Chapter 8: Friends (2/2)

"And we can still be allies," said Aldrich "You're right We need allies here, and no Alter is going to associate with us In the future, it will be optiether

If you suspect my trustworthiness, then think about this: how could I have known our first test was going to be a free for all bloodbath?

If I had known beforehand and had tiether a plan, I would have inforths and covered our weaknesses

But I can't see the future like some Alters can, can I?"

"Yes, I don't really blame you," said Elaine "It's like Adam said When you're a Dud like us where everyone in the world seeet you, it's just natural to take the advantages you can I just had a bad gut reaction, but I've thought through it"

"Anyway, considering it looks like we're going to be the last three Fraet to know each other," said Adam He smiled at Elaine "So, what are you all in here for? Why are you guys so desperate you're willing to get your asses kicked ten different ways just for a chance to graduate from this shthole?"

Elaine and Aldrich remained silent for several seconds

Aldrich spoke first "My parents were heroes They were killed by the Trident I want to get a license to hunt them down"

Adam whistled "daot so much drive behind those dead eyes of yours And you, Elaine?"

"My parents weren't heroes, but they were Alters," said Elaine She started to nervously run her fingers through her long locks of red hair "When they realized I was a Dud, they disowned me and threw e of syed by Variant activity where the truly desperate settled, for, tiny towns and cities where poverty and desperation filled the air

It was a known practice that Alters that lived in Neo-Cities - proper walled cities where wealth, heroes, and protection against monsters were concentrated - would often throw their Dud children out to the Wastes in the rare chance that they birthed one to hide the sha a powerless child

"That's fucked," said Adam sympathetically "How old were you?"

"Five, I think It was so long ago, so I don't remember much," said Elaine

Adam shook his head "The world hates us, what can I say I'm the same deal as you Parents had powers, I had none, so they threwodd jobs, scrapping forwhen I could

How'd you survive?"

"An old Techno took ht not have had powers, but I did have a knack for coding I helped out at his shop when I could Tried to earn "

Technos were a class of Alter that were capable of y in some enhanced capacity That Elaine could help out a proper Techno meant the old Techno either pitied her that much or she was just that naturally talented

"Sweet, so you're smart," said Adam

Elaine shi+fted uncomfortably, unused to praise "I do what I can" Her eyes cast down "Randall - that's the na old Hisand his powers don't work for him anymore I don't want him to die in the Wastes all alone, worked to the bone like that

I want to graduate froet him a place to live in a Neo-City where he can spend the rest of his days in quiet That's the least I owe hiood heart," said Adam "Way better than mine All I see are credits hell, if I turn into a hero, I'et a place by myself all to myself, one that doesn't smell like trash and fire, and buy ers and cake and nobody can fucking stop hed, and Ada?"

"Burgers and cake? That's all you want?" said Elaine

"Yeah, I mean, I've never had either, and I see for theht?" said Adam "Guess I'd want a car, too Clean water would be awesome as well Lots of clothes Clean clothes And let me see…"

Adas he had wanted but had never, ever gotten

Aldrich noted this conversation in silence He had respect for these two Co, they had far harder childhoods than him He had lived in Neo-York, a proper Neo-City, because his parents had left behind enoughheroes that earned a decent amount

Most importantly, his parents had not chosen to abandon him like Adam and Elaines' parents had

"But at the end of the day, I also wanted friends," said Adam He smiled broadly at Elaine and Adaot two friends already A tech genius and a silent badass Can't say I'm disappointed"

"You don't have much room to be disappointed," said Aldrich with a faint sy was infectious, Aldrich had to adether," said Adam He put a fist to his heart "Especially powerless people like us I got this feeling, but if we stick together, I feel like we'll all h this no probleh

"Yeah," said Aldrich siet