Zane squinted at the fading ground as he hovered in the air. Turns out super sight was not in the cards.

"You ok back there?" A voice shouted over the noisy whirring of helicopter blades. 

Zane grunted in response, a reaction that the pilot took as a positive, judging by how he continued skyward. 

Zane looked down at Sergeant Lane who watched their ascent with his arms folded. He briefly wondered if his telekinesis could reach him from this height and considered trying to knock away the officer. He relented. The guy had just been doing his job, Zane couldn't summon any animosity against him.

He looked forward instead, noting the vastness of the sky that they now accommodated. It was the first time Zane had been on any flight, and he marveled at the experience. A day ago he might've felt more fear than awe, but that was before he was a Meta. 

Perhaps subconsciously he was beginning to believe he was a bit invincible.

The helicopter drifted forward eastward toward the island where Clifton Academy was located. Zane assumed the more rowdy teenagers were transported by armored bus and over the bridge that connected Aetherport to the island. Zane didn't know how to feel about being categorized as docile enough to fly in a helicopter, but he knew a major part was Max being in a cage beside him. 

He wasn't confident enough to attempt freeing them both safely and they knew it.

Max seemed to be taking his first helicopter ride well, laying down on his cage floor calmly. Zane's hand was itching to pet him, but they were chained together as were his legs. Not docile enough to be gifted full control of his body apparently.

Luckily the ride wasn't long.

Zane studied the approaching island with frustrated resignation. It had become a skill of his at some point throughout his life. The ability to accept unwanted change and adapt accordingly. Maybe all orphans learned it at some point.

Although he had never seen an island he could tell this one was relatively small. Still, the campus itself was big spanning around twenty thousand acres. The island had an ominous feel about it and Zane attributed it to being a disguised prison.

Just as the helicopter veered over jagged spikes of earth that lined around the surf, Zane got the feeling that they were being watched. He simply couldn't shake the feeling, even as he leaned away from the windows.

He hadn't even landed yet and he was creeped out.

Finally, the helicopter swerved over the large iron gate that seemed to stretch around the perimeter of the campus grounds. The helicopter started hovering above one of the smaller buildings which had a raised platform on the roof with H marked in the middle. The pilot started descending as two figures walked onto the roof.

As the helicopter touched down the pilot turned and regarded Zane with a smile. "We have reached our destination. Feel free to leave a tip for a flight well done."

Zane stared back at him blankly. 

The pilot frowned. "One of those types, eh? Well, I hope the academy manages to loosen you up."

Zane ignored the pilot's words, convinced he didn't know what he was talking about. How could a prison loosen someone up?

One of the figures he had seen turned out to be a woman who appeared to be in her late thirties. She wore a business ponytail which just reached her shoulder blades and her sleek dark brown eyes stared intently at Zane as she approached. It felt like she was trying to look beneath his skin's surface and into his very soul.

The woman stuck her hand through the pilot's window and the pilot promptly handed her a key. She then walked over to the back where Zane sat. Her gait was extremely odd. It was hard to wrap his head around but she walked as if she were gliding across the floor.

"Hey dear," she said as she pulled the door open. She didn't seem wary at all, which indicated that she had powers of her own and had likely mastered whatever they were. "Do your best to shimmy over," she said, noticing his chained feet.

Zane obeyed, mostly because having your legs chained together was crazily uncomfortable. The woman unlocked the chains from his feet and to his surprise, also the ones on his hands. She even turned her back completely to him as she gave the pilot back the keys. It was as if she wasn't aware he was a Meta capable of blasting her away (probably).

Zane now had a look at her full attire. She wore a white button-up undershirt with a turquoise vest over it and a matching turquoise skirt that was strictly professional length. She waved him out of the vehicle and he obeyed, before remembering.

"Max is-"

"I'm aware." She signaled to the figure behind her. Zane's eyes widened as he realized the second figure wasn't human at all. Instead, the figure resembled a humanoid robot as it lacked human skin and instead appeared metallic. He wore a cowboy get-up, down to the cowboy hat which Zane guessed was someone's idea of a joke. The cowboy robot retrieved Max's cage from the helicopter and easily hefted it as it returned to the woman's side.

"You can call me Ms.Corbyn," the woman said. "I hope you don't plan to wear that frown permanently?"

"Until I have something to smile about," Zane responded.

Ms. Corbyn chuckled. "Very well then. I've told you my name, what's yours?"

"I figure you know already."

Ms.Corbyn raised a brow but didn't seem offended. "Correct, but there's nothing wrong with good manners, Zane." She let loose a sigh then spun on her heel, walking away as she said, "First things first, let's get you to the director."

The cowboy robot wordlessly followed her with caged Max still in his hand. Neither looked back to see if he would follow. Zane grumbled under his breath but followed the pair off the roof and down spiraling stairs.

Ms.Corbyn named the many buildings they passed while giving information about their uses and history. Each building was masterfully built, a feature Zane had rarely seen in his low-income neighborhood. Zane was surprised that the buildings weren't half rubble considering they housed emotional Metas.

Finally, Ms.Corbyn stopped at easily the tallest building in the complex. "This is the administration building, and where the director's office is located. If you wish to enter, you'll need to be summoned or supervised by an adult of a certain status." 

She typed a code into the keypad beside the door, smoothly blocking Zane's vision with her back. She gestured for Zane to enter first as the doors slid open and he complied, entering what seemed to be a reception area. Furniture was strategically laid out around the perimeter of the spacious room and at the opposing end, a reception desk stood with a smiling lady behind it.

Ms.Corbyn walked in, shooting the woman a nod as she started forward briskly. "We're going up to the Director's Office." She walked up to the elevator with Zane and the humanoid robot in tow, only having to wait a brief second before the elevator doors opened, welcoming the trio.

Zane frowned as the elevator started to move. He had always hated the creations but now he wondered if he could control the car, stopping and starting it as he wanted using his newfound powers. He daydreamed about stopping it suddenly and blowing away his two supervisors, freeing Max and floating away with him back over the gates and to freedom.

But what waited for him in freedom?

The elevator doors opened, snapping him back to reality. They walked out and into a tiny hallway that featured a door at the end with two figures standing guard. A closer look revealed they were also humanoid robots, much like the one holding Max's cage. The robots parted as Ms. Corbyn neared, allowing a clear view. In bold writing read 'Director Han' across the top of the door. 

"Go ahead, we'll be waiting out here when you're done," Ms.Corbyn said.

Zane looked at her and Max's carrier suspiciously, but as was becoming the case, he didn't have much choice.

He advanced into the room, surprised at how lightweight the door was. The office was textbook, albeit old-fashioned, hosting a lot of paintings, pictures and certificates on the wall. The left wall was a complete glass pane, allowing the late evening sun to peek through at the occupants. 

Behind a large oak desk filled with neat stacks of paperwork sat a large figure whose back was to Zane. Slowly the figure spun around and a column of smoke filled his immediate surroundings. The curling smoke gave way to the outline of a slightly weathered pudgy face with intelligent grey eyes.

The grey eyes regarded Zane with keen interest as the man stared...and stared.

And stared some more.

The two had an impromptu staring contest that well surpassed sixty seconds before the man finally adjusted his pipe and smoke once again billowed out around him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"I don't suppose I have a choice," Zane replied, trying to recollect his bearings.

"Nonsense," Director Han said, waving his hand dismissively as if the mere thought was insulting. "Everyone has free will. Just be aware some choices come attached with consequences."

Zane still thought it sounded like he didn't have volition, but he decided against pressing the issue.

The Director took his silence for acceptance. "Would you rather be liked or loved, Zane?"

Zane wondered if there was a riddle to the question, but a natural answer breached his mind's surface immediately. "I don't care about that stuff."

Director Han nodded as if he had expected the answer. "The truth is Zane, everyone wants to be loved. We humans are social creatures after all. A person's denial of this fact reveals a lot about their existence thus far...and a lack of loved ones."

Zane looked away from those probing grey eyes. After their discussion, Sergeant Lane had vanished for about two hours, leaving Zane alone in the white room with that snobby meta keeping guard. Zane suspected the Sergeant had been making a call to the complex, likely communicating with the man who sat before him, explaining Zane's situation to him.

"I figure you'd be more interested in deciding if I wanted to use my powers for good or bad," Zane said.

Director Han shrugged. "Our job here is to teach our charges how to control their abilities while giving them lessons that point them in the right moral direction. However, we aren't miracle workers; some persons are gifted with abilities and exhibit no moral compass whatsoever."

"I bet that explanation for producing villains goes over well with the authorities."

"When you're a powerful meta you find the need to explain lessened," The Director responded with a chuckle. Noticing Zane's raised eyebrow, he continued in his best PR voice, "I don't claim to be a saint and I do my best to help eradicate the evil the academy may inadvertently birth."

It made sense that the academy wouldn't be able to keep each meta on a good path but Zane couldn't help thinking they would be signs from the more nefarious types that could be nipped in the bud early. If he had to guess, the Director was purposely allowing his charges to explore their free will and deal with the consequences of their choice, as he had said earlier.

Zane particularly liked that idea.

Director Han pointed at the door and whirled his chair back around. Zane let out a mental sigh of relief at the absence of that soul searching grey eyed stare. "I've heard everything I need to hear and I believe you have too. I do hope you enjoy your stay at our fine establishment and learn how to walk the path you intend."

Zane walked back out of the room, only now realizing he had never even sat down. The director's presence had kept him completely focused on him. Zane began to wonder if the man had telepathic powers, a rare ability that allowed a person to read another person's mind. That would explain the icy chill that his stare effectuated. 

Sure enough, Ms.Corbyn and her robot companion were waiting for Zane outside the office. Zane was only relieved to see Max though.

"He must've liked you a lot. You spent quite a bit of time in there," Ms. Corbyn said.

What was she on about, Zane wondered, it had only been about five minutes after all.

His confusion must've shown on his face because Ms.Corbyn proceeded to explain. "Usually the Director only welcomes people to the complex without venturing into an actual conversation. You're one of the special ones...maybe it's because of the rarity."

"Rarity?"

"Of your ability. Telekinesis is one of the rarest abilities to gain."

Woah.

Zane almost allowed himself to believe his luck was changing. On top of gaining a Meta ability, he had scored big in the ability lottery. However, a wave of guilt followed his thoughts as he remembered what his abilities had caused.

"Let's get you to your dorm," Ms.Corbyn said, once again strolling away without a glance backward.

The dorm building they stopped at looked more like a five-star hotel to Zane. The building was insanely large, dwarfed only by the administration building that could've passed for a small skyscraper. 

After another elevator trip, Ms.Corbyn carried Zane down a hallway with doors at periodical intervals displaying room numbers above them. Eventually, she stopped at one marked 999.

She pushed open the door without hesitation, to the dismay of a voice inside. "You ever heard of knocking?" An annoyed male voice asked.

"And you've clearly never heard of locking the door," Ms.Corbyn replied without her professional smile faltering. She nodded at the robot and he carried the caged Max inside. "A roommate has arrived, Mr. Delware."

"Not sure how I feel rooming with a dog but I'll make it work," the voice replied. Zane noticed a distinct southern drawl that he couldn't place.

Zane quickly skirted past Ms.Corbyn and into the room before the voice's owner dared to pet Max. The room resembled a studio apartment on the high-end side. The door opened to a kitchen area complete with marble counters and bar-style seats. Further down was a small living room with a long couch and television. Doors hid rooms that Zane figured held a bathroom and bedroom. To Zane, it may as well have been a mansion.

 He was so busy gawking at the room he didn't hear Ms.Corbyn's farewell until the door closed. The boy, Zane's roommate, watched him with amusement as he surveyed the room. "Not accustomed to the benefits of being a superhero in training, huh?"

"You could say that again." Zane shook his head, catching himself. "But I'm no superhero in training. I didn't agree to this crap."

"A million kids wish they had the privilege of Meta abilities," the boy said with a frown. He had a golden mop of hair and a physique that betrayed an intense workout routine, though he seemed short from his position on the count. He also had a babyface that screamed innocence, which only made Zane more suspicious of the boy, besides his abilities that Zane didn't yet know of.

Again, a vision of the car slamming into an invisible wall surfaced in Zane's mind. "I didn't agree to those either."

The boy's frown deepened. "What's your problem? Superheroes are awesome!"

Living at an orphanage, Zane had seen the result of superheroes and their abilities that couldn't be described as awesome. Injured kids who lost their families as a result of battles between the factions and dismissed as a casualty for the greater good. Yet the greater good didn't seem to have an end in sight.

Zane lifted Max's cage and nodded to a door on the side. "That the bedroom?" At a nod from the boy, Zane entered without another word. It had been a long day, the type that changed one's life forever and Zane had barely gotten any sleep in the first place since he had to sneak into the orphanage's kitchen to steal leftovers for Max in the wee hours of the morning.

It was amazing how fast life could completely derail from its tracks. From a pitiful orphanage boy to an almost murderer with a rare ability. Zane didn't know if he should curse his luck or not.

Frankly, after his head hit the softest pillow he had ever felt, his body thanked him profusely.

And his mind cursed him for becoming a benefactor of superhero elitism.