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Description
Torren Durst probably couldn't hear the footfalls of the Guardian behind him because the large man had taken flight. Just his luck, getting caught by a flying Guardian. He turned a corner, struggling to keep his breath even. Just a few more blocks, he lied to himself. Just a couple.

He wondered if they'd realized who they were after yet. Did they know that he was an invisible? He guessed not. If they did, they wouldn't hesitate to kill him on spot, instead of taking him to Judging, like the law decreed. Of course, the laws only applied to those with powers like the other 99.9% of the population. But for people like Tor, there was only one option the government gave – instant death.

Tor tripped over a stick. He cursed as he hit the ground, rolling to ease the impact. The Guardian was hot on his heels, and swooped down a moment later. "Torren Durst," the man said softly. The guy hadn't even broken a sweat. "We need to--"

"Sorry, got to run," said Tor, scrambling to his feet and shooting off in another direction. He was panting hard now, not a good sign.

An electrocar came out of nowhere and swerved in front of him. Tor gritted his teeth and jumped, sliding over the nuke-proof hood to reach the other side.

"Hey, techie! Watch where you're going!"

Tor ignored him. It was getting darker and darker, and soon enough, Tor would be able to slip away without notice. The man was still right behind him, though, and gaining every second.

"Torren!" The voice sounded from his left. He put on an extra burst of speed.
"Mr. Durst!" This time, it came from his right. What, had they brought the entire Guard in for one teenager?

"Stop chasing me, you fucking glo-warms," he whispered. The expletive wasn't quite required in the moment, but Tor didn't care where it originated from. The global warming activists of the 21st century had long receded into a running joke for the 22nd century inhabitants. Just some crazies, hyped up on a theory that never came to fruition. Still, some old school people found it offensive. Tor didn't give a crap one way or another.

He was so busy thinking dark thoughts that he didn't notice the dead end until he smacked against the wall.

Thoughts were running through his head faster than he could speak. Should he run? Try and fight them?

Tor closed his eyes, and clenched his fists. He knew he only had one option, though it put him and his family in terrible danger. But it was either that, or be interrogated, and if that happened, everything was lost.

The secret police members rounded the corner and filed out. Tor's eyebrows raised in surprise. There were more of them than he'd thought.

"Come on," he said scornfully, "All of you for one seventeen year old boy? Look, I was only running away for some time alone, okay? Can I go home?" He added a bit of whine to his voice, to perfect the image of the spoiled boy, the son of two scientists who helped create the serum that changed the entire world. Sure, he was wealthy. That didn't make him a rich boy.

"You've caused a great deal of trouble, Torren."

"Yeah, I know. I just want to go home now. Please." His pleading tone belied the message his green eyes sent – I will hurt you. Tor was ready. If one of the Guardians made a move, he would be ready to counter it – with the world's worst nightmare.

I am an invisible, Tor thought to himself. You can't win, because to you, I practically don't exist.

"Son, I'm afraid it's too late for that."

Tor said nothing. It was clear; he would have to fight his way out of this one.

"We're going to need to ask you a few questions. Nothing horrible. But we do need to talk to you."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Tor said softly, all pretenses of the rich boy gone.
Then, before they could reply, he leaped forward.

Description
Torren Durst probably couldn't hear the footfalls of the Guardian behind him because the large man had taken flight. Just his luck, getting caught by a flying Guardian. He turned a corner, struggling to keep his breath even. Just a few more blocks, he lied to himself. Just a couple.

He wondered if they'd realized who they were after yet. Did they know that he was an invisible? He guessed not. If they did, they wouldn't hesitate to kill him on spot, instead of taking him to Judging, like the law decreed. Of course, the laws only applied to those with powers like the other 99.9% of the population. But for people like Tor, there was only one option the government gave – instant death.

Tor tripped over a stick. He cursed as he hit the ground, rolling to ease the impact. The Guardian was hot on his heels, and swooped down a moment later. "Torren Durst," the man said softly. The guy hadn't even broken a sweat. "We need to--"

"Sorry, got to run," said Tor, scrambling to his feet and shooting off in another direction. He was panting hard now, not a good sign.

An electrocar came out of nowhere and swerved in front of him. Tor gritted his teeth and jumped, sliding over the nuke-proof hood to reach the other side.

"Hey, techie! Watch where you're going!"

Tor ignored him. It was getting darker and darker, and soon enough, Tor would be able to slip away without notice. The man was still right behind him, though, and gaining every second.

"Torren!" The voice sounded from his left. He put on an extra burst of speed.
"Mr. Durst!" This time, it came from his right. What, had they brought the entire Guard in for one teenager?

"Stop chasing me, you fucking glo-warms," he whispered. The expletive wasn't quite required in the moment, but Tor didn't care where it originated from. The global warming activists of the 21st century had long receded into a running joke for the 22nd century inhabitants. Just some crazies, hyped up on a theory that never came to fruition. Still, some old school people found it offensive. Tor didn't give a crap one way or another.

He was so busy thinking dark thoughts that he didn't notice the dead end until he smacked against the wall.

Thoughts were running through his head faster than he could speak. Should he run? Try and fight them?

Tor closed his eyes, and clenched his fists. He knew he only had one option, though it put him and his family in terrible danger. But it was either that, or be interrogated, and if that happened, everything was lost.

The secret police members rounded the corner and filed out. Tor's eyebrows raised in surprise. There were more of them than he'd thought.

"Come on," he said scornfully, "All of you for one seventeen year old boy? Look, I was only running away for some time alone, okay? Can I go home?" He added a bit of whine to his voice, to perfect the image of the spoiled boy, the son of two scientists who helped create the serum that changed the entire world. Sure, he was wealthy. That didn't make him a rich boy.

"You've caused a great deal of trouble, Torren."

"Yeah, I know. I just want to go home now. Please." His pleading tone belied the message his green eyes sent – I will hurt you. Tor was ready. If one of the Guardians made a move, he would be ready to counter it – with the world's worst nightmare.

I am an invisible, Tor thought to himself. You can't win, because to you, I practically don't exist.

"Son, I'm afraid it's too late for that."

Tor said nothing. It was clear; he would have to fight his way out of this one.

"We're going to need to ask you a few questions. Nothing horrible. But we do need to talk to you."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Tor said softly, all pretenses of the rich boy gone.
Then, before they could reply, he leaped forward.