SYNERGY

History 16.

The next couple of months seemed to fly by.

Ms. Kaepernick took everyone outside and across the grounds for a history lesson. The grass crunched under my feet while the foggy morning nipped my nose.

"Walk quickly now!" She shouted.
The class sprang forward. Violet was in the back of the line trying not to bring attention to herself. Next to her was Foster and following myself. Nobody else in the school seemed to grow any friendlier towards us. We all walked up to a giant concrete slab with hundreds of names written on it and Ms. Kaepernick began her lecture.

"It was 1952 when the war was going on. Mr. Walston was working with doctors doing experiments on people. They had started noticing patients who were surviving deadly situations when they shouldn't have, not only unharmed but with powers. He originally thought it was because of a chemical compound that they were exposed to during an air raid but later learned it was a genetic mutation, a survival mechanism. After years of research, he had met Lucinda. She is an ancient terrestrial being and mother to all of us. You wouldn't have any abilities without her. Many years ago, she infused hers and many other terrestrial beings' DNA with humans to create a new species. Something that had never been done before. We have been recognized only by certain branches of government as the S.O.T.G., school of the gifted. We have eradicated anyone who goes against her and us and there is only a handful government agencies who knows we exist. But there is one major threat, the liberation army. they want to take control of this school and you. Something this species can't depend on to survive. Mr. Walston's theory is to cleanse the world of the weakness that plagues humanity. Ultimately be a well-structured system of conformity, an unstoppable army. A lot of people are in the dark that this has been going on. But slowly over the years we have been getting stronger until it is time to fight. You're here and that has proven you're genetically strong, but are you physically strong? Emotionally strong? Only time will tell."

Everybody was silent. The whole thing sounded insane, but then again what isn't nowadays. I've heard the name Lucinda a couple since I got here. At first I didn't think she was real, but after seeing everything about this place I wouldn't doubt it. This is a lot bigger than I thought it was. Glancing over at Foster, he looked nauseous I nudged him with my elbow and smiled, he gave me a half smile back. We didn't dare talk in Ms. Kaepernick's class; she was not one to go light on the punishment if she caught you. Violet looked complacent, I'm sure she had heard this story a thousand times.

We heard the bell ring and Ms. Kaepernick waved us off, "class dismissed!"

We were waiting for everyone to clear out before we began to leave. A pointed face blonde shoulder checked me as she walked by.

"Hey, watch it!" I shouted.

Turing around she flipped me off with both hands.

I started after her and Violet grabbed my shoulders, "where do you think you're going?"

I stared at her. "I'm going to kick her ass what does it look like I'm doing?" I fumed,"who does she think she is?"

"She's not worth it," Violet said observing her nails.

"Now I remember, I knew I recognized her!" Foster chimed in, "that's Penny she's also in our DNA class."

"Yeah, and she's a huge show off," Violet remarked. "She's probably just jealous because Kip trains you and she's been swooning after him since she got here."

A pang of jealousy ran through me. I shook it off and tipped my head back to let out a laugh. "Come on guys we have an hour of free time I don't know about you, but I want to do something fun."

When we got back to our room I began to play a song on my guitar. Foster had a goofy grin on his face and chimed in singing horribly. I stood up and played in front of Violet as she was sitting at her desk drawing.

"Come on Violet sing!"

"No thanks."

"Come on there must be some music you like?" I asked.

"Metal."

I stopped playing and stared at her, "Really?"

"Yes, mainly Norwegian death metal."

Foster looked like he was holding in a laugh, his cheeks full of air."

"I must say Violet there's never a day you don't surprise me."

Violet giggled and it sounded like twinkly bells. I loved to hear her laugh it humanized her. Out of all the students I've met Violet and Kip have been here the longest. They both carried the same sadness. I wondered if I was going to be like that someday.

"You guys want to see something cool?" Foster asked.

"Yes," Violet and I answered together.

"Sweet, come with me!" We followed Foster to his room.