'Coming, Mrs. Cooke,' Samantha replied releasing her grip on Flicker. 'Brendan!' She exclaimed when she saw him. She was covered in tears down to her neck. 'Fred, this is my classmate, Brendan. Brendan, this is my brother, Frederick who had been missing for two years!'
Fred gave a short laugh. 'Looks like we meet again, Eriksson.'
'You've already met?' Samantha was beyond surprised.
'Yeah, a while back,' Fred answered, his grin still spread across his face.
'And you didn't tell me, Brendan?' she shrugged in protest. 'Fred, we'll catch up later after school, okay?'
'Sure, sis.'
'Coming, Brendan?' She beckoned him and they both walked into class.
'Our fight isn't over, Eriksson,' Thomas whispered in his direction as soon as he sat down.
'You really think I'm scared of you, Bradley? Fine, let me make it easier for you…I'll take you both on!'
'Be careful what you wish for, orphan or you just might get it,' Thomas warned him.
'Well, I just hope what I'm wishing for will fight back this time,' he said daringly.
Thomas squirmed in anger but Angus remained quiet.
The period for Math ended and Miss Putin came in for the History lesson. It too ended and as the whole class moved out for recess, Brendan was called back by Miss Putin.
She was wearing one of her usual floral dresses and white high-heeled shoes. 'I found out information about your birth parents,' she informed him as she sat behind her desk.
'You have, Miss..? What exactly?' he asked eagerly. Brendan always had ample time to ask a favor like this from her or any other teacher he wished. But he had never been ready. He hadn't been prepared to find out anything about his father who had tried to murder his mother up until he found that treasure in his attic. And when he had asked Miss Putin to find out anything about his parents, it was something that escaped his mouth. Nothing deliberate. He had regretted it, but had come to accept that he needed the closure, at least.
'Well, let's say enough to help you relax,' she said.
'Well then, let's have it,' he spoke with gusto.
'Your father's name is Andrew Payne and your mother's name was Amanda Payne. Apparently, they marry before they had you. Your father is in Dasa. I do not know what he does though but I soon find out.'
'I don't know how to thank you, Miss,' he grinned in thankfulness.
'You do not have to. You deserve to know truth.'
'Thank you very much anyway.'
She gave him a pleasant nod and smile.
Brendan left for the cafeteria. His fear of Angus and Thomas was completely gone and so he wasn't expecting either or both of the brutes to jump on him from behind.
Like always, Simon was sitting at their table.
'Brendan, you have got to tell me how you did that! What you did to Bradley was awesome!' Simon began, his enthusiasm ringing his entire body like two clanging cymbals.
'Well, I, uh…' He scratched his head for a moment, 'I knew I could beat him, I was just waiting for the right moment to embarrass him.'
'And that definitely was the right time!'
As much as he wanted to tell his best friend, he thought it best not to. And as much as he trusted him, he just didn't think he needed to know. How could he handle such a truth? That he, Brendan, his best friend, was now superhuman and had spoken to a witch in the forest, "Tha Finch", who turned out not to be a myth, but was 100% real and was responsible for his grandfather and father's deaths and the yet to be summed fortune in his attic.
Simon had a broad smile of pride and gratification. He said, 'Do you know how popular you are now?' he asked him as if rhetorically.
'I can only imagine,' Brendan replied.
As they talked and ate, a boy came and joined them. He was smartly dressed and had short blonde hair and his blazer looked brand new. His eyes were a sea blue but no expression could be discerned by looking at them. He was just as tall as Brendan but thin.
'And who-to-the-hell are you?' Simon did not hesitate with the interrogation.
'Owen Sommers,' the boy whispered.
'Speak up, twerp!' Simon snapped at him.
'Owen Sommers,' he whispered a bit louder.
'Well, Owen…' Simon continued, 'This table is for two; Brendan and I, so I think it's best if you scram.'
Owen stood up and began to leave but Brendan grabbed his arm.
'You can stay if you want to, Owen,' he said smiling at him.
'But…but, Brendan…' Simon began to dispute.
'Do you remember when I was new here, Simon? How you welcomed me and stood up for me?'
'Yeah, but…'
'Then I think Owen deserves to be treated the same, don't you?'
'Well, I…'
'Well..?'
'Okay, fine,' Simon mumbled. 'You can stay.'