Inside the meeting room, Jack stood before the line of unconscious students, straightening his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. His palms were sweating despite the air conditioning humming faintly in the ceiling vents. He exhaled, licked his lips, and muttered under his breath.
"This is the worst part…"
The scent of antiseptic and fear hung in the air. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly above, casting sterile light over the students sitting limp in their chairs — sedated, helpless, silent witnesses to what he was about to do.
Jack crouched beside the first student. The boy's chest rose and fell, unaware of what was about to happen. Jack leaned in until their faces were inches apart. For a moment, he hesitated, disgust flickering across his face. Then he grabbed the boy's head, pulled it forward, and pressed his lips against his.
A faint hum filled the room. Jack could feel it — that familiar pull. A current of energy surged from the student's body, rushing through his veins like fire meeting ice. His own body trembled as the ability flowed into him.
After thirty seconds, he broke the contact and spat onto the floor, wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket.
"Damn it," he hissed. "Why did my ability have to work this way?"
He glanced at the next student, jaw tightening. He'd tried many thinks, and other ways of skin-to-skin contact.But none of it worked. It had to be through the mouth — the most humiliating method imaginable. A curse disguised as a gift.
He moved down the row, repeating the process. Each kiss brought a different taste, a different sensation — a flicker of flame, a whisper of wind, a hum of static. Each one left a faint flame inside him, glowing in his gut like a collection.
Then he saw her.
Erin.
Her face was delicate, framed by strands of pale hair that shimmered under the light. Even unconscious, she looked calm — beautiful, almost ethereal. Jack smirked, though guilt prickled faintly beneath the arrogance.
"Well," he murmured, "here's someone I don't mind pressing my lips against."
He leaned in, slower this time, letting his fingers trace the edge of her chin. The moment his lips touched hers, a cold shiver ran through his body. Her energy was unlike the others — sharp, crisp, like breathing in frost. His breath came out in a mist as he pulled away.
When he wiped his mouth again, a ghostly vapor lingered. "An ice ability," he muttered, smiling faintly. "Now that's refreshing."
Only one remained.
Jack turned toward Quinn.
The boy was slumped backward, eyes closed. But even in this state, something about him unsettled Jack.
Jack squinted. He'd seen that face before — in Duke's report.
"So you're the one," he said softly, walking closer. "The reason I'm here at all. Duke said you've got something special… a new ability no one's seen before." He chuckled. "I am really excited, and it had been a far long time since i got to collect a new ability.You better not disappoint me, Quinn."
Quinn's body didn't move, but inside his fogged mind, he heard every word. His thoughts were sluggish, his head heavy, but rage burned like a coal in the dark. Duke. So he's behind this too… His fists clenched weakly at his sides.
Jack sighed. "Alright, last one."
He leaned down and closed the distance. The air felt tense, electric. As his lips touched Quinn's, something snapped.
A notification flickered before Quinn's eyes — faint, but clear.
[Warning: An ability is being used on you.Ability rejected]
[Ability rejected]
Jack froze. As the ability didnt work as usual and the connection broke instantly. His eyes widened in confusion.
"What—?"
Before he could finish, Quinn's hand shot up like lightning, clamping around his throat. Jack's feet left the floor as Quinn lifted him effortlessly, his fingers digging into Jack's neck.
Quinn opened his eyes, which were full of intent.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Quinn snarled, his voice low and sharp. "Ugh—gross." He wiped his lips with the back of his hand, disgust flashing across his face.
Jack thrashed in his grip, gasping. "You— you were supposed to be asleep! I saw him inject you!"
"Yeah," Quinn growled, his tone tightening, "guess it didn't work."
The air in the room grew heavier, Jack's eyes darted toward the door, but Quinn's grip only tightened.
"You like taking people's abilities, huh?" Quinn said. "Let's see how it feels when someone takes yours."
Before Jack could respond, Quinn pressed his other hand against Jack's abdomen. A strange hum resonated in the air — low and menacing.
Jack's body convulsed as heat surged through him. The collection of stolen powers inside him — the tiny flames he'd absorbed — began to twist, spiral, and pull outward. He felt a sensation never like before as each ability he absorbed was ripped from his core, dragged into Quinn's palm.
"No—no! This isn't possible!" Jack gasped. His body arched, trembling violently. He could feel the flames of different abilities— all leaving him.
Quinn's eyes narrowed, multiple screen was popping up inside him, as finally all the abilities came inside him, his small wound made by fex had disappeared almost instantly.
As his grip loosened, Jack collapsed to his knees, panting, drained and trembling.
He stared up at Quinn, voice shaking. "W-what are you…?"
Before Quinn could answer, Jack shouted hoarsely toward the door. "Kenny! Get in here right now—one of them's awake!"
But a loud thud echoed outside, but no one came inside .
Inside the room, Quinn stepped forward, the boy who just moments ago seemed totally harmless and slumbed back on the chair had a total 180 degre turn, now his presence stood suffocating.
"I don't think anyone is going to come now," he said coldly. " And you are not leaving either."
The lights flickered once. Jack's breath hitched. For the first time, the predator felt what it was like to be prey.