Synchronicity

byGrayKanarek I. "Yes,Imeanthatexactly:afullscholarship.TheBraeburnAcademyiswillingto subsidizetheentiretyofDaria'stuition,roomandboard.Ouradmissionscriteriaare extremelyselectiveandentirelysuccessful,andwesincerelyhopethatyouandyourfamily arewillingtotakethenextstepinyourdaughter'seducation." Themanwaslarge,inacheerfulNeanderthalsortofway.Hehadonan unassuming,neatlypressedcorduroysuitwithasuedepatchcoveringtheleftknee.Daria couldn'tstoplookingatthepatch,baldingfromheavyuse. Herfatherclearedhisthroatuncertainly."I'mnotsureIhavethisentirelycorrect. You'resayingthatDaria'stestscoresqualifiedherforthisprestigiousprivateschoolin NewHampshire,withafullscholarship?Butshe'sabouttostartsophomoreyear,andI thoughthertestscoreswereaverageatbest."HelookedquestioninglyatDaria,who ignoredhimandkeptstaringatthekneepatch. Theman,whohadintroducedhimselfasAssistantDeanFrederickson,scratchedhis chinthroughthethick,unrulythatchofsaltandpepperbeard."Well,likeIsaidit'san alternativeprogram.Itrunsforfouryears,includingsummers,usuallyfromage16to20." Hetookoffhisglassesandswipedthemagainsthispantleg,changingthedirection ofthenap;Dariajumpedslightly,herconcentrationbroken,andlookedupathim.He continued,"Infact,it'sbeenover80yearssinceweadmittedastudentasyoungasDaria here.We'requiteexcitedaboutherpotential." Hermothertitterednervously,makingDariacringe."Ofcourseyouare,"shesaidin thattonelessvoiceDarialoathed."She'salwaysbeensobright,andI'mgladsomeone finallyrecognizedit,evenifshedoesn'ttestwell.Naturally,ifsomeonewasgoingto qualifyforyourspecialschoolat15,itwouldbemyDaria. AssistantDeanFredricksonlookedatDariawitharaisedeyebrow,andshegavehim asmilefullofteeth.Hecoughed,coveringachuckle,andDariacouldseeatwinkleinhis eye.Shedecidedshelikedhim. Mr.andMrs.Saddleworth,hesaid,mayIaskwhatyourdecisionis?Iknowthisis ratherhasty,butunderstandthattheschoolyearbeginsverysoonandifDariawillbe attendingweneedtogethersettledinassoonaspossible. Well...Dariasfatherhedged,Isuppose...itsDariasdecision.Shebroughther eyesupfromexaminingthepatchagaintofindthemalllookingatherinanticipation. Wait,areyouserious?Itsmydecision?sheasked,surprised.Herfatherand mothernodded.OfcourseImgoing.Imgonnagopack! Sheranupthestairstwoatatime,ignoringthecallsbehindher.

II. ThewindowofthetrainwascoldagainstDariasforehead,andnowthatthesun wasdown,thesoppingwet,blurrycountrysidewasnolongervisible.Shecouldseeher reflectionintherainstreakedglass:shinyshoulderlengthbrownhairthatshekeptina perpetualponytail,greeneyeswhichshealwaysthoughtweretoosmallandfarapart (thougheveryonesheaskedtoldhertheywereverynice),aratherprettynoseifshehadto makeanunbiasedassessment,andaverysmallframeswimmingincargopantsandoneof herdadsrattyflannelshirts.Quiteimposing,shethoughtsarcastically. Hertwomatchedpurplesuitcaseswerestowedintherackabovetheseats,and Fredericksonsatacrossfromher,writinginawornleatherfolio.Sheturnedtofacehim. PardonmyFrench,AssistantDeanFrederickson,sheaskedcarelessly,butjusthowfull ofshitareyou? Heclosedthefoliodeliberatelyandlookedupather,asmileonhisfaceandasteely glintinhiseye.Excuseme?hereplied. Imean,shecontinuedasifhehadntspoken,areyouactuallytheAssistantDean ofaschool,orareyoujustsomepedophilewhokidnappedmeandisgoingtorapeand murdermeanddumpmeintheriver?Hestartedtospeak,butshekeptgoingrelentlessly. Imprettygoodatseeingthroughadultbullshit,evenifmyparentsarent,andweboth knowmygradesarentgoodenoughtogetmeintoanyspecialschool.Sowhatexactlyisit thatyouwerenttelling? Afteralongmoment,hechuckledandpusheduphisglasses.IfyouweresosureI waslying,heasked,thenwhydidyoucomewithme? Dariasnorted.Imateenager.Mylifesucks.Almostanythingwouldbebetterthan whatIhad. Fredericksonlaughedoutright.Isee.Well,Isupposeatthispointtheresnouse keepingsecrets.Darialeanedforwardinanticipation.IamindeedtheAssistantDeanof BraeburnAcademy,anditisaveryselectprivateschoolinNewHampshire.And,youare certainlyqualifiedtoattend,thankstoourquiteunusualselectioncriteria.However,you arecorrectthatthisschoolis...alternativeinwaysthatIwasunabletoexplaintoyour parents.LetmeseeifIcanexplainthisinasatisfactoryway. Thetruthisthateveryhumanbeingalivehasaspecial...talent,beitaknackfor fixingcars,findinglostobjects,orapropensitytocausestaticdischargeswhenever touchingexpensiveelectronics.Doyoufollowthusfar?hepaused,lookingtoherfor confirmation. Sheraisedoneeyebrowironically.Otherthanthefactthatyouseemtohavebeen eatenbyarabidthesaurus,Ithinkwereokay. Fredericksonsmiledbrieflyandcontinued.Splendid.SoasIsaid,everyonehasa talent,butaselectfewmanifestaTalent(withacapitalT)whichisaboveandbeyond anythingofwhichtherestoftheworldcouldeverdream.BraeburnAcademyisforthem.I think,hesaidslowlyasDariapaled,youknowexactlywhatImean.

 Dariaswallowedinsuddenanxiety.Shetriedfornonchalance.So,thisschoolis basicallyHogwarts,then? Heshookhisheadinamusedexasperation.Wegetthatalot.No,notatalltheres nosuchthingasmagic.Youwontbelearninganyspells,onlyhowtomanifestyourTalent mostbroadlyandskillfully.SincetheseTalentsmanifestaroundage16,BraeburnAcademy istheperfectenvironment. Sheclearedherthroat,thinkingfuriously.Andhowdoyouknowwhensomeone hasmanifestedaTalent?Canyoutellthatfromtheirtestscores,likeyousaid? Fredericksonlaughedbroadly.Ofcoursenot!No,wehavesomethingcalledthe Augurstone,whichidentifiesforuspeoplewhohavemanifestedastrongTalent.He pulledasmall,chippedpieceofwhatlookedlikeobsidianfromhispocket.Thisisa fragmentoftheAugurstone.HoldoutyourhandandyoullseewhatImean. Dariadidasheasked,herstomachtwisting.Whatifhewaswrong?Whatifhe wasnt?Fredericksonplacedtherockonherpalm,andimmediatelyitbegantoglow, almostlikeablacklight.Herhandjerked,andshedroppedit. Hescoopeditoffthefloorandplaceditcarefullybackinhispocket,thenlooked backatherwithapleasedexpression.See?Youqualify. Darianoddedsolemnly.So,itstheXMen,then.DoesProfessorXavierteachethics orsomething? Suddenlyserious,Fredericksonsatforwardintheseat,eyesburningwithintensity. Pleasedontchangethesubject,Ms.Saddleworth.Whydontyoushowmewhatyoucan do? Dariaswallowedagain.Fine,shesaidinanearwhisper.Iguess...Icanshow you. Sheclosedhereyesandacquiredalookofextremeconcentration,andFrederickson satbackintheseattowaitpatiently.Suddenlysweatbrokeoutonherforehead,andalight breezegustedthroughthetraincar,tooweaktoevenstirthestiffbristlesofhisbeard.As itdiedaway,sheopenedhereyestiredlyandsighed. Afteralongandexpectantpause,Fredericksonblinked.Well,thatwas...thatwas verygood!hesaidwithfalsebrightness,andDariacouldseethehotdisappointmentinhis eyes.Verygood...hetrailedoff. Dariaturnedbacktothewindow,leaningherheadagainstit,andwatchedthe darknessswallowherillusions. III. Dariahurriedoutthedoor,hernewscheduleinhand,andwalkedintoamadhouse. Laughing,roughhousingteenagerswerescatteredingroupsalongthehallway,andineach groupsomeonewasdoingsomethingunbelievable.

 Shesteppedasidefromthestreamofpeoplethroughthedoorwayandgaped, schedulehangingforgotteninherhand.Inoneplaceaboywhohadbeencreeping unnoticedalongtheceilingdroppedinthemiddleofagroupofgirls,whoallscreechedin surpriseandstartinghittinghimwiththeirbackpacks.Elsewhere,anolderboyhelda chirpingsparrowonhisfingerwhileatinygirlofindeterminateethnicityindividually turnedeachofthebirdsfeathersadifferentvibrantcolor.Twoboyschasedeachother throughtheair,theirdanglingfeetmakingeveryoneduckandshoutprofanitiesafterthem. Newgirl,huh?sheheardintheairbesideher,andjumped,turningherheadno onewasthere. Hello...?shereplieduncertainly,andstartedagainasaskinnyboywithtousled brownhairandfriendlydarkeyesfadedintoexistencenexttoher.Hestuckouthishand andshookhersvigorously. Hey!ImRiley,hesaidcheerfully.Iknow,itsalottotakeinonyourfirstday. Butyougetusedtoitfast!Letmeshowyouaround. RileybegantowingabewilderedDariaalongthehallway,playingtourguide.The namesandfacesandTalentswashedoverhermostlyuninterrupted.Shefeltlikeasalmon headingupstream. ShesurfacedasRileypausedinfrontofanopendoormarkedSTUDENTLOUNGE, pointingtoasmallcrowdofpeopleclusteredaroundaboyseatedonthethreadbarecouch. Andthat,Rileysolemnlyintoned,isIainandhisclique.HesaLevel1,kindofa rockstar.HestheonlystudentinschoolbannedfromusinghisTalentoncampusifhe does,hellbekickedout.Telepathyandmindcontrol,heexplainedinresponsetoher questioninglook,affectingaspookyHalloweenvoiceandwideninghiseyes. DarialookedbackatIain,atall,slimboywithartfullycoiffeddarkhair,wearinga smokingjacketoverwornjeansandreadinganewspaper.Rockstarornot,shethoughthe lookedkindofridiculous,untilheglancedupandmethergazewithgreeneyessopaleas tobealmostcolorless.Sheturnedawayquicklyandshookhimoff,roundingonRiley. Whatdoyoumean,Level1?sheaskedcuriously.Isthatlikeavideogamething orsomething? Rileysnorted.No,ofcoursenot.Everyonesgroupedintothreelevelsbasedonthe strengthandmaturityoftheirTalent.Keepsyouinclasseswithothersatthesameability levelsoyoudontfeelhopelesslyovermatched.TheLevel1s,likeIain,haveincredibly stronganddangerousTalents.Therearentmanyofthemasyoumightexpectthatkind ofthingisreallyrare. Then,therearetheL2s,likeme,hesaidproudly,thumbinghischest.Werethe largestgroup;ourTalentsareprettysnazzy,butnotquiteuptoL1standards. Dariastoppedshort,disappointmentanddreadbubblinghotonhertongue.And theLevel3s? Rileycontinuedblithely,Oh,theL3sareasmallgrouptoo.Theyretheshortbus talents,oneswhobarelymadethecutwiththeAugurstone.Someofthemaretooweak

andendupbeingsenthome.SuddenlyherealizedthatDariawasnolongernexttohim, andturnedaround.Iseverythingokay? Sheslowlyraisedherschedule,wherehecouldclearlyseetheprintedL1inlarge lettersonthetopofthepage.Hecouldalsosee,justasplainly,thatithadbeencrossedout, andL3writtennexttoit,inbrightredmarker. Daria?Imsorry,Ididntmean...hetrailedoff,embarrassed.

Thisismyclassroom,sheblurtedout,andspunthroughadoorwayawayfrom him,traitoroustearsstinginghereyes. IV. Asyoucansee,theinterioranglesofthetriangleaddupto180,dronedDarias teacher,wholookedlikeacrossbetweenGandalfandaskeleton.Shecouldntunderstand howclassesataschoolforkidswhohadamazingpowerscouldpossiblybesoboring. ShetracedtheL3onherscheduleinblackinkforthethousandthtime.Yetagain, shehadfailedtoliveuptoherpotential.Whenshewaslittlehermotherhadtakenherto allkindsofspecialists,wantingthemtodeclarehergifted,buteverysingleonehadgiven thesameprognosis:normal,average,bland.Shewasnothingspecial,buthermomhad refusedtobelieveit.Howfitting,then,thatevenwhenshegottoattendaschoolforthe freaks,shewasonthebottomrung. Still,eventhoughsheshouldnthaveexpectedanymore,Rileyswordsstillstung. Nowthattheyhadgonetosomuchtroubletogetherthere,thinkingthatDariawouldbea rareandpowerfulL1,didtheywanttosendherhomesinceshedidntmeettheir expectations?Shehopednot. Suddenly,herreveriewasbrokenbytheclassroomdoorswingingopen.Instrodea mountainofayoungman,nearingsevenfeettall.Herfirstthoughtwasfootballplayer...?, butthenhereyeswerecaughtbyhisseethingexpressionofpoorlycontainedangerand bitterness. Dariasteacherlookedupinsurprise.Hello?MayIhelpyou?

Theboyheldoutasheetofpaper,andsherecognizedaschedulesimilartoherown, thoughtheL3onhiswasprinted.Iminyourclass,hegrunted,notsounding particularlyhappyaboutthefact. Oh!Oh,Isee,theteachersaid,hurryingovertolookattheschedule.Pardonmy surprise,itsjustthatgettingtwonewstudentsonthesamedayisquiteunusual.Welcome toBraeburnAcademy...Bernard.Pleasebeseated. Dariatensedasthehugeboystalkedacrosstheroomandthumpedintotheonly openchair,whichnaturallywasrightnexttoher.Sheeyedhimnervously,leaningawayas covertlyaspossible.

Duringabreakanhourlater,BernardwasapproachedbyafewofthebolderL3s. ThetinyelfingirlDariahadseeninthehallwaycoloringthesparrowsfeathersspokefirst. Hi,shewhispered,ImJen.WhatsyourTalent?Mineschangingthecolorsof things.Bernardmumbledsomethingunintelligibleinresponse.What?sheasked, confused. Nothing!heroared,andeveryonejumpedback,cowering.IhavenoTalent.Ima mistake,afreakamongfreaks!Buttheywontsendmehome,becausetheDeaninsiststhat theAugurstonelituplikeafreakingChristmastree,anditsneverwrong!SonowImstuck here! Heshotup,toweringovereveryone,andstormedoutoftheroom.AlltheL3s lookedateachotherforalongmoment,thenshakilyresumedtheirseats.Dariasat unmovingforaboutthirtyseconds,beforeshecouldntstanditanymoreandhurriedafter him. ShefoundBernardoutsideinthecourtyard,sittingbeneathamapletreewithhis kneesunderhischin,backleaningagainsttheroughbark.Sheshimmedupthebackofthe treeandstraddledathickbranch,herdanglingfeetnearBernardshead. Afteramomenthelookedupather,scowling.Whatdoyouwant?hegrowled. Dariasaidnothing;afterawhile,shespokeinatinyvoice.Theymadeamistake withmetoo.Thewordsbegantorushoutofher.Thisismyfirstdaytoo,andthey thoughtthatsinceIm15andmanifestedmyTalentearlierthenanyonein80yearsthatI wouldbeanL1,buttheywerewrongandnowImanL3andtheywanttosendmeback, buttheywontbecausetheywenttoallthattroubletobringmehereand,and,and...Tears begantostreamdownhercheeks,andshescrewedhereyesshut. Bernardlookedatherwithcompassion,andstoodupasabreezerattledtheleaves softly.Comeon,hesaidquietly,andhelpedherdownfromthebranch. V. Dariaputthelastpairofhersocksintothedrawerandshutit,leaningagainstthe dresserwearily.Shesurveyedtheroom,andstillfoundittiny,spare,anddepressing.The bedwashardandnarrow,andthesheetshadbeenwashedsomanytimesthattheywere paperthinandauniformdingygrey. Shereallyneededtoaskhermomtosendupsomeposters.

Suddenlyshewaswrackedbystifling,smotheringhomesickness,andranoverto thewindowforsomefreshair,pryingatthebasetonoavail:itwasscrewedshut.She curledintoaballinthecorner,betweenthebedandthewindow.Shecouldfeel cinderblocksbeneaththeindustrialpaint,scrapingherbackthroughtheshirt,andsmell themustyodorofoldsweat.Shestartedtohyperventilate,andfinallyrememberedthe doorattheendofthehallwaymarkedROOF.Shescrambledtoherfeetandoutofthe room.

 AtthetopofthestairsDariafoundabeautifuldoormadeofgreenglassbottles, whichcaughtthelightofthesettingsunandthrewitinshimmersalloverthestairwell. Sheslowlypusheditopenandgaspedastheearthy,sweetscentofflowershither. Therooftopgardenwasthesinglemostenchantingplaceshehadeverseen.Lush vegetationwaseverywhere,andshewanderedabrokenflagstonepathbeneatharches madeofroughwoodenbeams,supportingvinesandhangingplantsofincrediblevariety. Tinybubblingfountainswerenestledbetweenthefrondsancient,porousstonefaunsand nymphs,frozenamidsttheirsylvancavorting. Neartheedge,Dariadiscoveredasmallclearing,withaslabofsmoothmarbleinthe center.Shelaydownonthebenchandwatchedstarswinkinthedarkeningpurplesky. Shethought,forthefirsttimesincethetrainridewithFrederickson,thatshemighthavea chance,beabletobuildalifehere.Afterawhile,thesoftsighingandrustlingofthecool windintheleaveslulledhertosleep. Thisismyprivateplace,youknow,butIsupposeIcanshareitwithyou,fornow. Sinceyourenew,andall. Dariashotup,awakebutdisoriented,andcamenosetonosewithIaintherockstar L1.Wuh?sheaskedintelligently. Iainplacedaslimfingerrightbetweenhereyes,makingthemcross.Isaid,for futurereference,thatthisismyprivateplace.Hisvoicewassmootherthanshed expected,andinthedarknessshecouldbarelyseehisirisesatall.Itwasalittlespooky. Shebackpedaledquickly,trippingoverthebenchandlandinginanunceremonious heaponthegrass.BlinkingupatIain,shelaytherespeechless. HesatdowngracefullyonthebenchandregardedDariathoughtfully.Yourenot verycoordinated,areyou?IguessthatisntyourTalent. What?sheasked,bewildered.

Iainsighed.Neitherisoverweeningintelligence,itwouldseem.Hopefullyyour presentcompanywillruboffonyou. Dariafrownedatthat.Now,waitjustaminute.Shestood,annoyed,andlooked downathisslightlymalicioussmirk.Youcantjustsitthereandbemeantomeforno reason.Whocaresifyourearockstar? Iainseyebrowsclimbed,andshebegantoblush,embarrassed.Arockstar?he mused.Interesting...wouldyouliketokissme?Mostgirlsdo. Shegapedathim.Whno!Ofcoursenot!

Areyousure?hemurmured,standingalso,andDariafoundhereyeslevelwithhis lips.Theywerepaleandslightlychapped.Shetorehergazeawayanduptohisface, whereshecouldseeamusementandarroganceinequalmeasure. You...you...shesputtered,backingaway.Youasshole!Ifyouwantmetokissyou sobadly,whydontyoujustmindcontrolmeorsomething?

Iainraisedaneyebrow.Wouldntthatberather...masturbatoryofme?

Dariablushedevenbrighter,andslappedhimrightacrossthecheek.Hishead turnedwiththeforceoftheblow,andshecouldseearedhandprintforming.Beforehe couldspeakshefledtheroof,escapingtotherelativesafetyofherroom. VI. Thedayspassedintoweeks,andDariabegantosettleintoaroutine.Herclasses wereeitherincrediblyboring,fortheregularhighschoolclasses,likeMathandEnglish,or frustratinganddisappointing,fortheclasseswhereshewassupposedtodevelopher Talent.HerswastheweakestTalentintheclass,andshewasembarrassedeverytimeshe manifestedit. WhatkepthergoingwasherburgeoningfriendshipwithBernard,theonlyperson inL3worseoffthanshewas.Hishugeandimposingpresencewasacomforttoherwhen walkingthehallways,andasshegottoknowhimbettersherealizedthatunderneaththe extremelysurlyexteriorhewasactuallyaprettyniceguy. Theworstpartsofthedaywereinbetweenclasses.ItseemedthatrockstarIain washoldingagrudgeagainstherforslappinghimontheroof,andsohadapparentlygiven instructionstohiscroniestomakeherlifemiserable.Shewouldbejostledinthehallway anddropallherbooks,orsomeonewouldspillmilkonherinthecafeteria;theywould alwaysapologizeprofusely,buteverytimeitwassomeonefromIainscrowd.Shecould feelhismalicefromacrosstheroom. Itgotsobadthatevenfriendly,obliviousRileywantedlittletodowithher. Wheneversheapproached,hewouldbeveryniceforafewminutes,thengentlydisengage andleavehurriedly.Shefeltlikeapariahfordefendingherself,anditmadeherindignant andsick. OnlyBernardweatheredthestormwithher,thoughshehadtoadmitthatpartlyit wasbecausehegotevenworsetreatmenthimself.TheideaofastudentofBraeburnwho hadnoTalentwasludicrous,especiallytotheL1s,andtheymadehislifealivinghell. Whereshewasanoutcast,hewasanembarrassment,andhadnomeansofdefending himselfagainstanyoneelsesTalent. ThingscametoaheadonedaywhenDariastayeduptoolatestudyingandslept throughbreakfast.Hurryingthroughthemillingstudentsacrossthecourtyard,shehearda shout,followedbywhispersamongthecrowdsomeonewastorturingBernardinthe Gym. Shespuninplaceandran,theseaofkidspartingbeforeher.Sheburstintothe GymnasiumandsawBernarddanglingupsidedowninmidair,flailingwildlyatacircleof jeeringkidsaroundhim. Lookingaround,shesawthatExcalibur,Iainssecondincommand,wasleadingthe group.Hewasashort,angularboywithfine,copperyhair.Hewouldhavebeenhandsome ifnotforthegiantstrawberrycoloredbirthmarkcoveringtheentirerightsideofhisface.

TheconstantmeansquinttohiseyesdidnthelpeitherwhereIainwasheldinawebythe studentsatBraeburn,Excaliburwasfeared.Hehadasadisticstreakamilewide,andhis L1Talentwasgrowingandcontrollingplants. AsDariaarrived,ExcaliburwasleadingthecircleinchantingtauntsatBernard.She sawhimpullatennisballoutofhispocketandbounceitoffofBernardsforehead,while Bernardslowlyturnedpurple.Offtothesidestoodanotherboy,hiseyesscrewedshutand sweatrunningdownhisfaceDariarecognizedhimasanL2namedJulio,whoseTalent waslevitation.Sheranoverandtackledhim,hearingBernardhitthematswithacrashas shebrokeJuliosconcentration. Shefought,kickingandshoutingasseveraloftheothersdraggedheroffJulioand threwherdownintothecenterofthecirclenexttoBernard,whowasgaspingfromhaving thewindknockedoutofhim.ShesprangupagainandchargedtowardsExcalibur,butwas broughtupshortbyatallboywithterribleacne,whowrappedhisarmsaroundherand liftedherintheair.Shekickedbackwardsandcaughthisshins,buthemanagedtohold ontoheranyway. Leavehimalone,youassholes!Youhavenorighttotorturehimthatway!she screamedatExcalibur,whowashelpingJuliotohisfeet. Excaliburturnedtoherandhiseyebrowsshotup.Well,lookeehere!Itsthelittle L3breezegirl.Cametostickupforyourboyfriend,didyou? Youcantdothattohim!Leavehimalone!Leavehimalone.Dariadidntrealize shedstartedtocry.Hesnotmyboyfriend.Leavehimalone. Excaliburlookedthoughtful.I...dontthinkso.Hiseyesstartedtogleamevilly. Julio,putemBOTHup.Dariastartedwrithingagain,tryingtogetfree. Juliolookedupinprotest.Comeon,Ex.Imtired!Thatguyisfrigginheavy Justdoit!Excaliburcuthimoffwithaglareandashout.Juliosighed,andclosed hiseyes. Dariafeltherfeetstarttorise,andscreamedastheboyreleasedherandsheandthe gaspingBernardwereliftedintotheair.Shebegantopanic,andsuddenlytheairinthe gymmoved. Itstartedasabreeze,butacceleratedinacouplesecondsintoagaleforcewindthat knockedoverseveralofthesmallerkids,includingJulio.Bernardfelltotheground,but Dariacontinuedrising,supportedonacolumnofair.Shecouldfeelthecurrentsandflows inthewindasitscreamedaroundtheroom,andwithathoughtsheguideditatthefew tormentersthatremainedstanding. Instantaneouslythegymbecamearagingwhirlwind,andeveryoneinthecirclewas thrownbackwardsseveralfeet.Allthewindowsanddoorsexplodedoutwards,tornto shredsbythehurricaneintheroom.DariaandBernardwereatthecenter,untouched. Excaliburstood,bracinghimselfagainstthebleachers,andDariafocusedher attentiononhim.Afistofairswungoutofthevortexandbarreledintohim,hurlinghim acrosstheroomtoslamintothewall.Hefellbacktothefloorinacrumpledheap.

DarialookeddownatBernard,hereyeswildwithexhilaration,butfeltapangof remorsewhenshesawhowterrifiedhelooked,coweringonthegymmatbelowher.She frowned,andthewindsbegantosubside,loweringherslowlytothegroundintheprocess. Bernard...?sheaskedquietly,earsstillringingasthebreezediedaway.Shecould heargroansandsobsfromherwouldbeattackers,butignoredthemandkneltnexttoher friend,reachingoutahand.Areyouokay? Othersranintothegym,studentsandfacultytryingtohelptheotherkidsandclean uptheaftermath.Bernardnodded,butshiedawayfromhertouch,hisfacewidewithawe andfear. TOBECONTINUED...