As I step into the classroom, all eyes turn toward me. For a moment it almost feels like walking onto a red carpet. Like I'm some celebrity. A normal person might smile. Wave. Maybe even enjoy the attention.
But no.
That's not something Elara Ward would do.
"Subject #402, you are late. Stop dawdling around and go to your seat,"
the instructor barks. He's a tall man with a scar running down his eyebrows that twitches everytime he speaks and a gaze that feels like an X-ray, cold and clinical, examining my features.
I don't look back at him, I keep my eyes glued to the floor, my fingers nervously twirling a strand of my hair whilst the other hand brushes the frayed fabric of my hoodie.
That hoodie belonged to Leo. It's my most effective prop.
I almost forgot that I'm also known as 'Subject #402' which basically means I am the 402nd 'unstable' student they locked in this cage - I mean 'facility' of course.
"Your seat is over there." The instructor points towards an empty seat in the middle of the class. It was next to Sana Ito. "Next to Sana Ito." He adds. You might ask 'How do you know?' And that's a perfectly reasonable question with a very reasonable answer. It's obviously because I stole a copy of the roster and spent 3 whole nights memorising it. After all I have to know all my targets' weaknesses; strengths; abilities; likes; dislikes.
Sana Ito comes from a high status family full of healers. It was after an incident in middle school when her power spiraled out of control and caused a psychic spike which led her to the Foundation. She doesn't seem that much of a threat but her ability can be very dangerous to me. Her power is 'Empathy' - she can sense the true emotional state of anyone within 10 feet which means she can also sense murderous or malicious intent.
I walk over to the empty seat, my head tucked low - everyone was still staring creepily at me. Their gazes feel like weights, heavy and suffocating, trying to squash me. But I'm a Brute or atleast that's why they think of me as, so the weights don't stand a chance of crushing me.
The chair is as hard as rock. As I sit, the class erupts back with conversations. The novelty of 'New Girl' already fading. But one pair of eyes remains fixed at me.
Sana .
She has large, bubbly green eyes and long brown hair tied back with a bright yellow ribbon that looks far too cheerful. She leans over, her voice was soft and gentle.
"It's okay to be scared," she says, her eyes wide, shimmering with pity that makes my skin crawl. "There's nothing to be worrying about" I didn't tell her I was shaking on purpose. I let my shoulders tremble harder, forcing my breathing to become shallow. Lucky for me, I know how to fake emotions.
"Since you are so late Subject #402, why don't you lead the assessment." The instructor's hand shifts underneath his desk and pushes a button that's hidden away from public view. The classroom starts to transform. The classroom grows bigger - no, larger, more massive than a cinema room. Machines whirr loudly as the classroom expands.Walls slide apart and the space stretches outward, revealing a full gym hall.Now this is impressive. It's like some magicians trick like pulling a cat out of a hat. At the front of the classroom is a punching bag. Seriously? You expect me to punch that or something?Sigh. I hate doing unnecessary things. It's just a waste of my energy. I could be doing more better things right now like eliminating you lot. You're lucky I'm holding back my anger.
"What are you waiting for go on." The instructor barks again. "Oh right I forgot, you're new. Let me explain some things then. This is called the baseline assessment. Every month on the last Wednesday, we test every student to see if their ability has gotten stronger or weaker so we can adjust their ankle monitor. " Oh yeah I forgot to mention, they put ankle monitors on everyone to monitor their ability usage. They can still use their ability but just not on a destructive scale. This is another reminder that we are in prison. "If your ankle monitor is blue, you are safe," the instructor continues "if your ankle monitor is red, then you get shocked. Avoid using too much of your power or else be electrocuted. This is your Warning" Too bad my passive ability bypasses this.
My ability is called 'Copycat'. It allows my to copy someone's ability from a touch with my hand. Only downside is… there's a catch. There's always a catch. I have a limit to 5 abilities and well I only have 3 slots left. Which means I'll have to be strategic on who to make direct contact with. But of course I can always get rid of an ability if it's useless.
I stand up, my eyes still fixated on the floor, and slowly start to walk towards the punching bag. Making sure my breathing is heavy, I tugg at Leo's hoodie showing my nervousness and I -
Wait, why's my head getting closer to the ground? Why's gravity making my hair fly forwards? That's not possible? Unless..
I'm falling! Wait, I don't remember myself purposely tripping myself over as part of my act! My head is getting closer to floor. At this rate I only have 0.5 seconds left to react. Wait, no. Should I react?
0.4 seconds.
Elara Ward would surely fall right?
0.3 seconds.
Yes so this is a good thing!
0.2 seconds.
That way everyone would successfully see me as a doofus!
0.1 seconds.
I guess I accept my fate. I close my eyes and tighten my body to brace the fall.
0 seconds.
THUD!