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Mutant High

March 2010 Deadline Dames writing prompt.
Click to see the prompt picture.

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“It’s just a boarding school.”

That’s what they said. As if any school nicknamed “Mutant High” could ever be “just a” anything.

Tanner stood off to the side of the walkway, staring up at the dull gray bricks of the manor’s front entrance and wished he’d never manifested.

“Oof!” Someone ran full-tilt into his back, knocking him off balance and sending his backpack sailing to the ground.

“Sorry mate, didn’t see you there!” The newcomer had short, spikey white-blond hair and a jagged smile. He turned that smile on Tanner, holding out a hand to shake. “You new? You look new. I’m Flash.”

Dazed, Tanner shook the offered hand. “Tanner. Pleased to –”

Flash laughed. “Definitely new. You’ll get a monicker soon. Better think of one you like before they saddle you with one you won’t.”

The other boy blurred, the bright red of his jacket the only thing that remained visible as he zoomed at superspeed over to Tanner’s fallen backpack and returned. He handed over the bag just as the final school bells rang. “Crimony. You’re late. Better hurry.” He winked and was gone in a flash of red, the school’s front doors flapping open and slamming closed as though by a breeze.

Tanner squinted, pushing with his power until he was invisible again. No way Mutant High was just a boarding school.