Fan Fiction ❯ Saving Alexi ❯ The Explosion ( Chapter 1 )

Alexi sat in the cramped guidance counselor's office, her arms folded across her chest. She glared at the petite woman, who was busy skimming through Alexi's records. This is taking forever, she thought. I can't believe the silly broad brought me down to the office!

Alexi had been personally escorted to the office by her history teacher only thirty minutes ago. The red-face teacher had shoved her into the office, exclaiming, "Please deal with this girl!" She then stormed out the office, muttering about quitting her job. Alexi had simply smirked as she sat down in the hard plastic chair across from the Counselor Haily's desk.

Alexi's reputation for being a troublemaker began when she first arrived at the prestigious boarding school. She had been awarded a full scholarship and monthly stipend from some scholarship program that recognized her 3.9 grade point average in her elementary school and middle school years. Alexi readily accepted the scholarship, glad to get away from the foster parents who usually to busy working to notice she was alive.

Linden Academy was a school not every student could get into. Almost all the students hailed from upper-class family from across the country. Alexi had tried hard to fit in with the students, but her status as a scholarship student made her an outcast. The fact that she had been able to skip her ninth grade year due to high exam test scores didn't make her popular either. In rebellion, Alexi gave up on trying to fit in and decided to make her mark in other ways. She started playing pranks on anyone that annoyed her, and soon became feared by half the school, and admired by the other half. At that point, Alexi really didn't care what other students thought of her; her main goal was to have fun.

Counselor Haily let out a small sigh of frustration. "This is the fourth time this month you've been sent to my office Alexi," Haily said in what she thought was her soothing, "let-me-help-you" voice. Alexi had caught on to the woman silly attempt to cover her normally boisterous voice, and it only annoyed her. She sound like a donkey trying to sing quietly, thought Alexi.

"What's going on with you?" Counselor Haily asked. "I just don't get it. You're such a bright, talented girl Alexi. You SAT scores and GPA are exceptionally well, and I've heard that you singing skills are quite extraordinary. Why do you cause so much trouble in your classes?"

Alexi gave her the usual shrug. "I'm a senior," she said. "We do things like that."

"It's just you Alexi. You've destroyed lockers, killed three lab mice, and you've terrorized poor Mrs. Catale on a daily basis. Plus, it's rumored that you were the one who tried to hack into the school's computer system. Are you in need of-"

"Attention," Alexi finished Counselor Haily's sentence. "Nope. I'm just having a little fun."

Counselor Haily cleared her throat. "Too much fun." She said. "We've had this discussion too many times. We can't continue to give you detention. You only have two more months of school left. If you are sent to my office again, I'll have to talk with your parents and the principle about other methods of discipline."

Alexi shrugged again. Conselor Haily shook her head. Does anything get through to this girl? She thought as she began to write up Alexi a pass back to her classroom. She handed the pass to Alexi.

"Alexi," Said Counselor Haily. "You've got too much going on to waste it. Please just try not to get into anymore trouble okay?"

Alexi was tired of Counselor Haily's voice. One day I'll be your boss lady, she wanted to say. Instead, she gave Counselor Haily her usual feeble nod, stood up, and headed out the office.

Taylor parked his white Ford Taurus in the lot beside the school. He opened his glove compartment to retrieve the newspaper clipping Spawling had told him about. A yawn escaped his lips. Taylor had driven almost non-stop from Cleveland to Linden Academy in Baltimore, only taking a short detour to check out the microfiche files at a local library. Spawling hadn't given him a lot of info about the girl he was picking up; he only told Taylor about an article about Alexi in the Linden Academy four months ago. Apparently, the girl had received an award for something or other. Taylor was just amused at the expression on the girl's face in the picture. Although she had smile on her face as she shook the hand of a woman he assumed was the principal, he could sense the boredom she has been feeling that day.

Taylor opened his car door. He really hadn't come up with a plan to get Alexi to come with him. He'd never been on a mission like this, and he wasn't sure how to handle the situation. Normally, he just walked in, kicked an ass or two, do whatever else need to be done, then he's gone. But this was tricky. Linden was an elite academy filled with innocent teens, teachers, and a lot of security guards. If he slipped up, he could find himself in jail or putting someone in danger. He lit up a cigarette, and leaned against the car door. He looked up. A chubby man donned in a black Linden security outfit was coming in his direction.

"Excuse me," the security guards, gruff voice boomed. "Why aren't you in school? And there's no smoking on the campus!"

Taylor raised an eyebrow. "Student," he said, bemused. "I'm twenty-three years old. I haven't been to school in years."

The guard stared at him hard, as if he didn't believe it. After another moment, he said, "Well there's still no smoking on the campus, sir. And this parking lot is for students only. I'll have to ask you to move your car."

I'm not in the mood for this, thought Taylor, as he took the cigarette from his mouth. He tossed it at the leg of the guard. The guard let out a small yelp, taking a step back. Taylor smirked. Just then, something to the far right caught his eye. He turned towards the school. A young girl sauntered down the steps of the school, her book bag bouncing off her shoulder.

"Wait-It's her," said Taylor. He moved toward the school, ignoring the guard who was yelling at him. The guard reached out and grabbed Taylor's arm. He cried out as the blinding pain shooting into his nose as it made contact with Taylor's speeding fist.

"Take a break," Taylor said as the grip from the officer's arm loosened. He turned his attention back to the girl. She's supposed to be in class! He thought. Damn, I don't have anything to say to her. I'm supposed to have some time. Guess I'll have to go with plan B. He opened his car door, grabbed the small black revolver and cell phone from the passenger's seat.

"Dumb ass counselor," Alexi said as she headed back to her dorm room. She was still clutching the hall pass in her hand. "Like I was gonna go back to that crazy lady's class. I'm taking a half day." She looked around, surprised to see the front area clear from guards. Without another thought, she continued on.

Alexi turned down the narrow path that led to Linden's dormitories. She heard a rustling noise behind her, and stopped in her tracks. Instinctively she turned around. A man wearing jeans and a black T-shirt stood behind, a surprised expression on his face. She sized him up. The man was at least five inches and sixty pounds on her. A chill ran through Alexi's body, but she kept her expression cold.

Alexi gripped her bookbag. "Listen," she said in a low voice, "I've had a long day. Don't even think about trying to rape me or anything. I ain't as fragile as I look."

"I just came her to get you," the man said, "Just-" He stopped short when Alexi charged at him. She yanked the book bag from her shoulder and flung it at him with all her strength. Alexi managed to skim past him, running full speed back to the school.

Alexi's attacker was quick. He got a hold of her wrist and pulled him back to him. Alexi thrashed her arms and screamed, trying to escape. He pulled her to his chest, using his hand to cover his mouth. She heard him cry out in pain as she bit down hard on his finger. Alexi took that moment to stamp down on his foot, and break free from his grip. She started back to the school, screaming for attention. She jumped up the first two steps.

The sound was deafening.

The ground shook as the top of Linden Academy exploded. Debris shot up into the air, and rained down on trees, cars, and anything else in its way. Alexi didn't have time to move before a small piece of debris collided with her head.

Something's wrong with the school, she thought dreamily. She didn't feel the pain from the falling onto the steps as she blacked out.