The Enhanced

Chapter 1:

"That can't be what it says!" shouted Mason, in disbelief and anger. He ripped the screen out of Amber's grasp and read the electronic message for himself. Mitchell, Mason's older brother and Amber's best friend, stood silently, thinking about his fate.

They were in the long hallway at the entrance of the school. It was lined with doors, each engraved with its own unique family symbol.

Mason's heart sank when he saw that the words were true. The 2007 pod were leaving for battle. A task, he knew, was a suicide mission.

"Mason, you can't tell Olivia until I've left. She hasn't known the truth for very long and she's my little sister," Amber said, fighting back tears. "I don't want her to try to stop me. After Peter and Thomas leaving I don't want her to try to-" she could no longer keep the tears from streaming down her face. Mitchell moved quickly and swiftly and was soon hugging Amber, her shoulders shaking. 

~*~

Mason shook his head to forget the memory. Although it had been a year, the memories still haunted his thoughts.

Every day life had gotten so much more dangerous over that year. Those who survived the attack on the school, were forced to flee, without guidance or help from their teachers and parents.

"Mase?" Olivia said gently. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, what were you saying?" Mason replied, coming back to reality.

They were in a small room with no furniture; only battle equipment. Mason stood close to Olivia and the realisation of the proximity made his heart beat faster. Her crystal blue eyes tore into his green ones, full of concern.

"Nothing. I was just asking about Ilesha's recovery," Olivia said cautiously, breaking their eye contact. She was, absentmindedly, playing with the frayed ends of her fingerless gloves; a nervous habit.

"Comet never tells me the specifics. I have to look after Ant and that's hard enough now that Samuel's dead," Mason turned away so Olivia couldn't see his face. "They used to entertain each other,"

"That's what twins do. Mason, Ilesha is your twin sister. She needs you more than ever right-"

"You don't know what it's like!" Mason yelled, swinging around to face Olivia. He hated being lectured about what he should do in troubling situations. Mason was the oldest, at 16, and lead those who escaped the school with him.

Olivia took a step back at Mason's outburst. His eyes were glowing green; like they always did when he felt too much of any emotion. Olivia knew that this time it was grief and anger mixed together.

She put her hands out in front of her and started twinkling her fingers, ready to defend herself.

"Mason!" yelled another voice, one they both new very well. Two sets of footsteps could be heard from in the hallway. Olivia was relieved to see Blake and Ren walk into the room.

A cool wind filled the room, calming Mason. Once his shoulders relaxed and his eyes dimmed, Olivia stepped out of her defence stance.

"I'm just going to go," she said, smiling a thank you to Blake and Ren.  Olivia collected her drink bottle, phone and towel before running out of the room.