Jason walked down Queen street beside Ashley and Bella, heading toward his house. He glanced at Bella, noticing how pale she still looked, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The guy had held a knife to her throat without flinching, targeting her for no real reason.

And then there was Greyson—who had lifted Jason into the air with nothing but a thought. The memory made his skin crawl. Powers like that weren't supposed to exist outside movies, yet Greyson had done it like it was nothing.

Also, Jason was considered a high rank, which was supposed to be powerful, but he had never been able to use his power because he didn't know he had one.

"Here's our house," Jason said quietly.

He stopped in front of a small white house with vertical siding. The front door was shut, the rusty mailbox sealed tight as if it hadn't been opened in days. Nothing looked out of place, but that only made the silence feel heavier.

Ashley rushed head, flinging the door open. "Mom, Dad?" she called out.

She disappeared inside, her footsteps growing fainter as she checked each room, but there was no answer.

As Jason stepped inside, the scent of coffee lingered in the air. On the kitchen table sat open a laptop, its screen still glowing, surrounded by a mess of cookbooks and handwritten notes. His mother must have been planning to make a meal during her lunch break—Uden Academy was only ten minutes away. But something felt off.

He stepped closer to the laptop, eyes fixed on the blinking. The words made his stomach twist:

I'm not sure if he knows, but I'm sure he'll find out

His mom had vanished mid-sentence. Jason's mind raced. Who was "he?" His stepfather, John? A student? A stranger?

The house felt colder suddenly, and he realized how little he knew about the world outside school. A part of him wanted to keep looking for answers, but another part knew he couldn't linger.

"What's that?" Bella asked, peering over Jason's shoulder at the screen.

Jason straightened slightly. "Probably something we'll never understand. My mom barely gets days off because she's a mental health counsellor at Uden Academy. Maybe it's about one of her students?" he guessed.

"I don't know," Bella sighed. "But maybe it's best to leave it for now."

Jason moved through the house, room by room, each one frozen in the same quiet as when he'd left this morning. The stillness pressed on him, making the empty halls feel heavier with every step.

He stopped outside Ashley's bedroom, hearing the faint scrape of her chair against the floor. Inside, she slumped on the bed, shoulders hunched, staring at nothing in particular.

Jason sat beside her, the mattress dipping slightly beneath his weight. Across the room, the mirror caught his reflection—there was a fresh scrape on his cheek from the moment Greyson had hurled him like he weighed nothing. But the pain barely registered. His focus was on Ashley, whose head hung low, her eyes avoiding his completely.

"Ashley," Jason said gently. "It will be okay. I know it's a lot to take in."

She barely looked up at him."I'm going to find Talia and Izzy. I need to know if they're safe."

Before he could respond, she was gone, the bedroom door slamming shut behind her.

Jason turned back toward the living room. Bella hunched over the laptop, frowning at the half-finished message. He didn't have time to unravel his mother's cryptic words.

"Don't read too much into it," he said, standing by the coffee table. "We need to see what's happening in town."

His stomach tightened. Kids under fourteen shouldn't have to handle this. No adults around, people taking what they wanted, babies left alone... the thought made his chest ache.

He moved to the window and peered down Queen street. Smoke wasn't visible yet, but something felt wrong. Silence stretched unnaturally across the empty roads, broken by the distant shouts and the clatter of overturned bins.

Then Bella's voice cut through. "Hey, there are dark clouds downtown!"

She pointed, her finger trembling as the first black tendrils of smoke curled the sky. Without a word, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the door.

They ran side by side through the streets, their pace quickening as thick plumes of smoke billowed from the plaza ahead. People clustered nearby, exchanging nervous glances—some frozen by fear, others frantic, unsure of what to do next.

Jason squinted. "We can't just watch... Wait, maybe there's a fire station—"

Bella shook her head, eyes wide. "No way! That will take forever! You have to go inside! Cover your mouth, quick!"

They reached the apartment complex—a beige-sided building wedged between the town's pharmacy and laundromat. Flames consumed most of the left side, crawling up the upper floors.

From the back staircase, a girl sprinted down.

"Is anyone still inside?" Jason called as she passed.

She stopped, her voice shaking. "I think there's a child on the third floor!"

Jason bolted up the back staircase, each step scorching his shoes and mask the metal groan beneath him. Thick smoke curled in thick waves, clinging to his throat and making every breath a struggle.

He glanced down—Bella was still below, frantically directing people, her shouts barely cutting through the chaos.

"Bella, go find Mark!" he rasped, though his voice swallowed by the smoke.

Reaching the top landing, he paused, hand on the door handle. Heat radiated from the hall beyond, a wall of fire waiting to test him. He hesitated for a split second, wondering if he could do this.

Kicking the door open, he stepped into a hallway shrouded in smoke. The stench of burning wood filled his nose, and sparks danced along the walls like angry fireflies. A door to the left rattled violently, accompanied by the piercing sound of a child's scream.

Jason pressed his sleeve to his mouth and dashed forward. Flames licked the edges of the walls, each step feeling like walking through a furnace. The kitchen was mostly consumed, but in the far corner of the last bedroom, a small figure stood in a crib, wide-eyed and trembling, untouched by fire.

Panic and disbelief hit him at once. Without thinking, he thrust out his hands. Blue light shot from his palms, carving a path through the scorched wall.

Shock hit him, but there was no time to process it.

He latched at his face as he lunged, scooping the toddler into his arms. Every breath was agony, his legs threatening to give out, but he forced himself forward, step by step. Flames swirled around him like a living thing, yet never touched him.

Coughing violently, he stumbled down the stairs, barely keeping his footing as the fire roared behind him.

When he reached the pavement, something cold and wet splashed against his skin.

"The child died in the fire." Jason mumbled.

Bella and Cindy Yung rushed toward him, carrying supplies. Shapes blurred in his fading vision as someone in the distance sprayed water onto the building.

Jason felt hands gripping under his arms as Bella and Cindy dragged him across the pavement and onto the cool grass of the park. A cold cloth pressed against his forehead, soothing the heat, and something icy was sprayed up his nose, making him flinch.

"Melany and Cindy are going to help with your burns and keep you hydrated," Bella said quickly. "Everyone saw you use your power, even if it didn't control the flames."

"Really?" Jason rasped, the oxygen mask pressed gently against his face.

Bella nodded. "A lot of people want to you to be the mayor of Simcoe. Zane Wilson, Mark and some others took charge of putting out the rest of the fire."

"Jason, you've got a few minor burns," Cindy said, dabbing cold water over the reddened skin.

Melany Yung carefully lifted the oxygen mask. "How does your chest feel?"

"It feels clearer than before," Jason said, voice rough as he coughed. "We have to bury that boy who died..."

"Xander and a few others are handling that. They'll hold the burial in the park and place small white flags," Bella said.

Jason eyes fluttered open to the bright sunlight streaming in. He raised his hand to shield his face and clenched his teeth against the ache. A cool cloth rested on his leg—a small comfort oh a day marked by loss. It was only the first day, and already, someone was dead.

Everything was chaotic and unsettled, but he knew he had to step up and help. He expected some would resist, and that meant forming agreements—especially with the people from Uden Academy.

So far, he only knew four of them: Greyson, Scarlett, and Luke. The other boy must have powers or might just along for the ride. Either way, handling them all was going to be a challenge.

"Bella, can you go find Mark and Xander? I think I'll need to stay put for a bit," Jason said, wincing as he tried to sit up.

Bella nodded without hesitation and sprinted off to track down Mark and Xander. Jason settled back against the grass, knowing deep down that none of this was going to be easy for anyone.

If someone had told Bella a few weeks ago she'd be teaming up with people her own age in the middle of chaos, she would have laughed. But now, smoke curled through the streets, adults were gone, and her hometown felt like it was unraveling.

She had always thought of herself as the golden girl—good grades, big dreams, and hopes of getting into a top fashion program when she was older. She liked being noticed, being popular, and partying with her older friends. But now, all of that felt like a fragile illusion slipping through her fingers.

Instead of sketching outfits or daydreaming about fashion shows in Paris, Bella was running across the park, dodging scattered kids, trying to find two boys she barely knew.

Near the edge of the park, under the shade of an oak tree, stood Xander. He leaned on a shovel like it was a cane, frowning at the scene around him.

Bella approached, her lungs burning from all the running she had to do. Cross-country running was something she hated.

"Whoa, are you good there?" he asked.

"Jason wanted me to find you," she panted, hands on her knees. "He needs to talk to you and Mark. Said it's... important."

Mark looked up from pressing a small cross into the dirt. "Oh... okay."

Xander's voice dropped. "Nobody even knows the toddler's name. The one from the fire."

"Oh, really?" a sharp voice interrupted.

Bella's stomach sank. Scarlett stood just a foot away, sipping water, smirking. Her uniform was spotless, her hair falling in perfect waves, completely untouched from anything around them.

"Looks like we met again," Scarlett said, her voice dripping in mockery. "What's your name?"

"Bella," she snapped.

Scarlett's eyes slid over the boys with a sly smile. "And who might you two be?"

"I'm Xander Densmore... and this is Mark," he stammered.

Scarlett stepped forward and shook their hands with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Scarlett," a sharp voice called.

Greyson stepped forward, sipping orange juice like nothing was happening. His calm gaze did nothing to ease Bella's nerves—she remembered him throwing Jason. Charm didn't erase danger.

"I'm doing what you ever wish me to do," she laughed with a smirk.

Bella gaze flickered to Greyson. He was attractive with bright blue eyes and neatly styled hair. That didn't change the fact he'd let Luke press a knife up to her throat.

Greyson raised an eyebrow. "And what are you guys doing? Digging holes?"

"We were... burying a toddler from the fire," Mark explained. "We don't know what started it. Maybe the fuel pipes."

"Jason used his beam power!" Xander added, wide-eyed. "You could see it from the window where the blue spark shot out like a laser."

Greyson folded his hand."I need to speak with Jason once he's well. This is connects Simcoe and Uden. We're facing the same problem."

Mark nodded. "We were heading that way anyway. Want to come?"

Scarlett smirked. "Sounds perfect."

Bella kept pace beside Xander, who couldn't seem to take his eyes off Scarlett. She rolled her eyes. Great, just what they needed—Xander distracted while she was obviously using her looks for information.

Scarlett walked a little ahead, smirking like the world was hers. Every time she glanced back at Mark or Xander, Bella could feel the invisible weight of her confidence pressing down on them. And the way she looked at Jason—Bella couldn't tell if it was seduction or something more.

Xander eyes locked on Greyson and Scarlett. "Do you guys have powers?"

"Scarlett is a ranker, which she can read your level of power. As for me, I can move things with my mind. I'm a high rank, like Jason." Greyson's voice grew cold.

Jason slumped against the bench, still wincing slightly. Cindy stayed close, holding out a bottle of water with a first aid kit resting on the bench beside her.

"Dude!" Mark called out, catching Jason's attention as he spoke quietly with Cindy.

"Hello, Jason," Greyson said smoothly. "We need to organize a plan for Uden and Simcoe. This being Uden Academy are allowed to be in Simcoe if they wish."

Jason groaned, wincing slightly as he shifted. "We'll have to sort this all out as a group. Can we do that tomorrow? I'm not exactly feeling great right now."

Scarlett crouched beside Jason, her hand lightly brushing his cheek as she whispered something in his ear. Bella watched closer as his face flushed—not from his burns, but from whatever Scarlett had just said.

Jason swallowed hard. "An hour sounds fine," he murmured.

Bella could tell the two were hiding information. It wasn't just them, but also Luke. That guy was going to stab her in the throat without hesitation. It was no wonder people like them were at Uden Academy.

"Sounds perfect," Greyson remarked. "We'll meet at the mayor's office to finalize the plan. Let's go, Scarlett."

Greyson leaned in and whispered something that made Scarlett to her snicker. They strolled back to the red convertible, leaving the others standing behind.

Bella watched Jason slump against the bench railing. It wasn't surprising that he seemed overwhelmed by the situation, considering what he had agreed to.

"Greyson seems chill," Mark said casually.

Xander's eyes practically sparkled. "Scarlett is seriously hot."

It wasn't surprising—he was only in the sixth grade, and any guy would be captivated by a girl as stunning as her.

"Okay," Jason began, standing with Cindy holding onto his arm. "I should find Zane, since he helped with the fire. Was he the one running the fire station?"

"Yeah, he was running the station on his own. We had some kids help carry the hose in a golf cart. I think he went back to the station with a few of the helpers," Mark explained.

"Let's grab one of those golf carts and get moving," Jason suggested.

They spotted the weathered white golf cart leaning against the old brick church—the same Zane used earlier to throw hoses during the fire. Everyone scrambled in, except Cindy. She stayed behind with her sister, setting up a makeshift triage area for the injured.

Jason stomach tightened. This wasn't just the fire anymore. The town was theirs to manage, for better or worse. Someone had to make sure the injured got care, the younger kids stayed safe, and food and housing was organized. Survival alone wasn't enough—they had to lead, or everything would spiral out of control.

Melany suggested they transform the church basement into an infirmary, hoping that the school's nurses' office still held supplies—maybe enough to stabilize the wounded until they could figure out a longer-term plan.

He should've been on the sand, laughing with Mark during a beach volleyball game. Or scanning the waves on his lifeguard shift. Not stuck here, forced to figure out how to lead a town teetering on the edge of chaos.

The freedom he'd taken for granted—never imagining it would slip away so soon, not even by college—was gone. Now, had to grow up fast, forced to act like adults before they were ready.

On the east end of town, the hospital and fire station loomed in eerie silence. Beyond them, the beach stretched in a shimmering curve, crowned by Paradise Resort—where wealthy visitors once escaped for luxury and leisure.

Now, with the town deserted of adults and rules gone, they could do whatever they pleased. But "whatever they pleased" carried responsibilities—and responsibilities could mean disaster if handled wrong.

"Did Scarlett rank you?" Jason asked, looking over at Mark.

Mark snorted. "Dude, what do you mean by ranking?"

"Did she grab your wrist?" Jason clarified.

"Yuh," Mark said, whipping the golf cart into the fire station's gravel lot. Mud splashed across his sneakers. "Whoa, thats cold."

He slammed on the brakes just shy of the open garage door, where a fire truck sat waiting.

They piled out quickly, their shoes slapping against the concrete.

Inside, Zane stood in the glow of overhead lights, coiling a heavy fire hose with smooth, practiced movements, like he'd done it a hundred times before.

"Zane!" Jason called.

Zane gave a short nod. "You're back on your feet. What do you need?"

Jason lowered his voice. "We need you at a meeting with Uden Academy. It's about figuring out where things stand between us, now that we actually have to interact."

He glanced at Zane, unsure if he'd actually agree. He didn't know Greyson or Scarlett, and even less about what Zane would think of them. All he really knew was that Zane had stepped up during the fire.

Zane rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright, I'm in. But first, we swing by the daycare—looks like Ilya wants in on the plan."

From the stairwell, Talia appeared, wobbling under a firefighter helmet far too large for her head. Seeing her made Jason think of Ashley—was she safe? Had she found a group by now?

They all climbed back into the cart. Mark navigated the abandoned highway, weaving between vehicles left abandoned mid-lane. Tall pine trees lined the roads, their silhouettes stretching endlessly.

"So you have any idea how this plan is actually supposed to work?" Zane asked.

Jason rubbed his forehead. "Well, food and daycare first. Then there's Burger King, and I honestly don't know who's going to run that."

"Nelson's thinking about it," Zane said with a shrug. "Not like any of us have fast food experience."

When they reached the Violet's daycare, they pulled open the door to a single, spacious room painted a soft peach. Vines curled artfully across the walls, weaving between shelves crowded with scattered toys. Small tables were cluttered with half-eaten snacks, and a large rectangular window framed a view of Coffee Culture.

Ilya Bava's eyes widened as she almost dropped the toddler cradled in her arms. "Thank goodness!" she exclaimed, hurrying over.

"We need you at the meeting with Uden," Jason said firmly. "If you want to be part of the daycare plan, you have to speak up."

Ilya glanced back at her sister, Layla, who sat cross-legged on the rug, reading a picture book to a wide-eyed toddler. Two other girls emerged from the kitchen carrying bottles of formula, their faces tired but determined.

"Do you need me now?" Ilya's voice came out breathless.

"I'll check around to see if anyone else can help," Jason replied.

"Fine," Ilya agreed reluctantly.

They slipped into Burger King, the lights off and the door unlocked. The usual hum of fryers and broilers were absent, swallowed by silence. Jason found it strange that Zane had told him Nelson would be running when no one was there.

"Yo?" Mark called out.

Suddenly, the sharp beep of a fryer pierced the silence. Nelson Hain emerged from the small office, his brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. Dressed in a Burger King hat and a black button-up uniform with a red tie, he moved first to the fryer, pulling out a basket of fries. Then, he strode over to the cash register, his fingers tracing the unresponsive buttons on the screen.

"We're not here to order," Jason said bluntly.

"Well, the cash register won't exactly turn on," Nelson replied with a shrug. "I think it's powered through the internet, and that's been down."

"Do you want to come to join us for a meeting with some people from Uden?" Zane asked.

"What's it about, exactly?" Nelson asked, knitting his eyebrows.

"Basically, we're trying to work out an agreement between everyone," Bella explained.

"I'll come," Nelson said, lifting an eyebrow. "But Burger King's mine."

They followed Nelson toward the mayor's office—a plan white building with two stories. Inside, it wasn't what Jason pictured. A sleek, polished desk greeted them at the entrance, flanked by two stiff-looking leather chairs.

Nearby, a small table held a single plate and an old magazine. Paintings lined the walls, portraits of stern-looking men and faded landscapes Jason didn't recognize.

"Found the meeting room!" Mark's voice echoed from the end of the hallway.

The meeting room held a large table surrounded by red office chairs. Scattered across the surface were old documents detailing plans for a future arena—plans that felt out of place now.

Still, Jason couldn't help but imagine how fun it would've been skate or race across the ice during the winter.

"Any idea how many people are actually coming?" Ilya asked, glancing toward the door.

"I hope this deal isn't some kind of setup," Bella said suddenly. "I just get this weird feeling about them."

"Who knows?" Jason sighed, lowering himself into one of the end chairs. "Either way, we're getting what we need."

The thought made his stomach twist. He reminded himself that staying focused on what they needed was mattered—not whatever tricks Uden might have up their sleeves.

"I'll wait out front," Mark said, pushing himself off the wall and heading toward the door.

"Ilya and Nelson, you have to speak up, even if they intimate you. Make your stand," Jason explained.

Bella sat beside Jason, quietly placing her hand over his. He gave her a small smile and nodded before she withdrew it.

Jason fidgeted in his seat, his stomach tight with nerves as he waited for the others to arrive. His thoughts drifted to Ashley—he hoped she was safe, maybe with a few friends by now.

There was always the chance she'd slipped into reckless, day-drinking mindset, but Jason struggled to picture it. Ashley had always been firm in her faith, a strong Catholic who usually stayed far from that kind of behaviour.

Ever since John became his stepdad, church had become a regular part of life. Most Sundays, Jason just zoned out, never quite understanding what Easter—or most of the rituals—really meant to Catholics.

He shook his head, his thoughts drifting. Thinking of his mom brought a sharp sting to his chest, and he clenched his fist without realizing.

Jason locked up as Mark re-entered the meeting room, stepping aside to let the others in. Behind him came the same four from earlier that afternoon—along with two new faces, a new girl and guy he didn't recognize.

The girl chewed her lip, peering up at him from beneath her bangs. Her gaze lingered on Jason, uncertain and guarded. He couldn't exactly place why, but something about her made him think she was nervous. Then her eyes shifted to the blond body beside her , who clutched his laptop tightly against his chest.

Greyson took the seat at the far end of the table, settling in with confidence. Scarlett sat to his right, Luke on his left. Preston dropped into a chair beside the new guy, while the girl with bangs took the seat directly across from them.

Greyson flashed a charming smile. "Well," he said, voice smooth, "this should be interesting."

Jason immediately recognized Greyson as a natural leader—maybe it was the way people instinctively deferred to him, drawn by his calm confidence and quiet reassurance.

"Let's get this meeting started," Greyson said.

How do you think this meeting will go?
Don't forget to comment and vote!
-Lexi