Guardians of Anteverum City

Chapter Five: Self-Proclaimed Mission

Academics class had just begun, and yet I had already lost focus. I had told Faye and Ottie that I was offered a job at Operations the night before. They assumed that I was a student scout, so I had to give them a huge explanation of my real job, the history of Anteverum City, and my cover story. Surprisingly, they both took the news well. Ottie didn’t really understand everything, but Faye seemed to take the story into further consideration. I looked out the window and caught myself thinking about Reese. It was true that I was upset that he said no to Demetria, but I realized that considering I knew nothing about him, it wasn’t fair for me to take his decision so personally. Why did I take it so personally anyways?

  I glanced at the pages in the file Opal gave me when she dropped me off. On the last page, there was a list of phone numbers and email addresses of the Guardians. Reese’s number was listed as well. I had fiddled with the paper so much that its edges were worn, whereas all of the other pages were perfectly intact. Without even thinking, I raised my hand and asked if I could go to the bathroom. Eliza gave me a funny look on my way out, probably because I rarely excused myself from class.

  I sprinted up to the roof of the building, pulled out my phone, and typed in Reese’s number. My stomach plunged when I hit dial. Why am I doing this?

  “Hello?” a familiar voice answered.

  “Hi Reese, this is Lyra,” I began. I suddenly became aware of the fact that he should be in class at this time. “Um, is this a bad time?” Reese laughed,

  “No it’s fine. I didn’t go to class today. What’s up?” Good question Reese. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a concrete reason for calling.

  “I was wondering if we could talk sometime. In person I mean.” There was silence on the other end. “Hello?”

  “Sorry! I was just a little surprised. Are you free right now?” he asked.

  “Well I’m on the roof of my school right now but I was­–”

  “Perfect, I’ll be there in 10!” The line disconnected.

  “Going to go back to class…” I said to myself with a heavy sigh. I now had two choices, go back to class and stand up Reese or wait for him here and cut class, which I had never done before.

  After a few minutes of internal debate, I sent Eliza a message saying she and the girls had to find a way to get me out of class and sat down with my back against the fence. She replied shortly after saying they would cover for me. I shut my eyes and began to reprimand myself for my actions. Shortly after, someone called my name.

  “Lyra! Are you up there?” I jumped to my feet and looked for the source of the voice, which ended up being down on the ground. Reese was standing there with another guy wearing the same uniform as him.

  “Shh! Don’t call my name so loudly!” I hissed back. Reese laughed.

  “Alright, hold on a second,” he called out. I couldn’t make out exactly what happened next, but Reese and his friend disappeared.

  “All set!” I heard a voice from behind me. I wheeled around and came face to face with the Sanctions officer we met during the power core incident.

  “Ethan?” I gasped. Reese poked his head out from behind Ethan and waved. “Are you a teleporter?” I asked.

  “Who? Me or Reese?” Ethan replied. I realized that I didn't even know what Reese’s ability was. “Either of you.”

  “You just witnessed one of my spells. I’m a chanter. Well, that’s what I call myself anyways,” Ethan said with a smile. He was acting much friendlier than he did when he met, but I remained reserved. “I’ll leave you to your business. Catch you later man!” he said, slapping Reese on the shoulder before he disappeared.