The inquisitor
"Watch where you are going junk-ass" Isaac bellowed.
"Am sorry" Matt apologized and walked to his seat without looking back at Isaac or his bunch of friends. He carried a tray, bearing his breakfast of bread and coffee. He was sure Isaac had bumped him on purpose but the thought of Jeff and Ema, and the occasional quake of the earth clouded his memory. Ever since they returned that night, things had been way far from normal. No one could explain what was going on; even the principal himself seemed confuse, and the always smiling Mrs. April, now wears uncertain looks and was always looking over her shoulders, as though she was haunted by Anubis himself.
It was four days now, yet Jeff and Ema had not returned. The school hadn't noticed their absence but Matt wondered how long it would take for the authority to find out. Raz and Leonard, and a doctor Matt suspects might be working for Zone-3, had lied that Jeff and Ema were assigned special duty in the school clinic. It was not a huge lie and if not for the current state of things, the principal would have insisted on going to see them himself. But right now the principal seemed too distracted to pay attention to the students. He was always making calls, listening to the BCS - broadcasting system - or gazing at the television screen in his office, to make sure that the government had everything under control.
"What's his problem" Pinna asked Matt who sat down on one of the chair of the round table, with a frown on his face.
"Nothing to worry about" He said and took a bite from the bread. The coffee was hot, so he didn't touch it. Matt observed their table, Raz, Ham, Pinna and Leonard were there, but his blond hair stood on his head when his eyes rested on Sandra.
The cafeteria was nosy and the morning air was filled with the aroma of beef, baked bread, spiced vegetables and other things. It was filled with all the students in the academy, both the higher grades and the lower. The curious air was flaunting somewhere, but the student seemed to be having good time. Both the aroma and the noise seemed too faint, as Matt was lost in the difference he noticed in Sandra's appearance.
Matt, sitting directly opposite to Sandra, inhaled the adorable vanilla fragrant she wore. Her dark hair was plaited to a braid and her training jumpsuit, streamlined her torso making her features ageless. Her face, fairly dark and lovely; revealed smooth skin like the fur of a day old chick. The girl wasn't wearing any make-up; her beauty was natural, a gift from the creator himself.
Matt forced himself not to stare. Was this not the same girl he had reprimanded since time immemorial? She was so different now, neat and beautiful, nothing to show the toughness he was used to. Even looking at her now he could hardly believe who she was. Maybe because he hadn't seen her this calm, without giving orders or living the life of Mrs. Jessica April.
Matt sipped from his cup. From the corner of his eyes he was looking at Sandra who was smiling to herself. Her brown eye was studying the crowd. Nobody in their table knew or they pretended not to know what she was looking at, but with close observations, it appeared as though she was observing something or someone. 'Probably her boyfriend' Matt thought with a little ping of jealousy.
"It's a good thing to have you here Matt, because we have a big fish to fry" Raz said.
"Where is it" Matt jerked, leaping up from his seat, but relaxed with embarrassment when he understood what the older boy meant. Too late for him though, his stomach rumbled loudly and Pinna and Ham burst with laughter.
Matt sat down, and his gaze went back to the food he was eating. He was so embarrassed that he never touched the food or lifted his eyes to look at Sandra, afraid that she too might be laughing at him.
"General Zack storms the City Candanian" Leonard said frowning and leaning closer, with his arms folded and resting on the rim of the table. He was the only one who had finished his breakfast. The laughter ceased and Ham's brow tightened with uncertainty when he heard the name of his home town.
"What does that mean, it's not like he could mind-control everybody there" Ham said. His blue eyes flickered with the morning light as it passes from one person to the next and later rested on Leonard.
"Worse than that, he kills or imprisons anyone who would not accept the Happy-Tech." It was Raz who responded in a whispering tone.
Ham let out a heavy sigh like that of a craft man. The bread in his mouth suddenly turned sore with his melting appetite. He raked his dark hair with frustration, resisting the urge of slamming the table with his fist. He was more handsome when he is not wearing one of those dyes.
"Your family is in Zapper city; all hope is not lost. At least they are safe" Pinna assuaged, with a soft pat on his muscular back.
"Is he some kind of God that everybody bows to?" Ham asked with anger "how could he be allowed to take the volition of people?"
"Keep your voice down, we are trying to oppose him Ham, to stop him. All this would have been meaningless if that was not the sole aim of Zone-3." Raz whispered. The cafeteria was becoming nosier as the student were now chatting away their time. Initially, they were supposed to be in class by now, but nothing seems normal these days.