU!"

"Ironwood, please!" Ospin exclaimed. "These are my students and I will discipline them in ways that I see fit. You have a school for huntresses and hunters who want to join the forces of remnant- the army- and I have mine for solely professional hunters and huntresses. Your extreme behaviour and discipline is way over board and it's no wonder you have no new recruits for next year!

I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment, had I really been that uncontrollable that Ospin had to discipline me?! Was I always like this to Penny! I inhaled deeply and fought the urge to smoke. The packet in my pocket taunting me, my will power dwindling.

Jade POV.

"I'm so sorry sir, it's just that my girlfriend from atlas had told me the good news that she was finally getting out of that hell hole and into a new school, this school, and we wanted to see each other so badly. Sir, if I am to be expelled then I don't blame you for doing this, I give you my sincerest apologies for being so selfish." I panted, my brain still trying to process the speech I had just narrated. I never realised I had it in me!

"Jade, you will not be expelled. You will, however get the cleaning duties of the outside grounds, cafeteria and will serve food there on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays." He paused and sipped away at his coffee. "Ironwood please leave us." He watched the man leave and then closed his eyes and sighed. "Look Jade, I don't know how on earth you pulled this sick and twisted trick off but it worked and fooled us all. You are to prepare an apologetic speech to the school and how you never intended for it to have the dramatic effect that it did create. It was horrible Jade- I have never felt so guilty in my life!"

"Sir? You felt guilty?"

"Yes Jade, I did. My son almost managed to commit suicide the other day. He was going to take an over dose. If I had caught him any later than I did my son would be dead. You see, the fact I had no idea of how much hate he felt toward himself or the severe depression he was suffering made me feel like a bad parent. In comparison to my role at home I am also, in a way, a parent." He took his glasses off and looked me in the eye. "My job is to protect people, whether it be my school, my son or Vale, wherever I am I am protecting people and the fact that I thought I hadn't protected you well enough made me feel sick to my stomach."

I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. "Sir?"

"Yes Jade."

"Your son… What's his name?"

"Ethan, why?"

"Oh my god!" I gasped. My hand flew to my mouth and huge sobs erupted from my slim body. I was shaking. "Oh shit, shit, shit!"

"Jade? Jade what's the matter?!" Ospin stood up suddenly, concern flashing in his eyes.

"Leave me alone! Don't touch me!" I screamed at him my hands curling into fists. "YOU'RE A MONSTER! YOUR SON'S A MONSTER! GET AWAY FROM ME! FUCK OFF!"

"JADE!" He gripped my arm and I began thrashing against his grasp. "What did my son do?"

"Your sons a murderer! A MURDERER!" Then, all at once, guards marched in and dragged me away.