Chapter three

The day had been simple. I made it past the security checkpoint without issue. Malverie talked my ear off before the advisory started, but I still had no idea how to feel about it, in honest truth. We hung out once during lunch, and now he stuck by my side like a wolf pup attached to its mother.

If I were to say anything, it was disturbing. It was how clingy he had been today. Alas, that didn’t quite matter now. Like the previous day, we ate together at lunch,

“Did you hear? Cinderash was deemed innocent in the fire! According to several news sources at least…” Malverie told me.

It should be noted, it sounded more to me like a conversation starter. A weird one, but Malverie in general was weird as he was again. Latched onto me like a lost puppy.

I answered him with a nod. “I know.” I swirled the metal spoon in my lukewarm pudding. I continued as I tilted the spoon for a scoop. “Ironic isn’t it? Sources also indicate that Cinderash was caught on security footage from nearby buildings dragging kids out.”

I had only known in honesty because Marco spammed texted me, though I was late on replying to them due to the other business of the night. I moved the blob of chocolatey goodness to my mouth and ate a bite. Malverie nodded. “They even RELEASED the footage!”

I swallowed, froze then blinked processing that. “..already? Doesn’t that usually take time when the investigation is still ongoing?”

If true. It made me consider the idea of searching for it. An act that may or may not make me reconsider an old habit I had when I was fourteen…

Malverie sighed. “I assume it has something to do involving…the fact Zel.corp confirmed they would be working with him…?”

That felt like a joke, it had to be. But low and behold when I searched for it I was met with the first link being an interview with a representative from Zel.corp named ‘Mason Meltin. There was the addition of other links that also covered the case I clicked on the first link I saw for a news report… I stared at it, only moments before twisting my head to Malverie.

“The world is ending, isn't it? Cinderash? One of Dashburke’s most renowned foes? Working with The Zel.Corporation of ALL things!?”I practically shouted at the boy.

Malverie somehow despite being the more energetic one between the two of us put his hands on my shoulder, to my surprise steam rolled off his hands on contact. Malverie looked me in the eyes and said. “Carter. Heel. The world is not ending, don't doomsay it. Think. Cinderash has proven himself to also be the sanest villain in our city�"surely with that implication he has limitations somewhere right?”

I could figure it was an attempt to calm me down but…

“And if more villains end up collaborating with the Zel. corporation on this?” I asked. “Not…everyone in that line of work is sane Mal… if more join in…”

Malverie sighs. “That is a major if Carter�"“ I interrupted. “But IF it happens the worst of the worst are working with heroes to save the world they want to burn so much and�"“

He put his hands on my cheeks, they were surprisingly warm. “AND. NO.CONFIRMATION. ON.ANY.OTHER.VILLAIN.INVOLVEMENT. Calm down please?”

I was about to say something when a new voice piped up from behind me. “You’re both fighting ya know? Nah a good sign. Nah doomsaying. Nah confirmation of worse. Cinderash has always been a bad guy questioned the most. He is known for his hatred of Zel. I believe Carter is right to a degree that him alone working with them is a red flag as high as the Burj Khalifa.”

I turned my head at the voice. The feeling of numbness felt like it coated my cheeks like a blanket. “Hey Marco…” I murmured.

And Malverie looked at Marco and spoke. “Oh, an upperclassman! Do you two know each other? Typically hang out or…?”

Marco waved him off. “Not so much anymore. We were friends, stuff and things happened. Still making our attempts to reconcile ya know?”

Marco casually pushed Malverie to the side and then sat between us. “So news drama? That kinda thing is up ma alley if I say so ma self! I have theories, if it's okay with ya Mr errr?”

Malverie answered. “My name is Malverie Serai. Just Malverie is fine.”

Marco asked with a snicker “What about ‘Mal’ Carter called ya that just a moment ago didn’t he?”

Malverie shrugged. “I knew him longer than I knew you.”

I mentioned. “A day longer.” Malverie retorted. “And a day difference!”

Instead of being offended �"seemingly�"Marco chuckled. “ ‘kay ‘kay got the hint, newbie. Carter's specific nickname. But are ya in on the theories or nah?”

Malverie nodded. “I’m fine with it, what about you?” Malverie asked looking at me.

I had the feeling they either didn’t like each other or the dislike was a mutual one. I nodded. “Marco used to hear all my theories when I was younger, so it stands to reason I’d be okay with it.”

Malverie squinted his eyes. “You? A theorist?”

Marco answered. “Ya, ya! Though Carters tended to focus on Nitilem patients. He used to have a folder that held speculations on the conditions of heroes and villains alike…speaking of which do you have it on ya Icicle?”

I shook my head. “Haven’t touched it since the argument.”

“Ah. Damn it then.” Marco answered with a frown. “Either way ya Carter likes specific topics for theories. Typically not ones like this un. In case you couldn't tell just hearing anything fishy sent him into a squall.”

I smacked Marco up the head playfully for it, he snickered and then spoke. “Seriousness seriousness listen up ya loafers. In some news articles, a picture of a blue and purple liquid was found on the scene. Speculations are that some students brought a drug on school grounds. What does it do? Nah something that has not been mentioned in the news yet, but Zel. Corp has been searching heavily around to confiscate and destroy it. Likely? A very bad and flammable drug. It was spotted as a puddle in what remained of the janitor's closet the edges were burnt the innards of the puddle still fresh. I speculate currently that they are relying on criminals to remove it, likely have some inside folk too. Not much else related to the fire, however…”

Marco shrugs. “Opinions?”

I pondered, “flammable substance with high heat tolerance. Let’s also consider the fact there are numerous chemicals in a janitor's closet…perhaps it was sparked as a chemical reaction?”

I mumbled that to myself but Marco nodded. “Chemical reaction with a drug the public knows zilch about…”

Malverie mentioned, “something that the company is desperate to remove from the city…more desperate than even the ones that have been on the market longer perhaps?”

Marco nodded. “But what is the difference between this and that? I wonder..”

An idea struck me. I didn’t like it, though I mentioned it. “Nitliem patients…”

Malverie’s red eyes and Marco’s green ones landed on me. Suddenly I felt a pressure that led elaboration to spill from my lips. “Drugs, like cocaine.. heroin…meth…the works..they haven’t been known to work on people with Nitliem. Nitliem patients are in essence immune to those drugs…but what if we aren’t immune to this one?”

Marco frowned. “The public is still terrified of the condition for the most part to boot if someone made something that can drug our heroes and villains, doing who knows what can possibly even manipulate them to have control over them…”

Malverie nodded. “Then it's…no wonder Villains would work with Zel.corp.”

I let out a nervous chuckle. No, that couldn’t be. Please someone tell me it couldn’t be. I was just taking a shot in the dark! I sighed. “I was just throwing ideas around�"let's hope it's not the case. For all we know it could be something different that is also problematic for the bad guys.”

They both nodded and the subject got dropped just like that. Then the lunch bell rang. The day went on as normal as it could. When I left the school grounds I held onto the straps of my backpack tightly. I felt my fingers dig into the fabric bringing some form of distraction. I didn’t want to think about that conversation, it made my stomach churn uncomfortably. I twisted my head when a whistle brought me out of my daze.

“CARTER FOUND YOU!” a very panty Zachary spoke running up to me. He continued. “I was asked to pick you up�"but I didn’t see you anywhere�"“

I placed my hands up. “Hey, hey calm down Zachary. School lets out at 4:53.”

He stared at me. “Why does school let out at that specific time? Could it not be rounded down or-?”

I shrugged. “Most staff in particular.”

Zachary visibly groaned. “Back in my day school let out at 3:30pm and the teachers didn’t care where students went after the bell rang.”

I felt my eyebrow quirk as I inquired. “Sorry, sorry…’ back in my day’?”

He shot me a glare. “Oh shut up Carter, c’mon let's get you home.” He said shuffling me back to his car. A black sedan of which I knew not the model. He opened the passenger side door and gestured for me to sit down then went to the driver's side. He put the keys in and the car roared to life.

Zachary asked. “How was the school day bud?”

I answered with a shrug. “Spent lunch fear-mongering with friends.”

Zachary laughed, it had an undertone of nervousness from what my ears could discern. “Uhhh Carter? Context?”

“Life.” At that answer, he hit his head against the steering wheel as we drove down the road.

“Oh my god kids these days.” I heard him murmur.

I chuckled a bit. In a way I guessed I can see why it was a bit bizarre without context.

“No bullies?” Zachary asked, he added. “I know you have a iffy at best history with some of the students there…”

Ah. Mom must’ve told him. I shook my head, “No, no one is stupid enough to risk being turned into an ice sculpture for the sake of their pride. “

Zachary’s response was. “Alright, fair enough. No one offering drugs right?”

I raised an eyebrow. “They would have to get that past a ZEL. CORPORATION-LEVEL SECURITY GUARD. That said I think yesterday I saw a few kids be escorted off the property so…”

I shrugged. Zachary seemed taken aback. “Christ you kids are ballsy these days.”

“Aha! This is the way of life…I guess. I dunno maybe almost dying just does it to people.”

Zachary let out a sharp scoff. “Okay. Trauma, got it. That makes sense.”

I nodded, “Yep! It does! Why not live on the edge when we can die in a classroom?”

Zachary frowned. “That mindset is…so sad.”

I shrugged, “villains everywhere, people sneaking flammables into school. Potential psychopaths attending said school I’d say I’m lucky if I survive until graduation.”

Zachary went silent. He had a sad expression on his face. He dropped me off at the house, and we said our goodbyes. Then I made my way to my room and collapsed in the bed for the day