Capítulo 12: Flying Around
[Saturday night, 26/01/2030, Atlanta, Georgia]
Cheering screams and drum sounds could be heard as hundreds of people watched the football game happening in front of them.
Amidst the hundreds, calmly sitting on one of the benches was John. He had a few churros in his hand, eating them as he watched the teenagers on the field tackling down each other in the hopes of stopping the adversary's play.
And although seeing a bunch of normal humans playing a sport he wasn't much of a fan was not how he planned to spend his saturday night, he needed to do it to ensure nothing happened against his plan.
When the referee whistled the end of the game, John rose from his position and started to go down the benches. And when he stepped on the ground, he looked above to notice huge clouds gathering in the sky.
It's going to rain heavily. John thought as he started to walk to the park of the school he was.
In the park, John found himself under the protection of a tree, with few droplets of water falling on him, while he waited for his guest.
Soon, the people John was waiting for arrived. But they didn't meet him. After all, they didn't even know who he was.
Two teenagers approached a car. The first was a brown skinned girl with a slim figure and dark brown eyes. The other was a tall muscular young man with strong arms. He had a basic haircut, dark eyes and wore the uniform of the home school playing today. He was playing on the field a few minutes ago.
He and the girl were having a light discussion, nothing serious, but it totally stopped when the young man spotted all four of his girlfriend's car tires flat.
"Seriously?!" He shouted, attracting the attention of his school mates.
Seeing the situation, one of his friends approached him. "Relax, Rafael. I will take you and Cassie home. We'll see later who did this." A young man from the home team said, taking both teenagers to his car before driving away.
John saw all of it under the tree, nodding to himself when there was nobody but himself in the school park.
"Time to go." He said, walking out of the tree's protection and going to the open area. His feet detached from the floor.
Whoosh!
In the air, the wind pressure against his body made the water from the rain not cling to his body, making him dry as he flew more than 400 miles back to school.
Bzz!
From his pocket, John could hear the vibration of the phone Hope bought to him. A gift, she said.
And who else would be calling him at this hour but Hope herself?
"Hello?" John said, using his telekinetic powers to put up a barrier around his phone so the sound of the constant air flow doesn't bother their conversation.
"Where are you? I didn't see you in your room." Hope said. On the other side of the phone, she was sitting down near her desk, drawing on her diary.
I hate lying to her. John thought. "Just left to fly around a little. Calm my mind, you know?"
"Are you still bothered by what happened yesterday?" The tone in Hope's voice changed as she remembered the events of that party. At least what John told her.
"Nah, I'm not bothered by what Lizzie did. She was just, you know, out of herself a little. It was the alcohol." John said, not giving much importance to the situation.
"I don't know how you can still defend her after that." Hope said.
"Simple, she is just a girl learning more about herself and was a little drunk that night. No problem in that." John said, his mind recounting the events of that night.
A few days ago, Josie had invited John to a party that happens monthly in the Salvatore School. And John, wishing to socialize more and deepen his relations, decided to go to it, even though he wasn't a huge fan of parties.
And he liked it even less now after that party.
The party was stressful to say the least. Music too loud, the smell of alcohol reeking from everybody and the scent of weed mixing in.
When he accepted Josie's invitation, he expected to be able to bear everything. But he couldn't. It didn't matter how much he tried to low down his hearing or sense of smell, the sight before him of everyone basically getting drunk or high was not exactly his favorite view.
He tried to mix in, he really did. More for Josie who invited him than anything. However, after an hour of partying, he simply decided to come back to the school. The problem was that when he was saying bye to Josie, Lizzie started to hit on him and asked him for him to stay.
John politely declined, saying he was not feeling comfortable in the party and said bye to her too. The problem was that the witch didn't like the "no" and tried to keep John by force, using magic to immobilize him.
Understanding the situation, John didn't act out of character or anything. He simply overwhelmed the spell with his own magic, freeing himself and going away from the party.
"Only you can act like that with her after that." Hope said.
"Tell me something. When did the two of you become frenemies?" John asked. "You never told me why."
"That would be true if we were actually friends, but we are just antagonistic to each other." Hope said. "It started three years ago. I don't know why. She just started to treat me badly after my room burned somehow."
"Hm, strange." John said, hiding the fact he knew why Lizzie was like that with Hope.
After a brief conversation around this topic, the talk came back to what Hope called John for. "So, are you nearby or will it take some more time?" Hope asked.
"I'll be there soon. I flew a little far from the school. I will call you back when I am nearby." John replied.
"Okay… See you." Hope's tone was sweet and mellow, completely different from her normal character.
"See you." John said, waiting until Hope shut the call off before putting the phone away. "Ah…" He let out a breath after the call ended. Did I do the right thing? John asked himself.
The reason for John questioning himself was what he did earlier. His actions will probably lead this world to a whole new path.
Today was the day Rafael Waithe would get his girlfriend Cassie killed in a car accident, activating his werewolf curse. And John was sure today was the day. Everything fits in place.
In the series, it was stated Rafael would activate his curse in the month previous of the start of canon, which begins in February. So, it was activated in January. It was also said the accident happened after a game between Rafael's school, and since Rafael's school lost today's game, having no more games for the semester, and with the game happening between January and February's Full Moon, today was the only possible day for Rafael to activate his curse.
Well, no more since John destroyed the tires of the car Rafael would drive, which led him to take a ride from a friend. So, Rafael wouldn't be the one driving. Even if there was an accident, it wouldn't be Rafael's fault, and he wouldn't activate his werewolf curse.
With Rafael not activating his curse, he and Landon wouldn't go to the Salvatore School, probably living normal lives. And more importantly, with Landon not activating the Malivore artifact.
Ah… how I wish I was doing all of this just for Malivore to not awake and for her to stay safe. John thought to himself, shaking his head to swipe away his own dark thoughts. Let's just return to school first. I'll think about it later.
Boom! For a moment, the sound barrier was broken.
[Salvatore Boarding School]
Inside her room, Hope sat in front of her desk, the pencil in her hand in constant movement as the silhouette of a young manly figure.
The drawing was made only in two colors, black and golden. She used a graphite pencil to give shadows and deepness to the drawing, giving it details. As for the gold pencil, it had one single goal: to paint the drawing's eyes. The color trying its best to replicate the majesty of the example's true eyes.
As she kept drawing, Hope heard something approaching her room from outside. And looking towards her window, it wasn't hard to guess who.
"You really look like Superman when you come into my room through the window." Hope said, observing John landing right in front of her.
"You've got to admit it's a little romantic." John approached Hope, putting his hands around her waist. "What are you doing?" He asked, taking a look at her desk.
"Just a drawing, a sketch for something I am planning to paint." Hope said. Grateful that she had closed her drawing book before he arrived. "You can't look at it." She said, holding his chin with her hand to move his face back to her direction.
"Okay. Okay." John chuckled at her reaction, staring back at her. "What do you want to do today? Movie, series or acting like a granny and watch a few culinary shows?"
"Very funny." Hope said, flicking his nose. "I don't know. How about you first tell me about your flight. You took quite some time now. Are you bothered by something?" Hope asked, knowing full well her "friend" usually flew around when having to think of something. He usually did that after having an idea.
"I am not bothered by anything. Just wanted to go around a little." John lied to the best of his abilities, making sure every physical aspect of him did not show a single indication of him lying. "Also, I took this time to think over that theory of mine about the Bennett Witches." He said, bringing another topic into the conversation so as to change it.
"Right. Your idea of the fact that the Bennett Witches are actually chosen by Nature itself to maintain balance." Hope remembered the idea proposed by the boy. One that was already accepted by many in the magical society considering the Bennett witches' power.
The Bennett witches are widely known in the supernatural world not only for their efforts to maintain balance, but also their incredible power. To the point their blood was used to replace celestial events that bathed the world in magical power every time it happened.
And what many thought was that since they were so powerful, the Bennett witches thought they had the responsibility as witches to keep the balance.
But what if it was the contrary? They received the power from Nature and then the task to keep balance was given to them.
What if Nature noticed the already powerful Bennett bloodline and decided to bless them? Giving them much more power. Enough to use their blood to create entire worlds frozen in time.
However, there was a problem in this theory. John first needed to confirm his other idea that Nature is a conscious entity. And much probably a restricted entity.
There were also certain details that made John believe in this idea of his. The involvement of the Bennett witches in almost any important supernatural event was one of them. The creation of the Immortals, to the Original Family and even the Brotherhood of the Five. All of them happened with a Bennett witch nearby. So there must be something related.
But to prove his idea, one of the many things John had to do first was to prove Nature was conscious or not. And that was something he still had no lead on how to proceed.
"Let's forget that for now and focus on us." John said, returning to the main reason why he was in Hope's room.
Ever since that movie night, both teenagers had spent more time in the company of each other, with them always staying up late at night to watch a movie or do something else, like painting together or studying magic.
Regarding their relationship, they were progressing slowly… Not trying to rush anything, just letting things flow accordingly. But things were still moving forwards.
John was happy about how things were developing, and he had no need to rush things.
"Okay…" Hope agreed with his words. Her voice a mellowed one.
The girl liked this kind of interaction, the normality. The sentiment you don't have to worry about thousand years-old witches trying to kill you or Nazi-menthality vampires after your family was something Hope craved during a long time of her life.
Spending the night with the boy whom she recently came to terms of having feelings for him was one of the most normal things she did through her life. And she wished to enjoy every second of this time.
When they laid down on her bed, with her head on his chest and she felt his arm behind her neck, the sentiment of comfort washed over her being. She felt safe and calm. As if nothing could bother this moment of theirs.
Time passed. Both John and Hope watched the movie chosen for today, enjoying the warm mood between both of them.
As the credits rolled up, the dark room became even darker as the only source of light was the white letters in the notebook's screen, which soon disappeared as Hope turned off the device.
"I was thinking of something…" Hope said, attracting John's attention.
"Hm?"
"Would it be okay if you… slept here today?" Hope asked, mustering a little courage to ask this question. A short silence followed after the question, but it was broken by her. "Obviously, if you don't mind…"
Her words brought out a smirk from the boy's smile. "The day I refuse such an invitation from you, you can cast a spell to blow away my head because I probably went crazy."
The reply made Hope laugh. "Hehe, okay…" She said, putting her notebook away on the bedside table.
Meanwhile, John pushed the blanket to cover them. With him passing his left arm over her, his hand holding Hope next to him. "Sweet dreams." He whispered in her ear.
"I am already in one." Hope replied, also holding him next to her.
A smile bloomed in John's lips, the happiness he was experiencing booming from his expression.
I am happy right now. John thought. However, in the deep part of his mind, other thoughts gained strength. God… I better fall asleep before little me wakes up. The sensation in my chest doesn't help much. With these thoughts, John forced himself to fall asleep.
[Sunday | 27/01/2030 | Salvatore Boarding School]
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Throughout the Salvatore School's gymnasium, the sound of round metal clashing was heard with clarity as the strength applied to these clashes would be enough to break apart a human's head.
"You are holding back." Hope said, dodging the incoming attack with a side step.
"You are doing the same." John replied, bending so the next attack wouldn't hit his head. "The question is: Is it because we don't want to break the titanium sticks Dr. Slatzman gave us, or are we too worried about one another?"
"20% the first 80% the second." Hope said, crossing the metal bars over her chest to defend another attack. "If you were a little more serious, this attack would have landed."
"I think it's cute how both of you care about the other, but can't wait to kill me when I am the one in the fight." Dr. Saltzman said, standing by the side as he observed the fight. "And sorry if I couldn't get anything better than titanium for our friend here to bend them into weapons." Alaric looked at John.
"If you let me go outside to some uninhibited place, I could get some tungsten and carbon to make tungsten carbide. Then I wouldn't be so afraid of the sticks breaking during a spar and you wouldn't have the need to buy titanium alloys." John said, having his leg blocked by Hope with one of the sticks, the other going directly at his throat.
"I prefer if you don't go outside and use your abilities in such a way that all mining companies in the world would wish to kidnap you." Alaric said. "Satiate my curiosity a little. If you have the materials and considering your abilities, what else can you create?"
"Basically anything." John sidestepped, avoiding a strike which hit the floor. "If I have the knowledge of how it's made, I can basically create anything, from a phone to an atomic bomb. Actually… I don't need anything to do the latter. My own ability is enough to do nuclear fission and from there it's just accumulating more energy." John calmly explained, as if his words didn't imply he could destroy entire cities if he had time.
"You are probably the only one who can do that in the world." Alaric said, not knowing if he is happy about existing only one person capable of it or worried that there is one person.
"Wouldn't believe that so easily." John said, raising one of his feet to prevent being hit by a swipe of Hope's leg.
"What do you mean?" Alaric asked.
"Magic is too versatile. Witches can create new species and entire dimensions. Who said they can't study nuclear physics and try to recreate these phenomena through Magic?" John calmly explained as he striked Hope with an up-down attack, with her blocking it and resulting in a contest of strength. "Actually, I am impressed no one thought of it. The witch community lacks a certain group of 'scientists' per say. If the witch community had a mind of the likes of Tesla or Einstein…" Putting more strength and with the help of gravity, John won the contest.
Aa for Alaric, he remained in silence. His student's words echoing in his mind.
"I certainly wish to enter your mind one day and see how exactly it works for you to think about these things." Hope commented.
"You will probably only see yourself in there." John smirked, implying he only thought about her.
"What a sweet tongue." Hope said.
"You certainly know that." John smiled widely.
"Remember that I am here before you two get too intimate in the words." Alaric said, making both teenagers react awkwardly. "Let's stop for today, okay? I can see none of you willing to take down the other."
"Fair enough." John said, defending one last attack. At least, he thought so.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Hope said. Without muttering a single word, her magic acted out and a strong force sweeped John's foot off the floor, making him fall on the wooden floor.
With a flip, Hope landed on top of John, her two metal sticks crossed in front of John's neck.
"You lost on purpose." Hope said.
"Wouldn't lose this opportunity for nothing." John said, taking a good look at Hope's stance over him.
"Funny." Hope hit his forehead with the metal stick, putting almost no strength in it. She rose from her position and stretched out her hand, with John taking it and also rising from the floor.
"It was a good training today, kids. See you later." Alaric said, leaving the gymnasium with his things.
Looking at the back of the moon, Hope had a thoughtful expression. "I think he is starting to feel left out." She commented.
"Well, things changed. You don't only have him to spar now. Not to mention he must feel a little strange due to our interactions." John commented, understanding what Hope meant and also feeling a little bad about Dr. Saltzman. "But I think he is also happy for you to have found someone who can be with you."
Hope turned to him when listening to his words, crossing her arms around his neck. "I am as well." She said, a kiss following her words.
"We should spare more if the training ends like that." John said.
"Hm, idiot." Hope hit him slightly. "Come on, we have to take a shower and enjoy the rest of the sunday."
"Okay." John agreed, walking by Hope's side, taking her hand into his as they left the gym.
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