《UnOrdinary》


 1 1. First Meeting

    Chapter 1


    Trudging through the mud and rain, the group of teens walked through the woods.


    "Should we be out this late? Or more importantly out here?" Natalie asked.


    "Nah we''ll be fine," Marly reassured, "plus we never get to leave the facility anyways so just enjoy the fun."


    "I''m not really for ''living life on the edge'' so.."


    "But this is a once in a life ti-"


    "Shhh! guys..." Izon hissed.


    A dark figure approached the lost teens in the woods. As Gabe lifts the flashlight up to the figure they all got ready to run. Then finally the light reached its face.


    "Gilly?!" Gabe stammered in confusion.


    "What the heck are u guys doing out here? this is strictly against rules!" I swear one day you guys are gonna get yourselves killed."Gilly walked in front of them.


    "Gilly, please, this is nothing. We''re just taking a wa-"


    The sounds of twigs snapping and heavy breathing in the distance set silence among them. They all got defensive and Gali pulled out his gun. Gabe put that light at its face to show...


    "A girl!" Natalie said in surprise.


    This mysterious girl was soaking wet and looked pretty banged up.


    "Who are you?" Gabe snapped.


    "Hey! He asked you a question." Gali said coming closer to her.


    She finally coughed up something to say after the loss of words from Gali holding a gun to her head, and what she knew was coming next.


    "I-" she huffed,


    "I''m-"


    Bang!


    A taser shot right by her and hit the tree next to Natalie. Then another shot was fired even closer to this girl. Then rapid shots of both bullets and tasers flew by the kids as they dodged them.


    "It''s an ambush!" Gali yelled "head to base!"


    As they started running Gabe turned back and saw lights flashing their way, and heard distinct yelling among the men coming. But that''s not the only thing he saw, as his eyes shifted down he saw the strange girl on the ground, and what it looked like, she was in pain. He ran to her and turned her over to reveal a bullet hole in her stomach.


    "Ah, crap!" he said worried "Guys! I need help here!"


    His friends stopped at his call of worry, and looked back to see the men getting closer and closer to them.


    "Gabe get out if there now!" Shrieked Izon.


    "Let''s go, Gabe, just leave her!" Gali huffed in frustration.


    "I can''t, she''s bleeding out!"


    Just as Gabe got ready to pick her up and run, a bullet flew by and hit the outside of his arm. It wasn''t too bad, but he still yelled in pain. Natalie ran to him to see if he was ok, but even in pain he picked up the girl.


    "What the heck do you think you''re doing?" she yelled, "Go! I can hold them off!" Without doubting her, Gabe caught up with the rest of the team. As soon as the guards got close enough Natalie swung her hands forward and with it, a gust of wind came and knocked the guards down, but there was still more coming. Then she opened her hands apart from each other and as fast as lightning the earth where the guards were split open and swallowed them. After that, they all made a break for it. By the time they got there, this strange girl lost full conscience and was pale, and she looked dead.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ

 2 2. The Hospital Bed

    Chapter 2


    "She''s losing consciences, sir," a lady said


    "It''s fine just keep working" a man replied.


    "But sir? She could die if we do-"


    "We are this close to what we''ve been working on! I''m not going to throw that away because she''s losing a little blood! Understood?"


    "Yes, sir"


    Silence filled the room. All I saw was white and blue. All I could feel was the pain, and like my sanity was slipping away from me. All I could hear was my heartbeat going faster and faster as if it was going to explode. ''Why am I here?'' ''What''s happening to me?'' ''Why do I feel so empty and cold?'' But then my thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice.


    "Are you really going to do this? Just for some power, sir," another guy said


    "We could take over everything, and nobody will look down on us ever again. This is very crucial, William."


    "But sir she i-"


    "You think I care?! She''s just another science experiment..."


    Those words echoed in my ear over and over. ''Just another science experiment'' those words hurt more than what they did to me. ''Just another science experiment''...


    The girl jerked her head out off the bed breathing hard with tears in her eyes. She looked around in panic, to finally realize it was just a dream. She then went to touch her stomach where the wound was, but she couldn''t. Looking down, she noticed straps on her hands, feet, and waist. Then what sounded like footsteps going down the hall, got closer and closer. She yelled, pulled, kicked, and struggled to get free, but then her head slowly dropped and she stopped like she was in deep thought. She looked back up and gave a strong glare at the straps on her arms as if she was waiting for something to happen. But before anything could, a guy came in with two guards behind him. Then he spoke bold and clear "I''ll get straight to the point. Who are you? And what business do you have being here?!"


    The girl sat there swallowed in fear and didn''t speak a single word. She finally processed what the man said, and in response she gently shrugged. Then one of the guards behind Henry questioned sarcastically, "Oh, so you just showed up in the middle of the woods, bleeding out-"


    "I-" the girl cut in, but was too frightened to continue.


    "-with men chasing you and you don''t know?!"


    "Gillian. That''s enough." Henry demanded.


    "I don''t know!" she trembled in fear. A silence grew in the room, and every eye was on her. "Y-" she faltered. "You don''t know my business, and you won''t understand even if I tried to tell you.


    "Then help us understand." Henry comforted, "and we can hel-"


    "No." She blurted out. "No one can help me."


    Her head steered away from his direction; while trying to blink away tears. "No one can."


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ

 3 3. Interrogation

    Chapter 3


    Still strapped to the hospital bed, the lost girl was consumed in deep thoughts. Even though she was quiet, her face said a million words. Confusion, depression, anxious, angry, revenge... the list goes on. ''Who are these people. How did they escape from those guards? There was over 100 guards.'' But before she could get too deep, she started hearing voices outside of the room.


    "Wait! What? You can''t just do that!" a voices rose up.


    "Gabe, just lis-" Henry reasoned.


    "No, she''s hurt and I don''t just mean physically. I saw the pain in her eyes when we met in the woods. I can''t explain it, but she was running for a reason, and i''m going to find out why."


    "So you had some special ''connection'' with this girl?"


    "Oh, shut up. But just give her a chance. I''m sure she''ll wanna talk after not being held down against her will to a hospital bed, and also if she gets some food in her system too, don''t you think?"


    Henry knew he wasn''t going to win that argument, so with a sigh of frustration, "Fine, but if you get killed in the process, that''s on you."


    "Deal."


    As he headed his way towards the door, the girl was in deep thought again. ''Why would he stand up for me? But they think of me as a threat.'' He finally opened the door and came into the room.


    "Uh, hey. H- How you feel?" Gabe stuttered.


    "Fine." She stammered, "I... I won''t kill you. Just so you know." she gently laughed.


    "A kill me? You a, you heard that?" ''How did she hear that? We were in another room.''


    "Yeah."


    "Ah, jeez. No, Henry was a little, um.." Gabe faltered. He took a deep breath and continued. "So look, so far no one here trust you."


    "Not the first." The girl smirked.


    "If you want us to trust you. Then you have to help us out a little bit, okay?"


    The girl pondered on what he said. ''How can I help him out? They all want to kill me for all I know.'' But this strange girl was curious about who they were. So with a lot of hesitation she said, "I''ll answer your questions. Only if you answer mines."


    "Ok then, let me get those straps off," he comforted with a smile.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    "Sir, there''s something you need to see. A lady said motioning Henry to come over.


    "What is it?" Henry replied.


    "While she was unconscious I took a blood sample..." she explained leading him to the computer, "She had WCTGPP, in her bloodstream, also a lot of other chemicals." They both took a look at all the information on the screen running through the list of chemicals.


    "Wait, I haven''t seen that one before," Henry questioned confused. "Or any of those."


    "Me either, sir, and she seems to have a lot in her. She should have died with at least one of these new chemicals going in her system, but there''s more than eighty on this list." She faltered, "Could she be the one, who we heard the rumors about." The nurse proposed fearfully.


    "No. No I doubt that. As you said, she should be dead." Henry reasoned, "I think our guest should stay with us a little longer." He reached for his walky-talky and warned security about what they found out and told them to find the girl.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    Soon after Gabe and the girl was sitting in a cafeteria eating a sandwich. The girl started looking around, observing the way people act. ''This place is... weird... People aren''t holding weapons to my head -besides that one guy in the woods- and forcing me on the ground or anything. It''s so different here. I need to lea-''


    "What?" she shuddered.


    "You must really like that food to not hear me." he laughed, "I asked if the food was good."


    "It''s fine."


    She was still worried about what might happen if she trusted these people. Just as she was about to ask him something, the group of kids with Gabe the night they found her; sat down right at her table.


    "Hey," blurted Natalie.


    "What''s up, guys," Marly said grabbing an apple.


    "Isn''t she that weird girl we found a few days ago?" Izon muttered into Gabe''s ear.


    "Yeah." the girl faltered.


    "H- how did you hear me?"


    "With my ears." She smirked quietly.


    "Not even I could hear him a- ouch! Gabe, you just kicked me." Marly protested.


    Gabe shot a glare towards Marly and silence sat at their table for five minutes while they ate their food. But the girl couldn''t keep quiet any longer. "Um.." She began, "Well, I have a question... So, who are you people.. And, uh, how did you find me that night? And no secrets." she demanded.


    "That''s two questions." Gabe snickered, "But I''ll answer them both. We are apart of RGST, and we normally don''t leave here, but that night we wanted some fresh air."


    "Wh-"


    "Nope my turn." he provoked, "Why were those people chasing you, and why were you in the woods too?"


    "I kinda did something they didn''t really agree with. I was in the woods because where I live is near it."


    "I thought you said no secrets?"


    "Yeah I did, but it seems like there''s a lot your hiding from me too." She quivered as she gave a sharp look to Marly, and silence hit them again.


    "How could you hear me earlier?" Izon asked.


    "And also how are you almost completely healed from your bullet wound?" Gabe chipped in.


    The stranger girl looked down in fear. ''I just can''t. They could use it against me. Or I can hurt other people.''


    "Tell me first, what is RGST?" demanded the girl.


    "I asked first," Izon instigated.


    "I''m not sure if I can trust you yet." she muttered.


    "No, no, no, we asked first." Marly snarled in frustration.


    Natalie, Izon, and Marly raised their voice and started integrating the quiet girl. Everyone in the cafeteria looking at them and was watching them go at it with each other.


    "Everything all right?" questioned one of the guards coming to there table.


    "Y- yes." the girl muttered quietly, "I was just leaving."


    "No, actually you can''t. You''ll be staying with us for a few days." Gali announced as he reached for the girl''s arm. The frightened girl started putting up a fight, not just to start one, but because she was scared of what they may do.


    "Stop!" she yelled as they pulled her away."You said you would help me."


    "And we are. We are helping you in a nice closed room where we can have a little chat," Gali smirked escorting her away.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    ''Why do they have to know my business? I have a lot to hide which they don''t have to get themselves in. It''s like, do you wanna die? Do you wanna go face to face with the devil. But no they try to get me to spill everything. And that one guy, I think his name is Gabe, turned his back on me. Oh, that little-''


    Clank!


    "So let''s talk," Gilly demanded as he hit the chair on the floor and sat down. ''Ugh Gali, don''t be so harsh. She probably not even a threat.'' Gabe''s thoughts plowed through as he looked through the window of the Interrogation Room.


    "What is there to talk about?" the girl lashed back.


    "We''ll start simple, what''s your name?"


    She froze for only a moment, and with a small smirk on her face she continued, "Hart..." she stopped and looked down.


    "That''s you first name?"


    "That''s my... last name.."


    "Then what''s your first name?"


    "R.." She began, but looked down in disappointment.


    "''R'' what?"


    The girl looked back up and flared her eyebrows.


    "What? ''r'' what?" Gilly questioned leaning forward. He then leaned back in his chair."What did you forget or something?"


    She shook her head and looked back down.


    "We can get that arranged." He continued."So who were those men chasing you that night?"


    The girl knew she couldn''t do anything about it. She was going to tell them. Not all of it, just enough to get by.


    "They were... were sent to get me." she hesitated.


    "Who sent them?"


    "W-" she paused. "WWIDI..."


    A gasp was heard from everyone on the other side of the glass. ''How would they know them?''


    "Why were they coming after you?" Gilly asked.


    "I- well I took something." She explained."That belongs to an old friend."


    "And who''s that?"


    The girl swallowed the lump in her throat and answered. "Her father is the man over WWIDI."


    An even louder gasp was let out.


    "I heard about the rumors, but did not know it was true." stated Gilly. "What did they want with you before you left."


    The girl took a deep breath and looked down trying not to face Gilly. Angry and depression rolled up as memories came back, and she looks like her body froze over.


    "Um, hello?" Gilly interrupted.


    "S-sorry, um." Ryela stuttered struggling to get it out.


    She soon replied with her voice cracking, "They needed me... for a project."


    "What project?"


    "I think I said enough."


    "No you didn''t. So please continued." Gilly smarted off.


    "A lab rat project."


    Those words echoed painfully in her ears, and Gilly got defensive quick.


    "So you have certain... abilities?" he questioned getting tense. Other guards started coming in and had their hand on her hip where their guns are. ''They can''t be serious? They don''t want to try me.'' The girl''s thoughts started flooding her mind.


    "Um, I''m not sure." She responded


    "You''re not sure. How are you not sure!"


    "No, I really don''t know."


    "You better not be lying."


    "Um-"


    "I guess we will have to get you to talk another way then."


    He looked at the guards behind him and they came and grabbed her. Of course, she did not go without a fight. She started kicking, screaming, and punching the guards to get free. So they stuck a tranquilizer dart in her neck, but all it did was make her dizzy. So they got out there tasers, but right before they could uses them a lady flung open the door.


    "Stop it! Right now."


    "MaryAnn?!" Gilly argued, "Step out of the way she''s a threat."


    "How do you know that? Just because she is different doesnt mean that." MaryAnn argued.


    "Yes, it does."


    "So all the kids here that we saved are a threat to you and the RGST, huh?"


    Ryela stopped resisting immediately, and Gilly gave her the meanest glare.


    "Wait." Ryela questioned.


    "Yes."


    "There''s more?" She looked down in surprise, but that soon turns into relief. ''This is crazy. There''s more like me.''


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ

 4 4. First Few Days

    Chapter 4


    "I''m so sorry about that back there." MaryAnn sympathized, "They''re a little weird when it comes to new people." She joked walking the girl down a path in the woods.


    "The trees are so beautiful this time of year. Do you know each leaf is different from the rest? They also have their own unique mark; like some are very pretty, but then there are some that have holes or scratches." She paused to bend down and grab a leaf. "Some leaves may come from a nice blossom tree, but there are some that come from even a dead tree." The girl gave a weird look at MaryAnn and faltered, "Uh...In no disrespect, why did you bring me to the woods to talk about the trees?"


    "You thought I was talking about trees?" MaryAnn question with a soft smile, "Darling, I was talking about you."


    The girl pondered the answer given some more.


    "You came from WWIDI, right?"


    "Yeah."


    "What they do to kids is awful and can change them for life¡­" MaryAnn explained. "But even though they came from a dead tree and went through a rough path, they still came out a beautiful leaf. Sure they may be brown, shriveled up, or maybe they have pieces of them left behind from trails it went through." MaryAnn paused. "Sweet girl¡­ you have let issues you''ve gone through rip you to pieces, and there''s pieces of your hope, love, and bravery missing from you."


    She pondered about what she said and tried to understand.  "Thank you for trying to make me feel better, but I''m fine. And I''m not just some innocent person that was tortured and used." The girl shuddered sitting on a bench near the path.


    "I''m pretty sure everyone in this world has done something bad, but I believe everyone deserves a fresh start." MaryAnn counseled putting her hand on the girls shoulder, "Even you."


    ''Even me? How? I''ve done everything so wrong.'' Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she reflected more and more on what MaryAnn said.


    "It''s up to you what you want to do. I''ll be in my office finishing up some work. When you''re ready, just stop by. Or not, if RGST isn''t right for you." She said putting the leaf she had into Ryela''s hand. She got up to leave, but stopped. "Oh I forgot to ask. What''s your name dear?"


    The lost girl shrugged her shoulders and looked back down.


    "Oh everyone as a name."


    "Not me." She paused. "All I remember is the first letter¡­ ''r''"


    MaryAnn gave deep thought for a little bit. Then her face lit up. "What about R.. Rachel?"


    The girl shook her head in grief.


    "Riley?"


    She shook her head again.


    Oh I know. What about Ryela? I''ve always wanted to name my child that."


    The girls face lit up. "I like it¡­ Ryela.."


    "Well I''ll be going, Ryela." MaryAnn smiled walking back in.


    After about an hour, Ryela slowly made her way back inside. She walked around kinda confused about what room she was in and ended up bumping into Marly and knocking the papers she had onto the floor.


    "Oh, I''m so sorry!" she stressed backing up.


    "No your good boo, I''ve been like a zombie the past few days, no sleep has me bumping into everything." Marly yawning, "Um, I don''t think I know your name."


    Ryela paused and her demeanor was low, but then she got happy. "Ryela."


    "That''s cool. Can I call you Rye? I always do nicknames," Marly asked smiling at Ryela.


    "Sure." Ryela responded doubtfully.


    The Marly started chatting and joked around a lot, and Ryela really got to know her. Marly tried and tried to open Ryela up as two days went by, and there friendship blossomed more and more. Marly showed Ryela around and introduced her to some of her friends. She even invited Ryela to bunk with her and Natalie. She was soon transferred into Group A2-which is Gabe''s group- and they spent almost an entire day doing fun activities to make her feel comfortable. At the end of the day they became really good friends, but Ryela was stilled shut out.


    By this time it was dinner and Marly, Ryela, Gabe, Natalie, and Izon was sitting in the cafeteria conversing and eating, but Ryela was zoned out. ''I can''t believe I''ve still stayed here. It''s like they forgot everything about our first meeting. These people are still weird through.''


    "Rye? You good, boo? You seem to do that ''thing'' a lot." Marly asked.


    "What?" questioned Ryela.


    "That ''thing''."


    "Yeah, I noticed you do that a lot too." Natalie chipped in.


    "What?" blabbed Ryela.


    "Where you doze off into space, kinda looks like you get swarmed in thoughts," Izon explained.


    "Yeah¡­ It''s my way of escape." Ryela muttered taking a bite out of her chicken.      No one talked for at least 10 minutes as they ate their dinner.


    "I totally forgot to ask, but what type of ability do you have, Rye?" Izon asked curiously with a mouth full of Chinese food.


    "My what?"


    "You know your ability?"


    "Ehem, she''s trying to eat, so leave her alone," Marly interrupted.


    "It''s fine¡­. I''m not that hungry anyway." Ryela reasoned. Ryela took a deep breath and continued. "I really don''t know. I only remember little memories from WWIDI, maybe lifting an object with my mind or something; Not a lot." She reflected, "But I do remember this one day, it''s still kind of foggy, but something crazy happened."


    "Wow, really? Like what?" Izon asked excitedly.


    "You don''t have to talk about it if you don''t want to." Marly insisted.


    "Its fine."


    She took a sip of her drink and started thinking. "I remember loud sirens going off; guards everywhere. My heart beating crazy¡­ I think I was running outside. Then the next minute I know I woke up in a bed and they told me I was cured of some disease." she explained in a relaxed manner. "I still don''t know what happened before I woke up."


    "Thats, uh, interesting." Izon murmured.


    Ryela ate another bite of her noodles then flared her eyebrows. Something strong hit her on the inside.


    "Are you okay, Ryela?" concerned Gabe.


    "Yeah. Just saw a flash back, that''s all."


    "Like what?" Marly asked.


    "It was of a tube thing¡­" she stated as a scene played in her head. "It was a big one too, and there were these pointy things at the top." she shuddered as she explained her vision.


    "Is she ok?" natalie whispered to Marly. "She''s blanking out."


    Ryela skin started turning pale, and her eyes glazed over. She completely zoned out and continued to tell what she saw. "I was in the tube. Then it lit up, and I felt as if," she paused and closed her eyes, "I was drifting away. I felt so much hatred and revenge." Ryela squeezed her eyes shut even more. Then she saw a blurry picture of a man walking up to her, but the name tag he was wearing was crystal clear:


    Doctor Gabriel Collins


    She popped open her eyes in fear, and all eyes were on here.


    "What''s wrong?" She asked confused.


    "Y- your, um¡­" Natalie stuttered.


    "Tell me." Ryela pleaded.


    "Look at your hands!" Marly shouted pointing at them. As Ryela looked down she saw herself gleaming red, and heat was radiating off her. The group had to back up from how much heat there was.


    "I can''t turn it off!"


    "Just try and calmed down, and take a deep breath," Marly yelled.


    "Okay¡­. ok-"


    WOOSH!


    "Need a hand," Gilly smirked. Just then Ryela was on the floor completely soaked in water with Gilly holding a power hose in her direction. Her friends ran to her to make sure she was ok.


    "Gilly what was that for!" Gabe protested.


    "If I would''ve not stepped in, all of you would be burnt to a crisp right now, so I think the words you''re looking for is ''thank you''."


    "As if," Ryela smirked trying to get up from the wet ground, but right as Gabe went to help her, he slipped and knocked her down with him. All their friends started laughing as they helped them up. "Let''s get you cleaned up, ok?" Marly laughed.


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 5 5. Training Day/New Arrival

    RINNNGGG! RING! RING!


    Ryela, Marly, and Natalie jerked out of bed. "Ugh!" Marly complained, "Turn off the freaking wake-up call I''m tryna sleep here!" she yelled. Natalie groaned as she rolled out of bed and plopped on the floor. "Sleep well," Ryela asked rubbing her eyes.


    "Yeah I actually slept like a baby and had a really good dream, until frickin Henry tries scaring us half to death in our sleep with that annoying alarm. " protested Natalie.


    "I completely agree. Did you sleep well, Rye?" Marly faltered concerningly.


    "Yeah¡­ still thinking about yesterday thow."


    "Don''t sweat it, girl," Marly assured as she got back in bed.


    RING! RING! RING


    The girls groaned in frustration as they struggles out of bed. "I''m going to crush that speaker if it doesn''t stop." threatened Marly.


    "I don''t remember the alarm in the morning." Ryela muttered, "Is it new?"


    "Nope, it always been there, same stupid alarm." murmured Marly, "Most kids wake up early so they don''t need it, but if you don''t they blast it through your room.


    "But it''s only seven in the morning! That''s too early for me," added Natalie.


    "Well, then it''s only one other thing." Marly speculated getting dressed and ready.


    "What?" Ryela asked.


    "Training Day."


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    "Are you sure about this?" Henry inquired.


    "Of course I am, starting training day early is the best way to go." MaryAnn hinted


    "Are you sure it''s not just about the new girl?


    "No, but now since you brought it up, I think it will be good for her. She can find out more about her abilities and who she is."


    "What if she is who we think, she can be da-"


    "Don''t even go that way with me, Hun, ok?"


    "Fine, I just hope you know what you''re doing ok. I really do." he hesitated, putting his hand on her shoulder. "I don''t want you getting hurt in the process, I care about you."


    "I know, just trust me."


    "You know I do."


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    Bright and early the kids were sitting in the cafeteria eating breakfast. It was awfully crowded which was very unusual. "Is it just me or did about 100 more kids show up?" Izon confronted.


    "Eh, yeah they normally pick up a few kids here and there when they can, but they must have gone all out last night." sighed Gabe.


    "Pick up kids?" question Ryela.


    "From WWIDI. They ship kids around and when RGST can, they will high jack them and rescue the kids." Natalie explained taking a bite of her toast.


    Ryela put down her drink and question, "How?"


    "What do you mean?" asked Marly.


    "They have soldiers with high tech weapons crawling the place twenty-four seven, not even counting ''special equipped'' soldiers." Ryela informed, with a look of confusion.


    Gabe continued. "That''s why they have a training day. They train kids to defend and use their powers for the good. Then when they are ready they can choose to join RGST to help take down WWIDI and other harmful business."


    "I thought we already apart of RGST." confronted Ryela.


    "We are. Just not the fighting back part, we stay inside, learn, and fight more. Because if an amateur goes out to help they could capture them and either kill them, force them to tell where RGST is, keep them as a lab rat, or wipe there memory."  Gabe proposed as he rubbed his tired eyes.


    "Wait." Ryela interrupted. "What did you say?"


    "What? Memory swipe?" Gabe asked.


    "Yeah¡­" Ryela looked down in deep thought. ''Is that why I can''t remember anything. Did they do that to me? What did I find out to where they had to do that though¡­?''


    "She''s doing the thing again." Marly confronted nudging her arm, "You good?"


    "Uh yeah..."


    The kids sat there staring at her for a good minute.


    "Well, we''re not mind readers are we?" Marly sniggered. "Wanna tell us."


    Ryela sighed and looked down. "Not really."


    The kids continue to eat there food, but Izon didn''t. "She feels like...she is missing apart of herself and the reason why is because her memories were taken from her." Izon whispered into Gabe''s ear.


    "Hey stop! Those are my personal thoughts, so stay out." Ryela snapped covering her eyes.


    "I was just trying to use my ability to help you. I''m sorry."


    "He was just trying to help, Rye." Marly sympathised.


    "But you can''t help me."


    A long silence sat at the table and all of their heads were down.


    "If it is that¡­We are going to help you get them back... deal?" Gabe reassured putting his hand on her hand.


    Ryela looked up then looked back down.


    "Deal." the kids chipped in.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    Breakfast is almost over and the kids were getting ready to get up but were soon disturbed.


    Bang!


    The door flipped open and this kid with dark, red hair walked in.  "Who is that?" Natalie faltered.


    "I think it''s the new kid." informed Gabe.


    "I heard he has the ability of heat and fire, and with enough power, he can fly." Izon chipped in.


    "I also heard he is sometimes a punk or something. He bullies lower power kids and gets them to do stuff." Marly snapped oller her eyes.


    Ryela gave a hard stare at the kid. ''He reminds me of someone I knew in WWIDI, but I can''t remember.''


    "What if he finds out that I don''t know my powers. Will he try to bully me?" whispered Ryela into Marly''s ear.


    "You''re one of the toughest girls I know, ok? And plus, I think you not knowing your powers isn''t necessarily a bad thing, if he ever did try and bother you I think your powers would kick in. That or you can beat his butt to the curb with no powers." joked Marly


    "Sure."


    These men walked up to Gabe''s table with the new kid beside them. "Gabe Agreste, as leader of this group A2, we have been informed that Jake Steinfield is to join you till we find another group that suits him, understood." one of the guards commanded."


    "Yes, sir."


    "He will bunk within your quadrant also, and he is your responsibility." The guards walked off and the new kid was just standing there. He walked over next to Ryela and sat down.


    "Sup guys, I guess I''ll be hanging with y''all." Jake grinned looking at Ryela, "I''m Jake by the way."


    "Uh, yea. I already knew that." Ryela stammered uncomfortably.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    The kids introduced themselves to Jake and told him a little about RGST. After that, it was announced on the speaker that training starts in 30 minutes, and to go to Training Fields. So the kids were making their way there, but Ryela looked very nervous.


    "So, what''s training day?" Jake asked.


    "It''s where kids get trained to strengthen their ability and they move up on the chart, and it''s not necessarily a day it''s about a few months process," informed Natalie.


    "Ok, make sense. So what level are you guys on?" Jake asked looking at Ryela again.


    "We are the first group so I guess the top." stammered Ryela giving no attention to him.


    "So what are your abilities? There probably really cool then." Jake questioned eagerly.


    "Um, well, I can control nature, like the air, ground, trees and other things like that. I also can heal things or people." Natalie began as she motioned her hand over her head and pink blossoms flew by.


    "I have super hearing, force field, invisibility, and strength." Marly continued.


    "I can read people''s pulse, fly, x-ray vision, and if I try hard enough I can read people''s thoughts," explained Izon as they made there way down the path to the fields.


    "That''s so cool. What about you Gabe?" asked Jake.


    "Hm? Oh yeah. I have super speed, super strength, flight, I can read people''s emotions, and I can teleport anything wherever I think, by touching it." Gabe explained.


    "That''s awesome, and you, Ryela?"


    "Um, what?"


    "You know your ability."


    "Oh yeah.. well what about your ability?"


    Just then Jake stopped walking. He clenched his fist and popped it open. As he lifted up his hand, blue flames came with it. "There yours answer." he bragged as he gave a smile. "So what is yours?"


    "Uh, it''s kinda like- um-"


    RING! "Training starts now, please make your way to the Registration Booth next to Trading Fields."


    "Looks like we have to go." Ryela sighed a breath of relief and looked at Jake. ''Right in the nick of time!''


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ

 6 6. New Rival

    Chapter 6


    The groups split up to train, they trained and were tested in every Block even if they did not have those powers. Each block tested a different ability, one was Water Force, Speed and Strength, Fire, Telekinesis, Teleportation, Force of mind, Force of Nature,  and so forth. They have Blocks were teammates will pair up and train each other in fair fight using their ability. Each group takes turns in every section to see if they would qualify for that power. Group A2 was up, but since Jake was new he could not train yet.


    "Finally. He''s gone" muttered Ryela.


    "Not for too long though." reminded Marly.


    "Thanks."


    "Oops. Sorry."


    "Shh, guys their about to pick teams." hushed Gabe.


    "Then last group is Group A2... First pair will be¡­ Marly and Izon¡­ Second pair will be Natalie and Jake¡­  Last pair will be Ryela and Gabe¡­ May training begin."


    "This should be fun." chuckled Marly


    "Yeah you say that, I have to go with flame boy." pouted Natalie.


    Ryela turned towards Marly and slowly rolled her eyes. "Really? Gabe? He is one of the strongest kids here." whispered Ryela into Marly''s ear.


    "Your good, boo, he''ll go easy on you." she said winking at Ryela.


    "Shut up." blushed Ryela.


    "Ok, then that solves that. Let''s break off into groups and do the Blocks; we will meet back for lunch." explained Gabe. The group broke off and did there own thing. Gabe and Ryela debated about where to start first; they finally made up their minds to do Speed and Strength. In Speed and Strength, you have to do a series of obstacles to move and lift heavy stuff, then for the speed part of it, it''s mostly things flying at you to see how fast you can move.


    "Ow!" groaned Ryela as another disk ricochet off her sore body.


    "You have to be quicker, Ryela." One of the coaches protested.


    Gabe ran to Ryela at her call of pain. "Are you ok, Ryela." gasped Gabe. He went over and helped her up, "You bruised up pretty quick. Let''s take you to the infirmary."


    They made there way to the infirmary and knocked on the door, a voice yelled out telling them to come in.


    "Uh, hey Ms. MaryAnn." faltered Gabe.


    "Oh dear, what happened?!"


    "I guess I didn''t move fast enough." mumbled Ryela. She sat down on a bed and they took a look at her bruises. She has bruises throughout her body, but mainly on her ribs and back from turning away from the disks.


    "This isn''t too bad, with this sirum it should only take in hour to heal, and you''ll feel better in no time."


    "Can I just take a day."  Ryela sighed laying back in a bed.


    "It''s only been an hour of training though, you shouldn''t give up now." Gabe protested. "And in a hour I got hurt."


    "Try and give it another go? We can try after lunch. You''ll feel a lot better by then."


    "Sure."


    "Gabe why don''t you go and finish training before lunch starts, so Henry won''t get mad." joke MaryAnn.


    "Yes ma''am."


    MaryAnn walked over to the bed Ryela was sitting and sat down.


    "Please don''t try and cheer me up." Ryela mumbled.


    "I won''t. I just needed to sit down." Ryela gave a look of confusion to MaryAnn, and they sat there silent for at least 45 minutes.


    "You look better." exclaimed MaryAnn.


    "I feel better. I guess you didn''t have to say anything to cheer me up."


    "I guess not¡­ Now how about you jump back into the ring, but this time you throw a few punches, huh?"


    "Sure."


    GRR! The loud sound of Ryela''s stomach growling broke the serious moment.


    "Maybe you should eat first."


    "Yeah." laughed Ryela.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    The squad was sitting at their usual table eating hotdogs and fries, but the only difference was that Jake was sitting right by her seat. ''Ugh him again. Why you do this to me RGST?''


    "Hey, Rye... I heard what happened." Marly comforted, "How''s y-"


    Splash!


    Gabe knocked over his cup of water and it spilt everywhere. "Oops, sorry, I''m just super clumsy today." Gabe interrupted as he gave Marly a sharp look.


    "What did happen to you, Ryela. You weren''t there when I came to the Blocks." questioned Jake.


    "Oh I was sick." stammered Ryela as she poked her food.


    "Well hopefully I''ll get to see the queen in action after lunch." Jake insisted.


    "Yeah I guess."


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    "Training Day is to start in 5 minutes. Please make your way to the Training Fields."


    The squad took a while till they figured out which Block to go to. Marly and Izon chose Force Of Mind and the rest of the group chose Fire. For the block Fire, two people go up next to a meter that takes the temperature of each person''s heat. The highest heat goes against each other till there''s only one winner.


    Ryela started shaking in fear. She looked at the Block, and then back at Gabe. "Gabe! What am I going to do. If he sees me with no powers he will think low of me." whispered Ryela into Gabe ear.


    "Don''t worry you will do great, and if not just remember I got your back if her acts stupid." Gabe reassured her.


    Gabe went up against Natalie, but since Gabe was not experienced in Fire, Natalie won. Next up was Natalie and Ryela. Natalie leaned in close and whispered, "Think of something that really angers you, and use that energy."  so Ryela closed her eyes.


    "Wh- where am I?" weak Ryela questioned.


    "Hi. How are you feeling?"  asked a nurse putting her hand on Ryela''s head.


    "And your in ''WorldWide Infectious Diseases Institute,'' or in other words WWIDI." she explained.


    "I''m sick?"


    "No, actually we cured you."


    Poor Ryela squinted her eyes trying to focus on her surroundings. "Why can''t I remember anything? Where is my family? Why do I feel weird." Ryela started demanding answers.


    "It was one of the side effects, sweety. We can still help you through."


    Ryela started having another flashback again. Sadness rolled up in her, but it turned into a blazing hatred. As she opened her eyes her whole body was on fire. The group froze in shock that she could start her ability, but it only worked for about 10 seconds and it shut back off.


    "Girl, you were so on fire I thought you were gonna zinch my eyebrows off!" Marly laughed. patting Ryela on the shoulder.


    Ryela won one battle and it was her turn against Jake. They went up and she tried the same method again. So with a hint of trust she closed her eyes in hesitation.


    "Rye? Where are you?" a soft voice questioned. "Come out, come out, wherever you are." A mysterious woman turned around as she heard young Ryela laugh from inside a closet. "Where could she be...hmm?"


    "Boo!" The lady yelled opening the closet door.


    "You found me!" Ryela giggled.


    Just like before she turned on fire. Her temperature was really high, but instead being angry she had a look of gratitude. Ryela looked at her temperature and it was nowhere near Jake''s.


    "I''m impressed you could''ve beat me, but I''m still the hottest out there." Jake smirked as he shot a dashing smile towards Ryela. Ugh there goes my lunch.


    The group did other Blocks, but Ryela stepped out. She said she was still feeling sick and had to go. By the time training was over it was dinner. The squad was already sitting at the table when Ryela got over there, but Jake wasn''t there. They explained that he had to ''freshen up his good looks,'' but he''ll make sure he doesn''t keep them waiting.


    "What good looks?" Marl smirked. Marly laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes, and so did the team.


    "Good one, Mar!" Snorted Natalie.


    "What the heck do you think you are doing?! Get out of my way, insect!"


    "What is that?" asked Izon


    "Here we go! I knew he was nothing but a hot head." giggled Marly.


    "Gabe, aren''t you going to do something?" sneered Ryela


    "I can''t, even if he throws a punch."


    Jake shot a ball of fire at the kid and pushed him on the ground. Just then Ryela jumped up and ran over to him. "Hey! Anyone ever teach you respect? Back off, Jake." Once she realized what she did she froze in fear and began to panic.


    "Listen here, princess, it''s called ''level of authority''. In other words I''m more powerful them him, so if he bothers me he will have to be put in check...just like you." Jake put up his hand and with it came a strong flame. Ryela took a step back in fear and stopped. Just then Gabe ran up and pushed her behind him and the rest of the squad ran up next to her.


    "You better not touch her." threatened Gabe. His eyes glowed yellow and he prepared his stance.


    "Or what, Ace?"


    Ryela''s friends started their abilities and with it; there eyes each glowing a different color.


    "Or we''ll kick your butt to the curb." Marly smarted off.


    "That''s enough!" protested Gillyi.


    "Agreste! In my office, now." Henry snarled as he walked away with Gabe. Jake sat down as Natalie, Izon, and Marly walked back with Ryela to her seat.


    "I''m not hungry." stammered Ryela and she got ready to get up.


    "Where are you going?" Marly questioned.


    "I heading to my room."


    "Let me go with."


    "No just¡­ stay here, I wanna be alone."


    Ryela ran out of the cafeteria, and made her way to the bench in the woods were MaryAnn first walked her.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    "Blake, Stop!" Ryela yelled running over to a girl on the ground to help her up.


    "Oh, I see. Since your so special in all you think you can tell me what to do?"


    "Are you ok? You should get going." Ryela insisted to the girl.


    "Um did you hear me?"


    WACK! BAM!


    Ryela was on the floor coughing up blood. She touched her bruised face and her cheek was cut. But bold Ryela got off the floor and wiped her bloody hand on the wall, and gave him the harshest glare.


    "What? Are you really gonna fight me?"


    "I didn''t come here to fight." Ryela declared as she turned around to walk away, but Blake wanted to fight. He pulled his hand back and threw it forward and with it a huge bolt of lighting surged at Ryela.


    ZAP! BANG!


    "What the heck!" Blake yelled.


    "That''s not nice to fight a weakling, is it?" A guy scolded him as he put a force field around Blake and made it smaller to crush him.


    "Austin, stop." Ryela pleaded, and so he did.


    "What did I tell you about getting into fights, huh? I can''t protect you all the time."


    "And I don''t expect you too."


    "But ''he'' does."


    "Just don''t."


    "I can''t deal with your always pissed atti-"


    "Ryela?" a soft voice broke the silence of her flashback.


    "Who is it?" Ryela asked sniffing up tears. As the figure approached the light she saw who it was.  "Oh, hey, Ms. MaryAnn."


    "I knew I''d find you here. I heard what happened... Would you like to talk about it?"


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ

 7 7. First Figh

    Chapter 7


    MaryAnn and Ryela sat on the bench in silence after Ryela explained her flashback.


    "Who''s Blake? And Austin?" MaryAnn inclined, "If you don''t mind me asking?


    "Blake was just a jerk from WWIDI. He''d bully lower class kids into doing things for him and injure them for fun... And Austin... Well." quavered Ryela. She took a deep breath and continued, "He''s just an old friend. Was an old friend, actually."


    "Just a friend, huh? He seems kind of.important to you."


    "Well yea, he protected me while in WWIDI until I got abilities I don''t know how many times I''d be in the infirmary if he weren''t there for me."


    "So I''m guessing after you got powers youdidn''t need him?"


    "No matter much he bugged me I couldn''t just end our relationship like that. We knew each other since... Well, I don''t know how long I was there."


    MaryAnn soaked up everything Ryel was saying, and they sat there thinking together.


    MaryAnn got ready to go inside from her old bones being cold but was stopped by something Ryela said.


    "I''m sorry, dear, what did you say?" MaryAnn faltered.


    "We weren''t always friends, you know?" She flattered. Ryela look at MaryAnn then backs down. "When I realized the bad things WWIDI was doing... I hoped, maybe, he would''ve come with me..." Ryela stuttered wiping off tears. "He made his choice, and I made mine. I never thought it''d happen, but now we''re enemies." Ryela declared standing up. Then there was a long pause.


    "Family or enemies... hard choice." MaryAnn took another pause as a leaf lew by and landed on her head. She grabbed the leaf and continued. "Each leave may come from a different tree...but just because the wind blows does not mean it should fall, or let the wind say where it should land."


    "You metaphors are killing me."


    "I''m saying that people make choices and they let circumstances tell them where to go. Your friend chose to let problems show him where to land, and it pushed him to evil." MaryAnn counseled as she walked over to Ryela, "We can not dodge problems that happen in life, but we can take them in for a time of learning and counsel. To help lead us away from harm. You, Ryela, don''t have to let it control you. Make your own decisions... make your own destiny."


    "Thanks, Ms. MaryAnn." Ryela leaned in giving her a hug.


    "Oh your welcoe, dear. If you want, you can call me Mary, or Ann, or anything that makes you feel more comfortable."


    "Sure."


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    RING! RIIIING! RING!


    "Just kill me while you''re at it!" Marly pleaded, putting a pillow over her head.


    RIII- CRASH!!


    The loudspeaker crashed down in pieces as Marly gave an evil smirk.


    "I have taken downthe enemy!" Marly laughed as she curled up in her blankets.


    RING! RING! RING! "Wake up, kids. Training starts in two hours. Take some time to get ready and eat breakfast. There are waffles and bacon with a side of fruits for breakfast. Remember training starts in two hours."


    "There''s another one!"


    "I think you may need to make a new plan of attack." joked Natalie. "and maybe a quitter method too."


    "Let''s hurry before the waffles run out!" Marly exclaimed.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    The girls made their way to the cafeteria, and like normal, the guys were already there eating. But something was different.


    "Uh, where''s Jake?" Ryela mumbled.


    "Good morning to you too." Gabe provoked,"But he''s sitting with his new friend over there."


    The girls looked over and saw Jake sitting next to a pale kid, wearing all black, and shaggy dark hair.


    "I think his name is Mike or something I don''tknow." Izon yawned.


    "Oh yeah, I heard he can control darkness, death, and other depressing stuff. He''s not too good at it though." informed Natalie, "But he sure can give someone one heck of a migraine."


    "Perfect, now Jake is friends with the devil," Ryela whispered


    "Try a piece of bacon it will make you happy." Marly insisted handing her a piece. Ryela took a bite and her face lit up.


    "What is this?" She blurted.


    "You''re telling me you''ve never had bacon?" Gabe questioned in amazement.


    "I think I have before, it''s just been so long I forgot what it tastes likes. Imma gets more. Uh, Marly could you come with me, please." Ryela faltered. "I don''t want to go by myself," she whispered.


    The girls went over to the breakfast bar and Ryela grabbed a plate full of bacon. As she walked back she tripped over something and the bacon went everywhere, but before it could touch the floor Marly used her ability to catch them all.


    "Thanks, Mar," Ryela said getting off the ground.


    "Oh, my bad. Did I accidentally put my foot out and trip you?" Jake smirked, "Or are you always just that clumsy?"


    Something rose up in Ryela and she got bold. "Well, are you always such an idiot? Or do you just like to show off when I''m around?" Ryela smirked back sarcastically. Mike looked at her in shock, and they were gave each other a death stare.


    "Did you just insult me?"


    "Well if you''d clean out your ears, yes I did."


    Mike took a step forward and his eyes turned yellow, but before anything could happen, Jake, pushed him back.


    "She''s mine," Jake demanded as he stepped forward


    "If you don''t want every bone in your body broken, I suggest you frick off." Marly threatened, stepping in front of Ryela.


    "No. I don''t need you to stick up for me." Ryela whispered as she stepped away from Marly.


    Jake immediately ran toward Ryela and threw a punch of fire, but she dodged it. They went back and forth fighting. Ryela was mainly blocking, but when she could she''d through a punch and knock him in the face. All of the kids in the cafeteria was watching them, and there were no guards in the site because of a meeting they were having.


    "Ugh stay still!" yelled Jake. He threw a fireball on one side of the pillar, and then on other making her stop behind it. "Now I got you." lasers blasted out of his eyes towards the top of the pillar knocking it down. "That''s cute you thought you could beat me."


    The kids sat there in awe as Marly screeched in fear. She bolted over the pile of rubble.


    GGGRRRR!


    The sound of rumble moving stopped his taunt. The kids looked over and saw Gabe holding up the huge, broken pillar above Ryela''s head.


    "I leave for five freaking minutes, and you almost get yourself killed!" Gabe protest throwing the pillar in front of him.


    "Can you not scold me right now." Ryela pleaded, "And I don''t need help."


    Gabe helped her up then walked over to Jake and gave him the hardest glare.


    "I said don''t touch her."


    "And I said, or what, Ace," Jake smirk


    With a blink of an eye, Jake went down hard on the floor.


    "What the heck!" Jake coughed.


    "Or I''ll hurt you.


    "Gabe!" Gilly yelled grabbing him, "What were you thinking? You know the rules! Now you''re coming with me." Gabe walked off looking at Ryela with relief on his face.


    "W- wait." Ryela interrupted running up to them.


    "What are you doing?" Gabe questioned.


    "I- it was my fault, sir. I started the fight. Gabe didn''t do anything."


    "I honestly don''t care who started it. I''m just trying to do my job." Gilly barked as he grabbed Ryela''s arm to lead her to Main Office. Ryela looked back at Gabe and gave a soft smile as the door closed behind her.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ

 8 8. Sweet Love

    Chapter 8


    Gilly finished explaining what happened to Henry while Ryela sat quietly in a chair. "That''s an interesting story you got there." Henry hesitated. Gilly got up and to leave, and gave Ryela a dirty look as he walked out.


    Ryela shiver down in her seat some more. She kept her breath and didn''t move as she sat in Henry''s office in silent. She battled in her head whether or not to speak as thoughts blowed through her mind.


    "Do you have anything to say?" Henry questioned.


    Ryela shook her head and looked back down, but finally had the courage to say something."Am-" her voice tightened "-am I in trouble?"


    "No, you were just defending yourself. I''ll have a word with Jake after this, but other than that don''t trouble yourself over him, okay?" Henry got up to excuse Ryela but she didn''t move. So he stopped and looked at her troubled. "Are you okay, Ryela?"


    "That''s all?" She faltered.


    "What?"


    "That''s all you want? Nothing else. No punishment?" her voice cracked painfully.


    ''''No of course. You did nothing wrong. You are free to leave." He explained opening the door. She slowly got out of the chair and made her way to the door.      "Training started thirty minutes ago, so you can head on down, and stay out of trouble."


    He shut the door and pulled out his phone. He typed in a number, and his phone started ringing. No one picked up until the third ring.-Hello?- A voice spoke up. "Hey, Ann. I just talked to Ryela-" -Oh how did it go?- "just fine, everything was good, but something is up with her. She looked terrified of me when I was talking to her. She didn''t say a single word. Then when Gillian walked out I thought she was going to make a panic attack." -Oh that''s awful! She must still think poorly of us.- "I think she needs a guidance counselor or something like that." -I can get that arranged.- "She just so¡­.different. I still don''t know about her, know don''t get mad, but I still don''t trust her." -And you wonder why she don''t like us¡­ Listen Hun, this won''t work if you don''t help open up. Just trust me you wont regret it.- "Okay, I''ll try." Alright, I got to go, Hun. "Ok, love you, and be safe." -I will, love you, bye.-


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    Ryela made her way around to her friends. They were in the block Telekinesis, and they seemed to just have started it.


    "Hey, Ryles." Marly exclaimed giving her a hug. She leaned in close and whispered,"So sorry, we tried getting Jake removed from our group but we can''t since he''s new."


    "Nah, it''s cool girl. If he pisses me off I''ll just kick him to the curb." Ryela whispered back.


    "Okay, okay. I see that confidence."


    The kids walked up to the Block and a lady explained the directions. "There will be multiple things light to heavy you must pick up without using hands. You can use other abilities if you don''t have specifically Telekinesis. That will be the first level. Second level we will have your team split up into two equal groups and use your ability to get this soccer ball to the other side, but you can only use Telekinesis or other abilities revolved around that. Understood?"


    "Yes ma''am." Everyone chimed in.


    Natalie went first and she used her wind ability to hold it in the air, she was ably to hold all of them up lightest to heaviest in the amount of time required. After Natalie, Izon went up. He tried, but the only thing that moved the pencil was the breeze blowing. Then up next was Jake. He tried using fire to hold up his object but ended up burning it to a crisp. The kids broke out in laughter as his object sat on the ground toasted black.


    "What''s so funny, huh?!" Jake yelled.


    "Look in a mirror." Marly fired back as she walked past him.


    "You wanna run that by me again?" Jake threatened.


    "Ugh, really? Clean out your freakin ears. She just said ''Look in a mirror'' dimwit." Izon smirked. Jake was so mad that his eyes were about to burst out fire, but before he could a coach came up and stopped him.


    "If you wanna fight do it after my shift, so I''m not responsible, okay? Other than that Ryela your up."


    She slowly made her way up and stood on a square. Ryela forcefully gulped down her fear and looked around. Gabe gave her a thumbs up as Marly yelled, "You got this girl."


    She finally choked up some confidence to use her ability; not a lot but just enough. She gave a hard, focused stare at the objects and they started to rise up. She snapped off her ability in shock.


    "You betta go boo, yeah!" Marly went up to Ryela and patted her on the shoulder.


    "I honestly so surprised that happened." Ryela muttered.


    The kids went through almost every Block and Ryela opened up just a little to use her ability. She kept on working on her abilities and tried to control them instead of letting her emotions override. But after a long day of training the kids got hungry.


    "I''m starving!" Izon declared, "Wait! We missed lunch?!"


    "Looks like it, and I agree let''s take a break and get some food." Gabe insisted.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    "Oh¡­" Ryela munched on her food, "My¡­" She took another big bite, "Lord¡­This taste so good!"


    "It''s literally just a BLT." Natalie informed.


    "Wait, is know one going to mention how she just outwardly spoke, with whispering?" Izon informed.


    "I think it''s just the bacon talking." laughed Gabe.


    "Remind me to say thank you to the person that created sweet¡­ crunchy...sweet bacon, please." Ryela muttered.


    "I think she had too much bacon." Nathalie giggled.


    "She is definitely in a food coma right now." protested Marly as Ryela''s head dropped on the table. The squad started laughing, joking, and enjoying there BLT. And while Ryela was practically unconsciousness the team would mess with her or take her bacon.


    BAM!


    Jake slapped his hand on the table right next to Ryela. She jerked her head up and snapped out of it almost instantly.


    "Hey pest!" He yelled grabbing Ryela''s arm and forcefully pulling her up. "I couldn''t fight you before, but I can now!"


    "Listen, Jake, I can give one blow of wind and your little hot head will be out." Natalie provoked. Standing up


    He rolled his eyes ignoring her comment. "You don''t know who your dealing with, princess. I could take you down in a heartbeat." Jake threatened.


    Gabe bulted up and pushed him back. "Can we not do this. Either one of us can take you down single handedly. Especially, Ryela. So just chill, okay?"


    "If she''s so great, why don''t she stand up for herself? Oh that''s right¡­ you never give her the opportunity in the first place¡­"


    "I did not come here to fight, but to get my life straight. I think you should take that advice for yourself." Ryela turned around to walk off when Jake raised his hand.


    "Not this time." He barked. He cocked it back far and was read to launch.


    "Oh yes this time." Gilly said grabbing his arm and handcuffing him. There was four other guards behind Gilly. "Take ''em." so two of them escorted Jake to Main Office.


    "Don''t think I''m surprised at your ''act of bravery'' okay, Hart." Gilly barked. "Just because you didn''t kill him doesn''t mean I''ll be easy on you." He scolded.


    Without a response, she looked down in fear.


    "I''ll try and keep him cooled down throughout the day tomorrow. But if anything happens, if you so happen to cross a line, don''t think for a second I won''t take you in. Understood?"


    "O- ok.." She tried avoiding eye contact with Gilly and the moment became quite.


    "Excuse me? It''s ''yes sir'' for you!" He commanded.


    "Gillian." interfered Gabe, "She gets it."


    "Good." Gilly walked by Ryela and gave a intense glare.


    "What''s his problem?" Marly walked over to Ryela.


    "He hates me¡­ doesn''t he?" Ryela fretted.


    "No of course not, he''s just¡­ on the rough side."


    "Way on the rough side." Ryela scoughed.


    "Someone''s edgy."


    "I just don''t like guards, okay. I had a bad past with them."


    "So you hate all guards now?" questioned Natalie.


    "No¡­ but him him specifically yes¡­"


    "Oh and why''s that?" Izon provoked playfully.


    "You tell me.. Why would I hate the man that told Gabe to leave me to bleed out...and then when I survived he dragged me into a room and force me to talk...then accuse me of lying to where I get stabbed in a neck with a needle..." Ryela shivered in fear then she grabbed her plate.


    "Eh, now I see your point." agreed Izon.


    "Wow, someone has a grudge." Marly


    said giving Ryela a concerning look.


    "I''m fine. I got bacon." Ryela walled over to the bar and stacked it with bacon.


    "What are you doing?" Natalie asked.


    "It''s a snack."


    "You know you''ll run out, right? Gabe questioned, "And you can''t go get more at night because guards will get suspicious."


    "I will find a way¡­ love always finds a way." Ryela reassured as she took a big bite out of bacon and walked off.


    "Well, good night." Gabe speculated as she kept on walking.


    "Good night." Ryela mumbled with her mouth full of bacon.


    "Waking her up is gonna be fun." Marly groined.


    Ryela tried saying something but instantly choked on bacon. So quickly the girls caught up to her laughing and joking the whole way.

 9 9. Breaking Poin

    Chapter 9


    "Let go of me! Let go of me right now!" Ryela screamed slamming her heal on a guards foot and then throwing a hard elbow to his head.


    "Ah! You little pest!" the guard barked. Ryela started kicking and swinger here arms to get out of the guards reach.


    "Put her in." a man command. The guards dragged her over to a tube-like machine and put her in. "Proceed with extermination."


    Ryela kicking and punching as hard as she can and the glass started cracking. She then started expanding a force field from the inside to shatter it. The glass got closer and closer to busting, but Ryela slowly started to stop. She dropped down on her knees as blue and green gas filled the machine, and Ryela was coughing uncontrollably. When the gas settled, and the tube lifted, she was on the ground unconscious and pale.


    -BOOM!-


    "OWE!" Ryela whined. "Why did you push me off the bed!"


    "I told you it would be hard to wake her up." Marly laughed helping her up.


    Ryela got up and rubbed her sore head. "Was that really necessary though?"


    "Yes." Marly laughed.


    "Yeah, well, you kinda were mumbling in your sleep the whole night, and tossing and turning a lot too. Natalie admitted.


    "Yeah you were did you have a nightmare or something." Marly threw a pillow at Ryela.


    "Just another stupid dream, that''s all." Ryela got up and walked to the bathroom to get ready. Then she walked into the room with a look of confusion. "Wait¡­" She paused, "That awful alarm didn''t go off."


    "I wish I could say that it will be this way forever, but nope. It''s just because it''s the weekend, so they give us a break to do whatever." Marly explained with a sigh.


    "Nice,"Ryela agreed.


    Marly looked up with a grin on her face. "Hey, guys...I got a great idea!"


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    "You want to go to Sanera Falls?" questioned Izon


    "In or not?" Marly asked as she looked at the clock. "We''re about to head out."


    "Yeah definitely. Let me get ready." So the kids waited what seemed like hours -which was really only 20 minutes- as Izon got ready. When he came back out,


    his backpack was bulging out with random things.


    "What''s that?" Natalie laughed.


    "My travel kit. You never know what you may need."


    "What we need, is enough energy to make it to Senera Falls. Which we won''t have by caring your lazing butt." Marly joked.


    Izon rolled his eyes and scoffed, "You won''t need to carry me anywhere. Imma man and men are strong." he declared.


    "Sure, sure, keep telling yourself that." Marly smirked, "If I remember right, who was the one to get all mad and everything because I beat your ''manly'' attitude into the ground when playing football, hm?"


    "Ha! You practically threw a hissy-fit." Natalie chimed in.


    "The sun was in my eyes, Westfield." Izon protested glaring at Marly.


    "Oh, I''m sorry. I didn''t know my amazing personality shines so bright?" Marly teased.


    "I said the sun was in my eyes, Marly, not a black hole."


    "Hey!" Marly yelled as she punched his arm. "You better take that back." she threatened, grabbing the collar of his jacket.


    "Okay! That''s enough," Natalie demanded, separating them. "Don''t we have somewhere to be?"


    "Oh, yeah. Let''s hurry up before ''you know who'' finds us." Marly cautioned.


    The kids started sneaking off -trying to be as unnoticeable as possible; finally, they reached the back exit door.


    "Hey! Where do you think you''re going?" a voice rose up.


    The kids sweat dripping down there neck they turn in hesitation.


    "Oh, uh¡­ Hey Gabe! So how''s your morning treating you? Did you sleep well? We were, uh, just going for a walk." Natalie stammered.


    "Where do you think you''re going?" Gabe grinned. "Without me?"


    "What?" Ryela questioned. You sure you wanna go? You could get in trouble for this."


    "Eh, it''s fine. If I remember right, the last time we went walking through the woods we found something pretty cool." Gabe smiled looking at Ryela.


    "What''s that?" She questioned.


    "This arrowhead." The serious moment shuddered as he started pulling a necklace out from under his shirt. "I like how its crystal clear, and rough around the edges. Wanna see it?" he teased taking the necklace off and handing it to Ryela.


    She chuckled as she picked up the rock and put it in the light. "It''s pretty. I can''t believe you found this," she muttered sarcastically.


    "Can we leave now? It''s way too boring for me here." Izon insisted, so soon the kids snuck out and were on there way.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    The kids hiked through the woods with sweat dripping down there face. Taking step after step and trying to avoid the sun''s hot rays. They made there way up around the path groaning every step.


    "Are we almost there yet," Marly whined, grasping to a tree to keep her balance.


    Ryela threw off her bag and plopped on the ground, and so did the rest of the kids. "You dragged us into this, so it''s your fault." Izon instigated.


    "Ha, ha, whatever."


    "I''m about to just fly out of here." Izon insisted looking up.


    "Not all of us can fly, you know." Ryela smarted picking up her bag.


    The group took a quick water break and got ready to go. Ryela put her backpack on and walked over to Marly to help her up. After that, the kids get going up the trail, but it only took a few steps until they realized something was wrong. As they looked back Ryela was leaning over zoned out.


    Gabe rushed over to her and grabbed her arm.


    "Hey? Ryle''s? Are you ok?" he worried lifting up her head. The kids rushed over and looked in her eyes. Ryela''s eyes were darkened and she was fully out of it. In complete panic, Izon laid his hand to her cold head, but as he did; he flared his eyebrows and gave a worried look to Gabe.


    "What''s wrong, Izon! Is she okay?" Marly grabbed his arm.


    "She feels weird, and her pulse is fast."


    Gabe being surrounded by stress, he grabbed Ryela''s arm. After only a few timing, he said, "She''s scared." He explained, "Like s-"


    Ryela snapped right out of it and jerked back painting really hard. She looked around fast to view her surroundings.


    "It''s ok! Ryela its ok." Marly reassured her, grabbing her hand, "Look at me, okay?"


    The lost girl scared half out of her mind, strained her eyes to focus on Marly but she couldn''t stop seeing the picture in her mind,


    "Talk to me." Gabe comforted. "What happened? I could feel you were scared. So tell me."


    "Its-" She stammered. "I-" ice cold tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped on the soft grass under her; the small spot the tear landed on, burned the beautiful green grass to a smoking grey. "It''s fine." She huffed out.


    "C''mon speak to me," begged Gabe as he took hold of her arms. "Are you okay?"


    She jerked her arms free from worried Gabe''s grasp and took another good look of her surroundings. "I''m¡­ fine" she spit out.


    "Oh thank goodness! I thought I lost my best friend." Marly shouted hugging Ryela.


    After a few minutes, the kids got ready to go. "Let''s get going before it gets too late," reassured Natalie walking fast down the path. The kids made there way up the path keeping a good lookout, but Gabe stopped Ryela as the rest of the kids got further and further up the path.


    "No secrets." Gabe stopped giving a concerned look towards her.


    Ryela gave a big huff, and looked away." What''s there to tell?"


    "The vision you saw." He snapped back, "I know you saw something."


    "All I did was remember something. What''s so bad about that?"


    "Nothing. But when it affects someone I care about then it is."


    Ryela rolled her eyes and scoffed, "''feelings''...that''s a touchy subject right there." she said walking off.


    "Why''s that?" Gabe caught back up to her. But in return, she just gently shrugged.


    "Friends tell each other things and watch out for each other. I''m your friend right? Or no?"


    "Or no." She teased slipping around a tree up the trail. She kept walking faster and faster.


    "Why do I feel like you''re trying to avoid me?" Gabe questioned using his super speed to catch


    up."


    "Maybe ''cause I am." she laughed running further up the hill.


    He caught up to her before they reached the top and stopped her. "Ryela. What''s going on."


    She contemplated for about five minutes and with a quiet response, she simply shrugged.


    "Don''t do this to me¡­ I want to help you, Ryela. You can tell me anything. Just trust me¡­.please..."


    Those soft words hit hard on Ryela''s broken heart, and she started to tear up. But like a switch that sadness turned into anger. "I''ve heard the words before¡­" she choked out with tears. "And the moment I did trust them¡­ My life turned to hell¡­" painfully her voice cracked within each word she spat out.


    "So now the truth comes out."


    "What?"


    "You have insecurity and trust issues¡­ so you can''t trust anyone." He explained in a soft manner, "That''s why you''re so closed up. How can I help you if you''re so scared all the time?" He comforted.


    "I don''t need help. Can''t you understand? No one can help me¡­ it will only lead them to death." Her voice tightened sharp and she walked a little bit farther up the path and took a seat on the grass.


    Gabe made his way to the top and sat down as well.


    After examining herself and winding back in the things she has done in the past she questions painfully. "What is wrong with me?" she stammered.


    Hot tears rolled down her cold cheeks causing them to slightly smoke.


    "Nothing is¡­" Gabe sympathized.


    "Then why can''t I feel like myself, why can''t I trust¡­ why-" her voice broke and tears flowed faster down her face. "Why do I feel so¡­ cold¡­" she dropped her heavy head into her hands in emotional pain from the realization of her life.


    Gabe immediately swooped in and gave her a tight hug. "It''s okay¡­" he comforted as he held the sobbing girl in his arms.


    "How do you know." She sobbed.


    "How could someone as pure as you be evil? Trust me I just know... I''m sure about it."


    "I''ve killed people, Gabe... I am a murderer." She changed her perspective to her hands, "I''ve done things, I may not remember, but I just know. That''s something I''m actually, sure about."


    "You think you''re the only monster of the group¡­?" He questioned looking down in grief.


    Ryela gave a look of confusion as Gabe took a deep breath and continued. "Izon used to help in making new solutions for the scientist; Marly would train the new recruits to use their powers for awful things; Natalie would help camouflage the soldier when they went into the woods, and to make sure they got what they needed." His eye steered away from the girl as harsh memories taunted him.


    "Wh-... what did you do during all of this?" she turned her head.


    "The unthinkable¡­" memories came washing into his brain and all he could see was his past.


    In comfort Ryela slowly moved her hand to him and gently placed it on his hand.


    "I-" he hesitated. "At the end of all that...I would test the kids and see their strengths... Whoever couldn''t pass¡­.Would be put under."


    "But that''s nothing b-"


    "No. I was the one to put them under... I was¡­ I was the one...to make the choice of who stays and who''s goes.. and not a lot of people stayed." his voice dropped low and so did his demeanor.


    Ryela flared her eyebrows for she knew what that meant.


    When kids get put under either their ability gets extracted-which most of the time the kids don''t survive that-, they''re tested and experimented on even more; they''ll hyper-freeze them; or if they''re not that powerful, then they''ll just kill them.


    Ryela stayed in deep thought for about 10 minutes and finally spoke up, "H-...how did you cope with it?"


    "Hm?" He asked snapping out of his thought.


    "How do you, just not care, about anything. All the bad things, the memories... the torture. You seem to be doing fine¡­ so how?"


    Gabe looked at Ryela then back at the ground.


    "Well, the truth is." He stuttered, "That''s just what I want people to see¡­ but deep down in reality; we are all falling apart¡­ Me, Marly, Izon, and Natalie... I have little things here and there remind me of my past...Every so often, I get nightmares¡­ I try and push it over, but what really helps me through it all¡­ is knowing I can trust my family."


    In disbelief, Ryela turned her head in confusion.


    It probably sounds weird to say because I don''t have real blood family still alive, but the ones close to you can be your family ." He motioned toward his friends walking further up the path. "You see those idiots over there¡­ that''s my circle." He turned his view on Ryela, "We help each other out, and make sure that we can make it... just one more day¡­ Who''s your circle?" His bold eyes pierce Ryela''s soul and those words went deep into her mind.


    She pondered more and more on the question. After viewing her surrounding and giving a soft look at Gabe, she spoke: "I don''t know yet.."


    He put his hand on her shoulder and smiled softly. "And that''s okay¡­. And if it''s okay with you; I''d like to help you. Marly, Natalie, Izon, all of us." Gabe stood up and got ready to go. "But it comes with a catch¡­ you have to learn how to trust. Not just yourself but everyone close to you." He gently stretched out his warm hand and with a compassion look he asked, "Deal?"


    For what seemed like all of her life, she never trusted anyone. But it was different this time; she never felt so much love radiate off a single being. Her doubts and worries slipped away for just a second as she grabbed hold of his hand and stood how. And with just a hint of skepticism, she spoke: "Deal."


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    Eventually, the group made their way through the path to the beautiful fall. They walked around a circle trail that leads up to the top, but they only went halfway up and stopped at a barrier.


    "Wow, It''s beautiful..." Ryela ran up to the water.


    "Yup! We made it just in time for the sunlight to sparkle off the water." Explained Marly.


    Natalie looked around and sighed, "I love this fall. I just wish no one found out about it." She explained pointing behind her.


    The kids'' wonderful view was interrupted as the looked back and saw a group of tourist. They were taking pictures, admiring the view, and exploring the woods.


    "Was it not like this before?" Ryela faltered stepping behind the group to hide her face.


    "No." Izon explained, "It used to be very quiet. No one ever passed through this side of the woods, but then some guy did and posted it all over the internet."


    Gabe looked at the strangers then looked at the team, and he noticed Ryela in the back with her head down. "Well, let''s not let these harmless tourist bother us." He continued. "We could go around the path, maybe hike to the top, take a swim in the river ne-"


    "Jimmy!!!" A screeching scream shattered through the people, and silence immediately struck them.


    Everyone looked to the lady who was screaming for dear life. She started running as fast as she could to the barrier.


    "Get down now!" She yelled, "I''m giving you three seconds to come here back down, mister!"


    Every eye looked at the very top of the fall. All the way at the top of Senera Falls stood a little boy laughing at the panicked woman; He started grabbing pebbles and throwing them down at the people. The boy kept on taunting the lady and jumping around; getting closer and closer to the edge.


    "Oh, Jimmy! Please get down!" The lady pleaded.


    The boy started taunting more and more. "Na, na, na¡­ you can''t touch me!" With every loud taunt, he yelled out of his mouth, the boy got closer and closer to the rushing water that flooded over the edge.


    "We have to do something!" Ryela whispered to the group.


    "Like what?! If we use our abilities people will notice!" Marly snapped back.


    "But he could die!" Natalie begged, looking at Gabe.


    The crowd began to worry and some people started calling the police. In a complete panic, the startled woman ran to the end of the barrier, and she began to claim to the top, but people ran up behind her and tried holding her back.


    "You all look so tiny from up here!" The boy chanted. He started jumping up and down getting closer and closer. "Wow, I''m so close to the birds fl-"


    His taunting was interrupted by the sound of splashing and a screeching scream.


    "No!!" The woman yelled. She in fear dropped down in faint as the boy fell down the high fall.


    -BOOM!-


    A loud crack echoed through the trees as the boy hung there caught on a branch. A sound of relief was let out throughout the crowd.


    Ryela looked back as did the rest of the kids and Natalie jerked her arm back in pain. Gabe ran up to her in fear. "What did you do?!"


    "He was going to die, Gabe!" She argued.


    "Yeah but now everyone saw that! Look at them! They''re confused. What if someone saw that? What if someone was getting a video this whole time?!" He scolded. He took a deep breath and looked around. "I''m sorry for yelling, but we need to get going now. The fire department will take care of him."


    The kids started sneaking away through the woods. Once they were clear of people they full sprint ran as far as possible, but after some time the kids stopped for a breath.


    "Oh, God." Ryela painted. "Wh- what if people saw us? What if people are following us? Are we safe?" She started rambling on and on with questions.


    "Wo, wait." Marly broke in. "Chill, breath. Yes, just breath." She comforted rubbing Ryela''s back.


    "You''re ok, boo."


    Ryela started looking around in fear, but she soon stopped panicking and zoned out for just a second. The kids backed off to give her some space.


    "Ryles?" Izon faltered.


    Ryela slowly pulled her head back, and with a shaking tone, she said only one word... "Run." She trembled, grabbing Gabe''s hand.


    "Wait. Why?" Gabe questioned stopping her.


    Ryela''s explanation was interrupted when the ground beneath the kids began slightly shaking, but it grew into a great rumble.


    Trees from far off started snapping and echoing down the loan path.


    "We have to go now!" Ryela yelled pushing the kids.


    The kids started doing a light jog while looking back. As the sounds and snapping got louder, the kids got faster.


    "What''s going on Ryela!" Marly shouted dodging trees.


    Before Ryela could answer huge camouflage trucks blasted over the hill. With soldiers running beside, and they were armed.


    "This is what I was worried about! I could feel him!" Ryela shouted to the kids.


    "They found us!" Natalie yelled.


    The kids ran as fast as their ability would let them. With great force and effort, Natalie swished her hands in the air. Huge trees and comes moved in the way of the trucks, but the cars were reinforced with a shield so they blew right past them. The guards started shooting taser at them as they dodge through them trying their best not to get hit. The kids took a sharp turn down a hill and kept on going, but was interrupted by more trucks plowing through.


    "Come on guys we''re close!" Gabe yelled ducking under a bridge. The rest of the kids followed him.


    "Where are we going?!" Marly questioned.


    "Stay focused guys! They could come and close us in any second." Gabe commanded taking another sharp turn.


    "I think th-"


    -ZAP!-


    Marly''s plead was stopped and she dropped to the ground.


    "Marly!" Izon yelled. "She was hit!" Izon pulled the taser off her arm and tried to shake her awake. "She''s out cold!"


    The kids stopped and ran to help.


    "Natalie take care of the trucks!" Gabe commanded.


    The trucks were not far behind so Natalie full sprint ran to them. She finally reached the trucks .and with no sweat, she touched the ground with her hand and huge waves of vines started ripping through and taking out the cars.


    "Izon grab Marly and go north. You should be able to see RGST from high up." He demanded.


    So Izon picked up Marly and shot forward in a bolt of wind into the sky. During this, Ryela was behind Gabe breathing hard. It looked like her eyes glazed over, and her body was filled with fear.


    "Hey? You okay?" Gabe asked concerningly. "We have to go now okay?"


    Ryela stood there lost of words.


    "Ryela!"


    Just then she jerked out of it and fell back. She immediately viewed her surroundings. "They know I''m here!"


    "What?" Gabe questioned grabbing her hand and running.


    "They were looking everywhere for me and now they found me! That''s all they wanted. Just a simple out of the normal incident. He knew how wicked this world was and that we couldn''t just watch something like that happen. He knew!" Ryela explained catching up to Gabe.


    "Who knew?" He yelled back.


    "Collins."


    "I held them off long enough! This way." Natalie pleaded, dashing through a bush.


    The kids dodge every tree and avoided every sound coming, and soon reached a huge rock drop off.


    "Dead end? I thought you said you knew where we were going?" Ryela asked looking back.


    "I''m here." Izon huffed dropping down with Marly in his arms.


    Gabe walked up to the wall and felt around a little bit. Then he stopped and placed his hand on one spot. Suddenly, one section of the wall opened up and the kids sprinted in.

 10 10. Punishmen

    The kids draining sweat, hustled down a cryptic, cold shaft that led under a mountain. At the end of the tunnel, stood a titanium wall with glowing, blue line designs on it. Gabe leaned over and arranged his hand on the side of the wall. A blue laser examined his hand and an automated voice vocalized:


    -Gabe Agreste...access granted.-


    "Yes! It worked!" cheered Natalie.


    -Companion count¡­-


    "Oh no¡­" faltered Izon


    Instantly a blue laser hastened out and gradually moved up and down scanning the area.


    -Count four companion of Gabe Agreste¡­ Natalie Baker, Marly Westfield, Izon Miller¡­ Scanning¡­Scanning...-


    "Wait a sec." Ryela whispered, "Does the computer know me?"


    -Scan complete¡­ Unknown Participant of Gabe Agreste¡­ Activating lock-mode...-


    Spontaneously, several steel reinforced doors dropped down behind the group.


    -Companion access denied¡­-


    "No! You stupid machine, let us in!" yelled Izon.


    The kids arose in panic and were in complete loss of ideas. The tunnel and everything around then rose to tremble and pieces of rubble started to collapse.


    Ryela gazed down at her hands and took a deep breath. Without a sound, she locked her vision on the door and gave an intense glare.


    -BANG!-


    "Wo!" shouted Gabe as he covered his head.


    The metal door ruptured open from the grasp of the tunnel; there stood Ryela with her a strong-minded grimace and her eyes gleaming green.


    "Let''s go!" Izon shot past them and down the hallway, so did the rest of the kids.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    "We need medical attention on the Level U !" Called a nurse as they pushed an emergency bed across the room. Izon placed Marly on the bed and they hastened her to the Emergency Room.


    "I hope she will be okay!" Izon vexed, pacing back and forth.


    "I''m sorry, guys¡­" Ryela muttered.


    "For what? You''d didn''t do anything." Gabe reasoned.


    "I knew something was coming, but I didn''t want to say anything¡­ I''m sorry-"


    "What happened here!!" growled a voice over everything. The kids shifted around, as infuriated Henry stormed through the crowd of kids and nurses. "Someone mind explaining what happened?"


    "Nothing did, sir." Izon reasoned.


    "Oh so that''s why Marly is in an Emergency Room right now unconscious, you are pale and out of breath, and Natalie''s arm looks broken," he barked, "And you!" he aimed in Gabe''s direction. Gabe gradually drifted to the side and there was Ryela with her head down in the back. "Just when I started to put the slightest trust in you, you break it!" he shot a scowl at Gabe, which then turned into disappointment, "You¡­ my most trusted kid here¡­"


    "Its wasn''t-..." Ryela halted. "It wasn''t him, sir. It was my fault." She spat out in fear.


    Gabe turned around and shot a troubled frown."What are you doing?!" he whispered.


    She glanced at his cry of worry and looked back at Henry. "I- I convinced them to go, th- they didn''t do anything." She stuttered looking down.


    Henry struck of words looked at MaryAnn beside him; then put his vision back on the girl. "If that''s true we need to have a discussion with you¡­privately..." Guards came up from all around and seized her arms. The scared girl started wheezing hard as painful memories released in her head.


    ''She did this to herself, William¡­.''


    A voice echoed in her eardrum. Ryela clenched her eyes shut as much as she could and began shaking her head to get that terrorizing call out of her head. As the guards pulled her out of the room Ryela''s eyes began to envision another memory she had in the past of guards dragging her to a machine. So without grasping that it was just a memory, she started to panic.


    Gabe, Izon, and Natalie watched as the doors shut behind the frightened girl.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    Henry paced in front of the group of guards escorting Ryela to his office.


    MaryAnn was left at the end of the group. So she drove her way up to Henry. "What are you doing?"


    "She left the facility which is clearly against the rules. High punishment is required," he whispered back.


    "She just a child. How could you be so cruel? She''s been kept in some warehouse, science lab thing, for her whole life. You can''t blame her for wanting some time to be a normal kid!" she reasoned as they took a curve down the hall.


    "Yes, but now WWIDI is on our track! If he finds us¡­ it''s all over¡­" he breathed, "I can''t let that happen. After everything, we''ve gone through¡­ even if that means one kid has to be dealt with."


    "So you''re telling me. If they ever did find us¡­ you would trade in the girl for your own safety?" MaryAnn gave a hurt scowl, and gazed back down, "I mean, what did I expect from someone like you¡­" She turned away and began to walk off, but before she could Henry grasped her arm and took her to the side.


    "Take her to my office. I will be there in a minute." Henry ordered the guards. He took a deep sigh and looked at MaryAnn. "I can''t have this girl ruin things... She''s arebel and needs to be restrained¡­"


    "But she is just a child! She lived in hell her whole life. And RGST is supposed to be different for her, but no. You are making it just as hard. Why can''t you just be compassionate for once for once? But no, you treat her poorly and you give her another reason to not want to live. She already suffered enough¡­"


    "You expect me to show love to someone like her? People like her took everyone that ever loved me away!" He gave a look at MaryAnn who was slightly in tears.


    "Not everyone," She sympathized, placing her hand on his cheek. "You''re just too blinded by your pain to see that." MaryAnn backed away and got ready to leave, but stopped. "At least let her get washed up first, she is human you know."


    Henry finally coughed up something to say: "She will need surveillance though."


    "I will go then."


    "I don''t know ab-"


    "You''ve restricted me long enough. I helped make RGST happen, therefore I do as I please." MaryAnn marched off into Henry''s office and took Ryela with her. They then made their way to MaryAnn''s sleeping abode. She helped Ryela wash up and got her a new pair of comfy clothes. After that she got a brush a began to stroke Ryela''s hair.


    "There is only one other person that would brush my hair like this," Ryela explained looking down.


    MaryAnn stopped brushing and inquired,"And who was that dear?"


    "Willy..." She lightly smiled. "He would-... Through everything, I was going through in WWIDI... he was nice to me." Ryela described with tears coming up. "He''d bring me new clothes, get me a stuffed animal for any special occasion, and..." She grasped her hair and started stroking it. "He would brush my hair or do a braid."


    "That''s nice, I thought you were talking about your mother at first." MaryAnn proceeded to brush her hair.


    Sorrow hit Ryela again as she attempted to remember the little scraps of memory she had of her. "She wasn''t really in my life enough for me to know if she ever did do my hair. Or at least that''s what they told me."


    MaryAnn gave a gaze of uncertainty.


    "Apparently she died from the same ''disease'' I was cured from... they said she had it and it passed on to me. But that''s what they told me..." Ryela explained as bitter tears went down her pale skin. "I don''t even know who to trust anymore..." her voice stiffened.


    "Oh, sweety you can trust me. You can trust all of RGST."


    "Then why can''tI feel that? That comfort..." She revealed catching a deep sigh.


    "I''m sorry, darling... that''s something we are working on... trust... maybe," MaryAnn reasoned, "We can learn it together? You, me, your friends... even Henry." She chuckled as she ran her fingers through Ryela''s brown locks.


    Ryela took a moment of reflection to soak in what she said but was soon alarmed by MaryAnn''s proposal she missed. "I''m sorry, what?"


    MaryAnn chuckled softly and asked, "Would you like me to braid your hair? I''m not the best but I can do pretty good."


    "Yeah... I''d like that..."


    So for the next thirty minutes, MaryAnn put herself to work on doing Ryela''s hair. Finally, after a few laughs and fails, she mastered the two french braid hairstyle on Ryela. Ryela got up and gave a good peek into the mirror. She had two medium length braids resting on her back with her baby hairs pulled out.


    "I look..."


    "Pretty." MaryAnn finished. They took a minute to look at her hair, but that sweet moment was soon interrupted. "I hate to say this, sweety, but we have to get going. Henry is expecting you in his office."


    "O- okay..." Ryela faltered.


    "It''ll be all right though, okay?" MaryAnn comforted.


    "Sure..."


    The two of them made their way to Henry''s office with MaryAnn showing the way. Once they got there they were greeted by numerous guards in and on the outside of the room.


    "Have a seat, please, Ryela." insisted Henry. "Let''s get down to business. You and Group A2 broke the rules by leaving the facility without permission. Not only that, you could have gotten caught by WWIDI or lead them closer to where we hide. Now¡­ I have an idea of Group A2 puni-"


    "No¡­" Ryela blurted out in fear, "They didn''t do anything wrong. It was my idea. It was my fault¡­ I t-...I take full respo-... full responsibility ¡­ And I t-... I take all p-.." It seemed as though something had a firm clutch on Ryela''s throat and she couldn''t converse. Then through all the memories that spontaneously started flooding back, she strained out: "I take all punishment and all actions that need to be taken place." A barrier of silence struck the room as another unpleasant flashback crawled its way in.


    ~"No! Stop it! He didn''t do anything wrong! Willy, please tell him!" I begged with this stone hearted man as I watched my best friend get whipped and beaten.~


    "He broke the rules, and I suggest if you don''t want the same consequences, then you will learn to hold your tongue!" condemned the callous man.


    ~"How could you be so bitter! He did nothing wrong!" I instantly was hushed when he raised his strong hand towards me. I saw the rage in his eyes, so I flinched in terror and took a few steps back.~


    ~He drew his hand back down from my direction and replied,"Listen well, child. If you want to grow up with no troubles then I suggest you do as I say!" This harsh man snapped at me harder than ever. Tears came up in my eyes as he demanded a request. "Get her outta my sight. William¡­"~


    "But, sir?"


    "She did this to herself, William¡­ Now go."


    ~I did nothing to myself¡­ nothing was ever self-inflicted¡­ I never made myself the way I am¡­ You¡­ did this to me¡­ Collins¡­ You made me go through life in pain. You did this to me...~


    Those words ''She did this to herself, William.'' tortuously rang in Ryela''s ear to the point where she thought they were going to bleed. She finally snapped out of her thought process right when Henry began to speak.


    "That''s very bold of you, Ryela. Unfortunately, Group A2 will still get punished. But if you truly do take full responsibility it won''t be as bad."


    "Yes, I do."


    "I hate to do this¡­ to any kids here, but¡­ Ryela as punishment for breaking the rules you must be restricted of your ability. Ability Restraints will be going and under any circumstance can not take them or break them off in any way. If so, you will be sentenced to longer restraint time."


    Ryela developed in elevated anxiety and her pant got heavy. "What? P- abil- Ability Restraint? Out of everything, you choose that!"


    "It''s the rules, Ryela. I''m sorry." Henry revealed as guards came in containing the horrid restraints.


    "I swear I''ll flip if you even get close to me with that thing." Ryela rose to fright, "MaryAnn, do something! She called as guards came closer.


    "No, Ryela just calmed down it''s not that bad." Henry tried to reason. "Let''s not have to do this by force, please."


    Ryela started breathing really hard as painful memories came back. The girl started shaking all over as the guards grabbed her hand. She was complete trembled in fear and didn''t have enough courage to stop them. They clicked on the device to the first wrist, then her other wrist, then finally they clicked the last device onto the neck


    "See? it''s not that bad. You will be out of them in no time¡­" reasoned Henry. "Speaking of time it''s been a while. Dinner will be served in a little so go get ready."


    MaryAnn led Ryela out of the office and to her room where she met Marly and Natalie.


    ¡ñ"{ --------------------¡ó--------------------"}¡ñ


    ---AUTHORS THOUGHTS---


    Hey guys, I''m so sorry that I haven''t yet published a new chapter. I hit a HUGE writers block and I''m not sure were to go. I may start back up fresh in a few days maybe a week. I will work on chapters when I can. I very busy this month and next especially cuz I have something coming up in my personal life. I''ll try to work on some more stuff. I''ve been doing some sketches too, so I may publish some with my book. I made a book cover, I just don''t know how to make it the size required, so some feedback would be very helpful! But yea I''ll be working hard on this book, so I hope u stayed tuned!

 11 11. To Lose A Fight...

    Chapter 11


    Marly rushed over at the sight of Ryela and gave her a big hug. "I was worried sick about you!" She huffed finally letting go. Ryela opens up for just a split second and hugs her back; she was too depressed to say anything back or be excited she was okay. Marly laid her hand on Ryela''s shoulder in stress and then she realized. Her view was snatched at the sight of the restraints. "I''m so sorry..." She begged, grabbing Ryela''s hand.


    "It fine." She breathed looking down. Ryela still being shook up about everything that happened, went and sat on her bed.


    Marly and Natalie made their way to Ryela''s bed and sat down next to her. "Want to talk about it?" insisted Marly.


    A wall of silence hit the kids as they sat there quietly. Ryela glanced down at her wrist where the horrid restraints sit and gave a sigh. "What did Henry say to you?"


    "Henry?" questioned Natalie. "Oh, we can''t use our abilities until this week is over. If we get caught using them then we get restraints."


    "Which makes no sense ''cause it''s just like restraints. Just without the tacky medal." sighed Marly.


    The kids again sat in silence, and Ryela''s thoughts blew around in her head like a tornado. With so many assumptions popping in her mind she questioned. "Does Henry hate me?" sighed Ryela.


    "No, he''s always been that hateful since..." Marly gulped, "...since his wife died...Why do you ask?" She asked, staring off topic.


    "He could have given me the same thing... but he gives me restraints."


    "He probably doesn''t trust you." reasoned Natalie.


    "So I''ve heard," smirked Ryela.


    "I''m sorry, Rye..." sympathized Marly.


    "Don''t be... at least now I can''t hurt anyone anymore..." Ryela looked down at the restraints and a cold shiver swarmed her body. She closed her eyes hard and was about to open, but an unwelcome picture invaded her mind. She flared her eyebrows as she saw a shadowed man walk up to her. The man raised his mighty, terrorising hand to her directed and began to swing, but right before he hit her, Ryela threw open her eyes. Her whole body flinched and she shook the bed.


    "Hey, are you okay, Rye?" Marly questioned as Natalie placed her hand on Ryela''s shoulder.


    She jerked in fear and stood up. She quickly wiped away tears and put up a front. "Y- yeah, I''m fine. I- I think I''m just going to head to the kitchen... dinner is supposed to be served soon.


    The girls looked at her in worry as she opened the bedroom door and went out.


    Ryela made her way to the Cafeteria and sat down at her team table. No one was there yet, so she sat there alone. Everything around her was quiet, but it was like a thunderstorm of painful emotions surging in her head. She gently placed her head on the table and locked her eyes. Voices came in left and right making her puzzle everything. ''You don''t belong here... You are dangerous... You are a weaponry of destruction... You are nothing more than the hell hole you crawled out of!...'' She achingly tried reeling those terrorizing voices out of her head, but they didn''t want to go. So she began to consider: ''Maybe it''s not such a bad thing I have these on. I can''t hurt people now...'' The voices in her head worked to oppose her thoughts. They went back and forth creating a severe migraine. She squeezed her eye shut more, for she couldn''t handle the torture. ''She did this to herself, William...'' She had enough of those voices and couldn''t handle, so she jerked her head back up and forcefully strained her eyes to focus on her surroundings, and she finally came back to reality.


    "Hey, prick!" bellowed a voice down the room.Ryela turned around in panic as hothead Jake stormed her way with his friend Mike following close behind. "So I heard you got a new accessory?" He smirked looking at her restraints.


    "Nothing permanent..." She reassured, standing up and facing him.


    "If you keep acting like a fool they will be."


    Ryela rolled her eyes and began to walk off, and under her breath, she said, "Fine, I''ll try not to act like you all week."


    Being completely oblivious that Jake heard her, she kept on walking. Jake being swarmed in anger snatched his hand back and hurled it forward, coming with it, was a blazing flame that scorched the back of Ryela''s shoulder.


    Ryela yelled in agony as she collapsed to the ground and took hold of her wounded arm. It wasn''t too bad but it left Ryela with a raw, bloody shoulder and Jake hovering over her.


    No one was around at the time besides a few kids that neglected what was going on. "What did you say?" Jake threatened, getting closer to her.


    "I said piss off, idiot." she coughed wiping off blood.


    "Oh, you''re getting bold now aren''t you?" He smirked, grabbing the collar of her shirt and lifting her up. "You may want to realize who you''re talking to." He activated his ability and his eye gleamed like an intense amber jewel.


    "Take your own advice, Jake." A voice rose up.


    Jake and his friend turned their view to where the voice came from, and there stood Gabe with his friends behind him. "You may want to realize who you''re talking to."


    Jake scoffed at the sound of Gabe''s remark. "Ha, you mean the weakling? What is she going to do?" He smirked and let go of her collar. She collapsed to the ground in pain, but before she could hit her head Gabe sped over and tenderly slid his hand beneath her head.


    "You okay?" He concerned, helping her up.


    She tightened her grip on her sore arm and said, "Yeah, I''m fine."


    Marly came over and sat Ryela down, and made sure she as ok.


    "Hey, it''s ok. Just ignore him," Marly muttered, trying to drop the fight. But Gabe gave a fierce glare that sent a shiver down her spine. "Look I don''t like to drop down from a fight either... But we can''t win this one." She whispered as she went back over to Ryela.


    Gabe looked over at Ryela and back at Jake, and there he stood with pride on his back and a smirk on his face. Infuriated in anger, Gabe marches over to Jake. "If you even look at her a certain way, I swear-"


    "What, champ? Your nothing without your ability," he smirked, "Hate to break it to you, King....but if you make me mad, then you and your friends will be target practice for me all week." He taunted shoving Gabe back.


    In anger, Gabe clenched his fist, and he shot an intense glare that pierced all that saw it. With a huge sigh, he released his grasp.


    "That''s what I thought," scoffed Jake, "but I think I''m missing something." He taunted leaning in.


    Gabe looked down and squeezed his lips shut. So Marly took a deep breath and spat out for him, "All right... you win."


    "Ah, that''s better." He mocked walking by his friend. "Let''s go." He commanded and soon they were off on their way.


    After that Izon gave a quick check up on Ryela. "All those lab days are finally pay off." joked Izon as he looked over her burn. "Nothing too bad. Probably should take her to the doc'' though... maybe get an anesthetic shot," explained Izon.


    Ryela''s eyes widened in horror, but Izon continued to explain, "You know actually, he''s been working on a new one. He has this new serum that can heal someone completely u- "


    "U-uh... I-I don''t... No..." She stammered in fear as she drew her arm away. "I don''t do doctors... o-or needles..." she gulped.


    "Are you sure? It would heal all of your wound significantly fast. Not even an hour probably." debated Natalie.


    Gabe studied Ryela''s troubled face and said, "It fine... maybe you can at least get a new shirt?" he chuckled softly.


    "Sure," Ryela agreed standing up.


    "I''ll help you pick one." insisted Marly as walked off with her.


    After Ryela got a new change of close the kids sat down at the table. They didn''t speak a word for a few moments while they still sat in defeat. The intercom shattered their silence by announcing that dinner was served. While avoiding eye contact with the other kids, Group A2 went up and grabbed themselves some food. After a very short period of time, the kids finished up eating. They wanted to spend as little time as possible in the eyes of Jake and his friends.


    "I hate this..." Ryela whispered into Marly''s ear.


    "Hm?" Marly questioned.


    "I hate we have to do this... just sit here while he wins and live with this punishment... I loathe this..." Ryela whispered catching a strong grasp of her fork.


    "It''s fine. We just got to move on." Marly reasoned placing her trash and silverware on her plate. She got ready to get up but was interrupted.


    "No..." Ryela snapped catching the groups attention, "We shouldn''t have to live with this....We don''t deserve punishment... but yet... It''s served to us daily like it''s our meal..." She choked in disgust as another harsh memory crawled in her mind. She squeezed the fork in her hand even tighter. She then looked away in hatred and says, "I think I''m done. I''m going to go to bed." Ryela stood up and placed the fork she had on her empty dish and walked over to the trash can. But what she didn''t realize, is that the fork she was holding had scorched burn marks were her fingers were. She stoped at the trash can and in complete obliviousness, threw her plate away. Without saying goodnight Ryela walked away.


    "Hey, wait." Gabe interrupted, "I''ll walk you."


    Ryela debated in her mind for just a split second whether or not to let him come. She wanted the company but put painful rejected his proposal.


    "There''s no need."


    "You sure?"


    "Yeah." She turned around and began to walk.


    "Okay then. Goodnight, Rye."


    She stopped and tightened her lips, but finally released, "Night..."


    ---AUTHORS NOTES---


    I''ve been working forever on this!! And finally its done!!! I was going to publish it yesterday, Feb. 23, like promised... but it was 12:19 a.m. Feb 24... so yea oops lol...Not only this but like, this was originally around 4k words

 12 12. Project World-Interface

    --''Good morning RGST... We have a new announcement after breakfast, so please all groups report to the main hall at 12 pm. Lunch will be postponed till 2 pm. Again, please report to the main hall at 12 pm for a mandatory announcement.''--


    All the kids in RGST hurried up and made their way to the cafeteria. The girls in Group A2 got to their table, but like normal, the Izon and Gabe were already there.


    "Morning ladies." Izon scoffed as the girls plopped down at the table.


    Marly rubbed her tired eyes and replied, "Not today, Hayes. "


    "What is this too early for you, Westfield? Did you not get enough beauty sleep?" Izon instigated.


    "I swear one more thing out of you, Izon," She threatened, "One more thing."


    "Or what?"


    "I''ll beat you to next week."


    "But then you''ll get you ability taken away." He teased.


    "As long as you shut up... I think I''ll be fine." She smirked grabbing his apple.


    "Hey! That''s mine." He defended.


    "Ya, and I''m hungry." Marly took a big bite out of his apple, "Yum." She exaggerated. The two went back and forth arguing, flirting, and exchanging blushes while their friends sat and watched.


    Ryela didn''t pay much attention to what was going on, neither did Gabe but instead, she slowly fiddled with her food and kept her head down. As the breakfast went on and it got closer to the meeting, Ryela became quieter and quieter which snatched Gabe''s attention.


    "I''m going to put my plate up," stated Marly.


    "Yeah, same I don''t want to get too full," agreed Natalie


    "''Too full'' is that even a thing?" Izon joked as he got up, "I''m getting more food."


    Ryela seeing everyone getting up, brought her back to her attention. She straightened up her posture and started eating some fruit on her plate. But not even for a few minutes distraught hit her again and her demeanor was low. Her face was blank but Gabe easily read her emotions like an open book. Ryela could feel his intense stare so she slightly gave a glance, but her eye shot back down.


    With a big sigh, Gabe asked, "What''s up?"


    "What?" Ryela questioned confused.


    "You look stressed, so what''s up?"


    Ryela looked eager to talk but in response, she simply shrugged.


    "If you don''t want to talk, that''s fine... just promise me one thing okay?" Gabe proposed.


    Ryela looked up intently and raised her eyebrow, "What is it."


    Gabe gave a genuine deep stare into Ryela''s eyes, "Promise... no secrets..." He revealed, "I know we already said that... but a promise you can''t break. As a friend a promise... is like an oath... Once I make a promise and you agree...Its sacred and it can''t be broken." He looked at Ryela giving his full attention. His crystal, ocean blue eyes again pierced her heart and brought peace among her. "So do you, Ryela Hart, promise me no secrets... from now on?" he chuckled as a precious smile spread on his lips.


    "Promise." she agreed without the slightest hesitation.


    The rest of the team finally made it back to the table and of course, Izon had a plate of food. He was about to take a bite of a strawberry when the intercom blasted through the cafeteria.


    --''Please, all kids report to the Main Hall for a mandatory meeting. Please, all kids report to the Main Hall for a mandatory meeting.''--


    "Looks like we have to go, team," Gabe informed, "Let''s head out."


    "Awe, no! I just got more food..." whined Izon as he took he finished off a strawberry.


    "Then you better eat that quick," laughed Natalie.


    Just then Izon started stuffing the food on his plate down his throat trying to eat as much as possible. "Okay, I''m done." he choked out as he dumps the rest of the food away. "Let''s go."


    All the kid''s in RGST made their way to the Main Hall and sat down in there designated seats. As soon as everyone was seated Henry made his way up to the platform. Still being butthurt, Ryela gave a pained look and slumped down in her seat. Like always, following Henry was sweat MaryAnn. Seeing her made Ryela feel a lot better and she regained good posture in her seat.


    <"Attention RGST teens. So some of you may remember us doing this in the past. But today we are starting project World-Interface-" explained Henry as his voice echoed throughout the hall on the speakers.


    Loud gasp and cheers of excitement were let out through the auditorium.


    "-so today we will be letting out a select group of kids to explore a little of the outside world to maintain a social life between normal people. And while some of you are out, you will be assigned to gain resources for us. You will be given cash for things like food, clothing, technological supplies, and other things like that. You will be given Identity Badges with a new name, age, and personnel provided. You will only have to keep up the new identity until you return. So to get started we examined each of your actions throughout the time that''s gone by and decided who all will be going-"


    Henry explained tapping his tablet.


    "Frick..." Ryela said under her breath. Group A2 got a little unsteady as they shared mix emotions with each other. Henry then began to read of the name.


    "-I''m going to read off a list of names, so if I read your name please make your way to the front for your Identity Badges... Colby...-"


    A boy sat up from his table while his friend gave a small cheer. He made his way up to the front and grabbed his badge and backpack full of supplies.


    "-Annabell... Brianna... Kaitlyn... Jackson... Keyla... Trixebella...-"


    "Yeah! Go, Trix!" Yelled a boy as she made her way up.


    "-Laylond... Bailey... Brookland...-"


    Henry one after the other called off names as cheery kids jumped up from there seat and made their way to the front. Ryela looked down in disappointment knowing she wasn''t going to be called. Every name he called the more upset Ryela got. She sat up in her seat and was ready to leave.


    "Hey, what are you doing?" Maly asked as Ryela tried to stand up.


    "I know he is not going to call me so what''s the point. It''s just wasting my time," she whispered back.


    "Awe, come on... You n-"


    "Marly..."


    The kids of Group A2 turned their head in disbelief, and Marly gave an awkward shrug.


    "Go, up there!" Natalie cheered. So Marly got up and made her way to the front.


    "-Natalie... Andy... Izon...-"


    "Congrats!" Gabe supported with a big soft smile. The group made their way back to their table and sat down.


    "Bro, this is sweet man." Izon praised as he began to dig thru the bag.


    "Now listen..." Gabe continued, "You''re gonna have to bring me something back while you''re out." He joked.


    "And what''s that?" Izon questioned.


    "Could you stash some Takies?"


    "All ready had it in mind, brother."


    "You know me so well," Gabe joked as him and Izon did a bro-hug.


    "-Kyte... Meadow... Grace... Caroline... Gabe-"


    Henry continued on his list as Gabe got up and grabbed his stuff. Henry finished the list which happens to not have Ryela''s name on it and closed out with a few instructions.


    "-Some kids will be let out at different times of the day, not too late of course, but so that the city doesn''t overflow with new kids and we look suspicious... Also, you will stay in a buddy-system the whole time. It doesn''t matter who, as long as you are together-"


    The couples were easily spotted out as they began to talk back and forth about each other going together and what fun stuff they were going to do.


    "-of course, there will be chaperones...-"


    The kid''s excitement dialed down a few notches at the sound of that and a few ''awe'' were let out.


    "-Well that''s all we have for this meeting, the people going will be called back in later for further directions.">


    Henry brought his meeting to a conclusion and he stepped out of the way, but MaryAnn made her way up.


    <"Also, training day starts today. We postponed it till after lunch. It''s not mandatory but we recommend you come. All right that sums that up. Lunch will be served in ten minutes, so don''t be late. I heard The chef is cooking up something special.''> MaryAnn explained and finally finished the meeting.


    Kids stormed out of the Main Hall and flooded into the Cafeteria. Soon lunch was called and they began to eat and talk about project World Interface.


    "S-so... None of you w- will be here the whole day." Ryela stammered quietly.


    "Oh, don''t worry it''ll only be for a little bit. We will be back." comforted Natalie.


    "Nat''s, right. It''ll only be for a few hours," agreed Marly, "I can get you something while I''m out. Maybe clothes or something. What do you like?"


    "It''s fine... don''t trouble yourself." Ryela paused and grabbed some food off her plate.


    --"Attention. Project World Interface begins now, and groups will be called... Recruits from... Group A2... Group B3... please make your way to The Main Office... That''s all for this hour... Continue in your lunch..."--


    "Looks like we got to go..." Gabe steered off as the kids got ready to leave.


    Ryela with a saddened look slumped in her chair.


    "We''re not leaving right now, we just getting our instructions for today. We may still have some time before we leave," reasoned Marly as the team stood up, "Wanna come with, or at least stand outside the office?"


    Ryela scoffed and rolled her eyes, "I''ll save myself the time."


    "Awe okay... Will you maybe walk at least halfway?" Izon questioned with his big blueish-green, emerald puppydog eyes.


    Ryela''s frown fell and she lightened up, "Sure, but just for you." she said nudging his arm.


    Group A2 made their long way to The Main Office, but Ryela stopped at the hallway right before they turn into it.


    "This is my stop..." Ryela confessed looking up at Gabe.


    "Awe okay, we may still be able to come back before we leave..." reasoned Marly as she gave her a hug.


    "Nah it''s fine," explained Ryela releasing the hug, "You shouldn''t let a weakling like myself waste your time of fun." She gave a light punch to Marly''s arm.


    "Awe fine," Marly said giving her another intruding hug.


    "It''s not like you''ll be gone forever..." Ryela faltered, "...right?"


    "We''ll be back," Gabe reassured, with a soft genuine smile, "Promise."


    Ryela looked up and her eyes brightened. But her soft look turned into a mischievous grin, "unfortunately..." She muttered playfully.


    "Ah! I heard that." Marly laughed, giving Ryela a joking push.


    "Go have fun... I''ll be here." Ryela influenced with a small grin.


    Ryela''s friends give her one last hug before they have to leave. So they waved her goodbye as they made their way to the office.


    --AUTHORS NOTE--


    So guys, this is ma part 2, already working on a chpt 13, yayayayay... So stay tuned!!

 13 13. Will The Horrors Ever Stop?

    Chapter 13


    After some time, Ryela found herself walking down an endless way of hallways not sure where she''s at. Right before she took a turn, a familiar face caught her eye. And there stood sweet MaryAnn in the corner chatting away with some new rescued kids. Then in that second, all of the negative emotions Ryela was experiencing slipped away just a bit as warm, fuzzy comfort came in. She slowly walked down the hallway to her still having just a little fear, but again, her attention was caught by a painfully sharp voice that rang terrors in her ear. She turned around to reveal infuriated Jake striking a kid; causing the kid to hit the wall behind him and fall almost completely unconscious. Ryela watched in alarm as he turned around in her direction. His fierce, terrorizing eyes connect with Ryela''s as he shook his sore hand and let out a scoff. Several petrifying emotions ran through her body shaking her very core as Jake walked down the narrow hall to her. ''This isn''t good...'' Ryela''s thought to herself as she gulps down in fright. Every step he took, another awful memory quaked deep in Ryela. Soon her thoughts began to intertwine with fear making the worst possible feelings overtake her body.  In fright, she tried walking away; closing her eyes harder in each step she took just desperately trying to wash away the scenery


    -Woosh-


    A small flame shot by Ryela like a rocket and swerved in front of her face, soon sizzling away in the mist. She flinched back in fear and stopped in her tracks.


    "Hey, princess," Jake smirked as he chillingly walked up to Ryela.


    Ryela kept her eyes low as her fierce foe faced her. But something very unusual hit Ryela deep in her spirit, and she lifted up her eyes. "Don''t call me that¡­" she said in a slightly shaking tone as an unwanted picture flashed her eyes.


    Jake let out a scoff and rolled his wrist, "Since when did you think you can tell me what to do?"


    Jake''s vigorous attitude cut straight through Ryela''s confidence causing her to shudder.


    "What? Now you can''t defend yourself, Ace?" Jake instigated with a taunting smirk.


    Ryela began to rub her wrist where her restraints were and her body started to faintly shake.


    "Hey? I asked a question," he raised his voice as he reached out for Ryela.


    "And she has that choice of answering," MaryAnn interrupted stepping in front of the scared girl and stopping Jake in his taunt, "If she chooses not to, then you have to get over that¡­ because Ryela does as she pleases."


    Ryela gave an appreciated look and took and a few small steps back. Jake''s shot his eyes away from MaryAnn and huffed out a breath.


    "Don''t think I didn''t see your little act between you and Miss Hart at dinner the other day¡­" MaryAnn began as she pulled out her phone. "And what happened right now to that boy¡­" she said glancing down the hall at the slightly cracked wall where the kid was punched.


    Jake gulped down in fear as MaryAnn typed in her phone.


    "I guess I won''t have to wait later to tell you¡­ You''ve been suspended from training time until we see improvement in your attitude."


    "What?! You can''t just do that!" inveighed Jake, "This prick over here is the one that takes fights she can''t win! She''s the one getting in my way!" he protested, firing a deep glare at Ryela.


    "Well if you keep acting like this, then no one will be in your way as I take you to the Main Office," smirked MaryAnn. "Now do I need to make myself clear?"


    Ryela stood there in shock at MaryAnn''s sarcastic comments as Jake stormed off in rage.


    MaryAnn took a deep breath and wiped her forehead. "Jeez, kids these days." MaryAnn joked, "So are you okay? How''ve you been? I heard about your friends leaving for World-Interface¡­"


    Ryela''s face lightened up at MaryAnn''s eagerness to understand her. "I''m fine¡­ thanks to you, Ms. MaryAnn. I-I''d call you by your last name, but I-I don''t think I know it¡­" she trailed off looking at the ground.


    "Oh, now...what did I say about all that proper name stuff?" MaryAnn questioned with a soft face and sweet smile, "You can call me whatever makes you feel comfortable. Unless calling me by my last name does make you comfortable, then its Waver."


    "O-oh, okay. I forgot about that," Ryela chuckled mildly.


    "Well, I have to get going and catch up on some work. I know you can''t train but there is still fun stuff to do"


    "Like?" Ryela blurted out in sarcasm.


    MaryAnn gave a soft chuckle and explained, "Well we have a beautiful mountain landscape to go enjoy... a nice and calming pond to take a dip in. I''m working on a nice garden later, after work, if you would like to help? And also, you can go explore the woods, within RGST limits..." she added giving a mischievous eye towards Ryela, causing her to snicker.


    "Okay¡­ I may check out the garden thing later¡­"


    "Sounds great! I''m planting a blossom tree right in the middle, so we can work on that first if you''re up to it."


    "Ok." Ryela agreed as MaryAnn left. Which left Ryela standing there with a rather happy heart. Then after a split second of going over what happens, she made her way out of the hallway and into training fields.


    By this time it''s about three in the afternoon, leaving Ryela a few hours till MaryAnn is free from office work. So to occupy her time, she walked around a bit and watched as the kids trained. She found a nice little spot under a tree and sat down. She leaned against the tree and gently rested her head on it. Being filled with aches and pains of both physical and emotional stress, she closed her eyes and took a deep, steady breath. Slowly, the noise of the kids training, the beautiful sounds of nature, and even Ryela''s own breath dialed down to the note of a whisper and her subconscious went blank. The image in her mind was white, stimulating peace in her body as she took another steady breath.


    -Flash!-


    For only a split second, that calming blank scenery turned into a heart throbbing, dark canvas that made Ryela squint her eyes in pain.


    -Flash!-


    "Y-you,"


    A horrifying voice thundered in Ryela''s mind, and the word ''you'' kept on ringing in her ears as the dark image flickered repeatedly. So she closed her eyes even tighter forcefully trying to wash away the horrors.


    -Flash!-


    "Y-you... r-really... th-think-"


    The voice again echoed terrors in her ears making her eyes began to cry boiling hot tears. The mixture of the hot tears and Ryela''s cold skin made the tears evaporate into to smoke almost instantly, as they made their way down her cheeks.


    -Flash!-


    "Y-you... r-really... th-think... you can run?"


    The familiar voice straightened out as the dark scenery showed a man. His image glitched and flickered back in fourth with the blank image Ryela had before. This shadowed man slowly walked up to Ryela, still flickering on and off. Soon the picture was clear and the man''s voice was strong.


    "You really think you could run..."


    He said again getting closer to Ryela.


    -Bam!-


    In a flash, the man clenched petrified Ryela''s throat and began to slowly and painfully crush it as he finished is taunt,


    "You really think you can run..."


    He growled as he leaned close to Ryela.


    Scared Ryela struggled hard as tears gushed out of her eyes. She attempted to grab to the man''s hand that was holding her throat, but her hands fazed through and all she felt was her own burning neck where the hand of the man was. The man leaned right into Ryela''s ear and whispered,


    "You really think you can run... from me?"


    And again his voice echoed screeches in her mind.


    -Flash!-


    Like before, the man was standing in front of the girl without a hold of her neck as the picture flickered on and off.


    "I will always be inside you..."


    The man haunted her as he slowly faded back into the dark.


    "Always..."


    "No!! Ryela screamed in her vision, as she took hold of her ears. But the cold stoned man just kept chanting those words over and over as it rang tortuously again and again; making her mind excruciatingly spin around in a circle. Leading her to the feeling...as if, her mind was being forcefully torn apart memory by memory, thought by thought, pain by pain....out of her soul.


    So in response, Ryela dropped down to the floor and she took hold of her stomach in misery. Then she slowly shifted her hands and squeezed her ears. Finally, in her dream, she let out a screeching scream that was loud enough to crack the foundation of the nightmare; she screamed for all of it to stop...the pain, the taunting, the horror...everything¡­ To the point she wanted to die. So as she yelled for mercy, thick crimson blood dripped out of her eyes as tears, and they rolled down her cheeks.


    -Flash!-


    "Even to death!"


    -Bang!-


    "Ah! Oh, my-...o-.. m-" Finally Ryela snapped out of her nightmare having complete loss of words, and all she could do was sob. She huffed huge breaths and lets out several tears. She grabbed her head and squeezed it tight and then clenched her heart. She slowly made her way to the dirt ground and tiredly dropped her head on it.


    And there was Ryela in the fetal position on the ground just like in her dream. She let out loud obnoxious sobs as she laid there in distraught. She exchanged between crys let out, and deep breaths in, as she lay there having an extreme mental break down.


    No one was around hear her call of distress because she was too far away from the courts. So she laid there in a pool of tear... alone...


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    ~AUTHORS NOTE~


    I was going to post this yesterday, like I really wanted to lol. But, I decided to just post today, so I can post every day. I''m not promising I can everyday post, but if I can then yes. So hope you like this chpt... It was really hard to write and was physically burdening cuz of so much emotion I put in it, so I hope you like it! Trust me the next few chpt will be less tragic... But yeah thxs for reading and stay tuned!

 14 Ism Back!!!

    @@


    Hey guys!!!!!! I know I haven''t posted in a several weeks, but I''ve had some laptop difficulties... But now I''m good! When I didn''t have my pc I wrote in a notebook but... I lost it... And it had my next 8 chpt I think... I am so sry guys. I''ve been looking every where for it and its no were, I may just start from scratch... I''ll keep looking harder I promise and as soon as I find it I will begin to write. Again so sorry for the long wait...I actually have one last chpt to post before I go on the hunt, so I''ll post that. I''ll prob remove this msg once I find my note book or finish starting from scrath...I''ll try to keep in touch and stay tuned...


    -Juliet Smith@@

 15 14. The Call...

    ''So she laid there in a pool of tears... alone...''


    Chapter 14


    After a lot of time, Ryela gained the strength to stand and she made her way back to the facility. She walks around a bit keeping her head down and avoiding any kids coming her way. After some time to think, she decided to relax her in pain body in the Lounge. As she walked down a hall, a terrifying memory of what took place by the tree sparked in her head. She flinched in fear and grasped her head as she fell off track and stumbled against the wall. She began to shake her head and her breathing got heavy.


    "I-it''s- o-ok...o-okay," she mumbled to herself, regaining a standing a position.


    She finally made her way to the entrance of the Lounge and stopped at the door. She lifted her head and stared at he closed door. Her view was soon snatched as she saw her reflection on the window of it. As she focused her eyes, she could see red stain marks on her face.


    She sighed in frustration and let out a small groan, "Frick," She rubbed her eyes and then her cheeks. The marks wouldn''t budge, so she quickly and swiftly hurried out with her head down and her hair falling by her face. Once she reached her room, she whipped into the bathroom and began to wet her face. At first, it still wouldn''t come off so Ryela grabbed a bar of soap and a rag, and began to scrub her cheeks. She squinted her eyes as she scrubbed her face almost raw. After some time of relentless washing, the dried tears finally came off. She put a towel against her sore face and gently patted it. She released the towel from her grasp and looked up at the mirror. She took a deep breath and stared at her reflection; she then slowly moved her hand up, gently stroking her hair behind her ear showing the beauty of her face. A small smile stretched on her lips as her face lightened up. In the second of the fragile moment, she lifted out her arm and gently stroked the mirror were her reflection lied. Yet again, her joy was taken as she saw her dule restraints. Immediately, a harsh picture of her forgotten life flashed her mind, and she instantly remembered something from WWIDI.


    ''W-what t-the heck...'' she thought as her surrounding slowly teared away into a ancient scenery. She stood off from afar and watched while her former and younger self was abused by a WWIDI guard while being defenseless by her restraints. She shook her head away from the mirror and the image blew away.


    Ryela made her way to the door and walked out of the girl''s bunk. Finally recalling her arrangement with MaryAnn, she began to head out of the facility. But was soon stopped by a hand gripping her shoulder. Lightning fast, she turned around in fear and threw up her fist in defense.


    "Wo! Wo, at ease soldier!" Gilly proposed jerking back defensively. He took a frustrated sigh and tugged on the bottom of his guard uniform to readjust it.


    "S-sorry," Ryela apologized avoiding eye contact with him.


    "Yeah, sure," Gilly snapped, "Anyway, I came here because I had a call request from Marly t-"


    -Buzz-


    "Speak of the devil," he muffled, reaching for the vibrating phone, "Hello?"


    --"Hi, this is Marly. I''m calling ''again'' to see if Ryela is available?"--


    "Yeah, I''m speaking with her right now. Do you need to talk to her?"


    --"Oh, yes, please! I''ve been dying to talk to her all day! I re-"--


    Gilly pulled the phone from his ears and rolled his eyes while Marly rambled on. He handed the phone to Ryela with a look of uncertainty, "Don''t lose this or take it. It must be returned back at ''The Main Office'', understood?"


    Ryela with a smirk on her lips snatched the phone, "Yeah, sure". She put the phone up to her ear and shot a glare at Gilly, so he walked away as he glared back. "Scumbag," she mumbled under her breath and rolled her eyes again.


    --"Excuse me?!"--


    "S-sorry Mar, I wasnt referring to you." Ryela gulped.


    --"Oh ok, good. I thought we were about to fight," joked Marly as she put the phone on speaker, "I wanted to face call but we arent allowed Anywho h-"--


    --"Hey, Rye!" yelled Izon over Marly, "How you been?"--


    --"Yeah, I feel like I haven''t seen you in a while!"-- cheered Natalie over Izon.


    "Same here, Nat," Ryela trailed off.


    "Yeah, Ive missed you too. No ones here to stir up trouble," laughed Gabe with a soft tone.


    Ryela gave a soft chuckle and slightly blushed, but that moment was disturbed by a familiar ear snatching sound.


    -DING! DONG! DING! DONG!-


    The sound of a bell echoed from where Marly was at, to her phone, and then to Ryela''s ear. Soon the bells moved their way through her head and she zoned out.


    -DING!..... DONG!... DING!... DONG...-


    --"Rye?... Are you all right, boo?"-- Marly questioned as she shushed her friends talking behind her.


    Ryela finally snapped out of her unusually comforting flashback and stammered, "Y-yeah... I''m fine."


    --"I feel bad for leaving you alone, you know. I mean there is other kids and stuff you can hang with but-"--


    --"What Marly is trying but sadly failing to say..."-- Izon interrupted, receiving a glare from Marly, --"No one can have more fun than us, we are the bestest friends you can possibly have,"-- Izon bragged popping his collar.


    --"Ewe, no. Don''t do that with your shirt,"-- Marly corrected. She leaned in close and started putting his popped collar back in place.


    --"No, I like it like this,"-- Izon chuckled, grabbing her hands from his collar which made them both blush. But the cute moment was shaken as he put his collar back out, causing them to get in a playful argument. Ryela slightly laughed at their humor as they went back in forth on the phone.


    --"All right, let me take this,"-- Gabe snatched the phone away from Marly causing her and Izon to stop. --"So, did you do anything fun? I''m quite bored of these guys, to be honest,"-- Gabe laughed looking at his friends, and in return, he got a few smart-back comments and a punch in the arm.


    Ryela could feel his warm smile through the phone, but then she realized the question and her demeanor changed, "Yeah I did in fact, I did a lot of fun stuff today...watched the kids train, walked a trail, explored..." She lied as she looked down. "I''m actually supposed to help Ms. MaryAnn in the garden today."


    --"Yay, that''s great, bud!"-- Marly began but was again cut off by a mixture of voices from the group.


    --"Nice, what did you find?"--


    --"That''s cool! How was your walk?"--


    --"I''m so happy for you!"--


    --"Miss MaryAnn is so sweet."--


    --"Guys, guys! Chill let her breath for a moment, jeez...Seems like you''re having a good time without us helping,"-- she smiled proudly of Ryela, --"But if not, we can leave right now,"-- she snapped.


    "No, it''s fine. Lifes... well, its as good as it can be..." Ryela reasoned, but then she put a lot of thought, "W-when are y-you coming back?" She stuttered looking around.


    --"I dont know we have a list of things to see and do -we are almost done, we may go shopp-"--


    --"Again? Ugh...-"-- the kids groaned in harmony at the sound of shopping.


    --"-Ha, ha. Get over it, I still need to get Rye something. But yeah why do you ask? Is something wrong?"-- Marly concerned.


    "No, no, it fine just curious..."


    --"Your acting weird, Rye what''s up?"--


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    With a long, aching pause Ryela finally spoke.


    "I got to go..." Ryela muttered with anger stirred in every word; she gripped the phone harder, making the exterior begin to slightly crack. Her hand slowly drifted back down and fell to her side, leaving Marly in a panic with no response.


    --"What?" voices began to echo out of the phone.--


    --"Hello?"--


    --"Ryela are you okay? What''s up?"--


    -Crack!-


    -beep-beep-beep-... The call has ended-


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    TO BE CONTINUED!!!


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    I''m only making the story "Completed" so that i can enter into the newest writing prompt.


    Once the comp is over I''ll begin to publish the next few chpt I have written.


    AUTHORS NOTES


    Hey guys!!! I had this one chpt ready before I had pc problems. Now I finally published it, yayaya!!! But sad to say... I can''t publish any more chpts until I find my notebook I wrote the rest in... I''m so sorry. I will continue the search. Until then... Hope you enjoy my latest chpt and stay tuned!!!


    -Juliet Smith


    P.S It keeps messing up my writing when i try to fix something so just bare with me plz, thxs faaaammmm. Stay tuned!


    P.P.S When I type ''--'' (the doubled lines) before a comment like --"Blah, blah, blah"-- it means it''s supposed to be italicized or in this chpt it means voices coming from he from ad when I type '''' (Greater sign and less sign) it prob means a flash back is happening. NOW, its only like this for this chpt, other chpts are different. If you want to read things easier read, my story in WATTPAD It''s a lot better, cuz I can italicize and make things bold. And things go across better. But yeah gtg, stay tuned!