I don't run down the all-too-well-known path to the hospital, but the opposite direction. Hot tears burn in my eyes as I fly down the hall. I don't know where I'm going, just that I have to get away from the hurt and hatred. I have to get away from the beast inside of me.
When I stop, brushing tears from my eyes, I find myself standing in front of my favorite classroom. Magical Control. I walk in, though I don't know why. The room looks the same as always; the floor covered in small pillows where we sit and study, whenever we're not messing around trying new spells. In the corner of the room sits a tottering pile of books, no two the same, some on defence spells, some on the properties of magical objects, a few on dark magic, and some on the history of elf and goblin wars or leprechaun revolts against magical enslavement. In the front of the room it a heavily scratched and chipped wooden desk.
Jason Mark, our handsome teenage teacher, sits behind the desk, his head bent, pouring over a worn leather book. I try to back up so that my handsomely intimidating teacher doesn't see me, but I had burst into the room so suddenly that he was now looking up at me, his dark eyes baring into my own.
"I see you have received my letter." When he talks, his voice is velvet and his slight southern accent hangs in the air.
"Um... no. I just was," I pause, not wanting him to know what I was doing or why I was crying, "I was just running."
"Within the Ward?" his eyebrows shoot up his forehead. I nod. "No matter, you are here and I shall tell you personally." He heaved a great sigh and closed his book, stowing it beneath his desk. "You exploded again, less destructive than last time, but, all the same, you landed Riley in the hospital."
He motions to the chair across from him that I have, in too many occasions, taken up. I sit, intimidated by his sudden solemness. I look down, scared to make eye contact.
Jason gently lifts my face to look into his eyes. "Please look at me when I speak to you, Miss Tanner." His hand is gentle but firm, and I have no choice but to look into his intensly dark eyes. They stare into me, into my very soul. I shift uncomfortably but don't drop my gaze.
"The government knows about us and we have recieved a warning. About you. They are aware of your accidents, and they think you are a threat to, well, everyone. They want you warned that if it happens again, they will be taking you away to live in a home for people that they believe to be a threat. Most of them have magic in their blood, but all the same, it is not a pleasant place to be." He leaned forward, his fingers together, his nose nearly touching mine. "And I don't think we can let that happen." He leans back again and adds, "Can we?"
I shake my head, my insides squirming. "Can't we trick them if it happens again?" The childish question is out of my mouth before it is processed in my head. I furrow my eyebrows and look down again, embarassed.
This time, Jason excuses me from looking into his eyes when he says, "Trick the government? No, I don't think that would work. I'm sorry, Brayd. You've got to control it."
"I can't! I don't know how! Jason, please, you've got to help me," I cry.
"I will help as much as I can," Jason says. Suddenly the door bursts open and Quinn and Quill tumble into the room looking out of breath and Quinn is clutching a piece of paper and an envelope.
"Brayd is all right. You can't let them take her, Jason!" Quinn panted.
Jason raises both his hands and looks at the twins. "They're not going to take Brayd. You two can help her learn to control her powers. If you are willing to, of course."
Quill nods his head. "Of course."
"We'll do anything," Quinn adds.
"Good. First, Brayd, I think you'd better go visit Riley. Boys, I need to talk to you."
I nod and leave the room. Turning around, I jog to the hospital in the East wing of the Ward. When I get there, the plump Mrs. Hoelzle is at the desk, reading a book. She doesn't look up as she says, "Visiting hours are from 9 to 3. It's 4:32."
"I need to see Riley."
"Visiting hours are from ni-"
I slam my hands against the desk."I NEED TO SEE RILEY. NOW."
She jumped back and showed me the way to my boyfriend without further argument. When I see Riley, I push past Hoelzle to him.
He holds his arms out and I happily fall into them, collapsing into his chest. His strong arms are burned and scratched, but they are not any less strong as they used to be. Before I...I ...
"I'm sorry," I say as tears begin to cascade down my face.
"Hush, you're alright. You tried not to," he wispers.
