Hidden past

Chapter 27

After Quinn had finished unpacking, he was free to do what he wanted for the rest of the day. It was still noon so he had plenty of time to explore the academy and do whatever he wished.

Quinn was currently sharing his room with two people and to his surprise, he knew both of them. One of them was Vorden while the other was Peter. There were three single beds in the room, each spread out from one another evenly but other than that, the room was pretty empty.

There was just a single desk and a cupboard for each person to use by the side of their bed.

Students were expected to spend most of their time studying or practicing their skills. there was no time for pŀėȧsurė. Which was why the rooms were designed the way they were.

"What do you guys want to do then?" Vorden asked.

"I'm still unpacking, you two don't have to wait for me, do what you want," Peter replied.

Peter had opened up a little to the two of them, at first he was completely shy and hardly said a word but slowly Peter seemed to be coming out of his shell especially around Quinn. Peter most likely felt comfortable around Quinn knowing that he was a level 1 ability user like himself.

"I was thinking of heading to the library," Quinn replied, "That will probably be too boring for you."

"Boring, I can make anything fun, besides I haven't read a book in…" Vorden paused for a while. "I can't even remember the last time I read a book."

Tvu ovzuu md ovuq ifpevut frt ovur Vmztur frt Qparr tuhatut om vuft om ovu iagzfzw omeuovuz. Farfiiw, ovuw vft fzzasut frt ovu dazlo dimmz jfl fizuftw gplw jaov lopturol. Qparr rmoahut ovfo ovuzu juzu qpioaniu zmprt tulcl lnzuft mpo jvuzu lopturol juzu laooare frt Ir ovu qattiu md ovu tulc jfl f eimjare mzg.

"Ahh, you're probably wondering what that Orb thing is in the middle aren't you?" Vorden asked, "It looks like they don't have them at public schools. If you touch the orb, then it allows you to create a space, in that space, only those people who have been invited can be heard. This way people are able to talk and chat as much as they want while not disturbing others."

"Technology sure has come a long way."

Quinn and Vorden then chose a table that had two other people sitting on the other side. Just as Vorden had said, Quinn could see the two talking but couldn't hear a word of what they were saying. The orb seemed to only have a range of the table though. Once you left the table others were able to hear you as normal.

Quinn went looking around the library and picked out as many books as he could about abilities. Most of them describing what different types of abilities the world had. Vorden wasn't too bothered and decided to just select a random fiction book to read.

The two sat at their tables while Quinn started to flick away. After reading several books Quinn had discovered nothing new. He already knew about most of the abilities written in the book but not one of them mentioned an ability like Quinn's.

Vorden had been keeping a close eye on Quinn and noticed the type of books he had been picking out.

"What's with all the books, are you looking for something in particular?"

Quinn thought about it for a while before giving Vorden an answer. Vorden wasn't the brightest person when it came to academics but he was quite knowledgeable about abilities it seemed. He would have to be because of the type of ability he had.

"I was trying to decide what ability to get since I turned down the school's offer."

"Oh right, I forgot about that, I thought you might have been one of those Pure members who hate abilities. Turns out you just didn't want to be a dog to the military." Vorden replied, "Well is there anything specific you're looking for?"

"Not really, I have no clue. There was one that said something interesting though, have you ever heard of an ability that is weaker in sunlight."

Vorden suddenly started to laugh out loud.

"What are you crazy, I've never heard of something like that. Abilities are something our bodies learn. Sure some people have limits and can't learn stronger spells or can do less than others but for one to get weaker because of the sun. Sounds like you're a Vampire or something."

Quinn felt a little embarrassed by Vorden's reaction. Of course, Quinn knew this would be the normal reaction when asking something like this but it was true. As long as Quinn was in direct sunlight all of his stats would weaken by half.

Quinn continued to look around the library to see if there was anything else he could find. He had finally gone through every single one of the ability books he could find but there was nothing. Quinn then looked up at the floor above where there were some second-year students.

"Maybe there's something up there but I can't imagine what the academy would do to me for breaking the rules." Quinn thought.

As Quinn continued to walk around the library, he had eventually ventured into the fiction section and his eyes were drawn to something.

A specific title of a book named "The Truth about Vampires."

Quinn took out the book and gave it a quick look. Vampires were things of fairy tales, myths even. Even when people started to come out with powers, there was not one person who came out claiming to be a vampire.

Quinn couldn't help himself but start to read the book. It was a long shot but maybe he would find something he could relate to.

After reading and skimming through the book, Quinn found most of it was useless. A lot of the things that Vampires did, didn't relate to him at all. Vampires were required to eat human blood. Some could transform themselves into bats and cast illusions. While others were incredibly skilled with the sword and hypnosis but Quinn had none of these things.

The only thing he could relate to in the book was being weaker in the sun. Eventually, Quinn decided to close the book and call it a day. It didn't seem like he was going to find anything from the first floor of the library.

As soon as Quinn closed the book though. A familiar sound was heard.

"f**k!" Pete growled angrily as he pushed away from his desk and paced around his office restlessly. What was the meaning of this new desire for Kathleen? Why was she in his head like this? She wasn't even his type, so why couldn't he get her out of his mind? Especially the picture of her dressed as she was last night. He couldn't seem to focus on anything else, and the thought that she was contemplating going out with someone else was just as annoying. Pete picked up his phone and car key and headed for the door. He needed something to distract him else he feared he might run mad or just go into her office and beg her to not go out with anyone else.

"Cancel all my appointments, I'm stepping out for a bit. If it's very important and can't wait, give me a call." Pete instructed his secretary before walking away.

Immediately he stepped outside he dialed Ken's line, "Sup? How are you feeling today?" he asked immediately Ken accepted the call.

Ken who had just woken up because of the call, yawned as he sat up on the bed and checked the time. He couldn't believe it was past eleven already. Thanks to the sleeping pill he had asked Abel to get him, he had been able to sleep for this long. "I'm alright. Good morning."

"Why do you sound like you just woke up? You're still feeling very ill?" Pete asked as he headed for his car, and got inside.

"Nah, I've been having difficulty falling asleep, so I took sleeping pills. I'll just resume work tomorrow or next. Na who dey alive dey help people judge case (I can only work as a lawyer if I'm alive)" Ken said making Pete chuckle.

"I'm glad you know that. I'm on my way to your place now, is there something you would like me to get you? Have you even eaten?" He asked in concern making Ken smile. Pete was such a good friend... He couldn't help wondering how Pete would react if he found out about the one night stand he had had with Ella.

"How can I eat when I've been sleeping. You can just get me something to eat, preferably swallow. Thanks." Ken said, and with that Pete disconnected the call. With that Pete turned on his car's ignition and drove off. He stopped by at a fast food on his way to get food for Ken.

About forty minutes later he walked into Ken's house, and saw him lying on the couch watching a rerun of the previous day's football match.

"Hard man, hard man, small malaria see how thin you've become." Pete said with a shake of his head as he dropped the food on the center table and sat down on the couch.

"Guy! Dish the food out for me nau. Are you not seeing that I'm not feeling fine?" Ken asked with a displeased frown.

"Do I look like your wife or your girlfriend? This is one of the reasons you should get into a relationship instead of fooling around." Pete hissed at him before grudgingly standing up and taking the food pack to go the kitchen so he could dish it out in a plate.

"If you dash me your sister I go marry." Ken called out in a teasing tone.

"Toast her na. If she agree for you, good luck." Pete called back, making Ken sit up. Had he heard him right? Or was Pete just joking? Ken asked himself as he stood up and headed for the kitchen.

"What? Shey you said you were too sick to stand up and dish out your food yourself?" Pete asked when he saw Ken standing by the door.

"Repeat what you said just now?"

"I said shey you said you were too sick to..."

"No no. Not that one. The one about Ella." Ken said making Pete raise a brow.

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Did you mean it?" Ken asked, trying to sound very casual.

"Why? You want to marry her?" Pete asked with a chuckle, "If you think joking about something like that is going to stop me from pressing you to get married then you're sleeping on okada. Oga just go and get married, if you like marry my mother sef, sha just stop living so carelessly and alone." Pete said as he placed the food on a tray and took it to the dining table.

Ken sighed as he followed him to the dining, "What if I tell you I like Ella?" Ken asked making Pete turn to look at him with a serious expression on his face.

"You do?"

Ken took a step back from Pete since he wasn't sure about what to expect. What if Pete decided to punch him? "I'm not saying I do, but what if I do?"

"Guy, it's either you do or not."

"Okay. Say I like Ella, would you be mad at me?" Ken rephrased, making Pete pause.

"Maybe if you had asked this question before I left Nigeria, the answer would have been an outright yes. But do you know that Amanda's grandfather is actually her uncle's best friend?" Pete asked making Ken frown.

"I don't get."

"Amanda's late mom comes from a broken home. Her parents are divorced. So it was just her and her brother living with their mom. Their mom fell in love with her brother's best friend, who I can tell you is over twenty-five years younger than her. They got married just last year." Pete said making Ken feel slightly relieved.

"Wow! So in other words you're saying you won't be mad if I say I'm in love with Ella?"

"I didn't say that. Besides, thought you said like just now? When did you jump to love?" Pete asked making Ken scowl at him.

"Just answer the question abeg!" Pete looked at Ken again, and considered his question carefully.

"I don't know exactly how I will feel, especially knowing that you tend to womanize a lot and you're a bastard. But I also know that you have a good heart deep down, and because of our friendship you won't dare treat her anyhow." Pete said as though he was thinking out loud.

"So?"

"So don't go anywhere near her if you're not sure about what you want from her. I'll kill you if you mess with her." Pete threatened.

___________

"We just go have a quiet reception somewhere. Just the three of us, unless of course you want to invite your friend over." Prisca told both Eric and Kimberly as they all walked out of the courthouse together.

"He won't be joining us. He can't leave his office." Eric explained as they all stopped by the car, contemplating on their next direction.

"Fine then. As my wedding gift to the both of you, I'll take you to a really cool restaurant of your choice and take care of the bill. So just tell me where you want to have your wedding reception, and I'll make it happen!" Prisca bragged, waving her ATM card at the both of them.

"I'd just like to go back home and rest. My head is banging." Kimberly responded weakly, making Eric glance at her in concern.

"What's wrong?" Eric asked softly.

"I think I need to rest. Let's just go home." Kimberly pleaded.

"Home-made meal it is then. Unless your husband wants to fix you something special, you both could relax while I prepare something sumptuous to celebrate your union." Prisca said excitedly making Kimberly look at her.

Husband? She had just said husband. That meant she was really a wife now? Eric's wife? Why did all of this suddenly feel surreal? Or was it just a dream?

"Why do you look so lost MRS King?" Prisca asked, snapping her fingers in front of Kimberly, who looked at her with a frown.

"Can you tell me why you seem to be more excited about all of this than I am? Is there something I need to know?" Kimberly asked suspiciously.

"Can you tell me why you're not excited that you're married? Mrs Kimberly King. Or should I just call you Mrs KK?" Prisca asked thoughtfully, making Eric grin, when he noticed the way Kimberly was glowering at Prisca.

"I think Mrs KK sounds cool."

"You see? Your husband like it!" Prisca said triumphantly before looking at them seriously again, "So what's it going to be?"

"I'd just rather spend the time alone with my wife." Eric said, making Kimberly's heart skip a beat, while Prisca nodded in understanding as she flashed them both a knowing smile, "Okay then, have fun." She told Kimberly with a wink before walking in the opposite direction where she had parked the other car.

"Let's go home." Eric said as he helped her open the door, and then went around to get into his seat.

Kimberly didn't say anything to him as he drove. The words, husband, wife, and married just kept ringing in her head. Even knowing that it was a fake arrangement wasn't helping to calm her.

"Are you okay?" Eric asked, and slowed down the car when he noticed that she looked like she was panicking.

"I don't think so. I'm not sure." Kimberly said making Eric frown as he tried to drive into the parking lot of a plaza along the road.

"What is the problem?" He asked the moment he parked the car and turned to her.

"I don't know. I just can't breathe... It feels like... Like I'm suffocating. The more I think about what we just did... I just can't breathe." Kimberly confessed, making place his hands on both sides of her cheek.

"If being married makes you feel so anxious, you can just call me your boyfriend. It's not about the title you know? It's more than that. So in order to make you feel more comfortable, I don't mind being called your boyfriend when we are alone, but being your husband before everyone else." Eric said, making her look at him in confusion.

"What is the difference?"

"The title is different. You don't have to think of me as your husband if it makes you feel so uncomfortable." Eric said with understanding making Kimberly sigh.

"I have no idea why this has to be so difficult. Especially seeing as I'm offered the deal myself. I'm sorry my emotions are so messed up."

"You don't have to be sorry. Let's just go home so you can rest, okay?" Eric said with a soft smile, and patted her hair before turning on the ignition again.

The rest of the ride was mostly silent until Eric's phone started ringing. He picked it up to check who was calling, and rejected the call when he saw it was Amaka. She called again about three times, but Eric didn't take the call.

"You don't want to take your call?" Kimberly asked when she noticed his clenched jaw.

"Yeah, just ignore it."

"Who is calling and why are you ignoring it? What if it is very important?" Kimberly asked in concern.

"Trust me, this isn't important. She will stop calling when she gets the message." Eric said making Kimberly even more concerned now.

"She?" She asked out loud. Who could the she be? What if he was married and had abandoned his family just to be with her? What if he had been in a serious relationship?

"Yeah. My ex girlfriend. We haven't seen for quite sometime since our University days, and then we ran into each other by chance sometime ago, and since then she has been calling my line ceaselessly." Eric said with a shake of his head.

"How did she get your number in the first place if you didn't want her to call? Poor girl." Kimberly said sadly, since she knew how it felt to be ignored.

"There is nothing poor about her. If you knew her, you'd be saying 'poor Eric' instead."

"I just think there's no harm in taking her call and hearing what she has to say. She just might love you genuinely."

"MRS King, is that a reasonable advise to give your husband when you only just got married an hour ago?" Eric asked making Kimberly eye him.

"Didn't you say No marriage talk when we are alone, that you will just be my boyfriend?"

"NO. I said if it makes you so uncomfortable, you can see me as your boyfriend. I didn't say I won't see you as my wife. I'm not the one who is uncomfortable about being married after all." Eric said with a wink, pleased with himself for having succeeded in changing the subject.