“Riley, are you… are you okay!?”
“Yes, mother. I am not the one that died.”
“It’s… It’s not your fault, okay? It’s not your fault!”
Riley has now been cooped up and trapped in his room for almost a full day now; not allowed to leave under any circumstances until otherwise ordered to do so.
He was also not allowed to contact anyone outside; but since he did not get a phone from the Academy in the first place, then there was no need to confiscate anything. There were hours that people were allowed to visit him, but only close families and at a very limited time at that.
In a way, it was a glorified prison– still, a prison warmed by the tears of a mother that would probably do anything for his son.
Diana was actually the last one in the family to learn of what happened– with Hannah unknowingly keeping her in the dark since she was not accepting her calls. She had to find out the hardest way– from the other parents.
The atmosphere in the Family Villa was getting weird and Diana was slightly confused as to why her new neighbors were now avoiding her, but as soon as she saw the video, she almost fainted on the spot.
But of course, she didn’t make any unnecessary scene and just tried to gather herself first; after all, it was not his son that died– anything she would do would be a slap to the face of those who were mourning.
But now that he was facing her son, all the emotions that were slowly filling up her heart instantly gushed out; her tears whispering loudly throughout Riley’s room.
She wanted to hug and comfort her son so very much, but she knew that any attempts would just be met with Riley avoiding her.
“…Is something the matter, mother?” Riley then blinked a couple of times as he saw his mother fall to her knees.
Hearing her son’s words, Diana quickly wiped the tears trailing on her face and shook her head. Even at these trying times, her son worries about her more than himself. Sometimes, she could not help but wonder how she received a blessing like Riley in her life.
“We… we will get through this, Riley,” Diana then stood up from the ground as she smiled at her son, “I… I will go with you during the trial and apologize to them with you. You… you’re only a boy so they would–“
“That will not be necessary, mother,” Riley shook his head, “This affair does not involve you, nor do I wish to involve you in it.”
“No!” Diana also shook her head, “As your mother, I will– !!!”
Diana’s breaths almost completely stopped as soon as she felt a warmth touch her shoulder– it was minuscule, but it still felt so entirely heavy.
“…” Diana then slightly stuttered as she slowly turned her head, only to see Riley touching her shoulder with his pinkie finger.
“R… Riley…” Diana then muttered as the tears once again trailed on her face. For others, this scene might look weird, or admittedly funny, even…
…But for the first time ever, Riley initiated physical contact.
It was just a tiny finger, a minute gesture… but for Diana, it might as well be the heaviest and tightest embrace she has ever received in her life.
Riley’s confinement continued for almost a week, with Hannah and Diana visiting him alternately almost every day. Most trials of People with Super Abilities would usually be held in a government hall somewhere in the city, but due to the nature of the supposed accident, as well as for security reasons, the hearing is to be held inside one of the Academy’s auditoriums.
And as Prophet surmised, it was going to be broadcasted to the entire world.
“Turn off your fucking cameras!”
“Hannah. Stop it, you’re making it worse.”
And as Riley entered the building, and even on the way, there were lots of students filming and taking pictures of him. Hannah had enough and was about to destroy one of the students’ phones, but Bernard stopped her before she could do so.
“But dad, they are–“
“This is already being broadcasted live, there is no use stopping them,” Barnard shook his head with a sigh, “Any violent reaction you have will only antagonize your brother further,” he then said as he glanced at Riley, who didn’t even seem to mind what was happening.
Diana as well was trying her best to keep her composure.
They continued to walk, with the students still waving their phones at them. The other instructors and staff of the Academy had tried stopping them, but with the number of students, it was truly impossible to do anything.
Tomoe and the others were also helping calm down the situation, but it was no use. This situation could have very well been avoided if the Academy did not provide them with phones, but alas, they no longer knew what the government was thinking.
What they did know, however, was the situation was becoming sensational, thanks to the Government. With all the heat they have been getting from the press the past couple of months because of all the tragedies surrounding the Academy, they seem to be intent on using Bernard and Riley to narrow their targets– they were the perfect scapegoats, as Prophet said.
“R… Riley!”
Bernard became aloof as an African student suddenly approached them, but seeing as Riley seemed to know who he is, Bernard just let him pass through.
“I… I apologize I couldn’t do anything to stop them, Riley.”
“You do not need to do anything, Duma.”
It was Duma, the African student who warned Riley about Jamba’s tribe. And seeing as there are other African students behind him, it would seem that a majority of the African students were now also aware of what the tribe was trying to do.
“We… we’re going to help you out of this somehow, Riley. Almost all of us believe that–“
“It’s alright, Duma,” Riley waved his hand, “It would seem that everything of this was planned from the start– there is no use in stopping it.”
“That’s…” Duma seemed to want to say more, but as Riley continued to walk, the only thing he could do was watch in regret. He should have reported Jamba’s tribe to the Academy when he had the chance… but he didn’t think that something like this would happen.
And soon, Riley and the others reached the door. And as soon as they opened it, Riley was bombarded with several drones and flashes of light.
“What… what do you mean we’re not allowed to enter inside, dad!?”
Hannah wanted to enter the hall, but her mother pulled her before she could do so,
“Let your brother and father handle this, okay?” Diana calmly said before turning her eyes towards Riley, “Just… tell them everything you remember, okay? Just…
…be honest, we believe in you.”
“I mostly always am, mother,” Riley nodded. And with that, Hannah and Diana could do nothing but watch as the door soon closed on them.
“It will be alright, Mrs. Ross.” Silvie and the others went to comfort the two, still trying their best to keep away the other students from doing anything, as the staff of the Academy seemed to not be putting their best efforts into pushing them away.
The situation inside was worse, however, as the entire hall was almost left blind by the flashes of light that almost drowned it endlessly.
Shomari’s parents were already there, as well as some other members of their tribe. What Bernard did not expect, however, was the number of media present. Of course, he was already expecting some of them since Prophet had already warned him…
…but this many? If anything, they were looking more and more like vultures, excited to tear down his son for their own survival.
And as soon as the members of the media saw what Riley looked like in person, their fingers could not help but keep on moving as they took their photos. Since the one that died was from another race… and seeing Riley’s appearance, this could turn into a piece of even bigger news, they all thought.
“Don’t be nervous, Riley,” Bernard then whispered, “Although they said it’s a trial, it’s more like a press conference– you do not need to answer everything.”
“It’s okay, father. I…
…am not nervous.”