Chapter 325

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> *Why can't we ever win?*
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*- John*

This is the 325th episode of *unORDINARY*.

## Synopsis

John makes another attempt to contact his father in the early morning, but gets only voicemail. His success proportional to his calm, and he arrives at Safe House in a dour mood. He clings to the bright spot that it wouldn't be long until Seraphina returns cleared of all charges. But as soon as he enters the room, there's a buzz of excitement and disbelief. Several club members, including Remi and Blyke, are gathered around staring at a phone. John takes a look for himself, and the sight coupled with the chatter about how "she" has been gone because she's on the run makes the day darker than ever. It's a news report about an incident at Royal Cafe, where Seraphina and Leilah were outed as Spectre affiliates. They were struck with an outrageous charge of attacking civilians before escaping. Moreover, Arlo was there with another woman, Valerie, both credited for cornering and nearly capturing them. The surrounding viewers find this news difficult to swallow. The club heads are quiet, yet clearly concerned. As for John, he needs to vent his frustrations on a certain somebody.

Arlo walks down the hall, where once again his rising career is on everybody's lips, though it's not as flattering as before. Dominating his own thoughts are Valerie's harsh dressing down about him not having his obligations in order. In the crowded hallway, there's one person who is firmly on Arlo's side: Zeke. He calls out to the man of the hour, and commends him for doing whatever it takes to become a world-class fed. Being praised for his supposed backstabbing methodology breaks Arlo's stoicism, and he sets about putting Zeke in his place with the new Barrier move he'd been practicing. Zeke is caught off-guard by the moving dome, and he's forced backwards until he hits the wall. Arlo marches up to the two-faced elite and tells him off for getting uppity with his position at the Bureau, and to speak with respect. Zeke swears that he was doing just that, since there's nothing he admires quite like premeditated treachery. Arlo listens as he's touted as the guy who turned on Seraphina even after she gave him the lead that made his career, and so does an approaching black-haired individual. Before Arlo can tell Zeke just what he thinks of his flattery, John demands an explanation. Arlo tells him that they'll discuss the matter elsewhere. Zeke finds the two of them talking things out to be very surprising.

After arriving at another part of school, John snarls at Arlo's opportunism. The latter berates him for doubting the integrity of their alliance after everything he's done. John questions how Seraphina being publicly exposed as one of Spectre's tools benefits anybody else. Arlo explains that she was made an offer, but John expresses clear contempt for the results of said compromise. Unbeknownst to the two, Zeke listens to every word, and keeps in mind that John knew about Seraphina before the public did. Arlo recounts how the chance he took for her to work alongside his people was all for nothing, but John assumes that Seraphina saw the bum deal for what it was. Arlo insists that she couldn't possibly have expected better from the people that she not only stole from, but passed along the classified material to her criminal overlords. Her conduct at the cafe only made things worse, so now she's on their most wanted list. John is at a loss for words. He asks what Seraphina is supposed to do now. He's told she'll have to hide, or else be executed. John fights against this reality, urging Arlo to use his new position in the Bureau to help her. Arlo tells him it's not an option. As impressive as his promotion may look on the outside, it's mostly a farce that's barely keeping him from being imprisoned. He chooses to end their meeting with a bit of friendly advice: keep his hot head down. The Authorities were sure to come after him as soon as they know they can glean info on Spectre from him. Arlo departs, as does Zeke, having heard all he needed to know. More alone than ever, John is fixated on how close he was to getting some semblance of a happy life back. Now Seraphina may never return, the latest setback to add to the mounting disappointments. Pooling as his negative emotions into one hate-filled thought, he activates Aura Manipulation and takes out his contempt for the Authorities on a wall. The punch leaves an impressive mark on school property.

## Appearing Characters

* John
* Seraphina (flashback, photo)
* Blyke
* Remi
* Leilah (photo)
* *The Newscaster*
* Arlo
* Valerie (film, flashback)
* Zeke

## Appearing Abilities

* Barrier
* Aura Manipulation