Blue

Chapter 1 - Power On

Elise trots beside me, her short legs having to take several steps to keep up with the long strides I'm competing her with. Her head bops up and down and every so often, the faintest hint of annoyance rests on her face. Because of this, my stretched steps become much more constricted as I match her pace.

'No need to charge ahead, we won't be late,' she comments more to herself than me. She twists round her arm to study the expensive watch weighting down on her wrist before grimacing, 'Actually we will be if we don't hurry up,'

I see the momentary sense of panic pass over her features briefly before they abruptly vanish. Her expression calms and frantic movements become much more steady as she's calmed down. Another glance at her watch and this time she's unconcerned, eyes trained to the path as though possessed.

'I think it's about time you started hurrying up now,' I comment, noticing how I'd significantly slowed down to match her pace.

'No need to rush, we'll make it in time,' she states, hooking her bag a little tighter over her shoulder. I offer no response, continuing on the steady journey until I eventually see the roof of the school emerging over the top of the grassy hill concealing it. Apparently we were running late, noticing the lack of students flitting around the area.

'Come on Elise, I'm not walking like a snail the rest of the way,'

The queasy swirling in my stomach calms as I say this and Elise merely shrugs with a smile.

'Chill out would you, we'll be fine,'

Our teacher contradicts the idea that 'we'll be fine' as soon as we arrive late to his class. His nose pinches as he glares at the two of us. Of course it doesn't last long and his expression softens to the point he halts his shouting and sends us to sit ourselves down.

We separate, Elise taking her space at the front of the class and me, at the back. The seat beside me is vacant, strange considering my closest friend normally sits there. As far as I'm aware, he's never missed this class before.

'Just before we begin this lesson properly-' Our teacher flashes a glance towards me, slight annoyance still concealed within his features, 'We've been made aware that there's a student suffering with a malfunction. The leadership team are currently trying to clear him from the school grounds but right now he's refusing to cooperate,'

There's silence as every student takes in his warning. Whilst a malfunction is a common occurrence, it's one that hasn't taken place within the school grounds as of yet so none of us are quite sure how to react.

'We'd like to take this opportunity to warn you that if you are to come into contact with this individual, you avoid him and ignore what he says. He is dangerous and unsafe for interaction,'

Whisperings fill the room's silence suddenly, a gentle rustle of voices all fearing the same thing. Having a malfunction on grounds was compared to having a murderer in your presence according to the government.

I tune into a conversation to the left of my desk, the fear in their voices almost unrecognisable. It wouldn't take long before the effects came into play and everyone would be completely uncaring again.

'Jenna told me this morning he was yelling and throwing things about,' the girl beside me mutters, 'apparently he was shouting that all of us are the freaks and he's normal,'

She pulls a face in disgust, obviously not believing this at all. Her friend shakes her head.

'Why they even let people like him continue living is beyond me,'

I frown as she says this, not because I think she was wrong to say it (many people possess her exact same views) but rather because of the harshness in her voice. There are alliances all across the world that fight for the same reason, because they want these malfunctions hunted. I can't see how it's completely fair, especially considering how their problems are completely accidental but then again it's hardly like an insignificant individual such as myself can fight against it. Without being killed at least.