Sweats and Threats.

Jacq's head was bent in thought as he treaded the lonely path on the way to school. He has a lot on his mind. Lots he couldn't even tell his best friend, Karl.

Jacq wasn't convinced of the peace that has been happening in his life lately. He knew what is there waiting for him. The system of the greatest human weapon in the history of mankind that he had encountered can never be one to give him so much peace, he knew.

As of late, he has been living in perfect harmony with the system. He had even given it a name – Stranger. The system had reacted rashly against the name but Jacq would have none of it. At the moment, all these are all a form of amusement to him. On his free evenings, he goes out down to the most deserted location in the area, just to test his speed and reflexes. He once ran a kilometer, amused by how the distance was less strenuous and how he hardly broke a sweat. Life was smiling at him at the moment, and he is enjoying every bit of it.

But there was always that uneasy feeling rumbling at the bottom of his mind. The sad feeling of great responsibilities coming with his superpowers. The knowledge that he had to be there when things go down in the coming war. After all, the system was built mainly for that purpose. And here he was, not having the full knowledge of how the system fully works.

This may well be a curse. I'm not the one for this. What have I gotten myself into?

These are the thoughts rummaging about Jacq's mind on a daily basis. Thoughts of how the key was found in his basement. Maybe it was all a set up... Maybe it was all planned so he could be the carrier of the system. What could be more controlled than a naive teenager with dreams of having super powers?

Jacq felt he is a puppet in this show.

Where are the strings? Where? It's somewhere, I know.

[Ugh. Over thinking again, huh?], Stranger interrupted Jacq's thoughts.

"Hello, Stranger," Jacq laughed a little at the humour behind the greeting.

[I don't like that name. Change it.]

"Make me."

[Trust me, I can.]

"Aha..."

He stepped up his pace silently down the road leading to Briggton High. Another boring morning lies ahead, Jacq thought.

He got to school early enough to have a chitchat with Karl before classes begin.

Karl was deep in a silent conversation with a group of girls when be saw Jacq. He broke off and went to him.

"Yo, little one. You good?" Karl, the lively one was always wearing his smiles. His jovial nature earned him some relationships with the girls. The Karly-Charm, he calls it.

Jacq mumbled a greeting back before stepping into the classroom. The gists never stopped in the early mornings, but this time, it was intense and more serious than usual, and the whole class seems to be in a single group for the first time.

"What's the news?" Jacq asked Karl.

"Your crush is back. That's the news." Karl winked at him as he made to turn back towards the door. He patted Jacq's back and said: "I'm happy for you, friend."

Karl went out the door to finish his gists with the girls outside, leaving Jacq rooted to the spot.

Jacq suddenly grew a bitter feeling , replacing his peaceful mood with a sour one.

Cassie is back... It was expected though, but the reality of it hit him just now. How could Jacq face her now? She had thought Jacq killed her father. Maybe she was here for an explanation or maybe for revenge. Any reason she has, it sure doesn't sound pleasant to Jacq. The fact that be would face her any moment crushed his feelings to pieces.

[Do you know you've been standing there for five minutes? Get a grip, loser.]

Jacq jumped at Stranger's sudden notification. He walked straight to his seat moodily and slumped on his chair.

Today is going to be long, boy.

He was about to bow his head on the desk when he sensed a movement by his right side. It was a silent move that he couldn't have noticed if he didn't have advanced senses. He caught a scent too – the scent of sweat.

Who sweats early in the morning?

Jacq turned his head to behold who it was. It was the black boy, his seat mate, Olatunde.

Jacq had always been cold with his new classmate. He never liked him one bit due to many petty reasons. First, the choking perfume he wears to class every morning. Jacq was convinced the perfume was made from cow's urine, mixed with some kitchen spices to reduce the odour of the urine. Also, the suspicious way at which the black boy looks at him... Like, he knows something secret about him. These few things made Jacq act like there was always no one sitting beside him. It was always a peaceful space but thanks to Mr Atkinson, Jacq has to inhale a load of spices every day.

Jacq looked at Olatunde one more time and couldn't help but ask what was wrong. The sweat coming off him was just too much to ignore. And he was not calm as he always was. His left hand shook slightly.

"Hey, what's up with you?" Jacq asked half worried.

Olatunde ignored the question and looked forward like he didn't hear a voice. He was still jittery, sweating.

Jacq decided to leave him be. He bowed his head on the desk and continued from where his brooding stopped. He was thinking of what to say to Cassie when they meet, but the foul smell of sweat coming from Olatunde was now getting too offensive for him. He raised his head in anger.

"What the hell is wrong with you, boy?! Is it your turn to sweat for the world? And look at you, you're shaking like you have a fever. Fucking go to the hospital!"

This time, Olatunde turned to face Jacq. His eyes were red and laden with water, almost to tears. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it back without making any sound. It was like he was under a silent torture.

Jacq freaked out for a second. He had not expected that appearance from Olatunde, and suddenly, he grew worried for the poor boy. He wanted to the cause of this sudden change in him. Jacq asked again what the issue was but Olatunde only mouthed a few inaudible words at him. Jacq was about to ask him to speak louder when another figure joined them.

Jacq didn't look up before he knew who it was... Cassie.

Jacq finally raised his head and his eyes fell on Cassie's big 'brown' eyes. He became hypnotized for a while, staring into those big eyes. The moment is finally here. What should I say?

He was expecting a violent outburst from her, or maybe a silent threat to keep things private, as was expected based on the experiences from the past week. He totally forgot about Olatunde as his mind raced at the possible reactions from her and the perfect way to react back to let peace reign.

He realized he hasn't blinked at all after Cassie's soft voice brought him back to reality.

"Hi, Jacq," Cassie greeted with a smile.

Jacq looked on, dumbfounded. She's smiling?

"Jacq? Hope you enjoyed these few weeks. I didn't enjoy mine. Wonder why?" She pressed on, still smiling.

Jacq realized she is talking to him in code. She is letting out her discomfort while maintaining a calm voice and a smile.

This girl is fucking dangerous.

He still hasn't responded... Till Karl walked up to the table as well. Karl looked from Jacq to Cassie and misunderstood the silent feud for a chitchat. He winked twice at Jacq before strolling off to his seat, thinking his friend is finally having the balls to talk to his crush.

Cassie waved a goodbye and moved far right to her seat also. Only then did Jacq realized he had been holding his breath. He let out a deep sigh and wiped a few sweat off his brows.

Awkward. So fucking awkward.

Jacq had been so deep in his gaze on Cassie that he didn't realize Olatunde stiffened like a dead man when she was around. Beads of sweat poured more profusely down his body. He was soaked.

[Interesting]

"What?" Jacq asked.

[Interesting.] The system repeated.

*************************************

The school bell rung for a closing time. Students rose all around making the usual noises, turning the classroom to a little market. Jacq packed his books into his bag and stood up ready to go home.

[Jacq, stop.]

What the hell, Stranger?

[See your black friend walking towards the door? Follow him.]

"What? Why?" Jacq queried.

[Follow him, now!]

Jacq relented, running and shuffling between his classmates, trying to get to the door after Olatunde. After a few pushing and a few cursed, he got out of the classroom but he had lost sight of Olatunde.

Yeah,we lost him.

[You underrate me, Jacq. He's on my radar. Turn behind the next two blocks. Be quick.]

Kacq maintained a normal human speed, careful not to power up to increase his pace. He turned behind the second block as instructed. He jumped a low barricade and landed into the open space. He sighted the hem of Olatunde's uniform just as he turned a corner by the next classroom a few meters away.

[Go, now.]

Jacq covered half of the open space when he heard someone call his name behind him. It was Karl. "Let's go home, Jacq," he called out.

Jacq looked back and waved for Karl to go home. He signalled that he has something to do somewhere.

Without waiting for a reply, Jacq ran after Olatunde and turned by the classroom he passed earlier. The system directed him through a series of corners and long paths that Jacq had never treaded throughout his entire time at Briggton High. He was now beginning to wonder what Olatunde is up about, for him to go this far in the school premises.

At last, Jacq ended up at a dead end. A completely deserted area with the ground full of overgrown grass and moss creeping up the fence.

[Power up now, Jacq. You have to go over this fence.]

Without hesitation, Jacq eyes glowed brightly in a blue hue and blue flames engulfed his hands. He moved back a few steps before stopping. A little run followed before a powerful jump ghat saw his fly high in the air, over the 15 inches fence. He landed lightly on the other side on a patch of carpet grass.

[There. By your right.]

Jacq turned slowly to his right and hid behind a nearby tree, thick enough to hide a figure his size. He peeped out from behind the tree to behold two human shapes half concealed by tall bushes and little trees.

Jacq moved to another tree closer to where they stood to get a closer look.

He swallowed hard in bafflement of what he just saw. Standing opposite Olatunde, in the same height and the same half crouch stance, was Cassie. They both tightened their hands in a ball of fist, ready to pounce at the slightest movement from the other.

And...

Oh my God.

There are both powered up.

Olatunde?