Hades' Lost Son

Human Punishment

"Sir, they---"

"I don't care who you claim 'started' it," Principal Alamir cut Emerson off (again), "I will watch the recording now, and see what the truth is, Ms. Claire, please watch over these boys."

With that the principal left the room. Ms. Claire was about half the size of all the boys. Probably in her mid-sixties, and didn't take crap from anyone.

Emerson slouched down into his plastic chair, everyone knew he was going to lie about what had happened, even Alex who was still trying to comprehend how this whole school idea worked. Back in the underworld, he would have sat for an hour learning, went to practice sword fighting or work out, then go back for another hour and repeat.

"Ms. Claire, may I--"

"No," she barked out. She wasn't happy at all that Mr. Alamir thought she could handle watching sixteen boys on her own. Barely even paying attention to them, she sat behind her desk 'working' (solitaire was a good game).

"Wow, this old b!tch is even harsher than the stories say," Jeremy whispered to Freddy.

"NO TALKING!" Ms. Claire almost screamed out at the boys. Not a single one spoke a word until Mr. Alamir came back.

"Well boys," the principal began, "It was clear that Emerson started it, and Alektos was just protecting himself. Then you all just came in and started attacking them, for what purpose? To protect your leader who was already down? To try and rebuild your own sorry egos by taking down a boy who beat the almighty Mr. Voltz?"

The boys all burst into stories, each different for why they had acted how they did. Mr. Alamir raised a hand to silence them, which did the job quickly, "I will be taking you in, one at a time to discuss what happened from your point of view, and what your punishment will be. Except for the four who were attacked. I will be taking them in first," he then turned to Ms. Claire once again, "keep these athletes in line, please."

"I can do that sir," she mumbled, clearly not excited about the baby-sitting job she was being forced into.

"Alektos, Kayne, Gwyn, and Blaise, please follow me," Mr. Alamir said politely, but the students knew it was just a formality. If the principal didn't have to have filter, what would he have said?

The four stood up and followed the man into the principal's office, closing the door behind them. As he took a seat behind his desk, Mr. Alamir waved to the four chairs across the wall of his office, hinting to them to take a seat.

"Boys," Mr. Alamir began, but he was interrupted.

"Sir, if you wouldn't mind explaining to me what was so wrong about what just happened, it would clear my confusion quickly. I don't understand what we did wrong," Alex said, his voice sounded like it was pleading, almost begging.

Mr. Alamir gave Alex the strangest look, "Have you read over the handbook young man?"

"Not entirely, I simply read the first few pages then got a summary from one of my acquaintances here," Alex replied.

Rubbing his temples, the principal took a breath and explained, "You are here because fighting is against school rules. There is no need to be physically violent while on school grounds. If you quarrel, leave it to verbal, and keep it school appropriate."

Alex leaned back in his seat, absorbing this new information slowly, "I think I comprehend what you are saying. Thank you for explaining that rule to me. Do you have a copy of the handbook I could read?"

Gwyn chuckled, the glare from Mr. Alamir stopped him, "Yes, I do," he said, reaching into a drawer on his desk, taking out a thick book, and handing it too Alex.