The Academy

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Unlike his dreams, the reptilian creature hadn't disappeared yet. However, other than Beth, no one seemed to take note of it.

"What...what happened?" Someone had to have a good explanation for why Nick felt like he had almost died.

Naomi shook her head, offering no explanation. All the first years avoided his eye contact, even Trent, and Nick was just about to ask Beth when-

"-Well, that was quite the show buddy." Keith had appeared, and Nick wondered if that grin ever left his face. "You aren't going to make random seizures a habit are ya?"

"That bad?" Nick really had little recollection of what had happened, other than the mind-numbing pain.

"Well, there was a lot of shaking, and squirming. Oh, and a scream like you were dying." He placed a hand on Nick's shoulder. "Seriously man, if we're going to be friends, I'm going to need ya to be a bit more...composed."

"I'm not sure what happened..." He looked past Keith, but Beth seemed to have stepped back away from the crowd, eyes still watching the figure above him intently.

As if on que, are you going to keep ignoring me? Nick jumped before he could stop himself, causing Keith and Naomi to eye him suspiciously. Don't worry Nicholas, they can't see or hear me.

He wasn't sure how to respond, and he didn't want to seem like he was talking to the air. I can hear your thoughts Nicholas. And no, you aren't going crazy, and yes, I am going to become insulted if you just act like I am not here.

"Now that the show is done, we need to head to the auditorium." Keith pulled Nick away from the voice in his head, if just for a moment.

"Keith's right, we still have a full day ahead of us." Naomi motioned to Keith. "Would you mind taking them on a little run to the auditorium?"

"My pleasure." The way Keith answered make Nick nervous. "If you fall behind, you're going to regret it." Keith shouted at the first years, before he turned and started running. It took a moment before the first years seemed to realize what was going on, and then suddenly they were all scrambling after Keith.

Nick turned to follow, but Naomi stopped him. "Are you sure you're alright Nicky?"

He nodded, unsure how to answer, but suddenly wanting more than anything to prove to Naomi that he was indeed alright.

"Very well, better catch up with the others than." She offered him a smile and disappeared. He really needed to learn how they did that.

"You have no idea what is happening Nick." Beth stopped him this time. He was really going to have to sprint to catch up with the group at this rate.

Beth looked lazily at the handful of first years that seemed to have followed her. "Of these first years, only three have the anywhere near the potential you do Nick. Don't throw away your gift." She turned and walked away, the first year Spooks following her. This time, Nick could clearly see a bird sitting upon her shoulder.

I like her." The creature was in his mind again and had lowered itself so that it was hovering at eye level with Nick. On another note, shouldn't you be hurrying after your peers?

Nick cursed as he realized the creature was right and took off sprinting in the direction Keith had headed.

"What's going on?" Asking questions in his mind seemed strange.

Has anyone explained the energy that flows within you Nicholas? The creature was flying easily ahead of Nick.

"Just that I have an affinity for the four different types, and that my Physical affinity is the highest." He thought for a moment. "And Naomi mentioned it could give us increased physical capabilities. Nick's energy had healed him, before it tried to kill him.