Madam Matron shot us a look and Gypsy quickly released me and I looked away, awkwardly scratching my head. “Rose Mary. If you don’t mind, can we speak?” I heard. I looked up at the headmaster and found he was frowning at me. I looked to the other and found they were now frowning as well. I looked back to him and nodded, walking over and jumping when he roughly grabbed my arm and tugged me from the room. I grimaced and looked back at the others, who now looked concerned, then to Madam Matron, who was now following us.
“Sir?” I said weakly.
“I taught you to stay out of danger and you thought that it would be okay to just join in?” he snapped when we got to an empty room. He released me and began to pace, while I rubbed my arm and awkwardly shuffled in place.
“It made the most sense to-,” I began, but he spun around and pointed his finger at me.
“Stay out of the line of danger! You could have had Silver hack into the building security system!” he snapped before beginning to pace again. I scowled at him and looked up as Madam Matron slipped into the room silently and watched us both with a frown on her face.
“Something told me to help them in the front line,” I began, but he spun around and puffed up. I recoiled as he shoved his finger into my face and glared at me in anger.
“You shouldn’t have been anywhere near Shasha! That was dangerous. What if you hadn’t been fast enough to stop her?!” he snarled. I scowled myself before moving forward and glaring up at him.
“You went right into the diner when Grizzly as trying to rob everyone?! How is this any different? In fact I was more prepared than you were!” I snapped. His eyes narrowed and he moved forward in a threatening manner. I didn’t back down, glaring up at him as he curled his fingers into a fist.
“You are more important than-,” he growled before shutting his eyes tightly and shaking his fist in my face. “You don’t understand,” he said in anger. I felt my eyes narrow and shoved his hand down while advancing.
“I’m not more important than my teammates! I understand now what you think. You think I’m some kind of saint or angel or something, but I’m not!” I yelled before moving back. If I kept far enough back, the urge to strike him would hopefully fade. “You’ve screwed up the system!” I growled, running my hand through my hair in distress.
“What are you talking about?” he asked, confusion appearing on his face. I grimaced as my head throbbed painfully before I looked to him in rage, a feeling that wasn’t my own.
“Navigators and their teams were supposed to be on equal standing! You’ve created an imbalance! More students are being used as shields and the Navigators believe they are Gods! You’ve misled them!” I snarled before another painful spike of pain lanced through my head. I slowly slipped to my knees and grabbed my forehead as the pain threatened to overwhelmed me for a moment.
“Rosie. You don’t know what you’re talking about?” the headmaster said as he moved closer to me.
“Doesn’t she Gregory?” I heard from Madam Matron before I was slowly pulled to my feet. I blearily looked to Madam Matron who was now glaring at the headmaster in anger.
“What are you talking about Matron?” he asked with a frown on his face.
“She’s right. The Navigator students believe they are better than the other students. They antagonize and bully students that they feel have no power an-,” she began, but the headmaster shook his head.
“You’re just mad about you son right?” he said. I heard an almost silent growl and looked at him in shock and anger.
“No. Don’t make this out to seem like this is some kind of personal vendetta. I remember... not me, but from Sylvester’s time as headmaster. The students and Navigators were encouraged to work together. The Navigators didn’t just send their teammates out and make them fight their battles,” I snapped. Headmaster Rockefeller recoiled as if he was struck and frowned deeply down at me before straightening out.
“Times have changed. Navigators, True Navigators, are very rare and we can’t allow you to be hurt,” he said. I slowly shook my head and felt my glare relaxing, sighing as I calmed down.
“Your right. Times have changed. I’m the Neutral Navigator and I can promise you that more Navigators will be appearing soon enough. Like you said. We have a new lease on life,” I said before rubbing my head and looking to Madam Matron. “The students and Navigators are on two different boats and when it comes down to it I will go to the students or even find a new teacher,” I said. I heard him sputter in shock and Madam Matron’s eyes widened.
“You don’t mean that,” he said desperately. I felt him grab my arm and turned to him, a glare appearing on my face.
“Don’t touch me and I do,” I snapped before pulling away from him. “If you don’t mind sir, I’m going to go to my friends now,” I snapped before marching out of the room.
I slammed the door behind me and shook my head as I marched down the hall, turning the corner and yelping when I crashed into something. I quickly moved back then looked up in confusion before recoiling when something grabbed the front of my uniform. I was lifted and I looked up at Shasha, who was glaring at me and grinding her teeth. “You ruined my perfect record you stupid bitch!” she hissed out. I winced as she pulled me forward then slammed me back against the wall. I winced again before kicked forward, catching her stomach. She grunted in pain and released me for a short moment, allowing me to fall.
I quickly moved around her and tried to run, but she grabbed me back the back of my uniform. She pulled me back and I grunted when I was thrown to the ground and she stomped on my stomach. I rolled over and tried to scramble to my feet, but she grabbed me back the back of my uniform again and pulled me up. She roared in anger before lifting me above her head and throwing me forward.
I cried out in pain and panic as I hit the ground and rolled, looking up quickly when she ran for me. I managed to shove myself to my feet and started running down the hall. “Come back here!” I heard her yell. I stumbled along, rounding another corner and slamming into someone again. I stumbled back and looked up at N, who grabbed me and twisted my arm behind my back, shoving me forward and into a wall. I hissed in pain and began looking around for an escape, but I was pulled back and tightly held in place as Shasha rounded the corner and slowed.
A cruel looking smile appeared on her features and she cracked her knuckles as she drew closer. As soon as she got close, I saw my chance. She pulled her arm back and I waited until she was mid swing before I pulled myself forward, knocking N off balance and pulling her forward as well. Shasha’s fist hit N in the face and she released me, allowing me to move behind her and shove her into Shasha.
They stumbled off balance and I turned, running down the hall and rounding a corner and running face first into Liornia’s fist. I hit the ground hard and rubbed my jaw while Liornia moved forward and grabbed me before pulling me to my feet. I tried to pull her hands off of me, but she shook me hard before shoving me back. I stumbled and felt two thick arms wrap around my waist, trapping my arms to my sides. I began to squirm and grunted when the air was squeezed from me.
“Stop struggling!” I heard Ranger hiss. I ground my teeth before kicking, my eyes scanning the area for another escape. Ruter stood off to the side with Tem and I groaned when Shasha ran up with N, the other girl rubbing her jaw. Shasha’s expression was murderous and she grinned when she saw me.
“Finally. Hold her still,” she growled out before her hands balled into fists.
“Whoa are we going to hurt her?! Do you know what the headmaster will do to us?!” Ruter suddenly said. I heard Ranger suck in a quick breath before her arms slackened a bit. I tried struggling harder, but her grip was still like iron.
“You can’t just attack her Shasha! I thought we were going to talk her out of the bet?” she said. Shasha sneered before shoving her finger in my face as she moved over.
“No. She ruined my perfect score and now I’m going to take care of her! She thinks that by coming here she can just take m
y spot and-,” she snarled.
“Six Navigators attacking the True Navigator?” I heard. I felt a burst of joy at the anger filled voice of Gabrielle and yelped when I was dropped.
“L-Lady Gabrielle,” I heard stuttered out from Shasha. I quickly rolled to my side and looked up towards Gabrielle. She looked livid, her wings flared out and a brightly burning halo had appeared over her head. I quickly scrambled to my feet and rushed behind her, looking to the now pale Navigators in front of us.
“You do know that she can create alliances with planets. She can work for the enemies of your parents and all because of a “perfect” record,” Gabrielle spat. Their faces grew paler and they looked down while Gabrielle let out a dark laugh. “She could also decide that you all wouldn’t be fit to be councilmen,” she hissed. Dismay appeared on their features and I heard a throat clear.
“Don’t you think you scared them enough Gabrielle?” I heard Headmaster Rockefeller say. I looked back and found he was looking at us with a frown on his face.
“Did you know they were about to assault her?” Gabrielle hissed her fists clenching then unclenching as we stood. His head snapped in their direction and his eyes narrowed, the white flaring brightly for a moment.
“No. I want the six of you in my office right now. Go to your team Rosie. I think I’m starting to see what you were talking about,” he said before giving me a weak and tired smile. I returned it and Gabrielle straightened out before gently touching my arm.
“I need to speak with Gregory. The council wants to talk about Rose Mary and the former Neutral Navigators. She can go to her team,” she said, giving me a gentle smile. I nodded to them before running off and sighing when I got far enough away. When I knew it was safe, I groaned before sliding to my knees. I grabbed my chest in pain and leaned against the wall, trying to get the painful throbbing to abate. I think Shasha cracked my rib when she stomped on me.
“Rosie?” I heard. I looked up quickly and relaxed when I saw it was only Gypsy and Lollipop.
“Boss? You okay?” Lollipop asked, walking over swiftly and placing an arm on my shoulders.
“Not really. I almost got beat up,” I said weakly. Gypsy instantly shifted to her wolf form, a deep growl coming from her chest while Lollipop stood up.
“I’m going to kick their asses,” Lollipop hissed. I laughed then groaned before slowly getting up, Gypsy rushing over and scooping me up bridal style when my knees buckled.
“Can we go to the infirmary?” I asked. Gypsy let out a whining growl before beginning to run for the infirmary while Lollipop ran after her.
“Don’t drop her Gypsy or I’m going to kick your ass too!” she called, catching up and shooting me looks of concern. I gave her a tight smile before rubbing my chest and closing my eyes.
Chapter 13:
Memories Long Forgotten
Black smoke bellowed from the mouth of the ship and I groaned before looking back at the others, who were milling about. “The engine’s shot. We can’t get out of here until we find some parts,” I said, wincing when most of the others groaned in anger.
“We just finished fixing that stupid thing!” one of the more outspoken members of the gang cried. I shrugged helplessly before waving to the black smoke that almost blinded me.
“Unless you can rebuild a quantum gira fuel engine from scratch we’re going to have to scavenge,” I said, wiping my hands on my pants legs and looking to the leader of our gang. She frowned before sighing deeply and giving the others a glare.
“You heard the kid. Let’s go searching!” she yelled. Some of the members groaned while others grumbled and I just shook my head before following after them. A shiver worked its way up my back and I frowned before looking around the dense forest. It felt like someone was watching me.
I felt my eyes slowly open and I blinked several times to clear my vision, slowly pushing myself up as I tried to get my bearings. That dream hadn’t been as bad as the others, but it was certainly different from a normal dream. Shaking my head, I slipped from my bed and headed to the door, looking back and at the others. They were still sleeping so I slipped from the room and headed down the hall, yawing tiredly as I walked to the elevator. While I should have stayed in the room, I was hungry and hoped that I could make a snack in the student kitchens.
After I took the elevator down, I headed to the kitchens area and began to shift through the cabinets, grimacing at some of the foods the other students ate. I shook off the feeling before grabbing some cookie mix and beginning to bake. When I felt stressed or I couldn’t think straight, I used to bake all the time at home and it was comforting to know I could still do that here. I shook the thought from my head before focusing on the thick batter, frowning when I realized I needed raisins.
Humming, I moved back to the cabinet before checking the fridge and pulling out a large bowl of them. I rolled my eyes before turning back and flinching when I found Silver sitting on one of the stools in front of me. She was playing with a fork and I sighed softly before gently placing the bowl down. “Good morning?” I said, the greeting coming out more like a question.
“Good morning!” she chirped out before placing the fork down then looking at me with wide eyes. I gave her a weak smile before focusing on the cookies again, humming a small tune mom used to sing to me when she was the one baking. Homesickness suddenly hit me in the gut and I sighed before looking away from the batter, thinking about mom and pop. I wondered if they thought I was a freak still or they had calmed down? December was coming up and we were going to get the whole month off for break.
I heard Silver hum and looked up at her, finding that she was looking to me curiously. “Did you need something?” I asked politely, I was tired not rude.
“What are you doing?” she asked, leaning forward and back.
“Um…..I’m making oatmeal raisin cookies,” I said awkwardly. Her eyes widened and she leaned forward, placing her hands on the island bar.
“Cookies?!” she said excitedly. I winced at the volume of her voice and looked around before gently placing a hand on hers.
“Shhhhhhh remember that some people are asleep,” I said before grabbing my bowl and beginning to mix again. She sheepishly looked down before nodding and rocking on her chair again with a bashful smile on her face.
“Sorry. I don’t get sweets often and I really like oatmeal raisin,” she said before looking to the bowl with wide eyes.
“It’s alright. We just don’t want to wake anyone else,” I said with a small smile. I finished mixing the batter before shifting through the kitchen and pulling out a long baking sheet. Silver hummed excitedly as I placed the bowl down before grabbing a large spoon and beginning to place the cookies onto the sheet. I finished the task quickly and easily before preheating the oven and heading back to the fridge.
“When will the cookies be done?” Silver asked. Humming, I leaned back before looking around and found a timer just off to the side.
“Can you set that timer for twenty minutes?” I asked before turning back to the fridge and shifting through it for a moment. I found a gallon of milk and checked it to make sure no one’s name was on it before pulling it out. Silver was fiddling with the timer so I popped the cookies into the oven and took it from her. I set the timer before placing it down and heading back to a cabinet to grab two glasses of milk.
When I grabbed the glasses, I walked back over and placed them down before pouring milk into them both. Silver’s eyes were now wide and she was shifting in place in excitement. I forgot about my dream and grinned at Silver before looking up when I heard the elevator ding. Silver looked back and we watched the doors open, revealing the dorm mother, Mrs. Hill.
She was human like me, but her right arm was a blue metal automatic prosthetic and she was African American. She was dressed in blue flannel pajamas and looked to us in confusion before walking over. “What are the two of you doing out of bed?” she asked before stopping and inhaling deeply. “Cookies?” she questioned in confusi
on. She walked over then took a seat before rubbing her eyes tiredly.
“Sorry. I couldn’t sleep,” I said weakly. She shook her head before yawning then leaning forward on the long island bar table. Silver grinned at me and I smiled back before looking to Mrs. Hill, who was in the middle of stretching. I heard the timer go off and quickly grabbed a pair of oven mitts before opening the oven door and looking in.
The cookies looked perfect and I grabbed the tray before pulling them out and placing it off to the side. I quickly shut off the oven before pulling off the oven mitts and looking around for a spatula. I found it and quickly scrapped them off of the tray and put them on a paper towel.
“Do you always bake when you have nightmares?” I heard Silver ask. I paused and looked to her with wide eyes, watching as she placed a hand on her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that,” she said weakly. I shook my head at her before rubbing my face and nodding slightly.
“Yeah. The dreams weren’t so bad this time around, but it’s starting to get a little annoying,” I tried to joke. She shot me a look of sympathy while Mrs. Hill hummed off to the side of us.
“Dreams? Those weird dreams about other lives or something?” Mrs. Hill asked, reaching for a cookie. I frowned at her in confusion and she grabbed one before taking a bite, a grin appearing on her face. “Oh nice! Oatmeal raisin,” she said before shoving more of the cookie into her mouth. I continued to frown at her until she finished the cookie and grabbed another.
“Who told you about my dreams?” I asked. She paused in her eating for a moment before wiping her mouth free of crumbs and licking her lips.
Starstream Academy (The Navigators Book 1) Page 10
