Chapter 209

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*- Alden*

This is the 209th chapter of *unORDINARY*.

## Summary

Alden is admitted into Safe House by his friend. It becomes apparent to the first-timer that the Anti-John stigma applied to the club didn't appear to be true. Alden is advised to not to believe everything he hears before being formally introduced to Blyke. Alden thanks Blyke for coming to his rescue the other day. Relieved that they're okay, Blyke goes over the club's general rules before resuming his assignment. Adlen takes a look around at the other students during their activities. He's amazed that it's as simple as staying in the room and doing whatever you want. His wonder turns to dread when he sees Talia, a student who bullied him and his friend. He walks over to said friend and asks why he isn't worried about being in the same room with her. Alden's friend tells him that this issue was brought up the other day, and Remi decreed that members of Safe House were not allowed to target each other anywhere in the school. They agreed to this rule, since they all wanted some peace in their day. Alden admits that he didn't bring anything to do with him since he wasn't sure what to expect from his visit. His friend directs him to where the laptops are.

Meanwhile, The Gossip Trio are in the middle of playing cards. The blue-haired boy asks if they should play a different game, and the blonde answers that he'll gladly change to a game he doesn't suck at. The blue-hair asks if they've ever heard of New Texis Hold 'em, which the blonde says it sounds familiar. Seraphina thinks so too, as it brings back bittersweet memories of the time she played that game with John and William. She walks over and asks to join, mentioning she's played before. The trio is surprised, but they welcome her. Evie is astonished that Seraphina liked card games. Seraphina mentions that she's played it with a friend once before. Blue-hair votes that she should be the dealer based on her experience.

Blyke finishes his assignment with relief. He announces to the room that he needs to step out to go to the restroom, and tells them all to stay out of trouble while he's gone. He goes to do his business, and washes his hands right afterwards. Blyke reaches into his pocket and pulls out the vial of amplifier he brought with him. He wrestles with his conscience again, wondering if he should just turn it over to the headmaster.

Back at the club, Alden sits at a desk. He and his friend are in agreement that Safe House has it merits. Alden reckons he just might spend all his free blocks here. These happy times come to an abrupt end when the door is kicked open and in walk Zeke and John. One of the first things John sees is Seraphina playing cards. He exchanges looks with her for a moment before he looks down at the cards and recalls the same memory she did. However, it does not move his re-hardened heart before shouts of fear call his attention back to the present-day. As the club members run and huddle in the back of the room, more bitter memories of his reign at New Bostin come back, and fill him with terrible resolve. He barks out the order for everybody to freeze, lest they wished to still walk by next week. Zeke mockingly asks where their designated supervisor is. Alden's friend chimes up and says Blyke's in charge at the moment, and that he would return soon. Zeke mentions it's more likely that Blyke just decided to abandon them all. Alden watches in horror as his friend demands that Zeke just give it a rest already, practically asking for a repeat of yesterday. Talia also joins in defying Zeke and demanding he leaves, and several others join in. John sees parallels to this crowd to the one that Claire had rallied. Zeke calls out that the Safe House's stance to welcome everybody was so quick to change. He then looks at Alden and recognizes him. He picks him up by the collar and wonders whatever happened to the promise to never join Safe House. For this lie, Alden was forced to face John for judgement. Seraphina watches this tense situation, wondering what John is going to do. Alden begs for mercy, and promises to quit Safe House for good. His claims of never having intended to offend John are met with incredibly violent doubt. After seeing John knee Alden in the face, Seraphina stands up to John and tells him that enough is enough.

## Appearing Characters

* *Alden's friend*
* **Alden**
* Blyke
* *Gossip Trio*
* Evie
* Seraphina
* ***Talia***
* John
* Zeke
* William H. Doe (flashback)

## Appearing Abilities

* Phase Shift
* Aura Manipulation