"The Lesson" by Chiya Pike

I wrote another calculation on the board, and waited for all the little kids in the class to copy down the notes before I explained. This was very basic stuff ... exactly what the singing did according to physics, distorting colors and properties of different pitches of notes, ie: pure green equivalent has a calming effect, and so on.

So very simple yet all the young Singers had to learn it and it was kinda neat teaching them since it was at about this age, learning this same stuff, the I had become interested in the craft that is singing to produce magic.

As one of the ten advanced students, I was learning some very complex things. One of which I was having particular trouble with was the producing of an actual ball of light that took away one's evil powers.

I remembered earlier that day. We were sitting outside by the stream. (something to do with green again...we were in a forest.) Three of us were practicing together, and all three of us were having trouble with making the ball of light substantial enough. The stuff we're learning is hard!

I looked around at my class ... many of them had looks of concentration on their faces. I remembered thinking it was difficult, at that stage. Boy, had I come a long way!

Most were looking at my calculations in awe. I assume most had figured it out by now. I should explain it.

I glanced lazily around the class. One girl had her hand up.

"Yes, Sara?" I asked in a motherly type voice, at about light green.

"Miss!" the girl Sara said, a terrified look on her face. "Miss, what's Timmy doing?" she pointed at the boy sitting next to her.

I looked over at Timmy. He looked like he was looking at the board, but then I noticed it. There was a red gleam in his eyes.

My heart skipped a beat. That meant only one thing: he was evil. He would attack everyone's minds and kill them that way. Sometimes people were born that way, and that could be cured.

Danger could be anywhere. All around ...

I threw my chalk at the board where it shattered, and ran over to Timmy. He already had his thoughts concentrated on Sara, killing her brain. Or at least planning to.

I swore, oblivious to the shocked five year olds.

Then I did something which was either very smart or else very stupid. I offered him my brain. I could hold out longer than little Sara. Long enough to ... to use the power I couldn't do yet. If I were to get it right, it would be now!

Grabbing onto Timmy's wrists I made him look into my eyes. Good, his hold on Sara was gone. And then I started to chant under my breath. I took great care with the intervals - they were where I usually screwed up. I concentrated on the ball of light.

I needed it - we all needed it - to survive.

About ten long seconds had passed and then I willed the white to consume the evil powers. If it hadn't worked ...

I leaned, panting, on the desk, my hair all askew. If it hadn't worked, then it would be the end. He'd attack everyone.

They were all watching me. The entire class, with wide eyes. And Timmy's were blue, no longer gleaming red.

"Miss?" asked Sara, "You Ok?"

"Yes." I said. "And thank you for telling me about Timmy."

Then I went on to explain how the bit of magic works, before finishing explaining what was on the board. Poor Timmy would have to start at the utmost beginning again. But at least he wouldn't be evil.