[Minutes prior to the 2nd explosion.]

Upon the security reinforcement arriving, they began a methodical search and destroy operation of the attackers. Exhausted, the students and teachers happily retreated behind the wall of security forces. The student and faculty members cheered as they watched with grateful eyes, their saviors finally arrive.

Gareth Lockhart almost fainted on his feet as he teleported back in to see the gladdening scene of relief. Almost stumbling onto the floor from exhaustion, Professor Stark caught Gareth by the arm. “I’ve got you, Mr. Lockhart,” Professor Stark said.

Gareth wearily nodded as his handsome features and elegant clothing was streaked with snot and blood. “You did very well, Mr. Lockhart, we couldn’t have done it without you,” Professor Stark proudly proclaimed. Gareth mutely nodded in acceptance of the compliment as Professor Stark led him out the doors to the tent area that is being set up outside on the field grounds.

Security reinforcements efficiently destroyed the assailants and caught several figures for interrogation. However, the campus was still on complete lockdown until the security status of the campus could be confirmed. Gareth was soon reunited with his friends who are sitting around Jonathan Walker, who had been treated by a medic for light injuries. Gareth had taken a seat and had been handed some snacks and drinks to aid in his recuperation by a passing nurse. Gareth gratefully took them as they all sat in silence and watched the unbelievable scene unfold before them.

*

Matron Tilly, who had been protected by her husband, Professor Ibis, during the attack was making her rounds checking the status of her dorm students. To her dismay, she had already found six fatal casualties in the first years alone and more among the other grade levels. Keeping the tears at bay, Matron Tilly kept calling out and checking for the student’s statuses.

A security officer returns to the tent area gently carrying stuffing and a torn teddy bear in half. Matron Tilly lets out a gasp and rushes towards the officer. The security officer says, “I’m sorry, but this was all that was left of him.”

Matron Tilly gently takes the teddy bear into her arms and worriedly says, “What about Miss Starr, his creator?”

“I’m sorry, Matron Tilly, but we have yet to locate his creator. It is possible she is among the dead in the ballroom or among the missing. We have yet to be certain if all faculty and students are accounted. We are unable to exclude the dead yet as they are still being accounted for. As this moment, we aren’t sure if the assailants took hostages with them or not,” the security officer replied.

A large knot forms in the back of her throat, but Matron Tilly swallows it down and queasily says, “Thank you, sir, but please keep me posted.”

“Will do, Matron Tilly,” the security officer stated before rushing off to fulfill another order. Matron Tilly returns to her task as she clutches tightly to the destroyed body of Mr. Wilkins.

The students that are able to move gather and search for friends and family members, which means in some cases among the body of the dead. Albert Cross sits on the edge of a bed of Jonathan Walker who is eating a granola bar and resting after having been stitched back up. Diane exhausted leans her head against the broad back of her younger brother as they sit on the edge of the bed across from Albert. Gareth Lockhart is sitting in a folding chair next to them eating cookies and juice to regain his energy and compensate for the loss of calorie as his body was in a bad state due to ability overuse. While Veronica Delavega and Annalise, on the other hand, were still helping the medics among the wounded. The medical staff was short on hands and any hand was welcomed.

Soren, the petite council member had just finished reporting to the council and was waiting for the second team of council reinforcements to arrive with more medics. Hiding her worry and rage, Soren studies the trembling faces of the students as she waits. Subconsciously, Soren searches for the boy and sighs in relief upon spotting him with a group of exhausted friends.

A loud explosion from nearby caused everyone to stare in that direction. Security immediately broke into groups one moving towards the explosion and other remaining behind to stand guard should this it another attack. To their surprise, a white-haired young student is fleeing towards them at a hobbled run. Security forces become still and raise their weapons up at seeing the boy glance back in panic. To their surprise, the pursuer of the white-haired male student is a gray-haired female calmly jogging after him.

The white-haired student upon spotting them gasps with relief and shouts, “Gentlemen, I think Miss Starr is distraught, I think it would be best she be apprehended.” The security officers immediately move between Miss Starr and the white-haired young student.

Professor Stark aiding at the front tents had walked out of the tents at the explosion. Professor Stark had approached the group and managed to overhear the cries of the student. Not familiar with the student, Professor Stark frowns. Albert Cross and his comrades who were close to the front of the tents manage to hear the comment as well. They all turn to stare with curiosity at the strange puzzling scene.

“State your identity,” roared out a security officer who had his weapon firmly trained on the gray-haired woman who had slowed down to walk. The female did not comply but kept marching towards them as the white-haired young man was unable to hide a wry grin. “This is a final warning state your identity or I will shoot!”

Finally, the gray-haired woman comes to a direct halt before the security force as Matron Tilly loudly emerges from the tents and wails, “Miss Starr, Mr. Wilkins is dead!” Matron Tilly holds up the deceased, stuffed remains of the teddy bear as a still hush falls over the tents. Most of the department students and female campus students were fond of the cute stuffed bear.

Failing to see a reaction from Miss Starr, Matron Tilly slowly lower her hands to her side. The white-haired young man known as Lucius Faye says, “I think Miss Starr is in shock. It’s best you lie down, Miss Starr.” The gray-haired woman tilts her head to the side in a predatory fashion causing the Lucius Faye to become still.

The security officer, in turn, glances at Matron Tilly and asks, “Can you confirm her identity, Matron Tilly?”

“Oh yes, that’s Miss Starr, the creator of Mr. Wilkins-, who is now deceased,” Matron Tilly sadly said.

Professor Stark takes a step forward and adds, “Yes, I can also vouch for the identity of Miss Starr, she is a member of the facility.”

“My apologies, Miss Starr,” the security officer said lowering his weapon as council member Soren lets out a tense of relief. Soren knew exactly what that young woman was capable of and it did little to put her heart at ease. A frim glance from Soren, caused the rest of the security officers to lower down their weapons and disperse.

As the guards return to the tents, Lucius Faye turns to follow them, but not before shooting Miss Star a smile of triumph. “Miss Starr, why don’t you sit down to rest for a moment?” Lucius Faye coolly said.

#017 pensively tilts her head trying to remember something as her hands reach into her waistcoat pocket. #017 lips twitch into a calm and peaceful smile to the surprise of Lucius Faye, who for a moment is entranced by the gentle smile in his direction. Lucius Faye opens his mouth to ask the meaning behind the smile when #017 removes her hand from her waistcoat holding a familiar laser prototype weapon in her hand.

Professor Stark’s eyes widen in recognition as does Soren’s. Before, they can react, #017 fires multiple rounds into the head of Lucius Faye. Watching crowd members being to scream at the horrifying mess left behind. The head and brains of Lucius had simply melted away, there was nothing left of the upper head extremity except for a still connected lower jaw bone to the neck. The corpse of Lucius Faye topples to the side as security teams train their weapons on the female attacker.

“Drop your weapon and put your heads on your head, Now!” Shouted a security officer.

#017 carefully lowers her hands and returns the nice little trinket to her pocket. Before the officer can scream again, #017 flatly says, “My job is now officially complete, I officially tether my resignation.” And without waiting for a response, #017 turns her back on the security forces and walks away.

Before the security forces can shoot, Soren, says, “Lower your weapons, officers. Miss Starr is merely doing her job. No doubt, we will find that Lucius Faye was part of the assailant’s attack. I want to know everything there is to about him!” The officers stare at each other for a moment in confusion until Soren adds, “NOW!” The officers split into groups to do her bidding, while others grab a body bag to collect the corpse. Soren nods at the walking away figure of #17 silent thanks, before following after the officers.

Matron Tilly is stunned as everyone else, but to her own surprise, she runs a few steps after the figure of Miss Starr. “What about Mr. Wilkins?! Don’t you want a decent funeral for Mr. Wilkins, Miss Starr?” Matron Tilly called out.

To Matron Tilly’s surprise, #017 halts and turns around. “Once I believed and that was enough for Mr. Wilkins to come into existence. And now I will refuse to believe that he is dead because my teddy bear will surely always return to me. So, keep the stuffing, that’s not what makes Mr. Wilkins himself. It’s only a matter of time until he’ll be back,” #017 confidently replied as a tired grin appears on Matron Tilly’s face in silent agreement.

Before #017 can turn back away, Professor Stark yells out, “It was a pleasure working with you, Miss Starr.”

#017 loudly replies, “Sorry about your eye.”

A wide smile appears on Professor Stark as he chuckles to himself, “I knew it.” #017 flashes him an enigmatic smile, before turning back around. The rest of the staff seems confused by the conversation as Professor Stark turns back around and barks, “Get back to your jobs people!” The staff swiftly begins to move once more to aid in the cleanup.

Albert who had climbed onto his feet feels a fleeting pain of loss in his chest. Frowning, Albert says, “She’s not coming back, is she?”

Jonathan Walker seeing his friends face, softly says, “No, I don’t think so.” Diane can’t even smile in triumph from exhaustion and merely remains silent as Hunter stares worriedly at his friend, Gareth. Gareth Lockhart’s eyes remain fixed on the horizon long after Miss Starr’s figure is gone.