The following year, Zed had enough, and like a turtle, he stopped hiding
under his shell. He started training his mind until it was strong and capable, telling himself
that he had to be better so he could face it all. He was convinced that the strength of mind
was the most important thing if he wanted to go far. Thus, he pushed himself until he became
athletic, proving that determination would allow him to write his story. That year, he earned
straight A's for the first time, reaching his mind's true potential, never giving up. When life took a dark turn, and he pushed himself even more by running hard to clear his mind of dark
thoughts. When he ran, he often thought about Ezio and how fast he could run. To Zed, Ezio
was simply a gifted athlete, his speed always effortless, like a lion moving with a natural
power that left everything else behind.)
Prestigious Academy [Class President Office]: (Meanwhile, Ezio, completely unaware of Zed's struggle, sat at his office desk, relaxing and thinking about Bird. He had already completed all his work here at middle school, and now he waited for the student council of his new school to accept him, but that also left him with a lot of free time to think about that night. He would track down the
person responsible for Bird, no matter what. It's one of the reasons why he was so
serious about keeping his authority as president. (Suddenly, his Vice-President walked into the office. He was taller than Ezio, but Ezio didn't mind, since the Vice-President was good at his job. After entering the office, he sat close to Ezio, curious about the reason he had been summoned. It was supposed to be a meeting to introduce some Vice-President candidates for their new school, since their current Vice-President did not want to run again. Ezio found himself caught in a playful wrestle, and then yelling at him playfully. Suddenly, the class vice-president mentions how he saw Zed at the courts today talking nonsense. Ezio waved him off.
"You don't think your meat shield friend has what it takes to run for class VP?" The vice president asked.
"Of course not. He was a disaster of a class vice-president back then," Ezio replied.
(Ezio explained how Zed was a bad student, especially in the first years of
elementary school: no homework to show, always playing, never working. His behavior marked
him the least disciplined student. Zed only began to change once Cyrus took over as their teacher and the group of friends came together. Ezio had no idea how Zed became different after that, but he was the class vice president that year. Most schools around the nation did not need a class vice president, but their class was so disastrous that it became mandatory to have one. Ezio, of course, ended up being the class president, and he wanted to keep his
streak as class president now.
That's why Ezio needed his vice president more than ever; to get him over the top. When the meeting ended, and the vice president made for the door, Ezio
called for him to stay vigilant. The vp responded with a nod.
That night:
Zed lay awake when his phone rang from an unfamiliar number. The message was blunt and chilling; they had Bird. It would have been easier to ignore the call, but the thought of his friend after three years, and of Zed himself being unseen all that time, compelled him to act. That decision led him to a warehouse rising ahead, but when Zed approached, he noticed
that he was alone, except for a chair in the middle. It was empty, but then he felt something sharp against his neck. He blacked out for a second, but regained his vision, and multiple men had rifles aimed at him. Zed tumbles back, knowing now it was a trap. Gang members started closing in, and the leader revealed a knife, one that Zed thought would be plunged into his chest. But the gang leader only laughs, sensing his growing fear. The others tried
to hold back their laughter, when suddenly another member speaks.
"We don't want to kill you. We want to recruit you," he said.
"And what if I refused?" Zed asked.
"Then we will have no choice but to kill you, obviously," the leader responded.
I refused, and more gang members started closing in, but they were not alone either. A large
group of students in black suits and red ties stood above the rooftops, aiming snipers
at them. The gang members, now
aware of their own situation, began to panic.
"Why are we always outnumbered?!" The gang leader shouted.
"Who's there?" another asked.
(The gang members turned to the empty chair with terrified looks. A book floated above with a pencil scribbling furiously on each page. It slammed shut, then dropped to the floor. Out of nowhere, a fire erupted around the chair. Without wasting time, the gang members rushed for the exit. Zed ran for the exit as well, but was kicked back by the gang leader, the door slamming shut. Above, the students in black suits and red ties didn't move, their rifles still aimed. Zed looked toward the book still untouched by the flames.
He needed to get away, but how? While he struggled to think, people at the scene watched in horror as the fire grew. Many called for backup, but others stood still. No screaming could be heard, except the sound of sirens.