Chips of white dust broke off the chalk, snapping at the end as the teacher pressed harder onto the blackboard. Students quietly whispered behind him, hands shielding their mouths, hiding their lips so they couldn't be openly read. No on paid attention to the blocky red letters hovering in the air above a square device that projected lessons for them instead of from a book.

He clapped his hands as he faced the restless class."Can someone tell me the events that began the third world?" The teacher asked his students. Ashamed faces stared back at him, the guilt clear in their eyes. Pleased he caught them in the act of neglecting their duties, he began raking his eyes over the bowed heads, deciding his victim. "Care to briefly explain the events, Cateline?"

Stultified golden eyes shifted from watching the window to the expectant teacher. Cateline silently rose from her desk and lifted up her thin paperback book. Around her, friends offered encouragement, giving her the thumbs up underneath their desks. To her right a boy played his gameboy, his troop slaying the zombified beast lunging at him, his lack of care to know his life astounding.

She sighed, staring at the small words written in her book. What she revised came from her thoughts. "In 2116, The entire world was being confronted with the growing possibility of a nuclear war. Countries such as the United States, Russia, France, Germany, and China began taking action in preparation of a sudden break out. They began creating radioactive missiles, bombs, and rockets capable of being launched overseas. For five years, everyone was plagued with fear as nuclear warfare drew closer. "

"Alright, please stop there." The teacher interrupted, expectant as he waited patiently for another student willing to continue.

"Didn't the countries begin to build underground cities and tunnels?" A boy rested his chin on his wrist, staring in boredom at the red letters floating in the air.

"Correct," The teacher waved his hand at Cateline.

Cateline looked down at her book. "In preparation of a massive human extinction, countries began seeking technology to block radiation. They also began creating massive tunnel systems that were dug deep into the Earth. With advanced equipment, it was made possible to create large functional bunkers and small cities."

The same boy from earlier coughed loudly. "What about The Day Without The Sun?"

Ready to answer, Cateline opened her mouth, but the teacher raised his hand, cutting her off. "Why don't you recite what happened, Clement."

Satisfied, Clement rose from his chair, fixing his tie. "As you wish, teacher. November 17, 2125 became known around the world as The Day Without The Sun. Two missiles were fired, one struck in Nevada, United States and the other in Moscow, Russia. It was never dated or recorded the type of missiles or who had fired them. Civilians fled into the tunnels and bunkers; however, thousands died due to mass panic break outs as well as nuclear radiation. It was estimated about 1 billion of humanity died out, and the rest were left with the burden to further the generations." He finished, leaving an ominous note.

Cateline gathered breathes of air, readying herself to take Clement's place. Her classmates remained silent as they tried to imagine the destruction during the Second World. How different their lives would be if two missiles hadn't been shot off. Drifting her eyes to the teacher, she waited until he dipped his head, allowing her to finish, and she gazed back down at the inked words on the pages. "December 1, 2125 was the end of the Second World, the era of the Third World taking up residence. Radiation scorched Earth, killing off millions of precious plants and animals. Nothing could inhale the poisoned air or grow life into the black soil. Craters as large as three football fields are recorded remnants of the war, the shards of metal becoming secured artifacts of the missiles. Humanity had to try and survive hidden inside the ground, without contact or knowing whether there were more people alive."

Classmates began to murmur latest gossip around her, trying to hide their moving mouths from the teacher. Cateline faltered on her words, glancing in the corner of her eye to speculate the impatient activity. This was pointless, she should have just summarized the text from the beginning. Preferring that idea, she snapped her book close, drawing the lost attention of her peers.

"Five hundred years passed of the world being trapped underground, leaving a mark on humanity. During their time underground, they were able to advance their technology to greater lengths as it became the main focus. The main project was to create an enhanced human that could withstand great amounts of radiation. It was said a group of scientists studying bio-mechanical effects found success by creating the first Defective. A test tube made human, it was immune to radiation, and became the sole purpose of exploring the terrain. It was then humanity discovered they could live on the newly abundant plant growth and minimal life. The Defective had been a success."

"However, the experiment itself became a failure as the chemicals and constructed genomes allowed this human to have abilities beyond the normal capabilities, but their mind quickly deteriorated as a result. The Defective project was shut down for good after one of their projects wrecked havoc, killing many people and sharing its blood. What the scientists failed to end was the spread of the Defective disease, which laid dormant until the Fourth World started when the humans reclaimed the world."

Catine finished her lecture with an exhale and continued to stand, her fingers laced together as she patiently waited for her teacher's next move. Each word had been recited straight from the notes scrawled inside her notebook. It had been perfect, parfait, down to her last statement.

The teacher remained silent for a moment, eyes widened and mouth drooped down into a frown. She completely bested the lessons he educated his classes over the past several weeks. "Thank you, Cateline," he gestured for her to take a seat.

Nodding her head, Cateline brushed wrinkles out of her skirt and smoothed the fabric under her legs as she sat back in her chair. Honey golden locks slipped off her shoulders as she moved forward. He obviously wasn't pleased she surpassed his schooling degree. Shoulders stiffened, back straight as a pole, his usual leisurely stride advanced into a professional walk. Indifferent about the situation, she resumed her pleasant staring out the window, the courtyard of popular trees more appealing.

"Any questions?" The teacher asked the quiet crowd, directing spotlight trained on the high school girl onto him. " Cateline was quite thorough teaching us about the history and effects of the Second World's mistakes."

Almost immediately a hand rocketed over the sea of heads. "How were they unable to not find the location of the missile's firing? They should have had plenty of time to do so." Challenging brown eyes belonging to a skinny and short boy watched the teacher navigate through isles of desks.

"All the countries capable of owning nuclear weapons already had missiles and bombs ready to depart or be fired. When the missiles hit the surface, it wasn't long for the message to be spread, and lots of misconception caused the war to begin. There was no time investigate as all the time became invested in the safety and the war." The teacher circled around so he properly faced his student.

The boy shrank in his seat, embarrassment coloring his ears a rubescent. Snickers erupted from a couple girls behind him, their giggles muffled by hair and shirt collars, eyes adverting the burning gaze of their teacher.

"No question is bad," he chided, looming over the group of girls until they restrained the laughter tickling their insides, threatening to surge upwards unless they bit their tongues. "In fact, is there any one you that would like to ask?"

Off to his right, a girl hesitantly extended her curled fists, shaking as she lifted her hand. She paused before it reached her head, wavering for a moment. "Uh umm, how did the people survive in the ground? There was no sun to grow crops or animals to hunt...." Trailing off, she lowered her hand and busied them with her blonde hair twisted into pigtail braids.

The teacher's smile didn't reach his eyes, yet he stared down at the girl with a polite indifference. "Ah yes, that was all thanks to technology. Specialized scientists teamed together to create bio-engineered plants that could grow with solar light substitute instead of the sun. Very few livestock had been retrieved, so meat often came from tube born animals. Humanity also learned to adapt to eating other animals such as fox, cat, and anything that had been recovered."

Timorous, the girl barely managed a meager nod of her head. Her teeth gnawed on her bottom lip, fat and a bruised purple from irritation.

Cateline shifted her gaze from trees swaying in the slight breeze outside, noticing the teacher's lingering presence near her desk. Apparently waiting for her to speak, comment about the topic, he headed in her direction. Musing, she rolled her fountain pen, containing her placid expression.

Alaine, her closest friend she had in this class, hummed thoughtfully. Purposefully loud, she drew the attention away from Cateline, like she always tended to do. "How come the scientists couldn't kill the Defective? They are slow and stupid, it should have been easy as making cherry pie."

"Cherry pie isn't that easy," Geffrey, her boyfriend she consistently broke up with muttered under his breath.

Alaine cast him a sharp glare worthy of rivaling jagged broken glass.

"Please leave that for outside of the class." The teacher stepped between the two youths, his dominating aura evaporating the tension. "Remember, the scientists altered the original human DNA strands with the dead genomes of a human infected with an extreme amount of radiation. Under close attention, they tube tested a living fetus that could handle an immense amount of radiation. When the DNA of that creation morphed and became cancerous it created the strange powers that Defectives have today." He explained, tapping Alaine's desk impatiently with her phone. He grabbed her phone she was blatantly texting her complaints to about Geffrey.

Alaine's pulled her hands onto her lap, scowling at the teacher's back. "I didn't ask for a story, I want to know why more of them spread."

Cateline faced her friend, placing a delicate smile on her glossy pink lips. "They created more than one defective, Alaine. They crossbred the animals and then it spread out of control when a Defective shared his blood into a human. The dormant genes expanded into other people until reawakening ten years later after the incident. Silly, didn't you study?"

Alaine's flushed a pink, a teasing angry spark in her eyes. "You know I don't do that thing, Cateline."

The teacher barked out a few coughs, interrupting their friendly conversation.

Cateline winked at her friend, shuffling her body to face the angry middle aged man at the front of the class. Metaphorical hands clasping her ability shut opened the gates, allowing it waft and infect the people in the room. A flowery, delectable smell engulfed the air, scented only from her nose. "Sir, I don't mean to be a bother but you had best start the test soon. There's only thirty minutes until class ends." She released her endorphins, watching a pink glittering haze float lazily about the room.

The teacher remained oblivious to the enchantment taking over his mind, inhaling the smells of foxglove, irises, and honey. "Of course, you're absolutely right. Thank you, Cateline." Walking to his desk, he tapped a key, shutting off the block red letters hovering above the device. "Everyone, remove your things from your desks. I hope you know the drill, and please, do not cheat. I'm talking to you, Peter."

The boy hacking away at the monsters invading his holographic screen rose from his battle zone. An indentation of the desk marked his forehead. "Oh, yeah, right teacher." His screen paused and switched, a tiny box appearing in its place. Scrolls of the tests answers moved in a circular motion around the square faces.

Few people laughed at his carelessness, most rolling their eyes in annoyance. He wasn't high on the social status, a reaction wasn't necessary.

"Right right," the teacher replied back as he shuffled together a stack of packets. Leaning over his desk, he handed a boy the tests to hand out. "Best of luck," he added, placing two fingers at his forehead, giving them the common good luck squads often used. It felt like a sign meant to signal their deaths.

                                        ---
"I can't believe him," Alaine whined as she fussed with her auburn hair. Streaks of pale pink made an appearance underneath her voluminous and primped wavy locks.

Cateline gently placed her books on her desk, moving yesterday's lunch bag bulging with contents to grab a ripened tomato. It had been what her mother packed, demanding she eat the entire sack. Bologna slapped underneath twin slices of wheat bread, making friends with the Swiss cheese still made her stomach roll. She ended up settling on the fresh pulled carrots and the green apple that tasted sour.

"He was so rude," Mavis echoed, giving her close companion a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

Cateline set the tomato on her desk, contentedly listening to her friends gossip about Alaine's boyfriend.

Alaine bushed a fake tear off her thick eyelashes. "What do you think, Cateline?"

"Those colors in your hair will get you expelled." Cateline's eyes knitted together in concern, her nimble hands reaching up and touching the pink tips.

"You worry too much, school is almost over anyways." Alaine half-heartedly slapped her hand away. She enjoyed soaking up all the attention.

Mavis gasped in a mixture of concern and surprise. "What if the principal catches it, Alaine? What will you do?!"

Cateline graciously allowed her friend to take over the brooding, and instead diced her tomato with a plastic knife. She directed the attention away from the problem, no one could object or hate her if she never gave an opinion.

"Do you have anything else for lunch?" Alaine inquired curiously, poking contents inside Cateline's backpack, searching for anything edible.

"Just a tomato," She nibbled on a portion of the diced vegetable, displeased, the pulpy texture diminishing fresh garden flavors the tomato wanted to provide.

Mavin pulled out a few crumpled bills from her bejeweled purple wallet and held them out for Alaine to see. "Come on, let's go see what the cafeteria has."

Alaine ceased rummaging through Cateline's belongings, her frustrated sulk turning into a triumphant beam. "I knew I could count of you Mavin." She draped her arm over the girl's shoulder and looked at her other friend. "We'll be back, Cateline. Remember, if Geffrey comes over, just ignore him."

Cateline nodded, her eyes following the two girls as they walked out of the room giggling. Silence crept up once her clique's voices echoed in the vast hallway outside the classroom, a blessing in disguise. Content, she returned to eating bits of her tomato, trying to avoid getting seeds stuck in her teeth.

Few occupants were clustered in groups, surrounding desks or corners of the room. Airy conversations charged people with excitement, superficial smiles unable to reach their eyes. She found the lot of them half-baked, worth little of her attention. Alaine and Mavin barely surpassed standard levels of ignorance and mundane. Their company secured her a high social ranking; more eyes became trained on her appearance, but unwanted attention shifted in the other direction.

Plant tasting juice alienated her tuned senses, further dulling her absent appetite. She wrapped up the remaining red slices in a brown paper napkin, unsated the vegetable couldn't compete with its relatives such as carrots or peppers. Rising from her seat, she picked up her paperback study book and flipped through the pages, settling on her illustrious handwriting of copied notes.

"Hey, did you hear about the defective caught on the streets last night?" A boy loosened his red tie until it hung low on his neck. He combed over the curious and skeptical mixture of eyes, relaxing himself on top of his desk. "I heard they found a little girl, covered in blood, stabbing a woman in the chest."

One of the girls pursed her lips,"That sounds like a homicide to me." Two boys behind her nodded in agreement.

"I didn't finish my story," the boy waved his hand, smirking at the growing crowd of people edging closer, leaning forward to capture a few words. "The squads found her during one of their late night patrols, stabbing the already dead woman. Cautious, they circled her, ready to shoot if it came down to it. The girl was crying mama the entire time, not paying attention to the squads closing in."

The girl again dramatically sighed, earning herself several annoyed glares. "I think you're making this up."

Provoked, the boy raised his finger, waving it at her face. "I swear it's true," he argued back, jumping off the desk.

"Don't listen to her, Takoda." Another girl clutched his shirt, looking at him with pleading eyes. "Please finish the story!"

Takoda smiled at the girl, hand brushing down her flushed cheek. "Alright, since the lady asked." He agreed and settled comfortably onto the desk again. "Well, the girl was dressed in rags and reeked from the sewers. Even her hair was black from the stink below. She finally stopped stabbing the woman and turned to the squads."

Cateline turned the page of her paperback book, tossing the brown wad into the waste bin. Walking, she slowed her pace as she waited for what Takoda decided what to provide them with next.

"She looked at them with soulless eyes," Takoda slowly eased himself off his perch, gathering in heads eager to hear what happened next. "And she pounced!" He leaped at the nearest girl, seizing her shoulders in a tight grip.

Shrill screams filled the classroom followed by laughter.

The girl wagged her finger at the boy. "I knew it! You were lying!"

Cateline didn't care to hear the quarrel between the two, striding over to her desk, annoyed she believed Takoda's spun tale. He was famously known for his ridiculous rumors and stories. She proved the shallowness inside the Wonts, their sympathy towards the defectives.

"Did you like Takoda's short novel?"

She closed her book, glanced over her shoulder, and properly looked Geffrey head to shoes. "Alaine firmly stated I can't speak to you." Cateline brushed her hair behind her shoulders, a frown on her face.

"You know Alaine, that will last for a few days." He tagged closely behind, arms limp at his sides, hands tucked inside his pants pocket.

Cateline continued her devotion for her friend and promptly ignored him, lashes low as she studied her notes. Fully aware of his lingering presence, she picked up her pen, jotting down more of her studies. He understood nothing of her hostile, quick scribbling, her loopy handwriting shaping into rough curves. She wondered how long he planned to stand there as the minutes passed.

"What are you doing here?" Alaine stomped along the row of desks and slammed down her tray of assorted foods. Mavin slipped quietly over to Cateline, wincing as she got a full view of the lover's spat.

Geffrey slumped into a chair. "Talking to your friend here." He replied, nodding his head in her direction with a cocky smirk.

Alaine gave her a venomous glare.

"Why don't we just eat," Mavin suggested tentatively before busying herself, dipping her spoon into her scoop able kiwi.

Peace drifted among the group, mouths dutiful as they chewed marinated mushrooms, pulverized veal, and crunched on broccoli. During their moment of silence, Alaine offered up her bowl of spinach to Geffrey who gratefully accepted. Cateline expected, hoped things would continue, but her lovely reticence shattered.

"Takoda's story is true, there were some kids talking about it at the neighboring schools." Geffrey spoke up, his words directed towards Cateline reading her notebooks. He stabbed the leafy greens in the bowl, swirling them until ranch dripped off the round edges.

"Was it about defectives again?" Alaine interrupted, poking her fork at him.

Geffrey nodded. "There have been quite a few reports of them my dad tells me. Apparently some got weary of hiding in the catacombs."

Cateline lifted her head, clicking her mechanical pen thoughtfully.

"Defectives are stupid beings, they should be kept in cages where they belong." Alaine snorted, stuffing her mouth full of mushrooms.

Mavin let out a tiny gasp, her lunch forgotten. "You don't mean that!"

"Of course I do," her friend snapped,"Defectives are a bunch of rabid animals, I mean they are sick in the brain or mind or something."

Geffrey sighed and muttered french under his breath. "Alaine, you shouldn't speak like that so openly." He warned.

Cateline decided it her time to include her input. "I agree, please refrain from saying such insolent words. You'll ruin your beautiful looks."

Alaine pressed a hand to her chest, forgiving Cateline for her rude statement. "I think you may be right, are there wrinkles on my face?" She set down her fork to pat her cheeks, searching for any rolls or indents of the skin.

"Not a single one," Cateline sweetly promised, leaning over to force her friend's hands downwards. The perfume smell strongly fogged the air, hiding the hideous frown inside her heart.

-------

Ragged murky green fabric covered in frayed holes glared at her, slouched in the far corner of her miniature locker, hidden behind piles of books and other valuables, including a small knife. Trading her school bag for the rucksack, she grabbed the old strap, the fabric soft against her skin. Her locker closed with a distinct click, locking shut, hiding the secrets inside. A few students milled around the entrance doors, waiting for friends or rides home. Alone, Cateline could breath easy, nobody dared question what she did.

Walking past the wide open glass doors, she headed towards the main roads of Paris. Anticipation bubbled in her feet and moved faster, her eyes locked in front of her as she entered the busy streets. Her school wasn't located far from the city, built closer with the purpose mainly being convenience.

Street lights glowed yellow light, shining onto the sidewalk. The sun stretched evening rays, painting the sky with hues of purple, pink, and orange. Regularly patrolling squads lined the cobblestone, but she didn't mind as long as she bore witness to the bright ball of fire sinking lower behind the city's cream and brown buildings. Cateline tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and reluctantly turned her back away. It seemed to be the most horrible decision she made in a long while.

She strolled beside the dark blue depths of river Seine, gentle waves smacking the stone. Her hand stayed on the railing, eyes gazing upon the elderly people shuffling from cafe tables towards their homes. Business men began closing up shop, square signs hanging on door knobs flipped over, showing the 'closed' side. At some point a man shielded behind his tinted black helmet recited the rules for children her age to not be wandering the streets at night, it was dangerous with the increase of Defective reports. It would be best if she returned home, locked the door, and enjoyed time with her family.

Cateline politely dipped her head, smiled as the pink fog wrapped the man in a flowery hug, and continued on her journey.

By now the sun sank deep into the river's waters, staining the blue with scarlet, and she mused over the fact it seemed blood ran thick tonight. Deep in the city, street lamps pulsed, broken ones flickering as they tried to help people wandering the sidewalks. She stopped beside a lone staircase leading down next to the river. Looking around, she released her strangling hold on the pink glittering fog, letting it drift until she felt she could faint from the intoxicating smell.

Only then did she take the staircase, stopping at the end to leap over the black barred railing and onto a narrow cement path. Her rucksack jostled as she made the jump. Cateline panted in excitement, her fingers trembling as she hurried over to an archway carved into the stone wall yawning over her head. Shadows blanketed the arched tunnel in darkness, reaching for her feet as she stepped forward to face the black. A glint flashed through her eyes, her heart pounding harshly in her chest. Accepting the shadows, she walked forward, letting her backpack fall to the ground with a metallic clank.

She ran her hands through her hair, feeling the silky locks shrivel and dry up, falling in chunks. Chocolate brown sprouted in replacement, the curls framing her face as bones reshaped. Cheek bones became rounder and smaller, the golden glow in her eyes swirling as dark blue storms drowned the oil paint. Cateline chuckled, feeling the tickle as her voice took on a higher pitch, and she laughed as she shrank. Her skirt dropped to the ground, her hands vanishing inside the sleeves of her coat and white undershirt, too big the fabric fell off her narrow shoulders. Her internal organs rearranged themselves, crunching and packing together, and she felt something familiar between her legs. Stumbling, weak on her new legs, she tripped over her skirt as she moved over to her backpack. Inside, she scrapped around, taking out a circular mirror. A child no older than nine with a head full of brown curly hair stared blankly back at her, his mouth a hard line. The transformation was finally complete.

Naked, and shivering as the uniform no longer fit him, he set aside the mirror so he could pull out a spare set of clothes. Putting on a pair of tight boxers, he smiled brightly at the more appealing fit, he preferred them over panties any day. Next came a pair of thermal, waterproof black leggings that clung to his pale skin. He then pulled a thermal, waterproof shirt over his head followed by an old orange t-shirt. Making sure everything fit properly, he slipped on a thin parka, the hood lined with faux fur. While he wriggled his toes, he unlaced black and pink running sneakers. They fit perfectly on his feet, which he found amusing this body didn't age. New strength flowed through his veins, he wanted to run, jump, and of course, fight. Before the fun could commence, there was a final task.

Searching his bag, he gingerly took out a parcel tucked deep inside below the spare outfit. Carefully unwrapping the paper, he trembled, anxious to see his precious treasure again. It revealed to be a Japanese styled fox mask, face painted with smooth strokes of red and gold. Running his fingers over the designs, he felt the curved grooves of the muzzle and shape of the small ears. He came to a halt at the red satin strings, clear beads tied at the ends. Closing his eyes, he fitted the mask over his face, feeling the cool porcelain greet his freckled face. Like so many times before he used the strings to tie a clean and neat knot, fastening the mask in place. Now he felt complete.

He hurried about, gathering his uniform and undergarments, stuffing them inside the rather empty rucksack. Nothing remained besides the other tomato and his assortment of knives and sharp rocks. When he needed his weapons he would grab them. He checked to make sure no one saw his drastic change, if they did all they would see now would be a nine year old boy in a parka, his face hidden behind a Japanese fox mask. Confident, he began walking deep into the tunnels. Lastly, he remembered the name the body had. Aiden.