Upon realizing she’d been caught, Ms. Carol stuffed her phone into her pocket, cheeks glowing a faint scarlet as she turned the corner and disappeared.
I couldn’t help the slight chill that went down my spine. A teacher recording her student being beaten to a pulp? Virtual teachers would never let this happen! Just more proof that mankind’s unpredictable and cruel nature could never top the joys of artificial intelligence. Straightening my shirt, I turned to face the boy, who was still leaning against the wall. Pages of the book sat in his hands, his gaze hollow as he stared down at them. Looking back on it, I suppose ripping the novel to pieces was a bit cruel…but he should be grateful I even saved his sorry self! I should’ve let the idiot get torn senseless for reading banned literature, but I’d been too kind. I’d always been told my compassion was my downfall.
“Thank you,” His voice was more grateful than his gaze. “I appreciate you getting them off me. You didn’t have to get involved.”
“As I said, you were making a ruckus. It was annoying.” Best to be humble and not boast of my kindness.
“Alden, are you alright?!”
Craven had left the other two at their desks, his stride long and composed as he approached. Nonetheless, the slight panic in his eyes was evident as he stuck out a hand, helping the blonde to his feet.
“I’m fine,” He brushed dirt off his pants, attempting to fix the tussled hair on his head.
“Once I realized it was you, I was going to come help you out,” He turned his sharp gaze to me, “though it seems someone beat me to it.”
The hair along my neck twitched uncomfortably. Was he going to give me trouble for helping his friend? Pfft, he must want all the glory to himself!
“I was only doing what any upstanding citizen would do. Besides, I wouldn’t want to disgrace the family name by letting someone get beaten up on my watch, even if he is a heretic.”
Craven straightened his shirt. “Way to ruin the moment. I was going to thank you, even though you did rip his book, but I feel it’s best not to inflate your ego.” Patting the blonde on the back, he gestured to Link and the terror. “Go on and sit down, Alden. We’ll help you brush that dust off.”
Alden ignored the dark-haired boy’s words, turning to dip his head to me. At least someone recognized my greatness! The hollowness of his gaze was now replaced by gratitude, as though he’d come to accept that his book was gone. “I shouldn’t have brought that to school. You only did what was best by ripping it up. I appreciate that.”
Though his words were genuine, my stomach turned in a cramp of shame. I hadn’t expected him to thank me for tearing apart his possessions! Suddenly, the wave of righteousness crashed, and I had to force myself to remain upright. I couldn’t let him know I regretted my actions. 907’s didn’t care what happened to the people around them! It’s in our family motto: we do what’s best for ourselves and care not for anyone else involved. He was probably just trying to get under my skin and tear apart my morals from the inside! That was what those gross questioners did: plant seeds of doubt in your head and destroy everything you’ve ever known.
“Of course, I did what was best.” I crossed my arms with a subtle flex. Still, no effect. “I’m a 907, after all.”
The blonde nodded before clasping his hands behind his back. “I must be going, but I hope to speak with you again soon, Brash.”
With another grateful nod, he turned and followed Craven back to the corner, where he was immediately fawned over by the other two. They adored the boy! But how could they? He was human, unpredictable, and cruel. How could you adore something that didn’t cater to your every whim? Could…Could someone adore me like that? I shook my head, going back to sit at my desk. That fool had done just what he’d wanted: planted a seed of doubt.
