Now Landon thinks they're all wierdos trying to kill him. First the BB, then Cam, now both Leesh and Chris. Poor guy. remember, Principal Burns is still trying to surpress his abilities as well, and the other members of staff are helping him. But don't worry, Landon's gonna make it through. I'll personally make sure of that.

BTW, I posted the links for the character's pictures on my profile. They're all on flickr. And if the links don't work, search ThaliaCastellan and you'll find them.

Alicia and Chris approached Landon from the opposite sides of the field. They smiled at each other.

I know what to do. Just follow through with the plan, and hopefully, we'll get the truth out of him.

Go, Leesh. Distract him. I'll take him from the back.

Alicia walked over to Landon, who barely glanced her way. He was paying attention to Chris, whose fierce expression did'nt change.

'Um, Landon. I, uh, just wanted to say sorry, for, like, you know, the faceoff on Friday. I did'nt mean to-'

Yeah, actually, I totally did.

Chris took that chance to run past Landon, just close enough for their abilities to repel. The invisible bubble blossomed out and knocked Alicia off her feet.

And there goes our brilliant plan.

'Hey, Landon.'

Chris ran full tilt at him, trying to sneak an attack, but Landon was faster. He darted out of the way, heading straight for the forest bordering the school grounds, with Chris running wildly after him, trying not to lose sight of him as he ducked and weaved between the branches expertly, like he'd been practising all his life. Then, suddenly, no more footsteps sounded and the wind around him died. Chris knew that Landon was hiding somewhere close by, waiting for the right chance to strike.

Light footsteps sounded in the opposite direction, and Chris braced himself, ready to duck or punch, whichever came first.

The footsteps stopped. There was a brief scuffle and then a shout - not Landon's, but a girl's. Alicia.

Chris ran towards the noise, but forgot and slammed into the safety bubble, in which Alicia was trying to catch Landon. He was quicker, more sure on his feet than her, and she was so angry that her only focus was to catch Landon. She tripped over a fallen branch and fell face-first onto the ground. Landon ran over to her and grabbed her arms, pinning them roughly behind her back.

'What do you want?' his voice was cold, every word short and curt.

Alicia struggled violently, shaking her head.

'Hey, dude. Let her go.' Chris' voice shook the slightest bit, not from fear, but anger.

'Not until you tell me what's going on.'

His temper flared abruptly.

'No. YOU tell us why you're here. What you're doing. You know what we want to know.'

'You know, since I've gotten here, everyone's asked me the same question. It's getting quite annoying, you know. If I won't tell the Principal, I won't tell you.'

'Fuck this.' snarled Alicia.

She reached out and slapped Landon on his cheek so hard that a patch of red stained his cheek. He held her down firmly, his expression still cold, but his eyes smouldering with hate.

'Chris, I don't want to have to hurt either of you, so please take Alicia away.' His grey eyes were cold and forbidding and his expression darker and more dangerous.

'Fine,' spat Chris, lifting Alicia off the ground as Landon turned and left.

'We'll be back...' he called to Landon, but he'd disappeared already.

Claire sat quietly in her room, looking out the window. Somehow the thought of her new friends attacking Landon did'nt appeal too much to her. She knew he was dangerous, but could a person who had saved her from a severe injury (or maybe even worse) really be so bad? And had'nt he said something to her?

'When he attacked - it reminded me of something I experienced. Let's just say it was'nt very pleasant. I just felt...protective of you, because I knew I had the power to stop it.'

Something that he'd experienced. An awful memory. Claire suddenly felt herself feeling sorry for the boy who'd saved her.

If only he'd been more open when he had come...with his formidable ability and cold, tough exterior, it was no wonder everyone thought he was a danger.

Claire propped her arm on the windowsill, resting her chin on it. The night seemed to be lit with a subtle glow, illuminated by the moonlight. Somehow she felt the presence of something good and true, as if there was someone out there, rooting for her, acting as her safety net. She knew that Landon was not all bad. If only she could talk to him...

The crack of the door broke into her thoughts. She nearly fell off her bed in fright, but Alicia poked her head in and gave her a wan smile. Her face was half sheepish, half angry, like she was admiring and hating someone at the same time. Claire was sure she had a pretty good guess as to who it was.

'Um, Claire...there's something I want to talk to you about...'

Claire nodded.

'I'd love to, Leesh, but I have a feeling...I need to go somewhere. I need to talk to him, and maybe - maybe finally, we'll get an answer to everything...'

Alicia's expression turned livid abruptly.

'What makes you think he'll tell you?'

Claire shook her head.

'I don't know. But I've got to try, right? I'm going now, Leesh. Wish me luck...'

And with that, she pushed past Alicia and ran into the frosty night, with a mission that could make or break them.

;( Don't worry, Landon. Everythings gonna be okay.

Haha. Review?