Norfield city centre was new but it did not change the faults of most Yorkshire cities. Yes the main streets and the shopping area were appealing and essentially were just one long street. However, just outside suddenly the people and the buildings became a lot rougher.

At the end of the main street and a couple streets over stood an impressive complex built to house students of the university. Known as King’s Court it was a six floored monolith that had it’s entrance opposite a vintage clothes store and a mini supermarket chain. The building was built in a square shape with a hollow centre. In this courtyard was a patch of grass, some benches and a metal fountain. Each block of flats within the building had its own balcony overlooking the whole thing. The roof, whilst inaccessible to the students who lived there, was a flat one. From a bird’s eyes view it resembled a prison more than a housing unit, and yet some residents would argue that prisoners got more space in their rooms.

It was a cold winter’s night. The courtyard was usually quite full on an evening when it was warm, but even the smokers and stoners had decided it was too cold to be outside. Unfortunately, Rin had convinced a few of them to come outside with him for a couple minutes. Amelia, Camelia, Nerissa, and Delilah were just on their way back in as they had been chatting outside but Delilah’s wings started to get stiff from the cold.

“You coming Ris?” Amelia asked

“In a minute.” Nerissa was staring at the fountain. The water was just that water. But it felt as if she could just reach out and move it like a more viscose liquid.

Jude was sat on one of the benches, he was quite cold due to his own stupidity of only wearing a blue tracksuit jacket instead of a warmer padded coat. He spent the early part of the conversation bunched up shivering and watching his breath.

Jack was next to him and Damian slotted in quite snuggly on the end. AJ and Johnny were stood up. They had invited Kuna but he replied with “Not going out in the freezing cold.”

Rin look at the boys. “So guys, how are you all?” There was a silence for a moment. It hung long enough to become awkward.

“I just hate cops man. They’re such assholes.” Damian said.

“I just feel bad for them, to be honest. You’ve got a superpowered murder during the gathering of hundreds of people with powers.” Johnny said.

“Yeah but surely they also have powers to use. We’re not the only ones with Alterations.” Damian retorted, leaning his head back so he was looking at Johnny.

“Or they could have a power that’s completely tangential and has nothing to do with their occupation.” Jude said.

There was tension in the air. No one was handling this exceptionally well. Jude had gone within himself slightly, when he had been told the way the boys had died he had understood why he underwent that exercise with his powers. Damian was lashing out in frustration. Rin was trying to be in control of the situation by creating this meeting. Kuna had decided to ignore it and move on. Johnny empathised not only with the victims but also the detectives as it was such a horrendous case to deal with. AJ and Jack had dealt with it in the most neutral way; sure they were both empathetic to what was going on but neither let it get them down too much as they knew they were in innocent but also believed in the police system.

Sitting round gave them brevity. It made them realise the situation. It stopped people verbalising it and living in the moment.

However good this may have been for them it was a moment that was cut short by the cruel mistress of fate.

The sign they noticed first was the sound, then was the lack of lights, and finally the figure that landed before them.

A crackle of electricity. The darkness that swallowed everything except the fountain. The hulking figure than landed with a thud.

It spoke. “Any of you Rinion?” now it was certainly an uncommon name. It was likely they had found their target.

Panic washed over them all. Whatever had happened was not a good thing, they weren’t going to give Rin a medal for outstanding community service.

Jude was the first to act “Strawberry, call help, we’ll stop this guy getting to Rin.” It was makeshift solution. Strawberry was the colour of Rin’s hair and it was a nickname they used for about three days in October. Initially confused Rin got the message and went to go inside.

“So that’s Rin huh?” The behemoth said through a smirk.

Quick. He was fast. Purple energy crackled off him like arcing lightning. His stature was a deceit.

He met Rin as he reached for the door to go inside.

He himself was met by protection. Jude, flames flickering from his foot in front of the forehead. Jack had parried the punch that was meant for his friend. Nerissa trailed smoke and her elbow pressed int the ribs.

“Impressive. You move quick for some meddling teens.” He spoke once more.

“Don’t worry, we’re far faster than we need to beat you.” Jack snapped.

“Oh hohoh. Teenagers with attitude. I bet you think you’re heroes, huh?”