[h1]Ashley Parker[/h1]

[quote=text from Ash to her mom]Yeah ill get milk after practice
See u at 7
Love u[/quote]

	Ashley shoved her cell phone in her pocket before she left the bathroom stall, resenting her school's no phone policy for at least the eleventh time this week. Having to sneak around just to text her mom, hiding in the bathroom like some kind of criminal instead of being in English class, felt ridiculous. She washed her hands, frowned at the zit on her chin, and left the bathroom.

	Her world fell apart through the big windows facing the main parking lot. Half a dozen black SUVs were pulling up, all bearing the BSI logo. Panicked, Ashley went back into the bathroom, struggling to breathe. They were there for her, she was sure of it. What else could it be? She never should have slammed that door.

	A minute later, the loudspeakers crackled to life out in the hall. [b]"Attention Nemoton High School. The BSI is conducting a routine search of the school starting immediately. All students and staff please report to the gymnasium immediately. All students and staff please go to the gym immediately."[/b] The sound of footsteps and confused chatter quickly filled the hall, but Ashley stayed in her bathroom stall, cracking the door and pulling her feet up so no one would see that it was still occupied if they glanced in.

[quote=text from Ash to her little sister]I love u no matter what happens. Never forget that[/quote]
[hr]

[h1]Karen Daniels[/h1]
	Most students in her junior english class looked confused when the announcement came on. Some started cracking jokes, pleased to get out of class early. Except two, who were clearly trying their best to look calm while panicking. Teenagers always think they're so good at hiding their emotions, but Karen has been a teacher much too long to buy it.

	"Alright class, we'll finish our discussion on Romeo & Juliet next week. Everyone can go to the gym in an orderly fashion, except Alex and Celine. I need to talk to you two about your latest test scores," She announced, trying her best to make the situation seem normal. "And leave your backpacks here! You know the rules, no taking personal possessions along when they're doing a sweep."

	As the class emptied out into the halls, Karen busied herself at her desk, rifling through messy drawers until she found the business card she had been looking for. "Okay you two. You don't have to tell me anything, because we don't have the time anyway. If you don't want to go to the gym for the... [i]routine search[/i] you don't have to," She said seriously, careful not to say anything that would spook them. "I'm going to leave my keys on my desk and a business card for a teacher in Tucson, Arizona who is involved in an organization that helps Gifted teenagers. Make good choices, okay?" She reminded them. "I'll cover for you as long as I can. Wait until the halls are clear before you leave this room."

	Trying to look calmer than she felt, Karen left Alex and Celine in the room, flipping the lights and door lock behind her, and headed for the gym with sweaty palms. She had hoped to never have to do something like this, but now that the time was here she had no doubts. No jackbooted thugs were going to take her kids if she could help it.

[hr]

	As soon as the footsteps faded away, Ashley ducked out of the bathrom. She wasn't sure where she could go next, but leaving the school on foot and without money didn't seem like a good idea so she decided to head back to her English classroom to grab her backpack and car keys. Luckily the hallway was empty, but when she arrived at the door it was locked. She almost turned around and went back before she remembered her powers. Finally, they're coming in handy!

	The door lock shattered with one well-placed punch and she stepped into the darkened room, shocked to find she wasn't alone. "What are you guys doing here?" She asked Alex and Celine, freaking out as she realized they had just seen her use her Gift.