8I9Q5 Part 2

Jaron grabbed his small, slender pill and a glass of water. The energy tablet seemed as if it held golden swirls of pine resin, but he knew very well from Biology that it was was a mixture of natural chemicals. In the past, as he learned in History, people actually had "meals", where they sat down and consumed crazily large quantities of food. It wasted loads of time, amounting to as much as three hours! Jaron shook his head in amazement as he swallowed the pill. Twenty-first century people had no idea how to conserve time. Things are so much better in the twenty-second century, he decided. Every hour in the day is put to good use - no need to even sleep with the energy tablet, invented by a man named Dr. Bennett.

Suddenly, a short girl with swinging pigtails appeared. "Hey Jaron!" she exclaimed. "Grab me one of those tablets, would you?"

He stared at her strangely, passing her a pill. "Why are you talking and acting so old-fashioned?"

Rolling her eyes, Dyan replied, "Gosh, where've you been? Today's Celebrate History Day, and I'm pretending to be from the year 2015!"

"What are you talking about? 'Celebrate History Day'? There's no such thing!"

She sniffed. "There is in my imagination."

Jaron sighed as he walked outside, biting his lip. Ever since Dyan had begun associating with those two friendless girls at school, Permelia and Lainey, she had been so odd. Society is about conforming, and being like everyone else, and whereas previously she had been normal, now it was almost as if she strived to be different. As her older brother, he could only hope she would learn from his example eventually. It was every citizen's responsibility to correct the mistakes made in the past and to help others do so, after all. Look how much the old people messed up! If it wasn't for courageous scientists like Dr. Bennett and his father, then there would probably still be pollution.

As he walked past the rows of pale blue houses, an idea suddenly struck him. He could convince Dyan that Permelia and Lainey were just not worth it, and she might go back to normal! Better yet, he would talk to those two girls and tell them to leave his sister alone. Yes, that was the perfect idea.

The rectangular gray school building lay ahead, and Jaron pushed the door open. Inside, other boys and girls of varying ages nodded in acknowledgement, those he knew well greeting him. "Hello, Jaron. It's nice to see you again."

He responded politely and moved forward to see his closest friend, saying, "Hello, Aric! How are you?"

Aric smiled. "Very well, thanks. I hope you're the same."

"Yes, thank you." They exchanged a few more trivial questions, before Jaron explained the increasingly worse situation with Dyan.

His friend's eyes widened. "Oh, that's serious! And you say it's started when she began seeing those girls? I've heard many things about them, you know."

"What sort of things?"

"They're not...right in the head, if you catch my drift." Aric tapped the side of his. "Making strange comments. Gestures. That type."

Jaron nodded knowingly. "I see. Then I suppose I really had better get to talking to them about leaving my sister alone."

"That would be a good idea. Would you like me to come with you, or are you all right by yourself?"

"I'm fine, but thank you." He smiled, then turned and searched for the girls. As he walked into the courtyard, he noticed Dyan. "Hello!" he called to her.

She waved back gaily, and started to approach him, but he was already walking away. Jaron must be looking for someone, she thought. Oh well, I have to go meet Parmelia and Lainey anyway.

Dyan walked to their customary meeting place, a hidden niche in the side of the building. It was dark, but secret, and they had roughly twenty minutes before classes started. Waiting, she noticed a dark figure inside, and froze. Had someone found this place? How?

There was a flash of gold, a blurred image of something moving in the air, sparks of pain, and then she was aware of no more.