An Ab-normal Life

Chapter 2

James joined Evelyn in her office.

“James, I have to admit that was really impressive. I’ve rarely seen talent such as yours. Have you considered your future after leaving the academy?”

“Thank you professor. I haven’t really given it any thought. I have picked up painting as a hobby, I would love to make it a full time career, but I don’t know.” James was looking all over the room avoiding eye contact, he didn’t know why but he felt embarrassed.

“I’m asking you all that because it would be a waste for a man of your talent to use your ability to its most effect.” said Evelyn with her eyes locked on his face.

“Fixing broken windows doesn’t sound that exciting.” replied James.

“There’s more to your power than what you see. I would like you to give it some thought.” said Evelyn and she turned her chair around, now looking out of the big window with her back on James who was getting ready to leave.

Mr. Pearson was sick and couldn’t show up for today. He was the history teacher, he was a normal person with no powers and because of his absence the principal would teach instead.

“Do you know by the way?” said Robert. “About about Mr. Brown’s power?”

“Actually, I’ve never seen him use it.” answered James, everyone was sited in their desk waiting for Joseph Brown. Robert and James were sitting together.

“I heard it was shapeshift. He can change his looks. Doesn’t that sound weird to you?”

“Weird? Just because he is the principal you expect him to have an amazing power? He is an academy principal, not a war general.”

“Maybe you are right.”

Brown walker into the class, he was old but not too old, he had a white mustache and was wearing a brown suit. He sat down in his desk and signaled all students to stop moving. They tried to get their history books out of their bags but Brown said there was no need for them.

“My dear kids.” he said with a soft kind voice. “Since Mr. Pearson is sick today I think it’s a great chance for all of you to relax. And a great chance for me to tell you a few things.” he looked everyone in the class with a smile. “The history, not of our world, but of our people.” he continued into a long monologue. “Our people, the Ab-normals as they call us, appeared a few years ago. Ever since more and more of us appear, today we represent 50% of the population. We are just as common with those who are; ‘normal’ and yet the title Ab-normal is used to describe us. Isn’t that unfair to us, to you?” all of the students could see the good intensions of Brown, but still they disagreed silently. The title of Ab-normal became something they were proud of, if anything the title of ‘normal’ seemed to them worse. “Do you all know about a group named ‘Pure’?” asked Brown giving a glance to everyone’s face. “The ‘Pure’ is a rather old group. They appeared years ago, the reason being their hate; or rather their fear of the Ab-normals. They claimed that the Ab-normals were monsters not real humans. They tried to kick us out of ‘their societies’ as they said. Of course the group never achieved anything, we managed to live next to ‘normals’ as equals. But the group has resurfaced. We shouldn’t worry much; but there is this rumor. The Pure had taken an Ab-normal as hostage, they have claimed to ‘destroy’ this person’s power. A rumor indeed, and a crazy one. But I would suggest being careful out there.”