Later that day, I was hiding by a pillar located at the entrance of the basement, where I saw Melo drag the girl into.
Fletcher must have been walking by and noticed me as he taps my shoulder. "Saint? What are... you doing?"
I shush him and act as though I was trying to be sneaky. He seems to understand as he hides as well.
"Fletcher, I think some students are trapped in there."
"What?! Why haven't you helped them?!"
Lying as I continue weaving a story. "I was too nervous, I heard some distant screams, and I was scared to go down there alone."
Fletcher seems to empathize with me, then puts on a tough look. "Don't worry, together we can save those students!"
He begins to walk towards the basement, but I grab his arm, and he turns confused.
"Wait! We need to think about this rationally."
"Rationally? What are you talking about?"
"If the school is monitoring every inch of this school... why haven't they done something about this?"
Fletcher pauses as he fails to come up with a reason, realizing the same thing. "What... are you saying then?"
"You heard what our professor said. We're just punching bags for the weak. I assume the person behind all of this is from a higher class, and he's targeting lower-class students." I say this despite it being a lie; Melo is in the same class as us.
"All the more reason to go save them if the school won't do anything!"
"And what? We save four or five lives now, but it will just happen again and again. This is a chance we were given." I refute.
"A chance?"
"You have to bring about a change to this school; if you save them, it will merely change their sights towards you. Making you their next victim."
He steps back before re-engaging. "Well, regardless, I can't let their cries go unheard. I have to go save them!"
"No...Instead of being a temporary hope, one that will be killed in silence. Become the voice of the weak, and fight! Create a new era for this school. One where class does not matter. Become a real hero."
Using my ability, I create a pointed mask with a star theme and a full suit with a cloak, handing it to Fletcher. "Become a symbol for people to look towards as they crawl in the dirt. Something to look up to, something to worship."
Fletcher looks down at the attire, pausing before he seems to understand what I'm trying to accomplish. "But... why me? You should be the one-"
"I was far too scared; I was about to turn my back and run out of fear. But you!... as soon as YOU heard their cries... retreat was unacceptable. You only stepped forward, fearing their safety over yours. You are a natural-born leader, Fletcher."
He looks at me, hesitating but realizing that only he could pull it off. I had made it as if he was hand-chosen by god himself to save this school from injustice. He seemed far too caught up in my vision, that any skepticism had vanished.
"I will stay outside and keep a lookout for this ...villain; go save those students."
I stop him yet again. "And Fletcher, you are the new hope for this school. You have to become an image we can pray to, a star in the sky."
He puts on the outfit and nods in agreement.
In his new exo suit and mask, he sneaks down into the basement scouting the area.
I can hear the trapped students wailing. Their bodies are attached to a large barbed hook. They begin to cry at the sight of the now-masked Fletcher.
He begins to call out. "Are you guys alright?"
The student's eyes suddenly brighten as hope returns to their eyes.
"Who are you?"
"That doesn't matter. Please! Save me!"
"Meeee, please!"
Fletcher stands there in his new costume, likely paralyzed in fear of the tortured victims as he hesitates for a moment, remembering my words. "I am... Volley, the hope that fights injustice such as this! Don't worry; while he is gone, I will save you all!"
Good, he has created a persona for himself, one that does not resemble his real self.
I chose Fletcher because after our first interaction, I realized he is the perfect leader, Kind, strong, disciplined, bold enough to say his thoughts, and most importantly, easy to manipulate if I dangle the concept of justice in his face.
"What if he comes back?"
"No matter, I will protect you all!" Fletcher declares.
"Please save me first!"
"No, save me!"
I watch as the students begin to bicker amongst themselves coughing up blood as to who should be saved first.
"No way! I've been here the longest!"
"Shed your fear, I will save you all. To think such a terrible thing could befall you all."
He begins to unhook the students as they cry out, clinging to him as though he were their new god.
"I shall get you to the nurse right away."
Once they have all been released, they make their way out of the basement. Fletcher... or should I say Volley, leading the charge. Avoiding attention, I decide to blend in with the group of freed hostages. Volley chants as he marches onward. "Now! Let us go forth! For justice!"
Eventually, I break off from the group of victims once they had arrived at the nurse's office.