Clone Earth: MELVIN

Chapter Ten: TREVON

Trevon barely heard Paul's muttered lament; he had spun around instantly, catching sight of a red blur soaring across the wide hallway, only to slam against the opposite wall. Another blur launched past the broken door.

Other students, Trevon realized, starring as the blurs became two boys wrestling on the floor. The second one caught the red-head hard in the face, only to be kicked in the gut.

"A sucker-punch? Seriously McAllister, that's lame!" the red-head barked, and dove at his opponent. Both boys were tall with broader builds, and well-matched for a fight; it promised to be a good one.

Paul didn't seem impressed. He was more absorbed in brushing bits of wood and plaster off his shoulders. "Just give it a second," he said, dryly. "The advisory will kick in."

Trevon had no idea what he meant by the advisory, but it was clear this was no regular scuffle. Intense dislike, possibly bordering on hatred, burned in the eyes of both boys, their fists continued to fly.

The redhead was on top now. His fist coming down fast for its target's face. The blond boy rolled his head to the side making his opponent smash his knuckles on the tile floor. Just as quickly he grabbed the red-heads arm and rolled on it. Throwing the boy to the floor beside him where he could roll on top, twisting the arm with all his strength. There was a loud snap and the red head cried out in pain. But only for a second.

There was a blue spark in the red-heads free hand. The next movement was too fast to be sure. Trevon watched as the red-head cupped his hand pulling it into his chest, twisting his wrist before thrusting his palm upward into the other's gut. The hand never connected with the other boy, but somehow a huge burst of wind exploded between them sending his opponent flying into the air.

The force was so strong that his body should have hit the ceiling, then fallen back to the ground. Instead, both boys' wrists suddenly flashed - it took Trevon a moment to realize it was actually coming from the bright orange braces fastened to their wrists. It took him another moment to realize that neither boy was moving, locked in place as they stared at the flashing braces. A second later, they were both pulled in different directions, pinned to opposite walls by their wrists.

The red head coughed in added pain, "I'm gonna kill you Doug." The other boy was still struggling to catch the wind that had been knocked out of him.

Paul sighed. "Well, that was fun." He stepped into the middle of the hallway. "Hello, Russ."

The redhead nodded. "Paul." It was surprising how pleasant his tone was after the previous outburst.

Paul turned to the blond. "Dougie-boy, causing problems again?"

"I'm not the problem," the boy snorted, wincing instantly. Trevon studied him; judging by the rapidly purpling bruises under both eyes, his nose was probably broken. He'd seen the same thing happen to Ari once.

Paul didn't seem to care. "That's usually debatable," he said, turning to Trevon. "Russ?"

"He's not wrong, I hit him first this time." Russ coughed. Paul didn't verbalize the next question he folded his arms and waited in the center of the hall for Russ to explain. "He was being a Prat."

"I'm a McAllister, you do not talk to me that way."

Paul's head hung briefly in disappointment. "I get it."

"Quit starring, jerk." Doug barked, giving Trevon a start. He'd been studying Doug's reaction and hadn't realized he'd been staring.

Before Trevon could sputter out an apology Paul stepping between him and the boy on the wall, "He's our guest Doug. Show him some hospitality or do I have to tell my mother, you've been arrogantly throwing around the family name again?"