Broken Genes

Chapter Twelve

I had been jumpy for the rest of the evening, barely got any sleep and now had a band aid on my hand from gripping the shark tooth so hard that it pierced my skin. Every noise, shadow or shiver crumbled my walls and my nerves were shot. This morning wasn’t much better, but at least it was day time now.

I got ready for school in record time and was out the door, running towards my school.  I was wearing a long sleeved top to cover the five long scars. I have a small kitchen knife wrapped up in a cloth in the back pocket of my back pack, for safety measures. I also have my phone tuned on, opposed to off, and am keeping it in my jacket pocket instead of my bag. I don’t have anyone I could call other than Jase but I guess if things get too bad I can always call 911 – although, if last night was anything to go by, then I won’t be living long enough to even dial, let alone wait for the cops to get their lazy butts over to where they are needed.

I shake the thoughts from my head as I find myself on the school grounds. I am, once again, free of sweat and don’t feel like I have used any energy. It took the measly amount of three minutes and I find that I am, once again, early for school. If this carries on, the teachers will start to think that I want to be here.

I feel too vulnerable outside, so I decide to go inside to the library. The warm air hits me the second I walk in, and with it comes the feeling of protection, and I can’t help but let out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding in. The library isn’t anything impressive but it is a source of books, and for this reason, it means quite a lot to me. The room itself is quite large and open, with lots of natural light. There are rows upon rows of bookshelves along with a few tables and chairs. There are also a few old computers in the far corner – and that’s where I’m heading. I walk past the main desk and Mrs Dove immediately snaps up her head. A bright smile fills her face when she sees it’s me. She has always liked me because I am practically the only person to use the library for the right reason. She is in her late seventies but can move fast if you mishandle any of her books. She has a stern face but a grandmotherly feel is also present. She is relatively short and has a slight frame and the best way to describe her is breakable steel.

“Hello Sebastian.” She beams, “I haven’t seen you in a while. Are you okay? I heard you went home sick on the first day.” I give her a small smile.

“I’m fine now, thanks for asking.” I ask pleasantly.

“Are you getting some more books?” I shake my head in reply.

“Not today. I’m here to use the computers, I need to do some research on….a project.” I try to cover up with a smile. She doesn’t looks convinced but says farewell and gets back to work.

I saunter over to the computers and set down my bag.  I reach inside and look for the image I drew in art on the first day. Once I find it, I scan it in and press search. It takes a minute to load. Eventually results come up, but I only have a second to read the first heading, before the screen goes fuzzy and a message appears: Blocked search. But I don’t even care, my mind is whirring. It was probably just a random heading but I felt like it made just a tiny bit of sense. It had said: Government Genetic Mutation.

I search in this heading, but that website doesn’t appear again. All I get is stuff about government conspiracies and explanations. One caught my eye but it didn’t mean anything to me, it read: Breaking down the genes of people and remoulding them to fit criteria’s. Only works with babies. Can consist of sometimes inserting substances of great power. No known success. ILLEGAL.

I stare dumfounded. I log of and decide not to worry about it. Maybe the voice in the visions is right, maybe I’m not ready.

Eventually the bell goes and I start my day. It passes just like the one before and it, yet again, I find myself having to reel in my anger more than once. Fourth period arrives and time returns to normal for a while. I finish my work but unlike normal, Mr H. doesn’t rush over. Instead he stays at his desk, however, I can still feel his eyes. They are constantly sweeping over me, like he is searching my soul. I hear him take a sudden intake of breath and I look up to see where he is looking. He is staring at my arm and I look down and I realize why.