IRENE'S P.O.V
What is a PARANOM?
Where did they come from?
What is their motive here?
These were questions that filled my thoughts and mind, while I was training back at HQ. That was four years ago, when I was thirteen years. According to the tale, paranoms come from the word "paranomal". Their origin is still unknown. The paranoms take the firm of human beings. One distinguishing factor between paranoms and humans, is the presence of their super natural abilities. They have the power to trap souls, thereby using people as their puppets. If they steal the soul, the person dies instantly. By the eclipse, they get really stronger and can possess an entire country in an instant. Well, the paranoms that were once predominant and active suddenly dissipated from the face of the earth, never to be seen again. Until, just recently, HQ'S detection machine started picking faint traces of paranomal energy here in california, right here in Netherlands Academy.
****
An ambulance arrived quickly and took Mr. Ryan in a stretcher away. I was still shaken a bit. I had to eat up my words and finally face the reality of the mission. There was a paranom, a soul controller and stealer here. The paranom was certainly hiding among the distinct crowd. Panick and doubts slowly crept up and clouded my mind.
"It could be any one of them", I thought deeply
I could feel the beads of sweat streaming down my face, my breathing intensified. I felt a heavy weight under my chest. Just then, a hand slowly touched my shoulder.
"Hey, Are you alright?.. You look really pale"
I looked up and recognized him as the guy from earlier. I wiped my face with my palm, while gently calming my breathing and mind.
"I'm fine, Nevermind that"
"You sure?", he asked again with concern written all over his face. I nodded slowly.
"Are you heading to the main auditorium now?", he asked
I had no idea about what he was talking about. I didn't give him a response, just a puzzled expression. He noticed that and asked again
"For the general assembly?"
I looked up at him in sudden realization. Earlier just after the ambulance took Mr. Ryan away, Principal Elrod called for a general assembly in the main auditorium.
"That's exactly where I am headed now"
I took my bag from my locker and slung it over my shoulder. He gave me a cute smile as we went to the main auditorium together.
When we got there, it was almost packed with other students but we managed to find seats at the middle row. As we took our seats, other students started pouring in. Eventually as the students became more settled and organized, the school officials came up to the big stage. The Principal, two people which I assumed to be the V.Ps and a few other head teachers gathered far around the podium. Principal Elrod approached the podium. I realized that the quiet murmurs of the students, died down immediately. She spoke up in a sophisticated voice.
"Good day Students"
"Good day Principal Elrod", echoed around the auditorium by the students.
"I assure you students, that this is not a crucial issue, for you to worry about"
"Mr. Ryan was overwhelmed with overworking and finally collapsed. As I speak to you, he is currently at the hospital, receiving treatment"
ðŸ’ðŸ’Mr. Ryan collapsed from working?, I thought.
That doesn't sound right at all, I saw him, it didn't look like he fainted, Is the school really trying to cover up the acts of a paranom?"
"I highly doubt that, but why though"
ðŸ’ðŸ’"What exactly is going on here?"
I was lost in my thoughts, but I could still make out what she was saying. Principal Elrod continued addressing us on other related topics.
ðŸ’ðŸ’Maybe Mr. Ryan actually just collapsed from overworking, but I'll like to keep an open mind
I snapped out of my thoughts and continued listening with full concentration.
"I urge you all, to learn from this incident. Do not go beyond your body limit. The more you use, the more the body will take from you", She continued
"And finally, the disruption of the flow of school activities has resulted in the suspension of your classes"
"Please, vacate the school premises at once, so you can get a goodnight rest. That will be all", She finally said.
After that students started leaving the auditorium. Jason signalled for us to leave the auditorium, like the rest. When we were far away from the teachers and school officials earshot, I asked him.
"Don't you find it odd, that we're being asked to leave because of this little incident"
"No, not in the slightest. Netherland Academy has always been an institution that priorities the welfare of students and staff, over anything else. It's no surprise they sent us home immediately", He replied
"Okay", I said and smiled dropping the discussion instantly.
I thought,
ðŸ’💠No matter the prestigious school, a sick teacher is not a valid excuse for the suspension of classes.
We walked in silence for a while until Jason spoke up.
"I hope Mr. Ryan gets well soon"
"He would be alright, Don't worry too much", I reassured him
"Yeah"
"So, you're probably heading home right?", Jason asked, as we were already close to the school gate by now.
"Aren't you?", I asked puzzled.
"Well Later, I've got volleyball practice now"
"Oh, that's nice", I said, not expecting that at all.
He sighed,
"Yeah, it's kind of fun"
We got to the school gate and stopped.
"Do you have anything important to do at home this early"
I nodded my head in denial.
Just then a phone pinged chimed, Jason and I both reached for our phones. I checked mine and saw no new message. I looked at Jason, to see him texting. When he was done, he put it back.
"It's practice", he said casually.
He was about to turn around to leave, but I stopped him midway.
"Why did you ask, if I was free"
"I was hoping you could come over to watch our practice, but because of the incident, they won't let anyone who is not in the team, go back to the school premises".
ðŸ’ðŸ’With no one in school, I could have looked into Mr. Ryan's "accident". I hope I'll have another chance like this.
I smiled and nodded assuring him that it was fine.
"We have practice tomorrow morning, you could come over to make up for this and maybe we will finally get to have a proper introduction"
"I'll try to be there", I replied
Jason smiled in a very cute and irresistible way, that got me grinning. My car pulled over right in front of us at that moment.
"Well, thanks for walking with me", I said trying to end our conversation.
"My pleasure, see you later Irene"
"Yeah", I replied
I entered the car that was waiting for me, while Jason turned around to meet up with practice. The car sped up away almost immediately.