Protected One Series: Book One- Protected

Zander

The next day I was early to school. I needed to figure out who Zander really was. It was bothering me all night, that I couldn't even sleep. I sat there, waiting on the bench in front of the school. After a few minutes, I decided to just ask the counselor if I could "help out," and find something out about Zander. Getting up, I made my way to the Counselor's Office. I opened the door, and the counselor seemed glad to see me. "Hello, I would like to help out for community services," I said, and it was partly true.

The counselor, Ms. Stark, agreed. The first thing she assigned me to do was file out the cabinet in the back, marked, "Student Files." I was to put them in ABC order by last name. I smiled to myself, Perfect. I got to woirk. I finished a bit early, because most of the files were already in order. Without any more thought, I decided to look for Zander's file. Ms. Stark had stepped out, so it gave me a chance to look. I flipped throught the last names beginning with "D" and found "Drake, Zander." Got it. I pulled it out, and looked around, making sure no one had walked in without me noticing. Okay, no one's here... I opened the file, and was shocked.

His file was almost empty. The only thing in there was his basic information; where he lived, height, age, weight, etc. There was no information about his past schools or records. What the heck...? I heard a knock on the door, and jumped slightly. I hurridly put the file back in its place. I walked into the front, quickly sitting in the chair by the desk. I heard the door click open, and turned to see Melanie walk in.

"Where were you? I was looking everywhere for you," Mel said. "Sorry, I'm doing my 'Community Service,' but I finished. I'll just leave my paper, and we can go," I said, setting the paper on the desk, and then leaving right after. Zander didn't come for half of the day, he only came for the last half. My curiosity kept growin. I needed to find out more about Zander Drake.

The first class he went to, I tried talking to him. "So... What school did you go to before you came here?" I asled him. We were collaborating our group project, so it gave me position to talk to him. "I came from North Ridge High School," he answered nonchalantly. North Ridge High School?... That's all the was across the state... why'd he mover here of all places? I just nodded, and when I was about to ask why he came here, the bell rang. Guess I'd have to try in the next class.

In the next class, I didn't have time to talk with him at all. Time went by quick, and soon, I was able to talk with hi in our final class of the day. "Hey, I never got to ask you this.... Why'd you move from North Ridge High, all the way to Halligan High?" I asked. Zander stopped writing, and stared out the window for a short moment. Then, he looked me in the eyes, a sign of warning in them. In a low voice, he whispered to me, only loud enough for me to hear, "Do not get involved with me. I will only bring you pain... and suffering." Without another word, he left, handing in his assignmetn on the way out. I sat there in a daze. Even thought he left, his words still lngered in the air.

~

School ended, and I went home. I went online to do a little research on Zander. I'm starting to feel like a stalker... but I'm only getting more curious everytime I'm able to see or speak to him. I went on social websites, and looked him up. There was no trace of him anywhere. After another hour of looking for him online, I decided to give up and go for a walk. I threw my shoes on, and walked all the way to the park. I stopped, and sat on a swing, when I suddenly heard Zander's voice soming from the forest-like area. If I go, I might figure out more... I followed his voice, stepping on rocks, and careful not to step on twigs and such.

"So, did you figure out who the Protected One is supposed to be?" I heard Zander ask. "No. Not yet. There are a few candidates who fit the description of who it might be, but it's difficult to be exact. I mean, what does this mean? 'One who smells of a Normal, but holds a secret power. Sees what cannot be seen by Normals, and is a jewel worth protecting.' It doesn't make sende. How can someone who isn't a Normal still smell like one, and not know they have powers?" an unfamiliar voice asked. "I don't know either, but the Officials claimed that it was true," Zander replied. "If the Officials knew, how come they don't know who the person is?" the other guy asked. "Because the Protected One smells like a Normal. The lead they got was that it was a girl who lives here, and she has the ability to see our wings by one touch," Zander answered. Well... that explains why he never came into contact with me, but why me?

"Who's on the list?" Zander asked. I heard a muffled crumpling of paper, "Well... there's only three left, now. The others were crossed off by the other Protectors. The candidates are Savannah Haring, Kate Pontry, and... Astella Twilight," the other guy said. "...Astella?" I heard Zander ask. I gasped, and my foot slipped off the rock, landing on a dry twig with a 'Snap.' The two got very quiet, "I'll go check it out..." Zander said, and his footsteps got closer. My heart raced, and I ran in a different direction on the stone path. One thing's or sure, I need to know what in the world a Protector actually is.

~

After running a few block, I stopped. I looked at the time, 4:30 o.m. I have enough time to go to the library and see if they have anything on Protectors. I walked to the library, and sat down at one of the computers. I began to research "Protectors," and "Protected One." I had no real luck. I only got the definition of the word Protector, which was really no help to me at all. There were only two options left for me to do... One: Tell Zander I heard him in the "forest" of the park. Or, Two: Tell Zander I knew what he was. Both were almost the same, and extremely poor decisions. If I wanted to know more about Zander, I knew I'd have to come clean at some point in time.