EXISTENCE

CHAPTER 6: The New Kid In School

Adam stood there frozen with fear. The dogs snarled and pounced on him, drenched with the very flames he'd given to them. He couldn't move, and he felt as though his legs just wouldn't respond to his body. He just stood in frozen terror, thinking how badly he'd screwed up and how he would probably be dog food.

Juan grabbed him and dodged out of the coyotes' way. "Dammit, Adam! What the hell were you thinking?"

Adam just stared at Juan. "I...I..."

Gabriel stood in front of them. "Adam, you know you're afraid of dogs. Why would you not only bring them here, but give them some of your power as well? Did you get us to train or to see your public suicide?"

Adam lowered his head. "I...just wanted to get stronger...but I'm still such a baby..."

Juan let go of his friend and walked up alongside Gabriel. "Listen, there are some fears we just can't get over, alright kid? Knowing that fear doesn't make you a wimp; it means you're not stupid, and that you're also human." He produced a couple of knives in each hand. "Now you just lay low for a second and we'll take care of this nightmare for you." He lunged for one of the dogs and trapped its snarling head between his two ice blades, chopping the head off in one stroke.

Gabriel produced two pistols. Without even missing a beat, he raised them and fired, two shots through two coyote heads.

The fight was over in a matter of seconds.

The boys turned to their fear-stricken friend, who still watched with fearful reverence. He couldn't stand dogs, of any kind, no matter what they looked like. To him, they were nightmare fuel, and looked like they feasted on the blood of others.

Gabriel reached out his hand and pulled Adam up. "We need to get this fear of dogs out of your head man. Not all dogs are evil, y'know."

"I know, but still..." Adam just looked off to the side and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Our training was a failure."

Juan slung his arm around Adam's shoulder. "No it wasn't. It was definitely a warm-up." He looked over to Gabriel. "Why don't we spar with each other? That should help us, right? It's been a while."

Adam looked at Juan. "Really? I though you guys would be too lazy to fight each other!"

Juan grimaced. "Don't push it kid, we're not just doing this for you, you know."

Gabriel, smiling, produced a pistol. "Right then. Do we do this with or without weapons?"

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Rym sat at her desk and looking out the window. Adam was out for suspension, and wasn't coming back until next Monday. She realized just how boring class seemed when he wasn't sitting next to her.

I actually have to pay attention now. I wish something could happen.

As if in response to her thoughts, the door opened up and a man and a girl both entered the room. She was very pale, but seemed to carry herself just fine. Her hair parted perfectly down the middle and she had a very bored look on her face, almost as though she didn't care where she went or what happened. She didn't seem like a mean person.

And yet... thought Rym, Why am I getting these bad vibes from her?

The man handed the teacher a slip of paper, which she looked over and set aside. Turning to face the class, she cupped her hands together and smiled.