-CHAPTER FOURTEEN-
•A New Path•

Jinx's POV (Point of view)

The end is near; everything is going according to plan. The downfall of Veritas and the Gifted Academy are in full effect.

The Restricted really think tying my hands up and keeping me as a prisoner will stop me from fulfilling my duty; it may cause a slight delay but a little rope and a bunch of snot-nose kids weren't going to stop me from getting the job done.

I looked over at the nearest person. It was a young boy--short and frail. I could see that my presence was making him nervous.

"Hey, what's your name, kid?"

The boy looked over, sweat beading down his forehead. He hesitated to speak.

"M-My name is Jos-" Victor slapped him upside the head.

"Don't talk to the enemy." He said.

"Hey, don't be like that. He's just being friendly. How about you let me go and we forget all about this."

"Just so you can come back to kill us later; I don't think so."

"Come on, Vic, help me out. Are you keeping me prisoner just because your murderous friend told you to?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, you don't see it? Charles is using you; he thinks he's better than you. That's why he carries you around like some worthless sidekick."

"Argo, Julia; are you sure we have to keep her alive?"

"Don't be like that." I leaned down beside him and spoke low so that he was the only one who could hear me.

"I can get you out of here, safe, and very much alive."

"No deal."

"Hold on, just think about it for a second. I can keep you safe...permanently. I'll even throw in a guaranteed graduation spot whether you're in the top ten or not. I know you want to get out of here just as much as I do."

Victor looked like he was starting to consider the offer, and then his eyes lit up bright purple again and I was unable to talk; my lips were sealed and I couldn't open them.

"That should keep you quiet."

His power--it's exactly what we need to take this plan to a whole other level. If he won't join us, I'll just have to take the power for myself. I stretched my nails out as claws and began to slowly slice through the bundle of rope.

"I think we're being followed." A boy said, alerting Victor.

Victor stopped the group. A beam of sunlight was shining down on us. It was quiet, so quiet I could hear the insects rustling through the tall grass. The peaceful moment was taken away as a large tree came hurdling down towards us. Everyone jumped out of the way and I fell to the ground, breaking free from the restraint.

"Everyone, stay together!"

Tank and Casper revealed themselves.

"Jinx, what happened to killing them?"

I shot him a sinister glare. I still couldn't talk; I wanted to curse at him, but I was still being prevented to speak.

"Leave now or I'll kill her." Victor said.

"No you won't, because if you do we'll have to kill all of you afterwards," said Casper.

Victor grabbed my chain blades from his hip and stood over me.

"I said, leave!"

"You shouldn't have done that?" Tank grabbed ahold of two of the restricted students and Casper tapped on their shoulders; ice crystals began to form and they slowly started to cover their entire body.

"You're in no position to tell us what to do. Now do us a favor and release the girl or I'll turn your whole team into ice sculptures."

I could tell by his expression that he knew he had no other choice. He released me then handed my blades back over to me. I snatched then away and made my way over to my team.

"Are you alright?" Tank asked.

I tried to speak but all I could get out was a muffled mumble.

"What's going on with your mouth?"

I pointed towards my lips and then at Victor.

"I meant what I said." Casper said to Victor.

He released the seal on my lips and I was able to talk again.

"Well that sucked."

"What should we do now; should we finish the job?"

I thought it over in my head.

"No, I have a better idea; we now have a new recruit."

"I'm not joining you," said Victor.

"You don't have a choice, freak! I was being nice with my first offer, but now I see that it's going to take a little more motivation."

I grabbed Julia, the seer, by her neck, and threatened her with my blades.

"We might just take her instead."

Argo pulled her away and jumped in my face.

"She's not going anywhere!"

"What are you going to do, kid? All you can do is see what's already happened; you have no true power. And you're definitely not capable of taking me on."

He reached for my weapons and I quickly swiped the tip of my blade across his arm; a long scar was left.

"Argo!" Julia screamed.

"Ah! You don't scare me," said Argo.

"Enough, I'll go." Victor surrendered.

"Victor, don't-"

"I have to or we're all going to die."

"But-"

"No buts; stay alive and get out of here. You're in charge of the group now, Argo; get them out."

Argo continued to try and change Victor's mind, but nothing affected his decision; I had a feeling that he'd become a vital asset to the Cause. Time travel--being able to peek into the future would really come in handy but as long as Victors around. If she is harmed, we lose him. I guess I'm just going to have to wait this one out.

I whispered into Julia's ear. "I will never forget about you. I'll see you around, kiddo."

Argo fled with the rest of the group and we didn't see them again.

I strapped my blades back against my waist and I picked up my walkie-talkie.

"We have a new recruit; he's a mixed breed."

"Hmmm...I see. Bring him with you. I would like to speak with him face-to-face."

"Understood, sir. You heard the man, let's go."