Brook Hope

Classes speed by like someone hit the fast foreword button on the remote. I couldn't tell you what happened in Math, or English for that matter, just that they came and went so quickly I was impressed I had notes. But it slows as I come to the one class that I actually enjoy in this freak show, and one of the only ones with Ben in it.

Art class, lead by Mrs. Songtag herself - the part time music director whenever ours is too drunk.

She's at the door whenever I head for the room, both of us smile and nod in a greeting before I take my seat at the back, with Ben. He pokes me once I have my sketchbook and art utensils out.

"What was that for?" I keep my voice down as some of our classmates have already begun to go deep in their artwork.

"I had to make sure you were still here." He answers seriously before poking my arm again, "Word has gotten around that somebody hurt Madilyn, and her father isn't exactly pleased."

"Oh, suck it up." I roll my eyes, "The evidence couldn't hold up in court, she charged first and I never hit back."

"Brook, he owns the court, you would be lucky to even get a trial!" His whispering caught the attention of one of the neighboring tables and earns him a glare. He takes it down a noche as he leans closer to me, "I don't like this."

"I got that, but you're going to have to start working soon or Mrs. Songtag is about to silently disapprove of you whenever she walks over here." I nod to her as the woman is making her way between the rows of tables to look at what we've decided on for our bell work.

Something that inspires us.

I chuckle to myself, knowing Ben shouldn't have a hard time with this considering he's got a whole sketchbook full of this very topic. The challenge is whenever I try to think about it myself.

I let my mind wonder as my hand begins to draw onto the paper. Soon enough, an outline comes into shape as I tilt my head, then smile.

A human outline, male. Dad.

I lean closer to the paper as I finish it up with the shirt details and face, making sure to draw him in his cop uniform with his gun holstered. He's never once used it on somebody, only drawn it for a show of force.

    "John?" Ben asks as I realize he's been leaning over my shoulder. I whack him with a huff.

    "If you must know, yes." I grumble before looking to his image and narrowing my eyes, "Is that... a blizzard?"

    "An ice storm, actually." He beams as his eyes dance curiously over to me, "Common in the Antarctic during India's monsoon season." I smile as I seem to be unable to look away from it for a moment.

    "It's nice. Calming, despite you drawing it as a storm." I comment before closing my eyes for a second and looking back to my drawing. After adding the finishing touches, I lean back in my chair to wait for her to let us move on - but not half of the class is even done yet.

The curse of having to repeat an art class.

Mrs. Songtag walks around behind us and smiles as she pats my shoulder before moving on. She knew me and Ben weren't students she had to worry about. I look at the 'ice storm' again and frown, something about it was oddly familiar.

    "Admiring my handy work?" He jokes as he nudges me, "You look like you see something I've messed up. What is it?"

    "Nothing that's you're fault, promise." I roll my eyes, "It just..." I find myself holding the paper as I'm drawn to it, but as much as I squint at it, I can't figure out why I feel like I've seen this before. It's a drawing, it shouldn't resonate with me, and yet here I am.

    "Try turning it." Ben suggests as he takes the paper back and hands it to me sideways. Almost instantly, I see it.

Amist all of the shards he's drawn all of the paper in a cyclone, is the outline of a girl in the middle of it. She's crouching down and covering her head, however, it isn't like she's protecting herself from the ice. More like it's protecting her.

    "What's it guarding her from?" I ask as my eyes lock onto the brilliant detail in the reflection of the shards.

    "The danger." He answers vaguely, grinning at me as though we've just shared some sort of secret.

   "Oh, thanks." I mutter sarcastically as I return the paper to him, "That clears so much up." In a few moments, he's handing it back to me.

"She's just going to put it in our portfolios." He explains at my quizzical look, "So, you can keep it. You looked like you were transfixed by it." I nod slowly as I carefully take the paper back and look at it.

She looks scared. But if the ice is protecting her, then that can only mean that she's a Bloomed. I thought the only thing they would be scared of is maybe the Shadows from downtown...

"Uh, Ms. Hope?" Mrs. Sontag calls for me and I break my concentration on the paper in front. She walks over to slide a small paper across the table to me. "You're wanted in the office."

Me and Ben exchange glances as I put the artwork in my folder and leave mine on the table.

"You shouldn't go." He whispers, "Just make a run for it while you can or something, there's still-" He's cut off as the office aid clears their throat.

"I, uh, I'm supposed to make sure you get there." They mumble, a bit sheepish under Ben's burning glare. I smack my best friend as I shoulder my bag and motion for them to lead the way.

"I'll be fine, take a deep breath already." I manage to sound like I actually believe that as I'm lead off to the guillotine. The Mayor found who hurt his little girl, and now he's looking for revenge.

There were always two unspoken rules here: Don't go downtown, and don't mess with the Mayor.

I've broken one of them. Now, I get to pay the consequences.