Steve didn't ask.
He just grabbed her wrist.
"Come on."
Cypriana blinked.
"What—Steve—"
"Just come with me," he said, voice too tight. "Before one of them actually loses it."
Behind them, Matt and Andrew stood like opposing storms.
Matt's jaw was clenched so hard it looked painful.
Andrew's face was unreadable.
But his eyes—
His eyes were alive with something sharp.
Cypriana's chest tightened.
"Steve, I can't just—"
"You can," Steve snapped, then softened immediately. "Please."
His grip loosened.
He looked almost…scared.
"I need a break from them. From this."
Cypriana hesitated.
Then glanced back.
Matt's eyes met hers.
A silent plea.
Stay.
Andrew's gaze met hers too.
Something darker.
Go.
Cypriana swallowed.
And let Steve pull her away.
They ended up at a small hill overlooking the city.
The wind was cold.
Steve dropped onto the grass with a dramatic exhale.
"God," he muttered. "They're insane."
Cypriana sat beside him slowly.
Her knees pulled to her chest.
"They're changing."
Steve looked at her.
"So are you."
Cypriana flinched.
Steve raised his hands quickly.
"I don't mean it like that."
He sighed, staring out at the skyline.
"I just… I thought we were gonna fly around and mess with stuff and feel cool."
His voice cracked into something frustrated.
"But now it's like…"
He gestured vaguely.
"Matt's acting like everyone's dad."
Cypriana gave a small, bitter laugh.
"And Andrew's acting like…"
She couldn't finish.
Steve's voice dropped.
"Like someone who doesn't care if the world burns."
Silence.
The wind howled softly.
Cypriana whispered—
"I saw his house."
Steve turned sharply.
"What?"
Cypriana stared at the grass.
"I followed him. One night."
Steve's face tightened.
"Cypri…"
"I didn't mean to—"
"No, just…" Steve swallowed. "What did you see?"
Cypriana's voice was barely there.
"His dad."
Steve went still.
"And his mom."
A pause.
"Sick. In bed."
Steve's mouth parted.
"Oh…"
Cypriana hugged herself tighter.
"That's why he's like this."
Steve whispered.
"That doesn't mean he gets to become a monster."
Cypriana didn't answer.
Because she wasn't sure anymore.
The next day, school didn't feel real.
It felt like a stage.
Cypriana walked down the hallway and felt eyes like blades.
Whispers.
Always whispers.
Then Brianna appeared.
Like a parasite.
Her friends flanking her.
Her smile sharp.
"Well, look who decided to show up."
Cypriana kept walking.
Brianna stepped in front of her.
Blocking her path.
"Where's Matt today? Or Andrew?"
Cypriana's jaw tightened.
"Move."
Brianna laughed.
"God, you really think you're untouchable now."
Cypriana's fingers twitched.
Brianna leaned closer.
Voice dropping.
"You're still just a whore with a short skirt."
The hallway tilted.
The rage came fast.
Hot.
Instant.
Cypriana's breath shook.
The lockers beside Brianna began to tremble.
Metal rattling softly.
Brianna's smile faltered.
"Oh my god…"
Cypriana's eyes darkened.
"You don't get to say that to me."
The air thickened.
Brianna's feet lifted slightly off the ground.
Just an inch.
Her eyes widened in terror.
Cypriana's hand was shaking.
She didn't even realize she was doing it.
She could feel the power like an animal under her skin.
Brianna whispered—
"Put me down…"
Cypriana's breathing turned ragged.
Her vision blurred.
She wanted—
She wanted to hurt her.
A voice snapped—
"CYPRIANA!"
Steve.
He shoved through the crowd, grabbing her arm hard.
"Stop!"
Cypriana blinked.
The power flickered.
Brianna dropped with a gasp.
Students screamed.
Cypriana staggered back like waking from a dream.
Steve's voice was urgent.
"Come on. Now."
He dragged her away before anyone could speak.
Before she could fall apart.
Behind the gym—
Matt was waiting.
Pacing.
His face was tight with fear.
"What happened?"
Steve snapped.
"She almost killed Brianna, that's what!"
Cypriana flinched.
Matt's face softened instantly.
"Cypri…"
Steve threw his hands up.
"Do you see? This is what I mean. This is what's happening!"
Matt stepped closer to her.
Gentle.
"Hey. Look at me."
Cypriana's eyes filled with something like shame.
"I didn't mean to."
Matt whispered.
"I know."
Steve muttered.
"Where's Andrew?"
Silence.
Matt's jaw clenched.
"I'm gonna find him."
Steve grabbed his arm.
"Matt, don't—"
But Matt was already walking.
Matt found Andrew behind the football field.
Alone.
Of course.
Andrew stood near the woods, camera hanging at his side.
Matt's voice was sharp.
"What did you say to her?"
Andrew didn't turn.
"I didn't say anything."
Matt stepped closer.
"You're in her head."
Andrew finally looked at him.
His gaze was flat.
"She's in pain."
Matt snapped.
"And you're using it."
Andrew's lips twitched.
"I understand it."
Matt's voice broke with anger.
"No, you're feeding it."
Andrew stepped closer.
The air felt wrong.
"You think you're saving her?"
Matt's fists clenched.
"I'm trying."
Andrew's eyes darkened.
"She doesn't need saving."
Matt shook his head.
"She needs someone who won't drag her down with them."
Andrew's voice dropped.
"And you think that's you?"
Matt didn't answer.
Andrew leaned in slightly.
"You kissed her."
Matt froze.
Andrew's jaw tightened.
"I saw."
Matt's voice was low.
"It wasn't your business."
Andrew's breath sharpened.
"She looked at me first."
Matt's voice snapped.
"She's not a prize!"
Andrew's face flickered.
Something ugly moved beneath his calm.
Then he whispered—
"They hurt her."
Matt's voice softened, desperate.
"Andrew…don't."
Andrew's eyes were cold.
"I already did."
Matt blinked.
"What?"
Andrew's voice was quiet.
Unforgivably quiet.
"Brianna."
Matt's stomach dropped.
"What about her?"
Andrew tilted his head.
"She won't touch Cypriana again."
Matt's voice rose.
"What did you do?"
Andrew's lips curved slightly.
Not a smile.
A decision.
"Something for her."
Matt's blood ran cold.
"Andrew…"
Andrew stepped back.
Into the trees.
His voice floated like a ghost.
"You'll see."
That night…
Brianna Shaw didn't come home.
Her parents called the police.
The school posted missing flyers by morning.
Cypriana stared at one on the hallway wall.
Her stomach twisting.
Steve stood beside her, pale.
Matt's voice was a whisper.
"…Andrew."
Cypriana's breath shook.
She hadn't asked for this.
She hadn't wanted this.
But somewhere out there—
Andrew had done something unforgivable.
And part of her was terrified…
That part of him did it because of her.