Zeke Wonders

Zeke wonders if Miss Manners would have an answer for him. He's staring into the mirror, watching himself as he ponders the correct way to apologize for cutting off someone's fingers.

He's pretty sure it would be in poor taste to offer to replace the paper cutter he used to sever the digits.

He wonders what it will be like, the first time he walks into science class after Mr. Furlong returns from medical leave. He pictures the science teacher sitting at his battered desk, sneaking peanut butter cookies from his secret stash. Zeke imagines that Mr. Furlong will have to relocate the cookies to a drawer on the left side of the desk now that he has only stubs on his right hand.

He thinks about making some cookies by way of apology, but quickly discards the idea. Furlong would probably think they were spiked.

He blinks at his reflection and wonders if the new principal will have his face on a dartboard in their office. He knows that Principal Drake never actually did that - but he's pretty sure she thought about it. When she was alive.

He wonders when someone will decide he's a murderer instead of a hero.

Casey will never think that, of course. He knows better, and he has the nervous tics to prove it. The kid doesn't have to worry about being rammed into the flagpole anymore but he still cowers against the wall when he hears a loud noise or someone brushes against him unexpectedly.

Zeke has learned never to touch Casey's face without permission. He has a nasty bruise as a reminder. Fortunately clothing covers it or he'd get some odd looks at school. Not that he doesn't already. He frowns at his face in the mirror and wonders if growing a goatee would help restore his image as a badass.

Not that anyone would believe that, if they saw him at home these days. Zeke wonders what his parents will say when they get the electric bill now that he never turns off the lights. Dark rooms didn't bother him before, but they do now. He doesn't like quiet either, so the TV or the stereo is always on, sometimes both.

He hasn't rebuilt his ruined lab yet, and he isn't sure he wants to. He used to spend most of his time in the lab. It was only after the incident that he noticed the shadows and sounds in there that the lights and stereo can't seem to overcome. Maybe he'll get a different hobby. Computer hacking might be interesting.

He misses his old car some days. His new vehicle is a black SUV - it devours gas but it's solid and safe. He checked the safety ratings before going to the dealership. He no longer blasts his music when he drives into the school parking lot. Driving this vehicle, he would look like more of a geek than Casey.

Not that being like Casey would be such a bad thing. Zeke offers his reflection a smirk. He's been watching Casey lately - keeping an eye on the kid to make sure no one is giving him any trouble - especially not Miss Perfect Delilah. Being saved from aliens hasn't changed her much; she is just as self-absorbed as ever.

Zeke studies his reflection again, thinking how little things seem to have changed since Casey defeated the alien. It didn't seem possible that they could have come so close to tragedy only to have everything return to normal. Zeke squeezes his eyes closed and wonders if this is the way things are supposed to be and the only one with a problem is him.

At least once a day, Zeke wonders if he's going crazy. He ponders that for a moment before opening his eyes again. His reflection stares back at him but he's not sure he recognizes what he sees.

End

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