Can't I Fit In Anywhere?

Chapter 8: Rising Secrets

Ryan trailed behind Slade for a while, wondering where they were going. Maybe the break room? I don't know! Where are we going!?  "So..." Ryan began. "Are you going to tell me what you wanted to tell me?"

Why does he keep glancing nervously at me?

"We're heading to a break room not far from here. I would have told you in the infirmary room except I don't think it would be the best with your two friends in there."

Ryan gave a laugh. "Ya, I feel be bad for the door though."

"I'm pretty sure most the damage so far during this school year is because of you." Slade stated coldly.

Ryan winced at the lovely reminder but continued on to the break room.

It wasn't long until they reached the break room. A simple room in most people's eyes. A small counter with a sink lines the wall opposite of the door, with a mini fridge resting on top, and a microwave was next to it.

One, small wooden table was in the corner, and that's where Slade headed. "Shut the door behind you please." He asked.

Ryan, who was just walking in, grasped the doorknob and shut it with a click.

Slade rested in a chair, his pose would suggest he was relaxed, but his tense muscles cleared away that option. He gave a small nod to an empty chair. The message was clear: Take a seat.

Ryan's eyes flickered over the small room with quick speed, something Slade always noticed with him. Along with the need to move and a few other tics.

"So why'd you drag me here?" Ryan's head clocked to the side, interest barely seen in his eyes.

Slade gave a sigh. "It-it's about your mana levels. Or rune levels, whatever you like to call them."

Ryan frowned, his eyebrows furrowing. "What about them? I know I have a lot more than average but what's wrong with that? Didn't you say that tends to happen with the fire runes?"

Slade pressed his lips together. How was he suppose to put what was wrong in words.

At Slade's silence, Ryan began to squirm. Something was wrong, he could tell. What it was though, he had no idea.

Slade finally pieced together a good way to say it. "Ryan," Wariness laced his tone. "The amount of mana in your body tripled for last year. While you were out, we tested your blood. The amount is about equal to the whole school added up."

However, there was another problem that Slade didn't say. It was the more complicated one that they couldn't figure out. Why was some mana dormant? It all should have activated once he first activated his fire runes. If some is dormant, how much would he have in total if they were all activated?

Ryan blinked slowly with owl like eyes. He leaned back in the chair, and if they were standing up, Slade could imagine Ryan would have taken a step back.

"Ryan," Slade caught his attention once again, snapping the boy from his wandering thoughts. "With that amount of mana, your runes are going to build up quickly."

"And that means..." Ryan's Adam's apple bobbed up and down, as he waited for the response. Slade didn't blame him for looking nervous and probably being nervous. Hell! He is and it doesn't affect him completely!

Ryan, sat there, completely still. Sure, he did notice as the days went on he got build up faster and faster, but seriously, can he not have a break in his life?

Even though he had on a hoodie, he shivered as a blast of cold air hit him.

No, you can't idiot.