A Boy's Mistake

Jack wished he hadn't opened his eyes.

Actually, Jack wished he had remembered school was out yesterday so he won't have stepped out of the house and bumped into the duo that stood over his bed, staring down at him like birds waiting for their prey to make a move.

"What the hell," he moaned, sitting up in his bed. "How the heck are you here?"

Sharina sat on his bed and lay across his feet, readjusting her body so she would feel comfortable. "We can teleport remember?"

"Oh right." Jack had slipped off his bed and was making his way towards his door.

"Where are you going?" It was Newt that asked, watching the younger boy make a fuss out of quietening his footsteps.

"My mum duh."

Newt rolled his eyes and dropped onto his bed, beside Sharina. "She's gone to work, man."

"Yeah, we waited till she left before sneaking in," Sharina added.

"And you both did this why?"

Both were at a loss of words, flapping their mouths up and down as they thought of a reasonable reply.

"We came to make sure you actually wore your amulet this time," Newt finally said.

"Okay now, can you both get out of my room? I need to get ready for school."

Sharina sat up. "What if you get attacked again? Are you sure-"

"That's why I'm not taking off the pendant right?" Jack snapped. "Now please leave. I need to hurry up before I'm late."

Reluctantly the duo slunk out, stealing glances at Jack, who just ignored them. Once they were out, Jack slammed the door shut and pulled off his shirt.

"They are right about you leaving the house in your current state," Zeus spoke.

Jack threw his shirt on his bed, a half-smile on his face. He had been waiting for the god to input his opinion and he had the feeling it would be the same restraining words he got from the other two hosts.

"So what's the amulet for?"

"Keeping away monsters."

"Then I'm heading out," Jack said, slipping into his bathroom, half-naked.

"It may keep away most monsters, but there are some that have no regard at all for my power or presence."

"Like myself," he agreed, removing the amulet before stepping into the shower.

As the water ran down his head, Jack contemplated staying home from school and explaining to Oliver that he was running a fever. But then knowing Oliver, he'd hit up his mom first, and then Jack would be busted.

"Tomorrow is Saturday anyway," he muttered to himself. "I might as well just get today over with."

Hurrying himself up, he slipped out of the shower under five minutes and was ready to go in barely fifteen. Lacing his sneakers, he grabbed his amulet and wore it around his neck, whilst tucking it into his shirt.

"I have half a mind to incapacitate you, mortal," Zeus snarled immediately he clasped the ends of the amulet together. "But I would rather see how far your foolishness gets you."

"Whatever," Jack bluntly replied, running a hand through his hair.

Grabbing his bag, he proceeded to step out of his room, coming into the view of the much-disappointed duo that sat bored on the couch.

"Dude!," Sharina stood up instantly. "You know it's risky heading to your school without us."

"Then join me, three students left a few months back anyway."

Newt crossed his arms. "Just stay here."

Scoffing, Jack stuck out his hand, willing the master bolt into it. "And fuck up my grades? I don't think so."

As usual, Jack felt an electric spark between his hand before the six-foot rod formed inside it. Closing his fist, he marveled at the numerous, random sparks that leaped off the surface, but never left it.

"I'll be back by five," he informed them, before willing himself to switch locations.

"Stubborn bastard," he heard Sharina swear as he transitioned into nothingness.

Like before, as quick as he disappeared, Jack felt himself reform. Opening his eyes to assess his surroundings, he realized he had materialized right over a toilet seat. Moving midair, he managed to just barely divert himself from landing inside the toilet.

"I will hide the bolt," Zeus sighed, the master bolt vanishing from sight. "Now try not to get yourself killed."

Jack shouldered his bag and stepped out into the empty bathroom, before making his way to the door and swinging it wide open to reveal the crowded hallway.

Like every school day, Royal Academy was as busy as usual. Jack guessed classes wouldn't start for another ten minutes, judging from the nonchalance everyone displayed. Most stood by their lockers in groups, discussing how their one-day break went while others strolled past, heading towards classes to probably meet up with a friend or five. Jack decided to join the wave moving and head towards where he guessed Noel would be.

"Jack!"

Clenching his fists, he hurried through the crowd away from the voice. Jack wasn't sure how he knew what school he went to, but he wasn't ready for them to ruin his life here either.

"You should not ignore the other hosts, mortal fool," Zeus scolded. "For all we know, there could be something after you already."

"Nothing is going to happen here," he growled, slipping into an empty classroom.

"You looked into his memories and chose to act like the bigger idiot," a voice called from beside him.

Grunting, he looked to the side as Sharina shimmered to life in front of him. As she appeared, the helm disappeared, revealing a deep frown that didn't match her usual demeanor.

"What should I apologize for," he rolled his eyes. "Being a good student?"

"No, deadass," she retorted. "For putting everyone here in danger."

Freezing, Jack's face contorted with both confusion and fear. "Danger?"

Right on cue, screams erupted far off and like a chain reaction, it soon got to where they were. Jack dropped his bag and hurried to the door, opening it only to see screaming students running from whatever had infiltrated the school.

"Criticized me, only to make the same mistake," Zeus mocked. "Mortal ignorance truly amuses me."

Jack sprinted out into the hallway, Sharina at his tail, to confront whatever had caused the mass panic. At first, he couldn't make out the approaching figure, but as it neared them, he cursed in his mind. With dread coursing through his body, he gulped at the threatening creature, preparing for what would be his very first, and probably last, fight.