Hunter yawned as she walked through the school gates. Her sleep had been riddled with nightmares where no one remembered Jasper. Even his parents had been adamant they only had a daughter, no son.

She tried to shake the dream, but it was impossible, given her ability.

“Hunter Lane!” Someone shouted at her.

She looked up and saw Mr. Ranson running toward her, panic written all over his face.

“Good morning, Mr. Rans--”

“Hunter, I’ve marked you present for the entire day.” Her teacher huffed, trying to catch his breath. “If you need more time, I’ll take care of it. Go get your brother. Your friends will be waiting in my office.”

Thomas? “Why does my brother need to come? What’s going on?”

“You might need his ability.” Mr. Ranson looked around to make sure no one else was around to hear. “Jasper Sanders was taken last night. He’s been marked as Broken.”

Hunter couldn’t say a word. Her hands shook as she sent a text to her brother. Once she’d hit send, the phone slipped from her hands and clattered on the sidewalk.

“Hunter?” Mr. Ranson’s voice sounded far away. “Hunter, come inside.” He put a hand on her shoulder and she let herself be led into the building.

When they entered his office, Hunter saw all her friends gathered around a table, as well as a girl she didn’t know. Lucas got up and wrapped his arms around her.

“Is it real?” She whispered, still in shock.

Lucas nodded against her shoulder. “Dan went by his house this morning. His mother was in tears.”

Hunter took a seat and they were silent for a while, letting the reality set in. Maddie and Amber were sobbing quietly. Carter and Michael were trying to console them, but even they were having trouble holding back tears. K was sitting quietly next to Dan, but he was shaking and looking around nervously.

The girl Hunter didn’t recognise was calmly folding paper into little birds. When she finished one, she carefully placed it into a container before grabbing a new paper. She didn’t say a word and didn’t look at anyone.

The door opened and Thomas walked in, professionally but with an urgency that matched their teacher.

“Peter, are you alright?” He asked Mr. Ranson. “Hunter said something happened.”

“I’m fine.” Mr. Ranson gingerly placed a hand on the table, as if he were afraid he’d break it. “Jasper was taken.”

Immediately, Thomas wrapped his sister in a hug, knowing how badly she was taking the news. “Do you have a plan?”

“Easy.” Mr. Ranson warned. “We should first explain what’s happening. How dangerous this is.”

“Danger?” K’s head shot up. “Are they going to take us, too?”

“There’s no way I’m letting them take Amber!” Michael yelled, his arms tightening around his girlfriend.

But Thomas shook his head. “No. They aren’t coming back. We’re going to them.” He looked at each student, then returned his attention back to Hunter. “Peter wasn’t released from their facility. I helped him escape.”