The Matters of Power

Chapter 4- One of a Kind

Being in the cafeteria hearing all those people saying nasty things to the other students was almost unbearable, but I had to endure it firstly to eat something to last all day and to keep my psychic powers hidden from everyone else. It's no surprise anymore why the "lesser students" (common term from the other student's thoughts) were very skeptical to see me sitting next to them as one assumed to be beautiful, wealthy, and powerful when a few weeks ago I would be exactly in their shoes. Was this what would become of me to transform my body with psychic ability, to assume to take advantage others because everyone else shuns the less fortunate? No, I took the responsibility to not abuse my powers on anyone, not even with those I have an advantage with as I was once in their shoes. Not even accepting any of the girls that were brave enough to offer me to sit with their table because "there was space available that's more comfortable".

Clearly, some people were questioning me in their minds that I was mentally sick or aggressive, but that was a very few that I could read. English II and Business Basics were simple classes that had a quieter change of pace from the morning periods, and the final bells rings to let us students out of school for the day. I look to find it's 3:30?! Normally at my other schools that would be impossible unless you had work or were under gifted programs for study school. Do people here really have that much free just because they are more gifted? Thank goodness for the opportunity that my father gave me. The school hallways start to flood as soon as I leave the classroom, finding some hanging out by their lockers or near the main entrance, or milling about waiting for a friend from what I can hear. I don't want to waste time today to enjoy some time in the San Anton city center that my parents pooled some money for me to use. Even in hardships, they want me to enjoy myself with what a chance I get to do so. I feel guilt all over me to even accept such an ideal gift for the first day, but I know that I shouldn't take my gifts for granted.

Not wanting to let my money go unspent and see a bit more of the city center, I start to head out of the school campus but sense a conflict nearby. Using my Sixth Sense View leaning on a lamppost, I see a few people beating up someone on the ground in typical bullying fashion in a small alleyway near the recreational center of the school. I can't let this go so close to me, so I make my way back to the school and cut corners to the rec center that I sensed where it was going on. There are sounds of a scuffle and few blows when I turn a corner, but find a small crowd of people overlooking the person on the ground hiding his face and gut. I immediately recognize on of the bullies as Zeke, almost looking like a lord looking a punished subject while his henchmen do the work. There are a few girls here and find cigarette butts recently snuffed around the area. What horrible dealings have they been doing here?

"Huh? Who told the new kid our hangout spot? Was it you, bubby?!(He points to one of the "henchmen")" "N-No, sir! Pretty sure no one else knows this spot." "(Zeke) Well that doesn't help the question does it?(sigh)" He actually sighs and slowly approaches me, walking over the bullied student, "Hey Marcus, nice of ya to see me out here. Did you need to ask me something, hmm? (I hope that you finally come to suck up to me.)" This man is asking a lot of nerve to talk to me casually in this situation. Yet I keep a straight face and say, "Zeke, I'm here for him. (Pointing to the student on the ground) Let me get to him." He seems surprised by my response, almost conflicted on why I would want him. No, Zeke responds with, "Oh, you want that kid? Uh, you mean (he snaps his finger to "remember") Fernando? Sorry bud, he's hanging out with us for a while and seems happy with us.(He looks over to him) RIGHT?" Fernando lowers his arms covering his face to see a bit of bruising and a swell, clearly trying to defend himself considering his frame of overwhelming odds. He stays silent but nods quickly as if his life depended on it.

I know that look of despair. I try to get past Zeke and get Fernando out of here while I can, but he puts a hand on my chest and halts me. "Woah woah, new kid. Tsch Tsch, I'm not gonna let ya walk over me like this, Come on then, (he walks back a few paces) put them up! (He raises his fists) I'll show my power over you, pretty boy!" Ah jeez, I didn't want to fight anybody even now. I'm not even good at knowing how to fight, and he clearly knows how to handle himself. "(Zeke) Hehe, Marcus must be all looks with no bite. I can knock him out in one blow to the head and gain more popularity!" I can only be in a wide stance and assume the worst for me in this situation and hope that I don't let Fernando down.

His speed is quick and throws a fist with his right hand, and I brace for a hard hit to the face. Yet suddenly, I can visibly see his predicted move and dodge with a swift turn. I was visibly amazed by my agility and Zeke's crowd gasp at the surprise as well. He appears off-guard but quickly recovers and starts a fury of fists and jabs, yet I can avoid them just as fast as he throws them. "(Zeke)So he isn't a weakling? Has he practiced fighting for a long time as well?!" The idea comes into my head of a similar jab that I can use against him, and think to execute it. Clearly showing exhaustion, Zeke tries to throw a punch at my throat, but I side step and lunge forward to deliver a powerful fist-clenching punch right in his side gut. The sheer power renders him unable to fight, falling down to the ground and clenching his stomach in agony and pain. I can't believe my body's capability, this is the first time that I have been able to defeat someone in combat in my whole life and with such ease was I able to move and use raw strength,

The crowd stood in place with shock, clearly surprised that the powerful man they followed fall in one hit unable to recover. "No way, how did Zeke lose that easily?" "Has that man been training just as much to knock a person like that?!" "Not only is he pretty, he's a fighter!" I don't want to hurt Zeke anymore than I have to, I came for another reason and that was to save Fernando from these bullies. "Fernando," I call out to him, "Get up, let's get out of here together." He looks reluctant to come with me, but quickly rushes towards me to get away. I walk away from the alleyway just before looking behind me to make them see that I was watching them. No surprise that I sense Zeke's henchman rushing to their fallen leader to try to mend his wound as soon as we are not looking at them. Viewing the injuries that Fernando was inflicted, it's clear that it doesn't look bad enough to be physical violence. Careful bastards.

I sigh, "Fernando, let's go get some food in town, eh?" He looks at me, "(Fernando)Do I really want to get bullied by another elite student so soon? But then again, he did save me." then replies with, "Sure." I don't blame him for this thinking, the amount of times one would save me for favors was too many. Still, it seems that I've managed to make a friend in this school though the circumstances are less than favorable.

It also seems that there are more capabilities for my psychic powers, now towards fighting and combat. But what else is there?