The Prodigy Read online

  Von had ripped through the campus during our fight, and in the process, he injured over a dozen students, myself included. In fact, if it wasn’t for Mr. Hoover and the healers on the campus, I would have died not too far from where I am now. It had been a lot to take in... It still is.

  I haven’t processed everything yet, but it happened. It’s part of me. It’s a part of everyone who was involved, for better or worse.

  “No, I’m good, I swear. I’ve been talking to Mr. Hoover about everything else, and I had a couple of meetings with one of the empaths from the counseling department, remember? Ms. Stacy? She’d kicked you out of my room in the infirmary a couple of times in the beginning.”

  “Ha. Yeah, I remember. She was nice.”

  “She was.”

  “I liked her... But if something’s bothering you, you can tell me, you know? I was there, too.” I know Summer has my back, but I can’t tell her the truth. Mr. Hoover and Ms. Stacy don’t even know. And it’s not like she’d be able to help anyway. It’d just make her worry.

  “I know...and thanks...but I’m good. Promise. It’s over with. Nobody died, and Von’s gone.”

  We walk the rest of the way in relative silence, my mind still somewhat in a haze. Summer’s able to waltz in and take a seat five minutes before the bell rings.

  She leaves me at the door, and I freeze at the entrance. No one’s bold enough to make the first move, but my arrival is something that took the majority of the class’s bandwidth.

  It’s like the world stopped as soon as they saw me, or at least that’s how it felt.

  After Von’s attack, classes were stopped for two weeks campus wide, and when classes resumed, I was still in recovery for an additional week. Sure, a couple of them had visited, and some had even sent cards, but seeing me in-person brought on a whole other vibe. In an act of self-defense, I’d saved lives, but I’d risked my own—just like a hero—someone who was born to do this. It feels weird though. I don’t feel like one, for multiple reasons. It’s like I’m living a lie.

  “Glad to have you back, man.” Erik hangs his arm over my shoulder, releasing me from my paralysis. He virtually drags me into class while talking my ears off about God knows what. He was with Summer and me on our team for ABT, but I’m not sure if our team is still intact. Mr. Hoover announced that he’d be making some changes to the format, and I haven’t heard anything since he first broke the news.

  Things have been slow with classes only recently being resumed. The whole campus has been a mess from the repairs and everything else going on. More of Erik’s words fall to the wayside as Tristen walks past me. Our eyes meet, but he doesn’t say a word. I do the same, refusing to break eye contact with him until he sits down and begins to unpack for class.

  My earliest memories of C.A. involved him and his goons bullying me, but that changed once I showed him that I wasn’t someone that he could push around. As far as powers go, Tristen’s one of the strongest in the class. I wasn’t able to take him down by myself, but I did get his attention when I almost shot a hole through his chest. He sent his goon squad for payback, but Summer was not having it. To be fair, neither was I. Needless to say, we stood our ground and Tristen hasn’t tried anything like that again. The bullying stopped altogether, and I got a fresh start. All I get from him now are death stares and the occasional snide comment. Before Von, I would have gladly taken him on for a rematch, but now, with my powers on the fritz, I don’t want anything to do with him. I’m totally fine with him being aloof as long as he doesn’t do anything to make a scene. It would be him, if anyone, to blow my cover on how I can’t really use my powers. I just need more time so I can figure this out before I’m thrown into another rumor mill.

  What sucks is eventually, I’ll have to fight, and when I do, it’ll have to be good. After all, I was the one who took down Von.

  “Aiden? Are you listening? Aiden?” Erik shakes my shoulder, and I realize just how tense I am. My jaw’s clenched, and everything about me is rigid. “You should say something to her, yeah?” I turn to face Erik, confusion written across my face.

  “Sorry... Tristen and I have this thing going on. I thought he’d be over it by now, but I guess not. Who are we talking about again?”

  “Clarissa?” Erik answers dryly, shaking his head. “She’s super sorry for everything. She feels like she’s responsible.”

  “Yeah, I know. I read the card she sent and reached out to her... We chatted for a bit. She was on my mind, honestly.”

  “You should talk to her, man. Now, before class starts.”

  “You’re right. I should.” Erik removes his arm from my shoulder, and I make my way over to Clarissa. I know she noticed me when I first showed up, but I can tell that her guilt stopped us from crossing paths. She’s practically in a corner by herself, isolating herself from everyone else in the room. “Hey...”

  “...Hey,” she nervously replies.

  “How’s it going? I just wanted to thank you again for your card and the well wishes. I know I told you before, but those treats you made were amazing. Definitely made the recovery process smoother, hands down.” I smile.

  “I-I can make you some more if you’d like.”

  “No, it’s fine. Really.” I wave my hand in front of me and then pat my stomach. “All that sugar’s going to sabotage my workouts. When I was healing, I needed the extra cals, now, not so much, but I’m not kidding when I said I enjoyed them.”

  “Ha. No worries, I get it... So, Aiden...about what happened with Von. I’m glad you’re okay and everything, and I’m sorry.”

  “Clarissa, you really don’t have anything to apologize for. The way Von acted had nothing to do with you. He wasn’t stable. You were just trying to win.”

  “I know, but the way I controlled the fight...I put you guys against each other. I set you up. I started the feud. It... It was the exchange you two had that ultimately sparked the investigation. I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t. It bugs me. I was just so focused on winning. I...ugh.”

  “How were you supposed to know? You can’t look for something if you don’t know that it exists, right? You had no idea that Von was going to act the way he did, Clarissa. He made his own choices, and now he’s paying for them. That’s not on you. It sucks that it happened, but it’s over now. As nice as it may sound, you can’t control everything, even if you are a genius.” I say it lightheartedly, but only so she doesn’t beat herself up more than she already has. “...Von’s far away from here getting the help he needs. The academy’s on the mend, and we all know better now. The students who were hurt are all starting to return to class too. It won’t be long before things are back to normal around here.”

  “Yeah.” She sinks her head and faintly smiles. “As normal as things can get.”

  I can see how having a blind spot that big made her upset. Clarissa’s known for her analytical prowess and quick thinking. Her sharp mind is one of the main reasons why her ability is so strong. For her to effectively use her powers, there’s a lot of probability involved. Foresight. Misdirection. Sleight of hand. She sets a high standard for herself, and since I’m the same way, I feel for her.

  The best I was able to do was remind her that I’m okay, classes are up and running, and that all of the students involved are recovered, even if it’s only partly true.

  Von evaded the speculation of the teachers, and if he managed to hide it from them, hiding it from her would have been infinitely easier in comparison. Even though he’s gone, it’s not surprising that C.A. is still feeling the aftereffects of his attempt on my life—and apparently, I’m still feeling it too.

  I watch Kaci slip into class right before the bell rings. I want to say something to her...to thank her again for everything that she did against Von, but I don’t want to interrupt class. Our eyes meet and she waves and smiles. I do the same and leave it at that. If she hadn’t stopped Von’s punch on the day of the attack, things would have ended up a lot worse than they did.

>   The lecture starts and we’re all instantly transfixed by what Professor Dash has to offer. Today’s lesson is on how the environment can interfere with the use of certain abilities. Not necessarily the weather, but other factors that may or may not be apparent to the user. The basic example he uses starts with the elements—electricity being used in tandem with water or a wet environment, or how an ice projector’s ability to manifest ice can be dampened by the lack of moisture in the air or in scenarios near an extreme heat source. He then branches out to how certain drugs or chemicals can have adverse reactions when not intended—medicinal and recreational—and how it’s best to know the science behind your abilities before you try advanced tactics. His theory is that everything we can do can be explained by science, but whether we’ve advanced far enough to understand it is a different matter. At one point we used to drill holes into people’s heads to get rid of headaches, and sanitation was a relatively new way of thinking. All of his talking points make sense, but I can tell that they’re influenced by the campus-wide initiative against Dox, the black-market drug that enhances an individual’s powers.

  I know the professional staff are doing everything they can to promote a safe environment, but we’re obviously still on high-alert. To my knowledge, Von’s sources have yet to be revealed, which means that an investigation of some sort is still going on behind the scenes. At the end of the day, we’re just students. If Von’s supplier is a student at Crown, they most likely got their supply from someone off campus. The way Mr. Hoover explained it to me opened my eyes. It’s worldwide, but not just Dox. There are other things we have to look out for that can’t go unchecked. While our academy’s efforts are ultimately to better mankind through innovation and service, not everyone has that same goal in mind. There are other factions, not necessarily academies, that have their own agenda they’re trying to impose. They want control, and for that to happen, people have to be moved out of the way by force. Uncle Erwin helped me enroll in the academy to be safe, but I’m not sure if that’ll ever be possible. I’m starting to see that now. Even though I don’t know how far down the rabbit hole goes, at least now I’m aware of its existence.

  Good and evil. Politics. Morality. Ethics. We should be learning about those to prepare us for what’s on the other side...the force that counters everything we believe in as an establishment. There are a ton of dangers out there, closer than what I previously thought, and as it stands, I’m still too weak to make a difference. Von made that painfully clear.

  “...And that concludes the lesson for today.” The bell rings moments after Professor Dash’s proclamation, and everyone disperses to go to their next class.

  “You feeling okay, Aiden? You look...tense,” Kaci asks while on her way to the front of the class.

  “Hey... No, I’m good. Just tired. It’s...a lot.”

  “Well, all I can say is, welcome back, and we’re all suffering with you.” She laughs. “Team building.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t realize how much outside conditions can affect our powers. It’s ridiculous.”

  “Ugh. Tell me about it. Everyone thinks mental powers are so cool, but apparently, now I have to become a chemist on the side. Yikes,” Kaci says after giving me an exaggerated eye roll. “Painkillers, I can understand, but some of the other stuff? Yeah, it doesn’t make any sense.”

  “There were some exceptions...a lot of exceptions... He made it seem like a lot of it depends on your body’s individual makeup, so you should be good. Just stay away from the heavier medications if you plan on being in a situation that requires the use of your powers. That or be sure to have a list of alternatives that work for you. The lab should be able to hook you up with what you can and can’t take if you ask the right people, I think. I’m weird, so I hate taking medicine unless I have to. If I had a cold and had to pick between taking something over the counter or going without my powers, I’d just be miserable until I get better.”

  “Yeah, I’m the same way, but still, it’s a lot to learn...” She sighs. “Hey, you’re going to Mr. Hoover’s class today, right?”

  “Yeah, I should be there. I’m not going to be participating in anything combat related, but I’m definitely going to stick around. Apparently, Mr. Hoover has some new announcements.”

  “I wonder what he’s going to talk about? I know all of the battle suits are getting upgraded, but that’s only one thing.”

  “He made a formal announcement to the class?”

  “Yup. He made the announcement while you were out. It was one of the first things we talked about when classes resumed. Student safety and everything.”

  “Makes sense. I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.”

  “Guess so.”

  There’s no telling what Mr. Hoover has planned, but honestly, I hope whatever he has in store helps me get to the bottom of what’s going on with my powers.

  Chapter 2

  It’s hard to keep my thoughts in order with everything going on. My powers are on the fritz, it’s my first day back, Mr. Hoover has some big news, and I don’t have a clue about the superpowered community outside of this school. Cycling through what I already know and what I want to know isn’t helping me one bit, but it does make the day go by quicker. However, when the time comes to head over to Mr. Hoover’s class, I can’t help but remember Von and how all this came to be...my powers...the fight...everything.

  I take my time heading to class, and when I finally get there, everyone’s in their suits, business as usual, waiting for Mr. Hoover and Ms. Cosgrove before class begins. I managed to change at my dorm after class because I knew I didn’t have to participate in power-related combat activities for the day, but even if I was allowed, my suit was still in shambles from fighting Von. Summer sent me a text after class asking if I wanted to show up with her with it being my first day back, but I decided to meet her there rather than show up when the rest of the class did. Not suiting up felt weird, and I didn’t want to appear awkward around everyone else.

  “Hey, I was beginning to think that you weren’t going to show,” Summer says. I weave through the crowd of gathered students and plant myself by her side, trying my best to ignore the fact that I stand out.

  “Nah, that’s not happening. Cutting class is a surefire way to fail, plus today’s supposed to be a big day,” I remind her.

  “Believe it or not, this is actually one of the few classes that doesn’t bore me. The fact that we’re in for a surprise makes it even better.”

  “Oh, I believe you...so what’s with the delay?”

  “Mr. Hoover came out for a second to make an announcement about the announcement.” She shrugs.

  “Huh?”

  “You know how they do things over here at Crown.”

  “Right. Kaci mentioned that he made some kind of formal announcement to you guys about some changes. Multiple things. You’d think he’d be more prepared if it’s something he previously set up, right?”

  “Did she now? What else did she tell you?” Summer asks, her gaze still fixed towards the front of the room.

  “Nothing that we don’t already know at this point.” I stroke the underside of my chin and sift through my memories. “I think she’s just as much in the dark as the rest of us, which is weird because I figured that she’d know more. She gets along with everyone so well, you know? I guess when it comes down to it, Mr. Hoover really is a man of mystery. He’s careful about what he says, and how he says it. It makes you wonder.”

  “Aiden.” Summer sighs. “That’s not what I—”

  The door creaks open, and Mr. Hoover steps through, immediately demanding everyone’s attention with his presence.

  “Hello, students. Sorry for the delay, but I assure you, your patience is well worth the wait. Before I continue, I’d like to publicly address my gratitude for Mr. Cross’s act of bravery on behalf of the student body.” Mr. Hoover begins to clap, and the rest of the class joins in. I don’t know where to look with so many eyes on me, so I hang
my head, keeping my gaze directed at the ground.

  “Look at you go, hotshot,” Summer teases and nudges me in the side.

  “Hey, chill,” I whisper through clenched teeth. “It’s embarrassing.”

  “No way in hell! You should have seen this coming from a mile away.”

  “I did, but still...”

  “Aiden Cross, Academy Hero.” I feel my cheeks flush at her words.

  “Stop it,” I grumble. “It wasn’t that big of a deal...he...I had to do something.”

  “After accessing the damage done to Aiden’s suit, we were made painfully aware that adjustments had to be made. As you all have experienced firsthand, the suits are durable, but there were improvements that could be built upon. Thanks to the Research and Development team, we’ve made a number of breakthroughs, campus-wide. These breakthroughs, however, have been rolling out at various speeds due to what’s transpired. Along with the cancellation of classes for all students and the reconstruction of damaged property, I took it upon myself to spearhead an operation to push out upgraded battle suits for all students participating in combat exercises. It was an arduous task, but the safety of you all was our top priority. The old models played an important role in Aiden’s survival on the day he was attacked, but the protection it offered still fell short due to the unrelenting nature of his assailant’s attack.

  “Just say his name, why don’t cha’?” Summer grumbles. “Von’s a psychopath, no need to sugarcoat it.” I push my elbow into Summer, and she flashes me a death glare.

  “Just like how your previous suits were designed with your abilities in mind, these were crafted in the same manner. In fact, you’ll be pleased to find that the new models you’ll be receiving are even more comprehensive. Adjustments have been made across the board due to the data your current suits have provided us during your exercises. In addition to this, better shock absorption and protective materials, as well as a slight upgrade to your HUD, have also been implemented. We’re very pleased with the results given the timeframe and the scope of the project. Our sponsors are in part responsible for helping us tackle such an enormous task on such short notice.” There’s a range of reactions that fill the room, but all of them are positive. Side conversations sprout like wildfires amongst us while Mr. Hoover waits for us to settle down.