Chapter 1

"Mommy... Whered daddy go?," I asked. My lips trembles, as the fear that My father didnt love me anymore bubbled up inside me. My mom looked up at me with tear stained eyes, her once luxurious hair falling around her head in ragged clumps. Even from a distance, the smell of alcohol on her scented the air more prominently than anything I'd ever smelled before.

"Lio... Go to your room... Mommy needs some alone time please... Go read those books mommy bought for you," she ordered, tension heavy on her voice. Her fists clenched even harder on her blonde locks, her tears spilling over like a flooding sewer drain. I looked down, my fists clenched. I could feel my cheeks burn with the embarrassment of the attitude I was displaying.

"But mommy, I already read them all... I want to watch the video again!" I whined. My fists clenched even tighter with fear, my bottom lip catching in my teeth. The second she looked up, I knew I shouldn't have talked back to her. Her beautiful green eyes now glowed with an intensity of which I'd never seen.

"THEN READ THEM AGAIN LIONEL!!", She cried, throwing her hands down to the ground with a loud bang, whatever the force she used, the sound resembled that of a thunderstorm, and her tears that of the rain that pour from the night sky. I flinched, looking down. Tears filled my eyes swiftly. I missed my dad. Why wasnt he there for me.

"But mom!!!" I tried again. That's when something in her snapped. I saw it. Later the authorities would see it too. The anger boiling in her beautiful green eyes. And deeper than that. Her insanity. Is this why daddy left me? Did I remind him to much of her?

Next thing I know her palms struck me into my cheek full force, sending me sprawling on the tiled floor. I could feel the pain stinging through my entire face, and my blonde hair spilled into my eyes due to being ripped out in the impact. I could feel my eyes widening with shock, and all my body wanted to do was recoil from the woman who hit me.

"M-mommy?," I whispered, clenching my fists as I choked back a sob, looking up at her. Before I could say another word, I got up and sped to my room sobbing the whole way. She hit me. Mommy doesn't love me anymore.

10 years later

I stare at myself in the mirror, my dark green eyes paled in comparison to my mother. At this point I was seventeen years old. In foster care. My father abandoned me, and the last thing I can truly remember about my mother, was the look of fury on her face as the boys in blue took her away. That, and the beautiful green eyes I inherited, and the insanity in them as she struck me repeatedly over the years.

I glance at the slight scar on my upper lip from those beatings. How many blows did it actually take for anyone to see my pain? Was I that invisible to this world? Why did I have to go through so much for anyone to notice? For anyone to care? I glanced down at my pale palms, long and slender. Glancing at them occasionally would remind me of back in the days before my father left, When my mother would sit me on her lap and teach me to play the piano. And the afterschool Violin lessons with my father's best friend.

How did everything go so wrong so fast. Where did the color in life go? When did it all become the shadows and the light... when did I become one with the shadows people desperately ignore that hide behind their backs.

I pulled on a hoodie, letting it hide my pale blonde hair. Just stick to school. Just stick to life in the shadows and I wont be noticed. I'd rather hide in the shadows and be a good person, then shine in the light of other people's eyes, bathe in popularity, and become a horrible person. I clench my fists. Yeah, right.

I leave my room, heading to the kitchen. As soon as I enter, my Foster mom, Michelle, Holds out a plate of cinnamon toast. I sit at the table and munch on them, silently staring at my plate. Avoiding eye contact with my guardian was one of the hardest things to do.

"So Lionel... I'm going to be home late again today... Is that ok?, " She asked. I smiled, glancing into her brilliant blue eyes. Michelle was usually late when she worked. She works for a salon on the Eastside of town that she owns, and she takes jobs at all hours of the day, only calling it quits around midnight. I smile and yawn, rubbing my eyes.

"Yeah, that's cool. Thank you for breakfast Michelle!, " I say with a gratifying smile. She smiles and Pat's my head in return.

"Alright, call me if you need anything, Have a good day at school," She calls to me as I exit the kitchen. I jog to my room and grab my bag, walking back out to the door.

"Alright I will, Thank you!!" I call as I leave the house, going to school.

Over the summer, Scientists developed a vaccine, that mutates genetic Gene's to develop special abilities for you based off you're personalities. Some would call the superpowers. I just call them the perks of being rich.

Of course of everyone in my school, I'm among the select few who dont have any. Michelle offered to take me to get it, But I refused. My mother's so called power was killing her every day by the second.

There was one downside to that refusal though. The rich kids at school. One in Particular. Magnus. He and I used to live close, so I always looked up to him since my father left. Hes two grades above me, henceforth almost three years older than me. His ability, was by far one of the most powerful I'd ever seen. To match his flaming hot personality, he got fire. Hellfire to be exact.

I look at my palm. If I had gone through with it, I wonder what mine would be...

"Hey look, Its Lio!!" A familiar voice roars in the hall. I look down, letting their voices fall silent in the chaotic scream the hallway had became. I already heard it all before. Worthless. Good for nothing. The bastard son of a man who runs, and the abused little boy of a woman gone mad.

I wish the voices would always be silent. I wish the screams would end. But they can't. They won't.

I go into my class, dropping my bag lazily by my desk and sitting down, resting my head on it. I rub my temples and glance up, noticing the teacher.

"Can I get today's assignment please?,"

"Oh look, Its Poor defenseless Lio... Whatre you doing in this gym class? You havent had the vaccine yet, Have you?," The obnoxious voice of the oh so popular Magnus cried. I turned, looking up at him lazily. That smirk on his face, was the same one I've wanted to break in every day for the past few years of my life. It's nothing I havent heard before.

"I'm ahead in everything. I got bored, so they put me in an advanced Gym class. So what,?" I demand. Everyone around us stops and glances. The mutters became louder once again.

"What's with the coldness of his expression,?"

"Is he crazy? I've never seen that look before,"

"He must've gotten the psycho gene from his mom!,"

I glanced all around me, noting their glances. I turned my attention back to Magnus.

"Now is that it, or Can I get to class now?" I demand. My dismissal clearly pissed him off. His blue eyes darkened, and his fists clenched even tighter.

"Get out of my sight Lio. Ungreatful prick....," he ordered. I shrugged and pushed past him, walking out the locker room. I stand in the corner, waiting for everyone else to leave the locker rooms in silence. Am I a psycho?? I glance down at my hands. Should I have been afraid of him?

Five minutes later and everyone's standing in a circle around the coach, waiting for his instructions.

"Ok class, I have an announcement to make. Word came down from the higher ups that the school is giving away a free vaccine for the new genetically engineered power developer thingy. It is required of this class, and every other advanced class. So the only way we could do this fair is have one vaccine a class for five classes. Anyways, they wanted a contest of strength to see who it would benefit most in the classes, and how it would help them grow academically. So I have chosen a select few from each class to compete with one another,"

"Some of you may be wondering, why would you need one if you already have them. The answer is simple. Recent research has proven that a double dose of this will add an extra trait to your ability, and boost its strength. Of course it's not to be used for anything bad, only what its liscenced for in the pre-surgical contract. Now these are the names. When your name is called, please step forward," He finished almost breathlessly. He clasped the paper to the clip board and stood up a little straighter, as if hoping well hear him better.

"At the top of the list, my one and only handpicked student, Lionel Hall," He announces with pride, his bright eyes locking on me like that of a father's. I look down, avoiding eye contact. It's too much attention. I could feel all eyes turn to me, burning with intensity.

"Next on my list, Of course, Is Magnus Branwell, By recommendation of at least five other teachers," I looked up, feeling a spike of rage fill me. I have to compete with that jackass? I clench my fists and stare at him, feeling my eyes burn with hatred. The whole class applauded him, while they were all pissed I even made it, much less chosen by the teacher.

One glance into my eyes, and I could see the fear in the rest of the student's as they gazed at me, going in between us. The Perfect prince and the Psycho Shadow. He smirked at me, flashing his arrogance at me like a broadsword, an unspoken oath to beat me. We'll see about that.

As the teacher rambled off names, I struggled to remember what made me this way. Could it be in my genetics? No. Why am I so unpopular. I smiled, cocking my head at my sworn rival, catching the attention of everyone in the room.

"Got a problem pretty boy?," I demand, nothing his angered glance. My teacher shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with either of us. I know he wanted to stop us, but it wouldnt have done him any good.

"Oh nothing to serious, Mommys pet..," He seethed. I take a step closer to him, noting the small flinch in his left foot. Hes standing his ground. Impressive.

"Say that again," I slam my palm into the back of my head, letting out a small laugh.

"Now now boys... You can settle this in the contest. As I was saying, the battle for the vaccine surgery will be in a week. It will be a contest of smarts, strength, endurance, and most importantly, character. If you manage to pass them all, good for you. If you fail even one class by an inch, you're out of the running. That's all for now. Now go give me laps," I nod and put my earbuds in, turning and taking off as fast as I can.

I have to face Magnus... I glance down at the floor, feeling a sharp pain in my palms, and a coppery wetness slips through my finger tips. I hate him with every ounce of my being...

I'll kill him...

I stop dead in my tracks, breathing heavily, gulping air down my throat. What was that... that thought. I kneel over, staring wide eyes at the floor, barely noticing the sweat dripping off my chin. Dammit!! What is happening to me!!

A hand slams into my back. I turn and look up, seeing the P.E teacher. I pull my earbuds out, locking eyes with him.

"You good Hall?, You need to step out?," I glance away, locking eyes with Magnus across the gym.

He grins at me, mouthing words I couldnt make out. I could only imagine he was mocking me. I feel the shock fade from my face, going blank. I look up at the teacher and nod.

"I'm good., thanks though," I turned and started running again.

Faster, faster, faster! Outrun him. Outrun your problems. Outrun your past. Outrun the pain. I feel my feet get lighter as I pick up speed, running laps around the gym at top notch speed. No one will stop me.

Even if it's the last thing I do. I'll win.