2025-09-28 13:21:36
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Episode Three-Part IX: Detention
Jade rested her violin on her shoulder, the bow gliding gently across the strings. A tender melody filled the room — deep, stirring, almost as if the earth itself could move to its rhythm. Her eyes remained closed, body swaying slowly in time with the sound."For how long are you going to stare at me like that?" she asked, smiling. "Delia."Silence."Well... you should know I don't stare at people," Delia finally replied."Yeah... but you ghost more." Jade lowered her violin, setting it aside. "You talk less, share less... and above all—"Silence again."You're always blank," Jade said softly. "I’ve gotten used to it.""It’s... best not to talk much about me," Delia murmured."Not a problem," Jade said with a smile, though her eyes lingered with quiet concern.She slipped her violin back into its case and slung the bag over her shoulder. She had known Delia for a while now, but no matter how hard she tried, Delia never opened up. Every attempt to break through her walls ended in the s
Episode Three-Part VII: Guilt
“Good,” Ms. Wade said, her voice slicing through the chatter. “And bad.”She raised her arms, and silence rippled across the classroom. “Those in favor of yes, hands up.”Seven hands went up.“And those for no?” she continued, her smile almost too calm.The rest of the class lifted theirs.“Then the no’s have it.” Her laughter was brief, almost playful—until her expression flattened. “Unfortunately, that was the last fun part of today. The principal found out what you fellas did… and he’s not happy.”Groans filled the room.“Then what’s the good news?” Lyn asked cautiously.Ms. Wade’s grin returned, but it didn’t feel reassuring. “The principal decided to punish the entire class. You’ll all be working at the National Museum Park.”For a moment, the class was frozen—then chaos erupted.“WHAAAAAT?!” voices roared in unison.Days later, Neil sat beneath the oak tree near the garden, watching students laugh and play under the soft afternoon light. The breeze was gentle, carrying faint lau
Episode Three-Part VII: Reunion.
Ms. Wade walked toward Neil’s bed and sat beside him, holding a file in her arms. Neil tried to sit up, but his body protested. “It’s not advisable to do that, boy,” Ms. Wade said, pressing a finger against his chest and gently pushing him back down. “Ms. Wade, I—” Neil stammered. “Shhhh.” She smiled warmly. “Everything’s okay now, so don’t worry.” Neil relaxed a little. “I’m just glad you kids came back safe,” she added softly. “What can I say... we got lucky.” Neil exhaled. “The only thing that scares me now is the punishment waiting for me and the crew.” Ms. Wade laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes. Neil smiled faintly, feeling some of the tension leave his chest. She flipped open the file, running her finger down the page. “You haven’t been eating well,” she said. “Your powers burn through calories faster than normal. Our abilities may be gifts, but they drain the body just as quickly.” Neil groaned. “My greatest fear is coming true—becoming a foodie.” Ms.
Episode Three-Part VI: Recovery
Neil opened his eyes slowly, staring up at a white ceiling. His body felt lighter, his breathing steady. The soft pillow beneath his head and the gentle mattress under him almost made him believe he was home. But when his blurry vision cleared, the truth set in—he was in the school infirmary.“Good, you’re awake,” Dr. Midori said, approaching with her usual calm smile. “Let’s check your vitals for a final estimation.”Neil blinked in confusion. "A hospital… great."He tried to stay calm as the doctor began her routine—touching his forehead, checking his neck and wrist, then flashing a blinding medical torch into his eyes.“Your vitals are fine,” she said finally. “But you’ll need to stay here for a few days to recover fully.”“Uh… excuse me,” Neil said weakly.“Yes?”“How did I get here?”“Your friends brought you in,” she replied. “You collapsed from exhaustion. You pushed past your limits, even when your body had already given up.”“I’m back at school already,” he muttered, lying ba
Episode Three-Part V: Journey Home
Neil sat by the window of the bus, enjoying the view as they zoomed past buildings, cars, and landscapes. His eyes drifted toward Delia. He adjusted his head to meet her gaze—only to realize she wasn’t staring at him. She seemed to be looking beyond him, at something or someone he couldn’t see. Her eyes caught his attention—those hollowed, emotionless eyes. All he could see was emptiness. He wondered what might have happened to her—what could strip a person of every human emotion as if they were taken at birth. And her icy-blue eyes… they seemed to hold a message. A message he once had in his own eyes—anger and loneliness. “For how long are you going to keep staring?” Delia whispered. “Huh?” Neil gasped. “You’ve been staring too long,” Delia replied, turning slightly toward him. “That’s why I asked.” “Umm… well…” Neil babbled. “I wanted to say thanks for coming—you know, saving our asses b
Episode Three-Part IV: The Frost Witness
Earlier that afternoon, Delia had gone out for a walk—alone, as usual. She often strolled down quiet alleys, watching people live freely, laugh easily, love openly. She had never known what that felt like. Happiness, sadness, anger—none of it existed in her world. Her emotions had always been still water, her mind pure logic.Except for one anomaly that never made sense to her—Neil and Sandy.She raised her head that afternoon and saw them by the flower shop with Rory, Clint, and Ned. A strange group, she thought. A curious combination of temperaments. She was about to walk past when a van sped down the road. Seconds later, the boys were chasing after it.“Not my problem,” she muttered.She turned to leave—but the crash that followed made her stop. Her eyes lifted, scanning the damage, the trails of smoke and flares licking the skyline. “They’re fighting,” she realized.“Not my problem,” she said again, though her feet betrayed her, guidi
