Even after catching a glimpse of his three male students behind the clear divider, Mr. Abrams did not flinch in the slightest. Nor when he felt Ophelia’s sorrowful yearning disguised as her prayer; a sad, desperate plea for a second chance.

[Ophelia: “How...unfair… *Sniff* Please…”

3: “Heeheehee! Don’t worry I’ll end your suffering now~ Although, I don’t really know if those muscles of yours are edible or not~ I’ll soon FIND OUT!”

Ophelia: “Please *Sniff* anybody...anybody at all… please… let me try again…! At least...At least *Sniff* allow me to move my right arm…”]

He absorbed the scenario into his subconscious mind, knowing full well that this moment was merely a memory of the past, and an instance in Ophelia’s life he could never change.

No. The only time, the only instance Mr. Abrams had his attention drawn away from Ophelia’s painful struggle, was when he noticed Aria’s split-second dazed expression. And the bright stars hidden deep inside of her irises.

Mr. Abrams: “…(…)”

What followed was an iridescent flash. Everything surrounding her glowed for a few moments only. After the blinding light subsided, Ophelia’s arms; EACH of them had been restored!

How’s and why’s surfaced around her conscious mind, before disappearing. Thoughts became entirely irrelevant at this point. She wished for a second chance, and she got it. All she had to do was stop thinking and throw her punch.

Which is exactly what she did.

…

And then everything returned to normal.

Ophelia: “That…my mind feels… a little hazy."

Mr. Abrams: “Try to ignore it. My power produces no physical side effects. What you’re feeling is the result of my residual energy leaving your body. Next-”

Oliviera: “Oh, no! No – no … NOPE! I… ah! Th – That’s right! I can just TELL you what happened! This way, I can keep my privacy, and you can get your details! I’m such a genius.”

Ms. Daisy: “Darlin’, just give it up already. Your fighting spirit is admirable, but you should know when to give up. Just let the professor examine your memories and go. What if you accidentally encountered an important secret without realizing?”

Oliviera: “(Oh, I realized. That’s something I CAN’T let him watch! If he sees, then he will most likely learn about my plans! And also… he’ll know about my harmless, little, white lie!) I’m completely alright with NOT knowing! See, I don’t really care if something uber special happened around me before I passed out – I don’t agree to having mind read.”

Mr. Abrams: “Oliviera. Hurry up. I don’t have time to waste on your silly tantrums! Normally, this is much faster than asking everyone for the details. Or is it… Oliviera… could it be that you have something to hide from me?”

Oliviera: “Wha – NO! Haha… My experience is completely lacking in secrets… I mean I saw nothing!”

Mr. Abrams: “I will be the judge of that!”

Oliviera: “But – but my experiences are all boring! All I did was stare at a bush- AAAHHHH!”

His eyes flashed and hers clouded. Her memories were now visible for him to see. From the point of their separation, he already learned from Ophelia’s mind of her incessant complaining. He avidly opted to fast - forward completely past her complaints. When he stopped skipping, she had already separated from everybody. What was his student feeling in this dark, lonely hall? Anger – the rage of a girl who felt subjected to a completely undesirable and unsuitable living space. Fear – culture shock gave birth to an insuppressible fear of this brand new experience, and these unknown people surrounding her. Loneliness – Isolated from everyone around her due to her upbringing. She was not prepared to ‘live’ away from the rich lifestyle and in such meager and shallow conditions. The difference between her unacceptance and everyone else’s compliance might lead them to believe nasty things about her; but they could never understand the pain she was feeling at this moment. Lost, alone, ill-prepared and surrounded by unfamiliar people in a situation entirely new and…scary for her.

Mr. Abrams: “What a lousy father she has. Just dumping her at our doorstep, expecting us to grant her superpowers and do what he failed to do for her. I’ll need to set her an appointment with an experienced guidance counselor. Somebody that understands her ‘unique’ circumstances, so she can better adjust. I wonder if there’s anyone like that at this Academy.”

She left the building. Apparently, she was looking for ‘service’. Honestly, this is one point he understands that many kids her age would absolutely hate. Being trapped in a forest without cellphone service and barred completely from going back home must make their already strange first day at Hero High feel much worse. When the other kids realize how much of a prison this feels like, would they too, complain and agree? If only she gave enough thought to check the lobby for a landline.

.

.

.

Nah, knowing it exists wouldn’t put her mind at ease. Calling her father would probably increase her shock. She has her internet shit. She might even have died quicker since that area is where the villains seemingly attacked the girls’ dorm.

Looking through her point of view…Mr. Abrams noticed something incredibly important.

This girl… she only looks at her phone! Who in the world runs through an entire forest looking at their cell phone! And why isn’t she running into a tree?! For a while now, she only moves in random directions.

The very moment her phone picks up a single bar…

[Noel: “Okay, this is far enough. Hurry up and ask your questions. I’ll say so if I can’t answer ‘em.”

Leos: “I want answers. Why... Why….WHY DID YOU KILL EVERYONE! You fucking murderer!”]

-

Mr. Abrams: “…”

-

[Leos: “Twenty – three thousand people, gone in a flash… it… just doesn’t make sense…!

And how are you able to walk away clean?!

What the hell happened back there!? What was that? ...Well? Answer me!”]

-

Mr. Abrams: “I…this isn’t the sort of secret I care to learn about. I don’t have time to play police with the Malieranos.”

-

Oliviera on the other hand, was completely flabbergasted.

…The murderer Leos was trying to point out among them…it wasn’t Leos suffering from some PTSD...

He was actually talking about Noel…? The grade – skipper? That cute little baby brother?

This… This is a SCOOP!

-

Mr. Abrams: “…But he is still a student. It wouldn’t do good for either of us to simply ignore this. What –- wait.

…

What is she doing? Is she…is she recording? With her cell phone? This girl…”

-

[Noel: “That’s too many questions. I need you... to ask them slowly.”

Leos: “Hehehe, why...is the guilt eating away at you or something??

Can’t you stand all these questions, back to back?! Are you that dumb? Huh? Murderer??

Fine! Then explain ONE thing to me!”]

-

Mr. Abrams: “His hands are shaking. Leos is obviously bothered. But none of this matters! Oliviera…why are you shoving your phone inside of a tree?”

-

[Noel: “Can we speed this up a bit? I really don’t wanna waste my time watching you quiver.”

Leos: “...You think this is EASY for me?! Fuck you! I lost two of my closest friends during that...that..! *Sniff* Whatever that was back there!”

Noel: “Hah...hahahaha!”

Leos: “Wh-What’s so funny..?”

Noel: “AHAHAHAHAHA...!”

Leos: “I...I said what’s so funny?! Are you LAUGHING at their deaths?! You despicable bastard!! I HATE that somebody like you can walk around free! I HATE IT! You deserve to ROT IN PRISON for that day-”

Noel: “All I remember that day is saving your ungrateful life.”

Leos: “..!”

Noel: “Hahaha, what’s so funny, huh? *Wipes tear*

Do you really want to know exactly what I find so fucking funny? That I SAVED people like you, yet I’m scorned for it.”

Leos: “…”

Noel: “I KILLED the oh so important and untouchable by law, Professor Molodov Watts. I know about the rebellion, do you really think Mr. Watts didn’t account for infiltrators breaking his prisoners out? You all nearly succeeded because I had the unforgivable professor cornered! But, judging by your reaction, maybe you all preferred being under his rule, with your heads on a chopping block.”

Leos: “*Stomp!* Dammit, dammit, fucking dammit all YOU KNOW FULL WELL what I’m talking about! Don’t play dumb you arrogant 12 year old piece of shit! There’s only so much dodging I can take! You said you’d answer all of my questions earlier right??

Then STOP FUCKING DODGING and answer me!

Did you kill all 23,000 people on that fake island or no--?!”]

*Clang!!*

Mr. Abrams: “(...I did not need to hear that.) Haah. Leos… his is a sensitive case. A very sensitive one. But not one I need to focus on at the moment. It just isn’t a wise move during today’s emergency. Afterwards...Well, we’ll see to it when the time draws near...

…

This is what I want to see. What happened after this… Oh… it appears Rise saved Leos. I’ll remember to thank him for that.”

The battle picked up from here. Oliviera remained hidden at first. Scared very scared… so scared in fact, that she forgot her cellphone recording inside a hole in the tree above her. TWO people just popped up out of nowhere: and ONE of them was her classmate! If she had to choose between a random murderer or her classmate murderer… well, she didn’t wish to choose any. Unfortunately, she was too scared of him killing her while the others were left unaware. She prayed they would save her. After all, didn’t Noel just mention something about saving Leos? Well SHE needs saving!

And honestly she already popped herself out of the bush anyway. It’s not like she could just pretend she wasn’t too terrified to think properly.

---