Chapter II

THE TRAM SCREECHED TO a stop and one by one the teens filed out forming two lines as Agcorp soldiers corralled around the students. Joey clung to David's side to not be swept up in the crowd.

The beautiful buildings and cars she had seen on the way here had vanished as she recognized the same stench and her shoulders sagged. She was still in the Slums—which probably had everything to do with those from the lowest level unable to travel any further up in the city; unlike those from the higher levels who could travel as far down as they pleased.

A muffled rumbled reached her ears and she glanced left where her mouth fell to the dirt road. A car was racing into the sky, spouting exhaust as it disappeared amongst the brown haze. She had never seen a car up close. Whoever was driving had probably just dropped their Upper Class child off.

As she kept walking, she eventually summoned the will to turn from the cars and her eyes traced the circular large white tent that served as school for today.

Someone nudged her from behind and she twisted her neck to find Kathleen. The redhead leaned forward, her chin nearly settling on Joey's shoulder, and she whispered, "Little creepy. Don't ya like?" Her words just made Joey queasy.

Gulping at the sight of two soldiers holding back the fabric of the tent for the young people to enter, her legs went numb and she froze feeling the irrational fear of being led into a slaughter house.

Surprisingly enough, she could move just enough to watch as David turned to face her, and she spoke softly, her tongue barely moving, "I've never been to something like this before." She glanced from the soldiers to David. "Is this...done often in Walser?" In the other cities, and this one last year, the mandatory briefings were done in small groups and at the school.

David's left cheekbone rose above his mask indicating a grin. "They do it this big every few years. It's really not bad."

Kids bumped against her shoulder as they pushed past to enter the tent. She looked behind her at the long line of kids who stumbled their way to the front as they got off two trams that arrived every five minutes bringing new students. "The whole school is here," she whispered.

"Move along!"

Joey's heart lurched to her throat and she shrank, feeling tiny compared to the Agcorp soldier who's black mesh helmet was aimed directly at her.

David gripped her hand and his warmth gave her some comfort. An unfamiliar peace of knowing she was not alone. "There'll be smaller groups inside. It's really not that different than normal."

"They give the same boring speeches every year just to intimidate us and break the ones who are scared," the blonde directly behind her sighed, and Joey turned to find Jenny with Kathleen walking at the blonde's side now following David.

"That means you," Alex said, pointing a finger at Joey as he trailed closely at Jenny's back.

"I'm not scared!"Joey fired back, her cheeks warming with her rising anger.

"Pfft!" Alex rolled his eyes.

"Come on." David gripped her hand tighter. "Let's just get inside and find a seat."

Forcing her feet to keep moving forward, she continued her slow, yet slightly more confident, steps toward the front of the line. Her mother's words echoed in her mind the closer she got to the entrance."Don't draw attention to yourself," and she already had by stopping in the middle of formation. She cleared her throat and stood up straight, pretending to be as calm as the other students. The soft sniffles of a fellow student up front filled her ears. Well...most of them.

She avoided eye contact with the soldiers lining the path, and brushed past the men holding open the tent. Once inside, her heart calmed and she found several different small circles made up of about twenty cheap plastic chairs and most of the teens had already taken their seats.

She trailed David who stepped over to a circle with the rest of their friends. She removed her backpack, setting it down next to a seat, and sat down in one of the small chairs barely fit to hold a toddler. Her butt stayed at the edge of her seat as her eyes darted around the room observing the soldiers inside the tent. They remained as still as statues, but she'd seen them in action. Angering one of these soldiers was the last thing someone wanted to do.

"Hey!" Her head jerked towards David. "Relax." Even if she couldn't see his mouth, the settle look in his eyes was enough to reach her. She nodded, sucked in a deep breath through her mask, and slid back in the uncomfortable seat before letting it out.

The students eventually stopped huddling in, and the soldiers holding open the entrance stepped inside guarding what would now be the only exit.

Joey turned towards Jenny able to hear her whispering to Alex. Though her voice was muffled underneath her mask, Joey could still make out the words, "Where's Heather?" Alex shrugged, and they all threw their heads towards the entrance except for Joey who ducked her head between her shoulders. Don't draw attention.

A few seconds later, a middle-aged man—maybe in his forties—wearing a tan suit with a purple shirt and black tie entered their circle. He stood in the center of the nineteen here—one chair remaining empty—, and Joey peered into the dark eyes above his mask. She shot a quick glance around to find someone stood in the center of all the other circles too. Undoubtedly the teachers.

"Good morning, children!" the man said, cheerfully. "If you've attended our school for years then you should know who I am, however..." His gaze swept the students. "A few of you are new so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Walter Magnus, and I'll be your history teacher this year. For now, think of this as sort of a..." He tossed a hand out to the side, twirling it as he thought. "Mini history lesson for the newcomers."

"Here we go," Alex sighed, leaning back in his seat with his arms folded across his chest.

Mr. Magnus lowered his hand and folded them behind his back as his eyes swept the chairs. "As we enter the school year, a new restriction on masks is going to be in effect." This caused almost everyone in the circle to moan dramatically. He held up his hands to quiet them down. "I know, I know! Ignisha has yet to become air-born, but we wear these masks for extra protection. That being said, masks are not allowed to be removed on the school property. They must be worn at all times until you return home. You will be reminded of this tomorrow as an announcement will be playing through the halls, and anyone caught without a mask will have to be escorted off the property." His voice turned gruff as his eyes darted around. "You all know there is still no cure for Ignisha, and we want to stop the spread. We are some of the lucky few to have yet find the outbreak in our city, but that cannot be said for many of the others." He pointed a finger and wagged it as he over enunciated his words. "We must. Keep. Our masks. On."

Mr. Magnus's attention turned towards a blonde girl who quietly crept into the empty chair sitting in the shadows of his circle, and Joey would've missed her if he hadn't scolded her. "Miss Dawson!" he shouted annoyed with a tap of his foot on the ground. He crossed his arms. "No one likes to be interrupted, and you know our mandatory briefings aren't to be skipped! You've been going to school long enough to know this has never changed."

Joey jumped and gripped the edge of her seat as one of Agcorp's soldiers standing against the wall unexpectedly moved, taking a couple step towards the girl she recognized as Heather even from under the mask and hood.

Mr. Magnus held a hand out towards the soldier halting him. "No, there's no need," he said, blankly. "She'll hear the rules again tomorrow morning. If you have a problem with that, you can take it directly to Claire." The solider remained still mid-stride, seeming like he was thinking whether or not to apprehend the teacher, but after a quick moment, he returned to his post keeping watch over their circle.

Joey rested a hand against her pounding heart and eyed Heather who, from the looks of her eyes, had just had a good cry and was more than hiding under her mask.

"As I was saying—"

Joey's eyes flew towards a boy almost sitting directly across from her at the the opposite side of the circle who threw a hand up.

Mr. Magnus sighed, "Yes, Mr. Pritchard? What is your question?"

The skinny blonde, who looked to be around thirteen, lowered his hand and placed them both under his legs as he stared up at the teacher and confidently asked, "Why isn't there a cure for Ignisha yet? My dad told me stories about the people with powers practically falling at Agcorp's feet when the virus was first discovered. Back before the cities were built."

Joey's gave shifted from the boy to Mr. Magnus. She had thought of these questions herself years ago, but would never have thought to ask in fear of rousing Agcorp's suspicions. Don't draw attention.

Mr. Magnus uncrossed his arms and shifted on his feet. "Out of all my ten years of teaching, I've never had even one student ask me questions about Agcorp." He threw his hands on his hips. "Tell me, were you not taught any of these things in your previous city?"

Pritchard slowly shook his head. "No, Sir. Ciriela did things a little differently."

The upper half of Mr. Magnus's face looked like he was smiling underneath his mask, and he stood straight. "Well, here in Walser we believe every one should know what's going on and why. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have." He took a step towards Pritchard, his hands outstretched like he was going to use them to help tell his story. "The reason Agcorp is searching for people with special abilities—and I don't know how much of this you already know—is because they want the Toxicoma that their blood creates to make their cure."

"Toxicoma? You mean the cells that only people with special abilities can create?" a brunette four spots to Prichards right asked.

Mr. Magnus nodded his reply.

"But what cure?" Joey turned to the right, as did Mr. Magnus, to find a redhead slumped in her seat. By her half shaved head, the gothic makeup painted on her face, and rough glare, Joey could figure this girl was one of those teens who always got into trouble—maybe she even hung out with her brother.

Mr. Magnus's eyebrows pulled together before he clapped his hands and tried to explain. "So, you see, Toxicoma—"

The girl threw up a hand in annoyance. "We know about Toxicoma already! What we don't know is why there hasn't been any news of a cure yet. My parents told me stories of people being taken!" She sat up straight and threw her hands out to the teens in her circle. "Haven't yours?" Joey's face flushed as she heard the tent go silent. The girl jabbed herself in the chest. "I even witnessed them take someone, but I've never heard a thing about someone being cured so what are they doing with these people? These trials they're supposed to be undergoing to find the cure...It's just one big lie to cover up something even bigger!" She shrugged and flopped back. "How do we even know a cure exists if there's no proof?" Her knee bounced up and down impatiently. "The world is dying, and Agcorp isn't doing a thing about it!"

Mr. Magnus's eyes softened as he stood silent for several seconds. Clearing his throat, he finally continued, folding his hands now in front of him. "Well, these are some...good questions, Miss Stacy, but...unfortunately I am not obligated to give out that information at this time. Just know that a cure is being worked on by our top scientists as we speak."

The girl—who Joey now recognized as Thorn Stacy—flung herself forward, her feet stomping the dirt as she burst with anger. "You just said everyone in Walser deserves to know what's going on! So what's with all the secrecy, huh? If you ask me, Claire's hiding something. If she wasn't, she wouldn't need all the extra goon's."

At her sudden outburst, two of the soldiers stepped forward in unison, and Joey's heart plummeted to her stomach.

Mr. Magnus tried to get them to back off, but this time Joey could see he had no chance.

"Off your feet," the one on the right commanded.

Thorn narrowed her eyes and snorted, adverting her gaze. Joey jumped as the soldier on the left in front of Thorn kicked her chair backwards. Thorn rolled in a somersault, leaving a dirt cloud in her path, until her back met one of the post's that held up the tents walls.

Joey's eyes widened and she scooted to the edge of her seat, gripping the plastic in white-knuckled fists.

The two soldiers cocked their large two-handed guns, a hum filling the silenced room, and held them aimed at Thorn's face. The girl stared at them unwilling to show even the smallest hint of fear behind her eyes. The soldier on Thorn's right pressed his gun closer to Thorn's chest. "Off. Your. Feet. Or be dragged out of here."

Thorn swallowed, and Joey's heart lept as the redhead eyed her. The color drained from Joey's face as she felt the silent plea for help from the girls emerald gaze.

Without losing the tough pretense, Thorn jumped up and readjusted her black leather vest. With her head high, she marched out of the tent—leaving behind her backpack with the skull and crossbones keychain on the zipper—as both the soldiers followed behind her; the guns inches from touching her back.

Joey's heart raced so fast she quickly found it near impossible to breathe under her mask, and sweat profusely beaded her brow. Glancing down at her sneakers, she noticed herself shaking and nausea quickly boiled in the pit of her stomach. Clenching her eyes shut, she lowered her head and drew in slow, deep breaths through her nose. Don't draw attention. Don't draw attention.

She flinched, choking down the scream that nearly escaped, as a hand rested on her knee. A calmness filled her chest once she found David, even if he wasn't looking at her. She had never been so thankful to have a friend who could easily picked up on her distress.

Feeling the attack retreat, she sat up straight and let out one final big sigh. David's head swiveled in her direction and through his eyes, she knew he was silently asking if she was okay. She smiled, well aware he couldn't see, and gave a subtle nod.

"Um, well..." Mr. Magnus cleared his throat, seeming distraught and unsure of what to say next. "A-Any other q-questions?" He turned towards the rest of the group, plastering a forced smile across his face under his mask.

"But...she's right." Everyone's head in the circle darted towards an older blonde girl sitting to the left of Pritchard. Her eyes swept through everyone's gaze, and she tucked her head between her shoulders before continuing with a soft, quivering voice, "My parents work for Agcorp in the monitoring division. They've said finding people with special abilities has gotten harder over the past seventeen years."

Mr. Magnus collected himself and cleared his throat once again as he stood straight. "You're parents are right. It has gotten tricky since the Domes were leaked." His voice perked and he brightened, returning to his normal self. "So, let me tell you a little bit about those with special abilities so you can help our fellow soldiers here—" he gestured to the soldiers standing at attention along the circular walls—"keep an eye out for them." He cupped his hands over one another like he was holding an invisible ball. "A special ability is raw power that's been hidden away inside a persons body just waiting to be discovered."

"Like a Marvel Superhero," another classmate inputed and a few kids in the circle laughed.

Mr. Magnus's cheeks rose. "Exactly!" He chuckled. "You must be a Middle Class." His series gaze returned. "Many people don't know how to control these..." He paused as he fumbled, thinking. "Superpowers. Some are born with a special ability and some have discovered one later in life, but it can take years to master it. Meaning, anyone can slip up."

"And we're just supposed to hand them over to you?" Joey's face paled when Alex's voice peaked the air. Alex sat up straight in the seat that barely held his weight. "To what? Toss them into those Domes and hope they survive?"

Mr. Magnus sneered. "Well, it's a little more than that, Mr. Knight. These people are helping us save the world! Toxicoma is humanity's only chance of survival!"

"Then why are we killing them?" Alex leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "Surely there's a better way to get what we need without the Domes?"

Mr. Magnus sighed, and for once, it almost sounded like it came with and unexplained exhaustion and sadness. "People born with abilities are rare to find, and unfortunately, they don't create enough Toxicoma without being forced through the trials of the Domes."

"What about the people who discover them?" another boy, much older than the rest of the group—probably a senior—asked. "What's the difference? If finding those born with an ability is hard then can't Agcorp just throw people into the Domes and force one out of them? What makes being born with one any more special?"

A light flickered in Mr. Magnus's eyes, and Joey leaned in closer waiting impatiently for his response.

"The difference is, Mr. Radshaw, that we're trying to save humanity. Not throw every last surviving civilian into an arena to discover an ability they may not even have." Radshaw dropped his gaze to the floor. "Those born with an ability," Mr. Magnus continued, "are way more powerful than those who discover one. They almost always have two as opposed to the one that's discovered. Two abilities means—"

"Double the Toxicoma," Heather confidently interrupted, and Joey silently applauded her for speaking after what happened earlier.

Mr. Magnus gave a single nod to Heather to confirm. "I, personally, believe there to be one specific person who can save us from this wretched disease; one important being with a certain ability that we just have yet to find." He paused, leaving the teens wondering.

With a swift clap of his hands, many of the teens, including Joey, jumped. "So, yes, Mr. Knight, if you see someone displaying an ability while out on your daily walk then please...Locate your nearest Agcorp soldier. They patrol the streets all day and all night." He placed his hands out, palms up, as he gestured to the soldiers around them.

"We're well aware," David whispered beneath his mask, but Joey didn't turn his way.

"And don't forget about the fine reward you'll receive for you and your family!" Mr. Magnus continued, joy vibrating his tone as if he hadn't just told them to turn innocent people over to be killed.

Reward. Joey scoffed inwardly. Was she actually meant to believe that money or a better life in one of the upper levels was supposed to be enough to get her to turn someone in? Were any of them supposed to believe that?

"How do we know?" The words left her mouth before she even realized she had spoke, and her pulse quickened. Don't draw attention to yourself! her thoughts screamed at her. Swallowing, she looked up, glanced around, and watched as all eyes fell on her. Aborting the question now would be me foolish. Her lips parted and her voice shook as she went on, "If we're...supposed to t-turn these people in—" another swallow, "—h-how can we be sure they have an ability?"

Mr. Magnus shifted to the opposite foot, seeming unbothered by her question. "Well, abilities can be anything from controlling the four elements of the world, to inward hidden abilities, to impeccable skills with weapons. Really, anything you can imagine could be an ability."

It was Jenny's turn to raise her hand, and Mr. Magnus swept his gaze towards her, whispering, "Oh, you're going to be a fun class this year." Raising his voice, he asked with eagerness, "Do you have a question, Miss Knight?"

Joey had gathered that this was the most interaction he'd gotten from these mandatory briefings—or maybe ever.

Jenny lowered her hand and began, "Like, how can you tell the difference between, like say, an ability with a weapon and just someone's talent? It would be bad to turn someone in who was just, like, skilled...you know?" A few of the teens chuckled.

Mr. Magnus nodded slowly as if to contemplate what she was asking, and he slowly trudged her way. "To have an ability with a weapon," he began, holding up a fist in front of her face, "you must be able to conjure one—" he let out a puff of air, expanding his mask, and opened his bare palm, "—out of nothing."

Laughter erupted throughout the group as they followed his motions, and even Joey couldn't hold back a grin. The peace in her chest was short lived as a loud buzz went off through a set of speakers that were stationed on the four poles that held up the walls inside the circular tent. Joey and multiple other students raised their hands to their ears to help block out some of the awful shriek.

Mr. Magnus marched back to the center of the circle, his hands folded behind his back. "Well, this has to be about the fastest briefing I've ever taught. Time flies when you're having fun! Now, you'll all head outside where some of the soldiers will demonstrate the protocol for if Ignisha is ever spotted inside the walls, and I'll see everyone tomorrow!"

Joey quickly stood, slung the strap of her backpack over her shoulder, and gripped it tight. She stepped in between hers and Kathleen's chairs, eager to get out of here.

"Remember to be careful out there!" She swung her head around and eyed her teachers stern mud-brown gaze that appeared to be narrowing in directly on her. "You never know what kind of person may have an ability! Some of them may be very dangerous!"

Feeling—no knowing—his words were directed at her, she shuddered before quickly trailing behind David who followed the others outside through the crowd of students.