Chapter 2

The Bus Ride

The school bus ride to LexCorp Plaza was an hour long. But the energy of the 8th graders was still high. They were mostly talking with each other about all kinds different of topics. The jock heads were talking about football, the geeks were talking about World of Warcraft, or some other rpg, the goths were talking about Type O Negative's concert last Saturday night and what a hotty Peter Steele was. Simon was in the middle section, kind of in between the geeks and the goths, but conversing with neither. He was sitting next to the window staring out. The boy next to him, who always seemed to follow Simon around, was Jeremy. He was like Simon in that he didn't really belong to any of the cliques. He was kinda geeky with all his talk about games, psp titles and so forth, but he dressed like he was from a family who did pretty well for themselves. Jeremy was generally quiet unless spoken too.

Simon sighed looking around. He felt so out of place. He glanced at Jeremy who was just staring off into space; he figured Jeremy must feel the same way so he decided to talk with him.

"Jeremy, did you get that new psp game you were wanting?" Simon asked.

Jeremy looked over at Simon. "Nah, my parents wouldn't buy it for me, they said I have enough games." He frowned.

"You have more games than Toys R Us." Simon laughed.

Jeremy smiled. "I don't have that many."

Simon shook his head and looked back outside. They were finally exiting off of the highway and nearing LexCorp.

"So uhm, Simon, you want to come over after school and play Halo on my xbox?" Jeremy asked.

Simon shrugged and then turned to Jeremy. "I need to get a job. Know where I can get one?"

"A job? I don't think that's legal until you're fifteen or sixteen."

"I have to find something that pays." Simon said looking back out the window.

"So you want to?" Jeremy asked again.

"Want to what?" Simon asked looking back at Jeremy.

"Come over after school."

"Sure. Can I eat over at your place tonight?"

"Yeah, my mom likes you." Jeremy smiled.

"Cool." Simon said as he watched the sky scrapers go by outside the opposite windows.

I'll finally get a decent meal.

Jeremy stared at Simon for a moment through his thin glasses. Simon glanced down at Jeremy.

"What are you thinking about, Jeremy?" Simon asked pressing his thoughts against Jeremy's mind.

Jeremy's eyes widened. "What?" He said quietly.

"Let me see through your mind's eye Jeremy..." Simon closed his eyes and he became focused on Jeremy's mind.

Jeremy's head tilted as Simon pushed his way in. His eyes squinted as Simon's thoughts flowed deep into Jeremy's brain. There were images of video games, a bag of cheetoes in his lap, star wars movies, a bedroom door, Jeremy was fighting outside the middle school, conversations with teachers.

Jeremy whimpered. Blood was beginning to run out of his left nostril. Simon didn't notice as he was too far into Jeremy's head.

Mom and dad at the kitchen table, they are saying something about the fighting, Jeremy is talking back, and his dad puts him over the kitchen table and spanks him. Jeremy is crying.

The lights are out in his bedroom, moonlight shining in through the window, he's squeezing a pillow in his hands, he's crying again.

"Get out!" Jeremy screamed holding his head as he turned away trembling. "Get out!"

Simon stopped, and stared at Jeremy, shocked at what he had just seen. His own eyes were reddened and he was sweating. Everyone was staring now. Mr. Daniels, the school coach, came over to them. "What's going on over hear?" He asked in a firm voice.

Simon looked up at Mr. Daniels. "N-nothing."

Mr. Daniels gave Simon skeptical look. "Well Jeremy? Are you alright?"

Jeremy kept his face hidden behind the seat and covered with both his hands. He nodded with a sniffle.

Mr. Daniels arched his brow and glared at Simon. "I wouldn't advise you bullying others around, it will get your butt in trouble."

"Yes sir." Simon said as he looked down.

The bus driver got on the mic and spoke, "Alright everyone, we have arrived at LexCorp Plaza, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Metropolis. Have fun and remember, stay together, and behave yourselves." There was a cheer around the bus as it was pulling to park in a huge parking lot.

Mr. Daniels walked away towards the front of the bus. Simon looked back up at Jeremy who was wiping at his eyes.

"I'm sorry Jeremy." Simon said softly.

Jeremy didn't say anything. He just scooted towards the edge of the seat and got up when everyone began to pile out. Simon sat there a minute after everyone had left thinking about what he had just seen.

How many times have I been able to do that now? Just a few…but that was some of the clearest images I've seen. Poor Jeremy, no wonder he stays quiet.

"Simon Camden, let's go!" The coach yelled standing at the first step inside the bus. Simon jumped and got up. As he left the bus he saw that the other kids were already grouped together like a heard of heifers. Mr. Daniels followed Simon. They soon caught up to the group who were gathered at the door.

"Alright everyone, calm down and stay together!" The coach roared.

Simon hung at the back of the group. He saw Jeremy near the middle of everyone but he didn't want to approach the kid after what he just did to him. Simon wanted to apologize, but this wasn't the time, or the place.

An employee, who announced herself as 'Jenna', came out to greet all the kids. Her hair was red, like a burning fire, and her skin was a creamy white color.

"Alright everyone, come inside and we will start the tour." Jenna said ushering all of the kids in.