Finding it a little difficult to breathe as she tentatively entered the classroom with the rest of the students in her class, Sora examined the damage Kari had done.
The whispers she heard from the others weren’t even questioning how she’d done it, which was insane.
Okay, so… Kari, a 16-year-old girl, can crush desks and punch through a brick wall?
Sure… Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
What the hell is she?
Moving to the back wall, she reflexively swallowed as she noticed the teens on the opposite side doing the same.
It made sense; the hole was at least twice the size of a fist, and it was clearly done from within their classroom, with the explosion going out the opposite side.
Even if someone says it was Kari that did it… No shot.
Who would even believe a story like that?
If someone did try to take them seriously, they’d just get the same treatment I did.
She shied away from the area as a boy poked at the residual damage, causing fragments to scatter on the floor.
More desks were thrown to the sides, likely shoved aside when Kari went full rage mode, and on closer inspection, Sora saw slight damage to the wax over the tiles.
Chatter was minimal with the students edging in, but the discussion soon petered out when everyone realized this was real.
Anything involving Kari already made people cautious, and if that wasn’t enough, now they had this unreal bit of evidence that told Sora it was good she never tried to fight the Alpha Bully.
How would anyone explain this— Her unease didn’t last long before Jessica came jogging into the classroom with three other girls from Kari’s inner circle.
They had a scent similar to Lori’s, and while still off-putting, it was a tad less putrid.
It was obvious what their intention was by the putty and a school poster in hand.
The seniors threw dirty glares that told them not to breathe a word, then covered the hole on both sides and carried out the desk.
Their face said it all: you don’t want your face to look like that wall.
One of Kari’s members must have stalled the teacher in the opposite classroom for whatever Lori had planned, and by the time the bell rang, the rooms were more or less tidied up, excluding a desk.
Jessica hung around the entrance, a wet paper towel holding the last of the wiped-away dust before she threatened, “You didn’t see anything.” Parting words delivered, she let the door swing shut, leaving them in silence.
This had been the most extreme commotion and insanity that she’d seen from Kari—she was typically really clever about what she did—and even Sora thought telling this to Mary might get her back on the meds.
Five minutes passed after classes started, and Sora pulled out her phone to scan the web.
A lot of desks were empty, with rumors spreading, leaving only a dozen or so students sitting around the room.
Still, Mr.
Quest—their History teacher—hadn’t made an appearance.
Searching for ‘Miami Beach Senior High Monsters,’ all she found was the school’s website and apartments near the building, but there was also an article about them changing the slogan from ‘Home of the Hi Tides’ to ‘Home of the Wolves.’ She puffed out a short huff and scanned the faces of the other teens around the room.
I bet more than a few will ask their parents to transfer after this… At least those near enough to hear it, but maybe they’ll just think she used some kind of bomb or something?
I bet most people will just call their friends crazy.
A frown touched her lips as she crossed her legs and leaned forward to rest her chin against her hand.
I don’t feel that scared anymore… I just want to know what she is!
If I know what I’m dealing with, then at least I can stock up on garlic or something.
She giggled at the thought, wondering if she should start bringing silver or herbs to school before remembering she was getting out of this hell hole.
Five more minutes passed, causing whispers between friends, and Sora’s thoughts settled back on Kari’s revelation; she had a name now.
“Hmm…” Devin… Her brother’s pet, huh?
Sucking away her chapstick, she applied another layer.
Mary did some digging and found some scary stuff, so… Is Kari a Russian-made super weapon?
Is she sent here as some kind of sleeper agent?
Her eyes dulled while she reconsidered her thoughts.
Right… A Russian-made super-agent is infiltrating a Miami high school and bullying kids for the pride of Mother Russia!
No, I don’t think she’s talked about Russia in the last three years—like at all—other than that’s where she came from.
She sat a little straighter before puffing out an exasperated sigh.
What if she lied?
Big brain theories… Kari speaks Russian.
Bah, that doesn’t even matter!
She’s probably more of a monster with intimidation powers or— All gossip died as the door opened, revealing a disheveled man in his mid-thirties who looked like he’d just woken up thirty minutes ago, threw on the first set of clothes he could reach, ran his fingers through his hair, and booked it to class.
“Whoa!
Uh-heh, humm… Well, a lot fewer students than I thought there’d be?” Scratching his scruffy chin, he set a briefcase on Mr.
Quest’s neat desk and sipped a cup of coffee for a second while scanning the silent class.
“Hmm.
Right… I’m Mr.
Handburg, and I’ll be subbing in for Mr.
Quest.” Sora’s stomach shifted uneasily as she raised her hand, drawing attention to herself.
“Ahh,” he nodded and shifted to pop open his briefcase to look at a sheet at the top.
“Ms… Sora, is it?” “Mhm.” “Wonderful,” he chimed before clearing his throat.
“What’s your question?” “What happened to Mr.
Quest?
Why isn’t he here?” Lips bunching to the side, Mr.
Handburg put a hand on his hip and sighed, scanning the intent looks on the other students’ faces.
“I suppose you’re all wondering the same thing, hmm?” Taking another sip of his coffee, he set it beside his briefcase.
“I’d love to tell you why Mr.
Quest isn’t here today, but, heh, I’m just a substitute teacher called in at the last second.
I suggest you go to the office and ask after him once school ends.
Besides, I’m sure he’d love to hear some of his students cared enough to inquire about his health.”