It felt horrible, like physical pain. The sound of Luke shooting up Burger King echoed inside Bella's mind. It made her tremble when they left, sitting near the water fountain. Jason crouched in front of her while she just gulped. Even if she held his hand, it wouldn't go away.

"Are you okay?" Teagan asked with dark bags settled under her eyes, sitting beside her.

Bella nodded, but her insides didn't feel that way. Inside, she remembered just sitting on the floor while Nelson panicked about the damage and the girl who was shot. Jason had gone to help the girl in the back by putting pressure on her wound, but she ended up dying.

At one point, she thought the bubble would be a place of peace. No fighting, just a normal city doing its own thing. It wasn't what she suspected would happen.

"Luke is horrible," Bella mustered out.

Greyson had gone back to Uden for something, but people said he would be arriving soon. It was then that she saw something you'd see on television.

"Oh my gosh," she gasped.

From the view, you could plainly see some boy with his hands and feet tied, only wearing underwear. Some people began to laugh at the sight, while the boy with bushy hair stood on the steps of the mayor's office, hands in fists and his face bright red.

"What on earth?" Jason exclaimed, now seeing the sight.

Greyson walked out the door with a charming smile settled on his face. "I'm sure those here are wondering why this boy is standing here," he said.

Scarlett came with a sheet of paper. The words "RULE BREAKER" were taped on his stomach in large, bold black letters.

"He stood up for a man who prevented us freaks from eating," Greyson explained. "That man is someone who unfortunately broke his ankles. Freaks and normals get equal food, not the opposite. We don't want to commit such crimes, right?"

Being tortured or humiliated for doing something wrong wasn't exactly considered right. Knowing someone had broken ankles didn't seem like a pure coincidence.

Greyson met eyes with Jason, wearing a grin, but nobody around seemed to be pestering him about how his actions were deemed wrong. She glanced over, seeing that Teagan had her lips pressed together, trying not to laugh.

In any normal incident, people would call it funny. Here in the bubble, reactions were switched in different directions. Jason remained quiet, though. If he only acted this way because he was afraid of Greyson, then he shouldn't listen. Greyson already hadn't been following some agreement rules that had been set.

It has only been two weeks since this started, and they still had the food deal, along with alcohol, but Uden has caused a lot of violence. There were hostage situations, shootings, public humiliations, deaths, and injuries.

Emma came walking over with another guy, only in his underwear with his wrists tied. His walking was unsteady, as if he were drunk. Instead of pure humiliation, there was a hard glare that settled on his face.

Greyson used an invisible force to pick the boy up, lifting him high in the air. His eyes were averted to the right, looking toward where the people were. Some covered their eyes while laughing or smirking at the vulgar sight. He dropped the guy onto the street, where he landed face down. The boy groaned in pain, slowly standing up.

"Isn't this a great gift from the Lord Jesus?" one girl asked, wearing a smile.

Bella looked at the girl in front of her. She had midnight eyes, white hair that was black at the roots, tan skin, and a small nose. Her smile was friendly, and her hands were laced together, but she didn't seem too concerned about what had just happened.

"What gift?" Teagan asked, confusion filling her voice.

The girl looked over toward where the two guys rested on the street. "Amos says let justice roll down waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream," she praised, closing her eyes and then opening them.

"So, it's right that he got punished?" Bella asked the girl.

"We must all have equality because God allows most actions," she said, grabbing each of their hands. "We must give each other hope through this hard time."

Bella wondered how some people could end up memorizing Bible verses. Maybe it was something they learned at Uden Academy.

"I'm Eden Weber," she introduced, as she still held their hands before slowly letting go. "It's a blessing to meet you."

Of all the problematic behaviours at Uden Academy, Eden seemed the strangest. Maybe Bella wasn't used to seeing strong Catholics or people dedicating themselves to the church.

Her family didn't go to church often, but she still believed in some of the concepts she'd been taught. Luke may be a sadist, or Greyson may be ruthless, but Eden didn't seem to fit the Uden route.

"Uden has helped me connect with God," Eden beamed. "Are you strong believers in God as well?"

"Why does your name sound familiar? Were you in the news?" Teagan asked.

Bella looked toward Teagan with knitted eyebrows. She wasn't even aware that Teagan watched the news, but it must've been some report her mother had done since she's a reporter for CBC.

"We shouldn't focus on our past transgressions but on where we are. It's all about working together to stop the madness," Eden chimed.

Was she not going to tell them? Bella definitely knew something was off about this girl. Maybe she was one of the rare ones who wanted everyone to work together. How could they stop the madness from Ashley and Luke, though?

"It would be unfortunate if we had to become enemies, but God says to forgive your enemies," Eden said.

"Right..." Bella trailed off.

Maybe they'd be able to stay on good terms. That could decrease conflict, but something felt hidden behind her words. Was it meant as a threat because of Greyson or Luke?

"Remember that lust shouldn't pull you in," she implied, clasping her hands together before walking away.

The two didn't even know how to respond. She waved behind her with a smile and walked toward where Jason stood, near Emma.

"She was definitely in the news, but I don't know for what," Teagan stated. "I feel it was either theft or assault."

Bella didn't even want to think about why Eden was in the news, but she hoped it was something good. However, she still couldn't bring herself to stand.

Luke laughed when he shot into walls or even when he murdered that girl. There was no regret in his eyes or a hint of humanity inside of them.

Teagan squeezed her hands as she pressed her lips together. She stood, walking toward Jason and Emma, where Trevor still lay on the ground, his head looking up at Emma.

"Why can't you heal him?" Jason freaked out when they got close.

Emma glanced toward the park to watch some of the toddlers play without saying anything.

"Emma, just do it," Trevor spat, gritting his teeth while she stared at him.

Bella noticed Emma's hands were trembling while they were clenched into fists. She was obviously forced not to heal his ankles, which had some white bandages wrapped around them, even when one of them was still flopped to the side.

"No," Emma said, turning to walk toward the brick church.

Bella spotted Eden walking over to place a hand on Emma's shoulder. She had wide eyes when she looked up, slowly turning her head.

"Eden, get out of this!" Trevor growled.

"Emma is doing what should be done to sinners. If you were in my shoes and were being starved, would you think it was appropriate for the torture we endured?" Eden inquired.

"Freaks," Trevor grumbled, with blood oozing from his legs.

It wasn't the first time Bella had heard about misbehaving here, since they had security patrolling. Some have gotten a slap, a punch, a kick, or fallen victim to Maverick. Apparently, those illusions have made people cry, even when Jason burned off his fingers.

Cindy teleported in front of them on the steps of the mayor's office, stumbling. She looked at both boys, but mainly at Trevor, who was slowly trying to lift himself off the road.

"Aren't you going to help him?" Bella exclaimed.

"We aren't allowed," Cindy explained as she tucked her hair up into a high ponytail.

"It's still wrong." Cindy glanced at Jason's words before resting mute.

"That guy tried to starve us freaks. I think he deserves it." Bella felt shocked by Cindy's words.

Often, she never thought of doing anything cruel toward someone. It's understandable because of the freaks and humans, but shouldn't he at least get some decency?

"Isn't it wrong?" Bella asked.

"It's an injustice that was committed," Cindy stated. "It's wrong to starve people because they're different."

Bella felt herself wanting to snap at her. Knowing that it wasn't right shouldn't be used to determine right or wrong. Everyone should understand that you shouldn't be punished for starving others or for doing it in the first place.

"It seems ruthless, but it gets the point across," Cindy spat, teleporting away from the area.

Even if Bella is one of the normal ones, it still didn't sit right. People shouldn't be punished if they end up breaking a rule through humiliation or being beat up until they have broken bones. In one sense, she was slightly glad she didn't have any supernatural powers.

"See," Eden said. "We may not agree that moral punishment is the best course of action, but it is deemed appropriate for those who deserve it."

Jason stood and turned toward Teagan and her. "Maybe we should try something normal and get groceries?" he suggested. "I'm pretty sure we're low on food."

The three of them all walked toward the grocery store. Both had been stopped in front of the store, asking for their own lists. Isaac looked over at him from his seat, his sunglasses down and his hand out. Jason pulled out a small piece of paper before letting them inside.

Grabbing a cart, it felt strange with Foodland being empty. It normally had a lot of customers inside, but now there were boxes of food on the floor. Searching around, Jason grabbed some oranges that still looked somewhat good. Teagan had gone over to look at the carrot muffins, which were one of the few kinds left.

"It's strange that Cindy fought against the guy's treatment," Bella said.

It was the one thought that hadn't left her mind. Cindy was helpful and caring about the injury, so seeing her opinion quickly change was strange. She never knew the girl from school since she was younger, but she had seen her around the odd time.

"It was wrong, but I don't think his punishment was right," Jason said. "They could have at least given him a warning or something."

Speeding down a corner, they caught eyes with Henry. He was wearing a frown, with bandages and scars all over his body. Bella knew those scars weren't from falling down, but Luke.

"Hey there, doing some shopping?" Henry asked, coming behind them before they could move.

Luke had Jason on the ground, sitting on his back. Bella had hands on each arm while they left Teagan alone in the store. Medal chains wrapped around Jason's body while Scarlett came from around the corner.

"Is he tied down?" Scarlett asked. Finn nodded his head, making her crouch down near Jason. "Don't worry, your brother just wants to talk."

Bella was dragged out of Foodland, seeing Jason still near Scarlett. She knew Greyson wanted something, and that she wasn't going to be sitting on the sidelines watching.

Emma felt mixed emotions since she couldn't heal Trevor. On the one hand, Trevor got publicly embarrassed, and his ankles were broken for refusing to feed the freaks. That had included herself, which she felt was the right thing. On the other hand, it felt wrong to refuse to heal his injury.

Melany glanced up at her from a book about pregnancy. "Did you know adolescent pregnancy is becoming more common?" she inquired.

The few teenage pregnancies she had heard about from gossip had resulted in widespread. Uden Academy hasn't been a place that's made you better, but sometimes worse. Refusing to allow certain aspects, such as dating, resulted in a lot of conflict.

"Why are you reading about pregnancy?" Emma asked.

"Precautions for knowing how we deliver a baby. You said Uden Academy tends to endure reckless behaviour," Melany stated.

"I mean violence, partying, and drugs," Emma implied.

Violence and partying were the top two things she had seen around campus. There were always fights in the cafeteria over something someone else got, like chocolate pudding. With partying, people did it in the dorm rooms all the time. She has never been to one herself, but she has heard the blasting music and snacks being brought into someone's room.

"It could happen," Melany stated.

Emma didn't want to think about whether they ended up having to deal with a newborn in this place. It probably wouldn't even survive. Nobody knows how to take care of a baby or how to perform the procedure. It's not like it was Jesus Christ Superstar, where none of that was a problem.

Any person could remember Jesus Christ Superstar, where some religious students tried to preach about the wonders of God. Uden Academy wasn't exactly one that wanted to learn about it, so many people often dazed off during those assemblies.

There was Stations of the Cross, where Luke played Jesus last year. Nobody knew who assigned him that role, but it had been awful. Half the time, Greyson kept moving his cross slowly around the stage. Many believed it had been Luke's own doing, especially when Greyson made Luke fall to the ground on the stage.

"What are you laughing about?" Melany asked.

"Uden promotes Catholicism at the academy. Between church assemblies or plays," Emma said, spotting Melany staring in contempt.

Any person would feel that way, knowing the behaviour of Uden Academy. It's known for having a bad reputation for fights, with most of them being bullies. Uden Academy wasn't a place for saints, but for sinners.

"Uden focused on religion?" Melany asked.

"Didn't work for people sleeping together or bullies," Emma implied.

"Most had behaviour issues?" Melany asked.

"Mostly, you'd say. Insecurities or violent tendencies play a part in behaviour. Sometimes it's about mental health, or even who they date—which Uden tries to reform you, but that doesn't happen," Emma sighed.

Reforming people rarely happens at Uden Academy. They did send the worst-behaved students to reform camp during the summer, while others could go home to their families and see their parents.

Cindy entered the room, actually standing on her feet this time. "Some people are against Trevor's treatment," she sighed, looking over the book Melany read. She examined some of the medicine that people had gathered for the infirmary.

It wasn't exactly easy to learn about illnesses and physical wounds. Some had explanations for the medication bottles, but nothing overall. The medication did state how many people should take between certain hours or precautions, since taking too many increases the risk of overdose.

"In one sense, it is bad." Emma trailed off.

"Can you imagine what they went through?" Cindy said as she threw her arms up with a groan.

It wasn't exactly known how long Trevor had been preventing the freaks at Uden from eating, but she heard some people say it was a day.

That's what all those people with developing abilities were: freaks. They weren't even humans anymore, because it wasn't physically possible for them to do what they could. Throwing someone into the air or even healing wounds that seem incurable.

Emma looked down at her hands. Trevor's ankles had been one of the major wounds she had to heal. She knew now, after breaking up with Greyson, that she couldn't just think badly of every situation. Those injuries from Luke had been sent to her. At one point, she ended up passing out because of all the wounds.

"Who was that other girl there?" Cindy asked.

"Eden Weber, Uden Academy's devoted Catholic, enjoys what she has learned," Emma started, chills running down her back. "She is one of the rare reformed people at Uden Academy."

"What was she like before being reformed?" Melany asked.

There was a video that flashed through Emma's mind. She remembered seeing on Snapchat one person with a broken nose and blood gushing down her nose; both eyes were black and blue. The other had been unconscious on the ground, with blood gushing from his nose and the side of his head. It was one everyone at Uden knew about, because it had been a shocking moment for everyone.

Before answering, she looked up and spotted Stick swaying his body. "I can't do it." His voice was weak, eyeing them directly. "They want me to kill Finn. How can I do that?"

"Why are you following orders?" Melany asked.

"I don't want Luke's treatment," Stick murmured.

Emma gripped the edge of the metal cot, which had dried blood stained at the end of the red sheet. Nevaeh informed them about Luke's actions after she had told them the news. She wasn't going to betray the orders that Greyson had given, because that could lead to punishment.

On cue, Scarlett came walking down the steps. "I heard you didn't shoot him," she said, a smirk curling on her lips.

Emma knew Scarlett wasn't exactly going to do things in the exact order Greyson allowed. It's how she's always acted when it came to setting her own rules.

"Please!" he cried, dropping to his knees and shaking.

"See, I'm willing to overlook your crime. You have to do something for me, okay?" Scarlett urged, walking in front of him.

Emma had seen her fair share of tricks from Scarlett. Oftentimes, she did most of them alone when she was leading guys on for something, or some schemes she did for Greyson.

"Okay," his voice cracked.

"Shouldn't I check him over first?" Melany questioned.

"No, Stick's fine," Scarlett said, placing her hands behind her back. "Find Maverick and bring him back to Uden Academy. I need him to do something."

Stick slowly raised his head, tears welling up in his eyes. She winked at him as he wobbled on his feet.

"Why do you want him to find Maverick?" Emma spoke up.

"Greyson wants to punish Luke," Scarlett said, waving a hand at them. "Since Luke thought it was a good idea to try and kill Jason."

Walking back upstairs, Emma felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. Maverick, using people's fears through his illusions, had always scared Emma.

Stick fell on his knees. "I'm supposed to be the golden boy," he muttered, his hands shaking. "Now I'm being ordered around like a dog."

Had Emma herself been ordered around? When she broke it off with Greyson, he told her not to switch sides. It had been highly unlikely, but somewhere inside, she felt it.

If she had been nothing but a dog, did that mean everything else had been lies? It made her head spin as she spotted Stick getting onto his feet.

"I'm just going to go home," Stick said, slowly walking out of the infirmary.

Those actions were just, right? Had all she had been doing actually been wrong instead of right? It wasn't that she had just been pulled into the group, because they were all freaks.

Some child came in with Ilya, making her just glance up from under her bangs. Melany went over to handle the gash on his knee.

Emma stared at herself in the long mirror on the wall. All she spotted was an insecure girl who always burned during the summertime. She wore some comfy clothes instead of an uncomfortable uniform, which said "Uden Academy" on the left side in black letters. They always had to match with those around them.

Even if she had given herself that slight confidence boost, had it actually lasted? She still wanted to know everything that was happening with Uden. She wasn't sure if she should stay or return to Uden once again.

Looking toward Ilya, she smiled at her. Many in Simcoe didn't seem to have high insecurities. Why couldn't she be that way?

The floor had been cold when he woke up. Jason looked around, feeling a headache rush through him. Groaning, he tried to move but noticed that his hands and feet were both tied. He looked around and realized from the flooring and gym walls that he had been at Uden Academy.

"Let's knock him out again," Isaac remarked.

Jason tried to locate the source of the voice but met eyes with Henry.

"Looking pretty helpless there," Henry snarled, holding a baseball bat in hand.

All Jason could remember was that they were ambushed at Foodland. They were attempting to get some groceries since they barely had any food.

"I'll get Greyson," Oscar said, leaving the gym doors.

Greyson entered the room with a smirk on his lips. "Hello, brother," he said, turning him with an invisible force and standing in the air.

Greyson looked at the two while Scarlett came walking with Mark by her side. Jason felt his skin grow cold. Not being able to actually confront him on why he did this listed on the many problems in the bubble.

"I've heard you've learned about this goddess," Greyson spat.

The goddess was something that hadn't been brought up. He knew it's supposed to be someone Ashley fears, but that's all they really know.

"They're supposed to be powerful," Jason spat. He felt a hard force slam into his shoulder blade. Hissing in pain, Greyson crouched down.

"Only you and I are the high ranked in the bubble. Do you know what that means?" Greyson inquired. "It will cause problems just like that thing does."

Jason gritted his teeth once he had been picked up in the air by an invisible force. His shoulder definitely felt out of place instead of its normal area.

"Ashley?" His voice was hoarse as Greyson released him onto the floor once again.

"Correct," Greyson remarked. "I want a battle between me and you."

"And what if I say no?" Jason muttered.

Greyson smiled before the force tossed him into one of the basketball nets. He could fall due to his dislocated shoulder, but he hung by a hand on the netting.

"That's not an answer," Greyson grated.

"Fine," Jason groaned before being tossed onto the ground. Lying on the floor, he felt tears at the edges of his eyes.

"Before we disappear," he ordered.

If a war between two brothers were to occur, did that mean power-wise or physically? Jason didn't dare ask the question.

"What do we gain out of this?" he mustered out, making Greyson stare over with a frown.

"Who runs the shots," Greyson stated, grinning while he glanced back at Scarlett. "I'm going to see Luke," he walked away.

Scarlett travelled toward him with a smirk. "You're looking pretty rough there," she remarked, crouching in front of him.

Glancing past Scarlett, he made contact with Mark. He hasn't talked to him in ages; it feels like since he's been at Uden and betrayed his trust. He still had numerous questions to why he would he sign with Greyson when they're supposed to be best friends.

"You're allowed to talk. This isn't Bible studies," she snickered, glancing back at Mark.

Jason didn't respond to her mocking words. He remained silent, his mind spinning. He could barely feel his right shoulder, and he stared down at his tied hands. Soon, he had to figure out a way out of this. There were tight ropes around his hands and feet, with his head aching.

"Why didn't Stick kill Finn?" Greyson snapped, walking back into the gym with a red face.

"Maybe he got tired," Scarlett said.

Nothing inside Jason's body wanted to move an inch. It may have been hurtful the first two times, but this felt like a new sort of pain soaring inside.

"He's been drinking. I doubt he's tired," Greyson snapped. "Did you tell him not to?"

"Why would I do that?" she asked. "Probably the guy didn't want to listen."

People talking back to Greyson became a surprise, since most just listened to his orders. Greyson glanced back at him, lifting him four inches off the ground. Jason didn't even have the energy to scream or panic.

Mark wasn't defending him, as he would have during any event. He was letting his own brother throw him around the gym with just a thought. When he landed on the ground again, he spotted a furious Luke walking into the gym.

"You did that!" Luke roared, pointing at Scarlett.

"Did what?" her voice snapped with a hand on her hip.

"Sent Maverick," Luke hissed.

Jason remembered Maverick as the one who created the illusion of spiders eating his flesh. That resulted in him slicing off his fingers with his power, which  he still has no control over.

"You sent Maverick to torture Luke?" Greyson hissed.

"It's not every day Luke gets punished," she said, shrugging. "You were busy, so I did you a favour."

Three people who weren't just mean to others but toward their own group. At the very least, Scarlett saved Stick from having to murder his friend.

Greyson didn't say anything at first. "Why are you even here? You're supposed to be watching Bella," he spat.

"I decided Maverick could have some fun with her," Luke said, grinning at Jason, while he widened his eyes. Jason knew this wasn't going to go well.

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-Lexi