Study Group Established

Tristan thought for a minute. Profiles couldn't replace understanding, it was true, but they gave enough information that he could guess a few things. Kyle Bolton wanted...sympathy. Sympathy and the knowledge that someone believed him.

Tristan looked at his fellow eleventh grader. "You're not the delinquent everyone thinks you are."

Kyle frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You get detention and lectures every day for the simple reason that you have a talent for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's happened so often, you've given up on telling people your side of the story, and just accept whatever punishment they deem appropriate." The profile said that Kyle felt misunderstood and rejected, and considering his ability, no wonder.

Kyle's frown deepened. "What're you talking about? I'm the school firebrand. It's my mission in life to cause as much trouble as possible."

Now that he was listening for it, Tristan could hear the faint and bitter traces of loneliness in the teen's voice. "No, it's not, and you know it. And firebrand applies more to your sister than it does to you."

Now it was Megan's turn to frown. "What?"

He looked at her, profile running through his mind. Now that he was focusing on them, the things were proving themselves to be surprisingly detailed. For best results, approach Megan with honesty and courtesy. She appreciated the implied respect, and returned it. "Do things burst into flame when you're around them?"

"No!" Tristan raised an eyebrow, and she muttered, "Well, not recently."

"Is that where my homework went?" Kyle demanded.

"I told you, that was the dog!"

The two started arguing. Jared sighed and flopped onto the sofa. Allison watched for a bit, then looked at Tristan. "So why am I here?"

Allison. He didn't even have to review the profile. Don't go directly to the point, but don't beat around the bush either. Convoluted sentences only annoyed her, and it didn't matter how easygoing she was. You make her mad, she'll make you pay. "Do you still like to garden?"

"Yeah."

"Are you good?"

She smiled. "I could make carrots grow on trees if they'd taste right. But what does that have to do with Megan being an involuntary arsonist?"

"The same thing it has to do with Kyle sensing trouble, and my seeing things." He sat down again and looked her in the eye. "We're different, and most of us know it. If a green thumb's the only expression of your ability, though, you probably don't."

She shrugged, accepting it despite the implausibility. She knew Tristan wasn't the kind of person who made up or even believed stories. He needed facts and physical proof before accepting such tales, and always had. Allison, not so much. She was more of a gut-feeling kind of girl, and her gut told her to trust her distant childhood friend. "I knew there had to be a reason my plants grow so well. But what about you, Tristan? What do you see?"

Megan and Kyle turned to him as well. He wasn't sure he was comfortable being watched like that. "Auras. Monsters." The dream of the night before flitted through his mind, some parts of it clearer and others still complete blanks. "Maybe the future, but I hope not."

"Why not?" Megan asked, flopping onto a chair and swinging her legs up over the arm. "Seeing the future's a lot cooler than burning things."

"Maybe, but I still hope not."

__________

Crouched on the roof, Destiny smiled. As she knew he would, Young had gathered some of the candidates and while his explanation needed work, his natural calm had kept them from panicking. Thanks to him, now she also knew what he and his candidates could do, though Ferrell remained a mystery.

Her smile faded, and she shook her head in annoyance. She should have guessed Young had the Sight. It was the most plausible explanation as to how he had uncovered her deception so easily. He wasn't the seventh son of a seventh son, but he didn't need to be. The Sight struck just as randomly as any other ability, though observation suggested that the potential of being Touched was somewhat genetic. The potential wasn't always fulfilled, but it was still passed on.

Besides which, the Sight of a seventh son was active from birth: Young would have seen the creatures of the hidden world for his entire life, not after meeting Ferrell. And a seventh son's Sight wasn't as strong as Young's. A seventh son could see auras if he was strong enough, but not the abilities of those he saw, and certainly not the future.

No. Those were the abilities of a Seer.

On the porch, the female marsuin looked up and chirred at the intruder. Destiny glanced at her, unconcerned. Marsuini weren't violent creatures by nature. They didn't attack unless actually threatened, and Destiny wasn't doing anything but eavesdropping. Besides, they liked humans.

The marsuin went from the curious chirr to an agitated yip. She pulled against her leash, but to no avail. She yipped again, and Destiny decided that she'd done enough spying for the day. She slid down the other side of the house and landed lightly on her feet as Young exited the house to calm his pet. Destiny got a running start and vaulted over the back fence, already making plans within plans. She was a Huntress. Such was what she had been born for. Such was what she had been trained for.

a Different Study Group

"And you're sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

It was three hours later. School had ended, and now Tristan and Jared stood out on the lawn, comparing notes. Tristan had found two more Others, and Jared had identified them as Thomas and Allison Greene, cousins. Tristan was starting to suspect that the difference might be somewhat genetic. Jared had told him everything about the exchange during Latin, and now Tristan was frowning in thought. "And she said it was none of your business?"

"Yeah."

Tristan shook his head. "No one says that unless they don't want anyone to know what they're doing. If Destiny was really just starting a study group or making friends, Blair wouldn't be defensive."

"I know." Jared stuck his hands in his pockets. "So what now?"

Tristan sighed. "I guess we create a study group of our own."

__________

Before an hour had passed Jared had gained the cell numbers and cooperation of Kyle, Megan, and Allison. It was just a study group, he said--with one of the school's best students heading it. The two girls now sat in Tristan's living room, chatting, and Jared had coaxed Kyle into building a house of cards with him. Tristan finished tying Chira to the porch, using the long leash he'd kept to remember his old dog. Liz was at a friend's house, and their mother wouldn't get home until late.

Thank goodness.

Tristan walked inside and sat on the couch with a sigh. Auras, monsters, and Destiny Hunt somehow paled before the task that lay before him: explaining something he didn't understand to a bunch of teens he didn't know. Untested theories and personality profiles couldn't replace actual understanding. He didn't know how to approach these people, how to reassure them and keep them safe. He didn't know what any of them could do, or why they were different. He didn't know anything! 

Well, nothing important.

He looked up at Megan and Allison. The aura was there, in equal evidence around both of them, but something had changed. He focused, and their auras became different, in color and feel. Allison's was earthy and green, gentle but unyielding. Megan's, on the other hand, had gone red and crackly, bright and a little too warm for Tristan.

Well, what did you know. They controlled elements.

Jared and Kyle came around the corner. Jared's aura had turned soft and warm, luring people in and keeping them safe. Jared didn't even know about his powers of charm and persuasion. Interesting...and it explained his connections.

Kyle's was difficult to describe. His felt rebellious, hazardous, and if he tried Tristan could hear faint screams and explosions. Kyle's ability wasn't dangerous in and of itself, however. He didn't cause the trouble; he just felt it, and gravitated towards it. Probably the reason he got detention every day.

Tristan sighed and stood. "Does everyone know why we're here?" They didn't, but it seemed like the best place to start.

Megan frowned. "To do our homework?"

"I've got a geometry test tomorrow," Allison offered.

Kyle shrugged. "I was bored."

Tristan sighed again.

She's Fine?

Jared smiled one last time as he left the lunchroom. Tristan was trying to get his new pet to sit in one place and stay there, but wasn't having much luck. Chira didn't understand enough English to obey, and Tristan didn't understand enough "chirr" to make his wishes known. Tristan was frustrated, Chira was confused, and Jared thought the whole thing was hilarious.

But he couldn't stick around and chortle. He had a job to do, and he was going to do it. After all, why not? It was easy, along his way, and personally interesting. Since kindergarten, he'd been creating a little kingdom of social ties and information byways, and so knew everyone in the hallways by sight and name, if not social group and personal interests. Yesterday after school, he'd sent out some of his most trusted informants out looking for information about new student Destiny Hunt. They'd all come to him this morning, all empty-handed. School records, legal files, and pure hearsay had told them nothing about her, ordinary or outstanding. Such a lack could only mean one thing.

Destiny Hunt didn't exist.

__________

Jared walked to Latin class, absentmindedly identifying every student he came across while his thoughts wandered elsewhere. His school was the safest in the district, and such was a matter of personal pride to him. No struggling student went without help, be their struggles with grades, home life, addictions, or simple self-esteem. He learned about such problems within hours of their first being spoken, and aid was organized and deployed before nightfall. Blair was one of the newer additions to his realm, but like any good king, Jared was interested in her personal safety. If she or any other student was in trouble, he wanted to get them out.

He walked into the classroom and scanned the desks. Blair was sitting in her usual seat, checking over her homework like she did every day. He walked up to her. "Hi, Blair."

She looked up at him. "Hi, Jared."

He smiled, trying to be disarming. "I went looking for you yesterday, and couldn't find you. Where'd you go?"

She shrugged. "A friend's house."

"Oh?" He sat in the seat next to her, just as he usually did. Blair was Jared's special project for the year. She didn't have many friends, kept a low opinion of herself, and had a tendency to draw into herself when she was frightened--which was most of the time. Jared wanted to fix all three problems before summer. "Which friend?"

She returned to her homework. "The new girl, Destiny."

"What were you doing?"

"Nothing..."

"Well, you had to be doing something."

"What if it's none of your business?" she snapped.

He frowned. Since when did Blair snap at anyone? For that matter, since when did she display any sort of assertiveness, let alone aggression? "Are you feeling okay?"

She returned her glare to her homework. "I'm fine."

"Blair--"

"Jared, I'm fine. Stop worrying about me."

"But--"

The bell rang, and the Latin teacher stood. Jared frowned and turned his eyes to the board, if not his attention. Blair had looked fine, but looks were deceiving. Blair didn't get annoyed, she got shy and backed out of the conversation. Why was she suddenly being so defensive? Perhaps her new friend was the source of the change?

It was a good thing he and Tristan were meeting after school. This was a new development Jared wasn't sure how to handle.

Lunchtime (Again)

Tristan got his lunch, trying to ignore the pink kangaroo following him like a lost puppy. Jared hadn't been a lot of help--he thought the whole thing was hilarious--and had brushed off the older guy's questions. Not until they got to the table.

Tristan looked around and finally spotted the sophomore, eating by himself. Jared glanced up and grinned as Tristan sat next to him. "We can see most of the students from here," he said, trying to stay serious. "How many are different?"

Tristan looked around as the kangaroo flopped down on the floor next to him. "I've already got the black-haired senior talking to her friends, the redhead getting lectured by the principal, and the redhead's little sister."

"Kyle and Megan Bolton. The senior's Lily Foster."

Tristan looked around again. "Blonde jock tossing a football, and a brown-haired girl with dark skin and a green t-shirt."

"Aaron Maddox and Lisa Torres. Anyone else?"

"Not here, but not everyone eats lunch here." He changed the subject. "Destiny took Blair somewhere after school yesterday. I know Destiny's fine, but I don't have any classes with Blair."

"I have her next period." Jared put down his hamburger, appetite gone. "You think Destiny did something?"

Tristan frowned, brooding. "I don't know. She's nice enough, but something about her's just...off. More than the difference."

"Really? She seems pretty normal to me."

"I'm sure. Now what do I do about Chira over here?" He jerked his head at the kangaroo.

Jared frowned. "Well, first off, Chira?"

"I have to call her something other than 'the pink kangaroo'."

"I know, but--Chira?"

Tristan rolled his eyes. "I told you, I'm not good with names."

Jared decided to stop commenting and answer the question. "You won't really have to take care of her in any way. Just keep her out of your house and in your yard. Do you have any trees or flowers?"

"My mom has a vegetable garden."

"Try to train Chira away from it. A few missing leaves won't draw any attention, but chewed-up tomato plants definitely will. Take her up into the mountains at least twice a month to feed, more if she looks hungry."

"She's a binging vegetarian?"

"I think so. I haven't seen any of her kind kill things, anyway, and when they eat, they eat a lot."

"Okay. One more question."

Appetite rediscovered, Jared took a bite of his hamburger. "Shoot."

Tristan jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Is she going to keep following me around?"

Chira looked up. "Chirr!"

Jared grinned. "Yeah. Hope you liked freedom."

__________

Destiny leaned against the door frame and frowned, a little. Young and Ferrell had met and spoken, had traded secrets and suspicions, and that wasn't a good thing. Not good at all. Young didn't trust her, and now Ferrell wouldn't either. Distrust wasn't something Destiny could afford, at any point in time. She'd barely convinced Ross and Foster to follow her; she didn't need Young and Ferrell turning the others against her.

Destiny turned away and strode down the hallway. Why Young distrusted her, she didn't know. She'd done everything right, at least as far as she knew. She'd been polite. She'd been friendly. She'd behaved exactly the same way the other girls did. What had tipped him off?

It didn't matter. She knew Young's type. Stubborn, resourceful, intelligent, ethical--a true Crusader, uneducated as he was. If he thought it necessary, he would warn the others away from her. If he could, he would counter her with his own "study group". Unlike most such groups, however, the pool of candidates was limited, and each conquest would require a different approach.

This would not be a simple hunt, but rather a race. Who could find them fastest. Who could convert them first. Who could gain and keep their loyalty. Destiny didn't know what Young and Ferrell could do, but then, they didn't know what she could do either. And her ability was far more lethal than theirs could possibly be.

Destiny smiled. Very well, Young. Ready, set, go.

Some are...Not

Jared glanced over. The thing had a basic kangaroo-like shape, though larger and more delicate, with soft pink fur and a long, feathery crest spreading down its neck. "Oh. That's one of the nicer monsters. Try not to look at it."

"Why not?" Tristan looked at Jared, unaware that the creature was looking at them. "Will it attack me?"

"No, but it's really affectionate, and it absolutely adores humans."

Almost to emphasize what Jared was saying, the thing bounded over and landed next to Tristan, looking at him with big, sky-blue eyes. It had to be at least twice his height and three times his weight, but it seemed harmless. "Chirr?"

Jared hit his forehead. "Snap. She knows you can see her."

Tristan looked at the creature and started edging away. "So you're safe?"

"Yeah, I'm safe. As long as I don't look or speak directly to her, she'll think I can't see her. Lucky for us, her kind's not very smart." Without any sort of warning, a long, black tongue shot out of the creature's mouth and slathered Tristan. Jared smiled. "She likes you."

Tristan grimaced and wiped at his face. "What do I do now?"

"Wash your face. Soap and water."

"I mean to get rid of her."

"You can't. Once one of those things attaches themselves to someone, not even the person they're attached to can make them leave. You just have to hope that she finds a nice male and forgets about you."

"How long will that take?"

Jared smirked. "Hope you like your new pet. You're going to have her for a long time."