Author Notes:

Welcome to reading the first thing I've ever posted on this website. I'm a little worried about how this will turn out. Please review my crappy writing if you want to. Also, I'm working on a project of sorts that I could use a bit of help with; PM me if you're interested in that.

Well, here goes nothing.

—

"How will they not know that we- um," Lucas worriedly asked his red haired, older twin brother as they walked along an urban street.

"We just won't let them know. Easy," Claus was worried on the inside also, but he couldn't let his brother know that.

One reason being that he was supposed to be the older, braver one, and he took pride in that. Another reason is because since their parents were arrested, he had to take care of Lucas, whether he needed it or not. Showing that he was worried would make things worse.

"How did they even do this?" Claus asked, frustrated. "These stupid Pigmasks completely invaded the country, and now they're taking control of everything." Pigmasks had occupied the area for the past ten months. The two had to keep moving. So did others like them. They were being hunted. "This retarded PSI stuff ruined our lives," he mumbled, showing a tinge of desperation.

Lucas became alarmed, "Claus, careful," he hushed him, "they might suspect us if we keep talking about PSI like this."

"Yeah, I know," Claus looked down, "But I'm right," he added. "If we didn't have PSI, mom and dad wouldn't be arrested and put who-knows-where."

They both shuddered as they remembered that day. They were at school, two months after the Pigmasks had arrived. All students were tested for the aforementioned psychokinetic abilities. The Pigmasks were looking for people to enlist in their army to fight in the war in attempt to take over the world. Claus and Lucas tested positive for PSI, which they had already known. The mistake of the Pigmasks was that they only wrote down surnames, and their parents took their place when the Pigmasks came knocking at their door.

Lucas and Claus had to run away after that so they wouldn't be found. The other few who wielded PSI students were not as fortunate as they were. Claus looked up from his deep thought when he was stirred by Lucas's attempts in trying to not cry at the thought of their parents.

"Luke, it's okay," Claus tried to assure his brother, "We'll make it somehow. I also heard that the Pigmask army was on a losing streak," Claus lied without shame.

"I know," Lucas didn't know any better.

"We're in the safest place in the country now," Claus added, "We might be able to start school again. The PSI testing is probably all finished now."

"Good," Lucas seemed a little cheered up after hearing that they could go back to school, "I missed being able to learn. I could go without the homework part, though."

"You're weird," Claus sighed, "Anyway, there is a public school over by where our apartment is. We could try to go there. Maybe it would be easier to blend in by going to school like all the local kids here."

"Right," the blonde agreed.

They had finally arrived at their apartment complex in which they were staying. The rent was cheap, and they had money saved from before the Pigmask occupation. Their pool of money was running low, though. It was barely enough to last them as long as a year. One of them would need to get a job soon.

On their way up to their floor, they heard loud banging against the ceiling–probably from the floor above. It got louder and louder as they got closer to their room. They turned down the next hallway. Pigmasks were standing by their room. Lucas gasped in surprise when he saw this.

"Sshh," Claus hissed as he pulled his brother back around the corner. He peered around, expecting to see what he didn't want to see. He relaxed and took a deep breath as he saw it was not their room they were inspecting. It was the one next to theirs.

Struggling and shouting began to increase in volume. "What's happening?" Lucas looked around the corner with Claus.

"They're arresting someone," Claus whispered. A bright flash came from the room. Definitely another PSI-user. The man being bombarded by Pigmasks shouted and cursed the Pigmasks as he was fettered and taken out of the door of his room. Claus pulled his head out from around the corner. He appeared to be sickened by what he saw. The man's body was covered in blood and his face was pale as he desperately flailed around to break free.

They came around the corner to where they were standing, and paid little attention to the two boys' aghast faces as they saw the mutilated- yet still living- body of another human being.

Lucas cooked dinner for each of them, which they didn't have much conversation during. Their minds were currently too focused on what would happen to them if they were to be caught with PSI. Lucas had always been a quiet, reserved person, even more so with the sight they had just seen. Claus was usually social and talkative, but these past few months he changed. Claus tried to pass off his quietness as thinking Lucas didn't want to talk, but that didn't work, and it wasn't true. Claus was the only person Lucas ever wanted to talk to, and he wanted to talk to him all the time; he just lacked skill in starting conversation.

They quietly watched television in their one room apartment for the next hour. Then the clock struck 10:00.

"Claus, I'm going to bed," Lucas yawned, "I'm tired."

"Good night," Claus turned off the TV, "I think I'm going to sleep as well." They both shared a bed because it was the only room they could afford, which Claus claimed he didn't like doing. He would be lying, though. Claus enjoyed having his brother next to him, and Lucas felt the same. When one knew the other was present right beside him, it made him feel more at ease, and let him sleep peacefully.

Lucas looked over to see Claus uncomfortably turning in bed. "Claus, are you okay?" Lucas asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Claus answered, "Are you?"

"I'm doing as well as I always am," Lucas answered, "But I can tell there's something wrong, Claus."

"No, it's nothing," Claus blatantly lied, then realized that whether or not Lucas had psychic abilities, it was easy for him to tell. Claus took a shaky breath, "I'm just scared, about everything. I worry every night, Lucas. I worry that Pigmasks will raid the apartment, and I won't ever see you again, or have a chance of seeing mom or dad again."

Lucas empathized, "I worry, too. Claus, please don't lie to me though. You know you can tell me anything, and I won't judge you any differently."

"I know," Claus felt somewhat guilty, "Thanks." Lucas moved closer to Claus under the covers to the point where they were touching. They fell asleep right next to each other, knowing that they would be with each other if anything did happen that night.