CHAPTER FOUR

THREE BAR

And so they remained at Coates Academy for the next month or so. The three of them, Leon, Jason and Max. Caine allocated them some makeshift bedrooms upstairs, next door to a creepy nine-year-old kid called Bug. Every day, Caine, the girl that was rumoured to be his girlfriend - Diana - and the rest of the CA would meet in the dining hall to discuss 'important matters'.

One of these other kids was Caine's henchman. His name was Drake Merwin. He was a sick, twisted, psychopath. That was what was rumoured, anyway.

Then one day, Caine, Diana, Drake and the CA headed off down to Perdido Beach, the town that still gave Leon nightmares. Caine had said something about 'taking charge'.

Leon had already figured out that Caine was a strange, sick child. Maybe not as extreme as Merwin, but certainly more devious and sinister.

So on the twenty-seventh day they'd been staying at Coates Academy, Leon, who was wearing one of the Coates school shirts and trousers, gathered Jason and Max in their 'bedroom'.

"I don't think it's safe here. I think we should get away while we still can."

"And go where?" Jason spluttered. "You heard Caine; there's some sort of electric wall around us. We're stuck in this crappy little town."

"We should get away from Coates, I meant," Leon said. "Caine is dangerous. We don't want to get on the wrong side of him."

"I agree," Max nodded. "Let's go now."

But before they could move, the carpet in front of them shuffled slightly and a blurry figure sped towards the door.

"What the hell?"

Leon's hand cracked through the air, launching a powerful blow on the blurry figure's shoulder. There was a cry, followed by a thud, and then suddenly Bug materialised on to the carpet.

"Ah, you dick," Bug squealed.

"What just happened?" Jason spluttered.

"In case you hadn't noticed, genius, I have the powers of a chameleon," Bug snorted.

"Powers? You're kidding me, right?" Leon exclaimed.

"Nope. Half the kids in the FAYZ are mutants."

"FAYZ?"

"Fallout Alley Youth Zone. FAYZ. AKA, this dome we're trapped inside."

"So… kids have powers?" Jason asked, staring at his hands in awe.

"Yes."

"So you were spying on us?" Leon snarled, rounding up to Bug. "You were going to report back to Caine?"

"Yes," Bug grinned. "I was actually, two bar."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"The girl, Diana. She held your hand on the first day, right?" Bug smiled. "She was testing you for powers. One bar, not very powerful. Two, fairly powerful. Three, powerful. Four, like Caine, you've got a real gift."

"So… what's my power?" Leon asked in amazement.

"Forget your power, it's 'im you wanna look out for," Bug said, pointing at Max. "I hear he's a three. And Caine doesn't like competition."

"Wow," Max gasped.

Now that the shock had almost settled in, Leon decided to take charge. He grabbed Bug's arm and shoved him on to the old mattress he'd been sleeping on. "Jason, Max, look for some rope."

But before they could move, Bug lurched forwards, throwing a punch at Max. Max raised his arms in defence, and suddenly Bug, who hadn't even been touched, went sprawling across the carpet.

Leon, Jason and Max stood silent. A minute later Bug groaned and lifted his head.

"What happened?" he muttered.

Leon's eyes widened. "Do you remember anything?"

Bug shook his head, and slowly got to his feet. "I remember coming here, then… nothing. It's a blur."

Bug, still dazed, exited the room. Then Max burst out laughing. "Oh my God!" he chuckled. "I just wiped someone's memory!"