ALEXiThymiA: Chapter 23: Pecking Order

Chapter 23

Pecking Order

“Come here.”

It had already begun. First day, and the old students were already trying to establish dominance. This time it came in the form of a Mind Controller, or MC for short, trying to exert their dominance over Alexa.

Alexa’s substantial Willpower alone was likely more than enough to withstand the attempts currently plaguing her. But then you add in the fact that her top right pin clearly showed the depiction for Mind Shield, and the attempted abuse of power had no effect whatsoever.

The MC in this case appeared to be the leader of a small pack of students, most of whom were seniors. Some had two or three pins, but that was it. The majority, like this leader, had only one pin denoting their abilities.

Alexa for her part didn’t rise to the bait, and instead just held up her pointer finger.

“Wait, don’t you tell me to wait. I said, come here!” This time the commander put more power behind his words.

Alexa, still never turning towards the senior, just shook her head and held up two fingers.

“You cannot resist me. I said, come here now!”

Alexa held up three fingers for all to see for a moment.

Then she disappeared.

“What?”

“Huh?”

Then just as quickly as she disappeared, she reappeared in front of the MC.

Alexa’s eyes were calm. Even her body posture could be seen as relaxed, which was why what happened next utterly terrified everyone.

One second Joe Dugan, the MC, and de facto leader of the number two group in the school was standing on the ground. Then the next, he was being held up high by his jaw, as the 6’2 powerhouse of a girl he had just been trying to MC, was now holding him a good foot off the ground.

Joe kicked his feet out ineffectually, but his attributes were clearly nothing in comparison to this girl who had to be descended from trolls.

Then, before anyone could say anything. The girl began speaking, in a calm cold tone that seemed utterly incongruous with her current actions of holding Joe off the ground by his jaw. Not his neck, not his face. Just two fingers pinched squarely on his jawbone, then the base of her hand resting under said jaw to provide lift.

“Hello. My name is Alexa Thyme. I am a Sophomore and a Healer. I do not like bullies, being hazed, or any other rituals you might subject new people to.” Cold as ice, so cold that the words cut through everyone like an arctic breeze.

“I especially don’t like people trying to Mind Control me. Three times you tried your powers on me. I even held up a finger letting you know I noticed your attempts. Still, you persisted.” This time Alexa turned her full attention onto Joe. For this part, Alexa bent her elbow so they could see eye to eye. Joe was not very tall, so even at eye level he had to stretch to let get his feet to touch the ground.

“I could tell you what would happen should anyone attempt to do what you just did. But I have learned that such actions come across as idle threats, and eventually people feel the need to push and test boundaries. So, for you, I will be lenient. I will only give you a partial demonstration of what would happen, should you, or anyone else, ever, attempt to Mind Control either me, or my brother.”

Murmur.

Some of the kids at the back were jostling to get a better view. By now many kids had their phones out and were recording everything. A few had their phones out recording from the very beginning, as if they were going to record the new kid getting hazed and post it to a school forum. Those kids, they were the ones who had the biggest look of shock on their faces, as this had not gone as they had planned at all.

Wham.

Alexa dropped the boy down quickly onto the ground, hard enough to cracking his kneecaps against the marble flooring.

Then Alexa proceeded to describe what she would do, as she did it. “First I will rip open the Mind Controller’s mouth, like so.” With that she applied force to the jaw.

Crack, pop.

There was an audible popping sound, as a little too much pressure was applied to the boy’s jawbone, causing the bone to become unhinged.

“Next I will take my hand and shove it into their mouth.” Once again, Alexa did was she said.

“Since this is a first warning to you all, I will stop my demonstration here. But I will continue to describe what I will do to the next person. From her I will shove my hand down your throat, through your stomach, out your pelvis, where I will proceed to grab your tiny little sac, you call your balls. Then I will pull said ball sac up through your body, and leave them for you to choke on, in your throat.” At this, Alexa shoved three fingers down the boy’s throat to induce vomiting.

The force didn’t take long, as he was quickly vomiting up and over Alexa’s hand. Once the boy produced the desired effect, she removed her hand entirely from his mouth. Then began to lock gazes with everyone who was watching the display. Finally, her gaze stopped as she locked gazes with the one kid who had been recording the whole incident from the beginning. She then proceeded to direct her statements towards the senior, who was gagging and gasping for air through an unhinged jaw. Tears were welling up in his eyes, as he was clearly in pain from the whole ordeal.

“This one time, I will heal you.” Alexa said, as a wave of green light left her hand and went into Joe’s body.

Within seconds, the pain that was evident on his face a moment ago relaxed, as he visibly relaxed. Alexa let go of him, and he collapsed with a sigh of relief, right into the pile of his own vomit.

With this, Alexa looked up and started counting on her fingers while she went through this next part.

“Let’s see, that seems to be about three for three. Three attempts for Mind Control, for your broken jaw, your broken knees, and your vomit covered clothes.”

Alexa paused as she looked at the man, who only now was showing signs of being able to move under their own control.

“Wha? Why? It was just a…” He began.

Alexa looked down at the boy, who was on the ground. “Joseph Eugene Dugan.” Alexa said the boy’s name, like it was some type of summoning invocation for a minor demon.

“You might think this was too much. But I’ve seen your shaming site. Your friend,” Alexa pointed a finger at the small boy who had been recording even before the incident began.

“He was going to film me being tormented by you. The same way you did to so many other students. Well now, you get to be added to that shame site. This video better be uploaded to your shame site by tonight, just as all the other ones were. Label it whatever you want, but know that if it is not there, you and I will talk tomorrow. And trust me, you do not want to talk to me again.”

“Mmm, okay.” Joe muttered as he stared up into Alexa’s relentlessly cold eyes.

With that, Alexa stood up straight, as she looked around the hallway, locking gazes with every student. “Anyone else want to use this moment to exert dominance, to show their superiority? I don’t mind. In fact, I would think better of you for doing so now. Saves me time of you hunting me down later, when we’d have to go through all this again.” Alexa said the last part as she gestured at Joe who was only now getting to his knees as he tried to get up quickly. He reached out a vomit and slime covered hand to his friends to get some assistance, but no one wanted to touch him in the state he was in.

Finally, Joe got to his feet and began walking away. Everyone wisely made room for him, as he made a walk of shame to the bathroom.

Alexa used this moment to make her own exit.

“Okay then. Once again in case you missed it. I am the new healer here, don’t mess with me, or my brother.” With that, Alexa herself began to move, opting to use the bathroom in a different hall herself, if only to wash her hands.

The moment she left; the spell of silence that had descended on the hallway suddenly lifted. Then everyone went to Steve Nickolich, the boy from Joe’s crew who had been tasked with recording the entire incident.

“Steve, share that video with me.”

“Me too.”

“Hahaha, finally he gets what he deserves.”

“Yeah, serves him right.”

“You know I am still recording, right?” Steve asked.

“Yeah, so. It still serves him right.”

At that, Steve stopped recording and began sharing the video with everyone. He even made sure to upload the video to their site right away, as he did not want that scary girl coming to talk with him.

“Sweet, thanks Steve, you’re the best.”

“Thank you.” A chorus of girls chimed out, as they thanked Steve for the video as well.

Ding dong.

The campus bell denoting that there were only five minutes until first classes started began to chime.

With that everyone who had been in the antiquated Introductory corridor, or hazing hall, began to leave. There was only one reason for everyone to come here, as this was the first time to see the new students and see them get humiliated. Or at least that was how the hollowed tradition had normally gone every Monday, until this Monday.

Luke, who up until this point had been speaking privately with Mr. Mackie, the school’s dean of discipline, of course missed the entire commotion.

Fortunately, Mr. Mackie was in attendance and walked Luke to his first class.

“This is Mr. Thyme; he is one of our two new students.” Mr. Mackie said, as he led Luke into the classroom.

With that one simple gesture, Luke’s first day of being a student at Dawning Light High began.

Luke found that most of the seats were already taken, so he ended up finding an open seat near the back.

As he made his way, back he saw a lot of people look at him with confusion at first, then dawning recognition.

“Oh, that’s him, right?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Two girls spoke in hushed whispers as he walked past.

“Do you think…” They continued to speak, but Luke was now too far away to even pick up on their muted conversation.

When he sat down in the back, he felt several people turn his way to look at him. Then they all stopped, as he locked gazes with them. Luke for his part felt like a rabbit staring down a wolf. A den of hungry wolves who had everything needed for rabbit stew, except the rabbit.

“Class, this is our new transfer student. He and his twin sister are recently pre-awakens, please be courteous to him. While he and his sister are both sophomores, they will be joining the Junior class when it comes to academics, sports, and other activities.”

“So, it was him.”

A few people confirmed as they looked back at Luke. Who once again realized he was missing something important.

“Now, now class. There will be plenty of time to talk to him in a bit, but first let us proceed with our lesson. Who can tell us when the first form of powers began to appear?”

“Right after the wormhole exploded.”

“Correct. What was the next major action?”

“The appearance of dungeons?” A girl asked, more than stated when called upon.

The class went, until finally they were given a few minutes to work on pages that were assigned.

Luke was about to go into his own work, when the boy next to him began talking.

“So, you are the brother of that Healer?”

“Yes.” Luke said, a bit of questioning to his voice.

“I bet she is super smart too.”

“Yeah.”

“Figures, that’s why she is probably at the AP class, versus being stuck here with us.” The boy continued.

“What? How do you know about her?” Luke began, then a bigger concern welled up in his gut. “Wait, has she done anything?”

“HAHAHA! Oh, you don’t know? Man, this is good. Hey, Ty, it seems that the brother doesn’t know that his sister is now the most sought-after person.” The boy said, talking to the boy to his left, two seats away from Luke.

“What? No way. Say, he might know. Have you asked him if we can get her number?” The other boy, Ty asked.

“I don’t know, let me check.” The talkative boy said, then turning back to Luke he asked. “Hey, is your sister seeing anyone?”

“What?” The question was just so absurd that Luke had to blink to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. The thought of his cold emotionless sister dating? “No, that… just no.”

“So, you’re saying I have a chance?” The talkative boy said.

“In your dreams Frank, that girl is way out of your league.” Ty said, apparently referring to the talkative boy as Frank.

With that, the talkative boy, Frank, turned to Luke and asked. “Honestly do I have a chance? Just tell me what type of guys she is into?”

“Guys?” Luke asked, again this had never come up. Most guys were afraid of Alexa, which was why the dating venture was so successful. It helped both humanize Alexa, while getting it so the other boys didn’t do exactly this.

Tingling sensation.

Luke felt like his mind was tingling, ever so slightly.

“He’s right. She doesn’t have a type. But she does have a dating program.” The girl in front of Frank said, as she turned around and looked at Luke. “What’s the site?”

“Site?”

“There is a site?”

Tingling sensation, again.

“Never mind,I got it.” the girl said, as she already began typing away at her phone.

“Wait, there is a dating site? For Alexa?” Frank asked, pulling out his own phone in preparation.

“Not a dating site. It is a date consultation. You take her out, choose the venue, the attire, and if she accepts you go out on for a two hour time slot. After which, she rates and reviews you, so others will see your value as a date candidate.”

“There is also a Selfie at the end.” The girl in front said, as she pulled up a picture of Alexa’s most recent consultation. The one where she smiled brightly at the camera, while an exhausted Johnny Mitchel looked like he was close to collapsing.

“Yeah, everyone who goes on the Date Consultation gets to take a selfie and post it on their social media sites. Then if anyone asks, they can refer back to the link we provide on the score received.” Luke said, the old sales pitch coming back.

“Who is this guy, Johnny Mitchel. He got the highest rank and a personal note. Had a great time. Would love to go on a repeat DC anytime. ‘A’.” The girl asked. “Are they a thing?”

“No.” Luke shot that train of thought down immediately. Honestly Luke still didn’t know what happened between the two, but he was not going to get in the middle of that.

“So, uh. Can girls go on these Date thingies too? Or is it jut for guys?” The girl asked.

At that Luke paused and considered the question.

“You know I don’t know. I don’t think Alexa would mind, its just that none of the other girls even asked.”

“Well aren’t you Luke Thyme?” The girl asked.

“Yeah?”

“Well it has you listed as the Point of Contact for all date vettings. So go ahead, vet me.”

“You sound like you are calling yourself a dog, when you say that.” Frank said.

“That’s because she is a bitch, and won’t give us that link so we can apply too.” The other boy Ty admitted.

“Of course, I need to monopolize this advantage while I can.” The girl said.

“Wait, wait. You all want to pay, to go on a date consultation with my sister, where the only promise is to do an activity that you want, and provide a selfie as proof afterwards?” Luke asked. He knew his sister was pretty, probably too pretty, but this, this was a bit excessive.

Ping.

A personal message from their dating site chimed on Luke’s phone.

Message: One Gina Rojas has applied to be a Date Consultation Candidate.

“Hell yeah.” The girl in front of Frank called out.

Looking up from his phone he pointed a finger at the girl “Gina?”

“Yep.” The girl said, as she sat up straight and began to preen with excitement.

“Come on, give us the site already.” Frank demanded.

“Fine, stop being such a baby. You knew I would give it to you.” Gina replied.

“Only after you applied first.” Ty and Frank complained almost in unison.

“Of course, I had to claim dibs.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Luke said, “did I miss something? Why are all of you so interested in my sister?”

Frank and Ty stared at Luke with their jaws dropped, as they wondered if he was stupid.

Tingle.

Once again there was a tingle in Luke’s mind. Then Gina began to squirm.

“Oh my gosh. He doesn’t know.”

“Know what?”

“What?” Ty and Frank asked in unison.

“Look, I’ll tell you, but it means I get first date.” Gina said.

“Date consultation.”

“Yeah, whatever. It’s a date, and that selfie will prove it.” Gina said, as a feral gleam filled her eyes.

Frank and Ty shared a glance at first, then as if in realization, they both turned to be the first to state what they were thinking, but Gina had already beat them to it.

“Your sister powned Joe Dugan like he was a little bitch. Then she threatened to rip off his balls and make him choke on them, before shoving her hand halfway down his throat to get him to vomit. Oh, gods…she is so sexy.” Gina said, excitedly.

Luke for his part, could only stare on in utter shock, as his worst fears came true. Not only did she get into a fight, but she did so on the first day.

“She did what?” Was all Luke could offer.

“I’ve got the video right here.” Frank said, as he pulled out his phone.

“We all do.” Gina chimed in.

Ping.

Message from Gina Rojas: https://…

Do you wish to accept message contact?

At the same time, Frank already played the video that showed his sister doing exactly what they said.

“Oh no, this is bad.” Luke said, as he realized he would have to report this to the captain. Worse, he would have to explain why he wasn’t there to protect her.

“Don’t worry, she made it clear. You are off limits.” Frank said, reassuringly, as the final part of the video played. Where a cold voice said a phrase that sent shivers down his spine.

“Okay then. Once again, in case you missed it. I am the new healer here, don’t mess with me, or my brother.”

“Don’t look so stressed. After that performance, no one would dare touch you.” Frank said, patting Luke on the shoulder.

“Yeah, not unless they want to get the one true Healer mad at them.” Ty added.

There was of course the bigger concern on Luke’s mind. Part of what he and Mr. Mackie had spoken about, that was what Luke was frightened of currently.