His Immortal | Marcus Pike

02

"Whether we're in law enforcement or any other profession, we all have a responsibility to act with integrity and respect both online and offline." He said, reminding the students of the broader implications of their actions in the digital world.

He took a deep breath, appreciating the dialogue and the opportunity to address the student's concerns. "Does anyone have any questions or thoughts on what we've discussed today?" He asked, opening the floor for further discussion and clarification.

He noticed a few students raise their hands, indicating they had questions or comments. "Please, feel free to ask or share your thoughts. This is a safe space for open and respectful dialogue."

He listened intently to each student's question or comment, responding thoughtfully and providing further clarifications when necessary. He valued the students' engagement and wanted to ensure they left the classroom better and understood internet safety.

As the dialogue continued, Marcus could feel the energy in the room shift. The initial scepticism and doubts seemed to give way to a more open-minded atmosphere, where students actively participated and engaged in constructive discussion.

He felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing that he had successfully guided the conversation in a productive direction. He looked around the room, made eye contact with the students, and saw curiosity and receptiveness instead of scepticism.

Marcus noticed that one student, Elaine, seemed distracted and disinterested in the conversation. He knew it was common for teenagers to be glued to their phones but wanted to encourage engagement and participation.

"Excuse me, Elaine," he called out gently, trying to get her attention without embarrassing her. He walked in her direction and stood near her desk, tapping it lightly to get her to look up from her phone.

I looked up at him "Yes?"

Marcus noticed that Elaine finally looked up from her phone, somewhat reluctantly. "I noticed that you're on your phone." He said, keeping his tone friendly and non-judgmental. "Is there something more interesting on there than my very fascinating talk?"

"This conversation is pointless for 18-year-olds we don't care," I responded.

Marcus chuckled lightly at her comment, appreciating her candidness. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. "I understand that you may feel that way, but let me assure you, internet safety is important, no matter your age." He said, maintaining a patient tone. He knew that teenagers often think they're invincible and believe that certain advice doesn't apply to them.

"Well I think it is stupid,".

Marcus could sense that Elaine was still sceptical and dismissive, so he decided to take a different approach. "Fair enough." He said, trying to meet her where she was. "Can you explain why you think it's stupid?"

"It's stupid that we need to know by a little cop what is wrong or right," I said not dealing with the bullshit. "Elaine to the principal office now," the teacher said. I grabbed my things, shoved past Marcus and walked out.

Marcus watched as Elaine stormed out of the classroom, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment. He knew it wasn't easy to connect with every teenager, especially those who were dismissive or defiant. As the teacher followed her out to the principal's office, Marcus returned to the front of the classroom and tried to refocus on the remaining students.

He took a deep breath and continued the presentation, knowing that he couldn't force everyone to listen or care. However, he hoped that some of the students would take something valuable away from the presentation, even if it didn't seem like it at the moment.

Though he wanted to follow up with Elaine and try to have a more productive conversation, he knew that he couldn't interfere with the teacher's decision to send her to the principal's office. He made a mental note to perhaps speak with her later if the opportunity arose.

For now, he tried to shake off the frustration and focus on the students who were still listening and engaging with the material. He reminded himself that it was his job to share important information, regardless of how some individuals responded.

As the presentation continued, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment and concern for Elaine, knowing that she might be in trouble for her behaviour. He made a mental note to check in with the principal later and see if he could offer his support or insight.

Throughout the remainder of the presentation, Marcus maintained his professionalism and continued to engage with the students who were willing to listen, hoping that his message would still have a positive impact on some of them despite the challenges he encountered.

When the presentation was over, he packed up his materials and said his goodbyes to the class, still thinking about Elaine and the difficult interaction they had. He considered whether there was more he could do to reach out to her and help her understand the importance of internet safety.

As he left the classroom, he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Elaine's behaviour than mere teenage rebelliousness. He began to wonder if there were underlying issues or challenges that might be contributing to her defiant attitude.

Determined to find a way to connect with her, Marcus made a mental note to check back with the principal later and inquire about Elaine's situation. He hoped that he could find a way to get through to her and help her understand the importance of staying safe online and, more importantly, show her that there were people who cared about her.

As Elaine left the school grounds and started walking home, it was already dark outside. The streets were relatively quiet, save for the occasional sound of cars passing by. Marcus happened to be leaving the school as well and noticed her walking home alone at almost dusk.

Concerned for her safety, he decided to discreetly follow a distance behind her to make sure she got home safely. He didn't want to intrude on her personal space, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that walking alone in the dark was risky for anyone, especially a teenager.

I heard foot steps as I turned around "I don't need some dumb cop following me," I said loudly.