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The Life of Another - Chapter 11

© Jake Atkinson

P.O.V. - Roger

I rolled my chair to look out the bedroom window and the bevelled edges of the multi-paned glass splashed rays of refracted sunlight on my face as I looked down over the courtyard. Students flowed through pathways to get to their afternoon classes. Some travelled in chatty groups while others dodged through the throngs of people solo, like motorcycles weaving through a traffic jam. I recognized Tami, the hall monitor Wolf, as she walked beside a girl of the same species. She carried her backpack over one shoulder and grasped the strap with one hand while gesturing with the other. Her companion looked to be about seventeen and on the plain side. Her jeans were designer label but, somehow, they hung on her frame in an uncomplimentary way. The pink blouse was quality too but again failed to leave an impression. I realized it wasn't the clothes but in the way she carried herself. She could go unnoticed wearing a neon sign. Just before they walked out of view Tami leaned over and whispered into her friend's ear, bringing a momentary glow to her features. Her muzzle was so close her breath made the other Canine's ear tickle and she flicked it, smiling. The way she tipped her head, the way their tails moved, they were more than friends.

Watching them brought my mind back to lunch. What was I doing? Who was that wolf putting down the popular girls and flirting with Nick? I've never flirted in my entire life! For all I know, Chris could be Nick's boyfriend. Clueless me, I just sit down and start checking him out, no wonder the Leopard was grumpy! Crap, I wonder if they really are an item? And what was that crack about blowing a deviant?! Really? Could I have made a bigger scene if I tried?! Ugh. I know Ms. Thurlington said I needed to get out and mingle but that's why I don't! I should have just gotten the receipt and hid... somewhere. I rubbed the fur on my face and stood as the bell sounded the start of afternoon classes. I guess I'll see what bridges I can mend later, for now I've got two hours to myself.

I grabbed the tablet and hopped up onto the raised bed where I tapped the screen to life and set it to play random Coyote Oldman tracks before lying down. Ok, let's see if we can NOT fall asleep this time! I tried to clear my mind but various emotions kept sneaking around and tossing random thoughts to the fore. Self-directed anger replayed various parts of my time at the cafeteria. Arousal brought images of Nick in all sorts of compromising positions. Argh! How am I supposed to ever disconnect with all of these emotions?! Maybe I'm going about this all wrong. I'm assuming this body works like my old one but it must be from another angle. My tail is always lit but it spreads when I get strongly emotional, at least for anger and arousal. An emotion based connection? Figures, the complete opposite of what I'm used to! Fine, let the emotions run around all they want and just start trying to connect. Base of the tail seems like a reasonable place to start. I stopped trying to contain the feelings and concentrated my focus. The energy was there but it didn't seem extraordinary so I started moving the focal point up my spine and torso until my heart thudded arrhythmically and suddenly connected. Finally, I had my hands on the steering wheel and I couldn't wait to get the engine racing. F#ck what a rush! Let's see what Roger can do!

I opened my eyes and sat up. At first it was disorienting to be connected and in my body at the same time. Despite that, I strengthened the connection further and my vision started to distort. Everything at the fringe of my perception began to take on a blue, wavy tint that thrummed in time with my pulse. Ok, the engine is racing, let's put it in gear and dump the clutch!

I mentally clamped down on the energy pouring through my heart and gave it a clockwise spin before hurling it towards the ladder on Jim's bed. The pale aspects of my fur glowed with blue-white light and the air reeked of ozone but nothing happened. Disappointed and confused I snapped off the connection, a huge mistake.

With my old talent I would just let go and automatically race back into my body, like coming up for air after a long dive. Now was different. My heart hammered and seized. I fell face first over the edge of the bed and hit the floor hard, gasping and straining while clutching at my chest. I thought it would right itself and return to a normal rhythm after a few seconds but it only got worse. I absolutely panicked, I knew I was seconds away from blacking out when I stopped trying to control the fear and embraced it. The power coursed into my heart and caused the seizure to finally release. It bounded fast and weak while I fought not to cough from breathing so hard and slowly tapered down my connection until I was left in a trembling heap on the floor.

God damn that was close! I guess that's why they say to never practice alone. It's amazing Roger didn't kill himself before now. Then again, he probably never had enough control to spin it up that high and snap it off. Damn, I didn't want anyone around with that business about 'external metabolic involvement' and 'exposure to the elderly and infirm must be restricted' stuff in his file but I didn't consider what might happen to me. And what was I doing focusing on the ladder like that? What if it burst into flames or something?! Lately it's like I'm running around with my 'stupid filter' removed.

Suddenly I heard a guttural Ursine cry through the far wall. David! How could I forget he wouldn't be in class?!

I scrambled to my feet and dove through the connecting bathroom to find the Bear hunched over his desk. His hands were clamped down over his ears and he had his eyes pinched shut while he rocked briskly back and forth in the chair. His breathing was deep and fast as he grunted restrained cries. I put my hand lightly on his shoulder and he screamed "GET OUT! JUST GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!"

The insistence in his voice compelled me to pick up my hand and make for the door but I stopped at the entryway and turned as I realized he was sitting right in line with where I had aimed. Granted there were a couple walls in between but it was clear what happened.

The nearest phone I knew about was downstairs in the kitchen. He looks like he's gonna drop any second, I've gotta try something now!

I replayed everything I did and applied it to how David looked. He's amped up like he's overdosed on amphetamines. If that's how clockwise spin affects him maybe I should do it again but counter-clockwise. No, that could be like throwing a car in reverse while driving down the freeway!

"Uuunnggghhhh!" David cried out again and beat his fists on the desk before forcibly grabbing the top by its edges.

I've gotta do SOMETHING! I thought.

The desperation of the moment begged me to lunge at him with everything I could but I resisted the urge, reconnecting through my heart at a much lower level. Feeling rushed but restrained, I focused on David and spun the energy off clockwise.

The Bear lurched forward in his chair as if he had been struck in the back and gasped loudly. Instinct told me I had to pump it up, the new connection was several degrees slower than the original one and he was coming down to fast.

Oh god, don't die! I ramped it up and the brilliance from my glowing fur lit the room.

"Errrrryaaahhh!!" he screamed and writhed before standing to yank the desk from the floor.

There, it's almost the same! Now come down, easy... easy... stay connected. Don't let go of the focus this time. My skin felt like it was crawling and the ozone level was so high it burned at my nose like bleach fumes, but I managed to bring him down slowly. His breathing calmed and he almost dropped the desk, banging it down before slumping to rest his palms on the wooden surface. Finally, I broke the connection and leaned against the door frame, panting.

Exhausted, David grabbed the desk chair and spun it around to drop into it heavily. It turned slowly and he came to a stop facing me. The bear was the first to speak. "I'm sorry Roger, it's never been that bad before."

He didn't see it! As much as went on there wasn't really any sound and he was facing away with his eyes closed. I held up a finger in a 'hold that thought' gesture and wobbled my way back to the bed to retrieve my tablet. I switched off the Native American flute music and typed as I returned. "David, I remember you said there's times you gotta be alone but we need to talk. I'm guessing you're starved even if you just ate. How about I go to the kitchen while you mellow out up here? I'll nuke some pizza rolls for you and don't worry, I won't put them in the blender."

He managed a slight smile and nodded silently.

My ears perked and I returned the gesture before quickly ducking out of the room.

When I returned I found him bent over the desk, which was now back in its proper place, and he was writing furiously on a pad of paper. I knew my way around conic sections, perfect square trinomials and their unsavory friends but whatever he was writing, crossing out and writing again looked like a foreign language as I glanced over his shoulder. His ears swivelled when I set down the plate and sat in Nick's chair but he kept his focus on the page. While I waited, I snuck a roll off the top of the pile, the greasy filling burning my tongue as I chewed.

"Uggghhh! Roger, I'm so close! For a second I HAD it! The Hodge Conjecture, I had it!" He pounded his fist on the desktop and threw down his pencil in disgust.

He noticed the little hell pockets and I passed over the peace offering before wiping the grease from my fingers to respond via the tablet. "They're hot, watch out. What happened? I was really worried."

He tossed back a roll, without seeming to notice the scalding hot cheese within, and responded "I've had flare ups before but never anything like that. I was getting sick of doing History so I took a break and was fiddling with the Hodge Conjecture."

I couldn't resist and stabbed at the tablet to say "Oh sure, whenever I want a break that's what I reach for, an ice cold bottle of Hodge Conjecture."

He took another bite and continued. "Heh, it's a math thing. They'll give a million dollars to anyone that can prove or disprove it. It's like a riddle to me, I know there's a solution somewhere. Anyway, I was playing with that and out of nowhere I got this incredible rush. It wasn't just in my mind like usual. My heart started pounding, I was breathing hard... I felt like I wanted to jump out the window and tackle the whole football team. Ya know that lecture from Health & Guidance class about street drugs?" he asked rhetorically. "It was like I was on that stuff they said makes people have rage fits. My mind started racing along with the rest of me and I thought I was gonna lose it." He suddenly looked embarrassed, his eyes casting downwards along with his rounded ears before continuing. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

I considered my options carefully before responding with the tablet. "David, I thought I was alone since everyone was in class and figured it would be safe to practice. I wanted to see if I could get some of that glowing stuff under control and the opposite sorta happened. Lately I've been really rash, it's not like me at all. I'm usually overly cautious if anything. But recently... damn. I'm sorry."

He set the empty plate on his desk and asked "You mean to say you caused that?"

I nodded and swiped a response. "I didn't know that's what would happen, or that you were even in here. Even so, it was really stupid of me. Are you sure you feel ok?"

He set down the napkin he had used to clean his muzzle and leaned back in the chair. "My head is killing me and I feel exhausted, like I didn't sleep last night. I think I'll be ok after a while though. So that's your talent huh?"

I nodded and added "Yeah, I think I can slow people down also. There's probably more to it... I'm still trying to figure everything out. David, I'm really sorry."

He waved a paw at me. "Stop apologizing, it was awful and amazing all at the same time. You got me closer to solving that than I've ever been. I still remember bits and pieces of it. If I figure it out I'll split the prize with you, seems only fair."

Wow, he's really taking this well. I suppose there's no need to push the matter if he's ok with it. Hmm, I wonder what would have happened if I had just left him hanging without winding down? Would it have slowly worn off? Just how dangerous am I? Crap, how am I supposed to practice with a talent like this?

My mood lightened as my imagination ran wild with a scene of me walking down a crowded hall, randomly zapping people along the way. Just as I was picturing two ferrets filled with berserker rage running amok, I realized I was spacing out and self-consciously grinned.

"What's so funny?" David asked with a tilt of his head.

I splayed my ears and tapped at the display. "Sorry, my mind kinda wandered. I imagined zapping a couple ferrets in a crowded hall. I could almost hear the cartoon sound effects."

He laughed softly, "Better not, the poor little guys might just explode."

The British accented voice replied, "No worries, I think I'm done with that for now."

I was dying to ask him questions about Nick but couldn't think of a neat segue and rose to type a final comment. "Guess I'll go lie down for a bit before everyone gets back from class. I'll take the dish down."

"Ok, thanks." he said as he passed the empty plate. "I guess I could use some quiet time myself. It's tempting to plug at the Hodge Conjecture while it's still clearer in my mind though."

I nodded with a slight smile and turned, heading downstairs.

By the time I got back to my room I was ready to lie down and decompress. I set the alarm in case I fell asleep but I was more frazzled than sleepy as my mind started to wander. I could really use a vacation. I feel like I've been living in a soap opera these last few days. I've been so impulsive, I've really gotta work on that. Is it the whole teenage brain thing or something more? It's sooo not like me! All these moods! No sense kicking myself, just TRY to filter!

Barely five minutes into my break, I gave up. Argh, I can't wind down even though I'm exhausted, guess I'll play with the tablet._Swiping idly through the app list, I tapped into the gallery and practically dropped the device. A whole folder full of female Bears in varying states of undress filled the screen, everything from Pandas to Grizzlies. _Yuahhh! My eyes! I cannot unsee what I have seen! I didn't know bears could be that limber! ... David must __have copied this folder by accident. Damn, he'd_ be mortified if I mentioned it, better just to erase_ it and try to forget. I quickly deleted the folder and did a thorough search for any more surprises but found nothing else out of the ordinary.

Being on the internet reminded me of my past life and the temptation to check a couple old accounts was overwhelming. Damn, I really could use some money but no, that would lead to endless problems. I wonder if I could intercept the package that'll be delivered mid-week as a result of the first switch falling? Then again, even if I did what would I do with uncut diamonds? Not like a fifteen year old can walk into a pawn shop. Hmm, maybe if I went to the jewelry district downtown, I could probably find a person greedy enough to give me a tenth of a what they'd be worth. Still, what if I got caught? Try explaining that!

There, see! Now that's thinking stuff through! W_hy can't I do that more often? Alright, so I won't touch anything. I'll just stay poor, maybe after I've been broke long enough I'll learn to like wearing tight underwear. That reminds me, I should put some back on._I begrudgingly stuffed myself into another hideous but clean pair of tighty-whities and sat down at the desk after putting my pants back on.

Guess I'll check out my class list since I'll be starting on Monday. I rummaged through my pack on the desk and pulled out the folder with orientation material, schedules and maps. I gave most of it only a parting glance until I came across the right list. Here we go... __d_ amn Roger, you must have been a total moron, remedial everything! This is embarrassing! With expectations like these I'm going to blow them away. Who cares if they think it's odd? Not like good grades can lead them to 'Oh he must have died and some other guy took over his body.' At least I won't have to spend a lot of time studying. I guess I shouldn't be so hard on Roger._ From what little I know of his life it's amazing he scored as high as he did. Looking at the class names started to make me apprehensive as I thought about all the people I'd be forced to encounter so I set it aside and looked over the maps and club activities until the final class bell rang.

A short time later, Jim appeared. He tossed his backpack up on the bed, kicked off his shoes and jumped onto the mattress to flop back with a sigh. His lack of any acknowledgement of my presence left me rather uneasy. I wasn't sure if he was in a bad mood, tired or just didn't feel like talking. I fought the urge to pick up his shoes and place them neatly at the entrance and swiped a quick greeting to say "Hey Jim. If you want the place to yourself for awhile I can go hangout somewhere else."

He kept his eyes closed and stayed on his back as he talked. "Meh, it's your room too. I'm just gonna veg for a few minutes and then do my homework. My girlfriend Hayley and I are gonna watch a movie tonight so I want to get it out of the way."

He rolled onto his side to look down at me from the edge of the bed. "Speaking of her, she said you really made an impression on Melina today at lunch. Dude, seriously... you didn't tell her to go blow a horse when she offered to show you around the school, did you?"

I couldn't help but laugh and typed back "Wow, rumors sure change things around. No, that's not how it went."

He replied "Yeah, I kinda figured. You'd have to be blind to put down a chick like that! So ah, what did happen?"

I mulled over how to spin it and began to type as I leaned back in the chair, sprawling my legs out in front of me. "She put down Bea, called her Bumble Bee. It struck me as pretty harsh and sorta started us of on the wrong paw. Anyway, I tried my hand at an off-color joke but I think it lost something in translation through the tablet."

Jim raised an eyebrow and cocked his free ear at me, the other folded against the pillow as he talked. "Oh yeah? What was the joke?"

I snickered to myself as I recalled the scene and responded via the polite, synthetic voice. "Something like, 'I'd love to tour the school with you but my throat is still sore from blowing a deviant with a horse c#ck, maybe another time.' Needless to say I've never blown anyone. Like I said... joke. Anyway, it went downhill from there."

He rolled onto his back and face-palmed. "Dude, you didn't?! One of the hottest girls in school offers you her undivided attention and you pull that? What were you thinking?!"

I smiled and shrugged, swiping out "She put me in a weird mood the way she dissed Bea and I've kinda got a big brother complex. That, and lately I've been a real pro at sticking my paw in my mouth. I'd apologize about it but I suppose that bridge is burned."

He removed the hand from his face and rolled his head to look at me again. "Ya think?! Geez dude, between stuff like that and sittin' with those guys you're really setting yourself up with quite a reputation. As your roommate I'm already getting flak for it."

I sighed and typed "I usually blend into the background and avoid people but I'm being forced to see Ms. Thurlington and she required me to go to the cafeteria. She seems to think if I'm alone I'll jump off a cliff or something. I even have to see her tomorrow and Sunday! Doesn't she take days off? Anyway, sorry if you're getting crap for it. Maybe I have brain damage from drowning? Kinda explains the lack of impulse control and mood swings." I said it as a joke but, at the same time, worried there might be some truth to it.

He turned his gaze back to the ceiling and replied "I've stuck my paw in my mouth enough times to relate and I'm sure your brain is fine. It's not like you stumble down the hall drooling and randomly blurting out 'I like pancakes!'" He said the latter with his tongue hanging out of the side of his muzzle for comical effect.

I laughed quietly and tapped out "Yeah, true. I wish real life had save points and I could just reset back to when I walked into the cafeteria. Next time I'll just get the receipt and find a chair behind a trash can or something."

While still looking away, the Fox responded "When I talk with Haley tonight I'll see what I can do, she's friends with a friend of Melina. I doubt it'll fix things but maybe I can smooth it out a bit. And yeah, don't sit with those guys. People'll start thinkin' you're gay or something."

I squirmed in the chair as I fought with myself. I thought I was gonna stop hiding things... just tell him now and get it over with! He's gonna find out soon enough. Bah, now's not the right time. I've already said enough shocking things today. I kicked myself as I typed a response.

"I recognized Nick when I came in and saw the empty chair so it seemed like a good choice at the time. I forgot about the whole caste system. Is it really like that here? I thought maybe a school full of deviants might be more... accepting of differences."

He sat up and swung his paws to dangle over the edge of the bed. "Not everyone here is a deviant. There's people like Kyle and Dylan, I know you're familiar with them." he said with a sarcastic grin. "They got sent here because their parents are hoping they have some hidden talent even though they don't glow or have purple paws. As for the rest, they're just people who all have their own ideas about the world. Just because their fur is blue or they have horns doesn't mean they're automatically open-minded. Hey that reminds me, have you seen Brandon yet, the Lion with the horns?"

I shrugged and typed "No."

The neon orange Fox hopped down from the bed and stood in front me, gesturing enthusiastically with his hands. "He's got these horns that come out of the front corners of his forehead! Dude, I've never seen a deviant with stuff like that! At least, not in person. He was sitting next to me in class and it was SO distracting. He got sick of me looking and finally muttered, 'If I let you touch them will you stop staring at me?'"

I laughed at the stern voice he used to mimic the Lion and swiped back "Well, did you?"

He looked down and out the window, his tail tucking as he responded. "I felt bad for getting caught, I mean I've gotten my fair share of stares. I remember getting kicked out of a theatre once because of my glowing fur. It was humiliating. Anyway, I just smiled sheepishly, said I was sorry and tried really hard not to look again."

I grinned and responded via the tablet "At least I'm not the only person who did something regrettable today. Tell ya what, if I see Brandon I'll put in a good word about you. That is, if I don't break his arm or tell him to blow a horse first."

The automated voice failed to take on the necessary sarcastic tone but Jim got the joke. "Yeah, maybe you should leave the apologies to me." he said with a smirk. "Anyway, I'm gonna get a snack and get started on my homework."

I nodded and he turned, almost crashing into Nick as he emerged from the adjoining doorway. Nick startled and stepped back defensively. "Ah! Sorry, guess I should have knocked."

Jim replied "Nick, you're always so quiet! I didn't know you were there. Hey, I'm going to the kitchen but did you need something?"

Nick shook his head. "No, I came to talk with Roger."

Jim gave me a sidelong glance that I couldn't quite decipher and responded "Ok, I'll be back in a few minutes."

P.O.V. - Nick

Roger stood up from his sprawled position in the chair and stretched seductively, the bright green shirt lifting to show off his firm, flat stomach. He lowered his arms and picked up the tablet from the desk. As he swiped a greeting I couldn't help but peek at how he was feeling. The mirthful confidence from lunch was gone. In it's place I found a sense of excited apprehension and strong arousal. Embarassed, I tucked my tail and lowered my ears. I really should stop intruding like that!

The synthetic voice said "Hey Nick, how were your classes?"

I leaned against the door frame, clasping a wrist behind my back while responding "They were alright. My last class was art and I always enjoy that."

He offered a closed mouth smile and swiped "I was wondering about the pastel blue on your cheek ruff. It's kinda cute."

I quickly ran my fingers through the fur on the sides of my muzzle and responded "Oh, heh. We were working with chalk today. That stuff gets everywhere! I must have scratched at my face absent-mindedly."

Roger typed out "Everywhere huh?" and took a step forward, his fur glowing subtly.

Wow, his confidence sure is coming back fast!

He stopped after the single step and suddenly became self-conscious which caused his rippling, blue aura to fade out. Quickly, he tapped at his screen and the device said "Jim's gonna be back soon and needs to study. Maybe we should talk bus routes and stuff somewhere else?"

He's suddenly nervous, what's that about? He's still excited though. Hmmm, where can we go? After a moment's thought, I had an idea. "I know a spot where we won't bother anyone. Come on, and bring a jacket."

With a bounce in my step, I ducked back into my room for a coat. By the time I returned, Roger was in a gray hoodie and ready to go. Although he tried to hide it, his tail wagged eagerly as we started down the hall.