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𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗘 𝗜.      The Truth About Heroes

The saddest thing about betrayal is
that it never comes from your enemies.
It comes from those you trust the most.
📜 𝗨𝗻𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍
[ 𝗦𝟬𝟭𝗘𝟬𝟱︰𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 ]

❛ YOU TOOK AWAY OUR MEMORIES? ❜

Cᴏʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ Bʀɪɴᴋ's POV

"JORDAN," I shake their shoulder, feeling them groan against my neck. It sends shivers throughout my body, and I pull away, despite not wanting to.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I grip the blankets around us tighter to my chest and shake Jordan awake, "Jordan."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"What?" They grumble under their breath before their eyes flicker open. Their eyes widen when they see my naked back. They lift the covers up slightly, looking at their own naked body.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan opens their mouth to speak, but then the door to the room we're in opens.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My grip on the blanket loosens as a yelp escapes me, and Jordan quickly lifts the blanket back up, covering my chest as two people walk into the room.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre and Cate, to be exact.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre's eyes land on us first and they widen, "Oh, shit! I just...Sorry, I just thought..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sorry, we're sorry about that. We're leaving," Cate tries to pull Andre into the hall, but he was still staring at me with wide eyes, pointing slightly.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Right on," Andre nods, making my head snap back in disbelief, "I just thought."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"We're just leaving," Cate pushed Andre out of the room, "We're just leaving. Bye." She then leaves the room and shuts the door behind her, leaving Jordan and me in an awkward silence.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Uh..." Jordan stares at me for a moment, their eyes darting down to the top of my boobs before they look away, "Hey."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hi..." I clear my throat, fiddling with the blankets for a moment, "You know, I'm just gonna..." I motion to my body, and Jordan nods rapidly, "Yeah."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We both slide off the bed on different sides, and I let go of the blanket to find my outfit. I don't really remember what I was wearing last night, but it must've been something for me to come to whoever's house this is.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I look around the floor on my side, and I find a bra strewn a few feet away. I quickly grab it and put it on, then try to look for my underwear, but nothing comes up.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Um, I, uh," I glance back at Jordan, my brain going a little fuzzy at their naked back. I blink rapidly, focusing on what they were giving me, "I think this is yours." Jordan was holding underwear.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I take the underwear swiftly, but then I notice something. "They're ripped," I whisper to Jordan, glancing back to see them wince.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sorry about that," Jordan apologizes before leaning over, making my eyes drop to their ass.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It's a beautiful ass.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I cringe and tear my eyes away just as Jordan stands back up with boxers, "You can have mine," At my wide eyes, Jordan shrugs, "I'm used to going commando."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh," I say before grabbing the boxers from Jordan, "Thanks."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Just as I go to put them on, I realize that I still have their cum running down my legs. Fuck.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyes scan the room until they land on a slightly open door to my right. Through the small crack, I see a toilet.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'll just..." I whisper, motioning to the bathroom as Jordan puts on their shirt, "I'll be right back."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I run into the bathroom, quickly peeing and wiping myself off before putting on their boxers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I leave the bathroom to see Jordan in a blue shirt and dark grey sweatpants. Their eyes instantly go to my chest, and I don't shy away like I thought I would.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Uh..." I cross my arms slightly, walking towards Jordan, "This is gonna sound, like, fifty shades of fucked up, but, I, uh, " I shake my head slowly, cautious of my words, "I don't remember what happened last night."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan lets out a small sigh of relief, holding their arms out, "Oh, my God. Neither do I."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh," I sigh, not sure if this is good or bad. Most likely bad. I inhale sharply and look around the room, "Do you know whose place this is?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan shakes their head, "No idea."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I clear my throat slightly, heat rushing to my cheeks, "We just...had sex."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan nods slowly, a small smile growing on their lips, and I can't stop the smile growing on mine either.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Wait.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I just lost my virginity, and I don't fucking remember.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Fuck.

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Jᴏʀᴅᴀɴ Lɪ's POV

IF ANDRE KEEPS LAUGHING, I might have to strangle him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Okay, look, seriously, Andre," he interrupts me by laughing, and I roll my eyes, wishing that I was in my female form so I could blast him. "I don't remember anything."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre shrugs from the loveseat he and Cate are on, "So how do you know whether you did it or not have the sex with Coco?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate snorts out a chuckle, and I shake my head, "Okay, that's not..." I pause to gather my thoughts and inhale deeply, "I don't blackout, ever."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre gives me a look as if he doesn't believe me, and I narrow my eyes at him, "I mean, I could take a whole case of Beam to the face and be fine."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Why are your chonies twisted over this?" Andre asks, looking down at my pants, and I shift uncomfortably.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I may have lied to Cole to make her feel better about taking my boxers. I don't wear bras, mainly for the purpose of shifting, but I definitely wear boxers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I may have possibly ripped her underwear, anyway.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre continues, drawing my attention back to him, "Coco's sweet," Andre then purses his lips, "sometimes. She knows how to kick ass and she's smart," Andre then snaps his fingers, "And, if you're feeling kinky, she can mimic your powers and fuck you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate slaps Andre's shoulders, and he shrugs as I lean back in my seat. That didn't sound so bad, as long as Cole was up for it.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I snap myself out of my thoughts, shaking my head rapidly. Bad, Jordan.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Is it..." Andre points at me with slitted eyes, "It's a Brink thing, isn't it?" I furrow my eyebrows, and Andre continues, "Look, I know Brink was like a dad to you, but that doesn't make Coco a sister to you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀What the fuck is he on about?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyes widen, and I snap my head back, leaning back in my seat, "Oh, my God."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Leave him alone. It's sweet," Cate pats Andre's shoulder before looking over at me, "I think you guys make a cute couple."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her words make my heart warm, and when I think of Cole, my heart feels like it's glowing.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Thanks," I then shake my head, trying to stay on track, "but this whole fucking morning is weird. You know what day it is?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's, like..." Andre and Cate share a look, and Cate shrugs, "Friday."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's fucking Saturday," I scoff.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hold up. It is..." Andre's eyebrows shoot up for a moment, and he grabs his phone from his lap, tapping the screen, "fucking Saturday."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Guys," I start, getting their attention back and trying to get them to see what I see, "look, it's not that I don't remember the party or Cole," I pause, tilting my head, "I-I mean, I don't, but more importantly...there are days that I am missing. Like, huge gaps in my memory."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate and Andre both consider my words and, after a second, Cate nods, "Mine too."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre seems to realize it too and looks startled, "What the fuck is going on?"

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Cᴏʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ Bʀɪɴᴋ's POV

ON THE PATIO OF DUSTY'S HOUSE, I find Marie and Emma sitting on a dingy couch. In front of them is a coffee table, and I sit down on it, looking at both of them.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I don't exactly remember why I felt the need to walk over to them, but I did. I feel a strange sense of respect toward Emma, even though I didn't know what she looked like until a few days ago.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I also feel a little friendly with Marie, which doesn't make sense, considering I wanted to kill her a few days ago.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Today just doesn't make sense.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I clear my throat and start off with Marie, "I think we got off on the wrong foot."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie glances over at Emma before looking at me with furrowed eyebrows, and I continue, inhaling sharply, "While I personally think everything I've said to you was well deserved," Marie rolls her eyes, and I sigh defeatedly, "I get why you did the things you did."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie's eyebrows soften, and she nods, "I'm sorry about stealing Jordan's credit," Marie shrugs, "You guys just had everything, and I needed something to stay important. I'm just sorry things happened the way they did."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I smile at Marie, clapping my hands together, "I'm also sorry for calling you a bitch."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie pursed her lips curiously, glancing at Emma for a moment, "You never called me a bitch."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I cringe slightly, tilting my head, "Not to your face."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie gapes at me lightly, and I ignore it, turning to Emma, who was already looking at me. I then shift a little in my seat, "I'm sorry for calling you bulimic."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma furrows her eyebrows, "We've never talked before."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Like I said," I click my tongue and shrug, "Not to your face."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma stammers as she considers my words before shrugging, "Well...now that we're friends-ish," Emma grabs her phone and clicks on the screen, "here."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I carefully take the phone from Emma, and see that the screen is set on a TikTok video. I quickly realize it's a video of the party due to all the drinking and how familiar the place looks.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyes widen, though, as the video pans to a clip of Jordan, in their male form, on a couch with me grinding against their lap, our kisses messy. I blink slowly as Video Jordan grips my ass, and then someone passes through the screen, blocking the view of us.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀When the person leaves the screen, Jordan was now in their female form, and the kiss was more frantic and, frankly, pornographic.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The video then changes to Emma, who was the size of a blue whale, naked and drinking in front of a group of people. Emma's nipples and vagina were covered by heart-eye emojis, but everyone there still saw everything.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The TikTok video ends, and I hand the phone back to Emma with wide eyes.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie then shrugs, cringing slightly, "I mean...you two are trending."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma scoffs slightly, clicking off her phone, "For flashing my giant white ass to the world."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie tilts her head slightly, "Did you know you could do that? Get big?" Emma stays silent for a moment, and Marie straightens, wincing, "Unless it's none of my business, which, it's not. Never mind."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"No," Emma shakes her head, taking a sip of her VoughtQuench drink, "I've known ever since the Buster Beaver incident."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyes widen slightly: she's Big Beaver?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I remember reading about it. Emma had eaten too much pizza and had gotten big, then went into the ball pit, crushing a few kids in the process. They all survived, but the name Big Beaver never really went away.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Google at your own peril," Emma continues, "My mom called me a monster, then made me swear never to do it again," Emma shrugs, taking a sip of her bottle, "Oops."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"That's horrible," Marie frowns.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma's phone buzzes beside her, and she lifts it up, showing a call from her mom, "Exactly why this is going straight to voicemail."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I hum lightly, making Emma turn to me as she clicks off her phone, "How long have you been snogging Jordan?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyebrows shoot up, "Is that something new friends ask?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma shrugs, a small smile on her face, "Well, there are rumors around campus that you're asexual or dating Homelander."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Ew," My face scrunches up before I sigh, "For the kissing question, I don't really know," I shrug, "time is missing for me."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I wince, my head tilting as pain erupts in my head. "I'm so sorry, Colette." The voice was distorted, but familiar. I just don't exactly know why.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I shiver lightly and Emma looks at me, "Is a male asshole tighter than a female asshole?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I let out a snort and shake my head, my cheeks reddening as Marie slaps Emma's shoulder, "Jesus, Emma."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Suddenly, a random guy slams his hands against the window behind Emma and Marie, making all of us jump. His wide eyes are mainly on Emma and me, darting from one of us to the other.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Emma! Colette! Are-are you guys okay?" he says, his voice filled with concern. Without waiting for an answer, he runs around the patio and toward the entrance.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀All three of us instantly stand to our feet, eyeing him cautiously. I shuffle in front of Emma and Marie, ready to use my powers if he tries anything.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I was out of line," he says, looking at Emma and me, "and I'm so sorry that I left you guys, especially after you stopped me from doing something terrible."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyebrow shoots up. What the fuck is he talking about?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He notices my eyebrow and stutters lightly, "But I'm-I'm fine now, and I know it sounds weird." His eyes go to Emma, "but I was so happy to smell your throw-up because it meant that you got away from..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He then seems to notice the confusion on our faces, and he frowns, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The boy points to himself and steps forward, making all of us step back. He frowns, and, for some reason, I feel bad for being the cause of it.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Emma," His eyes go to Emma, "it's-it's me, Sam. The-the Woods, the...the-the Stardust Drive-In."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Stardust Drive-In?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Mom used to take me there when I was a kid before it shut down.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The boy—Sam—looks at me next, "I...I remember where we met. We met in The Woods."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm, uh," I glance back at Marie and Emma unsurely, "I think I'd know if I met you in a forest."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Sam tilts his head, but before he can say anything, Marie steps forward, standing in front of me, "Look, hey, hey, hey, hey, Sam? That's your name?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He nods, pointing at Marie, "And you're—you're Marie," He starts tapping his neck absently, "the...the blood girl."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I think you're confused," Marie nods gently, and Sam's eyes go to Emma and me, "Maybe you saw us on TV or TikTok or something?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Sam blinks slowly, "Tik...Tok?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie continues as if she were talking to a five-year-old, "You don't actually know us in real life, and—and...we don't know you at all."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Sam shuts his eyes slowly, inhaling sharply, "They made you forget."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I tilt my head, alarms ringing in my head, "Who's they?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I wince as the pain in my head comes back, my eyes closing, "We don't know who's in on it. If...if Brink was, maybe other professors, maybe Dean Shetty." The voice is still distorted, but it sounds different than the other voice. Familiar all the same, though.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Who's in on what?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Wait," Emma's voice breaks through my thoughts, "is...is someone after you, Sam? I mean, do you need help?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma steps closer to Sam, and he breathes out a deep breath, "Emma, there are dangerous, evil people at that school. People that don't want you to know about me or the truth, and you—you can't trust anyone." Then his eyes go to me, "Either of you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I purse my lips, shrugging, "What makes you think we can trust you?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"No..." Sam staggers back as if my words hurt him, and I feel a strange pang in my heart, "you're right. I wouldn't trust me, either, not after what I did."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He then nods with determination, looking at Emma and me, "I'm gonna find a way to fix this. I'm gonna make you two remember."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Remember what?" Emma asks before I can.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A ghost of a smile grows on his face, "That you two are heroes. Real ones." With that, he runs out and into the woods.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"That guy's fucking crazy," Marie speaks up beside me, and Emma nods slowly, "Totes. Kind of cute, though, right?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My face scrunches at that, "Not really. Cute as in golden retriever cute, not dating potential cute." We start to walk out of the patio and I shrug, "Besides, his craziness trumped his cuteness."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma shrugs as we walk down spiral stairs, reaching the main floor, "I don't think it's that weird."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Toe socks are weird, Emma," Marie counters behind me, "That guy had literal blood under his fingernails, and it wasn't his."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You can do that with your powers?" I ask, glancing back at Marie, who nods. "Cool," my words make Marie's eyes brighten.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"God," Emma looks back at Marie with wide eyes, "your powers are fucking bonkers." Suddenly, Emma turns around and looks at Marie, "Wait. When am I gonna get my period again?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie chuckles lazily, "Holy fuck, Emma."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"What?" Emma pouts, "I lost track."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You're insane," Marie scoffs as we continue to stroll around the house. Her eyes drift over to Emma, and she shrugs, "Uh, I mean, it's next Friday, though."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma holds out her arms with a smile, "Fucking thank you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Coco. Marie." At the sound of our names, Marie and I turn around to see Cate, Andre, and Jordan in their male form emerging from the house through another exit.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Dusty's house has a lot of fucking doors.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan and I lock eyes, and my cheeks flush.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Their eyes widen when they see my naked back. They lift the covers up slightly, looking at their own naked body.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I clear my throat and look away just as Emma mutters behind me, "Oh, you two go. I have to shower and put on actual clothes."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Emma walks away, leaving Marie and me to walk toward Jordan, Cate, and Andre. Jordan doesn't look at me as they walk past me, heading to a cooler behind me. I try to convince myself that it doesn't hurt, but my heart says otherwise.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I inhale deeply, turning back to Andre, who's fidgeting with his hands. "Did you guys, uh...did you black out last night?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah," I nod, stealing a quick glance at Jordan. They retrieve a fresh bottle of VoughtQuench and take a sip, avoiding eye contact with me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Did I do something wrong?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Beside me, Marie scoffs, looking at Andre with disbelief. "I-I don't really think that's any of your business."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Marie," Cate sighs, her eyes filled with concern. "We all blacked out."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre nods, looking down. "And not just the party. The-the past few days," I tilt my head, and he holds out his hands slightly. "Think about it. I blew off my interview with Hailey Miller, but I don't know why."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A ringing sounds in my ears, and I suppress a small cry, trying to pretend like everything is fine. "He's not dead. He's underneath the school. They call it the Woods." Like all the other voices, this voice is distorted and familiar. Like all the other voices, I don't understand why.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate nods beside Andre, her shoulders shrugging with uncertainty. "I remember Tek Knight being here, I remember talking to him, but I don't remember why."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I remember kissing Jordan, but I don't remember why I did it. There had to be a catalyst, right?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Just then, I inhale sharply, my fingers twitching. "Tell me something, anything, you like."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie is quick to respond, her words flowing. "There was a kid just now. He acted like he knew us," Marie motions to herself and me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate's eyebrows furrow slightly, concern etching across her features. "What kid? Another student?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sam," I answer, the pain in my head fading away, "Sam...something. I've never seen him before."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Unless," Jordan's voice makes my heart skip a beat, and I turn to them, seeing the worry in their eyes, "you have and forgot. What'd he want?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I snap my fingers, "To warn us and protect us," I shrug, "He said there were dangerous people at the school and that we shouldn't trust anyone."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I trail off when I see Dusty walking out of his house with a blender. Jordan follows my gaze and narrows their eyes, storming over to Dusty and grabbing his arm, causing his blended juice to spill slightly. "The fuck did you do to us, Dusty?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie gasps behind me, "Hey, Jordan, he's just a kid."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre shrugs, smiling slightly, "Dusty's not a kid. He's, like, twenty-eight."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Dusty smiles bitterly, his arm still in Jordan's tight grasp, "Yet I still got a dick like a hairless caterpillar. Fuck my life."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate suddenly speaks up, "I think I know who did this."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We all turn to Cate, and Jordan shoves Dusty before following suit. Cate turns her phone to us, showing a TikTok of Rufus dancing in the same living room where Jordan and I were making out last night. "Rufus was here last night."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Shit," Marie grunts, "Of course it's him."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre's eyebrow shoots up slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Why?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I sort of..." Marie gulps, "blew his dick off."

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Tʜɪʀᴅ-Pᴇʀsᴏɴ Nᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ

SAM RIORDAN ESCAPED THE WOODS A FEW DAYS AGO, yet the walls still bear the haunting remnants of his brutality, the blood a testimony of the seventeen lives he had taken.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Doctor Edison Cardosa stands trembling before Indira Shetty, his nerves teetering on the verge of a heart attack. Sweat beads on his forehead, a sign of his turmoil.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira, however, maintains a cold, unyielding attitude, her attention seemingly distant, as if the gravity of the situation doesn't faze her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cardosa can't contain his frustration, grumbling under his breath, his hand rigid and accusatory, pointing at Indira in an attempt to emphasize his point. "He nearly killed my family, Indira. He's far more trouble than he's worth, and Golden Boy is dead anyway."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira inhales sharply, her arms crossed defiantly, her sympathy a distant thing.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Witnessing the resolve etched across Indira's face, Cardosa's stern demeanor wavers momentarily. "The point is, I'm done with Sam. He's not my problem anymore. I'm tired of babysitting psychopaths."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira scoffs, her arms dropping to her sides, her silhouette darkening as she takes a menacing step closer to Cardosa. "Babysitting psychopaths is literally your job."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Anger and disbelief ripple through Cardosa, and he raises his voice, his words echoing through the dimly lit corridor. "Those kids found out about him." He casts a wary glance around, ensuring no eavesdroppers linger among the janitors nearby.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira's tone remains unruffled and measured. "Those kids have been handled. They won't be a problem."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cardosa shakes his head, eyes narrowing. "Come on. You know it's just a matter of time before they find out about everything else we're doing down here."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With a deep breath, he advances towards Indira. Her spine bristles as he pinches his pointer finger and thumb together in front of her face. "I am this fucking close to perfecting the virus, a viable way to control them for good. But if they discover that..." He shakes his head with a grim determination. "I'm not paid nearly enough to die for this shit."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira, unflinching, retorts, "So, you want a raise?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cardosa denies, his words strained. "No, that's not what I..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira's stern voice slices through his protest. "So why don't you tell me what it is you do want? Because we both know you're not going anywhere." She tilts her head, peering intently at Cardosa as he withdraws his fingers. "Cutting up Supes and seeing how they tick is a skill that won't quite shine on your LinkedIn profile."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira turns away, ready to leave, but Cardosa removes his glasses, glaring at her. "I want the girls."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira pivots to face Cardosa completely, her gaze locked onto his. He continues, emboldened, "Marie and Colette."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira turns to fully face Cardosa, and he takes it as a sign to continue, "Their abilities are the rarest I've ever seen. They don't understand how powerful they really are. They're the perfect subjects. They could speed up my timeline."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Indira acknowledges the significance of their abilities with a nod, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. "They are special. But no."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cardosa's brows furrow, and Indira explains, "You're not the only one interested in Moreau and Brink. They have a benefactor, and because of that, they're strictly off-limits."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As she prepares to move away, Indira stops and grants a pointed look to Cardosa. "For now."

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Jᴏʀᴅᴀɴ Lɪ's POV

"SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT RUFUS HAS TO PISS SITTING DOWN FOREVER?" Andre laughs, trying to contain it but he can't, "You do it on purpose?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"No," Marie shrugs, "It was an accident. I'm not even sure how I did it."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I scoff, "He fucking deserved it."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀People like Rufus and the dickhead that Cole was with always did.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The small thought of Cole makes my heart beat faster, and I become very aware of her beside me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Total cocksplosion," Cole adds, mimicking an explosion, and I let out a laugh.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Why were you even talking to him?" Cate asks Marie as Andre and Cole both scatter, looking for a seat. Andre plops down on a loveseat, and Cole settles onto a graffitied couch behind me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie shrugs, "I don't remember. I was looking for something."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With a sigh, I go over to sit beside Cole. As I sit down beside her, our knees touch, and I stiffen. I stare at her for a second, and her cheeks get bright. She doesn't waste another second looking at me, and it hurts.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate and Marie sit in front of us on two overturned kegs.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With a deep breath, Cate moves her hair from her face and claps her hands together, "I met him in Intro Psych freshman year. He said he liked my gloves. And then..." My heart skips a beat at Cate's glossy eyes, "three days later I woke up in a random bed with a camera pointed at me."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole stiffens beside me and, despite knowing that she probably doesn't like me in the way I want her to, I put a hand on her knee, offering some comfort.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She puts her hand on mine, and for a second, I think she's going to push me off, but she just squeezes my hand.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"He saw I was awake," Cate continues in a monotone way, "smiled, and said, 'Make this weird, and I'll wipe you again'."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Holy fucking shit." Marie looks over at Cate and puts a hand on her shoulder, "Cate, did you tell anybody?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"And say what?" Cate's voice cracks, and I feel it in my heart, "He had me on camera consenting. It doesn't matter. I don't even remember it, so..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I shake my head, anger running through me, "Your body fucking remembers."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Are you..." Marie starts, glancing over at our small group before leaning into Cate, "Are you okay?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I should've known better," Cate shrugs, "and now I do, so..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You couldn't have known," Cole shakes her head beside me, "It's not your fault."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate nods slowly, "This is exactly his M.O."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Right," Marie speaks quietly before speaking up, "So, I get him coming after me for...revenge or whatever, but why go after you guys?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I shrug, looking over to where Andre's sitting to see if he knows, but I only see an empty chair. I straighten and lean off the couch, "Where's Andre?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Oh, shit. Rufus," Cate lets out a sharp breath before getting to her feet, "He's gonna kill Rufus."

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Jᴏʀᴅᴀɴ Lɪ's POV

COLE AND I WALK SIDE BY SIDE THROUGHOUT CAMPUS, neither of us saying anything for the ten minutes we've been walking. From the corner of my eye, I see her stealing glances at me, and it makes my heart ache in a painfully sweet way.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You know," I start, looking over at her, and her cheeks flush like it's been since we woke up together, "this is a fucked-up situation, but..." I pause, feeling my heart clench painfully, "I just want to say it doesn't need to be weird."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole furrows her eyebrows, and I clarify, despite feeling like my legs would give out beneath me, "B-Between us, I mean."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole's face brightens, and it hurts me even more. It's like a confirmation that she doesn't want to be with me. She lets out a giggle, and, despite myself, I can't help but smile at her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her mouth opens, and I speak before she can. I can't handle it if she outwardly rejects me. "No, you don't..." I shrug, "you don't need to say or do anything. 'Cause that scumbag mind-raped us. And we weren't acting like ourselves."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The smile on Cole's face falls, and I wonder for a second if I got it all wrong. If she does like me, but then the smile is back in place, and she nods, "Yeah. Yeah, but—."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I cut her off before she can hurt me further, "It's all good. It's cool. We're cool." I keep my eyes forward with a clenched jaw, trying to play off my broken heart.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With my peripheral vision, I watch Cole stare at me for a long moment before nodding, "Yeah," she says in a weird tone, "it's forgotten."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As we near the student center, I watch Shetty and Rufus walk out, and my fists ball up, "Motherfucker."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole looks over to me, and I nod my head toward Shetty and Rufus, "There's Rufus."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole tilts her head, "What's he doing with Shetty?" As soon as the words come out, Cole winces and tilts her head uncomfortably.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hey." I put my hand on her shoulder, and she shrugs me off, shaking her head. "I'm fine," she mutters to me, and I stagger back, feeling her words and how easily she shook me off in my heart.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I clear my throat and look back at Rufus, "Let's find out."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I take a step toward Rufus and Shetty, but Cole grabs my shoulder and pulls me back, "Not until he's alone."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyebrows shoot down, and I hold my hands out, looking at Cole, "What? You're the one who wanted to report this piece of shit."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I know..." She huffs, bringing her hands to her head, and I have a feeling that whatever was going on with her a minute ago was affecting her now. "I just don't trust Shetty. I don't know why, but I know I don't," Seeing the skepticism on my face, she sighs, "Do you trust me?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Always, is what I want to say.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀What I do, though, is nod.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I look back over at Shetty and Rufus to only see Rufus. He's looking right at us.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Fuck," Cole whispers as Rufus breaks out into a run, and we run after the fucker.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We keep running, and as we round a corner, Cole lets out a frustrated sound when a large group of students walk out of the student garden.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We shove and push through anyone in our way, ignoring their shoves back and scoffs.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole and I run until we reach the area we saw Rufus head in, only to see that the fucker stopped to talk?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Guess he's stupider than I thought.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Didn't know that was fucking possible.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole and I share a skeptical look, though, before striding over to Rufus. "What the fuck did you do to us, you piece of shit?" I call out, getting his attention.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"What were you and Shetty talking about?" Cole asks just as we stop in front of him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The fucker has the nerve to act confused.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Um..." We look at Rufus expectantly, and he goes to run, but Cole grabs his arm, stopping him. Midway, Rufus shifts into...

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Benny!" I scoff, realizing that Rufus got Benny to shift to throw us off, "What the fuck, man?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Benny shrugs, looking a bit sheepish, "Rufus gave me twenty bucks to take his shape. I don't fucking know."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Beside me, Cole crosses her arms and tilts her head at Benny, "You didn't think to ask why? Why the fuck would you help Rufus anyway?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Benny holds out his arms, shrugging before walking away. Cole and I share an exasperated look, just as Benny turns back to us, "You know, I'm allowed to do it when I have permission, man."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole sighs, "Back to zero."

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Cᴏʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ Bʀɪɴᴋ's POV

CATE LETS OUT A YELP AS I STORM INTO HER DORM ROOM, grumbling under my breath. "Who the fuck says 'cool' after taking someone's virginity?" I kick Cate's minifridge, and she winces from her bed, getting up and guiding me away from the fridge.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate sits me down on her bed and leans in front of me on her knees, holding my hands. "What's wrong, Coco?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My shoulders deflate, and my frown deepens as I look everywhere but Cate. "I need help with my themfriend," I whisper, and Cate tilts her head, confused, forcing me to speak up. "I need help with my themfriend."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Themfriend?" Cate asks, and I nod, feeling a little elated at the thought of Jordan as my themfriend. "Yeah. It's boyfriend/girlfriend but they-ified."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"They-ified..." Cate purses her lips and shakes her head, getting back on the very important task. "Okay, break it down for me."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Without warning, I get off the bed and start pacing Cate's dorm. "During our blackout, Jordan and I had sex," I chew on the inside of my bottom lip and let out a small frustrated scream, "Like mind-blowing sex that I can't remember," I turn to Cate and point at her, "I'm still sore, Cate. That's probably mind-blowing sex."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate stands up from her kneeled position and sits on her bed, looking at me with a slightly scrunched-up face. "Could be because it was your first time, Coco."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I glare at Cate slightly, and she raises her hands in defense. "Or it was mind-blowing sex."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I go back to pacing the room and I rub my hands together, "I thought everything would be okay and that we'd figure it out when we woke up. They were smiling at me and everything, and then they just ignored me when we were talking about Rufus this morning."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I let out a gasp and turn to Cate, "Do you think it's because I took their underwear?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate snaps her head back and blinks slowly, "That's a lot of information, Coco."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I let my shoulders deflate and grumble, "It's not science rocket, Cate."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate purses her lips, "Pretty sure it's rocket science."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I clench my hands together before continuing, "Anyway, we were going around campus, and they basically told me that we were cool and that we weren't anything."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate frowns and inhales deeply, "Well, do you think it might be because they're scared?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I scoff, "Scared? I'm scared, too, Cate! I mean, I've never liked anyone before..." I trail off, and I stop over at Cate's desk, leaning on it. I sigh deeply, "If there was anything I've ever felt that was close to...love, it would be the way I feel for Jordan."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate stares at me wide-eyed, and I can't stop my mouth, "I mean, they have soft hair, and their dimples show when they smile. When Jordan's a boy, they're gentler, but I also like their assertiveness when they're a girl. My heart gets all fluttery around them, and my brain gets a little fuzzy."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate looks at me with a soft look, "Well, I think that's amazing. You deserve someone amazing."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My cheeks flush, and I let out a squeal, "I like Jordan," I scrunch up my face with a smile before nodding, "I should probably try to find them."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I lean off of Cate's desk and accidentally rattle it, dropping something off the edge. I cringe slightly, and I crouch down to pick up what I dropped.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I realize that it's Cate's eye drops to help her with her eye bleeds when she uses her powers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I frown slightly as I pick it up, noticing that it's almost empty. I could've sworn I had gotten her a new bottle a week ago. These are supposed to last her a month, assuming she only uses them once a day.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The crippling pain in my head comes back, and this time it's stronger, making my knees buckle beneath me. I fall to the ground and clutch my head, and I faintly hear Cate call out my name before she grabs me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My breaths come quick and shallow, and I clench my eyes shut.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Everything goes quiet suddenly, and I don't feel Cate's arms on me anymore.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I take a deep breath before opening my eyes. I blink rapidly, trying to make sense of everything.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I'm back in the room Jordan and I were in this morning, but from the lack of light peeking through the windows, it's still early morning.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I stand up from my crouched position to see Jordan and me cuddling on the bed, and my heart warms for a second.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The door to the bedroom creaks open, and I see myself in the bed blinking awake. My mouth parts on its own as I watch Cate walk into the room with watery and slightly bloody eyes.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I don't remember this happening.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Myself from this morning rubs her eyes, oblivious to Cate's eyes. Cate walks over to Earlier Colette, and the latter removes her hand from her eyes and looks over at Cate with a pout, "Why does this keep happening? First Andre, now you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Earlier Colette makes sure that the sheets are on Jordan before looking over at Cate closely, noticing her eyes. Earlier Colette's eyes widen, and she reaches out to Cate, "Hey, what's wrong?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate grabs Earlier Colette's hand, and I notice that Cate doesn't have her gloves on. So does the other Colette, "Cate..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm so sorry, Colette," Cate whispers, a tear falling out of her eyes, "I didn't want to have to do this again."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀When I blink again, I'm back in Cate's dorm with her hands on me. Her gloved hands, but I still shove her away.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I don't even notice that I'm crying until I'm forced to blink away the tears to see clearly.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Get the fuck away from me, Cate." I let out heavy breaths as I stagger to my feet, putting space between us, "You took away our memories?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I watch Cate go from confused to shocked to sad, and the small part of me that hoped it wasn't true dies.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Coco..." Cate pleads, taking a step toward me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Don't!" I shout, flames appearing in my hands, and Cate takes a step back in shock. She stares at me for a moment before stepping two steps forward, making me step back, but I slam into her closet.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate keeps stepping toward me, and the flames in my hands get bigger. My eyes well up with more tears, and I inhale deeply, "I don't want to hurt you, Cate."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You won't," Cate whispers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She holds her hands up slowly. Despite myself, I let the flames fade away, and she interlocks our hands. The tears running down her face match mine, and I shake my head, my voice trembling, "Don't do this, Cate."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I don't—I can't—hurt Cate.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She's still my friend.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀You can't be weak if you want to survive.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I inhale sharply, my eyes flaming up.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan's voice travels through my mind, "You're not your dad, Cole."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The flames disappear, and Cate's bottom lip trembles, "I wish it didn't have to be like this."

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Jᴏʀᴅᴀɴ Lɪ's POV

"I DON'T KNOW," I sigh, taking a gulp straight from the vodka bottle between Maverick and me, "I mean..." I put down the bottle and cross my arms on my knees, "she just seemed so fucking freaked out when she woke up with me looking like..." I motion to my body. I shifted to my female form a few hours ago.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I chuckle because, if I don't, I'm pretty sure I'll cry, "Like this."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I sigh and lean my head against the wall as I rub my thighs before interlocking my hands, "Jenny Boccabella was my first girlfriend in the sixth grade. And she always wanted me to just be a guy. So I changed for her."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Did you ask if Colette was freaked out?" Maverick asks, and I realize that I haven't. Before I can say anything, Maverick adds, "She might not give a shit."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Fuck.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I mean, I..." I scoff a bit, "No. I just assumed that that's what she'd want."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"That's on you," From the corner of my eye, I see Maverick's glasses and cap move in my direction, "You're the one who turns into a dude to hook up with her. This is your hangup, not hers."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I think he's right, and, for some reason, I feel like I've had this conversation before.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Fucking déjà vu.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Fuck," I frown before turning to him, "You think?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah," Maverick nods with a light tone, clearly not sweating this like I am, "Look, for all you know, she's cool with hiding the sausage and bumping donuts." I chuckle into my lap, humming softly.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Like," Maverick shrugs, or at least I think he does, "sometimes, I hide in the women's showers and watch girls jerk off and sometimes I hide in the men's."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Hold the fuck up.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Gender's just a construct," Maverick finishes, and I gape at him with a raised eyebrow, "What the fuck, dude?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Maverick turns to me, "Hey, man, no kink shaming."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Down the hall, a goat—sorry, Sloane—bleats and struts down the hall, making Maverick groan.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Aw, fuck, I got to go," Maverick's eyes, or glasses, dart between Sloane and me, "She's super pissed at me."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sloane, wait!" Maverick calls out as he gets to his feet, running after her, "Come on, don't be like that."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Down the opposite hall, I hear a door creak open and close. I look over to see Cole walking out of a dorm, and she looks around.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My heart rate skyrockets, and I stand to my feet. My eyes are wide and locked on hers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Jordan," she mutters, slowly walking up to me with a slightly confused look.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Look," I walk up to her faster, stopping a few feet before her, "I know I said earlier that..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My eyes land on her puffy cheeks, and I lift my hands to cup them, "What the hell happened to you?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Has she been crying?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She lifts her hands to her cheeks and shrugs, "I don't know. Maybe my period's coming soon," she frowns before blinking, "So, what were you saying?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Okay, listen," I hold her cheeks a bit more firmly and take a step closer to her, "I know I said that we were cool earlier, but I don't know if that's actually true. I mean, I've been doing a lot of thinking, and..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"What do you mean?" She interrupts, and I wonder if it was a bad idea to take advice from Maverick. Fuck.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"What do you mean?" I ask, flipping around the question.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her eyebrows draw together, and she tilts her head, "You never said we were cool."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I pause, my eyebrows shooting down, "Yes, I did, before we chased Rufus."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She looks even more confused now, and I pull my hands away. "Like," she shrugs, her face scrunched up in the cute way it always does, "the walking hormone, Rufus? Like Draco Malfoy lookalike Rufus? Why...why would we chase him?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My face drops, and I swear I see red.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"He fucking wiped you again," I curse, and Cole looks even more confused, making me scoff, "That motherfucker."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I move past Cole and see Marie walk down the hall, her eyes widening when she sees me. "Jordan!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Can't talk, Marie," I go to move past her, "I have to kill Rufus."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Wait," Marie grabs my arm, stopping me from continuing down the hall. Her hand hovers over my shoulder, and I give her a pointed look.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie scoffs and rolls her eyes, "I think there's something there."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Something?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She keeps her hand hovering over my shoulder, and I catch Cole walking up to us, confused as hell.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie must use her powers on me because I suddenly become aware of a small object on my shoulder.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The object in my shoulder begins to move as Marie focuses, and I fight not to shift. If I do, she won't be able to get whatever's in me out.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I let out a cry as my skin breaks, the small object inside of my shoulder breaking out and into Marie's hand.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cole is immediately by my side and glaring at Marie, "What the fuck did you do?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Not me," Marie corrects, holding up the small object.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀No, it's not just a small object.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It's a fucking tracker.

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Cᴏʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ Bʀɪɴᴋ's POV

ON THE WAY TO DUSTY'S HOUSE, where Rufus is, Jordan explains everything to me. The fact that Rufus had wiped our memories earlier, and then erased mine for a second time.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Despite hearing the unwavering conviction in Jordan's voice, a nagging doubt gnaws at me. Something inside whispers that it couldn't be Rufus, but the question stays: if not him, then who?

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Yet, anger pulses through me, a fierce, raging fire. The moment Jordan parks their car outside Dusty's house, I hop out, striding with purpose towards the front door.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I kick open the door, seeing Rufus reclining on the couch with a bottle of Coke and a pizza. The TV in the background is playing The Mesmerizer. Fucking hate that kid.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Rufus' eyes widen as he watches me, Marie, and Jordan walk in.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Rufus," Jordan firmly closes the front door behind them, "time for a chat."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"No, no, no," Rufus stammers, trying to rise from the couch as Jordan grabs the remote from the nightstand. They shut off the TV, and Rufus gasps, "Stay the fuck away!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Rufus tries to run, but Jordan hits him with an energy blast, knocking him to the ground.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The idiot still tries to get up, and Marie cuts open her hand, sending a string of blood around his ankle. She pulls him back a few feet away from us, and he grunts.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"No," He pants, trembling on the floor, "let me go."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"We just want to talk," Marie vows, but the blood is still pooling around her hand.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"God," Rufus scoffs, "I swear to fucking Christ I never touched any of you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I falter for a second, but Jordan doesn't. "What are you and Shetty up to? This is way above your weaselly pay grade," Jordan tilts their head, "but you're fucking with us for a reason."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"You're all fucking nuts," Rufus shudders, "Look at the facts."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I shrug with slitted eyes, "Oh, the facts I can't remember because of you? Those facts?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Rufus crawls backward as I take a step forward. He holds his hand out, pleading, "Okay, okay, wait. Wait, wait, wait. You say I wiped your memory tonight, right? Except I couldn't have done that, because my powers only work up close, and I've been here for the last five hours."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He looks over at Dusty, who's snorting something on his kitchen counter, "Please tell them!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Dusty snorts one more line before looking up at Rufus, shrugging, "I'm pretty yipped on 2C-B right now, but that sounds right."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"That doesn't mean you're innocent," Jordan takes a step forward, reaching into their pocket and showing Rufus the trackers that were in both of our necks, "What the fuck is this?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Rufus shrugs, his voice hard, "How the fuck do I know?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"It was implanted in our," Jordan motions to all of us, "fucking necks!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Behind me, Marie's phone buzzes. Jordan and I both look back at Marie and a second later, Rufus tries to run again.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan sends another blast at Rufus before shifting to their male form, clearly ready for a fight.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan takes a menacing step toward Rufus while Marie picks up her phone behind me.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Look, I just work in the dean's office, okay?" Rufus gets up on his feet and shakes his head, "I don't know shit about implants, and I didn't do shit to you at the party."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I watch Jordan narrow his eyes at Rufus, "Stop fucking lying!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Colette," Marie whispers behind me, and I look back to see her handing me her phone.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I take the phone from her slowly before putting it to my ear, "Hello?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Colette?" It's Emma, and she keeps talking before I can answer, "Sam is Golden Boy's brother. Cate made him forget he even had a brother over and over and over. And, look, I know Rufus is a monster, but so is Cate."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀But so is Cate.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I wince slightly, feeling a throbbing pain in my head.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Get the fuck away from me, Cate." I let out heavy breaths as I stagger to my feet, putting space between us, "You took away our memories?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I watch Cate go from confused to shocked to sad, and the small part of me that hoped it wasn't true dies.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I hand back the phone to Marie with a trembling hand without replying and turn back to see Rufus pleading for his life.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Pl-Please don't kill me," Rufus cries.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I've been waiting all night for this," Jordan fumes, and I grab their arm before they can advance on Rufus.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Jordan," My voice comes out shaky, and I force myself to calm down before I continue, "it's not him. It's Cate."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan shakes their head, "What? That's fucking crazy."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I know," I nod, and I clench my eyes shut for a moment, "but I'm a hundred percent sure."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan nods slowly, and we step back from Rufus just in time to see him get thrown into Dusty's laundry room with a keg barrel.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We both freeze and turn back to see Andre holding his hand up, looking the angriest I've ever seen him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Fuck," Jordan whispers beside me. Andre starts to walk robotically toward Rufus, but Jordan shakes their head, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, Andre, hold on, hold on."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre doesn't listen to him, "Move. This scumbag's mine."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Andre!" I call out as Andre walks into the laundry room. He ignores me and stares down Rufus, "Nowhere to run, motherfucker." His powers seek out garden shears and launch them at Rufus' shoulder, pinning him to the wall.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan, Marie, and I all run in front of Rufus, holding our hands out. Andre tilts his head furiously, but I see a crack in his anger.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Just stop. It wasn't him," Marie shouts, and Jordan is quick to add on, "It was Cate!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre shakes his head, his jaw clenching, "Bullshit. Cate would never do something like that." Andre lifts his hands, and his powers grab a shovel, and he goes to launch it at Rufus.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate's voice breaks out in the room, "Andre, don't!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre stops the shovel an inch short of Rufus' neck and addresses his girlfriend without looking at her, "Cate, tell them it isn't true."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm so sorry," Cate whispers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I watch Andre shudder, and his hands fall, letting the shovel fall too.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I feel someone come up behind me, and it's Jordan. They pull me back slightly, and as much as I don't want to because Cate isn't a monster, I take a step back.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre's eyes widen, and he turns to face Cate, whose eyes well up with tears. Her voice is thick with emotion as she speaks, "I've only ever wanted to help and protect you. I just wanted to make things better, and..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She trails off and instead takes a step toward Andre, her gloves off. She puts her hands on his head, and in a second, she pulls away her hands.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The whites of her eyes turn bloody, and I hear Andre shudder, and my heart hurts.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Cate must see something I can't because she cries more, "An-Andre, pl-please understand, I didn't..."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Andre interrupts her, whispering, "You're a fucking monster." With that, he walks out of the room.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I take a step forward, and Jordan pulls me back against their chest. I shake my head, though, looking back at them. Our eyes lock, and we speak silently. With a tight squeeze on my waist, they let me go.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I take slow steps towards Cate, my voice firm, "I want to remember."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Coco..." Cate tries to talk, but I shake my head, narrowing my eyes at her, "Don't."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I don't want her to fucking talk.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She inhales shakily, nodding, and places her hands on the sides of my head. I hear someone take a step forward, but I can't focus on anything other than what's happening.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀In an instant, my memories surge back.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀All my impactful memories with Luke.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀His death.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My interview with Tek Knight.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My kiss with Jordan becomes clearer.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Us fighting and trying to help Sam Riordan.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀My unforgettable night with Jordan.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It all rushes back, overwhelming my senses.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀When I open my eyes, the feeling of my heart shattering all over again washes over me.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄

miscommunication trope, fear of not being loved, and betrayal go hard. hard enough to break my heart, but not as hard as Jordan will be in the next chapter which is a flashback to the night they black out...)

anyway, here're my GIF options for the chapter!

▍PUBLISHED . . 10/23/23 — ♡︎ ୫
© POETICLULLS, 2023