Chapter 285

>
> *You **really** don't seem like yourself today.*
>
>
>
>

*- Zeke*

This is the 285th episode of *unORDINARY*.

## Synopsis

Darren sits in his apartment, contemplating recent events over a cold one. *Back at the compound, he asked Leilah if John and Seraphina would need to rely on the recovery machine for the rest of their lives. She replied that it would only take until their abilities were restored permanently. How that would happen, she could not say.* Darren recalls a similar situation involving a loved one stuck in a hospital. The unbearable memory convinces him of what he must do, annoying brats or no.

The next day, he arrives at ZetaSci and enters. He goes directly to Leilah, who wonders why he's around after the teens were sent back to school. He says that he would like to help her subvert the Spectre power structure. Leilah asks why, since he was repelled by the idea of Spectre entirely. Darren says that being reliant on a device just to survive is an even worse reality. Thus, he wants to do his part in nullifying the Ability Disabler that never should have been. Leilah commends his good nature, which flusters him. Blushing furiously, he insists that it's for the sake of those little pests from Wellston High. He still plans on bailing when their condition is no more. Leilah decides that if they're going to work together, then Darren ought to know something. She didn't date him just because of his usefulness to Spectre. After giving him a small kiss, she tells him she actually likes him. Darren has no reply.

Meanwhile, at Wellston, John hears a painfully familiar commotion. Zeke is once again at it, tormenting a Safe House member. He boasts of his recent recruitment into the ranks of the Authorities, and how it puts him beyond the club's influence. John steps in tries shooing away Zeke, who still can't understand why he continues to interfere. Zeke asks why John has been working against him since he came back. The club was an enemy from the start, so he should be helping to shut it down. John tells him that such arguments hold no sway with him anymore, and tells Zeke to screw off. As John walks away, Zeke fumes. The way he sees it, a person who intervenes for the weak is somebody whose will shouldn't be respected. Zeke decides that his priority as an enforcer for the Authorities is to show John how wrong he was, power levels be damned. He activates Phase Shift and throws himself at his old boss.

John suddenly finds himself knocked to the ground by the irate bully's punch to his face. Everybody present is shocked that the fearsome fighter let himself get struck, Zeke most of all. John coughs up blood, thinking of how close he is to forever reliving his first day in the school dormitories. Zeke wonders that same possibility, and takes the chance to hit John in the stomach. He's pleased to see his blow made John fall at his feet. For some reason or another, John wasn't fighting back. Emboldened by his success so far, Zeke picks up John by the collar and remarks on his uncharacteristic display. John demands to be let go, but Zeke dares to refuse and prepares to punch him again. Just before his face gets caved in, John puts all his concentration in dodging the attack. Sparks flicker within him, giving him a burst of power. He evades at the last moment, and wastes no time in returning the favor to the good-for-nothing thug. Zeke gets floored, then insulted by John for his refusal to change his attitude. When told to get lost, he scurries away after hatefully glaring at his former puppet. John winces in pain, and realizes that everybody is still staring. He snaps at the lot, and they fearfully get back to minding their business. He then wonders what just happened inside him.

Back at his dorm, Seraphina learns of the miracle and asks if he can make his ability work again right now. John says it's mostly involuntary, and the effect is well-below his old capabilities. Seraphina decides that it's still a good sign. She speculates that John might actually have a resistance to the Disabler. If only it allowed him to deal with pain. John gripes that Darren's replacement was a rank amateur when it came to patching students up. The only supplement besides a low-quality tonic she provided was a couple of band-aids. John shows his bruised torso and asks Seraphina how any of that was supposed to make him feel better. Seraphina bashfully replies that he looks pretty good to her. She asks if he's in good enough condition to make it to the upcoming meeting. At that moment, her phone rings. Seraphina answers and hears something surprising. John asks what's up, and she tells him that Darren showed up at Leilah's workplace with an offer to help out however he could. John lights up, saying that he can finally be treated by a pro.

Meanwhile, Isen is pressed against the other side of the wall. He tells Blyke that with his enhanced hearing, he heard that Doc was one of their private contacts, and of some meeting. Blyke asks if they're meeting with Spectre, which Isen thinks is likely. Blyke wonders if they're trying to get their abilities back.

## Appearing Characters

* Darren
* Leilah
* ***The Inpatient***
* John
* Zeke
* ***Unnamed Safe House member***
* Seraphina
* Isen
* Blyke

## Appearing Abilities

* Phase Shift
* Aura Manipulation
* Hunter