1 prologue

Wake up. Go to school. Study. Eat. Study. Go home. Repeat.

I have trouble differentiating one day from the next because they all melt together into the same repetitive drudge.

The world we live in is strife with turmoil. Yet, we do not see it unless we are open to it and are critical of the information we consume. Often news is manipulated by those in power to offer a different picture than what is actually happening.

I should know, my family is in the business of making everything everyone does their business.

As the offspring of the head of Secret Police - capitalised on purpose because *everyone* calls them that - you are privy to information about people around you whether you want to or not.

It could be because my father forgot his case files on the dinner table. Or because his computer blacked out and he needed my help to make sure he didn't lose all his information. It could be side comments he makes about our neighbours, other kids at school. For being the head of a secret covert organisation, my dad isn't exactly good at keeping secrets from me.

Each day I go to school and I can't even look some of the other students in the eye because I know something I shouldn't know about them and their familes.

I know for example why Jenna Xera disappeared. It wasn't because she ran off with some guy from another school. Her family was convicted for treason to the Crown. They were executed two days ago after their final appeal to the Court had been rejected. Some of the Royals are aware of that, but most don't care enough to learn what actually happened. Another day another death and all that. It's not that uncommon, though killing off an entire family would raise some eyebrows. If alone for all the paperwork that comes from it.

Data is everything. Knowledge is power. Each of these people gives away their power so easily. With every terms and conditions agreement they don't read but agree to. With every website they join, every account they make and don't log out of. For being idiotic enough to not even have a basic anti-virus program or VPN.

They just make it too easy. Too easy for people like my dad, for those in power.

At my school there are three types of classes.

The first is for regular students. Common high schoolers whose only concern is who is dating who, and which test they forgot to study for.

The second is for students of a certain... background. These are the Royals, the Nobles and those of such heritage being held "hostage" in our great nation.

Then, third, last but not least, is the class I belong to. It's not an official class, but it's for those students whose backgrounds are a bit more complicated. It could be because their families are involved in things that are a bit ... controversial to say the least.

I'm in because my dad is the head of the Secret Police. There are others in class whose families are involved in politics, while some are from big mob families. Anyone basically with family that others want to see dead.

While the royals and nobles have their fair share of enemies, their fights tend to be public and less ... bloody.

While those from my class tend to end in a high body count. Each of us is marked by a pin we wear on our uniform. It indicates to the faculty to be wary, careful and to intervene if any altercation should happen. Whether one of us is in the wrong or not. Even if the other person is a Royal.

These pins make us a target because the other two classes don't understand why we were singled out. They don't know our backgrounds, where we come from. If I told you I would have to kill you isn't an exaggeration amongst this group.

*Intervene. De-escalate the situation. Coax the asset. Remove asset from hostile environment.*

I saw those words written as a mantra in our head teacher's attendance book once. Sometimes I can see him mouth along those words, as though afraid he will forget them. I wonder what they say about us when we're not there. Knowing even a fraction of the power we have access to and by extension hold keeps most mouths shut. Those that don't... Well, then tend not to live long enough to see another day.

Still, it's funny how they think they can control us when it's obvious who holds the strings.

We may have Royals and Nobles still, but they are becoming a relic of the past. Our King is a puppet and people like my father hold his strings.

We know that. They can sense it, although they can't quite put their finger on it. People in my class know it as well as I do because they are in the same boat. We know more about each other than we would care to admit. I happen to know more about them though. Even in our class I'm a bit of a... special case let's say.

We don't look for trouble, trouble finds us.

It's easy to assume we would fight, instigate, and destroy. Students, kids really, get scared by the slightest things. Coloured hair, piercings, tattoos... The fact that we get away with blatantly ignoring the school dress code should send out alarms blaring. It's fascinating how something simple as appearance hides away the truth glaring right at them. How they can overlook all these signs around them.

Then again, humans aren't exactly known for being observant. Especially teenagers who literally think the world revolves around them.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm broken. Seeing people around me feel so much but being unable to muster even a passing resemblance of emotion. Not the occasional flickers of guilt when I look at those around me, knowing them better than they thought possible. But, things such as love, hate, envy, jealousy, joy, sadness... Anything.

I am content with where I am. Well, I am content enough with where I am.

Wake up. Go to school. Study. Eat. Study. Go home. Repeat.