Joker and the Cripple ----Abandoned----

Part 3: Power Plays

Seraphina

Seraphina had decided that she wouldn't let John get to her. She failed miserably.

The nerve of him! Saying class is more important than I am - he doesn't give a sh*t about class! If it wasn't for me, he'd never have even bothered to study!

Despite herself, Seraphina kept one eye on John, and what she saw confused her. John was deep in thought, his face darkening into a frown every now and then, before returning to a preoccupied stare directed at the blank sheet of paper on his desk. It was almost as if he were having an argument with someone who no one else could see.

Is he... nervous about talking to me? Actually, I'm not going to go there, I refuse to start deluding myself. Of course he isn't nervous. He's John, after all. Although this is a twisted version of the person I knew, he has the same confidence. With his ability, it's to be expected.

Seraphina refused to admit that her denial was too quick to be believable even to herself.

After class, John got up and left the classroom the instant the bell rang. All the other students jumped out of his way as he stormed out the door. Whispers sprang up in his wake, and one by one every pair of eyes in the room came to rest on Seraphina. She ignored them, coolly packing her papers into her binder. It was a purple expanding file with a pale green design.

John had given it to her as a "Congrats on breaking free from the hierarchy" gift the day after she cut her hair. She refused to let her hands start shaking at the memories.

The whispers followed her into the hall, past Cecile's narrowed eyes and Arlo's tired ones.

Just before she reached the stairs, a hand appeared out of nowhere and whacked her binder out of her hands.

"Hey Cripple. Where ya headed? Don't you know the roof is off limits to you weaklings?" he sneered. As if he had any right to talk. Seraphina recognized him; the guy was only barely a mid-tier.

Seraphina huffed. "Unfortunately, I need to go to the roof to meet John. You wouldn't want to go against the King's orders, would you?" She made no move to pick up her binder.

Abel's face ran through an array of emotions: fear, then disbelief, then a level of derision Seraphina had rarely seen.

"What, do you think I'm stupid? There's no reason why our King would want anything to do with a lowly cripple! There's no way you're going to con your way into getting to the roof." At this, his eyes began to glow red, and he started to raise his palm. Seraphina tensed, preparing to jump out of the way.

He's only a few feet away. If I dodge his initial attack, I can get closer to him while he lines up his aim again. One good hit to the head should knock him out, and if he tries to use his ability against me from that close, he'll take just as much damage as I will. Either way -

Her thoughts were interrupted when a hand clamped down on Abel's wrist. Abel's face once again flipped through a dizzying range of emotions: indignation, then recognition, closely followed by stark terror and... clear pain.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?" The words were smoothly delivered, but the underlying threat was clear. A pair of golden eyes pierced into him.

"I - I was just - " Abel stuttered out. John interrupted him.

"You know what? I really don't care. But for next time, remember: you do not interfere with me. And enough of this idiotic notion of guarding the roof. Is that clear?" Abel nodded frantically. His face was now completely twisted with pain. John tilted his head. "Just to be sure..."

A crack sounded, and Abel gasped. John finally released Abel's wrist, which he immediately clutched to his chest. Abel's eyes had stopped glowing at some point and he was on the verge of tears. John managed to break his wrist with one hand. Not even using an ability. I knew he was strong, but not that he was that strong!

"Now f*ck off and bother Darren." John said dismissively. Abel sprinted off down the hall. John watched him until he was out of sight, then finally turned his glare towards the hallway full of silent spectators. Seraphina stared at him, but he had yet to look at her. In fact, he was standing between her and the crowd, almost as if he was protecting her. And why would he tell Abel to go to Doc Darren?

"In case it wasn't completely obvious, that goes for the rest of you as well." Finally, he turned towards her. The rage was still clear in his eyes, but it was not directed at her.

"Let's go," he all but growled, jerking his head towards the staircase to the roof. Seraphina said nothing, but bent down, grabbed her things, and headed towards it. John followed behind her. The few students between them and the stairs squeaked and scrambled away. Seraphina was acutely aware that this was because of a person that she had turned her back to. It had seemed like a good idea, to show that she wasn't scared, but now she regretted it.

John. What game are you playing?