“Is there something fucking wrong with you?!” Sabrina raged as soon as they walked into the Ivory household. 

Izellah and Sabrina came through the front door, the house was silent. Ignacio Ivory was away at work and would be for some time so the two girls had the house to themselves for a couple of hours, Izellah was glad for that.

One way or another her papa would put a stop to any of Izellah’s plans if he found that Sabrina opposed them as strongly as this.

After her papa had learned about what happened at Old Creek he had been adamant about Izellah’s safety. The consequence of that being she and Sabrina would share classes when they could. If Izellah didn't excel at the subject then she would spend it with Sabrina. Gloria had fully supported that decision saying Sabrina could still be counted on to ensure Izellah was as safe as her papa wanted and helped push it as she helped push to get Izellah into school in the first place.

“I needed to do something,” Izellah defended “everyone's been telling me how dog eat dog it can be out there.” 

“Yes!” Sabrina agreed angrily “we told you so you would continue to keep you away from people like Darren!” 

Sabrina dropped her backpack to the ground with a hollow thud. At the start of her school year, Izellah probably wouldn't have been strong enough to move that bag but she now carried one that was just as heavy. She dropped that pack on the floor with an equally hollow thud. 

“I don't want to live my life only going where you say I can go,” Izellah complained. Their argument had somehow taken them to the living room. A medium-sized room with a large tv and a sofa set. There were two recliners one for each end, the one Izzy had used was too small for her now, she’d probably get stuck if she sat on it. “I can take care of myself now.” 

Sabrina put her hands on her hips and looked up at Izzy. 

“Can you?” Sabrina asked slowly, “So you're not looking pale because you overused the bond?“ 

“H-how’d you know about that?” Izzy asked, surprised.

“Romeo told me.“ Sabrina said bluntly.” Oh did the great Izellah Ivory not see this coming? Maybe you would have if you just listened to me and lay low for more than 30 seconds.” 

Izellah could feel a flush creep up her neck. It was an odd feeling being humiliated by a 13/14-year-old. Before it was a little more believable when Sabrina loomed over Izellah like a mountain but now it was like being scolded by your little sister. 

“If you can handle yourself,” Sabrina said, taking a step closer to Izellah “then stop me.” 

The first thing that came to mind was that Sabrina would punch or tackle Izellah like she had seen Sabrina do to Mabel before but that wasn’t it. Sabrina just laid a hand on Izellah’s stomach and pushed. 

It wasn’t a quick sharp shove but a slow-building push that Izzy wasn’t able to stop. She tried changing her stance to get more leverage but it barely slowed Sabrina and Izellah continued to be pushed towards the gray couch set. Izellah tried to push back but all Sabrina had to do was use both hands, the muscles in Sabrina’s thighs bulged and contracted, moving just beneath the surface to push Izellah forward inexorably, Izellah was thoroughly beaten. 

Sabrina’s earlier statements that Mabel could beat her up seemed to be true, Izellah thought. She had been forced to sit down by the younger MAJOR. Izellah saw Sabrina strain herself but the younger girl was even out of breath so it must not have been that hard. Izellah could now see firsthand why Mable called her supergirl. 

 It was hard not to be a little embarrassed. 

Sabrina set one knee on the couch and one hand on the back of the couch. To Izzy, it seemed like Sabrina wanted to trap her physically as well as socially. 

A part of Izellah couldn't help but feel Sabrina was being just a little possessive? Her papa was protective but it never felt like he was trying to suffocate her, maybe there was something else...

“Do you see?” Sabrina leaned in close enough to kiss, “w what if you're on a date with Darren and he tries something like this? Or one of his jealous friends or Braxton Does something? If you keep me away I won't be able to help you again I-” 

“Oh, Sabby,” Izellah cooed, with a single finger she combed away from the long light brown curls that covered Sabrina's eye “I'm sorry I made you worry.” 

“No, you're not,” Sabrina got up on the couch and curled up, resting her head on Izellah's lap. “You said something similar before and then ran away with that minor kid to get beat up.” 

“I know I know,” Izellah admitted, ”Maybe I have been too overconfident and secretive. I promise I just want to have a fun and productive school life and to help minors. Things I need status for.” 

“You don't need Darren for that,” Sabrina protested, “you'll have the star volleyball player-” 

“To date,” Izellah finished “you know the more you talk the more it seems like you're just bad that I'm going to be dating Darren instead of you?” 

“Not truuuuue,” Sabrina squirmed. 

“I know it's not true,” Izellah lied, not all of it at least, “papa told me I need to involve you more so I promise I will, you just need to remember I'm not gonna break because someone didn't watch where they stepped.” 

“Fine but you owe me,” Sabrina told Izellah.

“Okay, we can talk about it later.” 

“No. We will go out for ice cream this weekend or I'll tell your dad.” 

“But I have plans to see Mabel this weekend,” 

“You won't have any plans at all if I tell your dad you're dating Darren Winton with tears in my eyes.” 

Izellah groaned and sat back on the couch. Sabrina was right, her papa wasn't demanding when it came to her love life and Izellah knew she could convince him to allow it, begrudgingly at least. That wouldn't work if Sabrina was against me though.

“Fine.” Izellah conceded

--------/////-------///----------

“How was school?” Abraham Hawthorne asked his daughters while the family sat around the dinner table.

“Sensei taught me this cool submission move,” Mabel bounced excitedly.

“Your father asked about school, not martial arts dear,” Amanda Hawthrone told her daughter. 

“I baked a soufflé in culinary class today!” Mabel said In a tone that was only marginally less exciting than her proclamation of her new submission move.

“Did you learn how to make it to impress the new upcoming minors?” Abraham asked. “There’s gonna be at least a classroom full of them there has to be at least one you’ll fancy.” 

“Are they still gonna do that after what happened with Izz?” Mabel asked, taking a bite of mashed potatoes.

“I don’t think they’d cancel those plans unless the sun exploded tomorrow,” Coach Hawthrone told his girls.” there are only about 10 minors now but by the start of the next school year that number going to more than double,” Brenda’s father shrugged “at worse the kid that caused that mess will get a suspension and won’t start until the minor faculties are updated and the rest of the class joins.” 

Mabel smiled wickedly.

“That kid should pray for suspension after what he did to Izzy he’d be lucky she didn't break his arm,” Mabel said.

Brenda squirmed uncomfortably at the thought of Izellah breaking a minor's arm. Brenda didn’t commit violence and she didn’t like seeing it and the image of her new friend doing such a thing made her uncomfortable. 

Maybe that was unfair. If Izellah got angry with that minor no one would blame her. MAJORS cared for minors as a whole and as something to bond with so if you didn't kill them and you were high enough rank most MAJORS would make excuses for them. 

After Izellah had bonded with Brenda, Brenda couldn't bring herself to believe Izzy would do anything so drastic.

“Oh, mom,” Brenda turned to her mother. ``Is it okay if a friend comes over this weekend?” 

To Brenda’s relief, her mother looked pleased by the question.

“Of course honey. Miss Swan is always welcome inside my house anytime.” Amanda smiled.

“Well, her too but also,” Mabel blushed “Can miss ivory come over?” 

Brenda heard Mabel groan audibly and watched as a smile formed on her father’s face. Just for a moment, Amanda’s expression flickered. To what Brenda couldn't tell, neither could she tell if it was good or bad but regardless she saw her mother smile along with her husband. 

“Of course dear. I'd love to meet with Miss Ivory as well as have a little talk.” 

-----------------------////-----------

“What in the bloody hell am I doing here,” Randalf thought not for the first time. 

“You know why,” the voice of Randalf's wife echoed inside his head.

The moment Summer Bradbury had heard that the ex-minor of Winton was in a relationship with Darren Winton, the very Winton within the Winton Heights's Winton she had been unrelenting. 

Randalf knew his wife didn't want to hurt the poor girl, in fact not wanting to see Izellah Ivory hurt was the reason Summer was having Randalf visit the library every day.

“I want to help the little miss as much as you do, however I still have classes to attend,” Randalf told his wife through the bond.

It wasn't like Randalf was lying. When he had heard that Izellah pretty much demanded Darren to go out with him and the boy agreed Randalf was confused.

It hadn't been that long since Darren Winton had been suspended and Izellah didn't seem like the forgiving type. 

It wasn't until Summer had told Randalf that it could be a MAJOR thing that was causing Izellah to do something stupid and play with fire when she wouldn't normally. So from that day on Randalf had been coming to the library every day to bump into Izellah, the two of them talking would give summer pretext to have a one-on-one with Izellah and give her advice on the MAJOR world. Summer was a better choice than one of the ex minors friends. Summer was a long-lived, mature MAJOR who could offer better advice than other teenagers no matter how smart they thought they were.

“I've been helping you with your exams,” Summer complained, “you'll be fine now, focus on finding Izellah.” 

“There's nothing to focus on,” Randalf complained back, “we’ve been at this for a few days, she's probably not coming today either.” 

Izellah started dating Darren on Monday. Summer and Randalf found out on Tuesday and started to visit the library from Wednesday onwards to know avail.  

“Didn't you get Ignacio’s number?” Randalf asked Summer aggravated, “why can't you just call him?” 

“I tried! He was probably given a gag order and a new cell phone while the government decides what to do with this MAJOR/minor development” when bonding like this it was less like someone talking inside your head like the tv shows or some other levels of the bonding could replicate, it was more like you started thinking thoughts that you knew weren't your own. Nonetheless, Randalf felt Summer shouting at him based on nothing but the intensity of thought. “Now shut up and just look around for her!” 

Randalf sighed and got up to roam around the campus library. It was modestly busy, exams were starting at the university level and many of the studiously inclined high schoolers were preparing for their end-of-the-year exams. They had to, Randalf had heard how intense those A.P courses could be. It made sense with how intelligent MAJORS are at their base.

No matter where you went as a minor you would always get looks. Some were hungry, others were curious, and you even had the occasional look of condescending interest like as a minor you weren't even worth their time. Contrary to popular belief not all MAJORS cared about minors in the slightest.

Randalf scanned the horizon while still keeping to the shadows. Even with his marriage to Summer the looks he received could still make him uncomfortable. Randalf saw the muscular librarian scan a few returned books and put them on a cart full of the things, she looked up from her work and saw Radalf gazing at her. 

The librarian never smiled but Randalf could sense her pleasure regardless and he watched as the white-haired Titaness approached him growing larger with each step until she was close enough that Randalf had to take his step back just to see the youthful MAJORS face. An annoying maneuver that some did on purpose while others probably didn't even notice, minors were just too small and rare for them to know how to act.

“Can I help you with anything sweaty?” the librarian asked, void of any emotion.

“No, love,” Randalf told the looming MAJOR “I'm quite all right.” 

The librarian giggled, flashing Randalf the first smile he's ever seen on the girl.

“You can call me love if you'd like a cutie but my name is Misty,” Randalf was perplexed by Misty’s tone, could you sound fake while also seeming like you’re truly excited?

Randalf gulped. Despite his years of experience dealing with MAJORS Randalf couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the mere presence of this giant woman. Any minor could tell about their conflicted emotions when meeting a new MAJOR, something between attraction and fear. Randalf at this point felt he had a decent grasp on the giant oafs by now but he still felt the former and for the latter he better cool it or else Summer might burst through those doors and challenge Misty the librarian right then and there. Then Randalf would have to deal with his wife’s ire and how he “distracted” her from her mission. 

“Well before you go back to your knowledge quest Mister Bradbury we have to get you a library card,” Misty said almost cheerily.

Misty recruited the help of another librarian staffer to assist her in getting Randalf his library card although he suspected Misty didn't need the help per se just someone to take the picture for her so Misty could get a picture with the “adorable little minor” herself.

After Randalf’s ordeal with the jacked librarian was over he was left with a library card he had no use for. The Bradbury family was wealthy enough to get a hold of any research material or reference book Randalf could ever hope for. Izellah had no resources at her disposal which is why both Summer and himself had thought to scout the library, knowing how studious the ex-minor was.

Randalf took a sharp turn to continue his fruitless search when it felt like he smacked right into a tree. Randalf knew better of course. It took him a second to regain focus but the familiar sight of a MAJOR's  legs rose before him, and while they weren’t trees per se they certainly seemed as tall. 

The legs owner swore under her breath while another MAJOR laughed out loud behind her. Randalf craned his neck up to follow the towering shapely legs of the MAJOR to see a pair of jade green eyes peering down at him from over the modest hill of her bust. 

“Miss ivory,” Randalf spoke up to the new MAJOR, sending a signal to his wife that he had found their target. “Fancy meeting you here.” 

Izellah crouched down to speak to Randalf eye to eye, or as close as the taller being could get eye to eye. The gesture was appreciated nonetheless. 

“It’s just Izellah, Mr. Bradbury”

“It’s just Randy or Randalf miss Izellah, why the formality?” 

“You are older than me and,” the giant young woman squirmed clearly uncomfortable, she leaned in close and Randalf could feel her hot breath on his ear “if I don’t show you proper etiquette how can I expect the other MAJORS too?” Izellah whispered.

“Ah. I see,” Randalf whispered back “just using my name is enough.” 

“Who are your friends?” Randalf questioned loudly.

“Oh,” Izellah stood to tower over the little man. “This is Brenda Hawthrone,” Izellah said waving to the “short” redhead with one long braid over the shoulder “and this is Rebbeca Swan.” Izellah said gesturing to a brunette girl with abundant cleavage.

“Howdy art boy,” the tall one said.

“He has a name,” Izellah told Rebecca testily.

“Rebecca!” Brenda exclaimed “he just introduced himself.” Rebecca shrugged, she didn’t seem to be taking the scolding to heart. 

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Bradbury.” Brenda said.

“Likewise.” Randalf told the Hawthrone girl.

“So what are you doing here?” Izellah asked.

“Just waiting for summer,” Randalf replied, watching as she approached the small group in the library. “Speak of the devil.” Randalf said pointing behind the three MAJOR girls.

All three tuned in unison to watch as the love of Randalf’s life approached them. Despite her advanced age even for MAJORS Summer still looked breathtaking to him. Black leggings hugged Summer’s king shapely legs and although the king dress-like sweater she wore wasn’t the most revealing, you could still see her perfectly toned body and large chest underneath. While you could see the beginning signs of aging in her features, Summer still retained a somewhat youthful appearance, which was no doubt due to the superior genetics of a MAJOR the hard work Summer had put into keeping up her appearance should still be appreciated. 

“It’s been ages,” Summer smiled, “MAJOR life seems to be treating you well Izzy.” 

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” Izzy said abashedly, “it has been awhile, sorry that things have been hectic since we got back from Old Creek.” 

“Clearly, so what brings you to the library?” 

“We’re looking for a book on magnets,” Brenda interjected happily.

“Yeah,” Izellah smirked, “maybe you could help us find it?” 

“Oh absolutely!” Summer smiled back. Randalf was happy to see everything appeared to be working out. Summer wanted to talk with Izellah, with him there if able, alone otherwise. “Izellah can come with me, while you’re two friends look together elsewhere and Randy can ask his new best librarian friend where the book could be.” 

“But-“ Randalf said, a pit forming in his stomach.

“Come now **love**,you’re a big boy, you can talk with a Liberian alone.” 

Izellah exchanged looks with Brenda and Rebecca before the two of them went off to look around the library on their own. Randalf supposed the tone Summer had used and the glare Izellah gage them was enough to cow the two girls into acquiescing to Summer demands without a complaint. 

God Randalf thought his wife was so hot when she took charge. The two MAJORS were long gone, lost among books by the time Randalf had reached Misty to inquire about the location of a certain book he wasn’t even told the title of, something on magnets.

———///———///————//———-

The Winton library held a robust science and technology section. The reason being that Winton University had a relatively famous science department and what school would be stupid enough to not feed their golden goose, or at least that’s what Izellah assumed.

Summer and Izellah stood about 6 feet apart from one another, scanning the bookshelves. Izzy was new to the subject of superconductors so she and Summer were looking for books directly talking on the subject, thesis papers, research papers, all from accredited scientists in the field. Rebecca and Brenda meanwhile were searching for related material that might be helpful but not altogether tied to the research directly. Izzy had no clue where to begin with on that front so she just left it to Brenda.

I would never have been able to check out this book without sitting on Sabrina’s shoulders, Izzy thought to herself as she took a book from the top shelf.

It was a plain book hardback book. Izellah flipped through it absorbing much of its information at a breakneck speed, never on one page for more than half a second. 

Izzy glanced in Summers direction and noticed that the other MAJOR was doing the exact same thing. If Izellah had seen Summer do that a few months ago she would have thought that Summer was just flipping through pages and not rapidly absorbing information like she actually was. 

The conversation would have started with an innocent question about the book Summer had basically “read” followed by what was to most MAJORS a showing of a mundane feat that most of their children could have accomplished but what to a minor might as well have been magic. 

Just another day where a MAJOR out performing a minor while  barely even trying. 

Izellah stopped at a page towards the middle of the large tome and forced herself to read it as she would have as a minor. It felt slow and tedious. The words flowing by like molasses or a stream made of tar. It almost felt like a waste of time to read it this slow, if you were moving this fast you might as well not move at all. 

“So how’s MAJOR school life?“ Summer asked as she put a book back on the shelf.

“About the same as before I’m just taller now.” Izellah said, returning the grey science book to its spot on the shelf.

“Get into any fights yet?” Summer asked, as she found it,flipped through and decided to hold onto a book. 

“Not yet. Although I’ve come close a few times. I’m usually hanging around Brenda or Sabrina and I think that has a lot to do with it.” Izellah said as she took out, searched through and decided to keep a book titled “intro to Magnets:from nods to superconductors”

“It won’t stay like that forever Izellah.” Summer said cautiously, “Sooner or later you’re going to be thrown through your first tree or car door.” 

“I know,” Izellah said, pausing to look at Summer who was already staring back at her one book in her hand as one of hers was in the process of taking one out. “My papa told me stories.” 

“Stories and books are one thing Izellah,” Summer walked towards Izellah slowly, closing the gap between them. “Experiencing it is another.” Summer stopped, just far away enough that it’d be socially acceptable but still close. “You were a minor longer than you’ve been a MAJOR, the world you’re jumping into is much different than the one you came from. Power will be underlying every interaction and the only way many know how to use it is through violence. You may be a MAJOR physically, you may be a MAJOR in many ways mentally, but you spent way too much time as a minor to not still probably think like one and to believe the same things as one. You’re jumping into the ocean and everyone else is used to the water but you.” 

Izellah took all of Summer’s exposition in silence. She had figured Summer wanted something from her the moment Izzy had felt Randalf send out that “pulse”, she really shouldn’t have known it was for a lecture. The fact Izellah couldn’t put that together sooner was probably proof she wasn’t ready to go swimming in the ocean yet.

“Why tell me this?” Izellah asked after a moment. 

Summer’s face melted into something softer. She wasn’t really aggressive to begin with, more focused than anything. Now however Summer almost seemed sad.

“Motherly instinct,” Summer explained “I’m married to a minor dear. My Randy may be shy but he’s got a fire in him. He wants to compete and he wants to be his best and I love him for it.” Summer turned her gaze and stopped on something. Izellah followed Summers' gaze to see Randalf holding a stack of books that looked to be bigger than he was. The muscular Liberian Misty stacked a few more books on the pile, smiling all the while, like she was watching a puppy take its first steps. “Perhaps MAJORS treat minors poorly but I haven’t seen a minor get injured from a MAJOR be condescending. A fire is good and all but you’re swimming with the sharks, do you get what I’m trying to tell you?”

“Yeah,” Izellah said dryly “more or less.” 

“Good,” Summer said, shutting the book in her hands “now is there any way I could convince you to break up with your attempted rapist?” 

——————-///————-///—————-///—-

The weather was nice tonight, Edward thought to himself. Not too hot, not too cold, the air fresh and clear. There was a gentle breeze coming from the southwest that Edward couldn’t help but appreciate, especially after a day of hard work.

The sounds of rustling equipment, crackling plastic wrap the beeping of equipment mingled with the other more natural sounds of the forest that surrounded them. Men, large MAJORS, muscle bound and almost as highly trained as Edward himself moved about around him, finishing with their assignment and leaving “no traces.” 

“Damn, did I not bring a cigar?” Edward complained as he fumbled in his pockets for the non existent cigar.

“I have a cigar right here for you sir!” A MAJOR dressed in the same lightweight tactical gear that Edward himself wore.

“Thanks kid,” Edward didn’t know how old the kid was or even if he was a kid to him. Peons like him were below Edwards notice, it wasn’t a respectable thing he just could keep track of all those under his command. “It’s a good one too, just for that kid I’ll let you off the hook for making me take care of the guy behind me.” 

Without a second word Edward whipped around 180 degrees to see a MAJOR about a head shorter than him wearing similar tactical gear to Edward and his man around him, a black balaclava covering his face, a knife in one hand outstretched. 

Edward let his would-be assailant go in but he knocked the lunge aside with an open palm so hard he sent the knife skittering out of the man's hand. 

Before the knife even left the hand however Edward has already stiffened two of his fingers and lunged into a strike, he hit  the would be assassin deep into his eye socket. Edward could feel viscera at the tip of his finger and even the sensation of the man's eye at the edges. 

Edward then delivered a devastating front kick that sent his opponent to the ground when the men nearby came to take the still alive intruder into their custody.

I wonder what I’ll have for dinner tonight? Steak maybe? 

“Dress his wounds and send him to site B, I’ll question him later.” 

A series of yes sirs greeted Edwards orders which weren’t really directed at anyone in particular. He was done for the night, after a quick brief with one of his lieutenants Edward could head back to his current home away from home. 

There was that nearby restaurant near his hotel that Edward had heard was really good, maybe some sushi tonight?

After completing his business it was a short walk to the extraction point Edward would be leaving from. A clearing that was used as a campground. A black SUV was parked in the middle of the quiet campground. A short man intent on whatever was on his illuminated tablet stood in front of the vehicle, men dressed in black suits surrounding him. They looked like the type of people you would see in the secret service, Edward was pretty sure some of them used to do just that.

“Steven,” Edward said as a greeting, “steak or sushi?” 

Steven looked up from his tablet, his plain features illuminated from the bottom by the tablet casting his face on shadows. He had short brown hair and round glasses. His face was impassive.

“Why not both? I never knew you to be on a budget.” 

Edward gave a nice hearty laugh. 

“I like the way you think.” 

Edward and Steven piled into the parked SUV, the men in black holding the doors open for them and closing them once they got inside. Edward took the doors closest while Steven went around the SUV to enter on the drivers side.

The interior was of quality black leather and to Edwards pleasure held enough room for even his bulky body. 

Wordlessly Steven placed a cell phone on the seat beside Edward who in a rehearsed move took the device and called the only number stored on it. Both the name and number were blank being replaced by a series of “X”. Edward didn’t need the phone to tell him who he was calling. Reports like this were common, and Edward had done them half a billion times working for the Alarie family. 

“Fred!” Edward exclaimed when someone picked up the phone a few rings after calling the lone number.

“Yes, yes I did everything you told me to….enough will be left behind to lead to the next bread crumb….it could be any number of interest groups, I took one in for questioning but I doubt we’ll get anything too useful out of them. I can’t imagine why you let them sniff out a trial even if it’s false you still have us keep tabs on the little lady they might find her and see through the decoys….I’m returning to operational hq, yeah. Yes. Talk to you then.” Edward hung up the phone but kept the comparatively tiny thing in his grasp as he turned towards Steven.

“How’s the internet front if I may ask?” 

“Good enough,” Steven said, tapping away on his tablet. “Ours is the easy part we’ve had the framework setup since the serum was completed and we made the finer adjustments since we found the target.” 

“I always get the hard part,” Edward said with a large smile.

“If you get to beat up that cyclopean kid again does it matter?” 

Edward could help but laugh, crushing the cellphone in his bare hands. With a few tons of force in his fingers he crushed it in its entirety which most importantly included the phone's SIM card. 

Edward rolled the window down and chucked the cell phone remains out of the car, it wouldn’t be of use to anyone now. 

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” 

The car passed a sign with “welcome to Old Creek” in big bold letters. The place it all really started. 

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