by Hayes, Drew
“I’m sure it will be fine.” Without another word, Mary hurried out the door.
“Well, that wasn’t odd or anything,” Professor Hill muttered under his breath.
“Let it be, Blake. She’s my student, and I know what I’m doing.” Professor Stone gave her colleague the best all-knowing look she had in her arsenal. The truth of the matter was that she was half-winging it in this—and most—matters. Luckily, no one else on staff was a telepath, so that was a secret she got to keep all to herself.
* * *
Mary moved quickly as she left, passing three other students waiting for their own meetings with a nod of greeting. Alex, Violet, and Shane all returned the gesture, though Alex glanced at a clock afterward.
“It’s still five minutes until my time is supposed to start. Do you think I should just go in?”
“I’d wait to be called,” Violet replied. “Maybe they need to get a beer or take a piss between these things. Best to wait until they’re ready for you.”
“Personally, I’m just impressed they’ve managed to keep it all running on time so far,” Shane added. “Every new meeting has been within the fifteen minutes we were given. Guess they’re not letting people run long.”
“It’s not like there’s much debate to be had,” Violet said. “I think everyone spent the summer figuring out what they wanted to continue training in. Well, those of us who didn’t know from the first year, anyway.”
“True,” Shane agreed. “We all knew you and I would go Close Combat, and that Alex would specialize in Focus.”
“Guess again, buddy boy.” Violet mimed throwing a dagger at Shane’s heart, then plucking it back out again. “I’m going Weapons. Scrapping with the best of them is fun and all, but the addition of range makes a big difference for me, especially now that I’ve more or less nailed flying down. I’ve got a few ideas I want to test out this year, and Professor Cole is my best shot at making them work.”
“Is this why you kept gathering all those rocks, then flying off away from everyone else?” Alex had noted her odd behavior over the summer, though, given that all of them were engaged in some form of training or another, it hadn’t struck him as particularly worth pursuing.
“It was part of it. Let’s just say I have a few new tricks up my sleeve. Hopefully I’ll get to show them off before we do the Intramurals vote,” Violet replied.
Shane snorted softly. “From what we’ve seen in years past, the opportunity to demonstrate our combat skills is likely the only thing in this entire program that we can depend on. Especially this close to graduation.”
The door to the meeting room opened and Dean Blaine stuck out his head, scanning around. “Alex, we’re ready for you.”
“See you both later on,” Alex said, rising from his seat. “Looks like it’s time to pick my destiny.”
12.
“I thought you classy types knew it was bad form to show up to a party early.” Nick glanced down at his watch, double-checking the time. “Especially six freaking hours early.”
“This wasn’t something I wanted to talk about with everyone else around.” Alice breezed through the doorway, not bothering to wait for Nick to invite her into his apartment.
Taking the cue, Nick quickly shut and locked the door before facing her. She stood in the middle of his living room, chin set and eyes nearly aflame. That look meant determination, and he could guess about what in one shot. Few things worked up Alice to such a degree. Better to let her be the one to say it, though. Luckily, Nick had ample experience at playing dumb.
“Something happen?”
“Few things. Decided to go with Subtlety as my discipline, so that will make for an interesting year. Let Professor Hill know I was aware of our genetic relation. Oh, and in the scramble of words that came from kicking that hornet’s nest, I found out that he knows something about what happened to my mother. Given that he didn’t seem surprised by the revelation, I think Professor Pendleton does, too. Which means his protégé might just have been keyed in on it as well.”
“I can call Will, but he’s probably still—”
“Nick, don’t.” Alice glared at him, hands halfway balled into fists. “Just once, let’s skip the dancing. No one, short of the other teachers, is closer to Professor Pendleton than you, even if you both try to hide it. Now, I’m not saying you know where my mom is or what went down, but I get the feeling that not everyone was fed that whole ‘died at childbirth’ lie. Even if all they know is a different cover story, that might still help me. I’ll take anything I can get at this point.”
Wordlessly, Nick moved away from his doorway and took a seat on the couch. He stared at Alice, waiting patiently until she finally went to sit at the opposite end of the sofa. Only when she was settled did he respond, and it was with a gentler voice than she could ever recall hearing from Nick before.
“Do you know why Sean and Blake hate each other?”
Alice shook her head. “No, I could just tell that they did.”
“It’s because Sean blames Blake for what happened to your mother, at least partially. I can’t get him to talk about it—and as you know, everything about her death, or vanishing, or whatever it was, has been expertly erased—but that much I do know.”
“I can’t believe he wouldn’t tell you more,” Alice replied.
“Remember, you’re not the only one who can figure things out. He knows you and I are close, that there are some things I’d tell you even if it wasn’t the move he’d want me to make.” Nick reached across the cushions, letting his hand lay on the middle seat of the sofa. “Whatever happened, what little Sean might know, he’s fine with keeping me in the dark if it means protecting you from it.”
Slowly, astonishingly so, Alice moved her own hand to the middle cushion and rested it on top of Nick’s. “I’m going to choose to believe you. But, Nick, if you’re playing me on this one, I will never forgive you.”
“Not only am I not playing you, I’ll do you one better. I want to help you find out the truth. Not just what Sean and Blake might think they know, but what truly happened.”
“How do you plan on pulling that off?” To her surprise more than anyone’s, Alice didn’t sound skeptical as she asked the question. Nick was many things, and a liar highly among them, but when he said he could do something, more often than not it turned out to be true.
“I’m working on something that will get us what we need, but in the meantime, I think you might be able to pull more information out of Sean,” Nick said. “After all, I may be his protégé, but you’re his niece. One who looks just like his dear sister. With a little pressure, I bet you can crack through the tough outer shell and into the gooey emotional core of our professor.”
“Emotional manipulation? I’m pretty sure he’s going to see that coming, especially since he teaches classes on it,” Alice pointed out.
“And like he says in the class, the beauty of using it well is that even if the target knows what’s happening, you can still make it work. Assuming you’re good enough, that is.”
“Guess that means I have some practicing to do.” Alice looked down at the hand under hers and squeezed it carefully. She and Nick had been going forward slowly with their strange, ill-defined relationship; it was reassuring to know he was there when she needed him. Then again, she’d saved him from Nathaniel last year and helped bust him out of his own head, so clearly he needed her just as much.
“Can you tell me what the backup thing you’re working on is? Or did you think I wouldn’t notice how quickly you tried to deflect me away from it?”
Nick tilted his head back and let out a long, theatrical sigh. “Damn that professor for sharpening your mind. The truth of the matter is that I’ve been working at this angle since last year, and while I think I’m making progress, it’s still slow going. If you really want, I’ll bring you up to speed, but understand that this will likely take a while, if it works at all.”
“You know what, I’ll just trust yo
u,” Alice said. “Once I know, that’s one more thing to think about, and analyze, and have occupy mental space. I’m better off focusing on the things I can impact and letting you handle your own work.”
“It strikes me that perhaps Subtlety might just be the best fit for you, after all,” Nick said. “Though I’m sure you’ll miss getting to put those awesome gravity powers to use.”
“Says who? Just because I can use Subtlety doesn’t mean I won’t also be working overtime to master my ass-kicking skills.” Alice tilted her head and flashed a devilish grin, one that Nick suspected would eventually haunt the nightmares of many an unfortunate criminal.
“I’m going to show this world what a Subtlety Hero can really do.”
13.
“Close Combat.”
Chad noticed a wave of relief sweep the room as he made his choice—most visibly in Dean Blaine, though Professor Stone and Professor Fletcher let their body language relax as well. He made no effort to comment on it, trusting it would either be touched on or was none of his business. It turned out to be the former.
“Well, at least there were no surprises with our final student,” Dean Blaine said, more muttering than announcing. While not every meeting had involved colleagues fighting or strange, cryptic discussions with professors, there had been enough oddities for everyone to be glad the day was done. “Thank you, Chad. Your choice has been noted, and you will continue your education under Professor Fletcher. Since you’re the last meeting of the day and still have a few minutes left, were there any questions you wanted to ask? Bear in mind, we’ll be going over the general program for the year during class tomorrow.”
“Nothing about classes, though I would like to know if all the construction has impacted our gym or training areas. I still have an evening workout to do.”
None of the educators were surprised that Chad’s first impulse after an entire summer of constant training was to try and work more; they’d been watching him for three years. Honestly, they were more shocked he hadn’t tried to smuggle in some free-weights and sneak in a few curls during the meeting.
“All training facilities are fully operational,” Dean Blaine informed him. “In fact, we took the opportunity to add on a few upgrades. Feel free to check them out, though I should remind you that the first gym session of the year is also tomorrow. Try not to overdo it.”
“Of course.” Chad rose from his chair and looked toward the door, then hesitated. “I do have one more question, albeit one not related to the facilities or the program. Or, not the program directly, perhaps I should say. It can wait, if there’s a better time.”
Dean Blaine glanced to the professors on either side of him and, receiving no objection from them, gave Chad a slight nod. “You still have a few minutes left. Go ahead and ask whatever you’d like.”
“Thank you.” Chad retook his seat, facing all three of those before him, but focusing chiefly on Dean Blaine. “Now that we’re seniors, I’m well aware that we will need to begin considering and submitting our code names for the possibility that we graduate. While the deadline for that is likely some ways off, I wanted to see if there were any additional forms or processes that needed addressing early for submitting a legacy name.”
“There’s a little more,” Professor Fletcher said, perfectly aware of the name Chad wanted, but pretending not to know for the sake of decorum. “The biggest issue is obtaining the rights to use a name. When a Hero retires, they keep ownership of and income from use of their name. Should they… pass… then that ownership goes either to their next of kin or is bequeathed through a will.”
“That part will not be an issue. My mother is currently the owner of the moniker I wish to use and has agreed to transfer it to me when the time to submit my own Hero code name arrives,” Chad said.
Dean Blaine said nothing; of those in the room, he was the only one besides Chad who knew it hadn’t been quite as simple as that. For so long, Miriam had tried to fight her son’s desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. She had hoped to convince him to use his abilities to have a normal, happy life away from violence and bloodshed. But Chad was indeed Joshua’s son, and as such he refused to give in on an issue where he felt he was right. It had taken many hard, bitter discussions, until eventually Miriam had relented. Deep down, Blaine suspected it was because she’d realized Chad would press forward no matter what, and she’d preferred to preserve whatever time she had with him. Of course, she’d also demanded that Blaine do everything he could to prepare Chad, so that he wouldn’t echo Intra’s early end. It was an unnecessary request; he’d already intended to do exactly that.
“If you’ve got the rights, then that makes the process very easy,” Professor Fletcher said. “I’ll give you a couple of forms tomorrow for you and your mother to fill out. Once we have those on file, you’ll be able to submit a legacy name just like you would any other. It’s also worth mentioning that turning in the paperwork doesn’t bind you to it, either. You can still choose another one when the time comes, if you change your mind.”
“That’s good to know,” Chad said, once more leaving his chair. “But I assure you, I’m set on the name. It’s one I’ve wanted to wear for a very long time.”
“Then I suppose all that’s left to say is good luck in the coming year,” Professor Fletcher replied. “Do your best, work hard, and hopefully you’ll make it to graduation.”
“I will give everything I have.” Chad turned and walked out the door, leaving Dean Blaine considering his parting words.
For most people, that was just a way to say they were going to put in a hundred and ten percent. With Chad, on the other hand, there was so much more to it. He truly meant those words. He would give everything: his time, his body, his blood, even his life if it meant reaching his goal. Chad Taylor had been born with an ability that was useful, a talent for martial arts, and a good head on his shoulders, but none of that accounted for why he’d managed to dominate the top spot during his three years at Lander. No, what truly set Chad apart was the gift he’d been given in almost immeasurable quantities.
Chad Taylor was the absolute embodiment of determination.
14.
The pop of the champagne bottle caused several students to jump, the sudden sound much louder than any of the non-drinkers had expected it to be. Nick was not among these as he poured the bubbly liquid—purchased for less than ten dollars and likely all but unpalatable—into an array of glasses and plastic cups that in no way even remotely resembled champagne flutes. Next to him, Vince untwisted the top on a bottle of sparkling grape juice and began filling up separate receptacles.
“All right, everyone, grab a glass of whatever you want: booze or some god-awful knock-off stuff,” Nick commanded to the guests gathered around his modest kitchen table. They did just that, walking slowly to avoid jostling one another as they moved, slowly but surely grabbing their respective drink choices. Nick pretended not to notice Violet, who snuck an extra glass of the champagne.
It was a large crowd, bigger than Nick would have tried to cram into his apartment under normal circumstances, but this was a special occasion. Everyone from the summer training camp had come after their day’s activities ended, and now, at last, it was time to truly kick things off.
Shane made his way out of the crowd, handing glasses of the grape juice to Chad and Thomas, who’d hung back. Jill craned her neck to see if she could repeat Violet’s double-grab attempt. Alex telekinetically lifted several cups over to himself, Camille, and Will as they tried to avoid the scrum of bodies. Roy was helping Vince hand things out, his size creating a small moat of space around him, while Alice and Mary, ever the sly ones, had nicked their cups early and hurried away to safety.
Only when everyone had a drink in their hand did Nick stand on top of a cheap wooden chair, towering over the gathered students. He raised his own glass full of the thriftily-purchased champagne high into the air.
“Tonight, we celebrate all of you—our friends, our trus
ted companions, and each other’s rivals—who have made it to senior year.” Nick turned as he spoke, being sure to look every person in the eye for at least a few seconds. “I know it was unnerving for a lot of you when a washout showed up at the training camp, and I’m thankful to all of you for taking the chance on letting me hang around and polish up my own skills. In that time, I got to see all of you work, and truly appreciate how powerful you are. Making it this far is an incredible accomplishment, and one you deserve to celebrate. But as someone looking in from the outside, trust me when I say that this should be a piss-poor party compared to the one you throw when each and every one of you reaches graduation. Cheers to you all, and have one hell of a year!”
Nick gulped down the terrible liquid before it could sully his taste buds, noting that the people with grape juice at least seemed to enjoy their choice. He wouldn’t have minded springing for something a little nicer, truth be told, but it was important to keep up appearances. Aside from his original friends in Melbrook, no one else knew quite the entire story of Nick Campbell, and he was much happier keeping it that way.
The crowd quickly dispersed, spreading into different rooms so people had space to move around. A familiar hand appeared to help Nick down, which he accepted as he hopped off the perch.
“Thanks,” Nick said, running his tongue along his teeth to get the taste of cheap sparkling wine off his gums. He hadn’t done quite a good enough job in tossing it back, and a bit of the flavor insisted on lingering.
“No problem. Thanks for having us all over to celebrate.” Vince took the chair Nick had been standing on and wedged it back under the table, clearing the walkway for others to get by.
“Come on, you all made it to freaking senior year. How was I not going to make you celebrate that? If I’d left it in your hands, all of you would have just had an extra helping of vegetables from the cafeteria, or whatever it is you HCP kids do.” Despite reconnecting with so many of his former classmates, ostensibly under the guise of self-betterment in the wake of a tragedy, it hadn’t been made public knowledge that Nick’s memories were recovered. Since he and the professors had technically broken HCP protocol, Nick wanted to keep those who were aware of the truth as limited as possible. Plus, one never knew when a well-hidden card would be the one that promised victory at the last moment.