Lab Rats

Chapter 7

Days passed, but we couldn't shake the dark atmosphere that had settled over us. Everyone quit complaining about the food during meal times, and even when we were left alone, our conversations were few and far between. After that discussion in the courtyard, we couldn't just pretend everything was fine anymore, and we all had quit trying to mask our true feelings. My own state of depression was feeding off of everyone else's and I didn't even have the will to test Dr. Fabel's patience with my sarcastic comments.

"D-12!"

I jumped half out of my seat. I'd been staring at the classroom wall, my mind a million miles away. Mr. Wilson was looking at me intently through his wide rimmed glasses.

"You seem to have many thoughts on the topic. Care to share?"

I looked at the screen at the front of the room to see what the teacher had been talking about. There was a map of the United States displayed, with little lines running across to represent battle plans. Glancing at the little digital clock in the bottom right corner of the screen, I realized I hadn't heard a word the teacher had said in at least twenty minutes.

"I think it's stupid," I said. "I still don't understand the point of war."

Mr. Wilson's face softened. "I know what you mean. Nothing good ever seems to come out of war - "

As he was speaking, the click of the classroom door handle being opened rang through the room. Mr. Wilson didn't turn to look, but his entire demeanor changed and without so much as a pause in his words, he raised his voice and continued angrily, " - is the only thing that keeps the world at peace! Without wars, we couldn't get rid of the people who try to oppose us and uphold our principles! Is that clear?"

"Yes sir!" I replied, stealing a glance at the other guys. They were looking between the teacher and the men who had just entered.

There was a man who looked around mid fifties, dressed in an expensive looking suit and standing in at the entrance of the room. His thick salt and pepper hair was slicked back and not one strand of hair or piece of clothing looked out of place. Though I'd never seen one before, I imagined that this is what movie stars looked like. A guard stood on either side of him, keeping a respectful distance. I'd never seen this man before, but I could tell right away that he was very important.

Mr. Wilson finally looked away from me and faced the man.

"Mr. Leighton! I didn't hear you come in! To what do I owe this pleasure?" The teacher's demeanor changed yet again, nearly giving me whiplash. Now his voice dripped honey and he held himself with an air of professionalism.

The guys and I exchanged secret glances, but we were all equally confused.

"Mr. Wilson, teaching war strategies, I see. They are hitting the stage where this is becoming crucial for them to know." Mr. Leighton's voice was deep and gravely. "How are our subjects doing?"

I rolled my eyes at being called a subject yet again. The gesture didn't escape Leighton, and he tilted his head, eyes narrowing at me.

"And who's this?" he asked, walking toward me.

This guy was powerful and clearly enjoyed throwing it in people's faces and my rebellious streak that had been repressed resurfaced. I met his gaze as he got closer, my desire to be a little bitch coming back for the first time in days. He grinned at my defiance.

"That's D-12. His power is control over electricity." Mr. Wilson filled him in on my information.

"This subject has a lot of personality," Leighton said, putting extra emphasis on the word 'subject."