The Misfits.

Chapter Four.

TUESDAY 11TH APRIL, 2016. 1:12 PM

Daphne didn't like Alex one bit.

She wasn't particularly fond of Randy, who still heartily dug into Alex's food despite his departure, or even Cassidy, who seemed a bit shaken up over the encounter, but, she really didn't like Alex- or Xander, or whatever he called himself.

She had heard the rumors that had been circulating around the school about his cannibalism, and of course, she didn't believe a thing. The details were still a bit fuzzy, but that was because there were none. The people behind it didn't bother perfecting the lie, but it still managed to blaze around the school like a wildfire.

She understood the reason for his seclusion, his tendency to want to be alone at times. What she didn't understand, however, was why he was so adamant on being alone. The reason the rumors spread so quickly was because he had made no attempt to refute them. At first, she assumed that it was because he believed that it would all die down eventually, but, despite no end to the silent torment in sight, Alex still made no move to try to clear his name. Instead, he started to behave more like someone that care should be exercised around, going as far as to crack dark jokes at his own expense. Just like he did when they walked up to him.

That behavior scared her. It scared the school. She didn't like it.

Then, less than a day ago, she had received a message, a rather ominous one, telling her someone wanted to meet her at the school's gym about her 'powers'. While this spooked her a bit, she shrugged it off as some kind of prank. It wouldn't have been the first time that someone got lured into the gym to get fooled.

At least, she believed it was just a prank until what she would refer to for the foreseeable future as 'The Incident' happened.

"He's the devil." Cassidy shakily spoke up, drawing their attention. Randy replied, his mouth still filled with food.

"That's rude."

"No, really... I can't explain it, but I feel like there's something incredibly dark about him. I saw it."

Daphne sighed; face palming as she rested her elbows on the table. She was beginning to wonder why she hadn't gone with Alex. He was rude, but she was beginning to see the sense in his departure. This whole thing was crazy.

"... Okay? This has nothing to do with the cannibal rumor?" Randy asked.

"No!" Cassidy hastily defended a bit too quickly. "I mean... Maybe? I don't know?"

There was silence. Then, Daphne felt a tiny object bounce off her forearm. She looked up just in time to catch a pea roll off the table, and she watched Randy pick up another one from the plate before him.

"Nothing to add, Ma'am?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Why did you delete the text message?"

"What text message?"

"Be serious."

"Well, little miss sunshine, I also assumed that the text was a prank at first. I got it this morning, when I was rushing home to get my homework. I got to school, intent on finding whoever was responsible for it. When I found it on Alex's phone, I believed that he was just another unfortunate victim, so, I deleted it. The dude's been through enough mockery in the past year, I didn't see the need to disturb him with more of it. Then, I read your phone's diary seconds away from deleting it on your phone... Then, I realized then something was off."

Daphne paused, contemplating. His answer made some sense. Maybe the boy was a bit smarter than he let on.

Randy pushed another soggy fry into his mouth, prodding her to reconsider that conclusion.