For nearly a year, an invisible barrier had sealed off the town of Simcoe from the outside world.

Now, news reports painted a picture of chaos erupting beyond its edges.

The media had dubbed it "The Grocery Grab." It was a surreal event where a teenage girl reportedly pulled an entire supermarket into the barrier.

Witnesses described a seismic blast the moment the supermarket vanished into the barrier—shockwaves ripped through the streets, hurling bystanders to the pavement, shattering windows for blocks, and crumpling several parked vehicles.

It felt less like a miracle and more like a bomb had gone off.

Dozens were injured—minor scrapes, others clinging to life in critical care. One death had been confirmed, and the number was expected to rise.

The sheer audacity of the act—the invisible, supernatural theft—left even hardened skeptics speechless. Yet in the twisted corners of the internet, admiration bloomed. Within hours, #GroceryGrab was trending worldwide, spawning memes, theories, and instant infamy.

Cassandra. Her name—and her image—were now impossible to avoid. She dominated every social media feed, every headline, and every conspiracy forum.

Twitter flooded with wild theories, Reddit users dissected every blurry frame, and Facebook groups morphed into war rooms of speculation.

Whatever she was, this marked the first glimpse the outside world had gotten of life inside Simcoe.

Heather Harp sat frozen in the corner of her husband's hospital room, her eyes locked on her phone as she scrolled through endless footage of the chaos, unable to look away. She hadn't been at the scene, but the graphic photos and shaky smartphone clips were seared into her mind.

Ironically, both Jason and Greyson had been there watching and helping. They hadn't stopped the girl. But something in her face, in the way she moved, struck Heather disturbingly familiar.

A slow-down video on YouTube showed the moment again. The girl's gaze cut through the lens like a blade.

That wasn't shock in her eyes.

It was intent.

"People have speculated, but no one has come up with a solid answer," John said, sitting in a hospital bed.

Her husband, Officer John Inverson lay propped up in a hospital bed. His left arm rested in a sling, and a wide bandage stretched across his forehead. He'd been one of the first responders after the seismic incident—what they are now calling the breach.

"It's not that—it's her face... and that power," Heather explained.

How was she having a normal conversation when she should have realized her twin boys knew each other? They might even know the truth, but Heather didn't.

There was a knock on the hospital door. Roger Bolton stepped in, holding up a thick document.

"I've got something," he said. "You'll want to see this."

They moved into the hallway, settling in two empty chairs near the elevators. The hospital buzzed with quiet urgency—nurses rushed past, visitors whispered nervously, a television blared in the distance.

Roger sat back, flipping the file open slowly. "Her name is Cassandra Russell-Newman."

Heather blinked. "Newman... as in Greyson?"

He nodded. "And Russell. Scarlett's the mother."

The words felt like ice water poured down her spine. "Scarlett Russell and Greyson... had a child?"

"Born inside the barrier. According to a girl named Mallory, she's powerful. Maybe even... dangerous."

Heather looked down at her hands clenched in her lap. "Why didn't anyone know this?"

Roger hesitated. "Because no one out here asked. This is the first time we're learning what happened in Simcoe."

"Where is she now?"

"With Jason and Greyson. They're on what kids are calling a suicide mission." He flipped a page. "Apparently there's another boy named James, who your daughter..." He trailed off.

Heather looked up sharply. "What about Ashley?"

Roger's voice lowered. "He says she's the one behind everything. The storm. The disappearances. The deaths."

"That's not true," Heather voice cracked. "She wouldn't do that."

"You may not want to believe it..." Roger's tone was gentle, almost apologetic. "...but the kids inside know. If you want the truth, Heather, you need to hear it from them from."

Heather followed Roger out of Collingwood General. The hospital lobby felt quieter now, almost eerie compared to the chaos she witnessed online.

Outside, the city pulsed with tension. Parents clutched their children, cars honked impatiently, and giant TV flashed nonstop updates about Simcoe.

They slid into a sleek black Lexus, Roger at the wheel. The drive was tense and quiet, punctuated only by distant sirens.

Fifteen minutes later, they reached the high-security checkpoint at the edge of Simcoe. Flashing lights reflected off armoured glass while drones hovered above, their mechanical hum slicing through the cool air.

Heather felt a shiver run down her spine. This was the first time she would see the barrier up close.

Roger showed his ID and they were waved through. They parked in the empty lot of Foodland before seeing two girls standing on the other side of the barrier.

Heather recognized one immediately: Lisa Yung's daughter Cindy. The other girl—Nevaeh—stood with a smirk and a whiteboard in hand.

Roger raised a whiteboard. "What's going on?" he wrote.

Nevaeh spoke aloud, but only the last part came through clearly. "...and death. Ashley is trying to kill us all. It's awful. I'm pretty sure she's burned most of Simcoe. Let's see, where do we start? Oh, probably back before the vanishing."

Heather's heart thudded in her chest.

Nevaeh stood casually with her hands on her hips.

"You want the story?" she said. "Alright. Greyson and Jason can't stand each other. Never have."

Heather swallowed hard.

"There was this dude Luke. Dangerous. Killed some people inside." Nevaeh paused. "Greyson killed him. And after that... he changed. Turned into one of those psycho followers.

"What do you mean, followers?" Roger asked.

"The things inside Simcoe that used to be people. Or not. They serve Ashley now."

Heat her shook her head, trying to keep up. "And Ashley caused this?"

"She started the storm. The one that burned half the town and killed..." Nevaeh trailed off, glancing sideways. "Too many."

"But why?" Heather's voice broke.

Cindy finally spoke up. "Because she's scared of Cassandra."

Heather blinked. "Greyson and Scarlett's daughter?"

Nevaeh nodded. "She's got power. Real power. And Ashley can't control her. That's why she's trying to kill us all."

Roger looked grim. "And who is Divina?"

"Another psycho. She wants Ashley dead too. But here's the catch—" Nevaeh tapped the whiteboard with her finger. "The only way we get out of Simcoe alive... is if Cassandra and Divina kill Ashley."

She smiled, but there was no joy in it.

"Oh, and by the way? Jason and Greyson—your twins—already know they're brothers."

Heather had been writing a document about Greyson on the day they landed outside Simcoe. People had just been standing outside all together, confused, until they spotted the large bubble that almost blended in with the city.

"We're quite fearful." Nevaeh's words jolted Heather from her trance.

Roger sighed. "You might face chargers."

"For what?" Cindy snapped. "Stealing food? We would've died otherwise."

"Survival or not, law enforcement may not agree," Roger stated.

"Well, someone inside wants to press charges," Nevaeh remarked.

"River Dunlop," Cindy spat.

The son of Cecile Dunlop, who has been distraught in all her interviews. His mother doesn't look like the type who'd get pressed with charges.

"Which can get us free since we're all going to live in some fancy mansion he builds," Nevaeh implied. "He's laying charges for sexual assault and child abuse. Nobody expects it through hidden secrets."

"Don't lie, Nevaeh," Roger warned.

Nevaeh smirked. "Believe what you want. Cassandra said it best: adults are clueless."

"River hasn't left for his mission yet," Cindy said. "He could show up now."

Heather looked at Roger. "Should we contact Cecile?" she asked

Nevaeh looked on with the urge to laugh.

Roger walked away to make the call. In a blink of an eye, Cindy vanished.

Heather gasped. "Where did she—"

"She'll be back," Nevaeh said slyly. "We know more than you think."

As quickly as she disappeared, Cindy reappeared back with River. The boy seemed lost, then jumped back at the sight of her.

Heather remembered seeing him plastered across magazines and gossip columns. He always seemed so carefree, and so effortlessly put-together.

She had seen him in magazines and tabloids, discussing his modelling career that he's done since birth. The articles usually focused on his looks and talent. But there was one articles she remembered vividly: an exposé about an eating disorder he battled, which prevented him from modelling at one point.

"What's going on? Why can we see adults?" River blurted out.

"These two want to confirm the truth," Nevaeh said.

"What?" River's eyes widened, like he'd just seen a ghost.

"They don't believe you'll press charges, so they're acting like idiots by attempting to contact your mother," Nevaeh said.

"No, I'm not ready." River panicked as he shook his head various times.

"We're here, though," Nevaeh stated.

Heather watched Cindy walk closer to them as she squeezed his hand before letting go. River had tears in his eyes, almost looking like he'd cry at any moment.

"She'll be coming soon, since she's stuck in traffic right now," Roger said, walking back over. He seemed startled to see River already there. "I just need to confirm with you the charges you will be laying against your mother."

"Sexual assault and..." he trailed off with his eyes closed. "Child abuse..."

"This may be a private question, but when did it happen?" Roger asked.

"I was thirteen... almost fourteen," he mustered out.

Heather stared in shock, but she still didn't know if he had been telling the overall truth.

"You don't believe him?" Nevaeh snarled, her eyes directed at Heather.

"It's no wonder you lied about only having one son," Cindy sneered.

Heather had no clue how they found out the information. Maybe they went snooping, but she didn't have a solid answer.

"Don't look surprised, Heather. Everyone knows the truth because Luke and Scarlett found the information." Nevaeh said.

Heather remembered those two from Uden Academy. Luke Orr, who had an antisocial personality but used violent tactics that could kill a person.

Scarlett Russell, whom she had multiple sessions with. It was always about her seductive behaviour—getting away with things. Heather had seen them, just like she'd seen Greyson, causing some injuries with his mind.

"Nevaeh!" Roger snapped.

She grinned, tapping her temple. "I hear everything. I know the truth, just like River. Don't dismiss me, because we're not the same people anymore."

Heather barely had time to react before a car pulled up. Cecile stepped out, staring straight at her son. River froze, eyes fixed on the ground.

"Heather, could you wait in the car?" Roger asked.

Heather walked back to the car, seeing the panicked expression on Cecile's face.

Esme sped through the open field, the tall grass whipping against her legs like a thousand tiny lashes.

She didn't know exactly where Ashley was hiding, but she assumed she'd be in one of the bushes.

She skidded to a stop, panting hard, hands braced on her knees.

Cassandra had warned everyone not to go off alone, but Esme was sure she could handle it. After all, she was a superhero.

Her gaze swept the field. The bubble's transparency shimmered faintly around the edges, offering a surreal view of the outside world—busy streets, adults and law enforcements.

"Esme!" She turned, seeing a breathless Jade on her own ice. "Are you an idiot?"

"I can take Ashley by myself," Esme chimed as she held up her gun. "How did you even find me?"

"I've been leaving ice trails, plus you'd eventually slow down," Jade stated.

"I'm drinking water and then going searching," Esme said, taking a long drink of water.

Esme had stopped by that new grocery store that entered through the bubble, which gave her even more motivation to grab food to eat. She even picked up a blue Powerade, since it always tasted amazing.

"You should go with at least one person. There's a huge risk of getting killed," Jade said, her voice unusually tight.

Esme tilted her head. "Why are you worried? I'm fine."

Jade's hands clenched at her sides, and her lips pressed together as if she were holding something back. Esme squinted. She was used to seeing Jade like this, but it still felt weird.

"I'll tell you later," Jade muttered, glancing away.

"Tell me now!" Esme insisted, tugging at her sleeve.

Jade's eyes met hers, flickering with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. "I like you," she admitted.

Esme blinked. "A lot of people like me."

"Not that way."

Esme furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. stared with knitted eyebrows because she didn't have a clue what she was implying. Emma liked her as a friend, which meant it wasn't her statement.

"I knew it," Jade whispered. "Do you like James... as a friend?"

"Well, he's cute, plus we made out a couple of times," Esme said while shrugging. "I'm in seventh grade now, so I don't know much about relationships."

"Never mind," Jade muttered, looking away.

Had Emma ever told her about relationships? If she had, it looked like she'd explode from embarrassment.

One time, Emma had thrown a blanket over her head when Esme brought up Bryce kissing Emma. She had laughed for a solid twenty minutes.

"Okay, we'll beat Ashley together." Esme beamed, bouncing on her toes. "Did you see her?"

"No," Jade said.

That didn't help with locating anywhere. Could she be with Jason? Others are supposed to be destroying followers, since they can.

"People," someone said, both whirling around.

"Followers!" Esme said with a grin.

Five followers appeared, their eyes glowing purple. One fired Jason's light straight at her.

"Finally!" she grinned, sprinting in a blur.

Bullets fired from her gun with loud bangs, whizzing past the dodging followers. She scored a hit on the first one, who staggered back.

Jade raised her hands, summoning ice that trapped the next two followers in shimmering cages. Esme didn't waste a second, shooting them one by one until they fell.

"It's like a carnival shooting game!" she called, spinning around to face the last two.

One sent a shard of ice flying at Jade, knocking her down. Esme's heart raced since it was now just her. She aimed, fired, and the finale follower collapsed. Triumphantly, she held her gun high.

"See? I could've done it myself!"

She wondered how many bullets were left in the gun, but she'd still find a way. Why was Emma worried about her face? It felt fine, even if it stung a bit.

"Your face is bleeding," Jade pointed out, gesturing toward Esme's cheek.

Esme blinked and glanced down at her hand. Blood was smeared across her palm. It must've happened when she was running through the fields—none of the followers had gotten close enough to touch her.

"Emma's going to be mad at me," Esme sighed, shaking her head.

"You should go back and get it healed," Jade suggested.

"No, it's not even that bad," Esme replied with a grin.

It wasn't that bloody, so it wasn't a big deal. If she went back, Emma might refuse to help, especially since she'd left without saying anything.

"I can barely feel it, so I'll be fine," Esme reassured, giving a thumbs up. "We took down followers too. That means we're getting closer to the host-body situation."

"That means someone dying," Jade said.

Esme's smile faltered. She was determined not to give up her body.

Superheroes couldn't always risk their lives. After all, she was needed alive. Someone else could take the risk, but she didn't know who was willing to do so.

"We need to find Ashley or more followers," Esme exclaimed, bouncing on her toes.

Suddenly, she was knocked to the ground, the air knocked from of her.

Cassandra loomed over her, her teeth clenched, eyebrows narrowed.

"You thought I wouldn't find out?" she barked, her glare hardening.

"Oh you found me," Esme said, still catching her breath. "We took down some followers!"

"I specifically told you not to go after Ashley alone," Cassandra grated. "But you still did."

Cassandra's eyes hardened.

"Don't do it again, or you'll end up dead. Zane gave you instructions on where to go. You should have followed. Don't disobey again."

With that, Cassandra disappeared, leaving Esme pouting.

"Ugh! Why does she have to be like Greyson?" she groaned in frustration.

"See?" Jade started. "She wasn't the only one who knew you were going to die."

"Fine," Esme grumbled, rolling her eyes.

She may go alone again at some point, not to make anyone angry, but to prove that she could defeat Ashley.

The sight of his mother terrified him more than anything Ashley's endgame could bring. Nevaeh continued to hold his hand, but it only made him want to run. It wasn't her touch that sent his heart racing—it was the memory of that night: endless crying, shaking hands, and forcing to throw up every meal.

Boys weren't supposed to struggle with things like this—or at least, that's what he'd always been made to believe. But he had, every single day since the assault. It lived inside him as a constant mix of disgust, fear, and hopelessness.

The maid was the one who caught him forcing himself to vomit in the bathroom of their Toronto mansion.

After that, they hired a therapist to help with his eating disorder, but Cecile made it clear he wasn't allowed to speak about what had really happened.

That was just two days before the adults disappeared from the island cottage, leaving River alone in that isolated place while they attended some fashion show in the city.

Cecile exclaimed, "I've missed you so much!"

She still looked the exact same. Her short blonde hair was softly curled, and she wore a new piece from her colourful fashion line. Her face was flawless, her diamond earrings catching the light.

But her concern was nothing more than a facade—she was performing, maintaining that image of a perfect family for everyone watching.

"So, this is the woman who sexually assaulted you?" Nevaeh asked coldly.

Cecile's designer smile didn't falter, but River saw the twitch in her eye. No one had ever dared confront her like this—not publicly, and certainly not with authorities standing right there.

One of the officers—a tall man with a hooked nose—stepped closer. "What is she talking about?" he asked, eyeing Nevaeh warily.

"I can hear the truth people try to bury," Nevaeh replied slyly. "But if you want something more convincing... I know someone." She turned to Cindy. "Go get Cassandra."

Cindy bopped away.

Cecile snapped, "It's dangerous to make false accusations—"

"Not as dangerous as abusing a child," Nevaeh cut her off.

Suddenly, Cindy reappeared with Cassandra, who looked annoyed. "What now? I'm tracking a group of followers headed for the west side."

"We need your help proving something," Nevaeh said.

River's jaw dropped as Cassandra placed one hand on Nevaeh's head and pressed the other through the barrier.

"Enjoy the show," she muttered, then vanished.

Suddenly, the officers staggered, clutching their heads. Memories slammed into them: endlessly crying, nights locked in the bathroom, fear twisting every meal. River's own memories poured into them like shards of glass.

They collapsed to the ground, gasping.

"What the hell..." the second police officer wheezed, staggering upright. "Why am I seeing that? That... that was real?"

The tall cop's eyes darted between Cecile and him. "Is this true?"

"Is what true?" Cecile asked innocently, blinking like nothing happened.

"Did you sexually assault your son?" the tall officer asked, his voice unusually firm now, like he knew the answer.

Cecile's composure slipped. "That girl must be using some trick," she said, brushing invisible dust from her sleeve.

River watched the two officers glance at each other. The second one, still shaken by whatever he'd just seen, kept his eyes fixed on Cecile like he was seeing her for the first time.

"Cassandra doesn't lie," Nevaeh said calmly. "And she doesn't waste her power on games."

The tall officer nodded slowly. "Whatever that girl showed us... if it was a memory, it's admissible. That kind of detail didn't feel made up."

River swallowed, his throat dry. "It's true," he whispered.

He wasn't sure if they heard him. Too many adults had dismissed him before—blaming the stress of modelling, of being in public eye, of being a teenage boy in a world that only cared about appearances. No one ever saw the fear behind the perfection.

"My son is lying," Cecile said sharply, clinging to her rehearsed line of authority. "You know how much children exaggerate things. Especially boys under pressure."

River lowered his gaze. He'd heard that excuse more times than he could count. It was Cecile's favourite weapon—casting doubts, deflecting blame, pretending he was just a troubled ten inventing drama.

The second officer hesitated, then looked at Nevaeh. "Are there any other witnesses? Anyone who might have known something was wrong?"

"Get the four of them," Nevaeh said, turning to Cindy.

Cindy bopped away. A few seconds later she returned with Mia.

The moment Mia spotted the uniformed officers, she threw her hands up and yelled, "I didn't do it!"

"Relax," Bryce snarked, strolling beside her."Looks like they're here to finally arrest you."

River winced. Of all the possible witnesses, these four were the most unpredictable. Known delinquents, all with criminal records of their own. He wasn't sure whether involvement would help or hurt the situation. But it was too late now.

"We need to ask you all a few questions," the tall officer said, his hand resting near his holster.

Mia—being Mia—sprinted straight at the transparent barrier and slammed into it face-first. She hit the ground with a thud, groaning.

"Ow. Okay. That didn't shock me," she muttered, brushing dirt from her shirt.

"Do any of you recognize the name Cecile Dunlop?" the second officer asked, brown eyes narrowing.

The four crackheads looked at each other blankly at first, then Mia's expression shifted.

"Oh, you mean River's psycho mom," she said casually. "Yeah, she assaulted him. At that mansion on the island. Same place your microwave exploded, by the way."

Cecile's head whipped around. "People went to our island?" Her voice was sharp, tinged with panic. "I thought you'd stay on the island for safety."

Bryce folded his arms, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Lying parents are quite a sight. We're used to seeing that."

That's right; many students at Uden Academy had issues with their parents. River had heard stories of parents who grew came to hate their children or became fed up with them.

"We're going to miss you so much," Will said, fake sentiment dripping from his voice. "And then, of course, completely ghosts you."

"Well, well. If it isn't police officers and grown-ups pretending to be in control," Eden drawled as she stepped forward. "What did we do this time?"

River froze. She wasn't empty-handed. A shotgun rested easily in her hands, like it belonged there.

Roger flinched. "Why on earth does she have a gun?"

Eden simply smiled, lifting the barrel toward the line of officers outside the barrier. Her eyes were flat and emotionless. Like she was staring through them, not at them.

The crackheads seemed unbothered by her threatening behaviour, nor did they appeared about being near four police officers.

"Mia will end up shooting herself in the foot," Bryce stated, his hands in his pockets.

River then noticed more police cars arriving at the scene. Did they call for backup when they couldn't even touch them?

A female officer approached the tall cop. "Bryan, what happened here?"

One of the new arrivals squinted at Eden. Then his eyes widened.

"Wait, I know her," he said, pointing. "That's Eden Weber."

"Oh no," Will muttered, barely containing a laugh.

"From that Netflix doc," the officer added, jaw tightening. "The one about the family with seven kids. The Weber family."

"Eden's going go jail," Mia snorted, practically doubled over laughing.

Eden didn't react. She stood tall, still holding the gun like it was a part of her. Watching waiting.

River wasn't sure if she was about to protect them or turn everything into a crime scene.

"That's Eden Weber?" Bryan whispered. "She doesn't even look like herself."

"I forgot how famous you were," Mia added, not even trying to be subtle.

"I'm surprised they recognized me," Eden said, coolly scanning over the gathered officers.

River stood silently through the exchange, but his heart pounded in his ears. He didn't care about Eden's past. Crime documentaries made him uneasy, especially the ones that painted children as tragedies or monsters.

"River."

A soft voice pulled him back. The female officer had stepped closer. Her expression was serious but gentle. "Are you sure you want to move forward with this accusation?"

He swallowed hard. His throat ached.

He nodded once, eyes still locked on the ground in the dirt beneath his feet. He didn't trust his voice. Not yet. Cecile stood just a few paces away, still wearing that perfect smile—the one that screamed control, victory, and deception.

"We have corroborating evidence," Bryan said to his partner. "One of the girls showed us enough."

Cecile turned sharply, the mask finally cracking. "Evidence? What evidence? That girl used some sort of illusion!"

The other officer gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Cecile Dunlop, you're under arrest for sexual assault of a minor."

"He's lying!" she shrieked, all polish gone. "He's lying, and you're believing a bunch of unstable teenagers over me! I'm his mother!"

"Karma's a bitch," Eden snarled, watching as the officers led Cecile toward the patrol car.

River didn't move. He watched his mother get placed into the back of the squad car. No red carpet. No lights. No cameras. Just the cold slam of the car door behind her.

"We'll need to speak with you again tomorrow," the female officer said gently.

River barely heard her. He nodded anyway.

The police car pulled away, and silence fell. No one spoke.

Then it hit him.

His knees gave out. He dropped to the ground and buried his face in his hands.

The tears came fast, burning his cheeks. His breath stuttered in his chest as sobs overtook him.

Did that really just happen?

For years, he'd felt like a puppet in his mother's perfect world—posed, dressed, smiling on cue. Never real. Never free.

And now... she was gone.

He didn't know what part of him was crying. Relief? Shock? Happiness? All of it at once?

"Wow, we actually weren't the perpetrators of a crime!" Mia exclaimed.

None of them touched to hug him, which he knew why. They knew that touch terrified him more than any normal adolescent.

"It's not completely over, but we got somewhere," Nevaeh said softly, crouching down.

Years of not only surviving sexual assault, but grappling with the pressures to be the perfect model. He often felt like a marionette doll, dangling on strings pulled by his mother's expectations, leaving him trapped.

"Does she really get arrested?" he whispered, glancing up through glossy eyes.

"Normally they do, but they have to go through a bunch of stuff," Nevaeh said, shrugging.

River hugged Nevaeh and Cindy, which surprised him. From meeting people who didn't care how they appeared, despite being labelled, they always couldn't care less about others opinions.

Cecile had to make sure he had the perfect expectations, especially with clients. Half of the issue has been handled.

"Okay, it's time to go follower killing," Mia cheered.

"Zane paired you four together? Is he going crazy?" Nevaeh asked with a smirk.

"Yeah, we're being assigned," Will implied, pointing at Nevaeh.

"Most freaks are going hunting for followers," Bryce remarked, hand on his hip.

"Those things are such creeps. That's why I'm the one shooting the gun," Mia said with a grin.

Anyone knew that it had been a bad idea. Not for the sake of Mia not having power, but because it's Mia. Someone who would laugh if Ashley got shot, causing her to fall to the ground.

"That will be interesting," Cindy stated with a frown.

River wondered if anyone else without powers had been sent. It could be someone who wants to risk their life. He's supposed to meet a police officer tomorrow while people are out killing followers.

"We got our food," Bryce remarked, waving a hand back at them.

"Don't get lost!" Will called out with a grin as Mia and Eden rushed to keep up with the two boys.

Inside, River felt that the group might fail.

River finally got his voice heard! And we finally got to see what is happening in the outside world.