Chapter 156

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> *You know... I really looked up to him... But everything was a lie.*
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*- Seraphina*

This is the 156th chapter of *unORDINARY*. It is the premiere episode of Season 2 and the first episode of the Fallout Arc.

## Synopsis

The Joker rampages of Wellston Private High School do not go unnoticed by the headmaster. Vaughn stands in his office face-to-face with John to discuss his recent actions, with Keene present as well. Though Vaughn initially turned a blind eye to John's violent actions because of the latter's rank and status, hospitalizing the Royals was crossing the line. Vaughn put his foot down and warns John that any future brutality will have dire consequences. John claims that his actions were justifiable "*self-defense*," since the Royals had ganged up on him. Vaughn clearly wasn't buying it, but did not feel like arguing the point. Instead, the headmaster reiterates his warning and dismisses John. Once John had left, Keene expressed concern that Vaughn's preference for letting students sort out matters for themselves would backfire in John's case. As a late-bloomer, his mindset didn't align with others in his rank. Vaughn cited it was that very reason that he considered John a vital asset to the school. Keene felt the need to point out that John's rampage could very well attract greater scrutiny from the Authorities that were always watching them closely. Noting Keene's concerns, Vaughn assures that he would personally deal with the Authorities once they came.

Outside the school building, John attempts to call Seraphina. Lying in her dorm bed, Seraphina rises at the sound of her ringing phone. John is alarmed to see his call rejected. Concerned for his best friend, John goes to visit Seraphina right away. His arrival comes as an unpleasant surprise to Elaine. John grumpily demands to know where Seraphina is. Elaine conveys Seraphina's wishes to be left alone, but John ignores her and makes his way to Seraphina's room. As soon as he enters he puts on a friendly face and acts like nothing's changed. He expresses concern over how Seraphina didn't show up at school and didn't answer his calls. Seraphina glares at him, fully aware of what he's really capable of. She chooses not to confront him over it, and claims that she's just had a lot on her mind. John offers to talk with her about whatever's troubling her, but she immediately turns him down. John makes a bid to get Seraphina to spend *some* quality time with him, suggesting that they go get drinks or train together. As he speaks, Seraphina looks right at him, unable to recognize the person in front of her. She demands that he leaves her alone, which he reluctantly does after asking to be informed when she starts feeling better. Outside the room, John's mood shifts to normal when he asks Elaine if she let anything slip. Elaine swears that she said nothing, and John warns her to keep it that way. He leaves, still unaware that Seraphina had the big revelation on her own.

Elaine enters Seraphina's room to check up on her. Seraphina looks down at her hands, as she often did following her ability loss. In a fit of pent-up frustration, she angrily throws her pillow onto the floor. Elaine runs over and urges her to take it easy. Seeing the suggestion as absurd, Seraphina reminds Elaine that losing her power and influence has made her useless. She's done little more than spend day after day soaking up lies to make herself feel better. Elaine apologizes for making her feel worse. Seraphina laments just how much she admired John and how hard she tried to follow his example. She curses herself for living a delusion and not realizing the reason behind John's unwavering confidence sooner. Elaine tells Seraphina not to blame herself for not knowing and reveals that she could have told her much sooner. When her roommate asks what kept her, Elaine admits that John had threatened her into keeping quiet. Now that they both knew, Elaine explains that John was much more dangerous than Seraphina had realized. Not even Arlo could afford to cross him, resulting in him having to take orders behind the scenes. Learning that these things were happening right under her nose makes Seraphina realize just how little she knew about her best friend.

The next day, Arlo and Isen sign in at the hospital to check on Remi and Blyke. The receptionist directs the two to Room 403 in the South Wing.

## Appearing Characters

* Vaughn
* Keene
* John
* Elaine
* Seraphina
* Arlo
* Isen
* ***Wellston Hospital Receptionist***
* *Newscaster*