Clone Earth : MELVIN

Trevon barely heard Paul’s muttered lament; he had spun around instantly, catching sight of a red blur soaring across the wide hallway, only to slam against the opposite wall. Another blur launched past the broken door.

Other students, Trevon realized, starring as the blurs became two boys wrestling on the floor. The second one caught the red-head hard in the face, only to be kicked in the gut.

“A sucker-punch? Seriously McAllister, that’s lame!” the red-head barked, and dove at his opponent. Both boys were tall with broader builds, and well-matched for a fight; it promised to be a good one.

Paul didn’t seem impressed. He was more absorbed in brushing bits of wood and plaster off his shoulders. “Just give it a second,” he said, dryly. “The advisory will kick in.”

Trevon had no idea what he meant by the advisory, but it was clear this was no regular scuffle. Intense dislike, possibly bordering on hatred, burned in the eyes of both boys, their fists continued to fly.

The redhead was on top now. His fist coming down fast for its target’s face. The blond boy rolled his head to the side making his opponent smash his knuckles on the tile floor. Just as quickly he grabbed the red-heads arm and rolled on it. Throwing the boy to the floor beside him where he could roll on top, twisting the arm with all his strength. There was a loud snap and the red head cried out in pain. But only for a second.

There was a blue spark in the red-heads free hand. The next movement was too fast to be sure. Trevon watched as the red-head cupped his hand pulling it into his chest, twisting his wrist before thrusting his palm upward into the other’s gut. The hand never connected with the other boy, but somehow a huge burst of wind exploded between them sending his opponent flying into the air.

The force was so strong that his body should have hit the ceiling, then fallen back to the ground. Instead, both boys’ wrists suddenly flashed - it took Trevon a moment to realize it was actually coming from the bright orange braces fastened to their wrists. It took him another moment to realize that neither boy was moving, locked in place as they stared at the flashing braces. A second later, they were both pulled in different directions, pinned to opposite walls by their wrists.

The red head coughed in added pain, “I’m gonna kill you Doug.” The other boy was still struggling to catch the wind that had been knocked out of him.

Paul sighed. “Well, that was fun.” He stepped into the middle of the hallway. “Hello, Russ.”

The redhead nodded. “Paul.” It was surprising how pleasant his tone was after the previous outburst.

Paul turned to the blond. “Dougie-boy, causing problems again?”

“I’m not the problem,” the boy snorted, wincing instantly. Trevon studied him; judging by the rapidly purpling bruises under both eyes, his nose was probably broken. He’d seen the same thing happen to Ari once.

Paul didn’t seem to care. “That’s usually debatable,” he said, turning to Trevon. “Russ?”

“He’s not wrong, I hit him first this time.” Russ coughed. Paul didn’t verbalize the next question he folded his arms and waited in the center of the hall for Russ to explain. “He was being a Prat.”

“I’m a McAllister, you do not talk to me that way.”

Paul’s head hung briefly in disappointment. “I get it.”

“Quit starring, jerk.” Doug barked, giving Trevon a start. He’d been studying Doug’s reaction and hadn’t realized he’d been staring.

Before Trevon could sputter out an apology Paul stepping between him and the boy on the wall, “He’s our guest Doug. Show him some hospitality or do I have to tell my mother, you’ve been arrogantly throwing around the family name again?”

“I’m not afraid of Grandma,” Doug said. Though according to the worry in his eyes, he was actually very afraid. Paul could see it too and he smiled.

Though Trevon’s interest had been peaked through the exchange he also noticed it had been uncharacteristically quiet on the other side of hall. Turning back to the red head Trevon realized something was wrong. The redhead’s face was extremely pale. His head bobbing up and down as if he was struggling to stay conscious.

“How long are these things supposed to keep them suspended?” Trevon asked.

“Until they cool down,” Paul answered. “Why?”

“We need to get him down, now.” Trevon ran to Russ. Looking up at him he could see the boys eyes were glazing over. Russ blinked hard in order to fight it, but it would be a losing battle if he was forced to go much longer.

The flashing braces dimmed, releasing the boys from their bindings. Doing the best he could to slow his descent, Russ slid down the wall, groaning as his tailbone hit the ground.

“You are not okay.” Trevon said. Noticing Russ had considerably less bruising on his face, it was obvious something was internally wrong.

Taking slow steady breaths Russ succeeded in regaining his senses, he gently held out his arm. It was changing color fast, and doubling in size. The center of the wrist bulged slightly and the redhead gave a skewed smile. His deep blue eyes sparkled with the tears he was holding at bay. “That ladies and gentleman, is what a broken wrist looks like.” pulling it back into his chest. “The pain almost made me blackout. Who are you?”

Trevon tried to give the most sincere smile he could manage while holding up the stranger, “My names Trevon Kana.” Reaching out he grabbed Russ’ the elbow to better examine the fracture. It didn’t take a doctor to know that it needed immediate attention. “We need something to splint this with. Do you have a doctor on campus?”

“No. Are you a healer? You sound like a healer.”

Trevon paused. Slightly flattered by the instant connection, but he was no where close to the level healer this guy was needing. “S-sort of.” Trevon stuttered. “I’ve only done bruises and cuts. Not a compound fracture.”

“You try fixing it.” Russ held out his arm again, using his good hand to stabilize the elbow.

Trevon stared open mouthed. Surely someone else here could do it, he glanced around but no one was moving. Most of the onlookers had left, but those that were still in the hall were admiring the damage done to the hallway. “Isn’t there anyone …”

“We don’t have any other healers in this house - and I ain’t going next door.” Russ said, sensing Trevon’s hesitation. “I’m not asking you to fix it all the way, just mend it a little to get my by until tomorrow. Come on.” Trevon still hesitated. “Come on. I’ve broken a lot of bones before. Just picture the cracked bone in your head and then focus on stimulating calcium build-up. It’ll be easy.”

He winced again. Leaning his back against the wall to rest. Trevon waited for the boy to get comfortable before hovering his hand over the swollen part of Russ’ wrist. He said to focus on the bone but all Trevon could think of was the time he’d tried to heal a broken toe for Ari; it didn’t go well. The bone set wrong, and it ended up needing to be re-broken by Hobsen in the Nurse’s station.

Pulling his hand back, “I think I should take you to the infirmary.”

“Infirm - Come on space-boy.” Russ lifted his wrist again so that Trevon could see. “I don’t have time to sit here in pain, anymore.”

Still hesitant Trevon put his hand back into place. Imagining the bone just as Russ had told him. He felt the warm green glow slipping from his body and through the boys puffy purplish skin. He remembered the symbol for calcium and imagined it threading itself around the bone. Like glue.

Reaching up with his other hand Trevon took hold of the boys palm and pushed it, squishing the two pieces of bone together.

A painful moan escaped Russ’ clinched jaw. “You are really bad at this.”

The complaint didn’t go unheard but Trevon knew he shouldn’t stop yet. He focused a little harder, the bone wasn’t the only thing that was damaged. He didn’t know how he knew, but he did. And in order to do anything more, the swelling needed to go down.

Ice.

With no ice pack around he needed to bring down the body temperature around the swollen area to stop the inflammation. When things get cold, the blood slows down. Steadying his own breathing Trevon could feel the molecules under the skin steady and then slow.

“Whoa.” The whoosh came from the patient. Trevon looked up to see Russ brush red strands of hair from his eyes. The pain in his expression lessened as he watched. “Okay, stop.”

Knowing he still had a really long way to go, Trevon still obeyed, pulling his hand away and cutting off the green aura. He watched as Russ lifted the wrist to his face. The bruise was still bright purple, starting on the forearm and bleeding down into Russ’ hand. But the sight didn’t bother the patient. He first started moving his thumb. Than his fingers. A smile crept across his face before he slowly rotated his wrist.

“Not bad. Not good but not bad either” Russ said after a long moment of silence.

“But it’s still bruised and swollen.”

Pride filled Russ’ countenance. “Just how I like it. What was your name again?”

“Trevon Kana.”

Russ nodded, and said in a quiet voice, “That’s a good Military name.” Trevon blinked; he hadn’t expected the family reputation to be known here. Russ said nothing more on the subject, though, only adding “Are you a student, Trevon?”

Trevon sat more comfortably on the ground before answering, “Not yet. I was hoping to negotiate that at the school office today, but it doesn’t look too promising. I’m kind of late getting here.”

“You’re a healer.” Paul interrupted crouching down beside the two. Doug had left when all the attention turned to Russ. “They want healers here.”

“So you’re saying I’m as good as in?” Trevon asked hopefully.

“No.” Russ replied bluntly. “The board is full of stubborn old goats.” Trevon was confused by the rudeness of the comment as well as the comment. Glancing over at Paul he looked just as confused. “Trevon here has a military name. Probably comes with military support.” Trevon chose not to answer verbally but he suspected his body language spoke loud and clear since Russ continued. “On occasion, the military tells the board what to do. So if they have a chance to avoid any connection with the military, they will.”

Trevon understood. He also suspected no one would believe him if he told them his military connections wouldn’t be a problem. Why risk it when they could make a point, right?

“He’s not wrong.” A new voice interrupted. No one had noticed the man standing quietly behind Paul. But clearly he’d been there long enough. “Though, you being a healer had not been brought to my attention.”

“President Warrington,” Paul jumped to his feet.

“Surprise.” The president smiled. Panicked, Trevon helped Russ to his feet.