Luke Orr was always willing to follow orders and stick by Greyson's side, as he believed in his leadership. As long as the job was complete, Luke had the freedom to do as he pleased. His new objective was to find Jason in this place.

As they arrived in Simcoe, Luke took a moment to survey his surroundings. With a Greyson in charge, things seemed to be more under control. People were no longer wandering aimlessly or stealing, as Luke's role as an officer involved enforcing consequences for disobedience.

"Turn invisible, perv, or I'll kill you," he snapped at Preston.

Without hesitation, Preston used his power to turn invisible and moved away from Luke's side. It was impossible to see the pervert with that freaky power of his that made him a spy for Greyson.

Luke's patience snapped. "Where the hell is he?" he demanded.

Frustration prickled beneath his skin—unlike Greyson, he didn't know half the people in this town. Maybe finding someone from that meeting would be helpful.

"Hey, there's the one dude from the meeting," Preston said in a low voice.

Luke's eyes locked onto the short one with dark hair and skin. "Hey!" he barked. "Where's Jason?"

"He was going to check out the cage that's keeping us in here," Zane replied. "I think he's in the daycare straight ahead."

They passed the grey Foodland and moved toward the small daycare building, its brown and yellow siding peeling. A single black door marked the entrance. Kids scattered as Luke shoved a few aside, not caring who got hurt.

A girl with long raven hair and wide, dark eyes rushed forward, steering the children a way from the path Luke cleared.

"Where's Jason?" Luke snapped.

Ilya's eyes widened, and without hesitation, she hurried toward the kitchen. Nearby, a cluster of snotty kids gathered around a girl in the main room—her features strangely like Ilya's the volunteers lingered near the kitchen, their eyes fixed on him.

Luke shot a sharp look at Preston. "Keep your mouth shut."

Luke's eyes flickered back toward the kitchen just as Jason appeared, flanked by Bella and a boy with bushy hair, wearing retro clothes.

"Luke..." Jason's voice faltered, eyes wary. "What do you want?"

He grabbed Jason's shirt roughly, dragging him out of the daycare. "Better to talk out here," he snarled.

Luke yanked Jason outside by his yellow shirt and slammed him to the ground the moment he let go. Jason lay there, gasping for breath, before finally looking back up at him.

"Any new information?" Luke demanded, his arms crossed.

Jason coughed lightly, avoiding Luke's gaze. "Not really."

Luke grip tightened on Jason's shirt. "I said—have you found anything?"

Jason nodded repeatedly, his voice low. "There's some kind of barrier around that's trapping us."

Luke's grip snapped tighter before he shoved Jason to the ground. "Next time you lie, I'll touch that slut," he hissed, then turned and walked away.

Preston hovered close to Jason, invisible yet watching—part of the plan already unfolding. Luke strode back to the black car, his presence slicing everyone who might ask for favours. Nearby, kids fiddled with tools stolen from the hardware store, sparking an idea in Luke's mind

He slipped into the empty hardwood store, grabbed a cart, and began rifling through shelves for gasoline and anything else useful.

Rows of tools and equipment lined the metal shelves—hammers, nails, drills, coils of rope, even a nail gun. He stuffed the cart full, then pushed it out to the car. Loading everything in the truck, he wheeled the empty into the middle of parking lot. Behind the wheel, a smug smile tugged at his lips.

Maybe this gear would come in handy for dealing with the Uden students. Letting anyone slip away wasn't the option. Greyson would injure but never kill. On the other hand, Luke made sure the unworthy felt every ounce of pain.

As he pulled up, a few people loitered nearby. "Hey!" he called out, catching Maverick and Oscar's attention. "Load some of this into the shed."

The large metal shed at Uden Academy housed a lawnmower and various gardening tools—though it often hijacked by people around here. Inside, plant fertilizers and shovels sat waiting, which could be useful.

Once the supplies were stashed, Luke made his way back upstairs to Greyson's office, passing clusters of random people along the way.

Inside, Greyson spoke with three guys, each gripping metal baseball bats. At the center stood the pudgy boy, flanked by the tall blond, and a short, beige-skinned kid with curly hair and sharp green eyes.

"I was wondering if you guys were ready to work with me," Greyson said smoothly.

"As long as we get to do whatever we want in Uden," Henry grunted.

"Of course," Greyson said, handing Henry a set of keys, "but you must just follow my order—no exceptions. I want Jason's sister. You'll have a car. Do whatever it takes to bring her to me."

Without a word, the three boys turned and left, the door clicking shut behind them.

"Who gets to do the beating?" Scarlett asked with a sly grin, glancing between them.

"Jason's being watched. I also picked up a few things from the hardware store," Luke said deviously.

Greyson nodded. "Let's not rush it. Slow pressure breaks faster."

Mark pressed an ice pack to Jason's head. He hunched over the daycare table, jaw tight, hands trembling with every pulse of pain. Just moments ago, he had been talking to Bella—then Luke had slammed him to the ground outside for answers. His mind raced, trying to make sense of how quickly everything had spiralled.

Bella hurried over, eyes soft with concern, holding two Advil tablets. "Here. This should help."

Mark shook his head grimly. "Yeah... that guy's someone you don't want to cross."

Bella's voice dropped to a whisper. "Do you want to go see Melany?"

Jason hesitated, then shook his head slowly. The back of his skull felt like it was stuffed with ice, and each pulse made his vision blur at the edges.

"No," he said, forcing the words out. "I need to figure this out first. We can't let this place turn into a war zone." His eyes widened. "Was Ashley outside the church?"

Bella exchanged a worried glance with Mark.

Panic coiled in Jason's chest. What if something terrible had happened? What if her injury was growing worse by the hour?

"Alright," he said firmly. "Let's head for the church."

Bella slipped an arm around his back, steadying him as they navigated the chaotic daycare. Children's voices rang out in a mix of play and some wailing, others clutching toys.

Ilya, sat beside a small group of children and reading a picture book, looked up with concern. He should probably rest, but with everything happening around him, there was no time to pause.

"I'll be fine," Jason assured softly, managing a smile. "Thanks for taking care of the kids."

They moved through the streets, people pressing close with anxious, desperate faces, each asking about their missing loved ones. Jason did his best to offer calm reassurance, though every step sent sharp pulses of pain through his head.

The town around them was a chaotic mess—streets littered with discarded food wrappers, overturned shopping carts, and fresh graffiti scrawled walls that had once been untouched.

Zane had warned them about several fires sparked by people trying to cook or forgetting to turn off ovens.

Greyson had already despatched teams to clear out all stoves and potential fire hazards, trying to keep the town from burning down.

At last, they reached the church. Bella steadied Jason as they climbed the cement steps, her grip firm and reassuring, while Mark pushed open the heavy wooden door.

A boy with a fresh bandage wrapped around his forehead stepped out from the basement infirmary. The once lively place, previously filled with youth groups and choir practice, had been transformed into a makeshift medical ward. Thanks to their father being a doctor, Melany and Cindy had stepped up to take charge of care and supplies.

Inside, a boy winced softly as Melany carefully wrapped his arm in gauze. Nearby, on a cot, Ashley sat quietly, smiling at him.

Cindy glanced up from her seat, flashing a warm smile. "Your sister's alright," she reassured him gently. "Oh, are you hurt?"

Jason rubbed the back of his neck, wincing as the swelling tightened under his fingers. "I got thrown to the ground," he admitted. "My head's still ringing, but it's not as sharp."

Cindy moved over to the worn wooden shelf that had once held Bibles, now repurposed to store a collection of scavenged medical supplies—bottles of Tylenol, rolls of gauze, medical tape, and a few antibiotics.

She poured two Advil tablets into her palm. "Just in case."

"Thanks." Jason pocketed them, giving a tired smile.

Ashley stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. The brief contact offered a flicker of comfort amid the storm raging in his mind, which still felt fuzzy and dazed from Luke's brutal throw and the exhausting journey through town. Maybe it was finally learn how to drive.

"I'm feeling a lot better!" Ashley cheered.

As the group stepped out of the church, the late afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the cracked pavement.

Jason eyes kept drifting toward Ashley, uncertain where she would fit into this new place—fire station, daycare, or maybe even the infirmary. For now, he clung to the relief that she was safe.

Suddenly, Mark stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the nearby parking lot. "Wasn't Henry and his crew supposed to be guarding the LCBO?"

Jason followed his gaze and his stomach dropped.

The parking lot was nearly deserted. A handful of people loitered near the entrance, drinking openly without a trace of caution. He watched as several others stumbled out of the LCBO, waving wine bottles above their heads like trophies. they swung recklessly, some even shattering them against the pavement.

"No one's guarding it," Jason muttered. "Where the heck did they go?"

Maybe Henry and his crew had already chosen a side in the growing tension—where rules clashed with emerging supernatural powers. If that were true, it wouldn't must be disagreements anymore. It would be war.

"We can't exactly go searching for them right now," Jason sighed, rubbing his temple. "Maybe we should check on Nelson. He's still running Burger King by himself, isn't he?"

"And what about your laser power?" Bella asked, voice low. "Do you know how it actually works?"

Jason blinked, rubbing his temples. "Yeah... right. Almost forgot I even had that problem."

He remembered the first—and only—time he used his blue light intentionally. The blast had shot from his hands like a bolt of lightning, tearing a jagged hole in the drywall. The smell of scorched paint lingered in his mind. Since then... nothing. His power refused to respond, leaving him confused and helpless.

"Does it just happen on its own?" Mark asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"It just came out of nowhere. No warning or anything," he said.

They reached the revamped Burger King, its familiar sign flickering. This wasn't the place that served greasy Whopper anymore—everything here had changed.

"Jason, I'm going to find Talia," Ashley said.

"You could probably go with Zane. He's by the grocery store," Jason suggested, nodding toward the automatic doors where Zane was directing people, managing the flow of supplies carefully.

Ashley moved toward Zane, but a pit of unease settled in Jason's stomach.

"She'll be okay," Bella assured, her hand tightening around his.

Mark pulled the silver handle open and glanced inside. Near the front counter, a group of kids waited expectantly as Nelson worked behind the counter, expertly assembling sandwiches and handing them out with a friendly smile.

"Nice to see you," Jason said, managing a tired smile.

Nelson grinned. "You look like hell."

"Yeah, one of the Uden kids threw him to the ground," Mark replied, gesturing to Jason's bruised forehead.

Nelson had been in Jason's class before everything fell apart. He was known for his impressive hockey skills, playing competitive outside Simcoe in Barrie. Simcoe High, by comparison, only offered a casual floor hockey team—more fun than serious competition.

Jason had tried floor hockey once, but during their first match, he ended up with a black eye after getting elbowed by Stick.

Nelson walked over and grabbed a pre-made sandwich from the back counter. It wasn't the usual sandwich you's find in any store—it had a Whopper patty on a long bun.

"Isn't the original chicken sandwich supposed to be made on that bun?" Bella asked, eyeing the sandwich curiously.

"I call this the OW sandwich," Nelson said with a proud grin as he handed her a paper bag. "Original whopper, new style. I've got my own names for things now."

Jason managed a faint smile, but the moment shattered when a figure stumbled hurriedly toward them.

"Jason!" Zane's voice cracked with panic as he stumbled forward, blood streaming from his nose. "Ashley was taken by Henry and his crew."

Zane crumpled to his knees, gasping for breath, as Mark hurried to his side. Carefully, Mark lifted Zane's shirt, revealing a large purple and blue bruise spreading across his ribs—a brutal mark that wasn't just from a simple fall.

Jason's heart hammered in his chest. "Where did they take her?" he demanded, voice trembling.

"Uden Academy," Zane wheezed.

"Mark, stay here and help Zane," Jason ordered, wincing as he shifted his weight. "Bella and I will head to Uden. We have to find Ashley."

He didn't argue. Gritting his teeth, he hobbled toward the street, scanning desperately for any sign of transportation. But all he was saw were empty, abandoned cars.

Bella's eyes lit up suddenly. "My house has a golf cart. We could use that," she said quickly.

They hurried to Bella's house, quickly grabbing two mountain bikes from the ground. Bella kept still her hand steady on Jason's back, offering support as his body throbbed with pain.

Arriving at Bella's house, she immediately pressed the automatic button beside the grey garage door, which slid open to reveal a white golf cart waiting inside. Without hesitation, she grabbed the key from the cup holder, turned it, and accelerated the cart to full speed.

The golf cart rattled harshly down the highway, its tires humming over cracks as they rolled over patches where weeds pierced through the pavement.

Uden Academy loomed just beyond town—a private institution famed for academic excellence academics, yet known for the misbehaved students.

"I think Henry sided with Greyson and the others because of your leadership," Bella said. "He never followed the rules you put in place. Maybe Greyson or Scarlett made a deal with him."

Jason nodded slowly, his stomach twisting. It made a frustrating kind of sense. Greyson didn't strike him as a chaotic leader; if anything, he was calculated.

The gates of Uden Academy came into view—tall, wrought-iron bars, guarding a manicured front lawn that stretched wide and pristine. Beyond stood the imposing red-bricked buildings, with rows of maroon lockers visible through broken windows. Students milled outside, some sitting on steps, others watching them approach with quiet suspicion.

A young girl with dark, straight hair and brown skin rose quickly from her pink folding chair as they approached, her eyes narrowing with uncertainty. Behind her, two guards stepped forward to flank the entrance—Finn, and then Henry.

Jason slid off the cart, wincing as pain shot through his head, barely steadying himself a rough hand yanked his arm.

"Playing the hero again, huh?" Stick snarled beside him.

"Greyson wants a little chat with you," Henry sneered.

Stick and Henry hauled Jason and Bella up a side staircase, their footsteps echoing through the dim halls.

Classrooms blurred past—some abandoned, others alive with whispers and curious stares from behind half-open doors.

Stick shoved Jason through an open office door, sending him stumbling inside. Behind him, Bella let out a sharp cry as Henry yanked her arms behind her back, holding her in place.

"Go in alone, or she gets hurt," Henry said coldy.

Jason hesitated, then stumbled forward into the room, barely managing to stay upright. The heavy door slammed shut behind him, as if pushed by an unseen hand, sealing him inside.

Greyson stood at the window, his back turned, one hand clenched tightly around an object Jason couldn't see.

Scarlett lounged nearby in a wooden chair, legs crossed, a smug smirk playing on her lips.

"Where's Ashley?" Jason demanded.

Greyson didn't bother turning around. "Who?" he jabbed.

"My sister!" Jason shouted, his fists clenched at his sides.

Finally, Greyson turned to face him, one eyebrow arched in mild amusement. He was a good-looking individual—wavy chestnut hair carefully styled, bright blue eyes gleaming with confidence. Gone was the schools uniform; instead, he wore a dark green crewneck and fitted jeans.

"Oh," Greyson said, his voice thick with mockery. "She's having fun with Luke."

Jason's rage exploded. He lunged for the door, but an invisible force slammed into his chest, launching him backward into the wall. The breath whooshed from his back as pain exploded across his back.

"It's not time to leave," Scarlett snickered.

Jason's vision swam as he looked over at them. He wanted desperately to help Ashley, but escape was impossible—at least not until Greyson finished revealed whatever twisted plan he had in store.

He staggered to his feet, sharp pain flaring in his left side with every breath. Blood oozed from a shallow wound, and an ugly bruise was already blooming across his ribs.

It was insane that Greyson could hurl him across the room with terrifying ease, while Jason still struggled to control even the smallest flicker of his own power.

"Did you really know your mother?" Greyson questioned.

Jason furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "What?"

"Tell me, when's your birthday?"

Jason hesitated, swallowing hard. "May 18th. I was born at 10:33 a.m."

Greyson stepped closer with a cold expression. "My birthday is also May 18th. I was born at 10:36 a.m."

He thrust a crumpled birth certificate in Jason's face, revealing information he had never known. It listed his full name as Jason Liam Harp, but it also included Greyson Miles Harp. His mother had been lying to him all along.

"No..." Jason gasped, scanning the paper over and over.

"Fraternal twins," Greyson snapped, yanking the birth certificate back. "Obviously, my last name was changed."

The shock hit Jason harder than a punch. Jason remembered the vague journal entry he found on his mother's laptop. She had been writing about Greyson.

"I didn't know," Jason remarked. "She never told me."

"Quite a shock, isn't it?" Greyson inquired, tilting his head slightly with crossed arms.

Jason was stunned, unable to even think in the moment. It was no wonder he had never realized they were twins; Greyson looked completely different than he did. Nothing seemed the same at all.

"Is this the part where you hug?" Scarlett snickered.

Greyson pinned held in place with an invisible force, Jason's muscles seizing under the weight of it. A fire blazed in Greyson's eyes—not the kind sparked by reunion, but by bitter, long-buried resentment.

"See?" Greyson snarled. "You didn't even know your own mother."

An invisible force slammed Jason to the floor, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs. Pain lit up across his body—every muscle screaming in protest as he gritted his teeth. He needed a way out, fast. But, his hands were pinned to the floor, useless, keeping his powers locked inside.

With effort, Jason forced his hands upward, and a surge of burning blue light erupted from his palms. Greyson instinctively darted to the right, the blast fizzling out as it missed the mark.

Jason bolted for the door. Pain flared in his ribs with each step, but he didn't stop. Lockers blurred past as he nearly ran into someone blocking the hallway.

Emma stood with her arms crossed, blocking the path. Her expression unreadable, but tension shimmered beneath it. Strands of her dirty blonde hair clung to her face, and she bit her lip, eyes darting toward the far end of the corridor.

"Why are you here?" Emma asked, her voice low.

"I'm looking for Bella and my sister," Jason panted. "Please."

He sense her face, hoping for a crack of resolve. Not everyone followed Greyson blindly—there had to be some willing to help.

"Bella's in the last classroom—the opposite way," Emma murmured, her eyes flickering toward the wall.

Jason's eyes widened. "Thank you," he breathed, already sprinting away.

He sprinted down the corridor, each step jarring pain through his skull. Shouts rang out ahead, sharp and panicked, just before he reached the classroom door.

"Why the hell are you doing this?" Bella's voice echoed, raw with anger.

Jason burst through the black door, his breath catching in his throat.

The room had been stripped of desks—most shoved into a pile by the windows. Bella sat bound to a chair, steel skipping rope cutting into her wrists. Her arms were raw and bruised, red welts already forming as she struggled against the restrains.

Henry stood beside her, expression amused, while Stick loomed nearby, flipping a pocket knife open and closed with slow movement.

"You're not touching her," Jason snapped, teeth clenched. "Back off."

Henry tilted his head. "Sorry, that's not an option."

Jason's mind raced. Using his power now risked hurting Bella—he couldn't afford another uncontrolled blast like the one that almost hit Greyson. Precision was everything, and he wasn't there yet.

Stick lunged at him, knife flashing. Jason ducked, narrowly avoiding the blade, and rolled behind a row of chairs. His ribs flared with agony. Henry moved to block the only exit.

From the corner of his eye, Jason caught Bella twisting against the ropes, her teeth clenched tight. Raw welts had already blossomed along her arms where the rope tug in. She was hurting—badly—but still fighting with everything she had.

Henry charged forward, slower but more relentless than Stick.

Jason pressed his hand behind him, unleashing that fierce blue power. It surged forward, striking Henry's knife and sending it clattering to the floor—one corner already melting from the intense heat.

He lunged forward, fingers fumbling desperately to loosen the steel cord binding her wrists.

Suddenly, Stick's shoe slammed into Jason's side, sending him sprawling. He gasped in pain, clutching his ribs as tears stung the corners of his eyes.

"Let him go," a female voice called from the doorway.

Jason narrowed his eyes, locking onto Scarlett standing in the door.

"But—" Henry began.

Scarlett smirked and raised her eyebrows. "You don't want to disobey orders."

Henry hesitated, a deep frown creasing his brow, before finally kneeling to untie Bella's ankles.

Bella yanked the ropes free and hurried to Jason's side, looping her arm under his to steady him. He leaned into her, his body suddenly heavy as if every muscle had been replaced with lead.

Each breath came out in a rough whisper, and his ribs felt like they were being squeezed by an invisible fist.

They limped past Henry and Stick, their cold glares following but hands raised to stop them.

They moved slowly toward the door when Scarlett's hand suddenly rested on Jason's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

"Can't have you dying on Greyson just yet," Scarlett whispered, her breath warm against his ear.

He helped Bella to her feet, sliding an arm around her waist for support. The hallway outside was eerily quiet, but unseen eyes lurked in shadowed doorways and among the scattered onlookers.

Emma appeared briefly again, her gaze flickering nervously toward the wall.

They halted near the girl's bathroom, its three maroon stalls standing silent. Jason leaned heavily against the cold white-and-maroon tiled wall, eyes shut tightly. Pain surged through him, dulling his thoughts.

"What now?" Bella whispered, her voice trembling.

Jason closed his eyes, chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. "I want to leave... but we have to find Ashley first," he murmured.

"You need to get treated," she said firmly. "We can come back for Ashley once you've healed."

"Okay..." Jason whispered.

She steadied him once more, and together they made their way toward the exit. The air I n the halls thickened halls, as if the building itself were silently watching them. Yet no one stepped forward to stop them.

The golf cart waited outside, surprisingly untouched. Bella helped him into the passenger seat and climbed before settling behind the wheel. Her hands trembled as she turned the key, but she didn't hesitate.

He couldn't believe he's failed the mission. He was meant to bring Ashley back unharmed—but now, both of them were injured, and Ashley was still kidnapped. Worse, he'd uncovered the shocking truth: instead of just a stepsister, he had a blood-related twin brother.

The ride back to town was slow, the sun dipping oh the horizon. The world blurred past them—empty fields, crashed vehicles and a dead highway.

Jason leaned against the side rail, clutching his ribs. His shirt clung damp with blood, breaths shallow and uneven.

Bella's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white with tension. Her arms still bore fresh red marks, the blood the ropes staining her skin.

As they rolled into town, everything appeared normal.

People patrolled outside the grocery store, while two others entered the daycare, beginning the evening shift. Jason recognized some faces but many were strangers; among the familiar was Nevaeh Bolton.

Bella brought the cart to a stop beside the church steps. The potted purple flowers by the door stood untouched, unlike the chaos they had just escaped.

"I've got you," she said, wincing as she climbed out of the cart.

"No, I got it," Jason muttered, attempting to stand on his own. His knees buckled at once, and Bella rusted to his side, gently guiding his arm around her shoulders.

They hobbled up the steps and pushed open the church door. The musty scent of aged wood and melted candle wax filled the air as they made their way down into the infirmary.

"What happened?" Melany exclaimed, rushing over.

Bella gently lowered Jason onto one of the cots. "Uden..." she trailed off.

Melany knelt beside him, already tugging at the hem of his shirt. "Let me see," she said.

Jason groaned, wincing as he helped Bella lift the fabric. His side was a mess—blood smeared down his ribs, with deep purple and blue bruises blooming across his skin.

"Did someone beat you up?" Cindy exclaimed, already hurrying to grab a towel.

Jason's head spun as Cindy pressed a cold cloth to his forehead. "I was thrown and kicked," he murmured, voice fading. "Bella's hurt too."

Bella was standing with her arms hanging out, still red and with marks and bruises forming.

"Thrown? You mean someone picked you up?" Cindy asked, pressed a warm towel against his side.

"No... he used his mind," Jason rasped, his eyelids fluttering open slightly.

"One of those supernatural powers?" Melany asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

Jason gave a weak thumbs-up, eyes closed.

Greyson's fury stemmed from how their mother treated him—like a dishrag, used and discarded. Jason couldn't understand why his mother never told him the truth.

"Who did this to you?" Melany asked.

"Greyson... my twin brother," Jason rasped.

Bella rose immediately, her gaze fixed on him. "Twin brother? You never told me you had one," she said, voice edged with disbelief.

"We have to stop him and save Ashley," Jason said.

The twin reveal has finally been stated. Let's just say it will cause more drama. Don't forget to comment and vote!
-Lexi