The chalk screeched against the board, a sound that usually set Clara’s teeth on edge, but today it was drowned out by the low, frantic hum of gossip. At the front of the room, Mrs. Selby was mid-lecture, her eyes lighting up with their usual intensity as she mapped out the tactics of the Napoleonic Wars. She was a woman who lived for the strategy of the battlefield but famously turned sour whenever the curriculum drifted toward the mindless cruelty of the ancient witch burnings. However, Clara’s focus wasn't on the history books. Her desk neighbor leaned in close, tapping a glowing phone screen that displayed a breaking news alert. 

"Did you see this? Sterling Vance... the actor? There was some freak accident at his estate last night. They’re saying his father didn't make it."

"I know," said Clara, for what felt like the thousandth time. "I was there last night."

She was so exited last night. But things got absolutely ruined when the news aired that Sterling Vance came in an accident. And to make things worse, most of the people were pissed because the premiere was cancelled. Like a whole person died and people were angry because they couldn't watch a movie! And the way students were talking in the class was worse.

"Oh my god," said a fangirl, "did you see his last post? He looks wrecked. I can't believe his dad is actually gone. Do you think he'll cancel the premiere?" 

 Duh! thought Clara. The guy literally lost his father and you worry about the premiere?

"Whatever, He's rich." said the girl Clara hated the most in this world. "He'll just buy a new house and a new life. It's not like he is a normal person like us."

Are you serious? thought Clara. What do you mean if he<s rich it wouldn't affect him much? His father was all he had for a family!"

I wonder who gets the inheritance now." said another student. "He's only, what, twenty? That's a lot of power for a guy who just plays on TV."

He's 25 you blithering idiot! thought Clara, now getting really annoyed. Why don't you shut that mouth of yours and focus on the lecture?

"I heard it wasn't just an accident." said one of the students, "My cousin lives near there he said the whole place looked like it was hit by a freak blizzard in the middle of July. Also, the driver just disappeared! There was no one on the driving seat! Totally sus."

At this Clara zoned out. Yes it was sus. Not the area but the body of his father. It wasn't scratched. It wasn't hurt. Mr. Vance's face was expressionless. Not scared. Not happy or sad. And the eyes! they were cold...and glassy.

Suddenly, Clara was ten. She touched her mother's hand. it was cold. Like marble. She want and sat close to her dad. He wasn't moving. he wasn't smiling lovingly as he always did. Clara looked into his eyes. They were like empty black pits. Cold and glassy.

"Clara? Clara!" murmured Jake, sitting beside her back in the class. "Are you okay? You look pale."

"I<m OK" said Clara, a little too loudly.

"No talking in class!" Shouted Mrs. Selby. "Focus on the lecture for once!"

At that moment, Clara got a message from Sloane. "Coraline drowned" it said. Just two words. Definitely Sloane. Jake looked at her. A hesitation in his eyes. We should go. it meant.

                                                                                  ****

"It<s okay to over-react sometimes." said Clara stupidly "Isn't it?"

"It'S OkAy To OvEr-ReAct SoMeTImEs, IsN't It?" Said Sloane, mimicking her a bit too perfectly. "But still, It's no reason to shout at the manager for two ours!"

"Oh! come on!" Said Clara, frustrated. "He was putting everything on my sister! what did you expect."

"Oh, I don't know" said Jake. "Maybe that you will shut up after the manager gave up?"

"Not you too Jake!" said Clara, "Really! What<s gotten into you guys! Ugh!"

Clara left the room. Outside Clara sat with her hand on her head. Coraline was all she had. And she was currently unconscious. Without her will, tears fell from Clara<s eyes. No one understands me! she thought, Not even Jake! His sister is sitting there completely okay!

"It's true, Clara" said a voice, a cold, dry voice. "No one understands you, except me"

"Who are you?" she asked, "Someone whom no one understands" Said the voice "Just like you Clara Solis. People think you create troubles... for them and yourself. I can help you turn their thoughts to reality... I can help you get them as frustrated as they get you"

"Get out of my head." said Clara, "I don't want you to help me."

"Think again Clara Solis...I can help you create trouble for those who trouble you."

The voice was now giving her pain. Every word it said felt like needles to her body. "Get out of my head please get out of my head get out of my head" Clara pleaded, "Join the cinders Clara, be one of us... be powerful!"

"I said, GET OUT OF MY HEAD" shouted Clara, and the voice stopped.

Silence finally rushed back into the hallway, but it wasn't the peaceful kind. As Clara leaned her head against the cold hospital tile, gasping for air, she realized the world looked... different. The sharp edges of the chairs, the flickering fluorescent lights, even the distant hum of the vending machine felt like they were vibrating with a strange, hidden energy. The voice was gone, but the door it had kicked open in her mind refused to shut. She wasn't just Clara Solis anymore; she was something being watched from the inside out.

WHEN THE WORLD TREATS YOU LIKE A DESASTER, HOW LONG CAN YOU RESIST THE POWER TO BECOME ONE?