Chapter 220
Pre-AP History is definitely my easiest class—unlike pre-AP Algebra, which makes me want to make a hole in my other eye with my pencil. So, while Mr. Nelson was talking about three obvious reasons that led to the American Civil War, I decided to try a little experiment. Since I was sitting in class, it was a little risky. There was a chance something might happen, but I was willing to take my chances.
“Who can tell me what the term ‘states’ rights’ means?” he asked, pacing in front of us like he always does. Seeing that he wasn’t calling on me, I stared at a spot on the floor near his patrolling feet, and tried concentrating as hard as I could, reaching out with my mind in an attempt to contact any Vampires that might be nearby.
What nearby even meant, I had no idea, since I didn’t know if my range was a block or a thousand miles. As Mr. Nelson began to discuss the motivation of the Southern states, the sound of static filled my mind, like an old television set when the antenna has slipped. I didn’t know how to tune my mind, so I decided to tip my head at a slight angle to see if that mattered. It didn’t seem to. After a few moments, I tried another angle. Nothing seemed to help. It was as if whatever was happening was just beyond my reach.
After about twenty minutes, I finally was startled to hear a muted conversation, which seemed to be fairly far away, just out of my range, I guessed. Either that or I just didn’t know what I was doing. It sounded like two people—I tend to think of Vampires as people, still—talking about their plans for later in the week. All I understood was “Wednesday” and “night,” but I could at least hear the rhythm of a conversation—not that it did me any good as far as gathering information is concerned, but I felt like I was making progress.
“Cassidy?” I looked up to see Mr. Nelson staring at me, like he’d asked me a question.
“Yes, Mr. Nelson?” I said, forcing a smile. “Can you repeat the question please?”
There were a few snickers as he said, “I said the Union initially tried to recruit a certain general whose influence would help define the war for the South. Do you happen to know who that might be? No one raised their hand, so I decided to ask you. Perhaps no one was paying attention.”
“Oh, no. I was paying attention. I just wasn’t sure if you wanted, the uh, name of the general or how he influenced the South. It was Lee,” I smiled. “Robert E. Lee.”
“Very good.” Mr. Nelson wasn’t upset at me anymore, and I was proud that I knew that without having to use my IAC to look it up. (I preferred not to think of it as cheating since it was technically part of my head now.) “We will be talking about how having Lee on their side was a significant plus for the Confederacy as we continue to discuss the war.”
Mr. Nelson moved on to another question for another unsuspecting student, and I decided I should probably turn on my IAC next time I decided to do that so that Brandon could listen to my teacher for me, or I could rewind and see what the question was really quickly. Nevertheless, I’d learned a few valuable bits of information. The Vampires didn’t seem to know I was eavesdropping, which was a plus, and I was able to make out a few words. I thought Brandon’s suggestion of trying in a more densely populated place was a good one, though, and as history class came to an end, I decided I needed to take another trip. This time, I’d take an adult with me so as not to get myself into any trouble.
