The Library of Powers

Chapter 13 - part 2

The next day in English, Jackson was idly waiting for the class to end. Unfortunately, he couldn't speed up time or he would have certainly done so. It wasn't necessarily that the class was boring, he just knew all the information already. They were discussing the themes of Macbeth, which Jackson had read quite a few times before, in The Library. Wasn't much else there to occupy himself with, so he had probably read all the books any class he'd take would offer for the rest of his life. Although, assuming that is what caused his secret to get out, so maybe he should reconsider.

It didn't change the fact that he wanted class to end. Ms. Salmon's attempts at fostering class discussion didn't help either, as long lulls in talking happened in between every comment made by a student. But she would never give up, and eventually, someone would raise their hand out of pity.

It was in one of these lulls that a single succinct rap reverberated on the door. Jackson glanced over, and the face of Principal Gonners peering through the glass.

Right at Jackson.

Ms. Salmon went to open the door, and Jackson already knew what the words would be. Words he was used to hearing, although never in conjunction with him. "Reil, to my office. Please," Gonners stated, right on cue. With only slight hesitation, Jackson stood up, and followed the Principal down the hall.

As they did, Jackson passed lockers, dozens of lockers. They were open, locks gone. That wasn't the strange part though. They were all empty. Had some students left? Why then would the lockers be open? Principal Gonners looked down at Jackson expectantly, to which he responded by cocking an eye. What was going on?

They entered the administrative section of the school, and soon after Principal Gonner's office. He motioned for Jackson to take a seat. He reluctantly obliged. Once the Principal was also seated, he spoke. "Jackson Reil, I'm sure you've noticed the missing backpacks."

"Actually, no. Is that why all the lockers were open?"

Gonners peered at him. While he didn't wear glasses, Jackson could vividly imagine him pushing a pair further up his nose. "Why yes, that is why. And they all happened in very quick succession. The lock would disappear, and then the backpack. We caught it all on tape, but never did a person appear. I can't show it to you per school code, but it's there."

While Jackson did not trust Gonners in the slightest, he knew the halls of the school were heavily monitored. They probably had evidence. But there was a problem with that. "But I didn't do it," Jackson answered sincerely.

"Now hold up a moment there Jackson, I hadn't even accused you yet!"

"But you were going to?"

Principal Gonners sneered. "You got me there. Just so happens you're the only person in the school with the powers to pull it off."

Something about that struck Jackson the wrong way, but he plowed ahead anyway. "But I didn't!" His mind was reeling. Why was this happening? Was someone trying to frame him? Could this be the 'first move' he had to counter? Or was it... Oh, it was. It was revenge. Revenge from Selina for, well, was it really for rejecting her? That seemed a bit much, but then again, she hadn't taken it well.

"Selina! Selina could have done it!" Jackson exclaimed.

"Perhaps with practice and help, yes, but there's an important piece of information that makes that very unlikely," Gonners rebutted. He held the moment until the moment became a second, and the second became a while.

"And?"

"Hmm?"

"What's the information?"

"Ah yes, sorry. I was enjoying watching you squirm. You must understand, catching a criminal, not something I get to do often as an administrator," He explained, somehow making it even worse. "Anyways, her backpack was one of the stolen ones. And before you say 'she did that on purpose', as she told me 'it was a very expensive backpack, I wouldn't make it so I could never wear it again without being caught'. Besides, why would she frame a student when it could so easily damage her family name? Foolish."

Jackson put his head down. "So that's what this is. Her family name is letting her get away with it."

"Wellll..."

Jackson raised his head.

"We don't actually have proof it was you," his words came out slowly, like they physically pained him to say, "So we can't do anything, at least yet. But mark my words Jackson, I will be keeping a very keen eye on you. And I will make sure your teachers do the same. You will face justice."

Jackson grimaced. Exactly what he needed, a Principal with a god complex.

"You can go now. Remember, Superpower class after school."

Jackson groaned. Exactly what he needed, more time near Selina.