Secret Powers

Chapter 10

It took a bit to explain everything that happened to the police, especially with all the boys having to give their statements. While some more of the boys were being interrogated Cindy stood near Bruno as they waited for his turn.
"It was so nerve wracking talking to them." Cindy sighed in relief sitting on a bench with Bruno leaning on the school's wall next to her. "If they had said something about me resembling my alter ego I was going to break down."
"You seemed to be fine the way you talked so confidently." He remarked without facing her. Surprised at the way he talked, Cindy glanced at him then followed his eyes to where the cops were talking to the others. She didn't understand, why did he sound like he was worried, and why did he glare at the police with such contempt?
"You're the last one." The lead officer announced, walking over to Bruno. "What's your name son?"
"I'm Bruno, Bruno Matchitehew." He hesitated with the officer for only a moment. "That's my name. You spell it M-A-T-C-H-I-T-E-H-E-W." He explained without moving away from the wall.
The officer stopped writing in his notepad and locked eyes with Bruno. "An interesting name you have there." He turned back to his notes. "I've only heard it once before. A man named Allan Matchitehew. Ever heard of him?"
"Does me answering that help with the case here?" Bruno replied coldly, his glare getting sharper.
"Maybe." The man glanced at him. "It all depends."
"I read about him in the newspaper." Bruno spoke, annoyed. "I don't know him personally, we never talked, at least not that I remember. Who knows what I might have said to the stranger if we ran into each other."
The adult stayed quiet for a few seconds before nodding and writing down what the boss said to him.
"How about what happened today?" He moved on to the the main topic. "What do you have to say?"
"Probably only what others said." Bruno shrugged with a normal expression. "Two strangers, that I can't describe very well, came and tried to kidnap Cindy. We chased them off with the help of your sirens."
The man finished writing and unclicked his pen, then turned to everyone. "Thank you all for you'll cooperation." The lead officer pronounced. After that he got into his car and left with the other men.
"What was that about?" Cindy tugged on Bruno's sleeve. "Why was he so interested in your relationship with... Allan Matchitehew?"
"Allan Matchitehew was all over the newspapers a while back." He pulled his sleeve out of her hand. "Nothing more to it. He was an evil man who didn't care about anyone but himself. That's how he was."
"You seem to know a little bit about him for a person who has only read about him." Cindy tilted her head and rubbed her temple as it throbbed. "I don't remember anything in the newspaper about that man either."
"I never said I only read about him." Bruno sighed and eyed Cindy. "You also wouldn't know about it, it was a very long time ago, too long for you to care about what was in the tabloids."
"Then why do you know?" Cindy didn't understand anything he was saying. It was like he was talking in tongues. "You may have a few months on me, but that's not enough for you to care and me not to. Was it because you had the same last name?"
"No." Bruno rolled his eyes irritated at the ever curious nuisance sitting next to him. "Just let it be."
"Come on." Cindy stood in front of him to block his view of anything else. "Tell me why so I can understand. Didn't I tell you my situation? Why can't you tell me yours?"
"Never heard of curiosity killed the cat?" He snapped then walked around her and to the other boys.
"That punk..." She thought as she scowled watching him heading out with Kevin. "Can't he trust me and tell me anything!"
"What is it?" Clara asked wrapping her arms around the unusually quiet girl. "You got something on your mind?"
"Nope..." Cindy stuck her tongue out at the back of Bruno without him noticing. Why should She worry about him? "Let's go home."
The ride home was quiet due to the fact that Cindy was in her head the whole time. What was Bruno hiding? Why wouldn't he tell her? Did the attitude he give the police have to do with the reason he didn't want to help them with his powers? Why was she still dwelling on this after she told herself she wouldn't? These were only a few of the questions that flew through her head.
"Why have you been so silent?" Clara inquired as she parked the car in the drive way. "You usually have more to say than this." With only a shrug as an answer, Clara went on. "Well, I don't want you going on missions while your parents are after you."
"Yeah..." Cindy followed her aunt solemnly into the house, wishing someone would tell her things. No one seemed to think her trust-worthy.
The next day went like normal with all the boys ditching class, leaving Cindy the only one to show up, which pleased the teacher immensely. Cindy didn't even see Bruno and heard whispers that he didn't come in. Was he avoiding her?
"Whatever." Cindy muttered after school as she headed out to find Clara. Him coming or not coming wasn't her business, it wasn't like they were best friends. They barely knew each other, if it wasn't for the fact that he had powers, she wouldn't have even told him as much as she had. However, there was still this missing feeling. Was it because someone wasn't telling her things again? She had just found out she wasn't related to her aunt! Why did she have to go through this?
"No!" She yelled at herself shaking her finger, appearing to be crazy to those who walked by her. "He is none of my concern!" She repeated this all the way to the exit.
"There you are." A boy spoke standing at the head of six guys in front of her as she left the building. "What are you going to do now that your precious guardian isn't here?"
Cindy didn't speak, but only stared at them. Here she was trying to forget about him and telling herself that he had nothing to do with her, and now these guys go on and say his name? Didn't they care about her feelings or the fact that she didn't care?
"You giving us the silent treatment?" He cracked his knuckles while stepping forward. "You a little cheeky for a girl a year younger than us."
"I really don't want to deal with this." She sighed drooping her shoulders. "Even if the boss isn't here that doesn't change the fact that my aunt is." She pointed to said person who waved back. "She isn't someone you want to mess with, so why don't you give up?"
"Cause you got some old lady on your side?" One of the others scoffed. "Don't think us so pathetic."
"I didn't say anything of the sort." She continued to walk, but they moved to stay in front, no one was making her life easy.
"Listen here!" She snapped at them. "I don't fancy being at school any longer than needed. I simply want to go home and do my homework so I can then do whatever so pleases me!"
"And we simply want you to come with us." The leader of the punks crossed his arms. "What's wrong with that?"
"You guys are making my life difficult." She tilted her head to the side. "Why don't you stop everything you have running in your head and think clearly. Even if he's not here today, what would he do tomorrow after figuring out what you did?"
"He may not be coming tomorrow." Another joined in with his cheery voice. "He's at home sick with the flu, according to rumors that is."
"The flu!" Cindy couldn't believe it! Here she was, at school after almost being kidnapped, but Bruno went and got the flu? How did that happen? He wasn't even under some kind of stress!
"That little weakling." She mumbled under her breath. "What does he think he's doing?"
"Can you not get distracted?" The leader spoke up as she talked to herself. "We are here threatening you, you know?" Without listening to them, Cindy turned back to the school and ran to the teachers lounge, with the seniors on her tail.
"Wait right there!" The leader huffed, she might not have looked like it, but Cindy was a fast runner. "We were still... huff... Threatening!"
"Threatening?" The teacher smiled brightly as he left the lounge. "Who were you threatening and with what?"
Shocked at the adult's sudden appearance, the gang didn't know how to reply.
"You should call it a day boys." He walked over and patted the front's head. "Before you regret your actions."
"Y- Y- Yes, sir." He stuttered while backing up. "Excuse us!" They all turned and ran back to the exit leaving the teacher and Cindy by themselves.
"What was that?" Cindy pointed over at the path they took. Why were they so scared of the idiotic teacher?
"I have a bit crazy backstory." He smiled brightly as he headed back to the lounge. "I was a real bruiser."
"No way..." Cindy spoke under her breath. Could her teacher actually be a good fighter? Her flighty, silly teacher? Impossible. However, the stare those boys gave him, could it be true?
"What was it you needed?" He inquired as if nothing was wrong. "You were coming here so fast I assume you have something to talk about."
"Ah!" She couldn't think about this right now! She had come for a reason. "Why didn't Bruno come to school?" She followed behind him intertwining her fingers. "Not that I care a lot."
"He's at home with the flu." Mr. Teacher led her to his desk and he rummaged through a drawer before handing her a little piece fo paper and a few regular-sized ones. "If you would be so kind, could you bring this to him? They're the homework for today, very important to do."
"You know he probably won't do them right?" Cindy held the papers and stared at the little one. It had, what she assumed, was Bruno's address. "He usually doesn't even come to class."
"I know." Teacher frowned as drops of water started to fill his eyes. Was he really a bruiser? "However, no one can blame this guy for trying." He wiped his eyes and hugged Cindy, shocking her. "I wish every student was like you!"
"Thank you?" She patted his head and he released her so he could sit down at his desk. "Then I'm off."
"You are a good girl." Were his last words before she exited. She could still hear him crying as she walked down the hall.