A strong-looking young man, Avery Fisher ran down the street. He was fast, and he needed to be. Two police officers were chasing him, each holding a nightstick and a grudge.

Avery took a turn down an alley, and duck down behind a trash can. The police ran right past him, and took the next turn, the only way out of that particular alley. Avery waited a moment as he caught his breath. He listened, but didn't hear anything. He stood up and turned back towards the way he had come.

But he was startled to see a man in a red suit standing there with his arms crossed.

"Avery. Why are they chasing you this time?"

Avery was surprised, but he recovered quickly. "I dunno. Ask them."

He tried to push his way past the man, but found that he couldn't. He turned to walk the other way when he was stopped by the voice again.

"Avery. Why don't you give this up and come with me?"

Avery faced the man again. "Come with you where?"

"To The Academy. A school where you can develop your powers and meet more people just like you."

Avery was about to answer, but suddenly h heard the police running back towards him. He just nodded and followed the man as they both ran towards the car parked at the entrance to the alley.

"So, I've never heard of this academy place. Where is it? Downtown?"

The man laughed. "It's in Pennsylvania." He started the car and began driving towards the airport.

On the way, they talked about what would happen when they reached The Academy. Avery found it suited him better than running from the police for skipping school and going out to a bar.

It was a Wednesday, and the airport wasn't very busy. They went right in to the private helicopter and flew back to the Academy, talking all the way. When they reached the Academy, the man showed Avery to his fifth-floor room.

As the door closed behind Avery, the man grinned and walked down four flights of stairs. He sat down for a piece of celebration cheesecake, with just a little wine. Then he went up to the third floor and his bedroom, and had the best night'' sleep he had gotten since he began his searching on Saturday.