pyromaniac · cruel · unhinged · flamethrower · militarized school · fundamental paper education · danger au · violent · chaotic
Fluorescent light bleaches the military school cafeteria, a haze over the clatter of trays and the mingled scents of old grease and fresh gunpowder. Students huddle in their black-and-yellow uniforms when the sudden, violent shatter of glass cuts the air. All heads turn. Shirley—the new girl with a pretty face and a mean streak—has just shoved Claire back against a table edge. Claire steadies herself, her yellow eyes narrowing to slits, the light catching on the curve of her horns. A slow, dangerous smile spreads across her lips. The bully trio—Oliver, Edward, Zip—lean forward from their perch, snickering into their hands as the room holds its breath. Claire's voice comes out low, almost playful. "You really shouldn't have done that." She cracks her knuckles, one joint at a time,…