Gifted

VI

Mystique Academy looks like something you'd see in a dream. Towering, grand pillars of the building seem to disappear in the clouds. Everything seems to be more vivid here. The trees are various colors of deep, emerald green, blood red, sparkling yellows and orange, and every now and then, a purple or a pink tree will pop out. A large river runs throughout the campus, giving the soothing sound of water hitting on rocks and laughing teens having fun.

Looking closer at the teens... They look like anything but teenagers! Some look ordinary, but others don't at all. Ears, tails, wings, fur, scales, claws, some look over 6 feet, others barely reach my knees!

I turn to talk to Mr.Mad, and he's changed too! His black business suit is now a brown tuxedo with coattails. His black hair now bearing a wide, white stripe, and a tiny, matching brown hat. He looks like someone you'd see in a steampunk game.

"M-Mr.Mad??" I ask, startled by his sudden change.

He smirks and bows, then looks up. "A pleasure," even his voice changed, "Welcome to Mystique Academy."

I give an awkward curtsy, making him laugh. "Thanks... But is this really a school?" I ask, looking up to the sky.

He starts walking towards the school. "Yes. It is. Follow me to the school office and we will get you registered."

I follow. "Registered?? I'm sorry, but I don't know if I even-"

He cuts me off by putting his finger to my lips and smirking that same smirk. "And where else will you go?"

I step back and slightly glare at him. "What about school fees?" I ask, looking away.

He smiles and continues to walk. "Apply for scholarships, loans, and if you still need more, I'm sure you can get a job!" he chuckles.

I follow him again. "And if you don't have what I want to major in?" I ask, looking around, expecting people to give me the stink eye, but no one does.

He glances back. "You can apply for anything here. Science, history, arts, law, name it."

I smile softly. "Major in Chemistry and Biology? Minor in arts?" I ask, keeping up the pace.

He laughs again, walking onto a bridge. "Yes. We have a whole part of the building just for science majors. Of course, there's one class you must take." He stops, and turns around.

"And.... What's that?" I ask, looking him right into his deep, green eyes.

He points to a building. "You have to take a class called predatory concealment. It's people who share similar characteristics as predatory animals learn to blend in and control themselves."

I huff. "So, there are more like me?"

He nods "but... You're different as well." he chuckles "that fire business might put you into another class... Fire bending 101. So that's two classes..." He leans in close, as if examining me.

I tense up, feeling his hot breath on my face, his emerald eyes examining every little feature about me. He opens his mouth to say something, but he's cut off by someone else.

"Mr. Mad. Are you tormenting one of our students again?" Mr. Mad backs up, a faint, pink glow to his face. "Ah. Professor Rodgers, what brings you out here?"

I turn around, and see a tall, striking man with white hair, but he doesn't look old. His eyes are as gold as the sun setting on a crisp, still ocean. He looks about 6 feet tall, slightly taller than Mr. Mad. He's wearing a white tuxedo with a golden shirt underneath.

He watches Mr. Mad with a smile. "I am here to greet our new student, Ms. Collins." He bows to me.

I watch him a bit nervously "does everyone here bow?" I ask, but curtsy anyway.

Professor Rodgers smiles and steps between Mr. Mad and I. He whispers something to Mr. Mad, making his face twist into a horrible, furious face.

Once Professor Rodgers finishes, Mr. Mads face turns back to a smile and he turns away. "I'll be seeing you in Predatory Concealment, Ms. Collins" He says, and heads off.

I look at Professor Rodgers. 'He seems wise and old, but he looks so young and happy, like....'

"A child?" He looks at me, his golden eyes twinkling.

"O-Oh! Was I talking out loud??" I ask, my face red in embarrassment.

He simply smiles. "Shall I accompany you to the office?"

I nod and follow.

We walk in silence as I look around the campus.

"So, Ms. Collins," he eventually says. "What did Mr. Mad tell you?"

I look at him. "We were just talking about the school. He's a bit creepy for a teacher, isn't he?" I ask

He smiles and nods. "He's part of our predatory and delinquent units. He may not look it, but he's quite strong." He opens the door of a large, circular building.

I walk in after him and he leads me to a conference room.

"Shall we?" He asks as I sit down.