Freaks - an MCYT high school AU fanfiction

Chapter 24: Scar

Hehe- this is taking ages to write...

The days grow worse as they continue on. Even the prospect of meeting with the rest of the magic group becomes uninviting, especially after the latest one ends with Grian throwing a chair across the room so hard he breaks the light and one of the windows, almost killing Cleo in the process.

I don't get to sleep that whole night, lying awake listening to Grian sobbing in the bed across from me. Morning comes. Tuesday morning.

'Magic' class. 

I don't want to get up, too exhausted. Grian won't want to either, and if he wasn't in a constant bad mood, I'd suggest that we skive together, refusing to tolerate another lesson of being told I shouldn't exist. And since there's a hole in mine and Cub's secret base now, this is the only option left. 

With a groan, I roll onto my side. Grian's gone silent. I don't know if he's tired himself out so much he's fallen asleep, he's pretending to be asleep, or just unable to sleep like I was. 

'Grian?' Every instinct tells me to let him be alone. But he groans back, awake, refusing to acknowledge me further.

'It's... morning. Are you going to go to class?'

No reply. I crawl to the edge of the bed, swinging my legs around until I'm sitting up. 

'I'm sorry about Pearl.'

'F*** OFF SCAR!'

I do, leaving the room, slamming the door shut behind. The rest of the morning doesn't go any better, and I decide to avoid Grian as much as I can, leaving for class early because of it. I arrive, waiting outside the classroom for a few minutes before the bell goes and EX lets me and the rest of the students in. I prepare for another lesson of torture as he starts talking. 

'Today we're learning about watcher magic. Now, does anyone know anything about watchers?'

Of course it's Impulse that raises his hand.

'They're really dangerous, aren't they?'

'Correct. Can anyone name one reason why?'

False raises a hand. 

'They can always see you.'

'Well... basically yes. When Watchers wear their masks, they can see whatever they want, no matter where it is. Many use this power for spying and stalking other people. As well as this, Watchers can create blocks and even entire worlds anywhere...'

The description continues and I put my head on the desk, too tired to listen. Even when we're asked to write a summary of watcher powers, I do so halfheartedly, still thinking about Grian due to the stupidness of this class. He's not come yet. Good. I don't want to him to be forced through this too.

'Pens down, everyone. Now, earlier I mentioned watchers' masks, and as it happens, the school have recently come in possession of one.' Frowning, I sit up.  

And then realise.

Pearl.

'Is that Pearl's?!' Someone asks. A stunned silence follows. 

'Yes, we found it amongst her stuff. I'm sure everyone knows by now that she was accidentally killed... somehow. Impulse?' 

'What happens to people when they're taken? Everyone says they're killed.'

'Look. I don't know why you all think it's terrible that these freaks are being taken away from where they're able to hurt you, but rest assured, they're all alright.'

'But... how do we know?'

'You know because I'm your teacher and I'm telling you so. Now, this mask is currently harmless, so we can pass it around the class so all of you can identify it if you ever see another... what is it Impulse?'

'Who told on Ilmango? Who told the Principal he had magic?'

'As a matter of fact, I did.'

'Why?' 

'Because he had magic! He was hiding the fact he's half... rodent.' (Search up his skin and you'll see) 'So I did what I had to do to sort out this problem.' EX glares back at Impulse as he slowly raises his hand again. 

'If you're so worried about this, then why did you send away your friends to get slaughtered?!' I snap, standing up. 'Murderer.'

'Scar, sit down. Impulse, no more questions, we're continuing the lesson.'

But it's too late for Impulse to obey as he runs out the classroom, slamming the door behind. 

'Scar, sit down.' Repeats the exasperated EX. 

Somehow, I can't. The teacher continues to stare at me, judging. 

'Scar, if anything's bothering you, I'm sure the Principal would be willing to help you figure it out.' 

We both know the implication. 

I still don't sit down.

'I'm sorry, I need to do something.' Is my only excuse, packing my bag and leaving the class. 

As soon as I'm out, I start running, down the corridor, hoping I'm not too late to catch Impulse. Thankfully I'm not, seeing him ahead as I enter the main building. I don't think he's seen me, but since he's slowed down, it's easy to catch up. 

'Hey, Impulse?' 

He turns, before speeding up. I put a hand on his shoulder. He's so exhausted that he doesn't resist further,

'What?' 

'If you're going to tell the Principal...'

'I wasn't. I was going back to my dormitory. To sleep. Or cry. Whichever happens first.' He shakes me off, walking away again. I run after him.

'Impulse, you could just talk to us about it. Instead of hiding everything. We would've understood!' As much as I try to, it's hard to hold back my frustration.

'That's what I tried to do! Then Hypno saw me and I panicked. And then it just got worse and worse and now I can't get out.'

'You could just... not tell?'

'And end up dead?' Impulse turns around from climbing the stairs. 'Or with more scars all over my arms?'

'There's nothing wrong with having scars.' I reply evenly. 

'I'm going to my room now.'

'Impulse, if you keep acting like you can't be bothered to help yourself, then I'm not going to bother to stop the others from trying to kill you.' 

'How do you know I won't kill myself first.'

'Stop giving up! We can help you. I can help you. If you want to improve your reputation, I can get Cub to write an article in the Hermiton Herald...'

'Oh, yeah, because that'll help me.' I don't follow as he disappears up the stairs, storming back down, calming myself as I walk back towards class, ready to spend the next notch-knows how long learning about all the ways my friends could kill me.

Aaaaaaa