Finally, the teacher made her way into the room of unenthusiastic teens. She was in her early thirties and though the students' minds were elsewhere she did have a smile. When seeing her, Shaun knew right there and then what kind of person she was. It could best be described as someone with a hero complex, always trying to save those many would cast out as irredeemable.
This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but when looking at his classmates, he knew she was going to fight a losing battle.
"Hello everyone. Welcome to Clortho. Sadly I see some familiar faces", as she spoke her focus was on the lanky fellow who had attempted to sell Shaun his merchandise. He was obviously embarrassed but looked away as though it didn't bother him being singled out.
She once more continued, "My name is Ms. Sara Hope, you May call me Miss hope. And I 'hope' to make your first year an intriguing experience as we delve into the beautiful tale of the History and Evolution of the supergene".
She chuckled at her quick-witted dialogue but the class of teens only looked on as she heard crickets.
Cough! Cough! - "Tough crowd, let's see if I can garner your attention with something else", After speaking there was a flickering spark and red flames engulfed Miss Hope's right arm. Instantly she got everyone's attention.
"Can you do that again?" She heard one student from the back. When looking down it was one teen who sat by his lonesome but seemed the most excited by the flames. It was Shaun.
"I most certainly can, but you will have to come closer", She smiled while saying. How could Shaun not know what her intent was? But this was the first time he had ever seen someone use their powers. The others who came from the city might have seen it first hand but for him, it was a completely new experience.
He then made his way closer to the front of the class. "Well played", he uttered before taking his seat in anticipation of once more seeing her hand engulfed in flames. Ms. Hope knew by his comment he was quite the character, perhaps he was the one in the class she could get through to.
Once more flames engulfed her hands as Shaun and the others in the class eyes lit up. Fire was one of the most sought-after powers which caused Shaun to take another look at the young teacher. It then begs the question, with her abilities, why didn't she apply to a better institution than Clortho for a teaching job? Surely anything is better than here.
Once more Ms. Hope continued the lesson realizing she had caught the eyes of the now intrigued students. "Can anyone tell me when the first known case of the supergene and when it was recorded?" She looked through the twenty students and only one seemed like he had the answer.
"What's your name?" She turned to Shaun who didn't particularly like the attention he was getting. He cursed his previous eagerness when she combusted into flames. The stares he was getting told its own tale, what he did next would brand him for his Clortho tenure, the last thing he wanted to do was be a walking target.
"Shaun Sinclair", he responded. "Shaun, can you tell me when the first known case of the supergene occurred?"
Shaun then replied, "Miss, I have to be honest with you, I have no clue whatsoever. I was hoping my superpower was brains but now I highly doubt it. Up there is as hollow as an old tree stump". His response garnered some laughs from his fellow classmates but Miss Hope only sighed. Still, she didn't give up continuing with the lesson. She then went on to tell the tale that Shaun knew word for word.
It was 1963, two years after the Antion Virus was eradicated. In the streets of Rome A man by the name of Allegelo Ricco, a devout follower of the Church of divinity accidentally killed himself and twenty-five pedestrians when he froze everyone in a fifty-meter radius. This made the news worldwide, the reason being he didn't use a weapon of any kind. His core temperature had suddenly plummeted to an unimaginable degree causing the catastrophe.
With hostility between nations at the time, it was thought to be a calculated attack, but soon other cases began to occur all around the world. It was then that a strain of the supergene was discovered. Of course, the Church of Divinity took credit for the unlocking of the gene but distanced themselves from the murders saying it was due to the others' lack of faith why they died. Honestly, the tale changes based on the author of the story.
But all can agree that one incident forever changed the history of mankind. Ms. Hope went on in detail trying not to delve into the Church of Divinity aspects of the history. It was quite a taboo topic as the Church was very protective of their image. Still, she did a fantastic job as Shaun was truly immersed in her lesson, though he didn't participate. So much so that when it ended two hours later he was disappointed.
He had a few questions but decided he would do some research on his own to find the answers. Not being a target was still top of his agenda, at least until he was in complete control of everything around him. He then took up his phone to check the time and it was near noon. Three more hours and he would be $1000 richer.
He then texted Nick the location of the hand-off. A small restaurant within walking distance of the school. Yet he received no response, but there was no reason to panic. If there was one thing Shaun was serious about it was his money, if Nick didn't show he would get it one way or the other, especially knowing there was no Sheriff or the Major to protect him.
Still, the time ticked by with Shaun going to each of his classes but every time he checked his phone nothing changed. When classes finally ended Nick's corvette was nowhere in sight.
'He's trying to piss me off, isn't he?' Shaun thought before making his way to the tiny restaurant as planned. Eight minutes later he walked through the small diner's doors. Looking at the clock on the wall it was two minutes after three. Being that it was still early he gave Nick the benefit of the doubt, taking a seat and ordering something to eat from the tacky menu.
There he sat by his lonesome looking at an old tv perched on the walls. It was mute showing coverage of a conference between a few allied nations. After glimpsing a few supers he saw nothing interesting about the coverage so his mind drifted.
Earlier Jamie had confirmed he had arrived home safe. Though he hated to admit it Shaun knew there was a certain charm about Frankfield that the city could not emulate. He once more glimpsed the time and forty minutes had passed since his arrival, yet Nick was nowhere to be seen.
'That's it! I'm going to smash that Corvette'. He reiterated in his mind before taking out some crumbled notes to pay his bill. It was then he saw the doors open and Nick appeared. He had sweat on his forehead and looked enthusiastic to see Shaun. He ran to the table and ate the remains of Shaun's half-eaten sandwich.
"What the hell are you doing? Better yet, where is my money?" Shaun enquired as the last bits of his sandwich were devoured.
He then went as far as to drink the soda Shaun was saving to have on his walk home, "Hey, I've had a rough day, give me a break?"
"What? Trouble in paradise?" Shaun laughed and figured this had to do with the girl that Nick was previously courting.
"Let's just say I chose the wrong girl to try and play games with and leave it at that", he said panicking while looking around his surroundings.
"Well good, I wasn't going to ask because there is one thing on my mind. Where is my $1000?" Shaun went straight to the point causing a wry smile to show on Nick's face.
He then scratched his head while saying, "About that, I might have exaggerated my ability to pay". He might have seen the funny side but Shaun returned a frosty stare while looking at the Corvette keys Nick fiddled within his hands before a smile appeared on him.
"You don't say?" He responded, causing Nick to gulp. He knew there was some wicked intent behind those words from Shaun.