manda . r a i

[EXTRAORDINARY]] PAGE SEVENTEEN

"Eh Mouse, are ya gonna answer us?" Rachel stepped forward. ""Talk to us Mouse. I said talk to us!" Rachel and Melissa both bent down to eye level with Sandra. "Look at US Mouse, not the floor."

Sandra slowly, timidly, lifted her head to look at Rachel and Melissa. Her eyes were puddles of tears, however she had fire in them. Her pupils were no longer there, instead they were replaced with tiny lapping flames. Rachel and Melissa stared at Sandra in horror. "What the hell is that?" Rachel asked nervously. Sandra was unconscious of the fire in her eyes, she only felt her anger, her weakness against Melissa and Rachel. Melissa and Rachel both took a step back from the flames in Sandra's eyes. "Dude, what's wrong with you?" Melissa exclaimed. Sandra continued staring at Melissa with her eyes, she was unaware of the power she had in her eyes, but she knew that something was different. Melissa and Rachel were actually backing off. They weren't oppressing on her anymore. She stared in amazement as Rachel and Melissa went back to their group of friends and suggested, "Let's go to class."

Rachel's friends stared in disbelief as Rachel flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder and sauntered down the hallway. But being obedient, they followed her. Melissa turned around for one last evil glare at Sandra before leaving.

Sandra slowly got up from the floor. What just happened? Why did she leave? What happened? It was you Sandra, you showed power. You showed signs of being a great Craftmaster. You did it Sandra. You were the one who sent them away. Be prepared Sandra. You have more power in you than what you'd ever had thought

Kevin watched all that happened in a room dimly lit by candles. His shoes clicked against stones as he paced about, his stern brown eyes watching the image before him. He saw the fire in Sandra's eyes, saw her confusion. He laughed joyfully as Rachel left Sandra. Sandra's going to be a good Craftmaster. Yes she is.

Melissa popped another chip in her mouth as she stood with Rachel and the rest of their group in their spot at break. She offered the bag to everyone else, and continued eating. "So, what do ya'll think?" she asked between bites.

"I dunno, it was pretty creepy," Rachel answered. "Did ya see what was in her eyes? It was hella freaky!"

"There's something totally wrong with her," Melissa chewed thoughtfully on a chip. "I mean, there must be something wrong with her! Who else could do that with their eyes?"

"Well, whatever it was, we've got to get to the bottom of this," Rachel declared. "Why don't we go ask Mousie?"

"Yeah," everyone else agreed.

"Let's gang up on her after school, I can't wait to see her fear..." Rachel laughed, an evil glint in her eyes.

Sandra stayed in after the bell, pretending to get some extra help from her English teacher, Mr. Mattenson. She secretly prayed that Rachel wouldn't go near her after school. Sandra tried dragging out their conversation longer by pretending to not understand what Mr. Mattenson told her. She knew he was getting exasperated, but she didn't care. It was better than seeing Rachel after school. "Sandra? Sandra!" Mr. Mattenson's stern voice blew into her mind. "Sandra dear, it won't help at all if I explain this and you're not listening to me."

Sandra snapped her head up to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry Mr. Mattenson, I just had things on my mind." She could tell he was going to tell her to leave, to stop wasting his time.

"Now Sandra, do you want me to explain this to you or not?" He scratched his beard and rearranged his glasses on his nose.

"Yes please, sir, I would like you to," Sandra stammered, hoping that this will take up enough time for her to get home safely.

"Are you sure Sandra? To me it seems as if you've got a lot on your mind, and if I said anymore you wouldn't be listening to me, and I'd just be wasting my breath," Mr. Mattenson leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on his desk. His irritated stare caused Sandra to take a step back. She quickly changed her mind.
"Never mind Mr. Matteson, I think I understand now, thank you for your time sir." She quickly shuffled out the door. The hallway seemed clear as she scurried down it to her locker. Hastily she turned her combination, and shoved her extra books and binders in. She slammed her locker shut and briskly walked down the hallway. She turned the corner... only to bump into Rachel and her friends.

Sandra drew back a step and stumbled into Melissa. Why are they here again? Wasn't this morning enough? Sandra tried to stand up to Rachel's face, "What do you want Rachel?"

"Ooo.. lookit Mousie get tough here," Rachel stepped back in feigned fear. "So Mouse, what was up with today?"

"What do you mean what was up with today?" Sandra asked, confused.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about Mouse," Rachel said threateningly, "and we're not leaving until we get to the bottom of this. So you better speak up Mouse!"

"Totally girl, you better tell us what you're up to. We all saw you today Mouse, and we know there's something wrong with you, and we're going nowhere until we learn what it is." Melissa added.

Sandra was bewildered by their accusations. "I have no clue what you're talking about. Leave me alone!" She tried pushing against Rachel toward the door outside. But Rachel held her back with a strong force.

"Woah... I don't think so Mouse, you're going nowhere." Rachel sneered. "What was it? Have you been taking some kind of drug? We all saw the fire in your eyes, what was it? Huh?" Rachel relentlessly barraged her with more questions.

Sandra felt puzzled, even she herself didn't know what it was. She was unaware of anything that happened to her. "I don't even know what you're talking about Rachel, why don't you tell me what happened?" Sandra's glare matched with Rachel's.

Rachel narrowed her eyes. "Don't play games with me Mouse, I know that you know what you did. And if you don't tell us, then we'll find a way to make you." Rachel advanced on Sandra, however this time Sandra stood her ground. "Do you understand Mouse? I'll give you one more day to think about it, and we'll talk tomorrow." Rachel glared at Sandra once more and left the building. Melissa and the rest followed her.

Sandra let out the long breath she had been holding. I did it. I stood up to Rachel. I stood up to her. A feeling of bliss and accomplishment washed over her. I did it! I did it! I did it! She walked out of the school building and headed home, feeling like she beat an unsurpassable opponent. All was right with the world until she turned the corner on her block.

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