Act I : XI

Eden Prime Colony, seventeen years ago

Slade Jordan was standing in the middle of the playground, surrounded by a large group of kids that all mirrored the exact expression of shocked disbelief that he had on his face. Most of the group had seen exactly what had transpired, while the others had joined the circle around Slade attempting to find out what happened. Slade almost did not believe it himself, and he had done it. The monkey bars that had once stood in the middle of the larger sandpit now lay in the sand: a mangled piece of indistinguishable, warped scrap metal. Slade had mauled it beyond repair without so much as touching it, but he had absolutely no idea how.

It was a normal, boring Tuesday - it was supposed to be, until now - and Tuesday was dodgeball day for Slade and his friends. Slade was using the monkey bars as cover from incoming rubber balls when he realized Jarrod had thrown a good one, and it would not be subdued by the metal he had chosen to hide behind. Without thinking, Slade closed his eyes while throwing his arms out in front of his face instinctively to shield his nose, which he had gotten bloody on previous occasions and did not wish to experience the sensation again. He had felt a warm pulse surge through his arms and simply assumed the incoming missile had bounced off them; but when he opened his eyes, the monkey bars that had once offered him protection now lay broken in front of him. Slade did not have a clue what happened, but somehow knew without a doubt that he had accomplished this feat. Apparently, everyone else standing around him seemed to agree with that conclusion. One boy - Ethan - finally decided to step forward and break the silence.

"Slade, how did you do that?" he asked. Slade just stared over in Ethan's direction and said nothing. He had no idea what to say and was too shocked to even attempt formulating a response. Ethan opened his mouth again but before he could start voicing his thoughts, Mrs Dell - the sixth grade teacher - had made her way over and interrupted the trance all the kids seemed to be in. She took one look at the ruined heap of metal and immediately ordered all the kids to go back to their classrooms. Recess had officially been ended early. Kids on the other ends of the playground who had somehow missed what happened groaned and complained as they were corralled back to their classrooms. Nobody said a word to Slade as he made it back to his classroom, none of his classmates even looked at him either. Slade sat at his desk in silence and stared down at his feet, occasionally looking up to catch his friends staring at him before they quickly looked away. Ben was the only one who kept his gaze and instead of looking away, he gave Slade a soothing look which almost made him smile.

Thanks Ben. You've always got my back, even when you have no idea what's going on. You have no idea how much I needed that right now.

Slade was almost about to give Ben a smile when Miss Ryans walked into the classroom with the Principal. Miss Ryans was in her thirties and was quite skinny with a long elegant neck. She resembled a swan which Slade remembered seeing in a documentary about avian animals that lived back on Earth. She was not prone to anger but definitely did not have a lot of patience. Principal Steven was never known to be mean or strict. In fact, he was a warm, elderly man who radiated "grandpa" and you just could not be intimidated by him even if he looked like he wanted to murder you; but today was different. Although the principal looked like his warm usual self, Slade was terrified to see him because he knew he was the reason the principal decided to visit the class.

"Slade", Principal Steven started. "Please follow me. Don't worry you're not in trouble. I promise. Jarrod, Ben, Bradley and Dale. Would you also be so kind as to join us?" Slade could not help but tremble as he stood up in his chair, but the manner in which the principal addressed him was just so warm he really did not mind going along with the orders he was given. He heard the screech of other chairs being moved across the floor as his friends also stood up to follow the principal but the silence was broken by an accusing outburst. A boy named Richard had also stood up and raised his voice.

"Hey! It's not their fault!" Richard insisted. "It was all Slade! I saw it! The others shouldn't get in trouble just because Slade is a freak! He's the one you want! He's the freak here!" Slade winced at being called "freak". Was he a freak? If he had seen someone else bend metal without touching it, would he arrive at the same conclusion? Slade had never liked Richard. He had always bullied him and made his life difficult; almost to the point where he would dread coming to school. He had no idea what he did or did not do to get Richard to despise him so much, but today was the day Slade finally reciprocated his undeserved distaste. Slade now despised Richard as much as Richard despised him. "Freak". Slade would get him back for that one. Principal Steven just looked at Richard with a slightly less warm expression.

"Richard", he started. "Please do not ever call ANYONE that word ever again. Please take a seat. Now." It was not a request, and Richard quickly took the hint. He sat down and stared down at his feet. If Slade was not unsettled, he would have smirked; however this was unfortunately not the time to be smug. The group followed Principal Steven without a word but there was a tense atmosphere of anticipation around them as they walked: they all wanted to know exactly what was about to happen. They arrived at the principal's office and were beckoned to take a seat in the small waiting area. After sitting down Principal Steven knelt down in front of the boys.

"As I promised, none of you are in trouble", he said with his soft, calming voice. "But I do need to know exactly what happened. I will call each of you into the office one by one, starting with you, young Mr. Jarrod. The rest of you, please wait here quietly until you're called. If you need to go to the bathroom, just let Miss Travis know. She's just over there by the reception office." He then stood up and opened his office door, beckoning Jarrod to follow him. The door closed behind both of them and they sat in silence. The silence remained, even after Jarrod left the office and walked towards the main area of the offices. Dale and Bradley were called into the office in the exact same manner and also left for the reception area in complete silence. They did not even pause to look at Slade; it was as if they had stopped acknowledging his existence. Finally Ben was called in. He stood up and looked down at Slade.

"Don't worry, Slade", he whispered with a reassuring tone. "I don't know what the others said, but I'm not gonna snitch on you. I know you'd do the same for me. I'm not gonna get you in trouble. Hang in there buddy I'll be out before you know it." He turned around and entered the office before Slade could even begin with a "thank you".

I really don't deserve a best friend like that. I hope his loyalty to me doesn't end up getting him in trouble. I'd never forgive myself.

Slade sat in silence while his best friend was in the office and he could not help but brainstorm what could be happening.

What are they doing? What form of interrogation is going on in there? Would Ben tell the truth or does his loyalty extend to lying straight to the principal? What if they punish Ben for sticking up for me? I can't let him get in trouble just for being a good friend. I need to do something.

Slade wanted to stand up but before he could he heard the distinct clack of fine leather shoes walking on polished floor. In fact, he heard more than one set of footsteps and looked over to the main office area. Slade's father was walking towards the office door, followed closely by his mother. His mother instantly knelt down in front of him and pulled him into a warm hug. She always smelled like peaches and he loved her more than anything. Her light, fair skin always glowed when she smiled and beamed her piercing green eyes. Slade loved those eyes; after all, he had inherited them from her. His father was dark skinned and always looked serious; moreover, Slade did not ever catch him do more than smirk. He never seemed to smile and was always a visage of judgement, with his large, brown eyes constantly watching and observing without uttering a single word. He looked down at Slade with a cold stare, obviously expecting an explanation for being called to the school.

"What happened, son?" He asked. Before Slade could even attempt an answer, the principal's door opened and everyone looked over to see Ben briskly walk past towards the main office without looking at anyone.

Oh no.

Principal Steven had a very grim face as he beckoned Slade's parents into the office. Slade stood up to follow but was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Wait here", Slade's father ordered. Slade's mother followed him in without a word, leaving Slade alone in silence.