Second Chance

Chapter 6: Run

Wellston Private High School:

Parking Lot, 2:12 AM

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John was doubled over from Arlo's sucker punch to the gut, trying to get his wind back before he could make any sarcastic remark at his happiness. Slowly straightening himself out, John squinted at Arlo with a crooked, lip only smile...

"You know what Arlo?" John began.

"No, tell me what" Arlo responded, amused.

As if the spectators, Isen and Elaine, jaws could not hit the floor harder than they already had, they were about to at John next words.

"I think I'll let you off on that one" John said tapping Arlo's shoulder while walking towards the dorms.

Silence and shock, the only two things that Arlo could feel right now. John had just openly rejected the opportunity to fight with Arlo, opting to take the high ground instead, and walk away.

"Wait... Come to Elaine's dorm and get healed. You've actually earned it this time" Arlo said after he regained himself.

"You know I can just recopy her ability and do it myself, saving my eyes from your ugly mug" John quipped.

"Oh I know, but the thing is... I know you are low on energy after the night you just had. Plus I would love to hear all the details about the events that took place during the period of static that Isen told me about" Arlo authoritatively stated.

John, knowing that he was indeed low on energy, decided that continuing this conversation with Arlo may end up with him being forcibly taken along to Elaine's dorm. He decided it was better to save his pride and agree, rather than to have Arlo make him.

"Fine, but after I'm healed, I'm gone" John resolved.

"Whatever you say your lordship!" Arlo mocked.

"Tch!" John mouthed.

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Girls Dorm:

Elaine's Room, 2:25 AM

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After getting settled, Remi and Blyke were still out and weren't going to be woken until the morning. The other four decided that it was better to let them rest and recover after Elaine's healing, then to burden them with questions and concerns so late at night.

"So, lets start with your thoughts John. What did you think was really going on there?" Arlo inquired.

By this time the only thing that Isen, Elaine, and Arlo were aware of that happened was John had lost communication with them and somehow escaped. However, it was obvious by both the van and John's physical damage that a fight had taken place at one point during the phase of static.

"Well... I faced the man you described with pain resistance" John motioned towards Isen.

"What a pain he was!" John joked.

"Wow..." All three listeners reacted at the poor joke.

"Anyway, on a serious note he was no third rate grunt for whatever organization we were fighting" John stated. "He was well versed with his ability, and was certainly around my own level of strength, yet his lack of versatility was his eventual downfall" John recalled.

"So you handled him?" Isen tried to confirm.

"I disabled him, with my current kit there was no way for me to really defeat him in a one on one fight. Aside from his pain resistance, it was like you said, his physical capabilities were boosted too" John replied.