Program: Superhuman *ON HOLD*

Chapter 9: A Walk with a Vale

The next morning, Arden and I managed to convince Mom to go to her job, even though she was reluctant to. After eating breakfast, I went back to my room and changed into comfortable, light grey sweats that had a white "86" on the top right, and a light blue, sweater-like shirt. The neckline was large enough to fall off one of my shoulders, but I honestly couldn't care less. I was just relieved to have a day off school.

"Sammy!" I called, slipping on my glasses as I walked towards the front door. I grabbed his leash and shoved my feet in my flip flops.

The Golden Retriever came clumsily running towards me from the hallway, where his bed was at the end. With his tongue sticking out, he looked as if he was almost smiling. Leaning down, I clipped the leash to his collar, but before I opened the door, I heard the TV turned on. Walking around to the living room, I saw Arden sitting on the couch eating his breakfast and watching the news channel. Weird. He never watched the news. But when I saw the topic of the story, I realized why.

"-some of the students of the school claim that the Silhouette had saved them, but no proof has been found so far," Trevor said, one of the news anchors for Channel 8. "Reports have been filed that none were killed, but at least ten were injured, three being quite serious."

"Hm," Jenny said, sitting next to Trevor. "Those poor kids. The police have said that the fire was started by accident when an unnamed chef left a gas stove on for too long. Some parts of the school have managed to survive, but most of the building has already crumbled to the ground."

A picture showed on the screen of Warm Oaks High, or at least what was left of it.

Trevor continued by saying, "The school decided to not have classes today and will later continue them when they have another building to hold them. Miraculously, though, most of the lockers are still intact, so most books of the students weren't harmed in the damage. But, in other news-"

"Do you think they're telling the truth?" Arden asked, turning down the volume on the TV.

"About what?" I questioned.

"How the fire started. If it was actually an accident or if Mr. Vale started it."

"I... I don't know."

Silence ensued.

"I have to walk Sammy," I finally said. "See you."

He nodded, though I could barely see it over the couch. Walking to the front door, I opened it. Sammy barked excitedly and surged forward.

We took the usual route - the direction leading in the opposite direction of the Vales' mansion. The sun was out, brightly lighting up the landscape. Few clouds sat in the blue sky. It was a beautiful day. The only bad thing about it? My shin still hurt. But it was better than it had been when I first got it.

After a few more minutes, Sammy finally stopped to take care of his business. Honestly, why did he always have to pick the most perfect spot? What was the difference?

Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop.

I perked up at the sudden noise. It sounded like the musical notes of a horse's hooves hitting the dirt road. Ah, it sounded so peaceful.

Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop.

My heart fell when I realized what it meant, though. One of the Vales was riding my way.

Turning around, I fastened my eyes upon the tall figure astride a gorgeous, black stallion, whom I recognized to be Wyldefire. And that could only mean one thing: Junior rode him.

I honestly didn't know which was worse: being forced to walk side-by-side with Daren Vale Jr., or talking to the actual Daren Vale. I guess as the old phrase says, "Like father, like son."