TRUTH UNION - Crow + Arrow

Arrow - Alarm

(Two years earlier - Crow/Nova is 11, Arrow/Nick is 12)

It's the 24th of July. It's a Wednesday, which usually would be nothing important. But today is the 5th year since the 'Rattlesnake Attack'. Since my best friend, Nova's, parents died. Everyone knows about the notorious event, and everyone mourns for those lost. But I think the person affected most of all is Nova, and today I need to make sure she's okay.

Recently, I've discovered new abilities I seem to have. They're like superpowers - strong magic only I can control. I've gained new super speed, and a form of teleportation. You'd think I would immediately tell someone, or ask to join the Justice Crew - but I don't want any of that attention, or anything. I'm pretty shy, so having to be a superhero, where everyone is constantly watching you, and you're constantly being judged by everyone in the city... well, I really don't want that.

So instead, I've gone undercover. I'm a superhero teen - like Crow, or Matchmaker, or Ember. I still am Nicholas Miller, the shy, nervous kid who only has one friend, but I also go by Arrow - the brave, sarcastic and witty vigilante who's saved lives. Not even Nova knows I'm Arrow; I mean, I want to tell her, but I just need the right opportunity.

I've already arrived at school, and now I'm waiting for her to show up - if she actually does. Last year she stayed home all day, but I'm hoping she'll come. I really need to talk to her about Arrow.

I'm just starting to doubt she'll arrive when I see a familiar mop of messy black hair, and she's coming around the corner, yelling my name.

"Nick!" She shouts. "I have something really, really important to tell you!"

I laugh, walking towards her. There's only a few people around in the courtyard, and they all know about us, so no one pays us much attention. To them, we're just the crazy kids who don't have any other friends. I did say before I was pretty shy, but Nova doesn't seem to realise this. Probably for the best.

"Calm down Nova," I say to her, laughing. "It's not like you're going to die before you can tell me!"

Suddenly, the bell rings, and we have to go to our separate classes. I'm starting to doubt I'll ever get to hear what she has to say by the third class, and I'm nearly dying of boredom during Maths.

Out of nowhere, an alarm sounds. I jump up, alert, and the whole class is suddenly tense. Somehow, we can tell this isn't a practice alarm, and that something, something bad, is happening.