Scarlett watched as Greyson stood tall and confident at one end of the table. His piercing gaze swept over the group of those from Simcoe. Some stared with admiration, others with shock, but nobody could pretend he didn't command the room.

He had a fearlessness about him—one Scarlett had watched him grow into. Fourteen or not, he carried himself like someone used to be listened to.

"I'm Greyson Newman, if you don't know," he began. "Scarlett and Luke are with. Preston, James, and Emma are the rest of my group."

He dropped into the chair, crossing his arms as he stared down at Jason Harp with that don't-blink-first expression Scarlett knew too well.

Jason rose slower, like he was second-guessing every move. "I'm Jason," he said. "Bella and Mark... beside me. And Ilya, Nelson, and Zane." He swallowed. "We want to work together through this."

Scarlett smirked, the kind that came easily to her when boys tried too hard to act tough. Getting under people's skin was almost instinctual—she didn't need adult tricks, just confidence and a well-timed smirk.

It was exactly how she convinced Mr. Thomas to hand over the pool key.

Greyson rose again. "Uden needs an equal share of food," he said, his voice smooth. "No spoiled stuff. No half-empty cans."

Jason pushed himself up with a small sigh. "Equal share's fine."

Ilya stood, twisting her fingers together like she was afraid to speak. "We need help with the daycare. Supplies, diapers, supplies. We're running out."

Greyson nodded, pretending he'd expected it, though he smiled. We'll send help. Kids are impotent."

Ilya brightened instantly, relief washing over her face.

Greyson was an admirable leader, but caring for the children wasn't his first focus.

Scarlett stood, hands firmly on the table. "We want our fair share of alcohol."

Jason looked up sharply. "Only for teens," he said.

Nelson lifted his chin. "I want to run Burger King myself."

Scarlett glanced at Greyson as his pen tapping sped up—nervous habits disguised as impatience—and she slide the pen from his fingers under the table. He didn't resist.

"If we get our fair share of food for free," Greyson added.

James, the sixth grader, stood like he wanted to disappear."power still works," he muttered. "Wi-Fi's dead. Phones too. Just... wanted to say that."

Jason leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "And the abilities?"

"We can use them for pleasure," Greyson interjected.

Jason frowned, concern flashing across his face. "Wouldn't it be better to not use them much? Some people don't have them. It might cause problems."

Greyson's smile faltered. He exhaled sharply through his nose, tension clear. The room thickened with pride and frustration.

Before it could blow up, Scarlett cut in. "How about no breaking shit," she said. "But we can use them sometimes."

Greyson gave a slow nod, his gaze lingering on her for a beat longer than necessary. Jason followed suit a moment later, his shoulders relaxing as he accepted the compromise.

Scarlett eased back into her seat, and felt Greyson squeeze her hand from under the table.

Zane stood next, running a hand through his curly black hair as he scanned the room. "The fire department could use extra staff," he said simply.

"Fine," Greyson said. "Anyone can choose their side. No forcing loyalty." His eyes stayed locked on Jason, daring him to decrease.

Emma rose, fists tight, eyes shut. "You can keep your two helpers at the church... and Uden has someone who can heal injuries."

Jason stared. "Heal wounds? Illnesses?"

Yes, they had a healer. One who could mend broken bones with a touch or sooth fevers. Scarlett glanced at Greyson, catching the smug curve of his lips—because the healer Jason was so curious about was standing right in front of him. Emma.

Jason leaned forward, voice tight. "Would the healer help in extreme cases? When Melany or Cindy can't handle it?"

Scarlett studied Greyson. He didn't flinch, didn't give anything away. Typical. Calm. Controlling.

"If the healer wishes," he said casually.

Jason's eyebrows furrowed, and Scarlett could see the suspicion flashing in his eyes. He kept glancing between Greyson and Emma, like he was trying to read a map he didn't have.

"Can we get their name?" Jason asked.

"No!" Emma's voice cracked, panic flashing in her eyes. "I... I mean, she doesn't like the attention her power brings."

Scarlett smirked slightly. She knew exactly what Greyson would do. Sure enough, he over to Emma and placed a firm but gentle hand on her head. Emma froze, eyes wide in surprise.

"Emma is just very protective of her friend," he said.

Scarlett caught Emma's slow nod and the way her shoulders relaxed a fraction.

Greyson stepped back, turning to face the others. Scarlett knew this was done—the overvalued was delivered, and the power dynamic had been quietly asserted, just the way he liked it.

"I'll send some people for the daycare and grocery shoppers," Greyson announced. "See you around."

Without a word, they strode out of the building toward the waiting convertible, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.

Scarlett's eyes immediately spotted Henry and the two other guys he'd been with earlier, leaning casually against the wall. They were easy targets that would fall right into Greyson's hands.

As Scarlett slid into the front seat, Greyson slammed the door shut and turned back toward the group. "Those were just deals, not our intentions," he said with a smirk, before settling behind the wheel and driving back to Uden.

Luke laughed from the backseat. "Some of their faces during the presentation were amusing."

Greyson let out a groan, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel."We'll try and put up with half the bargain."

They reached the academy, its tall windows gleaming in the faded light. As they started walking through the gates, Greyson suddenly stopped Scarlett mid-step, his expression tightening. She could tell this was something important—something he wasn't going to ask the others.

"Can you search the filing room for information on Heather Harp?" Greyson asked, his arms folded. "There should be plenty of documents there. Her being Jason's mother doesn't sit right."

Scarlett curled her lip into a sly grin as they walked toward the large school building. Some students rushed over to Greyson, waiting for him to explain what he wanted them to do. If Scarlett knew Greyson, it would be to change the rules.

She pushed open the large black doors and made her way down the hallway toward the front office. The gym was open, and some people were sitting in groups, being supervised by Oscar and Lucy.

Greyson had instructed most of Uden to wait in the gym. Scarlett knew she would have to attend that meeting after she found the file. She wasn't exactly sure what Greyson wanted with Heather Harp, but Scarlett remembered her as a counsellor she was forced to see.

Scarlett walked through the already-open file room. The wooden desk lay toppled on the floor, papers scattered around like fallen leaves. Filing cabinets lined the walls, their metal handles catching the dim light. She rifled through the folders, fingers tracing labels until she found the one marked she 'Harp.'

Luke sneered from behind her. "Now, what are you doing? Finding the list of teachers you've manipulated?"

"Doing a task for Greyson. Aren't you supposed to be helping him?" Scarlett shot back, turning to look back at him.

"Oscar and Preston are helping him round up the students. So why not use the opportunity?"
Luke smirked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the fixing cabinet.

Scarlett turned back to the files, pulling out the woman's folder with a sharp flick of her wrist. She settled into the black office chair, scanning resumes and health records, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Heather Harp? Isn't that the mom of the other high rank?" Luke asked, travelling toward her.

Most of the files contained resumes and reviews of her work at Uden Academy, while others detailed her degree in social work or printed information about insurance.

Luke snatched up a paper from the pile, scanning it quickly before sneering. "Wow, remarried after your husband died? That's pathetic." He tossed the paper down, then paused, squinting at another document. "Wait, when's Greyson's birthday?"

"May 18th," she said. "You should know that."

Luke slammed the birth certificate down on the desk with a loud thud as she read over the printed words.

"Well, isn't this interesting?" Scarlett started, grabbing the form and pushing the rest of the papers into the file. "This feud will be far more eventful."

Scarlett strode out of the filing room as she headed toward the backstage area. Finding Greyson was a matter of importance since this revelation would change everything.

Greyson leaned against the wall near the backstage entrance, talking to Oscar. Scarlett pushed open the door without hesitation, Luke close behind her.

"Oscar, out!" Greyson snapped, his eyebrows narrowed.

Oscar groaned by obeyed, brushing past them and heading toward the gym where the crowd of Uden students waited.

Scarlett handed Greyson the golden birth certificate with a sly grin.

He took it, eyes scanning the document, his jaw tightening. His face didn't give much away, but she could see it in the small twitch of his fingers. That wasn't calm and collected. It was calculating damage control.

"Congratulations," she said, letting her grin wide. "You have a brother."

Luke snickered beside her, but Greyson's eyes were sharp now, darkening with something Scarlett hadn't seen often: bitter surprise.

"Fraternal twins," he muttered. "Unexpected." He clenched his fists, knuckles white. "Keeping one... getting rid of other..."

Scarlett's stomach flipped slightly—not fear, but excitement. She leaned back, letting the weight of the revelation hang in the air, watching Greyson carefully. He might be the king of control, but even kings have cracks.

This feud was going to be messy.

Luke's grin twisted in to an evil smile. "Isn't it time for your speech?" he asked, flashing his braces.

The three of them climbed the creaky black steps to the stage, the murmurs of the crowd growing quiet with anticipation. Students sitting, standing, or leaning against the gym walls all turned their eyes toward them, waiting for the truth to unfold.

Henry never cared much for rules—they always felt like pointless obstacles. The idea of sharing everything equally now seemed downright idiotic. Why should they all play nice, when some of them, like him, could bend the system? Charging kids a few bucks just to enter the variety store? That was a good business in his eyes.

He'd been sneaking drinks whenever he felt like it—no one dared stop him. His dad had been an alcoholic anyway, so it barely felt like breaking the rules. Still, most of the liquor that he could get hands on tasted awful—cheap stuff that burned going down and left a sour taste behind.

Henry leaned against the rusted streetlight, arms folded, eyes tracking Jason's group as they climbed the church steps. They moved like perfect little preachers, and his face twisted.

He didn't want lecturers—he wanted freedom. Freedom to whatever, to mess around, to be calling the shots. He knew he should feel reckless excitement at their chaos, but a small, nagging part of him wondered if Jason actually knew something they didn't.

Jason unfolded a crumpled note and glanced it over before looking up, his expression tight with focus.

Henry didn't need to hear a word. Jason was playing hero, strutting around like he had the answers. He wanted to roll his eyes, but a tiny, uncomfortable thought whispered that maybe Jason's careful planning with Uden wasn't useless. He shoved it aside. He wasn't going to admit that aloud.

"We've reached an agreement with Uden Academy," Jason announced firmly. "We're splitting food supplies. They'll help out at the daycare and fire station. Some of us will need to assist with grocery deliveries to the daycare. As for liquor, it is being divided evenly. But nobody under the age of thirteen should be drinking."

A low murmur rippled through the crowd as people exchanged uncertain glances. The idea of being governed by rules—especially ones influenced by Uden—didn't sit well with many.

Uden had a reputation: intense, cold, and fearless. Henry had seen that firsthand. Greyson wasn't just organized—he was always two steps ahead, and that was what made him a better leader.

Since Simcoe High was a joint system, nobody acted that way at their school. This meant JK through grade twelve were in under the same roof. The difference was that they got their end of everything.

"What about those powers?" Issac shouted from the edge of the crowd. "Some of us don't have them! How's that fair?"

A ripple of unease swept through the crowd. Some exchanged worried looks, others stepped back as if they expected something dangerous to erupt right there.

Jason raised with hands. "We're limiting power use," he said quickly. "No one should be using abilities unless absolutely necessary. We don't want a divide between Uden and Simcoe."

The crowd murmured, louder this time.

Henry watched the fear growing that he instinctively understood how to twist. Kids who didn't have powers felt cheated. Kids who did have powers felt punished. Jason was juggling both sides, trying to make everyone happy.

Henry scoffed loudly and stepped forward. "Why do we have to follow your plan, Jason? Who says you get to decide what's right?" he challenged.

"I'm not deciding because I want to. We made these decisions because—" Jason stopped, jaw tightening. "Because things are already falling apart. You just don't want to see it."

A few kids shuffled nervously between them.

Henry smirked, letting the words hang. "Maybe. Or maybe you just like feeling important."

Jason's jaw tightened. "I'm not trying to feel important. I'm trying to make sure we survive. Can you say the same?"

Henry laughed. "I survive just fine on my own. I don't need your rules telling me how."

Suddenly, Henry's eyes caught sight of one of the Uden SUV's parking nearby.

Jason glanced up just as a guy with sharp golden hair and mean eyes, a smug smirk curling his lips. Behind him, a girl and two guys were followed closely.

They walked towards Jason as Henry followed to get the information. He was going to do it his own way, even if Jason kicked him out from doing it.

"Damn, Scarlett isn't with them," Stick, also known as Matthew Field, sighed.

He's fallen hard for Scarlett, drawn in by her effortless charm and hot appearance. If she wasn't a student, she could easily pass for a model.

"I'm here for the groceries, Dipstick," Luke snarled.

Henry leaned against the curb, arms crossed, watching the Uden students move through Foodland like a well-oiled machine.

Luke didn't raise his voice. He didn't have to.

The others moved anyway—fast, eyes down, like they'd learned not to wait. They had carts loaded, groceries sorted, baby supplies stacked.

Jason froze nearby, watching the efficiency in shock.

Henry smirked, heart pumping. While Jason preached rules and safety, Uden students made things happen—decisive, confident, respected.

Even from a distance, their presence carried weight. People followed them because they had to, or maybe because they wanted to. Henry's mind raced. That was it. People moved when they spoke. No arguing. No questions.

"Greyson didn't say you'd come this early..." Jason trailed off.

"I don't remember needing an appointment," Luke said with sharp grin.

Bella approved cautiously over toward Jason, her usual swagger replaced by hesitant steps. Luke grin deepened as he caught her gaze while she stared at her feet.

This took Henry by surprise, as she was usually the confident one. She often acted as if she were above others, simply because she had some classes with upperclassmen. Even with her looks, many fawned over her.

"Dude, you should say something." Isaac nudged Henry's shoulder.

Standing six feet tall, Issac's imposing figure made Henry feel even smaller at just five foot two. Still, Henry's determination had already earned him six recruits since the group's start—a small but growing force ready to shake things up.

"People can switch sides, right?" Henry asked, eyes flickering toward Luke.

"Of course," Luke sneered. "This isn't a constitution. Right, Dipstick?"

A Uden student pushed a cart heavy with food supplies toward the group, another carried bundles of baby items to the daycare, and a third delivered diapers with steady efficiency.

Henry watched them closely. Nobody questioned them. Nobody talked back. Things just happened. Jason was still explaining himself.

"Heather seems to have a lot of secrets," Luke said slyly, leaning against the driver's door.

"My mother did?" Jason blinked, confusion flickering across his face.

Luke raised his eyebrows as a girl named Rachel approached, her steps hesitant, her eyes flickering nervously between him and the others. She looked like she wanted to disappear. Herny knew that anyone who looked at Luke like that either feared him or owed him something.

Nothing exactly seemed wrong about Uden Academy that he encountered. They seemed like people who knew what needed to be done, regardless of others in the mix.

"We grabbed our food for now. Two helped with the daycare. This girl is staying behind to assist," Luke sneered.

Rachel froze for a moment, glancing at Luke like she'd caught sight of a storm. Then she shuffled toward the daycare, shoulders hunched, eyes never meeting his.

Henry glanced at the daycare. Kids were gross, unpredictable, and boring. This wasn't his battlefield. Jason could handle the hand-holding—he had the patience for it.

He turned to Stick and Finn, lowering his voice so the others couldn't hear. "Jason's rules? Forget them. We're making our own rules." He grinned. "First stop: the variety store. We get what we want, when we want it. No lectures, no babysitting, no orders."

The outskirts seemed bare to Ashley—just scattered trees and patches of dry grass. It used to be different. She remembered hiking this path with her family, all the way to Wasaga Beach, where the air smelled fresh and the sound of nature filled the silence. Now, everything felt emptier.

Without Jason by her side, it felt wrong. He had always been there, especially during the worst of her schools days, when everything felt overwhelming. Back then, she was the girl who couldn't read fast. Dyslexia had made her an easy target.

At times, she wondered if being sent to Uden Academy would've been a good idea. The bullying had been wearing her down, leaving invisible scars that she could feel. The voice in her mind was catching up with her, whispering harsh words only she heard.

Ashley stopped on the cracked road and stared at the blue sky. It was too bright, too empty. The quiet made her chest feel tight. Where were her mom and dad? Why did they leave her and Jason alone?

Jason had to deal with Uden Academy, such as Scarlett. The pretty one with the dark hair and eyes who was full of confidence in everything she did. If Ashley tried to stop her, she would mess it up.

Tears began to water in her eyes as she walked down the road. It felt weird to be walking on a paved road without automobiles rushing by. Ahead, she saw a ditch. The ditch she used to play in during hikes, where water rushed and buttonbush grew along the bank. She ran toward the ditch, sitting on the incline. It brought back many memories in her mind.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps. They grew louder by the second, as Ashley covered her mouth with her hand. Was someone going to attack her? Did Jason finally find her? Did any of her friends come find her? Maybe it was all in her imagination.

"You lost?" The voice was deep and gruff, with a hint of annoyance. "Okay, whatever." He turned and walked away without a word.

Ashley's heart hammered in her as she glanced back. He looked about a year older, with a rough edge she didn't like. Her mom always said talking to strangers wasn't always bad.

She tried to climb out of the ditch on her knees, but the dead grass was brittle and gave way beneath her. Her foot plunged into a hidden rabbit hole, and she toppled forward, landing hard on her knee. Pain shot through her leg, sharp and burning, as she struggled to catch her balance.

Ashley grabbed up her pant leg with her left hand. Sharp pain shot through her knee as blood ran down onto her white-and-green shoe. She swallowed hard. She had to get out of this ditch.

She tried to keep her left leg as straight as she could, but every sharp jab and sickening pop forced her to wince.

The thought of dragging herself out alone felt impossible. Tears blurred her vision as she hopelessness washed over her, the weight of pain and loneliness pressing down harder than ever.

A hand grabbed Ashley's wrist and yanked her up. Pain shot through her knee, but she managed to lay on the ground.

She looked up and saw a girl around her age, dark eyes wide, and dreadlocks bouncing and she leaned forward.

"Hey! I saw something moving down in the ditch," the girl said, frowning.

Ashley blinked through the pain, her thoughts muddled. Who was this girl? Her knee throbbed, every pulse a fiery reminder of her fall.

"Can you help me move it? I think I hurt it badly," Ashley gasped, clutching her knee.

The girl rolled up Ashley's pant leg up. Ashley cried out we pain flared.

"What happened to your knee?" the girl asked, eyes wide.

"I... I slipped climbing out of the ditch," Ashley whispered, trembling. "It just started hurting really bad."

"Cindy and Melany usually handle injuries. I can take you to them," the girl offered.

Ashley nodded without hesitation, desperate for relief—not just from the pain in her knee, but from everything else she was carrying inside. The throbbing wouldn't fade anytime soon, but maybe help was close.

"Okay," the girl said, proceeding to drag her up.

The girl slipped her arms under Ashley's shoulders and guided her out of the ditch, letting Ashley support most of her weight with her good leg. Every movement sent sharp jolts through the injured knee, but together they managed to get to level ground.

"I'm Yara Larson," the girl said. "I'm in the fifth grade. Jason sent out search teams to find anyone who's lost. Most of them are checking houses, looking for kids."

"Ashley. Jason's sister," she whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to breathe through the pain.

Without warning, Yara ran toward the nearby golf cart. Two people were inside—one of them was Bella.

"Oh my gosh!" Bella exclaimed, eyes widening.

Yara carefully lifted Ashley into the seat. Bella leaned closer to look at her knee. Even the slightest touch made a jolt of fire through Ashley's leg, and she bit her lip to keep from screaming,

"I've got the first aid kit," Melany said, already reaching down to grab it from the cart.

Bella rolled up Ashley's pant leg. Her eyes went wide.

"Whoa... what is that?" she whispered.

Even Bella, usually calm, looked shocked.

Ashley's knee was coated in a thick,  purple goo that oozed slowly, mixing with dirt from the ditch.

Melany leaned in closer, frowning. "It's dislocated... but I've never seen anything like this. Did you touch anything weird in the ditch?"

Ashley shook her head. "No... nothing."

She stared at her knee with a cold knot forming in her stomach. This wasn't just a made fall. Something was wrong.

A sudden sting shot through her leg as Melany pressed a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol against the wound. Ashley screamed, shocked by how deeply it burned.

"I'll wrap it for now, but you're going to need support," Melany said with a sigh.  "We don't have the right equipment for something like this. Cindy's still helping out gather basic supplies."

Ashley braced herself for the physical pain, but it was the mental weight that hurt more. The voices were back. You're useless. You're too much. She pressed her face into her hands.

Maybe if she just went away, everything would be easier. No more struggling with words that never come out right. No more pain, no more knee throbbing like fire. Just quiet. Just gone.

The pain in her knee flared violently, and her vision blurred. Her body convulsed, and the world around her dissolved into darkness. For a moment, she felt weightless, as if the purple liquid from her wound had pulled her into another space.

When her mind cleared, she was no longer on the golf cart. She sat alone in a pitch-black void. In front of her stood a reflection of herself, silent and still, eyes glinting faintly purple.

Ashley screamed and thrashed, but something invisible pinned her down. Her heart hammered.

The reflection stepped closer. Its eyes glowed purple, and its grin stretched too wide.

"You found me," the reflection spoke slowly. "Clumsy little you."

"W-what do you want?" Ashley gasped, tears streaming, and her hands shook.

"You," the reflection said.

Its smile grew even bigger, and the purple in its eyes burned brighter.

Ashley jolted awake, Melany's hand gripping her shoulder, shaking her gently. She was back in the golf cart—dizzy, disoriented, her knee still pulsing with pain. But then, clear and cold, a voice echoed inside her head.

"It's thanks to your wound that I'll take over this world."