CHAPTER THREE: LET'S PANIC

SELENA

           Selena went straight to the toilet and barricaded herself in. She slid down on the marbled floor, her hands on her face. The memory of the incoming vehicle flashed in her mind. She was sure that it was heading her way. The trajectory guaranteed so. But something… Something blocked its path and she knew she witnessed the hood of the vehicle hit something and skid inches away from them like it hit something circular in form.

           And she knew. She knew from the inner depths of her consciousness that she caused it. She conjured the invisible barrier out of thin air.

           What the bloody hell is going on?

           She grabbed her hair, lost, and frowned at the unfamiliar texture. Since when did her hair start to be this soft? She put his hands under her bangs and touched her cheeks. Her pimples are gone. She didn't know that the day will come that the absence of her pimples won’t be a happy memory but rather be a dreadful one.

           Admit it. You almost didn't recognize, Cynthia. And it’s only been four days since you last saw her.

           Was the castle real? Did the castle do this to me? To us?

           Am I still dreaming?

           Her eyes were starting to water. She hates being clueless. Being helpless. And she knew Cynthia saw the same thing she saw. What would her friend think of her now?

           And if she’s changing the same way she’s changing: can she conjure something like that too?

           She doesn’t know how long she stayed cooped up inside their toilet. She knew she fell asleep inside there because when she opened her eyes, she saw her mom’s anxious face.

           “Your Gran’s worried sick about you,” she said. “Mother! She’s here!”

           She stood up and stepped out of the toilet. Her grandmother’s face looked relieved. Then she said.

           “What happened?” she asked. “Cynthia came over speaking of an accident and was asking for you.”

           It wasn’t a dream.

           “It was nothing,” she heard herself saying. “I went straight home and just a little shocked that’s all.”

           The two elderly ladies watched her for a while and Gran told her to change her clothes.

           “Then get to the kitchen and eat,” she said. She was about to protest when her Gran said. “Whatever happens, a murder, a massacre, a holocaust, or anything worse. You eat.”

           Selena took a deep breath and nodded. She clenched her jaws together stopping her whines from escaping. Her Gran’s not just a great cook. She’s also a retired police officer with a will of steel. Selena may be lazy but the last thing she wants her Gran to see her is a weak pathetic adolescent who can’t even will herself to be tough.

           She ate first before checking her phone. She received twenty miss calls and a dozen messages containing RSVPs. She stared at it for a while and shut her phone off. She needed time-- time to recuperate and time to figure things out. 

---

           Selena went to school early the next day. She was attentive enough to go to school an hour earlier than normal to avoid unwanted attention. She got to her classroom quite certain that no one’s inside yet. But the moment she stepped inside; someone grabbed her arm. She turned to look at her abductor and she wasn’t particularly surprised to see Evil Spawn’s smirking face. She tried to free herself but his hold was with a vise.

           She wanted to scream but she knew no one will hear her. She barely saw any maintenance crew on her way up there. And thinking back the room was supposed to be locked. She should’ve known that she was about to step into a trap. How could she have been this stupid?

           He spun her around and pinned her to the wall. “What happened yesterday?”

           She didn't answer. He was there. He saw everything that had transpired. How stupid of him to ask her something he already knows the answer to?

           “Why did you run?”

           Maybe because I was in shock? 

           “Answer me,” he hissed.

           She clamped her mouth shut. She refused to give in. If he wants a conversation their going to have it, like how civilized people have it. Not like this.

           “I know you can talk,” he whispered in her ear. “I saw you talk to that guy wearing a BSU uniform yesterday.”

           Still, she didn't speak. She’s stubborn but she despises defeat. She walked inside this well-thought trap. The least she could do is give her abductor a hard time cracking her. 

           It’s not wise to agitate thy abductor.

           She struggled. She jumped, she tried to turn around. She ignored the pain that comes with it. What did I do to him anyway? Where is this anger coming from?

           After some time, she felt his grip loosen. He spun her around and as if on cue she head butt him. She heard a hollow crack and she looked at him. His nose was bleeding. He let out a painful groan.

           I broke his nose.

           Evil Spawn took a step back and now she’s free. She ran out of the room and head straight to the faculty room. She’s safe now. She put a hand on her forehead and frowned. She doesn’t even feel any sign of collision.

           She cleared her throat and flashed the memory of the head butt in her head. She leaned her head against the wall. There it was again.

           The shield. 

           She felt an ounce of pride swell from inside her. The shield is hers. It was like some kind of force granted her deepest desire. To stay safe and to keep everything she treasures safe.

           But how do I control it? Is there a possibility that I can control it?

           Students started to poor inside the building. She took it as her cue to go back to the classroom. Evil Spawn’s probably away by now mending his broken nose. He bled. She hurt him. Even if she doesn’t want to, she felt guilty.

           “Hi.”

           She walked past the source of the greeting certain that she wasn’t talking to her. “Hey, uh. Hello?”

           The voice again and this time a girl blocked her path. She can see her shy smile behind the cover of her bangs. She halted at the foot of the stairs and looked up at her who was standing on the stairs’ first step. She’s a girl with bob-cut hair and extremely red lips. Her lipstick is… really red.

           “Hi again,” she said and stuck her arm out. “I’m uh, my name is Katherine but everyone calls me, Kei.”

           “Okay?”

           She doesn’t have any idea why this girl is talking to her. But she has a feeling she’s about to find out.

           “Uhm, you see, I saw your name on our student register and you were also the same girl who got involved in the accident, right?”

           No connection at all. Selena thought.

           “I’m the vice president of the Academic Club and Professor Garcia is our club adviser,” she continued and trotted a piece of paper. It was the pretest from the other day’s class.

           It clearly states fifty-five out of one hundred. She raised a brow but she doubts she saw it behind her bangs. 

           “Perhaps you failed to notice that I failed the exam,” she said as quietly as she can.

           “Uh-huh but we did not fail to notice that you answered only the problem-solving questions and all of them are correct,” she said, ecstatic. Selena wanted to wince at the sight of her eager eyes. She flipped her test paper and almost shoved it to her face. “You wrote all your solutions at the back.”

           “I can see,” she answered and stepped back away from the paper. 

           “And all of them are accurately done, Professor Garcia told us you were not allowed to use calculators in this exam but there was no sign of you computing the variables in here.”

           Selena still didn't know what the conversation was for.

           “You solved them all in your head,” she said, enthralled. “Join our club. We need you there.”

           “I already joined POLAR,” she answered simply and ascended the stairs. She passed left her there. She’s a threat to her peace.

           “Everyone knows POLAR is the default club,” the girl followed her up. “Please, please?”

           “I don't see any merit in joining you.”

           That’s when Katherine aka Kei blocked her path again. “Professor Garcia wouldn't mind if you don't attend her class once you’re a member of the Academic Club.”

           Silence.

           The bell rang and she exhaled. The first subject is Professor Garcia’s Physics class. Katherine’s offering something hard to decline. She sighed.

           “Okay.”

           The girl squirmed in glee. She grabbed her hands and spoke. “See you tomorrow at Club Hour!”

           Kei ran away, skipping. Selena sighed. She decided to go to class anyway. She entered the classroom looking for the threat.

           The Evil Spawn is nowhere. She felt relieved. It’ll take him time to mend his broken nose. Her attention went back to her barrier and the possible ways to control it. 

--

CYNTHIA

            The moment Cynthia stepped foot inside the campus she was greeted with applause. She smiled at them in confusion. 

            “Cat rescuer,” someone called. She beamed proud.

            “Cynthia, the Intrepid!” said someone, and the familiar title made her chuckle. She continued to walk down the path to their building saying hi to everyone who threw a greeting at her.

            She saw Opal sitting on a bench under a mahogany tree with a book in hand. She sat down next to her. “Good morning.”

            “So, did you talk to Selena?” Opal asked, eyes on the book.

            “Her Gran said she hasn’t returned home when I stopped by, yesterday,” she said and leaned in to take a peek at her book. Opal looked at her and Cynthia saw her wince.

            “What’s wrong?!” she asked alarmed.

            Opal looked down at her book, brows creased. You’re… you’re so bright.”

            Huh?

            “Hey, guys,” Dylan approached. Cynthia looked at him and saw the same reaction. Her chest tightened.

            “Holy…” Dylan muttered. Opal rose and stood next to him. 

            “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Tell me.”

            There was a flash of panic in their eyes then it’s gone. Dylan spoke in a dreamy voice, Cynthia never heard him speak.

            “You’re so radiant today, Cynthia. Your beauty is kinda blinding.”

            She turned to Opal.

            “It’s overwhelming,” she added. Then, their eyes widened in shock. 

            “W-what just happened?” Dylan asked and turned to Opal, eyes reflecting terror. “You… Cynthia. You did something.”

            Cynthia stood up and she watched Opal step back. Cynthia gasped at the gesture. “I didn't do anything.” she took another step forward and Opal took another step back. “Why are you doing that?!”

            “Don't come near me!” Opal yelled back, eyes starting to shimmer with tears.

            “What did I do?!” she whispered.

            “Stop! The both of you! Relax!” Dylan stood in

between them. “Opal, calm the fuck down. Damn it.” He yanked Opal near him. She

hid behind him.

            “Dylan, tell me what I did,” she said, and Dylan’s eyes flickered with the familiar panic and said.

            “You compelled us to follow your orders,” his voice dreamlike. Then, it’s gone.

            Opal yanked Dylan away from her. “You did it

again!”

            She shook her head trying to deny what she saw, what she heard. “I… I didn't … I’m sorry.”

            She ran away from them and head straight to the gates. She was lost and utterly confused. She had no idea what she was doing until she found herself riding a jeepney. At times like this, there’s only one person she runs to. She walked inside BCC ignoring the probing stares. A guard tried to block her path. One ’Get out of the way’ and the man stepped back. She opened every door looking for her. Some students tried to stop her but everyone steps back when they see her face. She searched for the classroom she mentioned the other day. Finally, she found her.

            “Selena!” she entered the classroom and run towards her. Selena rose and caught her in her arms. Cynthia knew if there’s someone who could make things right, it’s her best friend.