Bubbles supported his body while he floated in an ocean of warm water. That was the best he could describe the soothing feelings that caressed his mind. Strangely, he had experienced his feeling before, long ago where his memories faded like the background of a painting. He wanted to live in this suspended time, but brilliant flashes of light seared across his vision, bringing him out of his stupor.

Aiden awoke from his dream-like state, his eyes reluctant to peel open and adjust to the dim glow of a white tunnel light. He briefly wondered where he was when he remembered the previous events of his collision with the ground. Forcing himself into a sitting position, he grimaced at his own carelessness. He used up too much of his power and was now suffering the consequences.

"You shouldn't move, my brother only just sewn up your wound." Aiden glared in the general direction he heard Sam's voice, his hand moving for his side. A crude tear in his shirt uncovered the gash slashed across his abdomen. Blood crusted over neatly sewn edges that had saved his life.

Sam set aside his fox mask she appeared to have been inspecting, saddened by a hairline crack in the porcelain. "Wilkins can use his hair for anything he wants," she explained to Aiden, "You should have said something before you started vomiting blood."

Her brother leaned against the tunnel wall in the darkness, digging the sharp edge of a knife into the ground. His shaggy locks didn't do much to hide the noticeably large patch of missing hair on the side of his head. "Now we're even," he said.

Aiden inspected Wilkins for a long moment. "We were never even," he felt the need to say, irritated by his lack of capability. "I need to leave." Ignoring the sharp jabs of pain that shot through his body, he rose to his feet.

"Wait, don't leave just yet," Sam rushed over to ease him back to the ground; her hands pushed forcefully on his shoulders.

"My bag," Aiden protested but sank under the pressure weighed on his shoulders. Sam's hand felt cool against his cheek as she brushed past; like a computer her entire being was downloaded into his brain, absorbed into his consciousness and stored among the thousands of other identities he stole.

Sam trembled, feeling something similar to a electric pulse. She glanced at Aiden staring at the ground with wide eyes before he seemed to relax quickly. "Did you drop it when you rescued us? I can get it for you, hang on."

Wilkins perked up at his sister's declaration. He shifted positions, grimacing at the pain in his leg. "No your not, it's dangerous."

"It's the least we can do for him." Sam argued with a sharp glare at her brother. "Besides, he'll be mad if we don't do our job, and we don't want to do that."

The wall felt surprisingly comfortable, perfectly slanted enough for a person to curl into the side for a nap. Aiden slumped against the tunnel, cradling his sewn up side and trying his best not to close his eyes. He needed food, more precisely energy. He needed his bag.

"Fine, then go, I'll watch over the kid." Defeated, Wilkins turned away from his sister. He pulled a black chip from inside his jean's pocket and tucked it inside his ear.

Sam scooted closer to her sulking brother, hand cupped over her mouth. She whispered quietly into his hear, voice low enough Aiden couldn't pick up on their conversation. "I'll be back," she pecked his cheek with a kiss before vanishing in a wink. The wind stirred at the spot she last sat.

Aiden barely processed she had teleported before she appeared in the air, her feet landing gracefully on the ground. In her hands was his backpack, riddled with holes and covered in a fine layer of dust. Surprised, he hesitated in reaching, grabbing his bag only when Sam offered it to him. A sheen of sweat glistened on her ghostly pale face and her hands shook with effort of holding his bag. He nodded his thanks before undoing its clasp and digging for his school clothes.

"Did you see anybody?" Wilkins asked. He demanded an answer right then and there without bothering to wait for his younger sibling to recover from expending a large amount of energy.

"Not a soul," Sam wheezed in between short breaths.

Aiden pulled out the white blouse, the tie still neatly fastened around the collar. He rested it gently on the ground to prevent dirt from dirtying the backside. Next, he found his skirt and knee high socks and buckle shoes, relieved to know they were unharmed despite their rumpled appearance.

Sam and Wilkins were seemingly speaking to each other, both of their backs turned away from him. They were deep in discussion, mostly the brother reassuring himself that his sister who looked to be knocking on death's door wasn't going to pass out. When they turned around, Sam slapped her hand over her brother's eyes.

Aiden was in the midst of changing back to Cateline, bones cracking as they reshaped. Brown curl hair grew down to his slender waist, changing to a rich honey blonde. Molten gold dominated the dark blue until his eyes practically glowed. Every part that made him a male changed to a female. He was resigned changing back to his normal body, but felt better none the less to be in a familiar form.

Cateline didn't bother to cover her breasts, standing up and showing off all her goods to the two siblings.

Sam was the first one to speak up as she leaped on unsteady feet to shield Cateline's revealing body. Her cheeks were bright red like a ripe tomato. "Put on some clothes!" She shouted at now matured woman, throwing the school uniform at her.

Cateline kept her cool nature as she adjusted to the new body and personality. She slipped into her clothes like swimming in water, knowing she could attract the attention of even females if she so desired. "You shouldn't be so flustered, it ruins your appearance." Her voice changed from stubborn and childish to an elegant tone with a French accent.

Wilkins pushed the hand blocking his view, eyes hardened chips of ice. Cateline finished buttoning up her white undershirt when he glanced over at her in surprise. Red flushed through his cheeks suddenly and he looked away, understanding his sister's actions.

"The boy is actually a girl," Sam stated, her red sneakers kicking dirt. "You owe me twenty."

Cateline snapped her head in their direction, astonished by that new tidbit of information. A glimmer of anger flashed across her gaze and her lips pursed. She adjusted the tie around the collar of her shirt, jerking sharply to smooth the wrinkles.

"I don't owe you anything," Wilkins sighed at Sam. He rose to his feet, still unsteady from being teleported. "We weren't down here by chance, we have been looking for you."

"You stalked me," Cateline said matter of fact, livid.

"We weren't stalking you," Sam interrupted gently, biting her lip. She kept her gaze trained on the ground. "Someone asked us to keep an eye on you."

Cateline rose her brow, ignoring the growing embarrassment that choked the atmosphere. "Who?"

Wilkins lifted his chin and straightened his shoulders. "That's classified information and beside the point. This someone who gave us orders, they want you to come with us."

Deliberately, she slowly slipped into her buckled shoes. She then smoothed her hair with her fingers while she knelt down to mentally count her belongings. Her ability wanted to ooze from her pores like an oil but she controlled the feeling. "You mean your leader," she corrected him as she pulled a knife from her bag. "Your leader wants me. Are you an organization? I could report you to the squads. They don't suspect me as a Defective, but I'm sure both of you are in their data records."

"If you come with us we'll tell you whatever you want to know." Wilkins continued. He stepped forward in front of Sam as though he expected Cateline to throw the knife at them. "We have some people on standby waiting for us at a checkpoint. We came here tonight to find and talk to you."

Cateline touched the sharp point of the blade, drawing a bright red bead of blood. She rubbed the red between her two fingers. "Everything I want to know," she echoed, a frown formed on her face. "I must respectfully decline your generous offer."

"You can't do that! Didn't you say you wanted to me our leader?" Sam shouted, shoving her brother out of the way. "Just who are you?" Wilkins put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from saying more.

"I don't want to meet your leader or join your crusade. That's how I am," Cateline said, pointing the dagger at Sam. She smiled sickeningly,"and if you don't let me leave I'll tear your heart out. Even if it would be un lady like of me." Picking up her bag, she began to hum as she walked away and then paused before continuing onwards. "Look at what you've done, Sam. I just showed you my true colors."

The two watched the graceful blond haired girl with a sophisticated and superficial smile, acting as though she would rule the world one day leave them alone in the suddenly chilling black.

++++++++++

Her mother stood in the doorway where not even the sun could touch her. A ragged white shawl was draped over her shoulders and nightgown spotted with blood. Hair matted in nests, it was sloppily pulled into a lopsided ponytail. Heavy bags darkened her bright eyes glaring at her and without emotion like she was plotting. Plotting and thinking. Her fingers were scratching at her wrists.

Cateline was reminded of a bringer of death, holding the curved edge of a scythe above her head. Dinner still sat cold on the dining table: white fish, steamed potatoes and garden greens. Breakfast had been nothing and she was leaving for school empty. Listening to her gurgling stomach was a minor consequence if she didn't have to face her mother's wrath. She departed from the stoop, using the sunlight bearing down on her as protection.

Her mother then broke into a smile that chilled Cateline's heart. "Have a good day sweetheart."

Hands pushing open the gate, Cateline turned slightly to nod her head almost in apology. "I'm sorry mother, you too have a nice day." The crowd swallowed her whole, hiding her from her mother standing in the doorway, the door opened just a crack.

Cateline returned home late to terrible conditions. The moon had risen to it's highest peak, setting the town aglow with white light. Squads were patrolling the streets and she dodged their advances but returned home even later than she preferred. When she opened the door her mother was no where in sight to greet her. A bad sign. Food had been left on the table untouched. Routine had been broken, and she wasn't supposed to break the rules. She went to bed after inspecting her wound; double checking to make sure her door was locked. Later in the morning while putting on her shoes her mother appeared in a trance like state.

She knew better than to think her mother was day dreaming a perfect world. Her mother had been plotting to deceive. It was a thought that gave Cateline a sinking feeling throughout the school day and the longer time elapsed the more distressed she grew.

"Hey, have you heard about the new students?" Alaine leaned in close to Cateline's desk, whispering as though the arrival of the transfer was a secret. "I heard the boy is kind of cute."

Cateline continued reading her book, doing her best to focus on the atmosphere in the classroom. Trying to uncover the tension that kept growing in her mind.

"Are you even listening to me?"

She lifted her gaze from the page she'd been reading, disinterested. Alaine stared at her, expecting her to answer with a lifted eyebrow. "Of course, Alaine," she answered the girl in a polite voice.

Geffrey who had been eating lunch he nicked from a freshman touched her arm. "Are you alright? You've been acting strange today, different from the Cateline that I know."

"Different how?" Cateline rose from her seat and snapped her book shut. She burned her gaze down on the boy.

"Look what you did, Geffrey!" Alaine rose to her aide, excited to have another reason to spite her lover. She crossed her arms and favored her right side.

"Nothing really," Geffrey returned to his lunch, pushing around the spinach and pasta drenched in a creamy looking sauce. "Forget I said anything."

Cateline turned back to her page she was reading and folded the corner neatly. She didn't particularly enjoy ruining the smoothness of the paper but she had to tend to more important matters. "Then I will forget everything you said, Geffrey." She spoke matter-of-fact, daring him to change his mind. When he remained silent, she brushed past Alaine who's jaw dropped in shock. "I'm going for a walk," she decided out loud as she pushed open the classroom door and it rattled when she slammed it close.

The bathroom allowed her time to think; without the presence of nuisances that tried prying into her consciousness she could relax. Cateline stared at her haggard reflection in the mirror, dripping water she splashed onto her face. Make-up smeared, the bruises under her eyes were more black. Luscious hair she tended to each and every day hung limp off her shoulders, lacking it's golden hue. She leaned on her hands resting on each side of the sink.

Something was wrong, she could feel it closing in on her from all corners like a predator getting ready to pounce. Ever since she met those two in the underground, the day had gone awry. She couldn't control her power like she wanted; the pink fog that normally swarmed her body had dissipated when she awoke this morning. Emotions she had mastered so well slipped through her fingers, getting sucked into her black hole of a mind. Perhaps that was the predator she feared, the one she she kept trying to escape.

Cateline put a hand on her face, wondering if this face was even her own. Defectives never had more than one power, yet here she was with another hidden identity. The world suddenly spun and she staggered backwards, holding her arms out to steady herself. It had to be her injury causing all this trouble. Her fingers tenderly touched the spot where her side had been stitched. That was it, it was the throbbing pain she felt from the gash. "That's right," she whispered with a smile as she walked outside the bathroom, "that's right."

She began heading back to her classroom in a daze, feeling the oncoming urge she was going to black out. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she cleared her head in time to find composure as a teacher she didn't know approached her. Sweat beads glistened on his face and he tugged at his shirt collar as though it was too hot in the school. She could tell he was concerned as he stopped. "The headmaster wants to see you," he said briefly and gave no explanation as he walked away.

Cateline turned turn watch him enter a classroom, leaving her alone in the empty hallway with walls caving in on her. The idea something was terribly wrong came back to her with a stronger force but she started to head towards the headmaster's office on the bottom floor. Turmoil twisted her stomach into knots, the dread plaguing her body as she stopped in front of the wooden doors, her hands on the brass knob. Someone or something waited for her behind this door. It loomed over her head, patiently awaiting her entry to her demise.

A calm washed over her as though she became numb to her surroundings. The wild look in her eyes faded, instead her appearance once more entranced the entire room when she entered. The headmaster rested with his hands folded on his desk. There was a pen holder. Five large men dressed entirely in black stood off to the side, watching her stride. Another man, this one wearing nothing but a jacket and ripped jeans stood behind the headmaster. Cateline stopped just in front of his desk, close enough she could touch the wood surface if she chose.

"Good afternoon, Headmaster," Cateline stooped in her most elegant curtsy, a formal gesture she reserved for the highest of people. As she rose, she leveled her eyes on the plain man who was scratching his stubble.

"Cateline," the Headmaster fixed his gaze on her and she expectantly waited for his words. "These men came to me asking for your attention. They said they wanted to question you."

"Oh?"

One of the black suited men came forward and produced an ID card from his coat pocket. Every citizen that had been recorded into a database after their birth had an ID card. It held all of their most valuable information. A person could be located half-way across the world if an ID card was used. They were used to track people.

"Have you seen this boy?"

Cateline peered down at the expressionless face of a fourteen year old boy she didn't know. He had a blank stare, one lacking any happiness or sadness. She didn't know him but he was strangely familiar enough it caused her to wrack her brain for any memory of the boy. Eventually, she just answered, "I do not know who that is." She glanced up from the card towards the Headmaster. "Is that all, may I leave now?"

"I'm afraid not little lady." The rugged man pushed his hands into his pockets. His breath smelled of cigarette smoke and wine as he leaned towards her. "We're going to have to you detained."

"I have no recollection of that boy, you can't detain me." She snapped, losing her patience for the strange men lurching closer to her. This was the something wrong. They wanted for her because they knew. They knew who she was, even if she wasn't so sure anymore.

"Even if you don't know, we do," the man replied like he read her mind.

Cateline stepped back and felt one of the large men behind her. A hand grabbed her slender arm, starting a familiar ring of noise she forgot so long ago. Quicker than their eyes could follow she snatched a pen from the cup that spilled an array of colors onto the desk. The man saw eyes of blank death as she sank the ball point pen deep into his throat. Blood spurted from the wound as she ripped it out of his neck.

The other men shouted and lunged when she felt her power explode. Pink tendrils wrapped around the group similar to snakes, coiling around their heads and forcing themselves into their mouth. Sluggish, their movements slowed enough for her to draw a dagger hidden underneath her clothes. Cateline slashed at the man who knew her identity, sending him staggering backwards into a chair. He held a cloth over his face to hinder the effects of her ability.

She wasted no time on him and kicked open the door. The heel on her shoe broke, giving her a lopsided dash as she fled down the halls. Eventually, she tossed off her shoes while running to quicken her pace. Her feet stamped on the linoleum flooring, her retreating figure stirring up unwanted attention as she an into the front courtyard. Students crowded the windows, watching the golden haired girl flee the squads that stumbled to shoot their stun guns at her. Cateline's friends were of one of the many bunches; horrified they had befriended a Defective. Two students lingered behind the crowds, faces she had never been able to see, but would have known the individuals if she saw them. Both closely resembled each other with blonde hair and had stated they were siblings. One, a male, was speaking into a comm hidden in his ear. The other, a female, was taking off her sweater to replace it with a sweatshirt.

Cateline stumbled down the streets staggering like a drunk, panting. Blood splattered her face from the man's throat she had punctured; her knife still clean was gripped tightly in her hand. She took alleyways to avoid the wondering eyes of the townspeople she knew so well but couldn't hide herself from the frightened homeless that scattered for the tunnels upon noticing her. It wasn't her worn appearance that scared them. The blank stare in her eyes seemed to burn straight to their core. It was the look of a Defective when their brain degenerated so far they had gone mad.

She made not a noise as she limped inside her house, her bloody footprints smeared blood on the floor as she ascended into her room. Her feet, layered in open sores from running on burning pavement ached but her focus remained on her bag thrown in the far corner. Cateline slumped towards it, eyes wide and staring as she fitted the fox mask over her face. She drew another knife from her bag, this one longer than the other. It was stained red with dried gore.

Cateline heard her mother open her bedroom to watch her move for the window. She didn't turn her head to look at the insane woman holding a meat cleaver in trembling hands. Or the tears that streaked through cracks in her age face. "I knew you weren't really Cateline," her mother rasped, "I knew you weren't her the moment I laid my eyes on you."

Cateline yanked open her window with a bang. She placed her front leg forward, using her hands to brace herself as she began to pull herself out of the window when her mother said something that made her freeze.

"Who are you? Where is my daughter?" Her mother crept closer, the cleaver held in front of her as some sort of threat. "I called them you know. I told them you weren't her. They'll be coming you know, so you better answer me. Where is my daughter?" she grew hysteric.

The person behind the fox mask, pretending to be Cateline paused as though they weren't sure how to answer. When they finally spoke, it caused the mother to drop the cleaver with a wail as grief ravaged her entire being.

"I'm not Cateline," they murmured in a quiet voice, "she is dead." The person rolled as they hit the ground from their jump to distribute their weight. Falling hurt but they were used to pain. World spinning, they stumbled as they rose to their feet. Shrieks came from the window that used to be Cateline's as her mother clawed out chunks of hair and scratched her face till blood ran heavily.

The person then took off at a run, feeling no remorse for causing a mother to lose their daughter. Instead, they searched the sky for some sign of squads, listening closely for the familiar sound of flapping of winged cyborg beasts. Their was a frown on their face behind the fox mask, eyes just as dead as the girl they claimed to be. The pink sneakers of their feet pinched their toes as they ran but it was better than adding more blisters to the ones they already had.

Breathes escaped them quickly. This type of running felt more familiar than ever but they still couldn't place this feeling. The face they had taken suddenly felt uncomfortable, but it was the only face they knew. They had been this person for so long they forgot who they were themselves.

They heard the sound of sirens but strangely no cyborg. This caused them to panic slightly at the difference of the chase they weren't used to. And this was how they faltered but for the good of them. Rounding a corner, they sneaked down an alley when they heard the roar of a motorcycle.

Sleek and black, the sun making it shine, a bike skidded to a halt in the alleyway. The person riding the bike revved the engine as they put out their foot to balance themselves. When the person took off their helmet, shaggy white hair stuck to a young man's face from the humidity. He set his helmet on the seat and flipped open a cell phone. The light glowed on his face as he didn't look at the person pretending to be Cateline. Suddenly, he glanced at the person who stared them. "You," he said, "come with me."

The person pretending to be Cateline pulled out a knife, taking up a defensive stance.

"Wrong answer," the man sighed and snapped his fingers. He watched the girl drop to the ground like a stone on command. He reached into his grey trench coat, "I don't mind using this you know," he showed the girl the needle as she writhed on the ground. The man held her still with his ability so only her jaw twitched.

The man raked a hand through is hair to pull it out of his face. He then flicked the needle, watching clear liquid squirt out. "It's not so bad," he walked the short distance to kneel down in front of her, "its just easier for me to control you." He roughly took her arm and pushed the needle into her skin. The girl's eyes rolled into her head.

"There," he glared at her with sharp blue eyes so bright they were like lanterns. Or it was the drug specially made for Defectives working its magic. The man picked up the girl and carried her bridal style knowing that she couldn't hurt him. He set her on the motorcycle so he could put the helmet back on his head.

The person who thought they were Cateline but wasn't tried to move their body but could only move their mind. Their head slumped onto the back of the man as he steadied both of them on his motorcycle before taking off into the open street. It wasn't a smart move on his part, but he deliberately seemed to be careless. Their breathing slowed as they welcomed the black hole.