SYNERGY

Review 19.

Kip stared at the space where Astrid disappeared from, he wondered if he had pushed her too far. Slowly he crept his emotions back inside. The feeling of them felt like hot lava. He had figured out as a kid how to push them outside of him, so he could remain emotionless for short periods of time. Being damaged wasn't half as bad if you couldn't feel. He walked into the locker room and took his reflection in the mirror. He still had blood on his chin where she had punched him. The split in his lip was almost healed, it now looked completely normal.

Maybe I should let it heal naturally, he thought.

He did deserve it after all, but if he did that Mr. Walston would ask questions. I need him to know I have this under control otherwise he won't let me lead this operation anymore. He thought of how frightened she looked when he was attacking her and grimaced, he had to see if she was okay. As he rushed out the locker room he bumped into a tall, thin student with a pinched face and straight blonde hair.

"Sorry, I didn't see you," he apologized.

She flashed a huge grin. "It's okay, I'm Penny," she mused extending her hand.

"Kip," he said ignoring it.

"I know who you are," she took a step towards hip sashaying her hips a bit. "What's the hurry?"

He recognized the stupid grin and fluttering of lashes, he could practically smell her flirtation.

He couldn't help but roll his eyes, "I have to go, I'm trying to find someone."

"Someone? But I'm right here," she teased while placing her hand on his shoulder.

He looked down at her hand trying to still the slow anger he began to feel. How dare she think she has a right to touch him.

"Right... Look Sally. I think you're confusing me with someone who actually cares so get out of my way."
He demanded his voice dripping with authority and made his way around her.

Her fake smile dropped. "It's Penny!" She called after him.

But that was the last thing on his mind. Ignoring her as he rushed out the door.

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Looking up the apple tree was completely bare now, no longer green, and lush like it was when I had first got here. I swear I got here in the beginning of summer, but time and weather must work different here. I reached up grabbing onto the knotted wood beginning to climb. I climbed to the highest beam that could support me and looked out. Everything around was wet and mushy from the previous rain reminding me of WA.

I sighed, I miss home.

I was trying to wrap my head around what happened. I haven't seen Kip like that before. He is insane, but on the other hand it did work. I wasn't making much progress lately when it came to my ability maybe his crazy ass was on to something. I should talk to him; I thought and began to climb back down.

The grass was squishy under my feet as I walked to the main building. I knew the grounds were surrounded by some invisible barrier, but I wondered if there was any way to activate it. Curiosity getting the better of me, I teleported myself to the far end of the grounds where I had first portaled in. I was getting the knack of this transporting thing. The combination of Mr. Endwell and Kips training has paid off, every time getting easier. I but my hand up feeling the invisible cool layer, it felt like glass. I pushed on it as hard as I could and the area around my fingers began to ripple. I focused all my energy on seeing if I could make an indentation, nothing. I wondered if I would eventually be able to create portals myself and see through them, I started concentrating on shifted the energy around the wall when I heard voices to my left.