“AHA! You’re wrong, Lisette! I’ve read about zombies and bokors and stuff! That is some dark shit, so don’t go looking all stricken!”, Jake replied, defensively.

Lisette’s sarcasm took Jake back a bit and he started to really consider the ramifications of his actions. What would his father say? Daddy had bought him out of trouble before. If Lisette went to Pendragon, would his dad take care of this mess? But, this was protecting the school. Surely they would all see this.

“I am NOT a pretender, smartass!”, Jake growled, pointing his finger, “I’ll have you know that I’ve actually saved three people’s lives before…”, he crossed his arms over his puffed out chest, “…it’s all in the police reports in Dallas!” His pride in his past deeds wavered a bit when Lisette called him a bully; surely she couldn’t seriously think of him as a bully. He was the nicest guy on campus, for goodness sake.

Releasing a heavy sigh, Jake spoke in an even tone, “I’m not a bully, Lisette. If I’ve offended you, I apologize. I always mean well.” He walked towards the exit door and stopped, “I’m going now and I won’t speak about what I've heard, but I know you weren’t speaking any human language. Until I find it’s actually harmful to others, I’ll keep it to myself.”