Chapter 22 Toby put the book down and shuddered. This book...had...had... He placed it on the stump and paced. What had he just seen? Curiosity being a sick thing he grabbed the book again and read the last page. Slowly his eyes lost focus and a pale blue film covered his irises. The book fell out of his hands, disintegrating as it did and the blue evaporated from his eyes. Toby looked around and wondered what happened. He was at the house and then...? It felt like his mind had been wiped or something. Not dwelling on it, he made his way back to the house. Lance wandered around the forest, his mind replaying the conversation with Melody. Had he been to quick with ending their relationship? No. He was right. He'd hurt her, hadn't he? She deserved better. So much better. Berating himself silently, he almost walked right past Toby in the woods, reading an old book. Standing quietly, he watched as Toby read and dropped the book before picking it up again and read again. He held his position as the mist filtered around the boy and the book disintegrated. He watched in mute amazement as Toby looked around confused before walking away muttering to himself. What was with that book? Pat sat inside staring into space. Everything was on it's head. Everything had gone up in "smoke". She chuckled audibly. 'If it weren't so sad it'd be hilarious' she thought wryly. Benjamin sat next to her gauging her face. "You okay, Miss Flame?" Pat snorted. "How long did it take to make that up?" Benjamin rolled his eyes. "Longer than it took you to come up with that failed retort." The scathing tongue Benjamin had made Pat feel funny. Like Mason had before he became a jerk. But it was wrong to speak ill of the dead. She focused on Benjamin again. "Touche." she said smiling. Benjamin flushed slightly. "You let me win." he accused. "Why?" Pat shrugged. "You're fun to tease. And besides, it's easier to end something before somebody gets hurt, ya know?" She stood up and turned toward him. "Wanna ditch this place?" She stretched her hand toward him. He eagerly grabbed it, saying, "Let me see how "you" have fun." The Boss sat in his study, deep in thought. Penelope and his daughter were in Melody's room. Lance was in the forest after the meeting with Melody in the kitchen. Toby was as well. Jeff was between worlds. Benjamin and Pat were off trying to be normal teens. Rya was close by, lost in thought and here was "Joshua" in his study. He turned his attention to the "boy" in front of him and wondered. "The significance of this facade is what exactly?" The "boy" felt. Joshua smirked. "Boss." he said arrogantly, sarcasm dripping from the word, "You and I have been "friends" for years. We know better than these youngsters what it is to be...different." He paused, dramatically gesturing to himself. "We need to keep an eye on them and this is the best way. Infiltrate their zones of comfort." He snickered. "Those kids will be none the wiser especially after the shenanigans they pulled at that prom." "Joshua" felt a slight dip in the atmosphere in the room meaning a stern admonition when a knock sounded at the door. 'Come in' Rya felt. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and came face to face with a strange sight. The Boss was sitting with a young man about her "age" talking. Slightly unnerved she stuttered slightly. "Sho-should I l-leave?" The Boss gestured to the other vacant seat. Rya sat eyeing the boy in her peripherals. Who was this guy? The boy in question extended his hand to her breaking her out of her scrutiny. "Joshua Day. But you can call me Josh." Rya noted the firm grip. People pleaser or rebel? He continued. "And you my dear?" Rya thought disparagingly. Both. "Rya."she said firmly. Flipping her hand that was still grasped in his, he lightly kissed it. "Enchanted." he said while leering at her. Extracting her hand from hiis clutches, she side glanced at the Boss. She saw the boy's face cringe. Boss was letting him have it. Finally he looked at her, abashed. "Forgive me my dear. I simply do not know what came over me. My sincerest apologies." She nodded her acceptance and faced the Boss. The boy also turned his attention to the man behind the desk. Privately he spoke to the man. "These teenage hormones. I tell you man. They should be the end of me." Rya felt the Boss smile and wondered. But her train of thought was derailed by the Boss addressing them both. "Joshua will be boarding here. I have a room setup already. He will attend the same educational institution you all attend." The statement left no room for argument. Sensing his dismissal Joshua left the room with a polite but teasing "Good bye". Rya sat still trying to process the news. 'He's like us if that is what you were pondering. He is called Fume. A poison mist. He will inform you of his history later on. When the others have returned we will have a formal introduction.' Still reeling from the entire situation Rya dumbly nods. The Boss observes her closely. 'Is something bothering you? Wasn't there something you wished to speak to me about?' Rya pulled a tight lipped smile. "It was rather unimportant Sir. I will take my leave." As quickly as she could without looking conspicuous, Rya exited the room, her emotions and thoughts whirling in her mind.
Chapter 23- Intro A Levels September. A new month. A new school year. And of course, with school means new classes. For the group it meant A level classes. As they stood at the gate, one thought was shared. "I have to survive." The group walked into the compound paired off. Melody and Penny led the charge. Benjamin and Lance right after. Toby and Pat following slowly. Rya and Josh were right behind them, observing. Jeff trailed after them watching them closely. Were they friends? He remembered the night Boss introduced the new guy. 'This is Joshua. He will be an addition to your group. Treat him as family.' Jeff snorted. Leave it to the Boss to be so vague. Rya spun around, fire in her eyes. "What are you staring at creep?" She hissed. "Stay away from me." Turning around she sped up, walking to the head of the group, keeping pace with Melody and Penny. Slowly they ended up in an animated conversation, giggling every once in a while. Jeff frowned realising he was stuck with the new guy for company. "It'll be easy for you since you're new." He said as a way of opening. "It'll be okay. If you need help, just ask one of us." Josh laughed. "Kinda sappy but I understand your sentiments. I accept humbly." He said, smiling. Jeff saw a momentary flash in the young man's eyes. "What did you say you were again?" Jeff asked, definitely curious. "Fume. Poison mist." He answered readily. "Will you excuse me for a moment?" The boy walked to Rya, whispered something to her and then broke away from their group, making his way to the administration building. Jeff frowned. If he was a mist, then why did his eyes flash like they did?