I could barely focus as my emotions began to go haywire.I was scared, confused and angry all at the same time. My mind was reeling as I tried to make sense of everything I had just learned. I had already figured I was Jamesons main goal was me, but I was unaware of how far he would go to make it happen.

The fact they knew I’ve been moving since I was born, all my past incidents, and the fact that Cindy made it very clear what would happen if I didn't comply, I felt completely helpless.

Before I knew it small flames sparked to life in my palms as I struggled to regulate my breathing.

I began to panic as the flames started to slowly grow in size. If it grew any larger people would start to notice which made me panic even more as the fire started to trail up towards my arms and singed the cuffs of my sleeves.

Before I could panic even more a low whistle filled my ears. In an instant the flames dispersed as a warm rush of calmness washed over me. I looked around confused as to why I suddenly felt so relaxed until Alvin's jacket found its way over my arms before anyone could see. I turned around to see my friends all standing side by side to obscure me from view as Mariah stopped whistling and wiped the sunset orange tears from her eyes.

“Jaden are you ok?” Satoya asks as I can see the concern etched on all of their faces.

Alvin took hold of my hands under his jacket as I took long slow breaths to full calm down. He looked at me silently asking if I was ok, but after what just happened how could I answer that?

“I… I need some air. Anyway the terrans are supposed to be partying in the aquarium exhibit I’ll meet you guys there.”

Without another word I quickly rushed off not sure where the hell I was going but I know I didnt stop running until I got there.

                                                         ~*~*~*~

I ended up walking through reptile exhibit as I took the time to clear my head.Honestly there wasnt much I could really do at this point as it has been made very clear that im stuck. I cant run away cause they obviously have been keeping track of my movements, I cant fight them since they all have clearly been practicing for years whereas I roughly only used mine once or twice a month, not to mention the fact that I was no longer living for myself anymore.

My friends and family were in just as much danger as I was and I had no idea how to explain any of this to them. My friends might get it,but they might also blame me for getting them in this situation since them being friends with me seems to have given them my problems.

My mom freaks out when I use my power so the thought of having to explain to her that only am I attending a school full of people like me, but I’ve also managed to attract the attention of the man controlling them all and the 10 strongest ones in the school.

The more I thought about it the more it dawned on me just how hopeless my situation actually was.

I sat down on the floor in front of the exhibit about snakes as I buried my face in my hands. There had to be some way out of this-something I overlooked or something I use to my advantage.No one was perfect after all, if I played along for now I could probably find a weakness in Jamesons hierarchy… the only problem was what to do if I found it.

I mean im no murderer and running away has already been established as non-optionable. It seemed like no matter what I thought of I was met with a brick wall at every step.

I could feel the tears fall from my face and stay elevated in the air as I kept them from hitting the floor. I hated crying since I got a headache every time so a lot of the time I only cry when I’m angry, and unfortunately for me I had a lot to be angry about right now.

I tried to stop crying but in my frustration I only started crying more which made me even angrier. Eventually I gave in a let out a heavy sob as the small ball of my tears hit the ground with a splash.

I was sobbing so heavily that I had almost drowned out the small hissing noises coming from behind me. By the time I quited down I realized just how loud the hissing had gotten causing me to turn around and come face to face with the abnormally largest python I had ever seen in my life.

The size of its head was easily the size of Mariahs car and the only thing that kept me from screaming was its beady yellow eyes remaining trained on me.

“Well now that you’ve stopped crying” The python spoke clearly annoyed “ I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past 10 mins.”

The fact that it spoke had caught me off guard completely off guard, even more so as I watched the python shrink in size and turn into a man.

He was broad shouldered and while I couldnt she through his shirt, I could definitely tell he was built. He was wearing a pair of grey overalls paired with a dark blue button up shirt. His sleeves were rolled up so i could see the various animal tattoos on his body, but what intrigued me was the fact that they all seemed to be moving around and readjusting themselves as if his body was their own personal jungle. I watched as a python tattoo similar to the one that he had turned into, slithered from around his neck and up his face before coming to a stop with its mouth open over his eye giving me the impression it wanted to swallow it.

His eyes still looked like a snake until he blinked a few times and they returned to what I assumed was there usual green color.

Despite his seemingly powerful demeanor he gave me a warm comforting smile.

“Id ask if you were ok, but seeing as you just cried enough water to fill a bath tub I’d say otherwise.”

His deep laughter boomed through the hallways, and despite how bad I felt, I ended up laughing too.Everything about this guy felt warm and familiar despite the fact that he was built like a bear. I wiped the remaining tears from my face as he sat down next to me.

“So…” I began “Your like me?”

“Whys that surprising? Most of the kids at your school are like you.” He asked with innocent curiosity.

“Well… I’m never seen someone like me this old-”

He suddenly let out a dramatic gasp as he placed his hand over his heart

“Old!?! I’m only 42!”

“Sorry” I quickly apologized “But you know what I mean.”

“Yeah i get it kid, but has it ever occurred to you how easy it might be for some of us? I mean as long as you get a handle on your gifts early on then it becomes pretty easy to blend in.”

The man had a good point but something he said left me scowling in anger.

“Gifts? You call this gift? I’m a curse! A mistake! An accident! Nothing about this is a gift because this so called gift could end up getting me and everyone i love killed!”

The mans smile never left his face despite my angry outburst and something about his warm smile made me feel bad for yelling.

“I understand how you feel… I used to feel the same way. When I was 7 my first tattoo appeared right on my face… and it was a butterfly.”

I couldnt help but laugh at such a hilarious statement as the man continued his story.

“But after years of constant self loathing, and hating myself, and feeling like my family was right to call me a freak I made a shocking revelation about myself.”

“And what was that?” I asked eagerly looking up at him for an answer.

“Were still human. Instead of looking at your powers as a mutation you should look at them for what they really are which is evolution. Somewhere down the line or even from the moment some of us are born, our bodies decided to show us that were way cooler than most people, and I wish someone would call me a freak when I can eat them in one gulp.”

With that his head quickly turned into a bear as he started to snarl which made me laugh even harder than before. I had never viewed my powers the way he had described them.Since forever I had always been taught by my mom to be wary off my give, so I always viewed it as a nuisance instead of what it really was. It was an extension of my body and of me, and I’d be a lot happier coming to terms with that instead of hating myself for it.

The man then caught me off guard by pulling me off my feet and into a bear hug which was very literal since his head was still a bear head. Unlike the hug Jameson had forced me into, this hug was warm and calming and in all honesty I didnt wanna let go.

Maybe it was because of the all the soft fur.

Eventually he put me down and gave an encouraging thumbs up and a wink which looked funny considering I had never seen a bear wink before.

“Thanks for the talk Mr…” It had just occurred to me that I didnt know his name until he responded.

“Clarence but you can call me CJ.”

I wasnt sure how you got the nickname CJ from Clarence but I decided it was best to ignore it.

“Well.. CJ.. can I ask why a grown man who definitely isnt a teacher is currently at a highschool homecoming dance?”

He laughed in response but I couldnt help but be curious as to what he was doing there especially with him using his… gifts so publicly.

“Well if you must know… my wife called me and wanted me to make sure my son wasnt getting himself into any trouble. So in the process of spying on him I came across another kid in desparate need of someone to talk to so I’d call this a win-win since I kept an eye on my son and helped someone out in the process.”

“Well in that case I’m glad your wife called you, she sounds like shes nice.”

“Yeah she really is.” CJ sighed dreamily as he thought of his wife. “ Shes got a bit of a temper but I dig it.”

We both laughed at his last comment until a shadow suddenly loomed over us from down the hallway causing us both to look up to see Mr. Jameson walking towards us.

“Mr. Giles what are you doing with this man?” He asked the anger seemingly growing with every syllable. “Oh its fine hes just a parent!” I began waving my hands defensively hoping to diffuse whatever argument that was about to happen. “Hes only hear to keep an eye on his son.”

Mr. Jameson stared at me eyebrows raised after my last statement left my lips. I looked back and fourth between CJ and Jameson as they both stared at each other without saying a word and considering CJs head was still in the form of a bear I had to bite my tongue to prevent from laughing.

Jameson was about to speak up when a loud voice interrupted all of us.

“There you are!” Alvin ran up to me and quickly pulled me into a hug. “I’m so sorry I didn’t find you sooner after you ran off I figured i’d give you some time to breath, but then I couldnt find you anywhere when I went to look for you!”

Alvin continued to ramble his apologies to me and I couldnt help but smile about how much he cared about me.

“Boys..” Jameson chimed in pulling me back into the reality of the fact that these two men were clearly having a standoff. “How about you two go back and enjoy the party.”

Before I could protest Alvin hoister me over his shoulder and took off at a normal pace down the hall.

As I looked back CJ gave me one last thumbs up before we disappeared from view which admittedly brought a frown to my face.

While our time talking had been short everything about this man felt very familiar, and after spending five minutes wondering why I still had no answer.

But for whatever reason when I thought of this man I though of home.