Avril's POV

My life was shattered oh so fast. All because of that fateful day a year ago.

My parents were keen travellers and researchers. We were always taking trips to remote and hardly known areas. It was a good life, never staying in the same place for too long. But like all good things, it came to an end.

We were exploring one of the tropical regions in the south. We were in our 4x4, driving on one of the most dangerous mountain roads. I kept gulping every time I looked over the edge, but what reassured me was my dad's driving. He'd travelled in more dangerous conditions. My mom was sleeping.

The road eventually changed, the ground becoming loose and wet. We had to drive under a waterfall, and despite all reassuring thoughts, I couldn't lose the feeling something bad would happen.

As we came under the waterfall, we had to pass another car, driving around to the edge of the road. I clutched the seats in panic, squeezing my eyes tight. After a minute of stillness, I opened my eyes again, looking to see the two cars were still side by side. I looked inside, seeing a brown bat with long black hair sitting there, equally terrified. When I looked away, that was when fate decided to end my good life.

I heard the rocks crumble away, clawing at my seatbelt. As the car began to tip, I pulled the door handle, opening the door as the car plummeted the deadly drop. I felt myself being pulled from the car, looking into the eyes of my dad. They told me that even if he died, he'd want me to live no matter what.

As my gaze was torn from my dad, I looked up to the see the entire section of road had crumbled away, the other car already starting to fall. For a brief second, the eyes of the bat bore into mine. That was all I saw before, out of pure panic, I blacked out.

A year later

The institution was set up to help gifted children reach their full potential. It was also designed to be like a second home to most of them.

As Jared Banks looked around the recreational room, his educated eyes could pick out friends and social groups amongst the kids. There was one person who stood out to him.

The person was a creamy yellow cat with long yellow echidna-like dreadlocks, long pale brown hair, pale blue eyes and a sad face. She was wearing a plain black T-shirt with a black sleeveless jacket, both of which stopped just above her midsection. She was wearing plain black fingerless gloves, a pale blue string around the wrist of her left glove. She was wearing plain black trousers and boots, the trousers held up by two criss-crossing black belts. Around her neck was a plain short scarf the same colour as her eyes.

Jared had been told about her. She was the "lone wolf" of the place, always sitting by a window, looking out mournfully. She also lived at the institution full time. She was the girl who did the best in tests, but never showed any pride in her achievements. She was like an empty mechanical shell of a girl.

At nine o'clock, on the dot, three knocks rang through the agency. Vector got up to answer the door, already knowing who it was.

"And I thought Shadow's timing was impeccable," Vector said as he looked at the dark blue hedgehog in front of him.

"Pays to be prompt," Skyfire said, stepping to the side to reveal the black hedgehog and two black cats.

"This is Viola, Scarlett and Magenta. Viola was the one who was attacked," he said, each person prompting who they were in different ways. Viola, the hedgehog said "hi", Scarlett, the crimson haired cat muttering a greeting while the second cat with black and grey hair in two large side tied ponytails, the tips of her fringe and tails dyed a bright magenta colour, eyes the same colour as the dyed hair, Shadow the hedgehog styled quills waved. One thing Vector noticed immediately was the similar attire, the two cats wearing the same as Viola.

"Right this way please," Vector said, gesturing inside. Once they were all inside, he shut the door, unaware of the person watching from the rooftops of the building.

If there was one thing Miranda didn't like about the institution upon first impressions, it was that the staff seemed to treat teens as if they were children. As she, Mighty and Cynder sat in the reception, someone had asked them what they would like to drink. She and Mighty had asked for coffee, and now the staff member had come and gone.

"So much for that energising buzz you get from the first coffee of the day," Mighty said, face faulting at the size of it. Shrugging, he took a sip, almost spitting it out instantly. Miranda watched through a narrowed eye as Mighty swallowed.

"Ugh, not even real coffee. Some cheap substitute," Mighty grumbled as Miranda took a sip, gagging and spitting it out in a trash can sitting next to the seat.

"How do they expect anyone to drink this," Miranda muttered in agreement, watching as Cynder came back from the vending machine, a fizzy drink in each hand and a third held in her tail. "Show off," Miranda muttered as Cynder smirked, throwing the echidna the one in her tail while she gave Mighty the second.

"Thought this might help, at least until we get to a coffee shop," she said, unscrewing the cap just as a member of staff came. Before she could take a sip, the bottle was snatched from her.

"Didn't know this was a health spa," Miranda grumbled, her violet eyes sparkling angrily as the man attempted to take her drink. The man coughed before backing up. Miranda simply grunted and took back Cynder's bottle, handing it to her.

"Right this way please," the man stuttered, leading the three mobians further into the institution.