Lucent Black Chapter 3: Divided

The acrylic glass bench felt quite comfortable, as Skairan sat on it. Boris took a seat right next to him and turned to face his friend.

The building was evacuated a few moments after the attack. All students were assembled on the campus plaza, where beautifully colored trees and elegant fountains garnished the otherwise plain spot. The school was surrounded by an artificial lake on a peninsula.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have s-said that back then. It was uncall~"
"It's alright'. I ain't blamin' ya", Skairan interrupted without looking at him.

I won't kill you. Not today. He shook his head as he repeated the approximate words of the assassin.

"But- Why didn't he hurt you?" Boris stared at the ground, before he turned his head to Skairan.

"I told you already!" Skairan suddenly snarled at Boris but realized that he was overreacting. He quickly lowered his voice as he resumed.

"I dunno. If they would want to spread fear more effectively, they probably would target civilians, too. Just to prove a point. But they didn't."

Skairan supported his elbows on his thighs and his chin rested on his hands, while he peered out to the water, that surrounded them.

"You had quite the show there, Barond."

Skairan lifted his head, turning it to the source of the voice. Stezany stood there with her hands on her hips. Her crimson hair gleamed in the sunlight. Boris gulped again, since a woman entered their immediate privacy.

"Whaddyou want?" Skairan snapped at her.
"Nothing. Just came to say that everyone suspects you being the mole for the Shade Runners, that's all."

Squinting his eyes and taking a good glance around, Skairan now noticed many scared looks, that were cast over to him and Boris. He let out a soft grunt, before looking back to Stezany.

"So, what about it?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe you'd want to watch your back in the future."

He stood up and walked over to her slowly until they were face to face. Stezany stared back, unimpressed. Boris winced slightly.

"That a threat?" He say quietly through gritted teeth.
"Not at all, more friendly advice. From all the people I've met here, you seem to be the only person I actually don't hate by default." She gently tapped his upper back.
"How cute." Skairan rolled his eyes, while folding his arms, before he shook off her hand.

She giggled, although it wasn't that typical teenage girl giggle. It was somewhat unsettling. Skairan raised a brow.
"Any idea when they're gonna let us in?"

Stezany Korsten glanced over her shoulder to the entrance.
"Hm. Still doing the report, the Police Force. This might take a while. A lot of paper work is done at a crime scene, then they interview the directly affected people, if able, then they investigate the murdered, take samples and~~"

"Are you a cop or what?" Skairan interrupted her and frowned.
"No, but my dad used to work there and I'm not ignorant."

Sirens seemed to be getting louder by the second. Belated Police Force reinforcements have completely barred down the campus.

"So, why ain't he here?" He asked and looked between the Police Forces and her.

Speakers filled the campus with noise:

"Attention. All students are to return to their homes for today, since the crime scene will still be under investigation by the Federal Police Force of Metropolaris. You will be contacted immediately, once the situation is under control. We sincerely apologize for the inconvinience and still wish nothing but the best for all of you. Stay stafe, students." A crackling is heard as the announcement came to an end.

Skairan shook his head. Dozens have lost their lives today and they treat it as if it was just another day at the campus. It made his blood boil. He returned his gaze back to the female student and awaited her answer with a sharp and impatient throat clearing.

Stezany turned to the side, still looking at Skairan.
"Because he's dead."
She smiled before she headed for the magnet train that would take the students back.

Boris now stood up and walked over to his friend. Skairan stared after her, trying to put himself in her place. Imagening how he would feel, should his father or mother die. There wasn't a strong bond or connection between him and his family. He wasn't really an introvert, just stubborn and often broody. He felt something he was quite unfamiliar with. Sympathy.

"Come on, let's go home, Skai."

Boris tapped his shoulder as he took the lead, Skairan followed shortly after.

A long silence befell Skairan and Boris on their trip home. Many shocked faces past by their compartment, some even stopped to look at Skairan, just for what happened at the main hall of the campus building. Some even increased their walking speed as they saw him. And some glanced at him with anger and fear.

-------

Nearly two hours passed before the magnet train halted in the Central District main station. Skairan and Boris stepped out with several other passengers, but their way was blocked.

"Well, well. Look who we got here. The Shade Walker rat."

Skairan abruptly looked up and peered at some students from his school who formed a half circle around him and Boris. He buried his hands into his pockets as he stared back.

"The heck are you talkin' about, Simmeon?"

Skairan knew him. He was the only child of a rich real estate family. Simmeon always tried to act tough in front of his friends, since he didn't want the reputation of a spoiled brat to ruin his image. Often picking fights for no reason at all.

"We all saw it! He said something to you. Must've been some codeword or a 'Good job, Skairan.' Or something like that...!"

A sigh escaped Skairan's mouth as he shook his head at his school mate.

"You're deluded, as always. Always making mountains outta molehills. The only reason he spared me, is because the Shade Runners are not targeting innocent civilians."

"Shut up! You're a double agent and you're not welcome here. People like us take care of trash like you. Sick him, boys!" Simmeon said and gestured towards the duo.

Boris held up a hand. "Guys, trust me, you don't want to mess with Sk~"

The first one who attacked was his chubby friend Heiner, aiming a curved punch at his face, but he was lunging out so far, Skairan could've walked to the campus and back and still block in time. He simply rammed his elbow into his side, before Heiner even got the chance to finish his punch, then followed up with an uppercut into his jaw. Heiner immediately yelped and stumbled over.

Next was Simmeon's best friend Noah who also had a similar inferiority complex like Simmeon, attempted to deal out a harsh push at Skairan. Though he was quickly redirected and tripped by Skairan, before he fell flat on his face and broke his nose in the process.

Simmeon, and a person Skairan didn't recognize, assaulted from two fronts. Simmeon went in for a low kick at his guts, while the other teenager also clumsily aimed at his head with a clenched fist.

The defender decided to counterattack instead of avoiding them simultaneously. Heading straight for the fist, he used his left hand to push the attacker's fist out of the target zone in order to prevent the fist from reaching him, while the other hand applied a strong jab into his solarplexus. Not too much pressure, though. He didn't intend to kill him. Simmeon missed his first kick and went in for another one.
Still having one more to deal with, he spun around and kicked Simmeon's foot with his heel, causing him to lose his balance. Skairan follows up with a knee blow to his stomach. Simmeon dropped onto his knees and groaned, immobilized by his irregular breathing.

Heiner seemed to have recovered, but seeing his friends either nose broken or moaning in pain, decided to forfeit for now. Skairan feinted a dash at him, before the chubby teenager ran off, whimpering.

Boris sighed and shrugged. "Tried to warn you." Skairan rolled his shoulder and tilted his head from left to right. Faint cracks are heard from it.

Skairan secretly visited special melee combat classes, called Aikuwundo. It was an Eastern martial art sport which was heavily based on self defense against multiple attackers. Simmeon never knew Skairan and his traits well.

"Let's get outta here, before the cops arrive." Skairan gave him a slight push into his shoulder with his hand and jogged off, Boris nodding before trotting closely behind him.

Lunchtime in Metropolaris, while many hungry citizens are in a complete rush to their destinations. Skairan and Boris really had to fight their way through the uncountable amount of people.

Skairan and Boris saw each other off, before heading to their designated trains home. Now that Skairan sat alone, he realized how fast the entire morning passed by and what has occured.

As harsh as it may sound, but the fact that he was spared annoyed him. It turned most of the school against him. Was there a particular reason for humiliating him in that fashion?

His train came to a halt at the Central Commoners Quarter, where he then got up and exited.
He walked for two or three blocks until he stood in front of the entrance to the  Barond's apartment building. Using the key card to gain access to the inside, and the elevator to the 64th floor, he then went inside his home.

His mother was ironing a few shirts as her gaze turned to Skairan, her face went slightly concerned.

"Skairan, are you hurt?" She placed the iron onto tray and rushed over to him, placing her hands on his shoulders as she stared into his eyes.

"No, mother. The students weren't attacked."
"Why did they send you home? You could've used the time to begin your studies already."

Skairan frowned at his mother. She had the same hair color as him, but she bound it into a ponytail, just her eyes were blue instead of green. The woman was in her fourties.

"Mother, I could've been killed. Just ... sayin'", Skairan muttered and folded his arms. He wasn't trying to gain attention, but he was not taking it for granted that he was still alive.

"Yes, but there have been dozens of terrorist attacks, they should probably already know how to handle the situation. You need to pick up economics and politic classes to follow the footsteps of your brother Valen."

Skairan clenched his hands into fists and spoke through gritted teeth.
"For the last time, mother, I don't want anything to do with the Senate I want to do my own thing."

A slap found its mark on Skairan's cheek as it reddened swiftly. As he turned his head back he peered upon his furious mother.

"You will do as your father and I say, there will be no exceptions or excuses. Now get out of my sight."

Without another word said, Skairan returned to his personal quarters. Tears of rage began to form in his eyes, rolling down his cheek. His fist rammed into the concrete wall of his room as he began to sob softly.

His Viscomm in his jacket went off. Skairan turned around abruptly and wiped some excess tears off his face as he rushed over to answer it. Boris was displayed on the screen, along with his shy expression. Skairan sighed deeply to stabilize his speaking voice. Pressing the answering button, the projector on the Viscomm's front began to manifest Boris' head which was recorded by a scanner on the same front. Clearly, he seemed worried about something.

"What's up?"
"Did I leave my datapad on the bench or in the magnet train?!"

Skairan frowned into the scanner. "What fricken datapad?"
"You know, my datapad! It's my diary..."
"No?"

A sigh was heard through the Viscomm's speaker.
"Alright fine, see ya!"

The projection vanished and Skairan tossed his communicator on his bed and layed onto his bed. His Viscomm went off again. While groaning, Skairan picked up his device again and answered it instantly.

"I told you already I haven't~~"
Skairan stopped and stared at the projection of a young teenage woman with long straight hair. It was Stezany.

"Barond."
Speechless he glanced at the display which showed Unknown.
"Korsten, what the heck do you want?"
"Meet me at the Western Commoners Park in one hour. Don't be late." Her voice was flat and decisive.
"What, why would I~~"

Her head disappeared as she broke up the call. His eyes stared into the screen for several minutes before he shook his head. Why would she want to meet me?