W I N T E R C A R L Y L E

---

Mr. Lehrer answered her question in the most vague way possible. It irritated her, but she knew he wouldn't admit it outright that something weird happened and continued to happen. She also wasn't stupid. She knew the rumors circling about her and Mr. Lehrer. She knew Trinity was probably spreading a good majority of them. She heard quite a few; that she was sleeping with him for better grades, that she threw herself at him and he denied her, and some dirtier than that. She blew them off. She felt like she wasn't herself anymore and she knew the others recognized it.

The one constant so far had been Sebastian. Were they dating officially? The two never seemed to make it official, but she liked spending time with him. The guy was a prankster, a rebel, the bad boy your mom would warn you about, but she could tell he had a softer side to him. She still remembered touching his arm and seeing him as a younger version of himself. She still remembered it. The vision itself was kind of blurry, but she knew it was him. Mr. Lehrer knew what was going on, but he wasn't about to say anything in the middle of Social Conscience. Fine, she figured, she'll get him to admit it one way or another.

Then he threw a curveball at her. A camping trip with the class. Parent's signature needed. She sighed a little. That means she would actually have to talk to her parents. Who knows where they were in the world now? She sure as hell didn't. In fact, the last time she spoke to them was the day after the dance and that was a quick phone call to make sure she was ok. She was happy they were concerned, but obviously not enough to drop everything to come home and see her.

She dreaded the call she'd have to make, but if she wanted to go, she had to do it. Did she want to go? She had to admit, even though she wouldn't consider the vast majority of them her friends, she felt closer to the class. She would see them in the halls and there would be the acknowledgment between them. The simple "hey, I know you" nod. Was this one of the goals of the class? Perhaps. But she knew there was more to it than that.

And this camping trip would be the time to find out.

W I N T E R C A R L Y L E

---

After school, she went to the mall to pick out some new clothes to wear to the camping trip. The others may say she's changed, but she still cared about how she looked. She wanted to prepare. She still hadn't called her parents. She couldn't put it off. The slip had to be in the next day or she couldn't go. She picked up the house phone and dialed her father's number. After a few rings, he answered. Or, someone did.

"Hello, Raymond's phone. Who's this?" the voice answered. It was a fluttery tone that the woman most likely felt made her sound sexier when, in Winter's opinion, it made her sound stupid. She would never say it to her step-mother's face, though. She sighed inwardly and replied, "Hey, Jules, it's Winter. I need to speak to my dad, is he around?" She never called Jules mom. It felt weird. She didn't hate the woman. Far from it actually. She liked her and she made her dad happy. She just didn't like her pushing herself into the mother role when Winter just wasn't ready. She may never BE ready, for that matter. Her mom would always be her mom. Jules responded quickly, "Sure sweetie, he's right here. Hold on." She heard her yell her dad's name and seconds later, he came on the phone, "Hey Win, how are you?" Her dad's voice warmed her heart up to the point where she smiled. Despite everything, she loved her father dearly. He always provided for her, even if he couldn't be home. Back when her mom was alive, they would always come see her in school plays or performances or participate in school functions. Now, he was always off on business. She assumed it was to get his mind off of her mother's death, but now he jet-sets around with Jules. "Hey dad, I'm good. I'll be quick because I know you're busy, but I need a permission slip signed. We have a school trip tomorrow, it's a camping thing for that Social Conscience class. Is it ok if I go?" She didn't bother to say she had already planned on it, but she knew her father would say yes. Sure enough, he laughed a little and continued, "Of course, sweetheart. Have a good time! Just have Samuel sign it for me. Listen, honey, I have to go, important things, but we'll be back in less than two weeks. When I get home, we'll go out and do something, just the two of us. Ok?" She heard that promise before, it was usually met with him having to go somewhere else or go into the office and she would be bought a present for him standing her up. She continued to hope that he would finally follow through, but she didn't hold out hope. "Sure dad, thanks."

W I N T E R C A R L Y L E

---

The trip to the park wasn't bad. She sat next to Sebastian and Rita and they talked a bit. She gradually came to know Rita, mainly because her and Sebastian were really close. When they finally got there, they began the trek to the campsite. She had never been a fan of camping, but she knew this would be a great time to get Mr. Lehrer alone to talk about the dance. Plus, she could get cozy with Sebastian at the campfire. Despite the weirdness, she was still a teenage girl.

She heard Sebastian run up and toss her an apple. She caught it, though she fumbled a bit. She giggled at his childishness, but bit into the apple with relish. Sure enough, it was juicy and delicious. She continued to eat as she strolled along. Aiden was up in front of her. The boy was still closed off to her. She could feel he was upset with her, was it because of the dance? Or something else? She knew he had his own issues to deal with so she never bothered him, but she wanted to make sure he was ok.

Before she could finish her thought, Sebastian gave her a wicked grin and a wink. Soon, she felt a small breeze emanate from him before he 'stumbled' forward and knocked Aiden to the ground. She saw his shoes, tied together. She questioned how that happened until she remembered Sebastian's super speed. So he used it to pull a trick on Aiden. And to make matters worse, he didn't sound sorry about it. He offered Aiden a hand, but the guy was not pleased. He faced her with his smug grin and she couldn't return his smile. It wasn't funny. Some light-hearted teasing was one thing, but Aiden was not the right target for it. Before she could say anything, she saw Aiden wind up a throw and a small stone hit the back of Sebastian's head. Now things were getting too much. "Ok guys, that's enough.." but before she could finish, Sebastian turned around and Aiden decked him. Hard. She gasped a bit as she saw Sebastian fall. In an instant let out a small yelp, but the two of them continued at it. Sebastian moved quickly and the two of them started going at it. She ran up to them and tried to pull them off of each other, "Guys, stop it. Sebastian, Aiden, stop it, you two!" Her yells were on deaf ears though. Mr. Lehrer quickly ran over to join them. Only then did the boys stop, but Sebastian stumbled back. Winter looked at him and saw the panic in his eyes before she saw the flames on his shirt. He began taking his shirt off and patting the flames down and she noticed the scars on his body. She would deal with that later. Now, it was too much. She knew the fire was from Aiden and the two of them almost hurt each other. Enough was enough.

"Ok, that's it! I've had it! I am sick and tired of continuing like nothing is wrong when things are clearly not right! Mr. Lehrer, this has to stop! What is going on with everyone? Why are people exhibiting these....abilities! Aiden can control fire, Sebastian can run super fast, Rita has super strength and God knows what everyone else can do. And I know there is something wrong with me because I can remember the events of the dance. The true events of the dance. I know what happened to Elroy and so do you! I can't take it anymore! Tears began welling up in her eyes and days of emotional baggage finally let loose. "What's wrong with me? Why can I remember things that others forget? Why wasn't I affected by that strange guy's spell?"

E V A N D E R D A R I O

---

Evander turned his head only slightly towards Aiden and Belle, hearing them converse for a while. He quickly lost interest and began tuning into what Sir Jonas was saying. Trauma, locking up memories - he knew that all too well. He only had one memory that he could not seem to unlock and he is unnerved by the fact that he couldn't remember over twelve hours of his life and that was when he was eight years of age. He had started to remember everything when he was five. So when he couldn't remember anything at the time, he began doing everything he could to recall the events that led up to him getting his power but his parents stopped him, reasoning that his brain locked it away for a reason. He gradually accepted that fact.

Now that it happened again, he stopped himself from actually going too much into it. Something must have happened. His mind locked it up for a reason. But he just felt it was wrong not to remember. Maybe one day, but certainly not today. Nothing was coming back besides the feeling of fire on his skin and smoke choking him. What interested him in what Sir Jonas said was that he could probably get those memories back. His mood brightened up, albeit only slightly, at the prospect of remembering it. Maybe it would be better to remember. His mind was telling him that something was wrong, unlike what happened in his younger years, and he just might figure out why.

He held the PCF for the field trip in one hand as he walked out of the room. Huh, he never was one for these kinds of things. He never was one for any type of extra-curricular activities. But it seemed that it would be interesting. As much as most of Sir Jonas's lessons didn't appeal to him, it somehow makes him enjoy what was happening. He guessed it was because he didn't seem to have to worry about the grades in this class. And hey, maybe the field trip would actually turn out to be an experience he wouldn't forget.

E V A N D E R D A R I O

---

Evander dropped the PCF onto the table for his parents to see later on. He moved to his room to get dressed. He was already walking around the house to collect what he needed for the field trip - or as much as he could in his house. They didn't have much stuff so he was certainly lacking some things. After an hour, his mother called him for dinner.

He walked down the stairs just in time to see his father enter the house covered in sweat. Evander nodded his head in acknowledgement and John did the same. As his father headed up to change, he headed towards the table. Mary was still preparing the plates though. "Was that John?" She asked, looking over at Evander as he entered the kitchen.

"Yes." He replied, biting back a remark on how only his father had the only other key to the house. He tended to go in back and forth teasing with Emily, but he learned that doing that with his mother would only result to him getting in trouble. It is all meant in good fun but his mother just can't get it. Woman doesn't seem to know the difference between a joke and a serious conversation unless directly told. "I think he'll be down after he dresses up."

And indeed, John was down in home clothing and sat down with the rest of the family. Once everyone was served and eating, Mary began talking, "John, look at this." She handed the PCF to the man and he inspected it with curiosity. He raised his eyebrow as he finished and then looked at his son.

"You? Interested in joining a field trip? Nakakagulat." John said with a shake of his head and then placing the paper on the table. "And what is this field trip about?" He asked, interlacing his fingers and propping his elbows on the table, setting his curious gaze on his son.

Evander shrugged, "Making friends and teamwork I guess." He replied before taking another bite to give him ample time to think of something to continue with. "Thought it would be interesting to go, since I think everyone would be going. It's free too." He continued once he had swallowed his food.

"O, sige sige. Good for you anyway. You gotta work on that... uh..." He snapped his fingers as he tried to think of the right word to say. "Socializing thing." He finally said after a few moments. He took a pen from his pocket, which he always seemed to carry around, and then signed the paper. "You better pack up now so you'd be all prepped on Friday."

Evander nodded. Alright, no turning back now.

E V A N D E R D A R I O

---

And so the week passed by in a blink and it was already time for their field trip. Like what Sir Jonas said, he had packed lightly - only taking one backpack. Then again, there really isn't much for him to bring in the first place. Once everyone was inside the van, he went inside as well, opting to sit down near the door. Last one in, first one out - perfect location. In the duration of the ride, he would only reply when talked to or when his opinion was needed. It wasn't eventful though and he spent most of the time looking out of the window to watch the buildings zoom by.

When the arrived, he quickly opened the door for everyone and exited first. He took his black backpack and then proceeded to follow the group to wherever the hell they were going. In the two years he has been living here, he honestly hadn't been to anyplace else aside from places he actually needed to be. It would be boring to go hiking alone, seeing as his father was busy and his mother would probably decline the offer, he didn't have anyone else to go with him. Emily was a candidate but she didn't find hiking as exciting as going to the mall.

But he's making excuses at this point. Evander just didn't like it all that much. Plain and simple. But, as stated before, he was willing to give this one a shot. Although he hasn't taken off any of his extra apparel - his scarf and his gloves were still on his person. He had been intent to get the mile hike over with as fast as possible. But it didn't seem that the group had the same intentions.

Or at least, Sebastian was not. No surprise there though. When Evander heard the thud, he turned around to look at what happened as saw Aiden on the ground with Sebastian trying to help. Obviously the latter had done something, or Aiden seemed to think so. Then, the two started to fight. Aiden threw a punch and Sebastian retaliated and the two disappeared into the flora. He wanted to move to help but Sir Jonas had raised his hand to signal them to not interfere as he bellowed out the order to stop.

The next thing Evander saw was fire. It took him another moment to process that it was Sebastian who was on fire. The guy took off his jacket and began to swing it around to extinguish the fire. Where had it come from? Did Aiden carry around a lighter? It wouldn't be much of a surprise considering that he was suspect of being an arsonist. Though in that little scuffle, Evander couldn't see how Aiden would've pulled out a lighter and how quickly it spread on Sebastian's clothing. Before he could even think about what seemed like claw marks on his classmate's body, Winter's little ramble caught his attention.

Huh? Winter was spouting something about the true events of the dance. Something about Aiden controlling fire, Sebastian having super speed, Rita having super strength... she hadn't mentioned anything about him, thank God, but he suspected that perhaps she does know. Perhaps what happened in the dance made him use his powers. Because he knew he did, he just didn't know why or when or if anyone else saw it.

When Winter's tears became apparent, Evander couldn't help himself but take a step forward to pat her back. It was a reassuring pat, like a friend would give his friend as comfort. He wasn't close to her by any means, something along acquaintances as always, but he just couldn't help but doing it. But he didn't say anything, not trusting himself that anything he would say would alleviate what Winter was feeling. Though he would move away if anyone else had something better to do. He had no idea what exactly was she talking about, but she obviously knew something.

A I D E N M c K E N N A

---

As the sound of tires trampling gravel rolled to a slow stop, Aiden soon felt the rattling of the window against his skull cease as the bus became quiet and its engine claimed well-earned rest. Reluctantly, as the other passengers began to shuffle and gather their belongings, Aiden forced his eyes open. He'd taken little interest in surveying the rolling scenery as it whizzed past, instead doing his very best to disconnect from the present and be whisked off elsewhere; his forehead pressed against the glass in the hopes of its shuddering vibrations making his thoughts numb.

It had done little to remedy his condition, and images of the dance, of his parents and now even of Belle were burning in the fires of his head; not one of them seeming clear as they were licked by orange tongues and engulfed in dark smokes. Nothing was clear. Nothing made sense. He knew he had to make some sort of discovery soon, with complete madness looming over him and threatening to swallow him whole should he fail. And so, it was with a begrudging sense of defeat that, with Evander's help, Aiden disembarked the bus.

Maybe it won't be too bad, he tried to convince himself, as he finally allowed himself to absorb the beauty of their surroundings in all its tranquility. Maybe this is just what I need. Calm.

Alas, it was unfortunate for Aiden that not everyone on the trip was interested in the benefits of the serene valley, and Sebastian Scott showed little interest at all in discovering any sense of equanimity in the forest. This became all too obvious to Aiden about twenty minutes into the trek, when a sudden snagging around his ankles caused the world to blur and for Aiden's stomach to lurch as he hurtled to the ground. Trying to avoid becoming a spectacle, Aiden shuffled around in an attempt to return to his feet, but found his shoes firmly tied together. What the fuck? How--?

A hand was outstretched for him to take, and Aiden might have accepted the offer had Sebastian's sneering face not been on the other end of it. Everything about the smug expression plastered across his face and the tone of his mocking voice betrayed Seb's responsibility. Aiden knew it was him. He had no idea how he did it, all he knew was that he did. His eyes burned, and heat fought to burst free from him via any means of escape it could find. But Aiden refused to let it beat him. He couldn't let Seb win.

He quickly untied his shoes, but the spirit of vengeance within him refused to be left hungry, and soon Aiden felt a rock leave his grip in the direction of Seb's head. Everything was moving too quickly for Aiden to process, he was in the same mindset that he often slipped into when he let his more fiery desires consume him; driven entirely by primal rage and the abandonment of logical thought and reason. As Sebastian turned around, Aiden landed a solid fist into his face, and soon enough the pair were locked in a fight.

The scuffle led them off the dirt track and into nearby woodland, voices that now seemed foreign warning them to cease what they were doing and return to the group. But they held little weight in the mind of either boy, both of whom ended up falling to the earth as a rogue tree root interrupted their duel. The noise Seb made as he hit the ground shook Aiden enough to grant him a fleeting moment of clarity; just enough to realise that something was not quite right.

And then, before he knew it, Sebastian was on top of him with impossible speed, staring into his core with eyes that were wild and possessed. His breathing and bared teeth were terrifying; he was behaving more like a hungry animal than the harmless jack-ass Aiden was familiar with. Everything in Seb's beastly eyes told Aiden that he was Sebastian's prey. Instinct swiftly took hold, and with a thrust of both arms Sebastian was sent recoiling through the undergrowth as fire clung to his jacket and began to spread.

Shit, Aiden cursed to himself with panic as he began to hear the screams of the other students. Shit, shit, shit.

It wasn't until Aiden heard Winter's rant that the gravity of the situation his Aiden, as the usually composed girl seemed to sob her way through a startling confession about the dance. Aiden can control fire was the only phrase his brain would focus on, and as it bounced around his brain he struggled to grasp the rest of what Winter was saying. The fundamentals were clear: Winter could remember the dance, and she'd seen a group of the students using powers. Most worryingly, she'd seem him use his powers. That confirmed Aiden's worst fears: Elroy hadn't been responsible for the fire that night. It was all him...

He had little time to indulge in his own guilt, not when there were more pressing matters at hand. Aiden could cope with a lot of things, but prison was not one of them... No amount of guilt or conscience would allow himself to be incriminated. Especially not by the likes of a busybody like Winter Carlyle. With a deep, meditative breath, and pulling his lighter from his back pocket, Aiden emerged from the woodland to face the music.

"Cool story, Winter," he interjected, flicking forth a small flame from the Zippo and then allowing it to die. He did this repeatedly as he continued to speak. "But if you're gonna get it published, I'm gonna need you to amend a few details." The way he played with the lighter was almost threatening as he took steps closer to the girl. The confidence he exuded hadn't been felt by Aiden in a long time; not since before his powers manifested and turned his life upside-down. People who had known him previously might have recognised that self-assured glint in his eye that had vanished when he returned to school. It was as if he was possessed by the ghost of his former self. Not hostile, just... Intelligent, and keenly aware of it.

"You see, there are issues with defamation of character there." He proceeded, his eyes switching from the lighter to Winter almost rhythmically. "I mean, sure, it's fun to imagine Seb or Rita with fantastic powers. But the fire at the dance wasn't part of your imagination - or any of ours, in fact," he added, gesturing to the rest of the group. "It was real. Elroy and Lou set us all up with the dance. They wanted to watch us burn. And the more I think about it, the easier it seems for someone with such a pivotal position in the school community to spread rumours." His eyes scanned the group, knowing that they would all have at some point engaged in gossip about him and his fire-starting impulses.

"The problem I have here, Winter, is that I've already been put under a lot of pressure by whispers about me at this school. My family have suffered, but we've persevered if only because we knew the truth. And now it's out: one of the arsonists is imprisoned, and the other is missing. Things are finally looking up for us." He paused, shooting Winter an unplaceable look.

"The last thing we need right now, is for someone to make accusatory suggestions about magical powers of fire. We were all there that night, Winter. Unless anyone else here has any memory of me torching the place, I'm going to need you to keep your mouth firmly shut." He said, flicking the lighter and allowing the flame to dance for a little longer than usual, before suddenly and harshly shutting the cap and extinguishing the flame. "My family can handle no more of this nonsense."

He looked over at Seb, whom had somehow been extinguished, leaving his chest exposed and revealing some unsightly scarring across the flesh. Aiden reasoned Seb had likely just picked the wrong person to mess with, and took a modicum of satisfaction in apparently being the second person to teach him a lesson. He gestured towards him with the lighter, before pocketing it.

"Put your hands anywhere near my throat again, beast boy, and you'll have a lot more to worry about than a lighter. I'll be ready next time."

---

_{Three days before school starts}

"GO TO HELL!" Chris spat at her mother one last time. She had seethed for days over the news of being shipped out to some school in Nowswhereville in the Middle of Nothing. Even the town's name was agreeing with her. It's was a Hollow place in a Hollow world. A world where no one wanted her and she didn't want or need them.

"I HATE YOU!" Chris screamed. The sound of it tore her throat and made tears come to her eyes. The raw pain echoed in her soul. Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone? Her life was over. Done. Finished.

Chris slammed the door shot then the bars. She snarled as her father opened the door. "Haven't you done enough?" She threw at him. "I'm going. I'm gone. I don't need you either!" Without hearing her parent's replies she ran down the broken walkway. No one in their block paid any attention to the screaming. It was normal not to care about other people's business. Especially in their small neighborhood where being a busybody could get you killed.

Chris didn't stop running until she couldn't breathe anymore. She staggered a few more steps before letting her duffel bag slide off her shoulders and hit the ground. Inside the duffel was every bit of clothes she owned. It wasn't much but it was all hers. Chris stared at the bag hard enough to burn it to ash if she had the ability. But she didn't and it just sat there mocking her. The damn pay-as-you-go phone the cop got her for her house arrest (he'd call to check up on her) that her folks now used to contact her rang. She tore it out of her pocket and with a scream of rage threw it against the nearest building. The black monstrosity broke and clattered to the ground. Now she really was free. If she vanished back onto the streets no one would be able to find her.

With a deep breath Chris weighted her options. Both options involved never going home. One involved school and the other control of her own destiny. She looked at the bus ticket in her hand and frowned at it. Crestwood Hollow. The destination was bolded as if to mock her. She crumpled the paper ticket even further up and reared back to toss it like the phone.

Lily's white face flashed into her mind. Tear stained and fear etched. Chris lowered her hand and looked at the crumpled paper again. Opportunity. This school was supposed to help her somehow. That's why her parents wanted her to go. Only her mother's God knew why. It was just a normal frigin school.

No.

They were abandoning her. Just like Lily. They didn't want her. No one wanted her. Not even this school. If they thought they did they were mistaken. Chris raised her hand again then lowered it and screamed. Screamed her rage, fear and frustrations away. When she was done no one was nearby and she felt just as empty as the early morning street. Like watching someone else move her body Chris grabbed her duffel and walked to the bus stop.

---

_{First day of School}

"Freak."

"Weirdo."

"Crazy."

"Unnatural."

Chris ignored the whispers of the students around her. Ever since her arrival at the High School two days ago she had ignored everyone. She hadn't said one word. Not even to her roommates. Those girls quickly banded together in their dislike of Chris. Whether it was because she was Black and they were White or because of her ignoring them, Chris wasn't sure. But it suited her just fine. She didn't like them either. It was tense and slightly awkward, even Chris would admit it if she had been talking.

Chris stared down at the schedule she had been handed. She skimmed over the courses she had been given. They were all your average math, science, English courses. Except for one that made her laugh. And laugh. And laugh.

Social Conscience

Tears rolled down her face and she had to literally lean against a wall to stay up straight. Did this Preppy White Kid School really think it was going to save the Poor Black Criminal Girl?

When Chris finally contained herself she glared at those people gawking at her. She knew that her "break down" would be all over social media and the campus if it wasn't already. A fact that was proved as she walked to the assembly. People avoided her like she had the plague. No one even sat next to her despite the gym being completely full. They choose to sit nearly one on top of the other then tolerate being near to her. A small part of Chris loved it. The rest of her felt contempt.

The rest of her classes were pretty typical first day things. It left her wondering what the hell she was doing in school. She dropped out when she was fifteen didn't she? Why was she back? Just because it was something to do? Chris chewed distractedly on her mechanical pencil.

The last "class" of the day was Social Conscience. Chris nearly skipped. She hesitated by the door as a bunch of kids entered. In the end she entered and choose a spot nearest the back wall and the windows.

Who Am I?

Chris snickered. Maybe the professor needed to take a trip with Sophie. After all this was a social Conscience class not Philosophy. Moron. Chris went back to chewing on her pencil and staring out the window. She ignored the other students and only made a passing effort to turn her desk and join her assigned group. The teacher didn't much care for her attitude, but she didn't care much for his either. Life wasn't fair.

Chris completely ignored the announcement about the school dance. Lame. She was totally skipping. Who needs other people? They only care about themselves.

---

_{Day of the Dance}

Chris had to listen to all the freakin' chatter of her roomies and their friends all freakin' day about the Lunatic Dance. They were loony that's for sure. Chris frowned at the small school provided chromebook. She had homework to do and it was a bitch because she skipped the last half of tenth. How they finagled her into eleventh grade, Chris wasn't sure. An she wasn't sure if she was happy or angry. If she hadn't been nearly sober she would have solidly been in the 'angry' category.

Listening to a bunch of inane chatter was nearly enough to push her there anyways. But some how over the course of her stay at the school she had perhaps rediscovered why she didn't mind school so much in the first place. Still, that rediscovery wasn't enough to make her NOT want to pick up the p.o.s. computer and lob it at her rommie's faces.

The mental image made her smile briefly. Then Lily's terrified face popped into her brain. Chris cranked up her music as loud as it could go and went back to doing her homework.

---

_{Night of the Dance}

Obstinately Chris turned in early for the night. As soon as the last girl was out of the room she slammed the door shut and turned off all the lights. Chris stayed looking at the door until her eyes adjusted. It was quick, no more than a few seconds. The not inconsiderable amount of light coming through the windows was enough to illuminate the whole room.

Chris turned in a small circle basking in the silence. Silence was one thing she was growing to love. Her home had always been a riot of noise either from her siblings or those who lived in the surrounding apartments. Where she bunked down on the streets there had either been the sound of cars or other people carrying out less than legal business.

But here? Nearly true silence. There was voices sure. But they were faint and far away. Most days they vanished all together by curfew. It was only here that for the first time she was truly alone and she took comfort in that. Chris eventually retreated back to her room and stripped. Naked she slipped under the covers and closed her eyes.

When she awoke it was to a crawling feeling on her spine. Chris huddled under the covers and waited for whatever it was that disturbed her to repeat or go. She didn't have to wait long until she heard a long mournful howl. Nature wasn't something she was used to. Wolves scared her more than most things and this sounded close.

Chris curled tighter into a ball and waited, dreading the second howl. Unconsciously she knew when it sounded again it'd be nearer to her room. For long agonizing minutes nothing happened. When she finally relaxed enough to move she went to the window hoping there were no wolves around. There wasn't but a building burned. She watched it burn unable to tear her eyes away. Something new, yet very old, solidified in her stomach.

---

_{After the dance}

Rumor abounded that one of the students caused the fire. Aiden. They said his name was. Everyone was all a twitter (literally and figuratively). Some the students near Chris boasted about how they knew Aiden was a pyro. Apparently they had all seen him start the fire. Had all seen the police come and personally escort him away even though the faculty insisted he had been taken to the hospital. Just a cover up they said. They're lying so they wont have to bear the shame of a pyromaniac student.

Ironically when the kid was cleared everyone who had been talking smack about him about faced and proclaimed loudly to anyone who would listen that they knew he had been innocent. And when the real story came out they were proud to add they had personally seen Ellory start the fire. It was all so annoying. Chris didn't want any part of it.

Not that anyone seemed to care. It was like some sort of cosmic joke. And the punch line was apparently Winter. Would you believe people thought Chris was weird. According to Winter everyone... well was wrong. Her out burst seemed to catch everyone by surprise. Even the teacher. He neatly dodged the question and the girl dropped it.

With the drama over Chris sighed and turned her attention back to the window she had been staring out of these past few weeks. Social Conscience was NOT a philosophy class. She. Had. Covered. This.

Chris tuned out the class once more to her own musings. She only roused herself when she was passed a piece of paper. She dropped it on the desk and stared at it like it was a snake. The teacher's words were like a dull roar barely heard over the pounding in her ears. Hiking. Outside. Nature. The howls of wolves bounced around her head. People died in the wilderness.

By the time Chris looked up she was alone. She quickly grabbed her bag and rushed out of the room.

---

_{Now, on the "Hike"}

Getting permission had been awkward. The school counselor had taken it upon herself to contact her parents on Chris' behalf and get permission. Which was why she was now in close quarters with a bunch of people she disliked with a small bag full of camping gear that went against everything she knew. If you went camping didn't you need more things? Not less? Unless Lehrar was going to abandon them like Hansel and Grettel.

Though if Chris thought the van was bad getting out was worse. There were no buildings. Few people and lots and lots of trees. They loomed over her disturbingly. Anything could hide in there. Chris could die in there. Give her an urban jungle any day compared to a real jungle.

The sound of Scott munching an apple made her jump. To quickly cover her reaction she hurried after Lehrar not desiring to be left behind. Ever. The man would have to think again if he thought he could abandon her in the middle of nowhere.

As they walked Chris quickly abandoned the lead position. She didn't like everyone behind her. Instead she chose to be last. Not that one cared. They all chatted amongst themselves. Though the only relief was the longer Chris walked without dying the more she relaxed. Outside really wasn't so bad after all. She could actual get used to it.

And then. There was always an "And Then" wasn't there. Whatever set off Aiden set off the group. Soon there was lots of yelling and hysterics and by the God Chris didn't believe in, she was done. She debated turning back around but decided she'd most likely get lost and then die. The universe hated her so much.

B e l l e D ' V o i r e

---

The class, as a whole, made it roughly halfway before mischief managed to ensue. Belle was sure that, with any other similar ragtag bunch, the practical jokes and bad-taste misdeeds would be shared among the members equally; but for the Crestwood Hollow Social Conscience Class of 2016, they needed only the one reliable troublemaker, and the one reliable victim.

They spiraled into the bushes nearly as quickly as the situation itself had spiraled out of control, Jonas and the other students reacting far too late to prevent any carnage. Stood rigid, a group of frozen bystanders spectating an inevitable conclusion, they listened to pained yelps and muffled grunts, before the two emerged: scruffy, panting from exertion and anger, and Sebastian visibly smoldering. Belle looked at the boy's lightly burning jacket with an intense curiosity that she doubted evaded Aiden's eyes as Sebastian quickly stripped it from his torso to fan the flames out; each whipped ember seemed to be a new connection dropping into place. And then Winter did something that Belle thought extremely foolhardy, perhaps even outright dangerous - she confessed to what Belle couldn't help but believe to be the truth. Too many piece, dropping into their places oh-so-neatly...

The danger Belle had theorized made itself apparent as Aiden immediately sought to quell Winter's outburst, holding a lighter out as both a threat and plausible deniability. His words were sinister, but compelling, and Belle knew she didn't want her secret out, either - it was so young, and as Winter hadn't called her out by name, she knew she couldn't have exhibited anything at the dance - which meant something must have happened to cause her...development. She stepped in.

"Aiden-" she pleaded, placing a hand lightly on the boy's shoulder - a noticeable heat coming through the fabric of his hoody - and pulling him back slightly, "come on. She doesn't mean anything by it, she's just freaked out. Sebastian is being a dick, but you just burnt him and I think we've all had our fair share of fire for a good long while. Winter is scared, and upset - we all are - and we need to get to the campsite and get some food and drink and not explode in the midst of all the stress that's floating around."

Belle moved back, wary that she had overstepped her bounds. She had definitely shown a new side to her - a commanding, dominant side, one she'd been exploring since she'd began testing her influence - but she hoped that only one or two of them would pick up on that. On the ground around her, Belle was painfully aware of several ants, a couple of centipedes and a few beetles that had edged closer and now rested on or near her feet. Carefully, she issued a retreat command, while making a show of shaking the couple bugs that had climbed onto her off.

"Winter, come this way." She said, extending a hand and a comforting, patient smile. "I know it's difficult, but fantasies are a common method of self-made therapy or even repression. All I remember of my genetic experiments are cloud-castles manned by wizards - but I've got the medical records to know better." She paused as Winter accepted her hand and stepped into her, and Belle led her back along the path, shooting Aiden, Sebastian, and most importantly Jonas an icy glare over Winter's shoulder as they re-started their walk. "There may be some missing truth about the dance, but I know it will come out," she said, murmuring at a near-whisper to Winter, "and until then, we have to be careful about any...accusations."

B R Y N N R E Y E S

---

Brynn’s fingers moved quickly over the keyboard as she typed out another line of her English essay, mind so lost in her writing that she didn’t notice the nurse approaching. “Ms. Reyes,” the nurse — Ankitha — said gently. Brynn looked up in surprise, tensing before relaxing and smiling.

“Please, Ankitha, call me Brynn,” the girl said, rising from her seat in the comfortable cushiony chair in the waiting room of the hospital. Stretching her back, Brynn looked around curiously. “Is the hospital closing soon?”

“In thirteen minutes, but you should catch him before he leaves” the nurse said with a smile. “Your father is heading to the main hospital after — something about a possible case of acute leukaemia.”

“Thanks, Ankitha,” Brynn said with a sigh. “I guess I should have come yesterday — thought he would have had at least one day free this week.”

The nurse watched the girl head towards the back of the clinic with a sad smile. Through her twelve years of working with him, Dr. Michael Reyes had always struck her as a kind, compassionate person. She’d assumed that it all carried carried over to his home setting as well, but it soon became clear that Michael wasn’t one to put family over his passion. That much was clear.

The estranged family of a doctor, I suppose, the woman thought as she took a last perfunctory glance around the clinic, making sure everything was in place for when they opened the next morning. It’s quite amazing that both of his children have grown up into such mature, respectable individuals despite the lack of parental presence in their lives.

Brynn pushed open the door at the end of the corridor, rapping her knuckles on it lightly to catch the white-garbed man’s attention. ”Dad,” Brynn said as the man swivelled around on his roller chair, lifting his reading glasses as he did so.

“Brynn! Honey, how are you?” Michael Reyes asked, a broad smile stretched over his tired features. “What brings you down to the clinic?”

”Parent signature,” Brynn said with a polite smile, brandishing the form she’d gotten from Lehrer before handing it over to her father. “Was hoping to catch you earlier at home, but you didn’t come home...”

The man pulled a face, receiving the form with a sorrowful expression. “Oh Brynn, you know how things are around here,” Michael said. “The Williams’ boy came down with a terrible flu the other day, and then Kurt Lorenzo dropped by the next day — you remember him from Christmas? And then—”

“It’s fine, Dad. Really,” Brynn said with a small smile. “You’re busy. I get it.”

“Really?” Michael asked, eyes widening for a second before he visibly relaxed with a sigh. “That’s a relief. Well, what do we have here?” the man asked, frowning as he slipped on his glasses and stared down at the paper. “Camping trip? Over the weekend? Brynn, you know that your brother’s flying back for a visit—”

“That’s next week, Dad,” Brynn said flatly. Michael looked up in surprise before laughing awkwardly, relieved.

“Oh, it is, isn’t it? Wow, I guess I really am tired,” he said, frowning. “Well then of course you can go. Behave yourself, yes?” Michael asked, signing his name at the bottom of the form as he continued. “There’ve been more incidents in the woods lately, and I don't want you getting hurt.”

“Of course, Dad,” Brynn said, taking the form back and folding it up before depositing it into her bag. “I’ll see you later then.”

Michael looked like he was going to protest for a moment, but the phone rang and a look of realization dawned on his face. “Dr. Reyes speaking,” he said, picking up the receiver and waving goodbye to his daughter. “Yes. Yep, I’m on my way over now. See you in a few. Alright, you too. Bye.”

---

The bus ride was uneventful, and Brynn spent the drive gazing out the window, mind blank. The first part of the hike was the same. As a runner, Brynn wasn’t bothered by the length of the hike, so she instead spent her time enjoying the fresh air and reminiscing about the days when her family used to hike together. It seemed so far away now, so unbelievable that her father, mother, and brother used to take time out of their busy lives and spend it with each other, and yet it once was.

Her brother had once been an avid hiker, dragging her parents out on hikes in their spare time, but then he entered high school and life picked up. Caden had to focus on his studies, Brynn’s father was opening up a new hospital in downtown Crestwood, and her mother was finally getting her promotion. A decade later, and here Brynn was, hiking with a bunch of classmates she barely knew much less felt a connection with.

A commotion broke out ahead of her, snapping Brynn out of her daze. It was the troublemaker, Sebastian, and Aiden McKenna. Sebastian was the aggressor, by the looks of it, but the tussle soon took a brutal edge that was more furious than Brynn thought necessary or even possible for two high schoolers. Alarmed, Brynn looked ahead to Lehrer, but Winter stepped in and shouted something that stopped her cold.

Controlling fire? Spells? Had the younger girl finally cracked under pressure? Sure Brynn knew that Winter had been behaving a bit oddly the past week, not hanging out with her usual crowd, but she had no idea that it’d been that bad.

“Back off Aiden,” Brynn snapped at the boy when he waved the lighter around again. “You have a point right now, so let’s keep it that way and put the lighter away.”

Turning, Brynn jogged over to Winter who was currently being patted on the back by Evander. “Winter, you okay?” Brynn asked, eyes scanning her friend’s face for any indication of pain or worse. Behind her she heard Belle say something before walking over to Winter, leading the girl away and whispering something in her ear comfortingly. Figuring that Belle was probably one of the friends Winter had picked up during the last week or so, Brynn shrugged and dropped back to talk to Evander.

“You’d think that, since we’re on a trust-building trip and all, they’d think twice about fighting,” Brynn commented with a frown. As long as she didn't get dragged into it, Brynn was fine with the others tearing themselves to pieces, although she’d prefer not to have to clean up the scraps.

E V A N D E R D A R I O

---

Evander frowned at Aiden, though he couldn’t possible know since Evander always had that same neutral expression on his face. But he was certainly disappointed in him. While even he doubted the truth behind her words, phrasing it like that is just pretty bad. That would hurt Winter, cut really deep into her. And she was already emotionally unstable. His eyes were stuck on the lighter though, the flames being lit and snuffed by the other male. It somehow looked menacing. He had heard of the rumors that Aiden here was an arson - everyone knew about it - and seeing him like this made him think that there was perhaps some truth behind the rumor.

She seemed to really believe what she was saying though. Powers… hyperhumans. If, and this is an extremely big if, what she was saying was true then… then that meant that there were others like him within this class alone. The idea of it seems so far-fetched as what is the possibilities of everyone in a class being a hyperhuman, like him? Right? That would be around one in a million. He only met a few hyperhumans and those were few in between.

Good thing Belle stepped up to speak what he had been thinking - or at least, what he had been thinking of how those words would sting Winter especially in her condition right now. He was quite surprised that she had this side of her as what he saw from the days before is that she is quite a submissive type. But he guessed that he never really knew any of them too well. Well, then again, that was a fact. There wasn’t anyone in this class that he knew on a more personal level.

When Belle took over and took her away, Evander stepped aside and removed his hand on her. The black haired male sighed and then looked over to Brynn who had started speaking. ”Indeed. I expected this to go more… let’s say, peaceful.” He said with a nod of agreement. He honestly thought he would have a great time, or at least as much of a great time he could get. However, the fight dampened the mood on, what he assumes, the whole trip. He shouldn’t have expected much though. Sebastian was known for his troublemaking qualities. And lo and behold, they had an easily pissed off guy. ”I surely hope the mood lightens by the end of the day. Either that or I’m out.” He mumbled, enough for only Brynn to hear what he was saying.

He then turned his attention to Sir Jonas as he regarded him along with Christine and Brynn, ordering them to get the camp set up since they were the only ones who had nothing else to do. Though Evander could use something to do now. He'd rather not just sit down and think about what the hell Winter was talking about. At least when he's doing something, he would be concentrated on that something. He helped the others in pitching up the tents and then taking out the necessary food for later's dinner. It wasn't very hard, their chores. He guessed it was harder for Belle who had to provide emotional support to Winter. He didn't help with igniting the fire though as he isn't too comfortable getting at extremely close proximity with fire.

By the time Sebastian arrived, they were already done setting up and Evander was sitting down by then. The fact that Rita 'left' interested him but as there was no further explanation, he decided to just push that to the back of his mind. He was given a hotdog to much at. This was apparently their dinner. Along with the potato wedges. Well, it was enough to quell his hunger so that meant it was dinner. He started eating once Sir Jonas started speaking once more. Ah, the team building exercises. Evander was clueless in how they'll make this work, considering all that has happened.

"I don't think there's a soul in this planet that doesn't know capture the flag." He commented, but not in a rude way. Or at least, he didn't think so. The name itself was self-explanatory too so one could understand that almost immediately after they hear the name of the game.

Well, time to see how this goes.

W I N T E R C A R L Y L E

---

Winter hated this feeling. The feeling that you were going slowly insane. Perhaps she did imagine the events of the dance. Perhaps she imagined the wolves, the powers, the dark figure that set fire to the gym. The others seemed keen on painting her as the crazy one. Even Mr. Lehrer wasn't impressed.

However, one such person beckoned her over. Belle. She hardly talked to the girl, but that wasn't because Winter didn't like her. They just didn't run in similar circles. Instead, she pulled her over to the side and calmed her down. It was a sweet thing for her to do and Winter felt instantly better. The stress of everything had gotten to her, she would have to apologize to the others later.

However, Belle mentioned something that got Winter's attention. Genetic experiments? What was that about? So...she wasn't crazy? They really did have powers? It sounded nuts, but it was the truth. They had powers that were unexplainable and Mr. Lehrer knew. She also remembered her own instance where she did something unexpected. Seeing Sebastian as a young boy. Was that a vision? Was it a premonition? Was it a memory? She didn't know the answers, but something spoke to her. Something told her that this trip was going to set events in motion. Perhaps Belle would know.

"I don't know how else to explain this, but I think I can see other people's memories. Or something along that line. I remember at the dance seeing Sebastian as a younger kid. It happened after I touched him. I also remember the dance despite everyone else forgetting. I don't know what to do, but I won't sit on it for much longer. If Mr. Lehrer doesn't explain soon I am going to someone else." Winter kenw the weight of her words. She may be branded a crazy person, but someone would believe her.

Belle, seemed to be interested in helping her. She knew more about what may be going on. Winter decided to try something.

"Would you be open to the idea of me trying it again? Seeing if I can see memories? I won't do it if you aren't comfortable with it, but I need some closure. Some understanding that I am not slowly losing my mind. Please?" The young girl's eyes pleaded with Belle. Hoping she would allow this small favor.

---

_{Orlaith Valley Trail and Park}

Alright, Evander, Christine and Brynn. Lets start getting the camp set up, I'm sure the majority of us are getting hungry.

Chris looked away from the fight turned hug fest and blinked at the teacher. It was Chris. Not Christine. The words were on the tip of her tongue but she forced herself to swallow them. He wanted her to help with what? Chris looked back down the trail longingly back to civilization. This was all bull. She just wanted out of this forest of death and back to that stupid school. At least there she wouldn't have to worry so much about getting eaten.

Chris huffed out a sigh and followed the other students to what must be the camp site. She frowned at the tent she was given but managed to turn it into some semblance of shelter. Good enough Chris shrugged. Wouldn't stop a wolf or a hungry bear. But even a well put together tent wouldn't do that. Giving her work a passing grade she headed over to the group to eat her share.

Of course the semblance of peace couldn't last. With a grin the teacher (or devil more like) spoke again.

So after dinner, I'm thinking we can do a quick team building game before we call it a night. How many of you are familiar with the game capture the flag?

Oh. My. God. After this were they all going to hold hands, talk about their feelings and sing kumbaya around the campfire? Chris let out a loud snort.

B e l l e D ' V o i r e

---

Winter was saying...something. She had seized Belle's hands between hers, and Belle could faintly recognize a look of honest and sorrowed pleading on the girl's face...but it was like she was perceiving everything through misted glass. Winter's words were muffled and echoed around Belle, and the woods around them quietly sunk away as Belle withdrew, images plaguing her mind and demanding all of her attention.

She slipped backwards. The sky went from dull blue to tiled white, fluorescent lights glowing harshly and filling the space with a low buzz. There were voices coming from behind Belle - not Winter's, but a lower, male voice. Her...father? She tried to crane her neck to see, but although she could feel her movement, her view didn't change. More tiles. More lights. More voices.

There was a flash, and she was in another room, sat on the side of a bed, her legs dangling over the edge. Small black shoes with small silver buckles, striped socks beneath. She wasn't alone - she felt her vision move without her command and now she looked at three, four more faces, all young like her, all pale with withered hair and the smell of death. Across the room a door opened, and a lady clad in more white entered with a tray. Everything so sterile, and the children so sick.

Belle blinked, and now she was in the same room, but alone. She knew her parents were on the other side of the door, but they were not with her, and neither were the children from before - only a man in a shirt, sleeves rolled up and an ID Badge clipped to his breast pocket. Beside them on a table lay another tray, a few vials and a syringe resting on it. The man filled the syringe from one of the vials, and gently placed a hand on Belle's shoulder. He was talking gently, crooning calm and warm words of comfort and congratulations. The cold metal pierced her arm, and she felt the serum invade her bloodstream. That's what it felt like - an invasion. A foreign force. It did not belong.
But she was forced to accept it, and soon, it would make itself belong.

There was no flash, this time, just immediate, blinding pain. An intense fire that burned from Belle's very core, radiating outwards in waves of lashing heat that crippled her, bent her in two until she had nothing to think of but clawing out her insides, stripping the very fiber off her bones and laying herself bare. The pain was the all and the only.

Years flew by in a most literal sense - the time seemed to be physical, fixed in a shape both incomprehensible and instinctively understandable in equal measure - and Belle was an outside observer to her own growth. The experiments and the pain ceased, leaving only her to survive them or the illness they treated; she felt the strange weight of her treatment rest anew within her, like an old ache she had learned to ignore brought back to her attention. There was a deeper curve to it now, though, and she felt the changes it had caused within her. Her mind focused on those changes, and her memories seemed to respond. The night of the dance. The fire.

There was...fear. Fear had always been there, but it had been bloated to cover the truth of the evening - of the mystic and impossible brought to reality. Wolves, beasts of wild nightmare, a new invasion. Belle had slunk through an unguarded escape, collapsed in her own terror and helplessness. The weight within her had...tilted. She understood, now. She had to protect her hive, and she had risen to that end. And then He appeared. Wreathed in malevolence and dark magicks, it was him that had set the fire and taken his prize...and wiped their memories. Everyone's except for...

"Would you be open to the idea of me trying it again? Seeing if I can see memories? I won't do it if you aren't comfortable with it, but I need some closure. Some understanding that I am not slowly losing my mind. Please?"
Winter was in front of her again, that look of sad desperation now sharply focused, her words coming through like bullets through ice. Belle felt the crunch of gravel and twigs beneath her shoes and heard birds chirping from the trees around her. She was back in the woods.

"I think you already have." Belle said quickly, wrenching her hands away from Winter's grasp, a look of outrage accusation piercing through Winter. Belle knew Winter had forced those memories out of her, knew she had seen it all as well. She had seen more than Belle had ever chosen to share with anyone. And Belle didn't even have a say.
"I believe you, Winter." Belle said, taking a careful step backwards and talking low enough that only Winter could hear her. "But now you have to stay away from me."
Belle turned up the path.

-

Belle was quiet with her own thoughts as the group set a campfire and began to cook their dinner for the evening. She sat alone as Aiden and Sebastian left on their tasks, and didn't notice either of their returns until Aiden sat down next to her, passing her a plate. She looked at the food with a distinct lack of appetite that she had not experienced in any of her years since childhood; and then she lifted her head, turning to look at Aiden as he ate, paying no attention to her.

She sidled closer, careful not to draw notice from the group, getting close enough to whisper into Aiden's ear.
"The dance wasn't Elroy and Louis," she hissed, Aiden's ear pricking up, "and it wasn't you either."

B R Y N N R E Y E S

---

Now that she was here and walking around, Brynn realized that she’d been to the park before — twice. Once with her entire family and once alone with just her brother as company. It’d been one of those sibling-to-sibling bonding trips during break that never really ended well. In her case, it had ended with skinned knees and blue bruises that didn’t fade until winter break was long over.

Brynn’s tent went up with a struggle — her father and brother had put up the tents during family trips, and trips alone with her brother never went overnight — but eventually, after consulting the manual and inked pictographs a few times, Brynn got the hang of it. Not the best of jobs, but passable, Brynn mused to herself as she dusted off her leggings. Guess I should consider investing in some Survival 101 classes.

Having brought a box of matches — Brynn had watched enough survival flicks to know that only an idiot went into the forest without a swiss army knife and a firestarter of some kind, and she wasn’t in possession of a lighter — the fire was an easy task. Her manicure suffered during the kindling-gathering — her right index saw the worst of it — but soon enough the smell of roasting meat sweetened the air.

“Thanks,” she told Lehrer with a curt smile as he handed her the plate of food. For dragging me out here and then feeding me. I should have just found an excuse and wormed out of the trip altogether — didn’t Mom mention some business party this weekend?

Taking a seat on one of the two benches at the campsite, Brynn glanced at the girl across from her. Christine Wilson, if she remembered correctly. The girl was new to Mather Memorial and seemed awfully cynical, sometimes snorting or rolling her eyes when Lehrer spoke. At least we share that, Brynn thought, turning to Lehrer when he called for their attention.

Capture the flag? Well, Brynn thought, taking another bite of her hotdog as she scanned the competition, I’m not one for sprinting, but running through rough terrain… The Shannon shoreline has enough rocks to ward off cyclers at some parts.

Winter was an athlete — that much was certain — and it wouldn’t surprise Brynn if Sebastian was as well. Belle, Christine, and Evander were ambiguous, and Aiden didn’t strike her as one who got out much. That left…

“It’s an odd number if Rita’s gone,” Brynn said, setting her hotdog down to give Lehrer her full attention. “Will you be playing?”

W I N T E R C A R L Y L E

---

It took only a moment when she touched Belle's arm that the visions began pouring into her mind. She could only stand there and watch as she saw image after image of Belle's past. Some of them were unspeakable. It turned her stomach to see Belle in those situations and she could only watch.

Finally, the events of the dance came into view and everything Winter saw and spoke of was in front of her. She wasn't crazy. That much was clear now. She was telling the truth and now Belle saw it for herself, even if she didn't choose to. Finally, Winter and Belle pulled apart from each other. Winter looked at the girl with solemn eyes. She hated what she saw and she assumed Belle did too, having experienced it. Before she could speak, Belle stepped away from her, a look of anger on her face. She wanted her to stay away. Before she could explain, Belle disappeared.

She couldn't blame her really, she did just make Belle relive those memories. She hated that, but she couldn't be upset for long. She did have powers and it involved memories. She could see the memories of those she touched. It also explained why she could remember the events of the dance and the others couldn't. Mr. Lehrer had to know, which also means he put on this trip for a reason. She would let Belle cool off a bit before she approached the girl with apologies and thanks. She did help her out, after all.

W I N T E R C A R L Y L E

---

As the others pitched their tents and sat around, Winter put hers up with a small amount of effort. She had camped before, but she was a city girl through and through. She didn't meet anyone's eyes, she couldn't yet. And now Mr. Lehrer wanted them to play capture the flag. Great...

She looked around her. The girl, Christine, seemed less than enthusiastic about this. She knew the girl wasn't all for camaraderie, but still, they were here, you may as well try to enjoy yourself. Rita didn't obviously, as the girl was now gone to who knows where. She wondered if Sebastian was ok. She would make an effort to be teamed up with him for this event.

B R Y N N R E Y E S

---

Brynn frowned as the teams were sorted out. What did Lehrer mean? As far as she saw it, the teams were imbalanced purely by manpower; it was three on four, and Brynn was on the team with three people. A glance at her two teammates told Brynn that Sebastian was probably the one who’d carry the team. At most Aiden would probably be able to do was serve as a distraction. Plus, there was the matter of Sebastian and Aiden's little squabble earlier that day. Brynn wasn't one for drama and she definitely didn't want it weighing her down, but it seemed like she had no choice today.

Figuring she may as well prepare for the worst, Brynn weighed the three possible outcomes: winning, losing, and tying. As Lehrer had just called it a team-building game without any other context, there were no clear prizes or punishments outlined for the losers and winners. However, Brynn wouldn't be surprised if the man did come up with some sort of "prize," and it'd be best to win just to be safe. As for tying, it'd be a hard call for capture the flag; the only foreseeable way Brynn could see a tie happening was if the game dragged on forever or if somewhat got hurt, and neither scenario seemed likely enough for Brynn to give it much thought.

At least this isn't a graded assignment, Brynn thought to herself as she received the flimsy red flag. Just as she was moving to talk to her teammates, however, Lehrer indicated the start of the game with a wave of the green flag, causing the class to tense up and scan their opponents with wary eyes. “Let's call a one-minute grace period,” Brynn said, sensing an impending awkwardness and perhaps even conflict. “One minute to get our flags as far away as possible.”

Not waiting for a response, Brynn cast sharp sideways glances at Aiden and Sebastian before taking off for the forest directly north of the rock. Since her attempted call for peace may not have worked — and negotiations certainly did not seem wise with such a prickly, disjointed group — Brynn had thought it best to just use the hesitation her words caused as a distraction to make a break for it. Best case scenario, the other team would uphold the grace period. Worst case, they'd come after her right now, but that's where the hesitation helped.

Hoping her teammates would have enough sense to either keep up with her or go after the other flag immediately, Brynn continued sprinting into the trees, dodging bushes and tree trunks along the way. One hundred yards — that was approximately eighty, no ninety, meters, Brynn thought, picking up her pace Anything less than 100 meters is easy work.

W I N T E R C A R L Y L E

---

Capture the flag.

She couldn't remember the last time she played that game. Was it in summer camp? Or was it in grade school? She wasn't sure. Either way, she wasn't looking forward to the game. She couldn't help but think that Mr. Lehrer had something else in mind for this game. And that angered her. More to the point, he just stood there and let her take the blame for her episode.

She may not like it, but she would take part in it. She walked with her group and kept quiet. She wondered just how everyone was feeling about her anyway. Belle was probably still pissed off at her for something beyond her control, but she could hardly blame her. Evander seemed content and kind. The other girl though, she didn't like the odds of them getting along during this game. Be that as it may, they had to take part, so may as well try.

"So, where should we hide our flag and what should everyone do? I'm pretty fast and agile, so I could probably be part of the hunting party, but I'll leave it up to you all if you have a better strategy."

A I D E N M c K E N N A & A B E L L E D ' V O I R E

---

The solitude of his errand was proving beneficial for Aiden's demeanour, wandering aimlessly through the thick woodland as he allowed himself to mellow. He didn't for a second regret his behaviour, grimacing as the memory of Sebastian's crazed eyes flashed before him. The guy had every intention of killing him there and then; every instinctive impulse in his body has commanded Aiden to defend himself from whatever wild animal had possessed his rival. Of course, he acknowledged he had perhaps been harsh on Winter, but the girl just seemed incapable of casting off her prep-girl tendencies. It was a shame she felt such a need to meddle in matters she knew nothing about.

But then again... Defending his innocence aside, he had to concede that he, himself, had hardly any solid recollection of the night's events. And what if, perhaps, by some small miraculous chance, Winter had somehow recovered her memories in the weeks since? There was no denying the validity of one claim in particular that she had made: the heat in his hands that still throbbed from his encounter with Sebastian was enough to testify. And if she was correct in her deduction that Aiden was a Hyperhuman, then how much else of what she spilled was true?

He kicked a large stone, sending it skipping through the woodland in an attempt to push the implications of what Winter had said out of his mind. Had he really tried to burn down the school? He shuddered at the thought.

Deciding he'd better make good on his promise to return with firewood, Aiden began collecting suitably dry sticks and branches. The selection process was a welcome distraction from his own obsessive ponderings, but by the time he had amassed a sufficient arrangement, Aiden soon realised that it had distracted him in other ways, too. Looking around at his desolate surroundings only confirmed his realisation: Aiden was completely lost.

Fuck, he cursed to himself, scanning the area for a sign of any sort of path. It was beginning to get dark, and yet each direction he looked towards seemed identical to the last. He could barely even recall from which way he had walked, each tree looking as tall and thin as those around it. He had only a small amount of time to begin panicking, before a noise nearby distracted him: the snapping of branch underfoot. His ears pricked intently, more noises followed, and the sound of human footsteps trekking through the wood was unmistakable.

Aiden swallowed loudly, before calling out into the approaching night. "Hello?" he said, his words lost to the army of tree-soldiers. "Mr. Lehrer?"

As if in response, a brilliant red fox emerged from behind a tree. It moved with grace and precision, seeming to strut through the trees before delicately taking seat upon the earth and peering at Aiden intently. Aiden raised an eyebrow, and the fox tilted its head curiously as the two locked eyes for what seemed like an age. He had never seen an animal act so unusually, and something about the fox was... Indescribably off, though Aiden had not seen enough of the creatures up close to determine what it was.

He had little time to inspect further, however, as the fox turned and darted off into the woods. For reasons unknown to him, Aiden felt inclined to follow, and sped after the fox as fast as he could. Naturally, the pursuit of such a nimble creature was no easy feat, but every time Aiden feared he had lost the animal, a seemingly deliberate flash of orange fur lured the boy further into the chase.

And then it was gone. As if into thin air, the strange little fox had vanished into the trees, and Aiden found himself alone once more and panting heavily. As he allowed his breath to settle, Aiden noticed that his laboured breathing was not the only sound he could hear in this part of the woods: he could hear voices, some of which he recognised, and they were close. As he followed the noises, Aiden soon found himself walking straight into the camp his classmates were setting up.

"Mr. McKenna," greeted Jonas, noticing the boy's breathless state and flushed cheeks. "Is everything OK?"

"Yeah, I, uh," Aiden said, surveying the campsite for any sign of the fox. It had led him straight here, and yet was nowhere to be seen. It couldn't be... Aiden was letting the stress get the better of him, he was certain. He allowed himself to chuckle, if only to ease his own mind. "Yeah, uh. I'm good." he said, dropping the armful of dry wood at his teacher's feet and taking a seat alone on a log, a good enough distance from the rest of the group. He didn't much care to talk to anyone this evening.

Alas, it seemed that Lehrer had other ideas, as he began detailing his plans to run a 'capture the flag' style bonding exercise. Aiden frowned and sighed and cursed internally; he was beyond frustrated. Surely, Lehrer knew what he was doing? Surely, he knew that these people would never warm to the school's suspected arsonist? Why was he doing this?

His frustrations were interrupted as Belle slid onto the log beside him. Aiden was deciding whether to ignore her presence and hope she'd go away, or politely tell her he wanted to be alone. He liked Belle enough, but something about her tone earlier in the day had irked him. Before he had to chance to commit to either approach, the girl leaned over and whispered in his ear.

"The dance wasn't Elroy and Louis," she hissed, Aiden's ear pricking up, "and it wasn't you either."

Aiden's eyes opened wide in shock, his mouth dropping a little but his face remaining otherwise locked in the direction of professor Lehrer. He didn't want to draw attention to himself. Without turning to face her, and moving his lips as little as possible, he muttered back.

"What do you know?" he asked.

Belle watched her hot dog as she carefully replied, her voice barely a whisper.
"I know that your speech with the lighter back there was just you covering your ass." She sniffed and shooed away a wasp that was hovering near her food, allowing it to land on her shoulder.
"And I know that you probably had a decent reason to torch Sebastian." She took a bite, mulling the luke-warm psuedo-meat over in her mouth as she chewed slowly.
"And I know that you are far from being alone. Despite how much you want to be."

Aiden scowled a little. Belle was intelligent enough to have begun to add up the available facts, and her tone of address made it clear that she was beyond disuasion. Still, he supposed it was better Belle, than another of the group. She, at least, seemed to have some empathy towards Aiden and his... Situation.

"If Winter's to be believed, then the whole school is, like... Infested," he said, being careful to still not deliver any concrete confessions. "But suppose she's right? Suppose I have a few tricks up my sleeve..." he said, his voice lower than it had ever been for crippling fear of being overheard. There was an awkward silence that existed only between them, as the rest of the group chatted around the crackling campfire that was reflected in Aiden's eyes. He finally turned to face Belle, and in that moment there was no facade; no mask of strength or indifference... Only fear; naked and vulnerable.

"...What makes you so sure it wasn't me?"

Belle held eye contact. "Winter was right. Someone attacked us. You tried to save us." She broke eye contact, looking at the wasp that now left her shoulder and moved to hover above her head, joined by three others that seemed to halo Belle. "And if we get this little after-school club on the same page, we've got quite a force on our hands."

Aiden tried to process the girl's words, but found it impossible to absorb what she was saying: in part due to their colossal weight, and in part due to the distraction that now buzzed around her head. Four or five wasps, moving with all military precision in a circle above Belle's head. It was... Well, he didn't know enough to label it unnatural, but it was definitely unlike anything he had ever seen.

"Belle, uh..." he said, pointing at the vicious insects. But the girl seemed unfazed. Completely and resolutely indifferent in her disposition, barely even looking at the bugs and instead maintaining a knowing eyecontact with Aiden. And that's when it dawned on him.

"Shit, are you..?" He didn't need to finish his sentence; nor for Belle to answer it. For within that moment, everything became clear. He wasn't responsible for the blaze afterall. And he certainly wasn't the only Hyperhuman in his class.

Belle blinked as the wasps dispersed in a single group. She knew where to, but in a place like this, she had no reason to track them. They were soon out of mind, though they'd reappear if she needed them.
"I think I know why Mr. Lehrer has put this class together."

Aiden nodded, understanding Belle's whispered theory as he surveyed the group and began to sift through his memories, curious as to whether any previous oddities could now be explained away by the knowledge that everyone here likely possessed some sort of ability. Whatever Winter had done to Belle seemed to have restored her memory, so there was that... And Aiden had no doubt that a Hype gene would account for a good portion of Sebastian's antics; not least the one he pulled earlier. He shuddered, once again recalling that monstrous look in his rival's eye when they had scuffled.

His attention was captured by Mr. Lehrer, announcing that the game was to begin. Aiden scowled at the team he'd been assigned; not only were they outnumbered, but he was to play alongside Sebastian and Brynn. Not nearly his first choice in allies, but then again... Aside from Belle, was there really anyone in the class he would have been happy to see?

Still, as they walked towards the clearing, a mischievous thought entered Aiden's mind as he looked over the group once more. 'Everyone here is a Hype...' he mused to himself, mulling over the idea. He honestly doubted that his earlier performance would have been enough to dissuade his classmates from suspecting his Hype status, especially if they were each in secret possession of their own gifts. But if Aiden had to be outed, then he was going to drag each and every one of them out with him...

For the first time that evening, a smile crept onto his lips. He'd never been one for team sport, but this was going to be fun.

E V A N D E R D A R I O

---

So, three members on the opposing team and four on theirs - if anything, that made Evander think that the other team had the advantage. But maybe considering that there was an odd number, it just so happened to be this way. But he still didn't like the odds of it. He wasn't really much of an active person when it came to these kinds of games. He would usually be part of the defense team because he wanted nothing to do with the game.

He could suggest that right now, but something tells him that this game would be much more intense than the games he played before. Evander moved with his group towards their side of the field. He payed little attention to his teammates and more on the terrain they were playing on. There was a clearing but he guessed that most of the interactions with the other group would be made in the forest. It would be quite risky to run in the clearing after all. And the flags would most likely be hidden within the forest in the hundred yard radius that Sir Jonas gave them.

Going around the clearing would be ideal so there was actually cover and no one would see them go. It was a long way to the flag though. Maybe go for all three sides with three attackers and then leave only one defender? Evander rubbed the back of his head before looking back at the people he was teamed with. He knew next to nothing about these girls. He hadn't interacted much with them save for the greetings they would do when they passed by. And he sure as hell didn't know what they were good at.

"I think a preferred place where we could hide the flag is probably a place where there's only one 'entrance'. You know, like there's a wall behind them so the defender could probably see where the enemies would come from." He shared. Though it was bad that he didn't know much of the layout of this place. If they miraculously find a place like that, good. If not, well, they'd have to improvise. "As for what I can do, I'm flexible. Just tell me where to go."

B e l l e D ' V o i r e

---

Winter, Evander, and Christine. Memories, Ice, and...something. Chris hadn't engaged at the dance, or in any of the group's classes for that matter, and her general attitude made Belle wonder about how much of an advantage her team's extra person actually was. Her new knowledge of Sebastian and Aiden certainly weighed their chances heavily, although it did also give her some idea on strategy. She measured her options while the others discussed. Winter chirped up first, probably trying to break the tension that lied between the two girls.

"So, where should we hide our flag and what should everyone do? I'm pretty fast and agile, so I could probably be part of the hunting party, but I'll leave it up to you all if you have a better strategy."
Belle nodded slowly. Evander replied.
"I think a preferred place where we could hide the flag is probably a place where there's only one 'entrance'. You know, like there's a wall behind them so the defender could probably see where the enemies would come from. As for what I can do, I'm flexible. Just tell me where to go."

Belle chimed in.

"Under a knot of roots, inside a tree hollow, hidden in a thorn-bush. Somewhere out of sight and awkward to get to. But they'll have 360 degrees of access no matter where we put it, so we should defend it from where we have the most vision of the area - that's from height or distance."
Carefully - Evander and Chris were still unaware of the true purpose of Jonas' group - Belle flexed muscles, reaching out to the innumerable insects that swarmed this forest. She could almost feel their response, a low murmur of chittering legs and beating wings. Yes, Queen it said.
"Evander, you should defend. Sebastian's too full of himself to hang back and I have a feeling Aiden's got something to prove on this trip, so I'll expect both of them to be coming after the flag. Winter, Chris and I will swarm Brynn. Three against one shouldn't be a problem."
She looked around, trying to spot the particular insect she wanted. She found it quickly, carefully focusing to isolate it.
"Reckon we ca-"

Belle stopped mid-sentence as a roaring gust of fire erupted from the trees on the other side of the clearing, the smell of roasting wood and a great belch of smoke quickly following. Belle lost her train of thought completely, flashing back to the dance for a split-second, to the terror and helplessness.
You are not helpless, Queen.

"Winter, Chris, we're going. Evander, you're staying, and prepare yourself. Aiden is not playing as a team-building exercise."
With the sharp command issued, Belle carefully hurried into the woods, back towards the clearing but on a path to skirt its edges. The fireflies she had isolated previously split up, spreading dots of light across the trees and shrubbery. Around her feet, millipedes and spiders followed her wake, while out of sight there was the low hum of wasp and fly wings. Aiden was dangerous, and Belle was preparing to subdue. She just hoped she didn't need to.