Chapter 2: Time to be sold

Tenet strolled into the back playground of the school. It was a boring long stretch of tarmac which was blissfully quiet as everyone was in class. He did see a few boys wandering and a few girls loitering, and even a couple of boys and girls wandering in pairs, talking quietly and giggling. They all ignored each other, a mutual understanding between all those who were breaking the rules. 

Tenet enjoyed the sharp cold metallic air, but combined with the cloudy sky and grey tarmac, it was a decidedly dreary place to stroll around. As he walked, enjoying his freedom he approached the green school fence that barred him from the outside until 3:30 PM. He vaguely contemplated just jumping over and walking around outside for a while. Just as he was about to turn away, he heard an urging little whisper in his head telling him two words. Why not?

Turning back to the fence, he contemplated it more seriously. 'It's not like I'll be able to get punished. So why not?'

Making his mind he clambered over the fence, landing in a satisfying thump on the other side. Turning back, he saw that no one had noticed him leaving. So, whistling a merry tune, he continued his stroll on the outside street.

"Aah, the air does smell better in places you're not meant to be" he mused aloud.  

He remembered the way the headmaster spoke about the coordinator. More likely the person, whoever he or she may be, was most likely to be late. Turning a corner he continued his walk, wishing he had some money to buy a drink or a small snack. As he walked he noticed a man across the road from a street perpendicular to his running down at breakneck speed. 

He paused, watching in mild amusement and interest as the man slowly came into view. He looked relatively young, but the premature lines on his face and the fact that his straw hair had some grey in it suggested he had lived a quite stressed life. He was wearing a charcoal suit which was straining to hold together as he ran at an astonishingly fast pace. Just as he was approaching the road, Tenet noticed a blue car speeding down, it looked as if it was going to collide with the man.

"Hey, watch out!" He called, gesturing to the car. The man looked at him, then at the car before trying to halt himself. The sudden change in momentum caused him to fall backwards, narrowingly avoiding the speeding car. Tenet saw a middle finger thrust out the window as the car drove past. 

Chuckling he went to help the man up, "Are you alright?" 

He heard a confirmatory groan as the man took Tenet's hand and got up. Dusting his suit. "Thank you lad" he replied, his voice tinged slightly with a northern accent. 

""Where were you going in such a hurry, mister?" 

The man stared at him, as if just remembering his urgency. "Alston High." 

Tenet's eyebrows shot up, after all, it was his school. The school who's fence he had just climbed over. He decided it was best if he'd escort the man back in the hopes he might find out why he was running. After all he had nothing better to do. 

"I'll take you there," he offered. "I was planning to go there myself anyways."

The man shrugged, "I know the way, but I spose company won't hurt." 

Tenet smiled, gesturing to him to continue walking. Thankfully the stranger had decided to compromise in the form of a brisk walk instead of running. 

"Are you a parent? Uhh Mister" He asked, hoping to gauge some clue behind the urgency.

The stranger chuckled, "My name is Arthur, and I guess you could say that."

Tenet smiled, ""Nice to meet you Arthur."

What does that mean? He thought. What does I guess mean? Is he a parent or not?

Soon they reached the two large blue doors that were the front entrance to the school. Tenet gestured for Arthur to enter first. 

As they entered he was shocked to see the Headmaster pacing back and forth in the entrance. As soon as Arthur entered he began talking in a hurried tone.

"Arthur, thank God you're here. The boy's must've run away. I checked the cameras, and he climbed over the gates. God knows how he did it so easily. I think he might be going home f-". The headmaster choked on his words as he noticed the boy walking behind the Y.S.C coordinator. Curly black hair, light skin, large dark eyes, broad shoulders and slightly under average height. "Tenet. You're meant to be running away? Did you catch him already Arthur?" 

Tenet's eyes opened, connecting the dots, the AI must've alerted him that I hadn't returned, he must've assumed I ran away. But if Arthur is meant to catch me, is he the coordinator?

In a comedic fashion, Arthur and Tenet turned to face each other and at the same time blurted out the same word.

"You?"

"You!"

After Tenet was forced to explain himself, under two pairs of harsh eyes, the headmaster sighed heavily. He closed his eyes and said to Arthur in a tired voice. 

"You'll be taking him immediately then?"

Arthur looked slightly disappointed, "ah yes. I guess I should then. Very well."

Turning to Tenet he said in a melancholic tone, "Come with me then Tenet, I suppose we'll set off now."

Tenet nodded, glad that somehow he had avoided a lecture. 

Waving to the headmaster, he and Arthur made their way out of the school and back onto the street.

"How'd you get here so quickly, uhh Mr. Arthur, the way the headmaster described it you're always late."

Arthur chuckled to himself, "Just Arthur is fine. I spose Diosys, your headmaster, would think that. Truth is Tenet umm, I'm not actually late. Quite the opposite really. So I often take some time to uhh, peruse certain shops for uhh certain things." 

Tenet raised an eyebrow in question but Arthur refused to divulge himself further. 

Arthur clicked his keys, and Tenet could see a black luxury looking car unlocking with a flash of light in.

"Get in, Tenet."

They both got in the car, Tenet groaning happily as his body sunk into the luxury seat.

The car didn't have a steering wheel. Cars hadn't had steering wheels for 50 years. He inputted the destination into a small screen on the smooth dashboard. Then the car began to unpack itself, going onto the road.

With an usually serious tone, Arthur turned to Tenet, his face solemn. 

"Hey Tenet, why are you here?"