I dodge his attack by side stepping and await his next move. He charges at me and with the flick of my wrist he flies backward. This gets him angry and he goes to jump on my and I teleport behind him, giving him a push with my telekinesis. He stumbles trying to find his balance and whips around to jump on top of me and I topple backwards. He sits down on me, god he is heavy. I decide to give him a slight burn, not lighting flames, just a lot of heat. I grab his front legs and push heat into my hands, controlling the amount. He begins to feel the searing pain by the look on his face and see he whines and jumps off me in defeat. I stand up and Jason shifts back. I look to the crowd on the bleachers, their jaws on the floor. I see the principal and Jack begin walk up to me, but before they can reach me I hurry over to the injured Jason and help him up to take him to the school infirmary.
We walk in silence; I think Jason can sense I don't want to talk. I knock on the door then open it. The nurse from last night rushes over to us.
"Jeez girl, how many guys are you going to be bringing here beaten up?" she asks impressed.
"Um...I don't know, it depends on when they can beat me, I guess."
I hear Jason and the nurse laugh, but then Jason starts having a coughing fit.
"I think he may have cracked a rib when I threw him across the field, and he has some burn marks on both of his arms." I explain.
Jason looks at me shocked and impressed.
The nurse replies with, "I really hope you use this gift of yours in the future. You would truly be an amazing doctor."
Jason nods in agreement. I thank her as I help Jason lay down on the bed. She confirms my suspicions and says he should be fine by the morning. His wolf gene helps him heal at an accelerated rate.
"Come on Jason, I will walk you back to the house."
"Thank you, Kate, I really appreciate it."
We head out of the school to the direction of the boy's dorm house. We walk for about fifteen minutes before arriving, I am so glad the girl's house is only five minutes from the school. I help him to his room as he gives me directions. The whole way there he looked like he wants to ask a question. He sits on his bed.
"Whatever you want to ask go ahead." I tell him.
He is shocked at first then thinks of how to ask the question.
"So...um...did you...um..."
"Just spit it out Jason," I say impatiently.
"Was that you last night?"
I play dumb, "was that me doing what?"
"Did you take down that dark brown wolf the principal informed us about this morning? Everyone by now should know it was not Britany and you burned me similar to how that wolf was burned."
I sigh in defeat, "yeah, it was me. Please don't mention it to anyone, I really don't want all the attention on me."
"My lips are sealed; you have my word."
With that I nod gratefully and walk out of the room and out the front door where I am greeted by Luca.
"Kate, there you are. I figured if you weren't at the school, you would be here. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, keep an eye on Jason for me please. He should be fine by morning, but he needs rest."
"Okay."
I feel he is going to ask more about what happened, so I just say goodnight and walk off towards the girl's dorm. This time I am on alert, so I am no caught off guard like last time. I slowly walk through the forest, around the school and through the other side of the forest. As I am walking through the forest on the path that leads to the girl's house, I hear a rustle in the leaves, I continue walking listening carefully. Behind me a twig snaps and I whip around sending whoever or whatever it is flying backwards into a tree. I walk closer to who I sent backwards as I hear grunting noises. They stand up and I keep my hands up ready for an attack. Their hands shoot up above their head.
"Woah, woah. Don't shoot."
"Principal Grimm?" I ask.
"Yes, it is me."
"What the hell are you doing here scaring me half to death?"
"I wanted to talk to you about today on the field."
"So instead of waiting until morning, you decide to sneak up on me fully knowing what happened last night. This stunt would send anyone screaming and running for the hills."
"It would, but you didn't. You stayed to fight."
Damn it, I didn't mean to say that. Why didn't I just run?
"Listen I have to go; I'm meeting a friend and I am already late."
"Okay, I will see you in my office before class tomorrow."
I nod and walk off towards the house. I can feel his eyes burning holes into the back of my head. I am in trouble now.
I make it to the dorm and sitting on the front step is Daniel. I walk up to him.
"There you are, I was getting worried."
"Sorry Daniel, a kid got injured during power practice and I took him to the infirmary and then back to the boy's dorm. I assume you know what happened last night."
He nods.
"Well the principal followed me back from the boy's dorm and scared me half to death. I am pretty sure he knows it was me. The power practice teacher, Jack, does as well. What should I do? I tried very hard to not tell anyone it was me."
"I know, if you as the principal and Jack to not say anything to anyone else you should be okay. It is best if everyone thinks Britany beat the wolf."
We both try to keep a straight face, but we both break down laughing.
"I don't know how long people will believe that. You should have seen her this afternoon, she lost terribly against Jason."
"Oh, maybe the lie will be harder to keep."
"Yeah and the fact that I beat Jason in a similar way the wolf was beat," I mention under my breath.
"You did what?"
"It was not all my fault, I had to fight with him. Was I supposed to let him win?"
"No, it's okay, just make sure no one else finds out other than the principal, Jack, and Jason."
"How did y...'
"I know what I need to about you. When you came close, I knew what had happened today. Also, I think for now you should not tell Luca until I find out who he is. You can trust Jason; he may be able to help. Don't make people become suspicious of you please."
I nod.
"Now come one, let's go practice."
We walk into the backyard and into the forest. We continue to walk until we enter a very small clearing. Daniel starts with the other elements; I can control wind pretty easily because it isn't too different from telekinesis. We move onto earth. I focus on making vine sprout from the ground and tangle Daniel. I open my eyes to see Daniel's body completely covered in vines; he struggles to move. We walk a little farther into the forest until we come upon a small river. I remember how it felt when I got the water from the river at school to put out the fire and control on that feeling. I shoot some water into the air like a fountain and then let it fall. I make art in the air with the water as it swirls. I make the water take a portrait of Daniel's face; he chuckles. I let the water slowly make its way to the river once again.
"I think you got my nose wrong there Chara."
I use my power to splash water into his face.
"Hey! Sorry, it was very impressive. I was only kidding."
I laugh. We lay down by the river and just look up at the stars and the moon.
"Hey Daniel," I say not looking away from the sky.
"Yeah Chara?" he asks.
"Where have you been staying all this time, I mean you don't go to the school."
"I am staying at my brother's place, it is a ten minute drive from here give or take."
I nod in approval, "I should head back, I am getting pretty tired and I have a presentation tomorrow in first period."
"Okay, I will walk you back, my car is there anyway."
I nod and we take off toward the house. Once there we say our goodbyes and he drives off while I head up to bed. After getting ready I flop onto my soft, comfortable bed; exhausted.
I wake up early for once on my own. I have a quick shower and throw my hair into two Dutch braids. I put on ripped jeans and a light grey sweater crop top. I head downstairs and grab an apple from the fridge. I walk to school early remembering that I have to talk to the principal before class. As I make my way to the school, I eat my apple and finish it just before I arrive at the school. I throw the core into the forest for an animal to eat later on. I walk through the almost empty hallways of the school until I reach the door that reads Principal's Office. I knock and on the other side of the door a man's voice tells me to enter. I open the door and walk in closing it behind me. I walk over to the desk the principal is sitting at and he motions for me to take a seat in one of the two leather chairs sitting in front of the desk. I sit.
"Why did you want me here Principal Grimm?"
"We will talk in a bit, but first we must wait for Mr. Rodrigo."
Who? I ask myself. I then remember that Jack's last name is Rodrigo. We sit in silence for what seems like an eternity; however only a minute or two has passed. There is a knock at the door, and it squeaks open. In walks Jack and he sits in the chair next to mine.
"Okay, now that we can start, I have some questions for you Kate."
"Alright, ask away," I reply.
"How did you manage to take down Jason?" Principal Grimm questions.
"Practice and strategy. I have been working on my powers to strengthen them. This way I could be a match for Jason, he would have totally gotten me if it was not for my burning his arms."
"Okay, care to explain how the damages resulting on Jason are similar to the ones on the dark brown wolf from the woods?"
"Well Britany did say she was able to blow a flame onto the dark brown wolf to burn him badly, the extra and sudden increase in oxygen to the flame would help the flame grow. I guess Britany fights similar to how I fight."
"Now, you say that, but in class I have seen how much more strategic and careful you are with your every move. Britany just keeps striking with the same move in class. Very rarely will she try something different then a strong blow of wind."
"I guess with the adrenaline coursing through her veins, it helped her powers in time of need."
"Mmhm," hums Jack.
"Then answer this one last question for me," the principal says.
"Okay."
"Why won't you take the praise for defeating the wolf the other night?"
A shocked expression crosses my face; however, just as quickly as it came, it left.
"Why do you think I defeated him when there is a reasonable explanation for Britany to have done it?"
"Do you know what my power is Ms. Smith?" Jack asks me.
I shake my head.
"I can read minds."
Oh no, this is not good. Wait, did Daniel know this? Why wouldn't he tell me? Ah, too many questions that I cannot answer.
"So, you have been reading my mind all this time?"
"Actually no. For some reason I cannot read your mind which doesn't usually happen unless I try to read the mind of another mind reader."
"Weird, wonder why you can't read my mind then."
Jack just shrugs, "however I have been reading Britany's mind and I know for sure that she did not take down that wolf. I think you did because of your powers and how you fight. You could have easily taken down that wolf."
"Well, not that easily," I say almost in a whisper.
"What do you mean?" Principal Grimm asks.
I sign in defeat, "it was not that easy in the moment. I was caught off guard and was not prepared. I would be dead if I didn't set the wolf's arms on fire."
Silence. No one speaks.
"I have to admit, I am quite impressed, when your dad called to enroll you in the school, he said you didn't have much practice. However, here you are, one of the best fighters at the school including the teachers." Jack admits and the principal nods along agreeing.
My...dad? No that is not possible. No way was it my dad that signed me up. Daniel. He posed as my dad; you have got to be kidding me.
"I guess I am a fast learner." I respond.
"Yeah, I guess."
I don't like that tone; this tone means they don't truly believe me and that means they will dig for more information.
"Please don't tell anyone that Britany did not do it and that I did. No even the other teachers. Please," I beg.
"You have our word; we once say a thing." Jack responds along with a nod of Principal Grimm.
"I do ask though that if we have another crisis, you will come and help us. We still don't know what or who they want so, we have to stay on alert."
"I can do that. Let me know when you need me," I stand up, "now if you will excuse me, I am going to head to class now."
"We will talk soon Ms. Smith," the principal spits out as I reach the door.
Without turning around, I nod my head and walk towards the history classroom.