4.3

"So what are you guys really up to?"

Haven looked at Petra without answering, not immediately at least.

Ember's voice flowed out of the laptop.

"Just a little project."

Petra didn't turn away from Haven. And pressed on.

"What project?"

"You know already," Haven said.

"The SDC? What's so important about it? Why is it the first thing?"

"Mr Thorne is the target really," Wale said. "The SDC is the easiest way to him."

"The SDC is equally culpable," Haven said.

"Oh?" Wale said. "Right. The SDC and Thorne are the targets really."

"For what they did to you?" Petra asked.

"No," Haven said.

"For Mr Jonas," Wale said.

Petra wasn't pleased. "Why not for you?"

Haven didn't answer. Wale was silent too, probably a little surprised and a little scared.

"Because they're not worth it," Ember said. "And it's better getting revenge without being caught, isn't it? Everyone will think it's about the SDC and Thorne's arrogance. And Thorne himself will be knocked down without understanding exactly why, so he'll have to struggle to discover the actual reason. Another round of pain for him."

"Sometimes, Ember is much better than the rest of you," Petra said.

Wale laughed. Haven smiled. Ember's silent smile was the loudest.

"So, what's the rest of the plan?" Petra went on to ask.

"Third assault is Romos Farleone," Haven said.

"Romos is another director on the board. He isn't very fond of Dartagne. And he probably got himself involved with Imhohep as a means of getting back at Dartagne. We can only guess," Ember said.

"You're going to release evidence of the connection?" Petra asked.

"Yes. And more," Wale said.

"I want in," Petra said.

And there was silence.

"Not this time," Haven said. "Not the next time either. Or the time after. Later, sure."

"Why?" Petra asked.

"It's important," Haven said.

"Has to be this way," Ember said.

"Sorry," Wale said.

The three of them were all so serious, Petra didn't insist. The message was loud and clear. These three were personal. And maybe there was more.

"Promise, later?" Petra said.

"Yes," the three said together.

"Okay," Petra said. "Can I watch?"

"Sure," the three again said together.

"Can I make a request?" Petra asked.

"Sure," Haven said.

"I want Thorne to hurt," Petra said. "Bad. And then more. He lost me brother for so many years."

"Sweetheart, he will hurt," Ember said softly, which made her sound much more menacing.

"Yeah," Petra said happily. And then, asked. "What did he do to Artie?"

"Artie wasn't fond of the SDC," Haven said. "He sided with the students, especially when they were harshly treated. And so, Thorne had Artie dismissed."

"He dare," Petra said, in a low voice that was truly terrifying.

Haven nodded. Ember smiled.

Wale wanted to disappear. He had seen Petra's anger once before. And he felt scarred, for life. That girl is the devil, he told everyone. Including Petra. And he shuddered when Petra was beside herself with joy at the compliment.

"He will hurt," Ember said.

*

Romos Farleone didn't expect to be pulled into it. He was enjoying the show quite a bit. Even more when Dartagne got pulled into it. He was delirious when Dartagne apologized. And he was decidedly blind to Nate's support. It was all a show to him, because he was in no way involved. He never acted openly in support of Imhohep. He didn't even like Imhohep very much. Thought Imhohep was yet to grow, and wasn't the man Imhohep saw himself as. But none of that concerned him. He just knew Imhohep would one day kick up trouble and that would drag Dartagne into it. That was all he wanted.

And he was absolutely right.

He was also very wrong. Because he did get dragged into it. He was looking at the screen stunned.

"Romos Farleone – the Director behind Imhohep Thorne. Why? What is the connection?"

It was an anonymous post, and it was the kind of thing that went viral.

Before he could react, there were hundreds of replies. People's imaginations drew up so many absurd scenarios, bizarre stories, he wanted to laugh. Unfortunately, he knew, he was convinced himself, that there was something nefarious about the connection.

He was a smart man though. And he knew the best course of action for now, was to remain absolutely silent.

That was exactly what he did.

*

Imhohep wasn't in a good situation. He wanted to scream at every single one of them on the wide web, spewing such absurd words from behind the protection of the screen. He wanted to show them how wrong they were. The SDC was good. It ensured the school was at its best, the students were at their best. And such an environment ensured the best academic performance. The grades proved that. He simply couldn't understand what was so detestable about being the best you could be.

And he hated that the school bulletin was no different. Students were rebelling. That was understandable. They were juvenile. Stupid. Didn't know what was good for them. But why wasn't the school acting on it? The SDC had presented a solution. The bulletin was to be temporarily monitored, until the situation improved. After all it was distracting the students from what was truly important, their academics. Why wouldn't the school agree? Why wouldn't principal Ingaard agree? Wasn't that why he was made the principal, after Mr Onass retired? Because he supported the SDC? And didn't they understand that this was a truly sensitive time for the SDC? This could affect the council's decision, about implementing the SDC in all schools. That was such an important thing, such a good thing.

As if that wasn't enough, everyone was looking at him strange. Sure, others in the SDC were looked at strangely too, but he was the head of the SDC. He was the one who brought it about. He was the most important. So, he was stared at much more. That was perfectly reasonable. The strange looks weren't. Forget the students. The teachers too?

And what was the big deal about Artie Jonas's dismissal? He wasn't sensible. He was no different from the students. Sure, other teachers held the same opinion. But they didn't act out openly. He did. He couldn't even see that his actions were undermining the SDC. He couldn't understand that the SDC was more important than them individually. It was only right to let him go. Why was everyone making such a big deal of it?

And why was everyone calling him a liar? He, Imhohep Thorne, had been responsible for the expulsion of Haven Orion. The boy didn't deserve a place at such an institution. The boy was better off at some fringe school, just like the one the boy went to. Haven found the right place. Wasn't that good? Hadn't he done good for the boy?

The frustration was slowly turning into disbelief. He couldn't believe that he was deemed unimpressive by the interview panel, and that he only was hired because uncle Thorne was on the board. That had to be a lie made up by crazy people on the wide web. But then, they presented evidence. They presented the transcripts of the panel. Uncle Thorne too stood by them. Uncle Thorne disapproved of the SDC too. He realized he had been wrong all along. Uncle Thorne's silence didn't mean approval. And uncle Thorne speaking out now was clearly disappointment at him.

He was even more startled with another director being dragged in. He hoped the crazies were right. That there was someone standing by him. But Romos Farleone never spoke up. Almost as if it wasn't worth responding to. As if he wasn't worth it.

The students clearly hated him. If he spoke one wrong word, they would probably beat him up. So, he remained silent. His colleagues distance themselves from him. Those that were always against him were acting like he was only getting what was due. And those that agreed with him, were starting to wonder if they were maybe wrong. No one spoke a word more than what was necessary. Even at home, everyone looked at him different. Some were laughing. Some were hiding their thoughts. The elders were all looking at with sadness and sympathy.

He didn't understand a thing.

And then, he received the mail from the school board.

*

[Ember]: He's been dismissed. The SDC has been shut down.

[Wale]: Look at those celebrations. It's like the new years.

[Ember]: It's the independence day.

[Ember]: The board even wants to hire Mr Jonas back. They are divided over it.

[Wale]: Of course.

[Wale]: Not that Mr Jonas would want to go back.

[Ember]: Maybe he does. It is the school he taught at for so long.

[Haven]: Change is good. Artie deserves better.

[Ember]: He really agreed to teach at Stine?

[Haven]: He's interviewing with prof Winse next week.

[Wale]: We missed out!

[Haven]: No one's stopping you from attending.

[Wale]: Yes!

[Ember]: Should we plan a welcome party?

[Haven]: He wouldn't particularly like that.

[Ember]: So, we should.

[Haven]: Yes.