Chapter 15: Dissociative Identity Disorder

Chapter 15: Dissociative Identity Disorder

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The walk to the teachers' office was steeped in silence, broken only by the soft rhythm of their footsteps echoing in the corridor. The atmosphere felt heavy, almost suffocating, yet Zephyr found solace in the quiet. Silence had always been a comforting companion for him, allowing his thoughts to wander freely without the need for superficial conversation.

Connor, however, was more restless, his mind racing as he contemplated how to break the silence and find the answers he needed.

"I want to ask you something," Connor finally spoke, his voice cutting through the quiet like a sharp blade.

Zephyr's brow furrowed slightly at the suddenness of Connor's statement. "Do I have a choice not to answer?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of caution, as if bracing himself for an unexpected question.

"Yes," Connor replied, his voice steady but his gaze unreadable as he studied Zephyr.

Zephyr hummed softly, a sound that conveyed both understanding and mild curiosity. "Ask away then," he said, mentally preparing himself for the Conner's question. He had a feeling it would revolve around the events of the day, most likely tied to the system.

"When and how did you get the system?" Connor asked, direct and unwavering, having no intention of tiptoeing around the subject.

Zephyr couldn't help but mentally smirk at Connor's bluntness. He could make a decent mentalist, he mused. "I'm going to exercise my right not to answer that one," Zephyr replied calmly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But I can assure you of this: the system can't control you. You're in no danger from it."

Connor fell silent after that, his expression inscrutable. Zephyr didn't press him further, uninterested in deciphering the thoughts now swirling in his mind. The silence between them returned, but it was no longer as tense, just a quiet understanding that neither needed to speak.

As they reached the teachers' office, the room was bathed in soft afternoon light streaming through the large windows. The space was empty, save for Miss Lauren, who was seated at her desk by the window, focused on her laptop screen.

"You're here," Miss Lauren remarked, finally looking up as the two boys entered the room.

"Yes, ma'am," Zephyr replied as he carefully made his way toward her desk, his movements slow to avoid bumping into anything.

They placed the books to Miss Lauren's right, stacking them neatly beside a few other files. She glanced at the books, nodding in satisfaction. "Connor, the register?" she asked.

"Here." Connor held out the blue-covered register to her.

Miss Lauren nodded again. "Good. Both of you, sit down," she instructed, saving her work on the laptop before closing it gently.

Connor opened the register on the desk in front of him, while he and Zephyr settled into two of the three chairs facing Miss Lauren. The room was quiet, the only sound being the soft rustling of papers as Connor flipped through the pages. Miss Lauren gave the register a quick, assessing glance, noting that attendance had been taken correctly and points awarded where due.

With a long, slender finger tipped with a polished nail, she pointed to a row a few lines down from the attendance section, where the letters "T-R" were boldly printed. "This row is for recording the talent grade of each student," she explained to Connor. "Since it's possible to awaken two talents, there are two rows for each student. In the future, if more students join us, you'll record their talents here as well."

Connor nodded in understanding and began to fill in the blank spaces. The list of talents was impressive: all nine students had awakened dual talents. The register now recorded one X-Ranked Talent, five SSS-Ranked Talents, five SS-Ranked Talents, one S-Ranked Talent, three A-Ranked Talents, and two B-Ranked Talents.

As Connor continued writing, Zephyr sat quietly, his senses attuned to the faint sounds around him—the scratch of the pen, the rustle of paper, the subtle hum of the cooling laptop.

As Connor reached Sam's name, he hesitated, the tip of his pen hovering uncertainly over the blank cell. His brow furrowed slightly as he wrestled with an unspoken question.

"Miss Lauren, what should I record for Sam?" he finally asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Miss Lauren fell silent, a brief pause filled with her own hesitation. She weighed the decision carefully, uncertain whether to divulge her concerns to her students or handle the matter herself. But she quickly realized that as their teacher, she couldn't monitor Sam at all times. It would be best, she reasoned, to ensure that others were aware, just in case something went wrong when she was not around.

After a moment's reflection, Miss Lauren made her choice. She would bring Connor and Zephyr into the fold, trusting them as her backup.

"I can't be sure," Miss Lauren began, her voice soft yet deliberate, "but I think Sam might be dealing with a hidden case of Dissociative Identity Disorder." She sighed, the weight of the revelation heavy on her shoulders.

Connor glanced up sharply, taken aback by her words. His pen remained poised above the page, forgotten for the moment, as he processed what she had just said. 

Miss Lauren's gaze shifted between the two students, her expression a mixture of concern and resolve. "This isn't something I've confirmed," she continued, "but you both saw what happened in the class earlier."

While the idea of an alter ego or alternate personality might seem intriguing or even entertaining, the reality was far more troubling. In the world of awakened talents, such conditions were among the most feared. If an individual manifested an alternate personality with its own unique abilities, or one that could wield the original's talents, they were seen as a significant threat. The authorities would monitor them closely and act decisively at the slightest hint of danger.

This fear stemmed from the fact that, in ninety-eight percent of cases, the alternate personality was a darker, more malevolent aspect of the original self. These personalities often exerted control, leading to catastrophic outcomes that could devastate those around them. The stakes were incredibly high, and the consequences of a single misstep could be severe.

Miss Lauren had deliberately kept Sam's ice talent from being discussed in the presence of Mr. Axel and Akeem. She was unsure whether its apparent disappearance was due to it being overshadowed by the fire talent, or if it signaled the emergence of an alternate ego. The latter scenario would be far more troubling and complicated.

She hoped that the issue was merely the former—an imbalance between the talents. If it was indeed the latter, Miss Lauren was at a loss for how to handle the situation. The ramifications were complex, and she could only imagine how Sam's family might react to such a revelation.

"Just keep an eye on him for now," Miss Lauren instructed the two boys with a serious tone. "Report to me immediately if he displays any other unusual symptoms or or unusual behaviors."

"Understood, ma'am," both Connor and Zephyr responded in unison.

Miss Lauren gave a small nod of approval, her gaze lingering on them as if to reinforce the gravity of her request.

Connor continued to diligently record the talent ranks of their classmates, his pen moving with a steady rhythm across the register again as though the whole conversation had not happened. Meanwhile, Zephyr fell deep into thought. If Miss Lauren intended to protect Sam, she would need more than just her own vigilance—she would require additional support and resources.

By the time they returned to the classroom, it was empty. The students had already left for the day. They retrieved their bags and Zephyr locked the door behind them before stepping out into the late afternoon.

The clock on Zephyr's phone read 3:35 PM. With Mac's school scheduled to close at 4:00 PM, the school grounds were mostly deserted. A few early arrivals like himself wandered the empty around or waited outside, but the usual hustle and bustle of the day had quieted to a serene calm.

Zephyr made his way to a quiet corner of the school grounds, seeking refuge under a large, leafy tree. The tree's branches created a natural canopy, providing shade and a sense of seclusion. He settled against the trunk, pulling out his phone and connecting the earpods to tune into the Paragons Channel.

The soft hum of the device filled the air as Zephyr adjusted the volume, letting the familiar voices and discussions of the channel provide a soothing backdrop. The channel was known for its insightful commentary and updates on the world of awakened talents, and it was a welcome distraction as he waited for Mac to finish school. 

Paragons were revered figures—humans with awakened talents entrusted with the monumental task of safeguarding humanity. They were known for their extraordinary abilities and their constant battles against otherworldly threats. Whenever an attack occurred, it was the Paragons who stood at the front lines, defending against the encroaching dangers.

Although Zephyr had no interest in the constant whirlwind of action, nor in using his own talents for such high-stakes endeavors, he found the Paragons Channel oddly entertaining. He was often amused by the grandiose speeches delivered by various leaders of Paragon Groups and Associations. These leaders, while urging the masses to embrace duty and sacrifice for the greater good, did so from the comfort of their opulent mansions.

Today's broadcast centered around a noteworthy event: a major Paragon group was preparing to address a syndicate of vampires causing trouble in a remote village to the north.

It had been a while since Zephyr had heard of such a coordinated vampire threat. Typically, vampires were isolated in hidden nests or clans, and a Horde was a rare occurrence.

As Zephyr listened, the distant rumble of footsteps drew his attention. They were too heavy to belong to his younger brother, Mac.

"Hey," a sweet, unfamiliar voice called out from a few feet away. "My name is Nana. What's yours?"

Zephyr lifted his gaze to find a girl standing nearby, her cheerful demeanor in stark contrast to his desire for peace and quite. A small frown tugged at the corners of his mouth. This was one of the reasons he preferred not to linger outdoors; more often than not, someone would approach him, eager to start a conversation as if he had a "Talk to Me" sign plastered across his forehead. On rare occasions, people would simply stare, which was no less intrusive.

"Zane," Zephyr replied, his voice polite but curt. Through experience, he had learned that maintaining a courteous demeanor while gently discouraging unwanted interactions was the best way to avoid unnecessary complications.

Zephyr was cautious about sharing personal details, especially his name. He knew that giving out such information could lead to unwanted attention, often from people who misconstrued politeness as interest. It was a subtle boundary he preferred to maintain.

The girl's face lit up with a bright smile as she stepped a little closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Zane. That's a nice name," she said, her tone carrying a hint of warmth. "Are you single?"

Zephyr raised an eyebrow at her boldness. It was curious what a fifteen-year-old might be seeking in a relationship. He decided to deflect with a straightforward answer. "I'm engaged," he replied calmly.

Her expression shifted immediately, the bright smile fading into a frown of disappointment. "Oh," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "Excuse me then."

As she walked away, Zephyr turned his attention back to the Paragons Channel. It wasn't unusual for someone to leave abruptly upon telling them he was engaged. In today's world, it was common knowledge that young people who were engaged were often from affluent or influential families. The last thing anyone wanted was to provoke a conflict with such families.

The final school bell rang, its chime echoing through the emptying hallways. Soon, the school grounds were bustling with the chaotic energy of tiny boys and girls rushing out to greet the end of the school day. Zephyr made his way to the young security officer stationed at the front door.

"Could you please let my younger brother know that I'm here? His name is Mac Sinclair" Zephyr requested. 

The security officer nodded, acknowledging the request. Zephyr couldn't help but anticipate Mac's reaction. It would certainly be a surprise for his brother to see him at the school so early, especially considering the typical routine.