The rebirth of planet Resoria Z9
Chapter 14

Cafeteria was something John avoided throughout his years in high school. He claimed it would tarnish his reputation if he were to share and eat the same meal I would be eating. Cruel was his strongest trait. But it would be the very first time his vile behavior would benefit me. The staircase was longer than I thought. Each step led me to another one and I grew irritated each time I was not met with the floor.

A part of me wanted to jump down there were not many stairs left and I doubt I would be in any pain but how could I risk exposing my whereabouts and leading him straight to me. I jumped and landed with a small thump from the last step of the staircase. I couldn't control myself. I continued to walk until the dark brown walls vanished and I was met with the white ones leading to the cafeteria. The closer I got, I saw a line forming outside the doorstep of the cafeteria, lucky for me the long line of people waiting did not reach all the way to the hallway.

I hurried to the line and waited until it was my turn. As I waited I took the time to think about how I would avoid lingering in the hallways and be quick to reach my dorm. I don’t think I had the mental strength to handle John today because my mind was still focused on how weird Thomas' behavior was. I took the tray in front of me and reached for the fresh vegetables, potatoes and salmon.

When I was satisfied with my choice of plate I walked over to one of the empty tables and left my tray there and walked over to where the glasses were and filled it with cold water. I took the chance to look over my surroundings and only saw unfamiliar faces which was exactly what I needed in this situation. I headed over to my table and sat down. The salmon was covered with some red sauce.

I hoped it was sweet chili; one could never go wrong with that. When I took a bite of the salmon I tasted sweet chili and was overjoyed. I cut up the roasted potatoes and dipped them into the red sauce with the salmon and washed it down with water. I was already thinking about getting another plate when I finish this one. It was quite a long time ago when I had a warm cooked meal. My grandma was not great in the kitchen and had burned the food a couple of times but I still finished my plate.

I continued eating my food and couldn’t help myself but to take a huge bite it tasted much better than eating small bites of the salmon. The cafeteria was not empty nor was it loud enough for me to not notice quick footsteps coming close to me with enough determination that it made me shift to the direction of the sound.

The first thing I saw how they abruptly stopped when I turned my head to their direction and the squeaking sound that came from their shoes was the proof I needed that they was planning on sneaking up to me. I swallowed my food when they sat across from me. I didn't pay them any attention and drank from my water but when the girl in the middle reached forward I noticed how she and the two other ones were dressed up as the old ones in John’s crew.

She wore the same signature ponytail and the other two had their hair down, I could feel the feelings I buried deep inside me coming to the surface. My memories were triggered by the similarities between them. Even if she did not know it did not matter to me because all I could see was how she played with the end of her ponytail the same way as her.

I turned away to my right side and tried to think of a way to get out of this situation. I felt trapped more when a chair was dragged next to mine and blonde hair came to the surface as he bent down to sit on the chair. His hands were laid on the table and he stared at me with empty cold eyes.I knew that he only laid his hands on the table to make me see they were closed in a fist but I could see clearly how this was only an attempt to make me feel trapped and tormented as I did years ago.

What John did not know was that I was aware of his psychological attempts to drive me crazy and I was no longer in his home base where he had all the control. I calmed myself down knowing that he was in fact in my home base and that for once I could tell what he had planned out for me.

I built the courage to stare at him dead in his eyes and I was met by his unfazed attitude towards my actions and felt his arm resting on the backside of my neck and his warm hand giving me a small push to lower my gaze from his eyes. I dug my fingers in my palms and glared at him as I was ready to give him a piece of my mind but was stopped yet again by a small pressure on the backside of my neck.

‘’ I have been more than patient with you Jessica, I gave you the benefit of not seeing me that day but we both know you always end up doing something risky to have my presence called upon.

Do I need you to remember how easily you can break without even me lifting a finger?’’ He said it with a cold voice and often lowered his head to my level as he was waiting to see my reaction. But I had something else planned out for him. I threw his arm off me and became filled with hatred, it was true that he never needed to lift a finger to break me but only needed to tilt his head with the smallest effort to motion his minions to break me into pieces.

I felt a sour taste in my mouth when I saw that he picked three girls apart of his crew that way he was not solely responsible for my injures. I despise him more than anything from the day he was born. He never had to lift a finger to influence the people close to him.

‘’ You don’t have that power over me and you never did. That credit was for your minions you have never been capable of finishing a task and that is why I will never be afraid of you. Pouring all your time into tormenting me will never make your father love you even if you surpass me.’’

The moment I brought his father up he completely lost his calm temperature and simply stood up and stared down at me with enough hatred that made mine engulf larger.

‘’ I will teach you to never bring parents into arguments you can’t win. It is rich coming from the one who was abandoned by her own parents. Did you even see the love in their eyes before they left you for dead Jessica? ‘’

He said as he gave me the same empty void eyes before he would break me apart, he walked away and taunted me. It was at this moment I truly realized that the only way to stop this is to do something unexpected. I was quick to follow after him as he walked out of the cafeteria. The words that came out of his mouth were not something I would look past. I have had it enough and I am not the weak girl that I used to be anymore. I followed him out of the caterferia and into the hallways. It was empty and nobody was going to bump into us because the open hours for lunch were soon to end.

He stood in the middle of the hallway and I was right in front of him. I was about to charge at him but stopped when he reached for his tie and loosened it up. He stared at me as he took his watch off and switched his gaze to the windows for a split second to make sure no one roamed and could witness his behavior towards me. I had a feeling that he wanted to prove how capable he was of finishing a task by the way he took off his watch. How many beatings have I endured by his old crew. How could he believe that this one would be any different.

I was not fazed by his threats anymore ever since that day I was lured into a farmhouse by the time the sun had set I was consumed by an empty feeling I could not shake off to this day. I reached for my hair and kept it up with a hair tie. He and his minions had a habit of ripping my hair from my scalp by the strength they used to cause pain upon me.. I wonder how he would react when my fist lands on his face before he could do anything to antagonize me.

I heard quick footsteps behind me and looked at them with the corner of my eye. It was his minions guarding behind so I could not back out and run away if I changed my mind. I lunge towards him with my fist closed aiming at his face. I soaked in the moment my fist would collided with his face and broke his nose but that sweet moment never came as I felt a hot burning sensation at the back of my head.

I grabbed onto the hands that were tugging on my hair and dragging me down towards their feets. I turned to their direction to get a look and saw the girl with a signature ponytail dragging me by my hair. She stared down at me and stopped for a minute before she began to twist her hand on my hair making it more painful for me to get out of her grip.

My ears were burning by their laughter echoing in the hallways and the burning sensation on my head gave me the strength to grab her by her shirt and lower myself to the ground in order to make myself heavier. She lost her grip on my hair as well her balance as I held onto her shirt and used all my strength to send her across the room.

She landed with a thud and I quickly got back on my feet as I charged against him and landed my fist on his cheek. Once I felt a burning hot sensation in my hand was all I needed to tackle him to the ground and sit on him as I landed more hits on his face. He laid under me and did not protect his face as if he was allowing me to hit him. I did not care to stop. By the third time I swung on him he took control and pushed me off him. I lost my balance and fell to my side.

I sat up when he stood tall over me and spoke but I was caught up by my adrenaline slowly rushing out of me. Anxiety crept up behind me and the two minions of his were standing behind me.

’’I hope you’re not sitting there and feeling proud of yourself by landing a few couple blows on me Jessica. There will always be a barrier between people like me and you only by my own permission were you able to walk among these halls and fight back like you did today.

None of what you perceive as success is carried by you; it's my permission that holds the weight. ‘’ He said with hatred in his voice and his eyes filled with disgust.

His hands went for his pockets and he stood in front of me as his mind drifted off for a few seconds. I chose to not answer his questions. It could lead to something that he would regret later and me being either suffocated or in the worst case shattered bones.

He was well aware of his fathers authority of cleansing and removing any reports that could ruin his future. His suit armor was made of pure gold, the kind that only my androids could melt to the ground. I sat there filled with thoughts overlapping and realized that he could lie to the principal and sentencing me with suspension.

‘’ Provoke me how much you want John, at the end of the day I have created artificial intelligence and you have never lifted a finger in your lifetime.’’ I said with resentment towards him. Those words that I spoke were heavier than his entire family’s combined wealth; neither of them have made the history I have.

‘’ When the price tags arrive on your androids mark my words you will finally understand that the work of a lower class is nothing more than a peasant working for a small amount of bread’’ He said with pure hatred and determination to end the legacy that would become mine.

I stood on my feets blinded by his cruel words. All I could think of was slamming my fist on his face again until the principal would arrive and sentence me. John turned his head away from my direction and was heading back to the cafeteria I couldn’t leave him to finish up what was rest of this and prepared myself to leap after him. But he was sent flying close to my feets and I stared down at him as I looked back against the person standing in front of us.

My view was blocked by John’s tall frame as he ran up against the attacker. His quick motions sent the attacker to the ground as they wrestled each other sending punches and yelling at each other. I stood there sealed to my feets as I watched John being overpowered and his face becoming more injured. The unknown head start I gave to the attacker left John’s face bruised up and patched with blood. One of his minions tried to run over to them but was quickly stopped by the one with the signature ponytail. Seeing the familiar brown hair overpowering John made me not want to move a single muscle. I savored this moment as much as I could.

I thought it was best to let Thomas use whichever pent up anger he had after our brief awkward conversation on John’s face. John continued to fight back but Thomas used his body weight to pin John to the ground in order to punch him repeatedly. My hand reached for my sore head and rubbed the spot that was aching with pain. A small headache was pulsing in my head and I had enough as I walked over to John and Thomas.

What came marching through the hallways with heavy footsteps made me slow my pace towards them and my mind became flooded with if I should flee the scene or get caught. I was doomed if the principal came walking towards us. His reaction could be anything and a suspension would slowly kill me over time. Only that night when a meteor was falling from the sky I felt alive. It took me closer to my dreams and these very hallways which were only blurry images in my head became real. Unsure what to do I waited until the unknown person came to the view, there were no other logical options I could choose and I could not blindly believe that this principal would be any different from the old one who obeyed John like a dog. Large shadows came in the view and were followed by light gray metal tall frames that made me turn my back towards them and walk in the other direction with confidence traveling through my veins.

I did not bother to look back as I knew who they were and they were going to follow me back to my dorm. But I reached halfway all I could hear was the sound of my own footsteps and I was far too gone to make a difference in the outcome. I watched Talus and the rest of his companions standing behind Thomas and John who were frightened and released themselves from their grip on each other. Talus simply lowered his frame to their height and picked up Thomas by the back of shirt and tossed him with no effort to Bortums.

It all happened fast and my mind could not comprehend what was going on before me. All the control and power I displayed in front of the students over the androids was being crushed by every second that went past as Thomas was held back of his shirt with no effort. Could this have been planned beforehand by own androids?

The way everything was set to the perfect degree left a sick feeling in my stomach. How each one of them agreed to one another to not follow after me as I headed for the hallway leading out of the cafeteria and instead took an agreement to overpower the situation created by John’s attempts to injure me. Their motives were far greater than to simply help me out of a distress situation. How both Talus and Bortums were refusing to put John and Thomas down to the ground was all the proof I needed to know that this could end up in the news or in a body cast.

I took advantage of the distance between me and them and took small careful steps towards them. I mustered all my strength into controlling my facial expressions, afraid I would send mixed signals to the androids either that their way of punishment was correct or that I was afraid of John. Both of these could sentence John to life and I had no place in mind to convince the media or the people that John truly deserved what got to him. But I was aware of the media's hatred and fear of artificial intelligence overpowering humans.

All I had to do was to focus on controlling my emotions if Bortums were to pick up the small satisfaction of seeing John lifted from the ground and terrified Bortums would be quick to fulfill his unknown plan simply by my own satisfaction. I had to mentally picture a fragile sad innocent boy who got caught up in a horrible mess. Sadness and empathy started to slowly run through me as I continued to close the distance between us. My eyes automatically searched for John’s and when he locked his eyes with mine he was sent into a panicking state and fought to get out of Talus' strong grip.

Did my satisfaction overpower my strength to let sadness come to the surface or did he simply believe that I planned this beforehand with full awareness that he and Thomas would be lifted from the ground. If he believed so I hoped and prayed for because I could turn this direction and take control once again.

Talus tightened his grip onto John and allowed him to struggle beneath him but I paid no mind to Talus. He was far too complicated to plead with and his sense of justice was harsh and brutal. I focused on Bortums. He was the most sane one compared to them. I pleaded with him through my eyes.

His intelligence on human emotions allowed me to send out a message only he could read on how I truly wanted this situation to be handled. He didn’t dismiss my plea by how he sent a small nod to my direction only seen by me but he neither did validate the answer I wanted if he was with me or against me.

His eyes turned back to Thomas and I could not understand why in fact Thomas was treated harshly like John was. Bortums was more than aware that Thomas would never involve himself into helping John to cause harm to me. None of the androids' decisions made any sense. I could not see if they were protecting me or wanting to give out a punishment. I stopped when I reached a safe distance and spoke to them.

‘’ John, This will not be the old days when you had all the field and grass to torment me and out of reach of everybody’s sight. You will be picked up from the ground in the same way toddlers do when they throw a tantrum. This time I have more help than I did before. The reason behind this treatment is because you caused enough distress that my androids were forced to act and protect me from any harm especially when one of them excellents on picking up distress signals.’’ I said with a firm voice and enough confidence to make John rethink this whole situation.

The tension still lingered and John was careful by his choice of words, I saw how his fingers reached for the backside of his neck and he quickly put his hand down when he came in contact with Talus’s hands. The anger on his face was concealed but I could tell by how his mouth curled so slightly and his eyes filled with hate. His jaw was locked and his forehead was covered with sweat as the red color reached his neck. By his second deep breath he returned back to my gaze with blank eyes but I caught the small movement on his lips as he spoke.

‘’ Then why are your imbecilic androids holding your precious Thomas by the same standards as me if you solely wanted to give out punishment.’’ He said with his lip snarled so slightly and his voice hoarse from all the anger.

I closed our distance and was only a couple feets away from him. I had to respond back quickly before I could be interrupted or worse be exposed to John and Thomas that my androids had an awareness that could be a threat to our nation. Seeing the awareness the androids possessed made me terrified and rethink my decisions if they were truly a blessing.

But at the same time I couldn’t help to wonder what harm I have caused other than John being picked up from the ground compared to what the government or a political person would do if they got their hands on the androids. All I did was to place the androids into a vanity like trophies and claim the awards and prizes that came with the existence of the androids and placing myself as their creator.

In fact my decision is keeping everybody safe and sound from having their homes destroyed or innocent lives being taken. My morals and standards would be dismissed by the wrong people if they were the one who stumbled on the path of the androids in a pit left by the meteor that night.

I am doing this for our people and our planet so that the greedy powerful people and the government can not take advantage of the androids. It's the safest option and I will not let John destroy everything I have built by simply hiding behind that the androids took extreme measures and that they have the mental capacity as us humans or even more intelligence.

‘’ John, see me and Thomas are not close as you believe we have our disagreements and to my androids I am fully aware that my distress caused you to take this extreme action but I do not command you to inflict any injury to John or Thomas.’’ I said with a calm voice as I waited for the reaction my androids would take. Would they dismiss my orders or would they ignore my attempts to put an end to this situation.

‘’ The order programmed by the data of the radar has been disarmed. Proceeding to inform the consequences of misleading and triggering the radar to the boy. Access denied or accepted by Miss Holmes? ‘’ Bortums said with a robotic voice and waited for instructions from me.

As soon as I heard Bortums responding back with a robotic voice relief came over me because that voice he used was similar to the one I trained him to use whenever I had orders for him in order to make me seem believable in front of the other people. I was aware that Bortums was hinting me to accept his other option of punishing John for sending distress alarms by me to him and his companions.

I could not see another option and if I refused the more peaceful option by Bortums I would be forced to accept Talus' way of punishment. If I showed any doubts of John receiving simple civil information by Bortums Talus would believe that John deserves to have all of his body parts ripped off by his socket.

‘’ Request denied, there is no reason to take an extreme action to discipline an adult with childish yet reckless manners. Each adults have their own consequences by authorities or the law.’’ I said with a careful tone afraid that Talus would believe John deserves a painful lesson.

Silence crept as we waited for the action that was going to be followed by Bortums. Would he expose my fake authority in front of them leaving his endgame behind? Or could he resist the nature of his overpowering authority to take control.

Bortums loud and quick steps shattered the quiet and calm atmosphere when he walked to the closet empty classroom and dragged Thomas in with him followed by his companions and John. John’s crew was frightened by this sudden change of atmosphere and flead the scene. I had to resist my own nature of choosing flight and I ran to them knowing they wouldn’t close the door.

The door was wide open and I was aware that Bortums was playing mind games on me, keeping me on the edge if he was going to expose me in front of Thomas and John but I could not see the reason no matter how hard I thought about it. The realization slowly crept on me as I grew more aware that Bortums wanted me to watch as he took command and full control over this situation and how helpless I truly were. If he decided to allow Talus to rip John apart then my bluff would have come to the light in front of Thomas.

I Stepped into the room and saw empty chairs and desk boards. I scanned the room quickly in order to be sure there was not a terrified student hiding somewhere. I filled my lungs in with the cold air coming from the small gap of the large window. If I closed that window it would turn into a panic from Thomas and John because they would believe that I was supporting Bortums reckless behavior.

My mind was racing with thoughts with which action had to be first closing the window so that no one could misunderstand and hear their panics or focus all my attention on stopping Bortums? I had to do something quick.

‘’ I know how this seems the most reasonable action to take considering how John has taken reckless and immature actions towards me but this is a student and a human being. Do you know what would happen if any of these two students were injured by artificial intelligence life?’’ I said with hope that Bortums would refrain from taking justice for me. I said with concern and almost pleading I couldn’t see another option. I walked closer to them and with my hands down in a reassuring position to calm the situation down.

‘’ The knowledge of human versus artificial intelligence life is unlimited in my database and the consequences that follow within. Informing this student of the great dangers of sending false threats to my radar is a priority created by you which I can not ignore.’’ Said Bortums motionless there seemed to be no hidden agenda behind his words.

Bortums turned his attention back to John and did not loosen his grip onto Thomas. It was at this moment I grew aware of Bortums unfair treatment towards Thomas who only wanted to put an end to John’s uncontrollable outburst and behavior.

My gaze flicked to Thomas and John and saw how both of them were held by their shirts. Bortums speech on informing John made no sense to me when he refused to loosen his grip on Thomas nor set him down. I had no time to solely focus on the mistreatment of Thomas when a bloodbath was only minutes away. Bortums voice brought me out of my thoughts as he spoke directly to John.

‘’ John Wiliams, By the dawn of the sun you will be aware of misleading and sending false data to the radar will follow you until you have put an end to your violations of this radar. The radar is only an arm length from me and within seconds I am aware if you have violated your pledge of not repeating your actions. Do you accept this information and pledge to not repeat your action or do you deny it.’’ Said Bortums as he towered over John with Thomas still held under him.

Bortums overtowering John made the situation more terrifying and alarming; the androids reached over the average male height but they were nowhere close to being a giant. John was engulfed by wrath; the small motion by his hands showed his fear towards Bortums. John was quick to give him the answer he searched for: where does this leave me? Throwing myself between them was swimming with sharks; you could never trust their intentions.

‘’ I pledge to not repeat any of my actions nor violate your orders. I accept all the information that comes within you and your database.’’ Said John through his teeth a simple tear rolled down his cheek. I was more than aware of what that tear meant.

John was the type to get overwhelmed when he does not achieve his desires on causing destruction or when he is refused something. Countless times I have seen a simple tear escape from his left eye and resentment following afterwards. Simply out of pure anger a tear follows by and leaves a suffocating anger plastered on his face.

A loud thump followed when John was dropped roughly on the floor by Talus, John struggled to get up and I rushed towards him holding him up by lending a shoulder for him to rest on as he got up on his feets. He stumbled through the hallway and I supported him until we came closer to the cafeteria. I swiftly checked for any injuries when my hand came in contact on his stomach as he slightly bent over almost losing his balance.

I was quick to hold him up once again and he turned his head close to mine, his blonde hair moved into all one place it hid almost half of his eyebrow only leaving one of his eyes in the view. He glared at me with a red watery eye, illusioning another tear falling down his cheek.

I turned to move away from him but he beat me to it and pushed me out of his arms. I stumbled a bit. I was not surprised by his outburst but only by the nerve he had when he was well aware that the androids would pick him again if they saw him.

John was close to me as he was to walk past me and spoke under his breath with a clear warning that left me overwhelmed and regretting my decision to not let the androids leave him in a critical condition.

‘’ If it is not you then it will be your precious Thomas or even better your defendless grandma.’’He said through his teeth in a low voice only meant for me to hear. I couldn’t feel the hard nudge he gave me as he walked deep into the halls and disappeared. I was stuck with the threadfull feeling consuming every nerve in my body. I knew what he was capable of and all the resources he and his family possessed to make a person's life a living hell.

Him having a powerful father who had the connections to make criminal records disappear like a magic trick, John was dangerous and was too important to leave him deserted in space. He was protected by many people who would turn every stone upside down in order to find him. It would have been easier to assaiante the president than to take out John.

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