Chapter 295

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> *Isn't that just **torture?***
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*- Arlo on readjustment*

This is the 295th episode of *unORDINARY*.

## Synopsis

Arlo did not expect such a simple question to leave John so...timid. He asks what's the matter, placing a hand on the shellshocked adolescent's shoulder. The contact brings John back to his senses, and he gets angry with Arlo's touching and questions. His first reply is wanting to know how Arlo even found out about him taking the classes. Frustrated by John's mood swings, Arlo explains that he recently began working for the Authorities and came across John's file. Unsurprisingly, John does not take kindly to people prying into his secret past. But despite knowing this reaction, Arlo explains that he had run out of options. Realizing that Arlo wasn't messing around, John breathes a heavy sigh before slumping to the ground. The news of Arlo's new job only makes him even shadier than before, and John makes it plain that he would need to know Arlo's supposed good reason before opening up himself. Arlo says that some other students are marked for readjustment because they stepped out of line, and that he seeks to help them. John asks for their identities, but Arlo says it's classified. John insists he can keep a secret, but Arlo continues to withhold details up until John tells him that he would only get the information he was after in a trade.

Arlo tells of how Remi, Blyke, and Isen had broken the law, and that they would be removed from school in order to be punished. John guesses that their crime was vigilantism. Seeing as they were already on the same page, Arlo continues saying that readjustment classes were assigned to only the most troublesome teens. They apparently worked wonders, since nearly everybody who went through them came out meek. Arlo again asks for the details he couldn't find on his own. As John's head fills with the unforgettable memories of his dark days at New Bostin High. Arlo can't believe what he sees, and asks how the classes made him act like this. John gives him a general overview.

It takes three months. You get restrained, and your only contact was your instructor. Fight back, and you get beaten. But worst of all was the invasion of your memories. They pick out the worst ones by figuring out which ones you try hardest to hide away. Then they make you relive your biggest regrets, day after day. And when it was all done, you hate yourself more than anything, to the point of wanting to fade away.

Arlo is horrified by this account. It sounds less like a class and more like torture. John acknowledges Arlo's disgust, but he considers it an improvement for his character back then. At last, Arlo understands why John chose to keep his ability dormant when he first arrived at Wellston. He apologizes for forcing John down that same path all over again. John shrugs off the whole debacle. After all, who hasn't gleefully spread misery? But as for the trio, it makes no sense for them to go through that hell. They were just cleaning up after the Authorities, an act nowhere near as deplorable as hospitalizing half your classmates.

Later at the Bureau of Authority, Arlo is hard at work trying to confirm John's account. It sounded like the trio were in for the most severe punishment the Authorities could muster for delinquents. But he hopes that he might find that the penalty is proportional to the crime, as John thought it should be. Blyke and Isen were only trying to help Remi, and she only went a bit far in order to find answers. He delves into the files for Wellston students slated for readjustment, but his hopes are dashed when all he finds is more bad news. The file on Seraphina was updated to reflect what happened during the weekend Rowden trip. She failed to conceal her involvement with Spectre, and was sentenced to prison! Everybody he knew was being targeted, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Arlo nearly jumps out of his skin when he's greeted by Kassandra, who's standing right behind him. His aggravation does not go unnoticed, and as she tries to guess what's eating him, Kass gets a glimpse of his monitor. She sighs in disappointment, but then perks right up and tells Arlo she has a pleasant surprise in store for him. She escorts him to another part of the building, and introduces him to one of the Bureau's Training Rooms. For their impromptu sparring session, Arlo is advised not to hold back. She hands him a defense vest for added protection, which he feels is unnecessary considering his specialty. She sternly tells him not to get them both in trouble for flouting protocol. As he reluctantly obliges, Kassandra tells him that she's been tasked with observing his performance at the Bureau. As far as menial office tasks were concerned, everybody around considers him a model employee. But now came the fun part. He was going to be tested for his capability out in the field. Arlo is intrigued, but Kassandra activates her ability and warns him to prepare himself.

## Appearing Characters

* Arlo
* John
* Adrion (flashback)
* Claire (flashback)
* Keon (flashback)
* Remi (flashback)
* Blyke (flashback)
* Isen (flashback)
* Seraphina (pictured)
* Kassandra

## Appearing Abilities

* Aura Manipulation (flashback)
* Memory Recall (flashback)
* Time Manipulation (pictured)
* ***Particles***