Chapter 3- First Class

It was finally time for Phoebe's, and everyone else's, first day at the Differently Biotic Work Program Accreditation. It was worked out that one certain days, they would all get picked up from a bus at the school, and then at the end of the day, be driven back to the school. Phoebe was excited, though it would never show. There were only thirteen names signed up for the Hunter Foundation's Differently Biotic Work Program Accreditation (D.B.W.P.A.). Her name was under Danny's, and above his was Tommy's. Margi, Adam, and Karen (another zombie) had their names on there too. Colette's name was also signed up.

Phoebe knew that she would have to speak to Colette sometime, but it was still hard. She thinks that Margi is still mourning- in her own way. The three of them were the Weird Sisters, but then it was minus one. Margi still refused to acknowledge Colette. Phoebe thinks that Margi just wasn't really ready to accept that not only did Colette die- but she's back. Phoebe wished that they could all hang out again, that everything could be normal again.

Phoebe walked with her head down, and it was this that brought her to Pete. He grabbed her.

"Watch out, Scarypants."

Phoebe felt her face get red with embarrassment and anger. Pete had her up against the wall by holding her wrists, but he still had one hand free.

"Everyone who signed up for that program is going to regret it."

Pete narrowed his eyes and Phoebe felt small.
"Let…her go."

Pete turned. Phoebe blinked. It was Danny. Normally, zombies didn't show emotion. They weren't able to. Yet, somehow Phoebe (and Pete) could see the anger and threat in his slightly narrowed blue eyes. He walked over stiffly. Pete didn't budge.

"Or what," he mocked.

Danny didn't take the bait. He looked right in the eyes of Pete. Phoebe could tell that Pete was getting unnerved.

"Let her go…or I will make you…Do not threaten my friends…"

Pete felt a tad overwhelmed, but it didn't show. Danny stood his ground. When Pete didn't move, Danny slowly and stiffly raised his hand. Phoebe thought he was going hit Pete. Danny surprised them both. He grabbed Pete's hand and Pete flinched in pain. Pete let her go, and Phoebe slowly moved out of the way.

"Thanks Danny."

He let Pete go. Pete glared, then left. Danny looked over at Phoebe.

"No problem."

Danny stiffly walked, and Phoebe watched him leave. If it wasn't for that hair, she thought, he could pass for a normal guy. Still, even the hair could be bleached. That thought among others led Phoebe to think, what else was there to the mystery of Danny Aetas?

Danny:

Danny didn't quite know why he did what he did. He just needed to teach Pete his place that just because someone was different didn't make them any less of a person. Perhaps, Danny reasoned, he was just tired of playing the weak guy. Here, he didn't have to hold back. Well, he did a bit. He couldn't talk entirely normal- even if he was able to. He couldn't run or walk correctly- that would be suspicious. He just does what is needed and people draw their own conclusions. He never said he was a zombie. Technically, he was differently biotic.

Either way, Danny needed to hurry. Well, hurry as fast as a ghost pretending to be a zombie could anyhow. The bus leaving for the program would be leaving soon.

When Danny got there, he was surprised that there was only a few people. Some were differently biotic, some weren't. He spotted Tommy, Adam, Phoebe, Margi, Karen, Colette, and he knew that there was one more person named Thornton that most likely didn't show up yet.
"Sign your name of the dotted line, please," the principal stated.

Danny slowly signed his name in chicken scratch. The principal nodded. Then, Thornton arrived, giving everyone a high five- even the zombies. Though, most of them were unable to do it- it was a nice gesture.

Thornton was the last to arrive. Everyone got on the bus. Tommy and Danny sat together in the back with Karen in front of them. Colette was brave enough for a front seat. On the seats near Danny, sat Margi and Phoebe with Adam in front of them.

Danny wasn't exactly thrilled at the long ride to the center. He didn't like it at all, really.

"Danny," Karen asked during the ride, "Where….are you from?"
Time seemed to stop, as everyone turned to look at him. They were all curious. He knew that.

"….far away," he answered vaguely.

Danny was thankful that it wasn't as long as a trip he thought as they exited and entered the center. Alish was there waiting for them. She led them into the center and soon began,
"I am so glad to have you all here! Now, to begin, first, why don't we introduce ourselves and something we like to do. I will begin, I'm Alish Hunter, and I like acting like a mad scientist with all my experiments."
One by one each person stood up. Thornton liked football- big surprise, not. Karen liked to paint. Colette liked the woods. Adam liked karate. Kevin (another zombie) liked chess. Tommy and Phoebe liked to write. Talbot (another zombie) liked science fiction. Tayshawn (zombie) liked movies. Soon, it was Danny's turn.
"Danny….I like the paranormal."

Alish laughed,
"Like zombies?"
Danny almost seemed to smirk,

"No…like ghosts."
Alish covered her laugh into a cough,
"Okay…well then, I have folders for everyone here about the project since we are about out of time."

Everyone picked up their folder and then headed back to the bus quickly. Danny sat beside Tommy.

"So, when is….haunted house…" Danny asked.

Tommy understood,
"Soon….moved to….Friday night."
Danny nodded,
"Okay…"