“I’ve been stuck invisible since I woke up.” Jasper groaned. “Of course, I still went to class. I had to write ‘I’m here, by the way’ on the board so I wouldn’t be marked absent.”

Hunter knew how much Jasper hated not being able to control his ability. When they were younger, he used to be able to change his visibility at will, even becoming transparent sometimes. He’d once convinced a substitute teacher that he was a ghost.

As he’d gotten older, however, Jasper’s control had gotten away from him. He would suddenly disappear before a test, only to reappear when the final bell rang. When Jasper transferred to the academy, Hunter knew she had to go, too. If not for herself, then to support her childhood friend.

“Do they still think it’s stress?” Amber asked. “I know a few kids who lose control around exams.”

Jasper shook his head. “Seems I’m just broken.”

Silence fell over them once again, this time because of fear. They’d all heard stories about ‘The Broken’, a classification given to those who couldn’t control their Abilities. Once a student was dubbed broken, they were removed from the school and handed over to the government for observation. Sometimes, they got better and returned to school. Other times, they just disappeared.

“You aren’t broken.” Hunter stated. Everyone turned to look at her. “You aren’t broken.” She said again, louder. “Physical manifestations are just harder to control.” She looked around the table for support.

Her own Ability was classified as passive-mental, something that was on-going and easy to miss. Amber was also classified as passive-mental, but she was a sub-active. Her ability was more obvious than Hunter’s.

Daniel was classified as active-mental, since he had to call on his ability to use it.

Michael was passive-physical. His diamond skin was always there, even if he forgot about it. Which was good, since he seemed to always find himself in the path of danger.

Jasper, along with Lucas, Will, Maddie and Carter were all active-physical. Lucas and Will were Elementals while Maddie was a Changer, being able to affect those around her more than herself. Jasper and Carter were Self-Changers, since their abilities could only be used on themselves.

“We’ll think of something.” Amber assured Jasper. “We’re a team.”

“Thanks.” Jasper sat up and pulled a fast food takeout bag from his backpack. “At least the restaurants around her know we’re different, or I’d starve.” He pulled a hamburger out and started eating.

“And that’s our cue.” Hunter smiled, pulling out her own lunch. “Can’t save the world on an empty stomach.” She opened her mouth to take a bite, but stopped when her eyes caught Daniel.

He wasn’t moving, but he had his backpack on his lap, as if he were about to pull out his own lunch. Hunter ran through her memory and noticed that she had no recollection of him ever picking up his bag. Which meant she hadn’t seen him do it.

Which meant he’d stopped time.

She put down her lunch and turned to him. “Hey, Dan, what’s in the bag?”

The boy stiffened and turned away from her. “Nothing important.”

The bag shifted and Rowan grinned. “Out with it, Green. What’ve you go?”

Daniel reluctantly unzipped the bag and a furry head popped out.

“It’s a kitty!” Amber squealed. She stretched out her arm and started making cooing sounds.

“Why do you have a cat?” Lucas asked, eyebrow raised.

The colour of the cat’s fur registered in Hunter’s mind and she sighed. “It’s not a cat, Amber. It’s a student.”

The cat looked over at her before ducking back into the bag. “There are so many people here.” A boy’s voice came from Daniel’s lap. It was the same voice as the boy Hunter had met the hour prior.

“What’s your name?” Hunter asked. When she didn’t get a response, she added. “Unless, you like being called ‘Kitty’.”

“K.” came his answer.

“You turn into a cat?” Maddie asked.

The cat’s head popped out again. “Only when I get super stressed. And it’s not always a cat.”

“K’s a shapeshifter.” Daniel explained. “But… He’s having some trouble controlling when he changes.”

Multiple gazes shifted toward Jasper, who simply watched as K wriggled his way out of the bag and onto an empty chair. “How long have you had trouble?” He asked.

“Since…” K trailed off, reluctant to answer.

Hunter put a hand on his head, stroking an ear. “Since puberty?” she guested. K’s whiskers twitched in embarrassed confirmation. “That must be a thing, then.”

Jasper’s troubles had started around that time as well. Hunter also remembered her brother having less than perfect control when he’d started high school.

“If it’s stress…” Amber offered, changing the subject slightly. “We should go see Bryn.”

Hunter laughed. “Perfect.” She gave K a final pat before standing up. “If anyone can help, it’d be her.”