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[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. |
The next day I woke up, dressed, ate breakfast, and drove to school in my crappy '93 caprice as usual. "Just another day. Just a normal, 'nuther day," I mumbled aloud, half hoping and completely unconvinced of the words that struggled to push past my lips.
I pulled into the student parking lot and made my way Inside. On the way through the lobby, Tom locked eyes with me from his locker and smiled slyly. "I've got 5 minutes if you're free" he yelled to me, just loud enough for others to hear. A series of hoots and coos ensued from those within earshot. I turned my face to the floor and followed the blue tile in the opposite direction.
"C'mon, man! It's kind of, you know, like your duty now! Think of how much money you could make." Allen looked at me at my locker with excited eyes, completely ignoring my mental well-being. "Seriously, drop it," I spat back. "Dude, I can't. That would be like telling Frank Sinatra to put down the mic, Barry Bonds to put down the bat, Tiger Woods to put down the club---" "what the hell! Why do all of your examples have to be about phallic objects!?" I began to lose my mind. "They're called metaphors Dum dum, but I guess you won't need brains anymore with beautiful DSLs like those, right?" Allen was just playing with me now. "FOR THE LAST TIME, I'M NOT GOING TO USE MY NEW POWER OF GIVING THE GREATEST BLOW JOBS!" There it was, I completely lost it. In front of the whole school. But I didn't stop there, I started point at people and yelling "You don't get a blowjob! You don't get a blowjob! Ohhhh no, no blowjobs for you! No one is getting their penis anywhere near my mouth! I'm STRAIGHT." I was breathing heavily and everyone stood there motionless, mouths agape, just staring at me. No, not quite at me. At my lips. I couldn't take it anymore. I ran to my car and drove away.
Months later, the pressure had become too much for me and I lost my ability to cope without drugs. I got mixed up with some shady people and that's how I started sucking dick for cash on the street. Today I'll put the barrel of 1911, that I paid for with 12 blowjobs, into my semen laden mouth and pull the trigger.
Fin. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The examiner cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Say that again, son."
"Prostate cancer. June 23rd, 2032."
The examiner laid down his pen and clipboard. Tears began to well in his eyes and his hands begin a slight shake. "Thank you. I... I think we're done here."
I'm escorted to the door of the small testing room where the same nurse who led me in is outside waiting for me. She is still breathing heavily. Trying to compose herself and not look me in the eyes. She doesn't have to.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Is there anything I can do? I have a daughter."
"I don't know if it works that way. I'm sorry."
She leads me to the discharge desk where I'm handed back a stack of paper work. The receptionist seems excited. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and is giddy to look at my results. Her excited smile quickly fades to a frown. Her eyes lock with the nurses teary eyes, and then to mine. Her head trembles from side to side, as if begging me to stay silent. Stabbing. Pretty soon, as far as I can foresee. I learn quickly to keep my mouth shut and spare her.
As the nurse exits back into the hallway, I can hear her speaking to one of the orderlies I saw in the earlier. "Hey, Frank. Do you think you can drive me home today?"
It doesn't work that way, I think to myself. Frank too. Today.
As the cab pulls up to the front of the facility, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The cabbie. He has a while. It isn't so bad.
"Where to?" He asks.
Now it's my turn to start shaking.
"Home," I say. "I'd like to see my mom and dad." |
The next day I woke up, dressed, ate breakfast, and drove to school in my crappy '93 caprice as usual. "Just another day. Just a normal, 'nuther day," I mumbled aloud, half hoping and completely unconvinced of the words that struggled to push past my lips.
I pulled into the student parking lot and made my way Inside. On the way through the lobby, Tom locked eyes with me from his locker and smiled slyly. "I've got 5 minutes if you're free" he yelled to me, just loud enough for others to hear. A series of hoots and coos ensued from those within earshot. I turned my face to the floor and followed the blue tile in the opposite direction.
"C'mon, man! It's kind of, you know, like your duty now! Think of how much money you could make." Allen looked at me at my locker with excited eyes, completely ignoring my mental well-being. "Seriously, drop it," I spat back. "Dude, I can't. That would be like telling Frank Sinatra to put down the mic, Barry Bonds to put down the bat, Tiger Woods to put down the club---" "what the hell! Why do all of your examples have to be about phallic objects!?" I began to lose my mind. "They're called metaphors Dum dum, but I guess you won't need brains anymore with beautiful DSLs like those, right?" Allen was just playing with me now. "FOR THE LAST TIME, I'M NOT GOING TO USE MY NEW POWER OF GIVING THE GREATEST BLOW JOBS!" There it was, I completely lost it. In front of the whole school. But I didn't stop there, I started point at people and yelling "You don't get a blowjob! You don't get a blowjob! Ohhhh no, no blowjobs for you! No one is getting their penis anywhere near my mouth! I'm STRAIGHT." I was breathing heavily and everyone stood there motionless, mouths agape, just staring at me. No, not quite at me. At my lips. I couldn't take it anymore. I ran to my car and drove away.
Months later, the pressure had become too much for me and I lost my ability to cope without drugs. I got mixed up with some shady people and that's how I started sucking dick for cash on the street. Today I'll put the barrel of 1911, that I paid for with 12 blowjobs, into my semen laden mouth and pull the trigger.
Fin. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. |
The next day I woke up, dressed, ate breakfast, and drove to school in my crappy '93 caprice as usual. "Just another day. Just a normal, 'nuther day," I mumbled aloud, half hoping and completely unconvinced of the words that struggled to push past my lips.
I pulled into the student parking lot and made my way Inside. On the way through the lobby, Tom locked eyes with me from his locker and smiled slyly. "I've got 5 minutes if you're free" he yelled to me, just loud enough for others to hear. A series of hoots and coos ensued from those within earshot. I turned my face to the floor and followed the blue tile in the opposite direction.
"C'mon, man! It's kind of, you know, like your duty now! Think of how much money you could make." Allen looked at me at my locker with excited eyes, completely ignoring my mental well-being. "Seriously, drop it," I spat back. "Dude, I can't. That would be like telling Frank Sinatra to put down the mic, Barry Bonds to put down the bat, Tiger Woods to put down the club---" "what the hell! Why do all of your examples have to be about phallic objects!?" I began to lose my mind. "They're called metaphors Dum dum, but I guess you won't need brains anymore with beautiful DSLs like those, right?" Allen was just playing with me now. "FOR THE LAST TIME, I'M NOT GOING TO USE MY NEW POWER OF GIVING THE GREATEST BLOW JOBS!" There it was, I completely lost it. In front of the whole school. But I didn't stop there, I started point at people and yelling "You don't get a blowjob! You don't get a blowjob! Ohhhh no, no blowjobs for you! No one is getting their penis anywhere near my mouth! I'm STRAIGHT." I was breathing heavily and everyone stood there motionless, mouths agape, just staring at me. No, not quite at me. At my lips. I couldn't take it anymore. I ran to my car and drove away.
Months later, the pressure had become too much for me and I lost my ability to cope without drugs. I got mixed up with some shady people and that's how I started sucking dick for cash on the street. Today I'll put the barrel of 1911, that I paid for with 12 blowjobs, into my semen laden mouth and pull the trigger.
Fin. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I sat in a large room with bleached white walls. It was always too cold, goosebumps ran along my arms and legs. A large mirror covered the wall to my left and I tried to pretend I couldn't feel the many people watching me from behind it. I was late. My birthday was November 20th at 1:17pm but when I first came here, nothing happened. No change, no nothing.
For 9 days.
This caused a large amount of excitement from whatever scientific community studies the new generation with powers. You get a power, no matter how mediocre and there was usually a sharp sensation that accompanied its coming.
Helen sat across from me. On the first day she answered my questions before my supposed time. On the second day I finally got her first name. She said I was a rare case. On the fifth day it almost looked like she pitied me. On the eighth, I found out that was just how she showed that she cared. She had two daughters both in middle school and she was so excited for their day to come.
"Well its about that time again," Helen said. "Let's hope the tenth times the charm," she winked at me. "As always the doctors will help you with anything should you need it."
"Thanks Helen". I looked at the clock above the door. 1:10pm.
1:11 my stomach twisted and turned. What if my power is terrible. What if I hate it. The usual worries, but after the fifth day, the anxiety had died down a lot.
1:15 So close I can feel it. I will miss Helen as she kind of feels like a friend now. Wonder if I can fly or be invisible. Or maybe electricity.
1:16 Ice? No...Fire? How about teleporting. I always like magic, maybe something like that. Wonder if my parents are worried. What about transforming into a dragon?
**1:17pm** It felt like my eyes shut off and my conscious faded. IM DOING IT.
I awoke with a start. I recognized the white walls and my memory slowly filled in the gaps. I sneezed and felt something strange on my face. I had grown a full beard. I looked for the mirror. I turned to my left only to see glass. What happened to the mirror? Men with laptops or phones stared back through the glass. Most had surprised looks on their faces. Sharp images came to my mind. I saw a man stealing, a woman cheating on her husband. How did I know these things? So many images flooded my mind as I looked at each of them. It angered me. Why did they do this? They were being bad boys and girls. I want to do something about this. I must do something about this. My hand gripped something and I looked down. A black paddle that looked to be made of black rock sat in my hand. A deep chuckle escaped my lips. The glass would not stop me.
Their sins came out of my mouth accusing each person as I paddled them until they wept. They were being very bad and they needed to be taught a lesson. I will do it.
As the last man sat weeping and apologizing (you should never lie to your wife), Helen slammed the door open in a panic. Her eyes traced the room in a frenzy. People were scattered around the room, most of them groaning or weeping.
"What happened!" She exclaimed.
When I looked at her images rushed me again. But not of greed or anger or hate, but of happiness and caring. She tutors kids, she cares for hurt animals, she volunteers at a soup kitchen. A wide smile perched itself on my lips. She had been such a nice girl. I sat down in a chair next to her as confusion ran across her face.
"Ho Ho Ho, and what would you like for Christmas?" | 15, 14, 13.
"Fuck I'm not going to make it".
12
"How the hell did my life come to this? Oh that's right, Google".
---
"Now class can anyone summarize how it came to be that the U.S. and Southern Canada gained superpowers?" asked Ms. Thomas causing a few hands to go up. "Yes Jenny go ahead".
"Well after the success of Googles worldwide drone based Internet the company bought out Twitter and Facebook, combining the two creating Twicebook+ in the year 2020 once again revolutionizing the world as we knew it. Then in 2021 after months of unrest caused by the yet again enhanced spread of information, the North Korean dictatorship wanted to take ahold of things before a civil war broke out. So the North invaded the South and reunited the two countries in order to form the United Korean Republic, lead by Kim Jung Dil. And then in 2022 to get back at the U.S. for creating/harboring Google they launched a widespread nuclear attack on the West coast of the U.S. but it failed when the missiles were shot down half way across the Pacific. Shortly after, there was mass panic over nuclear fallout but towards December of that year U.S. citizens started to develope unexplained powers and from then on we have been the worlds first super powered superpower".
"Very good Jenny, ok cla...."
Ring ring
"Ok guys before you leave read chapter 12 starting on page 220 and write a 3 paragraph summary to turn in tomorrow at the start of class".
As I got up to leave Jenny came over and we chatted on the way to our cars. We parted ways once I came to my car with her wishing me a Happy Birthday along with many others doing the same as I unlocked my car door. The reason so many people were wishing me Happy Birthday was because I am the first of my class to turn 18 thus being the first of my class to gain ones powers.
"Hey Jones, you gonna keep us on the edge of our seats until tomorrow or what?" the football teams starting quarterback Chad asked.
"No I'll be putting it on Twicebook+ as soon as I know so don't you worry" I responded.
"All right man, well good luck" Chad said.
"Thanks" I responded.
When I got home I found a surprise party thrown by my entire family and as 8:01pm rolled around (the time of my birth) I felt no different. Then it happened, I felt like I was pulled out of my body and I saw my mothers coffee mug break into a thousand pieces as it crashed to the ground. As I was sucked back into my body I knew my power, clairvoyance. And before I revealed it to my family I walked over to my mom and moved her mug causing my grandfather to erupt with excitement as he to has clairvoyance. The rest of the night we tried over and over to trigger my power again, but to no avail.
The next day as I got to school I received much praise from my classmates as they all tried to trigger it but still nothing. Then at about noon I was again pulled out of my body as I once more saw Ms. Thomas knock her mug off her desk. As I warned her many of my classmates were awestruck at what happened, but I was confused, what's up with these God damn mugs? Over the course of the week it happened twice more all across the school. On that Saturday when I went to have my power confirmed and registered at the local PRD (Power Registration Department) run by the government, they confirmed my clairvoyance but that I can only see mugs breaking 15 seconds in the future at a radius of 500ft. Completely useless.
---
3,2.
Now 4 years later I own a coffee mug factory and spend my day running across the factory floor saving the 5 cents it costs to make the mugs from crashing to the ground while the rest of my class saves the world from destruction.
1, phew just in time.
FUCKING GOOGLE!
Edit: Grammar and overall flow of story, would've done when posted but didn't have time | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | 15, 14, 13.
"Fuck I'm not going to make it".
12
"How the hell did my life come to this? Oh that's right, Google".
---
"Now class can anyone summarize how it came to be that the U.S. and Southern Canada gained superpowers?" asked Ms. Thomas causing a few hands to go up. "Yes Jenny go ahead".
"Well after the success of Googles worldwide drone based Internet the company bought out Twitter and Facebook, combining the two creating Twicebook+ in the year 2020 once again revolutionizing the world as we knew it. Then in 2021 after months of unrest caused by the yet again enhanced spread of information, the North Korean dictatorship wanted to take ahold of things before a civil war broke out. So the North invaded the South and reunited the two countries in order to form the United Korean Republic, lead by Kim Jung Dil. And then in 2022 to get back at the U.S. for creating/harboring Google they launched a widespread nuclear attack on the West coast of the U.S. but it failed when the missiles were shot down half way across the Pacific. Shortly after, there was mass panic over nuclear fallout but towards December of that year U.S. citizens started to develope unexplained powers and from then on we have been the worlds first super powered superpower".
"Very good Jenny, ok cla...."
Ring ring
"Ok guys before you leave read chapter 12 starting on page 220 and write a 3 paragraph summary to turn in tomorrow at the start of class".
As I got up to leave Jenny came over and we chatted on the way to our cars. We parted ways once I came to my car with her wishing me a Happy Birthday along with many others doing the same as I unlocked my car door. The reason so many people were wishing me Happy Birthday was because I am the first of my class to turn 18 thus being the first of my class to gain ones powers.
"Hey Jones, you gonna keep us on the edge of our seats until tomorrow or what?" the football teams starting quarterback Chad asked.
"No I'll be putting it on Twicebook+ as soon as I know so don't you worry" I responded.
"All right man, well good luck" Chad said.
"Thanks" I responded.
When I got home I found a surprise party thrown by my entire family and as 8:01pm rolled around (the time of my birth) I felt no different. Then it happened, I felt like I was pulled out of my body and I saw my mothers coffee mug break into a thousand pieces as it crashed to the ground. As I was sucked back into my body I knew my power, clairvoyance. And before I revealed it to my family I walked over to my mom and moved her mug causing my grandfather to erupt with excitement as he to has clairvoyance. The rest of the night we tried over and over to trigger my power again, but to no avail.
The next day as I got to school I received much praise from my classmates as they all tried to trigger it but still nothing. Then at about noon I was again pulled out of my body as I once more saw Ms. Thomas knock her mug off her desk. As I warned her many of my classmates were awestruck at what happened, but I was confused, what's up with these God damn mugs? Over the course of the week it happened twice more all across the school. On that Saturday when I went to have my power confirmed and registered at the local PRD (Power Registration Department) run by the government, they confirmed my clairvoyance but that I can only see mugs breaking 15 seconds in the future at a radius of 500ft. Completely useless.
---
3,2.
Now 4 years later I own a coffee mug factory and spend my day running across the factory floor saving the 5 cents it costs to make the mugs from crashing to the ground while the rest of my class saves the world from destruction.
1, phew just in time.
FUCKING GOOGLE!
Edit: Grammar and overall flow of story, would've done when posted but didn't have time | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | "Teleportation"
Nobody had ever gotten this one before. I was ecstatic for 5 minutes, until I actually tried it. With a POP, I vanished and reappeared in the seat across from me, naked and hairless, missing my clothes, the top layer of my skin, the contents of my GI tract, my fillings... lord knows what else was in that pile across from me. | There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I sat in a large room with bleached white walls. It was always too cold, goosebumps ran along my arms and legs. A large mirror covered the wall to my left and I tried to pretend I couldn't feel the many people watching me from behind it. I was late. My birthday was November 20th at 1:17pm but when I first came here, nothing happened. No change, no nothing.
For 9 days.
This caused a large amount of excitement from whatever scientific community studies the new generation with powers. You get a power, no matter how mediocre and there was usually a sharp sensation that accompanied its coming.
Helen sat across from me. On the first day she answered my questions before my supposed time. On the second day I finally got her first name. She said I was a rare case. On the fifth day it almost looked like she pitied me. On the eighth, I found out that was just how she showed that she cared. She had two daughters both in middle school and she was so excited for their day to come.
"Well its about that time again," Helen said. "Let's hope the tenth times the charm," she winked at me. "As always the doctors will help you with anything should you need it."
"Thanks Helen". I looked at the clock above the door. 1:10pm.
1:11 my stomach twisted and turned. What if my power is terrible. What if I hate it. The usual worries, but after the fifth day, the anxiety had died down a lot.
1:15 So close I can feel it. I will miss Helen as she kind of feels like a friend now. Wonder if I can fly or be invisible. Or maybe electricity.
1:16 Ice? No...Fire? How about teleporting. I always like magic, maybe something like that. Wonder if my parents are worried. What about transforming into a dragon?
**1:17pm** It felt like my eyes shut off and my conscious faded. IM DOING IT.
I awoke with a start. I recognized the white walls and my memory slowly filled in the gaps. I sneezed and felt something strange on my face. I had grown a full beard. I looked for the mirror. I turned to my left only to see glass. What happened to the mirror? Men with laptops or phones stared back through the glass. Most had surprised looks on their faces. Sharp images came to my mind. I saw a man stealing, a woman cheating on her husband. How did I know these things? So many images flooded my mind as I looked at each of them. It angered me. Why did they do this? They were being bad boys and girls. I want to do something about this. I must do something about this. My hand gripped something and I looked down. A black paddle that looked to be made of black rock sat in my hand. A deep chuckle escaped my lips. The glass would not stop me.
Their sins came out of my mouth accusing each person as I paddled them until they wept. They were being very bad and they needed to be taught a lesson. I will do it.
As the last man sat weeping and apologizing (you should never lie to your wife), Helen slammed the door open in a panic. Her eyes traced the room in a frenzy. People were scattered around the room, most of them groaning or weeping.
"What happened!" She exclaimed.
When I looked at her images rushed me again. But not of greed or anger or hate, but of happiness and caring. She tutors kids, she cares for hurt animals, she volunteers at a soup kitchen. A wide smile perched itself on my lips. She had been such a nice girl. I sat down in a chair next to her as confusion ran across her face.
"Ho Ho Ho, and what would you like for Christmas?" | There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The fluorescent lights buzzed above my head, the clock ticked away as the cold air rushed up the backless hospital gown. The medical team was preparing for the worst with only a minute left. I couldn't help but think of those who got superstrength or flight. The tier one power sets. My mom has telekinesis so I had a chance and let myself be hopeful. Truth be told, I was a wild card. I could end up with any level.
Tier two wouldn't be so bad. I knew a guy who got the ability to talk to termites. Kinda useless but not harmful. Tier 3 is the equivalent of not having powers. You get the power, usually a pretty cool one, but you don't get the side powers that make it useful. Flight, for example, you can fly sure, but you don't have the ability to breatheI or withstand the cold temperatures if you go too high. Or you can't do it just by thinking about it, you have to physically flap your arms.
Tier 4 is where my father was placed. The powers that cause you physical harm. For years he couldn't figure out his power. He and my mom figured he was a tier 3 and just couldn't activate it. Then I came along. The day I was born my mom watched him hold me for the first time. He looked at me, then at her. His eyes welled up and he bursted with joy. Literally. Just poof, and confetti. If the nurse didn't have cat-like reflexes I would have hit the floor and died too.
I shook away the thought. Fifteen more seconds. I looked to my mom, sitting by my side, she was holding my hand tight.
She was trying to hide the fear but it showed clearly on her face. 3. 2. 1.
"Aaaaaaggh!" I cried out in agony. My blood was on fire. The sheets smoldered around me, my mom had to let go of my hand and she had 3rd degree burns. They tried to sedate me but when the needle broke my skin the fire shot out and boiled the sedative in the syringe. It turned to steam but the doctor had already pushed it into my blood stream. It's on it's way to my heart now. The doctors tell me it's called a gas embolism and I'm going to die.
I can't wait. | There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Most of the kids now throw a big party, invite all their friends, or go out somewhere special to celebrate their 18th. My brother, when he turned 18, was at the beach with this high school friends. Luckily for him and everyone around him, his fire powers was quickly doused by the approaching tide. He's an idiot though, I can't count on my fingers how many times he's accidentally set fire to something in the house. Luckily my parents are able to keep a tight lid on things or we'd all be homeless. His room is fireproof (now) and reinforced with steel, created by dad and pounded into place by mom so that his midnight blazes doesn't spread to the rest of the house.
I'm alone in my room. I have little friends and am never really invited to parties. The only one here today is my dog and-ah well, looks like he's gone again, didn't even see him this time. Ugh, fine, forget them, I'll get my powers and then they'll all be sorry! "Maybe a little telekinesis, or shape-shifting, or ooh, super strength! Then I'll show that guy Mike, always bullying me, I'll tear him in half!" I chuckle to myself, it won't be long now.
"....12:45....12:46....wait a minute, didn't mom say I was born around noon? What gives? Where are my powers??" I'm panicking now. In rare cases, some people didn't get their powers, but they were usually too sick, their bodies unable to handle their new-found abilities. That can't be happening to me right?
"....2:32....its been more than an hour now! What the hell's going on?? God damn it, what happened? Why don't I have any powers?? I don't understand this!" I hear the door slam in the living room, they must be home! "Mom, mom! When was I born, didn't you say I was born around noon? Well its 2 fucking hours past noon, where are my powers? Are you sure didn't confuse me with one of your abortion babies?! That's just like you!" My mom stands there, looking bored at me, dad goes into the kitchen to fatten himself up like the pig that he is. She doesn't even care. I point an accusing finger at my mother, ready to give her another piece of my mind when I see it. My nails, they've...grown? Didn't I just cut them? I could have sworn they were-oh shit, did I do that, is THIS my power?? I scream and run to my room to cry.
From the kitchen, my dad yells "Shut up, Meg"
| There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Barry was nervous. Tonight he'd go to bed a 17 year old and wake up an 18 year old with his power.
What category would he get? There's the three categories: Body, Mind, and Mobility. Body can be anything from strength, to scales. Mind could be super intelligence, to knowledge of a specific category. Mobility could be flight, to the ability to vibrate.
There's no telling what I'll get from my parents. They're one of the few times a major fell in love with a minor power. My father has the ability to fill any container or vessel with the non-alcoholic beverage of his choice. My mother has super intelligence, and never forgets anything. Anything.
I felt my eyes getting heavy and the world going dark. I dreamed of all the things I could do, all the people I could save. All the girls I could pull.
When I woke up I lay in bed, trying to figure out if I felt any different. Nothing so far. I carefully started testing all my limbs, making sure I didn't break anything. Nothing. I checked my skin. Still looks normal.
I looked around my room. My eyes fell on the glass of water next to my bed, and I knew.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, falling from my bed to the floor.
My father found me huddled and crying.
"What? Barry, what is it?"
I pointed to the glass of water, "That ain't juice."
My father was confused. He grabbed the glass, and poured it into the trash, them materialized some orange juice in the glass, holding it out to me.
I sobbed to him, "That... That is juice."
My power? Knowledge of Juice. | There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The examiner cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Say that again, son."
"Prostate cancer. June 23rd, 2032."
The examiner laid down his pen and clipboard. Tears began to well in his eyes and his hands begin a slight shake. "Thank you. I... I think we're done here."
I'm escorted to the door of the small testing room where the same nurse who led me in is outside waiting for me. She is still breathing heavily. Trying to compose herself and not look me in the eyes. She doesn't have to.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Is there anything I can do? I have a daughter."
"I don't know if it works that way. I'm sorry."
She leads me to the discharge desk where I'm handed back a stack of paper work. The receptionist seems excited. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and is giddy to look at my results. Her excited smile quickly fades to a frown. Her eyes lock with the nurses teary eyes, and then to mine. Her head trembles from side to side, as if begging me to stay silent. Stabbing. Pretty soon, as far as I can foresee. I learn quickly to keep my mouth shut and spare her.
As the nurse exits back into the hallway, I can hear her speaking to one of the orderlies I saw in the earlier. "Hey, Frank. Do you think you can drive me home today?"
It doesn't work that way, I think to myself. Frank too. Today.
As the cab pulls up to the front of the facility, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The cabbie. He has a while. It isn't so bad.
"Where to?" He asks.
Now it's my turn to start shaking.
"Home," I say. "I'd like to see my mom and dad." | There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. | There was a loud knock on my door and I woke up in a panic. “Mom said get downstairs it’s nearly time!” That was my younger sister. I looked at the clock. It read 12.00pm. I was due to receive my powers at eleven minutes past, as that’s when I was born.
I’ve been doing my best to ignore that it was happening. I always hated being the center of anyones attention. Birthdays were always a nightmare for me. Everyone looking at me with a big smile singing happy birthday while I stood there wishing I wasn’t and that they’d all stop looking at me. Still though, today was a different birthday.
I wonder if I’ll end up with something like my Dad, which is how fast he can move. The guy is seriously fast. He hasn’t driven a car since his eighteenth birthday because he can get wherever he wants faster by running. Mom, she’s got a pretty cool power too I guess, she has some kinetic abilities. Although she was never great at using it. The most she could do was close a door from across the room, every time she tried to move something heavier it fell or broke. I’ve lost count of the amount of times she's dropped a full pot of coffee in the house. I think I’d much rather have Dads than Moms in that case.
I went downstairs to the kitchen and not only was my immediate family there, but everyone. Great. And I’m in my fucking spiderman pyjamas, who has amazing powers, maybe I’ll end with something like his. That would be unreal. Wish I knew what determined what you’ll end up with. “Almost time!” said my Dad with a huge smile stretched across his face. I think he’s more excited than I am. I wish you would all stop looking at me like that. Maybe I won’t get any powers anyway. I might be that guy.
The clock hit eleven minutes past and everyones eyes widened is shock. I started to panic. And I mean really fucking panic. What are they looking at? What happened? “What is it?” I said to them. Nobody answered me. “What the fuck is it?!” I ran over to the mirror on the other side of the room and I knocked over my little sister in the process as she didn’t get out of my way.
Looking in the mirror, there was nothing looking back. Only my family looking at my sister getting up from the floor and then looking around the room.
EDIT; a word. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Most of the kids now throw a big party, invite all their friends, or go out somewhere special to celebrate their 18th. My brother, when he turned 18, was at the beach with this high school friends. Luckily for him and everyone around him, his fire powers was quickly doused by the approaching tide. He's an idiot though, I can't count on my fingers how many times he's accidentally set fire to something in the house. Luckily my parents are able to keep a tight lid on things or we'd all be homeless. His room is fireproof (now) and reinforced with steel, created by dad and pounded into place by mom so that his midnight blazes doesn't spread to the rest of the house.
I'm alone in my room. I have little friends and am never really invited to parties. The only one here today is my dog and-ah well, looks like he's gone again, didn't even see him this time. Ugh, fine, forget them, I'll get my powers and then they'll all be sorry! "Maybe a little telekinesis, or shape-shifting, or ooh, super strength! Then I'll show that guy Mike, always bullying me, I'll tear him in half!" I chuckle to myself, it won't be long now.
"....12:45....12:46....wait a minute, didn't mom say I was born around noon? What gives? Where are my powers??" I'm panicking now. In rare cases, some people didn't get their powers, but they were usually too sick, their bodies unable to handle their new-found abilities. That can't be happening to me right?
"....2:32....its been more than an hour now! What the hell's going on?? God damn it, what happened? Why don't I have any powers?? I don't understand this!" I hear the door slam in the living room, they must be home! "Mom, mom! When was I born, didn't you say I was born around noon? Well its 2 fucking hours past noon, where are my powers? Are you sure didn't confuse me with one of your abortion babies?! That's just like you!" My mom stands there, looking bored at me, dad goes into the kitchen to fatten himself up like the pig that he is. She doesn't even care. I point an accusing finger at my mother, ready to give her another piece of my mind when I see it. My nails, they've...grown? Didn't I just cut them? I could have sworn they were-oh shit, did I do that, is THIS my power?? I scream and run to my room to cry.
From the kitchen, my dad yells "Shut up, Meg"
| "Teleportation"
Nobody had ever gotten this one before. I was ecstatic for 5 minutes, until I actually tried it. With a POP, I vanished and reappeared in the seat across from me, naked and hairless, missing my clothes, the top layer of my skin, the contents of my GI tract, my fillings... lord knows what else was in that pile across from me. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Barry was nervous. Tonight he'd go to bed a 17 year old and wake up an 18 year old with his power.
What category would he get? There's the three categories: Body, Mind, and Mobility. Body can be anything from strength, to scales. Mind could be super intelligence, to knowledge of a specific category. Mobility could be flight, to the ability to vibrate.
There's no telling what I'll get from my parents. They're one of the few times a major fell in love with a minor power. My father has the ability to fill any container or vessel with the non-alcoholic beverage of his choice. My mother has super intelligence, and never forgets anything. Anything.
I felt my eyes getting heavy and the world going dark. I dreamed of all the things I could do, all the people I could save. All the girls I could pull.
When I woke up I lay in bed, trying to figure out if I felt any different. Nothing so far. I carefully started testing all my limbs, making sure I didn't break anything. Nothing. I checked my skin. Still looks normal.
I looked around my room. My eyes fell on the glass of water next to my bed, and I knew.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, falling from my bed to the floor.
My father found me huddled and crying.
"What? Barry, what is it?"
I pointed to the glass of water, "That ain't juice."
My father was confused. He grabbed the glass, and poured it into the trash, them materialized some orange juice in the glass, holding it out to me.
I sobbed to him, "That... That is juice."
My power? Knowledge of Juice. | "Teleportation"
Nobody had ever gotten this one before. I was ecstatic for 5 minutes, until I actually tried it. With a POP, I vanished and reappeared in the seat across from me, naked and hairless, missing my clothes, the top layer of my skin, the contents of my GI tract, my fillings... lord knows what else was in that pile across from me. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | "Teleportation"
Nobody had ever gotten this one before. I was ecstatic for 5 minutes, until I actually tried it. With a POP, I vanished and reappeared in the seat across from me, naked and hairless, missing my clothes, the top layer of my skin, the contents of my GI tract, my fillings... lord knows what else was in that pile across from me. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | I sat in a large room with bleached white walls. It was always too cold, goosebumps ran along my arms and legs. A large mirror covered the wall to my left and I tried to pretend I couldn't feel the many people watching me from behind it. I was late. My birthday was November 20th at 1:17pm but when I first came here, nothing happened. No change, no nothing.
For 9 days.
This caused a large amount of excitement from whatever scientific community studies the new generation with powers. You get a power, no matter how mediocre and there was usually a sharp sensation that accompanied its coming.
Helen sat across from me. On the first day she answered my questions before my supposed time. On the second day I finally got her first name. She said I was a rare case. On the fifth day it almost looked like she pitied me. On the eighth, I found out that was just how she showed that she cared. She had two daughters both in middle school and she was so excited for their day to come.
"Well its about that time again," Helen said. "Let's hope the tenth times the charm," she winked at me. "As always the doctors will help you with anything should you need it."
"Thanks Helen". I looked at the clock above the door. 1:10pm.
1:11 my stomach twisted and turned. What if my power is terrible. What if I hate it. The usual worries, but after the fifth day, the anxiety had died down a lot.
1:15 So close I can feel it. I will miss Helen as she kind of feels like a friend now. Wonder if I can fly or be invisible. Or maybe electricity.
1:16 Ice? No...Fire? How about teleporting. I always like magic, maybe something like that. Wonder if my parents are worried. What about transforming into a dragon?
**1:17pm** It felt like my eyes shut off and my conscious faded. IM DOING IT.
I awoke with a start. I recognized the white walls and my memory slowly filled in the gaps. I sneezed and felt something strange on my face. I had grown a full beard. I looked for the mirror. I turned to my left only to see glass. What happened to the mirror? Men with laptops or phones stared back through the glass. Most had surprised looks on their faces. Sharp images came to my mind. I saw a man stealing, a woman cheating on her husband. How did I know these things? So many images flooded my mind as I looked at each of them. It angered me. Why did they do this? They were being bad boys and girls. I want to do something about this. I must do something about this. My hand gripped something and I looked down. A black paddle that looked to be made of black rock sat in my hand. A deep chuckle escaped my lips. The glass would not stop me.
Their sins came out of my mouth accusing each person as I paddled them until they wept. They were being very bad and they needed to be taught a lesson. I will do it.
As the last man sat weeping and apologizing (you should never lie to your wife), Helen slammed the door open in a panic. Her eyes traced the room in a frenzy. People were scattered around the room, most of them groaning or weeping.
"What happened!" She exclaimed.
When I looked at her images rushed me again. But not of greed or anger or hate, but of happiness and caring. She tutors kids, she cares for hurt animals, she volunteers at a soup kitchen. A wide smile perched itself on my lips. She had been such a nice girl. I sat down in a chair next to her as confusion ran across her face.
"Ho Ho Ho, and what would you like for Christmas?" | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Barry was nervous. Tonight he'd go to bed a 17 year old and wake up an 18 year old with his power.
What category would he get? There's the three categories: Body, Mind, and Mobility. Body can be anything from strength, to scales. Mind could be super intelligence, to knowledge of a specific category. Mobility could be flight, to the ability to vibrate.
There's no telling what I'll get from my parents. They're one of the few times a major fell in love with a minor power. My father has the ability to fill any container or vessel with the non-alcoholic beverage of his choice. My mother has super intelligence, and never forgets anything. Anything.
I felt my eyes getting heavy and the world going dark. I dreamed of all the things I could do, all the people I could save. All the girls I could pull.
When I woke up I lay in bed, trying to figure out if I felt any different. Nothing so far. I carefully started testing all my limbs, making sure I didn't break anything. Nothing. I checked my skin. Still looks normal.
I looked around my room. My eyes fell on the glass of water next to my bed, and I knew.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, falling from my bed to the floor.
My father found me huddled and crying.
"What? Barry, what is it?"
I pointed to the glass of water, "That ain't juice."
My father was confused. He grabbed the glass, and poured it into the trash, them materialized some orange juice in the glass, holding it out to me.
I sobbed to him, "That... That is juice."
My power? Knowledge of Juice. | The fluorescent lights buzzed above my head, the clock ticked away as the cold air rushed up the backless hospital gown. The medical team was preparing for the worst with only a minute left. I couldn't help but think of those who got superstrength or flight. The tier one power sets. My mom has telekinesis so I had a chance and let myself be hopeful. Truth be told, I was a wild card. I could end up with any level.
Tier two wouldn't be so bad. I knew a guy who got the ability to talk to termites. Kinda useless but not harmful. Tier 3 is the equivalent of not having powers. You get the power, usually a pretty cool one, but you don't get the side powers that make it useful. Flight, for example, you can fly sure, but you don't have the ability to breatheI or withstand the cold temperatures if you go too high. Or you can't do it just by thinking about it, you have to physically flap your arms.
Tier 4 is where my father was placed. The powers that cause you physical harm. For years he couldn't figure out his power. He and my mom figured he was a tier 3 and just couldn't activate it. Then I came along. The day I was born my mom watched him hold me for the first time. He looked at me, then at her. His eyes welled up and he bursted with joy. Literally. Just poof, and confetti. If the nurse didn't have cat-like reflexes I would have hit the floor and died too.
I shook away the thought. Fifteen more seconds. I looked to my mom, sitting by my side, she was holding my hand tight.
She was trying to hide the fear but it showed clearly on her face. 3. 2. 1.
"Aaaaaaggh!" I cried out in agony. My blood was on fire. The sheets smoldered around me, my mom had to let go of my hand and she had 3rd degree burns. They tried to sedate me but when the needle broke my skin the fire shot out and boiled the sedative in the syringe. It turned to steam but the doctor had already pushed it into my blood stream. It's on it's way to my heart now. The doctors tell me it's called a gas embolism and I'm going to die.
I can't wait. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | The fluorescent lights buzzed above my head, the clock ticked away as the cold air rushed up the backless hospital gown. The medical team was preparing for the worst with only a minute left. I couldn't help but think of those who got superstrength or flight. The tier one power sets. My mom has telekinesis so I had a chance and let myself be hopeful. Truth be told, I was a wild card. I could end up with any level.
Tier two wouldn't be so bad. I knew a guy who got the ability to talk to termites. Kinda useless but not harmful. Tier 3 is the equivalent of not having powers. You get the power, usually a pretty cool one, but you don't get the side powers that make it useful. Flight, for example, you can fly sure, but you don't have the ability to breatheI or withstand the cold temperatures if you go too high. Or you can't do it just by thinking about it, you have to physically flap your arms.
Tier 4 is where my father was placed. The powers that cause you physical harm. For years he couldn't figure out his power. He and my mom figured he was a tier 3 and just couldn't activate it. Then I came along. The day I was born my mom watched him hold me for the first time. He looked at me, then at her. His eyes welled up and he bursted with joy. Literally. Just poof, and confetti. If the nurse didn't have cat-like reflexes I would have hit the floor and died too.
I shook away the thought. Fifteen more seconds. I looked to my mom, sitting by my side, she was holding my hand tight.
She was trying to hide the fear but it showed clearly on her face. 3. 2. 1.
"Aaaaaaggh!" I cried out in agony. My blood was on fire. The sheets smoldered around me, my mom had to let go of my hand and she had 3rd degree burns. They tried to sedate me but when the needle broke my skin the fire shot out and boiled the sedative in the syringe. It turned to steam but the doctor had already pushed it into my blood stream. It's on it's way to my heart now. The doctors tell me it's called a gas embolism and I'm going to die.
I can't wait. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The examiner cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Say that again, son."
"Prostate cancer. June 23rd, 2032."
The examiner laid down his pen and clipboard. Tears began to well in his eyes and his hands begin a slight shake. "Thank you. I... I think we're done here."
I'm escorted to the door of the small testing room where the same nurse who led me in is outside waiting for me. She is still breathing heavily. Trying to compose herself and not look me in the eyes. She doesn't have to.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Is there anything I can do? I have a daughter."
"I don't know if it works that way. I'm sorry."
She leads me to the discharge desk where I'm handed back a stack of paper work. The receptionist seems excited. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and is giddy to look at my results. Her excited smile quickly fades to a frown. Her eyes lock with the nurses teary eyes, and then to mine. Her head trembles from side to side, as if begging me to stay silent. Stabbing. Pretty soon, as far as I can foresee. I learn quickly to keep my mouth shut and spare her.
As the nurse exits back into the hallway, I can hear her speaking to one of the orderlies I saw in the earlier. "Hey, Frank. Do you think you can drive me home today?"
It doesn't work that way, I think to myself. Frank too. Today.
As the cab pulls up to the front of the facility, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The cabbie. He has a while. It isn't so bad.
"Where to?" He asks.
Now it's my turn to start shaking.
"Home," I say. "I'd like to see my mom and dad." | The fluorescent lights buzzed above my head, the clock ticked away as the cold air rushed up the backless hospital gown. The medical team was preparing for the worst with only a minute left. I couldn't help but think of those who got superstrength or flight. The tier one power sets. My mom has telekinesis so I had a chance and let myself be hopeful. Truth be told, I was a wild card. I could end up with any level.
Tier two wouldn't be so bad. I knew a guy who got the ability to talk to termites. Kinda useless but not harmful. Tier 3 is the equivalent of not having powers. You get the power, usually a pretty cool one, but you don't get the side powers that make it useful. Flight, for example, you can fly sure, but you don't have the ability to breatheI or withstand the cold temperatures if you go too high. Or you can't do it just by thinking about it, you have to physically flap your arms.
Tier 4 is where my father was placed. The powers that cause you physical harm. For years he couldn't figure out his power. He and my mom figured he was a tier 3 and just couldn't activate it. Then I came along. The day I was born my mom watched him hold me for the first time. He looked at me, then at her. His eyes welled up and he bursted with joy. Literally. Just poof, and confetti. If the nurse didn't have cat-like reflexes I would have hit the floor and died too.
I shook away the thought. Fifteen more seconds. I looked to my mom, sitting by my side, she was holding my hand tight.
She was trying to hide the fear but it showed clearly on her face. 3. 2. 1.
"Aaaaaaggh!" I cried out in agony. My blood was on fire. The sheets smoldered around me, my mom had to let go of my hand and she had 3rd degree burns. They tried to sedate me but when the needle broke my skin the fire shot out and boiled the sedative in the syringe. It turned to steam but the doctor had already pushed it into my blood stream. It's on it's way to my heart now. The doctors tell me it's called a gas embolism and I'm going to die.
I can't wait. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. | The fluorescent lights buzzed above my head, the clock ticked away as the cold air rushed up the backless hospital gown. The medical team was preparing for the worst with only a minute left. I couldn't help but think of those who got superstrength or flight. The tier one power sets. My mom has telekinesis so I had a chance and let myself be hopeful. Truth be told, I was a wild card. I could end up with any level.
Tier two wouldn't be so bad. I knew a guy who got the ability to talk to termites. Kinda useless but not harmful. Tier 3 is the equivalent of not having powers. You get the power, usually a pretty cool one, but you don't get the side powers that make it useful. Flight, for example, you can fly sure, but you don't have the ability to breatheI or withstand the cold temperatures if you go too high. Or you can't do it just by thinking about it, you have to physically flap your arms.
Tier 4 is where my father was placed. The powers that cause you physical harm. For years he couldn't figure out his power. He and my mom figured he was a tier 3 and just couldn't activate it. Then I came along. The day I was born my mom watched him hold me for the first time. He looked at me, then at her. His eyes welled up and he bursted with joy. Literally. Just poof, and confetti. If the nurse didn't have cat-like reflexes I would have hit the floor and died too.
I shook away the thought. Fifteen more seconds. I looked to my mom, sitting by my side, she was holding my hand tight.
She was trying to hide the fear but it showed clearly on her face. 3. 2. 1.
"Aaaaaaggh!" I cried out in agony. My blood was on fire. The sheets smoldered around me, my mom had to let go of my hand and she had 3rd degree burns. They tried to sedate me but when the needle broke my skin the fire shot out and boiled the sedative in the syringe. It turned to steam but the doctor had already pushed it into my blood stream. It's on it's way to my heart now. The doctors tell me it's called a gas embolism and I'm going to die.
I can't wait. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | Most of the kids now throw a big party, invite all their friends, or go out somewhere special to celebrate their 18th. My brother, when he turned 18, was at the beach with this high school friends. Luckily for him and everyone around him, his fire powers was quickly doused by the approaching tide. He's an idiot though, I can't count on my fingers how many times he's accidentally set fire to something in the house. Luckily my parents are able to keep a tight lid on things or we'd all be homeless. His room is fireproof (now) and reinforced with steel, created by dad and pounded into place by mom so that his midnight blazes doesn't spread to the rest of the house.
I'm alone in my room. I have little friends and am never really invited to parties. The only one here today is my dog and-ah well, looks like he's gone again, didn't even see him this time. Ugh, fine, forget them, I'll get my powers and then they'll all be sorry! "Maybe a little telekinesis, or shape-shifting, or ooh, super strength! Then I'll show that guy Mike, always bullying me, I'll tear him in half!" I chuckle to myself, it won't be long now.
"....12:45....12:46....wait a minute, didn't mom say I was born around noon? What gives? Where are my powers??" I'm panicking now. In rare cases, some people didn't get their powers, but they were usually too sick, their bodies unable to handle their new-found abilities. That can't be happening to me right?
"....2:32....its been more than an hour now! What the hell's going on?? God damn it, what happened? Why don't I have any powers?? I don't understand this!" I hear the door slam in the living room, they must be home! "Mom, mom! When was I born, didn't you say I was born around noon? Well its 2 fucking hours past noon, where are my powers? Are you sure didn't confuse me with one of your abortion babies?! That's just like you!" My mom stands there, looking bored at me, dad goes into the kitchen to fatten himself up like the pig that he is. She doesn't even care. I point an accusing finger at my mother, ready to give her another piece of my mind when I see it. My nails, they've...grown? Didn't I just cut them? I could have sworn they were-oh shit, did I do that, is THIS my power?? I scream and run to my room to cry.
From the kitchen, my dad yells "Shut up, Meg"
| |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Barry was nervous. Tonight he'd go to bed a 17 year old and wake up an 18 year old with his power.
What category would he get? There's the three categories: Body, Mind, and Mobility. Body can be anything from strength, to scales. Mind could be super intelligence, to knowledge of a specific category. Mobility could be flight, to the ability to vibrate.
There's no telling what I'll get from my parents. They're one of the few times a major fell in love with a minor power. My father has the ability to fill any container or vessel with the non-alcoholic beverage of his choice. My mother has super intelligence, and never forgets anything. Anything.
I felt my eyes getting heavy and the world going dark. I dreamed of all the things I could do, all the people I could save. All the girls I could pull.
When I woke up I lay in bed, trying to figure out if I felt any different. Nothing so far. I carefully started testing all my limbs, making sure I didn't break anything. Nothing. I checked my skin. Still looks normal.
I looked around my room. My eyes fell on the glass of water next to my bed, and I knew.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, falling from my bed to the floor.
My father found me huddled and crying.
"What? Barry, what is it?"
I pointed to the glass of water, "That ain't juice."
My father was confused. He grabbed the glass, and poured it into the trash, them materialized some orange juice in the glass, holding it out to me.
I sobbed to him, "That... That is juice."
My power? Knowledge of Juice. | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The examiner cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Say that again, son."
"Prostate cancer. June 23rd, 2032."
The examiner laid down his pen and clipboard. Tears began to well in his eyes and his hands begin a slight shake. "Thank you. I... I think we're done here."
I'm escorted to the door of the small testing room where the same nurse who led me in is outside waiting for me. She is still breathing heavily. Trying to compose herself and not look me in the eyes. She doesn't have to.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Is there anything I can do? I have a daughter."
"I don't know if it works that way. I'm sorry."
She leads me to the discharge desk where I'm handed back a stack of paper work. The receptionist seems excited. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and is giddy to look at my results. Her excited smile quickly fades to a frown. Her eyes lock with the nurses teary eyes, and then to mine. Her head trembles from side to side, as if begging me to stay silent. Stabbing. Pretty soon, as far as I can foresee. I learn quickly to keep my mouth shut and spare her.
As the nurse exits back into the hallway, I can hear her speaking to one of the orderlies I saw in the earlier. "Hey, Frank. Do you think you can drive me home today?"
It doesn't work that way, I think to myself. Frank too. Today.
As the cab pulls up to the front of the facility, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The cabbie. He has a while. It isn't so bad.
"Where to?" He asks.
Now it's my turn to start shaking.
"Home," I say. "I'd like to see my mom and dad." | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Everyone is destined for something great. You become an adult on your 18th birthday. You become hero.
Maybe I'll be the next Mia Kit. She's one of the greatest superheros in the world. She has the ability to take other powers. Maybe I'll be like The Great Kirk, invincible. No one since him has had that power.
I can't sleep, it's 11 o'clock the night before my birthday. Tomorrow morning a reader will come and tell me my power. I want something that will shock them!
I stared at the clock, it was 11:34. I kept looking at it till I accidentally fell sleep.
I woke to my mom shaking me awake.
"Sweet! Wake up! It's your 18th birthday. The readers here." She said.
I rushed to put on fresh cloths and ran down stairs. The reader awaited for me in the kitchen. My dad had offered him a cup of coffee.
"So this is Mr. Stulops Jr. Hello." He said calmly. He had a wrapped present with him, "From the goverment to you." He handed it to me.
I unwrapped the present. It was a mug, I knew it was a mug. Everyone gets a mug. It has my name and birthday on it. It has the flag and "Superheros create supernations" On it.
I smiled, one step closer to my power. Holding the mug to my chest, I looked up at the reader. "Umm.... what's my power?"
The reader looked at me. He squinted his eyes. He put on reading glasses. "You seem to be able to create fire through your skin." He said softly.
My eyes lite up, "Like the spark? He is so cool! Like a blazing comet."
The reader was hesitated, "Somewhat. The only difference is you'll still get burned." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "If you use your power, you will die."
~~Edit: A word.~~ | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | Everybody knows how it happens. The day you turn 18 you go to "The Centre" and they give you an injection. This injection mutates the cells in your body and your mind, allowing for a further 30% control of an individuals brain. It causes the individual to attain what we call "superpowers". The only problem is not knowing the superpower you are going to get.
Four days ago i received this injection and it was the worst experience of my life. On the first day everyone gets bed-ridden as the injected cells fight with the white blood cells for control of the body. The second day you spend by the toilet, rejecting whatever food and drink you managed to eat previously. On the third day..... well the third day is the day of delirium. The world spins and the walls melt. Those who go through it akin it to being on LSD, only without paying the price for it!
Just like everyone else before me, I had to go through these phases of pain. But I finally received my power. It may be the worst power on the planet...but its mine. When I first got my power my mother said it was the best power on the planet (mums! Am I right?). So now all I have to look forward to is tomorrow, another day of using my powers towards attaining peace for mankind. Another day of being able to write with my fingertips! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The examiner cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Say that again, son."
"Prostate cancer. June 23rd, 2032."
The examiner laid down his pen and clipboard. Tears began to well in his eyes and his hands begin a slight shake. "Thank you. I... I think we're done here."
I'm escorted to the door of the small testing room where the same nurse who led me in is outside waiting for me. She is still breathing heavily. Trying to compose herself and not look me in the eyes. She doesn't have to.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Is there anything I can do? I have a daughter."
"I don't know if it works that way. I'm sorry."
She leads me to the discharge desk where I'm handed back a stack of paper work. The receptionist seems excited. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and is giddy to look at my results. Her excited smile quickly fades to a frown. Her eyes lock with the nurses teary eyes, and then to mine. Her head trembles from side to side, as if begging me to stay silent. Stabbing. Pretty soon, as far as I can foresee. I learn quickly to keep my mouth shut and spare her.
As the nurse exits back into the hallway, I can hear her speaking to one of the orderlies I saw in the earlier. "Hey, Frank. Do you think you can drive me home today?"
It doesn't work that way, I think to myself. Frank too. Today.
As the cab pulls up to the front of the facility, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The cabbie. He has a while. It isn't so bad.
"Where to?" He asks.
Now it's my turn to start shaking.
"Home," I say. "I'd like to see my mom and dad." | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Everyone is destined for something great. You become an adult on your 18th birthday. You become hero.
Maybe I'll be the next Mia Kit. She's one of the greatest superheros in the world. She has the ability to take other powers. Maybe I'll be like The Great Kirk, invincible. No one since him has had that power.
I can't sleep, it's 11 o'clock the night before my birthday. Tomorrow morning a reader will come and tell me my power. I want something that will shock them!
I stared at the clock, it was 11:34. I kept looking at it till I accidentally fell sleep.
I woke to my mom shaking me awake.
"Sweet! Wake up! It's your 18th birthday. The readers here." She said.
I rushed to put on fresh cloths and ran down stairs. The reader awaited for me in the kitchen. My dad had offered him a cup of coffee.
"So this is Mr. Stulops Jr. Hello." He said calmly. He had a wrapped present with him, "From the goverment to you." He handed it to me.
I unwrapped the present. It was a mug, I knew it was a mug. Everyone gets a mug. It has my name and birthday on it. It has the flag and "Superheros create supernations" On it.
I smiled, one step closer to my power. Holding the mug to my chest, I looked up at the reader. "Umm.... what's my power?"
The reader looked at me. He squinted his eyes. He put on reading glasses. "You seem to be able to create fire through your skin." He said softly.
My eyes lite up, "Like the spark? He is so cool! Like a blazing comet."
The reader was hesitated, "Somewhat. The only difference is you'll still get burned." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "If you use your power, you will die."
~~Edit: A word.~~ | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | Today is my 18th birthday, a day which my best friend Emily received her gift of mind control, she was the first of our friends to receive her gift.
She loved playing games with us. One afternoon, at lunchtime, my eyes were invested on this guy from the football team, Alex Brucelini. I knew it wasn't my place to say anything to him, as he was dating Lexie, the girl with vacuum suction powers, I had no chance. All of a sudden my mind went blank, and words started coming out my mouth,
"Alex's penis was ripped off by Lexie, dat bitch is like a fuckin' Dyson!"
The whole school went quiet, while Emily started laughing hysterically.
Now it's my day, as I have been granted my superpower, which shall bring peace to the universe as we know it. I grew eager to find out what it was.
The day passed, but I slowly pieced together what power I was granted. I had quite a strange taste in my mouth, salty, yet sweet, where I couldn't stop salivating.
I peer across the lunch room where I see Emily talking to Alex, giggling and groping his muscular build. This really ticked me off, as I knew that since my outburst a few weeks ago, Alex broke up with Lexie, and no one would sit with me, leaving me to plot and await my day.
Standing up, and swiftly running, blocking my mouth so that I would have an early eruption, I went right up to the two of them. Nearly half a second passed before every students eyes were on me, when I projectile vomited about 3 gallons of vomit, which consisted of chunks of tomato, onion, spinach, tuna, and a couple unidentified ingredients, all over the two of them, leaving them in a drenched soak of disgusting.
Everyone in the school, along with Alex and Emily, were dumbfounded, while I stood laughing, nearly choking on the vomit still in my throat. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The examiner cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Say that again, son."
"Prostate cancer. June 23rd, 2032."
The examiner laid down his pen and clipboard. Tears began to well in his eyes and his hands begin a slight shake. "Thank you. I... I think we're done here."
I'm escorted to the door of the small testing room where the same nurse who led me in is outside waiting for me. She is still breathing heavily. Trying to compose herself and not look me in the eyes. She doesn't have to.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Is there anything I can do? I have a daughter."
"I don't know if it works that way. I'm sorry."
She leads me to the discharge desk where I'm handed back a stack of paper work. The receptionist seems excited. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and is giddy to look at my results. Her excited smile quickly fades to a frown. Her eyes lock with the nurses teary eyes, and then to mine. Her head trembles from side to side, as if begging me to stay silent. Stabbing. Pretty soon, as far as I can foresee. I learn quickly to keep my mouth shut and spare her.
As the nurse exits back into the hallway, I can hear her speaking to one of the orderlies I saw in the earlier. "Hey, Frank. Do you think you can drive me home today?"
It doesn't work that way, I think to myself. Frank too. Today.
As the cab pulls up to the front of the facility, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The cabbie. He has a while. It isn't so bad.
"Where to?" He asks.
Now it's my turn to start shaking.
"Home," I say. "I'd like to see my mom and dad." | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | Light cascaded through the blinds of the first floor window of his parents home, waking him gently. Simon had been long awaiting this day; the day he'd learn his talent. Many of his friends had already found out their talents and it was just like he'd been told throughout his time in school and by his parents: "Your 18th birthday will define your future". Grant had become a strengther, destined to assist in hard labour, military or emergency service roles. Keith had become a kinetic, adept in manipulating the position of small objects in space with precision using only his mind; a talent that had become well-suited to surgeons, scientists and - when working with teams of kinetics - construction and controlled demolition. Sandra had been unlucky. Sandra's talent had been a rare one. She had the gift of invulnerability. Governments across the world had agreed to share their invulnerables in the largest joint-nation experiment in history - human rights conventions easily sidestepped by newly written laws that came swiftly in the aftermath of 'the event' nearly 50 years ago. In those 50 years there were no statistics for how many invulnerables there bad been or how successful these experiments were. Sandra was picked up the day after her 18th birthday. The joint-governments had set up an efficient task force that detected the unusual electro-magnetic activity associated with invulnerables during their change. Simon prayed he would not end up the same.
10:34. That was his birth time. His parents had shooed his younger sister Emma out of the room. She was too young to watch a change. 30 seconds. Simons palms sweated as he looked into his father's eyes with an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. 20 seconds. His mother took his hand "It's going to be ok. We're here for you." she assured him. 10 seconds. Simon felt a creeping sensation tingling from the base of his spine slowly climbing to the top of his neck. 10:34. His eyes lit up furiously with a crimson red that made his own mother recoil a few steps back. His whole body shook violently and he crumbled to the floor seizing. He had heard of the pain experienced during the change but nothing could have prepared him for the razorblades inside his head and the fire in his veins. 10:44. His parents were sitting on the floor next to him. They held each others hands and looked visibly shaken. Simons eyes opened. He felt strong, like waking up feeling well after having been ill. His father was first to speak "Are you ok?", Simon nodded. "That was the most violent change I've ever seen." His father continued "Are you sure you're alright?". Simon found his voice "I'm fine, honestly", "how do I find out my talent?". "You've gotta try it dear", his mother said quietly. Simon stood up with his parents. He felt lighter. As if he'd never exerted so little energy to stand up. His thoughts felt quicker. As if he'd been operating in low gear his whole life. Simon effortlessly lifted the piano in the dining room. "I'm a strengther!". "Thank god!" his mother squeaked. "Like father like son." his father quipped. Simon was giddy. He told his parents that he had to go and show his friends, they laughed and let him on his way.
Not 20 minutes later he was at the park with Keith and Grant. Grant was spinning a roundabout close to breaking point while Keith carefully arced a swing back and forth. "Simon! What did you get man!? What's your talent?" Grant shouted as Simon approached the roundabout. "Strengther" he said, as he easily brought Grants self-experimentation with the roundabout to a halt. Grant wrestled the opposite side of the roundabout with Simon but it did not budge. "That's awesome, how are you finding it? Keith asked calmly, still more focused on his swing than on the competition with the roundabout. "Yeah, so far so good", Simon admitted "It's a little strange though". "Feels sudden doesn't it." Grant stated more than asked, giving up and stepping back from the roundabout. "Yeah", Simon agreed "It does". It was at this point that he had noticed Keith struggling to control his swing, as if battling with an unknown force. Simon looked around and saw no one nearby. He looked back and Keith had regained control, visibly annoyed at himself. Tests for kinetic surgeons were among the most gruelling of any job. The three friends played around with their talents for the rest of the afternoon, Keith flicking up objects in the air for Grant and Simon to smash between each other.
On his way home Simon tripped over and landed beside a broken bottle. It wasn't till he'd stood up and walked a few yards that he realised his hand had a shard embedded deep. Maybe strengthers feel less pain than others he thought, absent mindedly pulling the shard from his hand and covering the gash with his jumper sleeve as he continued the walk home. When he came in the door, Emma ran up and hugged him "Missed you Sai-mawn!" she was still struggling with her pronunciations. A large meal had been prepared and a few particularly nice drinks were chosen to "break you into the world of alcohol nicely" as his father had put it. They laughed and joked about how worried they'd been about the change and Simon felt a little closer to adulthood as he shared a beer with his father. As he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed he realised that there was no blood on the jumper from his cut hand. He looked down and turned white as a sheet. His hand was completely fine. There was no sign of the gash the glass had left after being deeply jammed in not a few hours ago.
They would come for him tomorrow. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The clock ticked over and chimed.
I was 18...
My grandmother spontaneously dropped her tea and splashed my foot. The burn caused me to shriek. "Well..", I said as I wiped my foot, "I can still feel pain..."
The rest of my family politely chuckled and waited.
"I don't know... I didn't feel anything. How do I know? What do I do?"
"Well... try something...", my dad said as if it was this obvious thing. It felt like trying to exercise a muscle you simply can't acknowledge the existence of, like.. when you can only peak one eyebrow and you can't seem to do the other one. You know the muscle is there, but you can't flex it. Now imagine that, but add the frustration of not even knowing where the muscle was or what it did.
"This is hopeless", I finally gave in after making funny faces and appearing like I'm constipated for far too long. The sun was starting to set and every family member had their tip or trick that they were told. "Oh, just drink from the far end of the cup and wiggle your ears", "Well we tip you backwards on a chair and your adrenalin spike will kick in". We collectively gave up. In fact, as the weeks and months went by, we eventually totally gave up.
That was so so long ago... I stand now, in the rain, running back over my life that eventually reach this point. My memories fade back again. they're a dull light grey now.
Before I turned 19, I place into a support group that would help us "non-mutes" to get by in the real world. A lot of people find jobs based on their abilities but the non-mutes usually have it pretty hard. I can't say I was totally depressed, but I felt like I should be, or at least I'd have a good reason to be.
Years passed, no sign of a mutation. Except there was something strange, I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't until I approached my 30's that I started to realise that I wasn't aging. In fact, I hadn't aged a bit. My body was as fit as it was when I was 18. How was I meant to know any different, it was of course my family that pointed this out. So we decided that this was it, this was the mutation. I didn't age. We of course celebrated into the night.
Soon I managed to get a job presenting some sports show. They figured a young male that never grows old would make for a sound investment. I wasn't going to argue with that.
That wasn't it though; and it became clear later. Our private jet was taking the crew and myself to some sports event and a bird strike took the engines out. I walked away from the crash. Emergency services put my dazed behaviour down to shock. It wasn't shock...
I didn't age, and I didn't die. While alone, i would test it. I stabbed my hand, it would pierce, bleed and hurt but that's all, the wound would heal instantly, the pain lingered for a bit and then nothing... For some reason, I didn't tell anyone. The accident was a miracle from the eyes of the media. As the weeks passed, i privately raised the game. My tests soon approached fatal activities like gas poisoning. I was... immortal.
The rain is cold, I feel it roll down my neck. I like it... it's one of few things that remind me that I even exist, that I'm a part of this world. I was so excited back then to be this immortal being. It certainly rippled around the media but of curse, eventually it leads to pretty boring TV and I was quickly forgotten. Now I just watch everybody else live their life as a part of this world that i'm immune to.
I would never wish this "superpower" upon anyone. It seemed so amazing. I walk away now from the graveyard, where I have witnessed the end of another generation of my bloodline. | Barry was nervous. Tonight he'd go to bed a 17 year old and wake up an 18 year old with his power.
What category would he get? There's the three categories: Body, Mind, and Mobility. Body can be anything from strength, to scales. Mind could be super intelligence, to knowledge of a specific category. Mobility could be flight, to the ability to vibrate.
There's no telling what I'll get from my parents. They're one of the few times a major fell in love with a minor power. My father has the ability to fill any container or vessel with the non-alcoholic beverage of his choice. My mother has super intelligence, and never forgets anything. Anything.
I felt my eyes getting heavy and the world going dark. I dreamed of all the things I could do, all the people I could save. All the girls I could pull.
When I woke up I lay in bed, trying to figure out if I felt any different. Nothing so far. I carefully started testing all my limbs, making sure I didn't break anything. Nothing. I checked my skin. Still looks normal.
I looked around my room. My eyes fell on the glass of water next to my bed, and I knew.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, falling from my bed to the floor.
My father found me huddled and crying.
"What? Barry, what is it?"
I pointed to the glass of water, "That ain't juice."
My father was confused. He grabbed the glass, and poured it into the trash, them materialized some orange juice in the glass, holding it out to me.
I sobbed to him, "That... That is juice."
My power? Knowledge of Juice. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | The examiner cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Say that again, son."
"Prostate cancer. June 23rd, 2032."
The examiner laid down his pen and clipboard. Tears began to well in his eyes and his hands begin a slight shake. "Thank you. I... I think we're done here."
I'm escorted to the door of the small testing room where the same nurse who led me in is outside waiting for me. She is still breathing heavily. Trying to compose herself and not look me in the eyes. She doesn't have to.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"Is there anything I can do? I have a daughter."
"I don't know if it works that way. I'm sorry."
She leads me to the discharge desk where I'm handed back a stack of paper work. The receptionist seems excited. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job and is giddy to look at my results. Her excited smile quickly fades to a frown. Her eyes lock with the nurses teary eyes, and then to mine. Her head trembles from side to side, as if begging me to stay silent. Stabbing. Pretty soon, as far as I can foresee. I learn quickly to keep my mouth shut and spare her.
As the nurse exits back into the hallway, I can hear her speaking to one of the orderlies I saw in the earlier. "Hey, Frank. Do you think you can drive me home today?"
It doesn't work that way, I think to myself. Frank too. Today.
As the cab pulls up to the front of the facility, a sigh of relief escapes my lips. The cabbie. He has a while. It isn't so bad.
"Where to?" He asks.
Now it's my turn to start shaking.
"Home," I say. "I'd like to see my mom and dad." | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | **10 seconds.**
My dad was able to fly.
**9 seconds.**
My mum had the ability to heal wounds.
**8 seconds.**
On your 18th birthday, you recieve a superpower, my birthdy is in
**7 seconds.**
It is something you just know. "Like a switch in your mind" my dad always says.
**6 seconds.**
My mum and dad look at me, just as curious as I am.
**5 seconds.**
I hope it's not something useless, like Eva, my sister.
**4 seconds.**
She has the ability to open doors from a very long distance.
**3 seconds.**
Only open them, she can't close them.
**2 seconds**
A lot of scientists did research, but awesome superpowers vs. lame superpowers did not seem to run in the family.
**1 second**
I close my eyes.
**0 seconds.**
The ability to walk halfway through walls.
-------------------
**wow Gold!** i never expected to get gold, so thank you very much anon! You are amazing! Thank you :) | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Everyone is destined for something great. You become an adult on your 18th birthday. You become hero.
Maybe I'll be the next Mia Kit. She's one of the greatest superheros in the world. She has the ability to take other powers. Maybe I'll be like The Great Kirk, invincible. No one since him has had that power.
I can't sleep, it's 11 o'clock the night before my birthday. Tomorrow morning a reader will come and tell me my power. I want something that will shock them!
I stared at the clock, it was 11:34. I kept looking at it till I accidentally fell sleep.
I woke to my mom shaking me awake.
"Sweet! Wake up! It's your 18th birthday. The readers here." She said.
I rushed to put on fresh cloths and ran down stairs. The reader awaited for me in the kitchen. My dad had offered him a cup of coffee.
"So this is Mr. Stulops Jr. Hello." He said calmly. He had a wrapped present with him, "From the goverment to you." He handed it to me.
I unwrapped the present. It was a mug, I knew it was a mug. Everyone gets a mug. It has my name and birthday on it. It has the flag and "Superheros create supernations" On it.
I smiled, one step closer to my power. Holding the mug to my chest, I looked up at the reader. "Umm.... what's my power?"
The reader looked at me. He squinted his eyes. He put on reading glasses. "You seem to be able to create fire through your skin." He said softly.
My eyes lite up, "Like the spark? He is so cool! Like a blazing comet."
The reader was hesitated, "Somewhat. The only difference is you'll still get burned." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "If you use your power, you will die."
~~Edit: A word.~~ | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | It really sounds good on paper. Everyone gets a superpower. Oh, there are people with awesome powers. Eki Magnusson, the current president of the great and bountiful human empire has the gift of luck; whatever choice he makes will turn out for the best. Since he was eighteen, his ambition to find challenges pushed humanity centuries into the future within a decade. He was the first of us; he gave us the gifts, and since, humanity has become the center of the Milky Way's coalition of species.
Ten minutes until my eighteenth birthday, when my gift will come. I always wanted something flashy, like matter manipulation, where I could build skyscrapers with my mind. Or perhaps something interesting, like the aura readers, able to help those in need in just the way that can fix them in truth (and also, they know which girl is right for them at a glance, that's pretty sweet). The mathemagicians were kinda scary though, being one of them seems tough.
My best mate, Jerry, killed himself. It's rare, but it happens. He got telepathy, the poor sod. While very handy, and help greatly in things like assessing who would be a proper ambassador to which alien species, first contact missions, and so on... it's just. Well, he was always a gentle guy, and those are the type to suffer from telepathy most. It sucked. He'd be awesome with anything that could use creativity and intelligence, but sometimes people just get unlucky.
It's two minutes until it starts. My mom and dad are in the living room. They don't want to intrude, but they're waiting. They'll want to help me figure out what power I have. Dad's an empath, so he'll help me get through it, after all, he always helps his patients. Mom's invulnerable, so even if I freak out she'll be able to handle it... she took a vacation day for this. My big brother is an illusionist, far too rare a power, and he can't be home for this. All of my family has extremely rare powers, my uncle is the first person who could create gateways for instantaneous travel between locations. Maybe I'll be fabulously rich and famous like him.
Oh hey, it's a minute past. Nothing happened, so I suppose I'm safe. Time to bite the bullet and go see the parents.
I walked towards the living room, and looked at my dad. Instantly, I saw a vision of my mom, crying as she stabs him over and over. Then it was just him again. I ran away. What else could I do? My mom popped up on my left, and I saw her in a padded cell, age upon her, as she stopped breathing. Out of the house, just needed to get out.
People were walking in the street. I could see how each and every one of them died. One in a car accident. Two on operating tables. I shut my eyes, but the visions kept coming. I screamed. | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | In retrospect, it made perfect sense.
There I was on the eve of my 18th birthday throwing the wildest party a bunch of pre-supes' could possibly throw (supes and pre-supers don't really mix too much), when I threw up all over the kitchen after trying to down what could only be described as a mixture between a bloody mary and a dry crabstick.
I whirled in stupor as my senses flew about me, but steadied myself on the counter and watched the clock tick to keep my mind off throwing up again, whilst trying to drown out the roars of laughter coming from my so-called friends. Dimly, at the back of my mind, I registered that I was now eighteen.
"wHERre raM I?" I blurted.
One of my mates immediately stopped laughing and looked me dead in the eye, "you are at your own house, in your own kitchen." He looked confused and worried for a second, but then went back to laughing
"SssSTohP LAFAFling U HaiEnaaas!" I screamed. I could feel another surge of vomit tickling the back of my throat. The room swayed, but the laughing had seemed to cease altogether.
"tHAs berrer.... soAMwone crleer rup fis mesSss" I said, closing my eyes as fatigue got the better of me.
When I woke up, the entire house was spotless - it looked like an entire platoon of cleaners had gone to work diligently scrubbing every surface and crevice like there was no tomorrow.
The kitchen tiles sparkled like they'd never done before, except around the grimy silhouette I left on the floor when I rose.
My head still swam, but I managed to stumble outside into the front garden where much to my surprise I saw my house guests tirelessly trimming the grass and hedges using any sharp utensil they could find. Many had bags underneath their eyes like they'd been up all night.
"Wha..at are you doing?"
I almost jumped a foot when they turned to me and started screeching like a pack of wild animals. It was like their minds were gone and that they could only communicate through high screeching noises.
I retreated into the house and gingerly locked the door. This was a really weird day. I hadn't even found out what my new supe power was, but I vowed never to get that drunk again. | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | *Sixty*
For my whole life I have waited for this moment.
*Fifty nine*
For the day, the hour, the very second I turn 18.
*Fifty eight*
I know, I know - nothing changes when you turn 18. You’re an adult in nothing but name.
*Fifty seven*
But there’s more to this world than bars.
*Fifty six*
More than just being able to buy alcohol.
*Fifty five*
Buying it yourself, anyway.
*Fifty four*
You see, everyone hits 18 differently.
*Fifty three*
Some are ready for it.
*Fifty two*
They make the graceful change into an adult.
*Fifty one*
But most don’t.
*Fifty*
Most find being an adult pours too much responsibility on them.
*Forty nine*
But I’m getting off topic.
*Forty eight*
Off the point I was going to make.
*Forty seven*
Not everyone hits 18 differently.
*Forty six*
Here, it’s actually pretty similar for all of us.
*Forty five*
We might be in completely different situations, but we all go through the same thing.
*Forty four*
The same process.
*Forty three*
The awakening.
*Forty two*
When I was a kid, playing ball with my friends, we daydreamed about what we’d get.
*Forty one*
Fantasised.
*Forty*
See, when you turn 18 you have something very special happen to you.
*Thirty nine*
You get… a power.
*Thirty eight*
An ability. I’ve seen them range from superhuman strength to shooting fireballs from your tear ducts to being immune to asbestos.
*Thirty seven*
You have no choice in the matter, of course.
*Thirty six*
We used to dream about cool powers, wings and fireballs and all of that.
*Thirty five*
Now I’m almost 18 myself, I don’t know what to think.
*Thirty four*
Do I want something cool, or something useful?
*Thirty three*
I honestly don’t know.
*Thirty two*
It’s not like I can decide what I get.
*Thirty one*
How long left?
*Thirty*
Thirty seconds. I’ll think for a moment about my life, how it is going to change once I change.
*Ten*
Ten seconds left.
*Nine*
*Eight*
*Seven*
*Six*
*Five*
Five seconds left. I’m gripping the chair arms so hard I think they’re going to fall off.
*Four*
Four.
*Three*
Three.
*Two*
Two.
*One*
One!
The world goes dark. Is this the change? I wait, patiently. I feel nothing. I see nothing.
I wait some more.
Still I see nothing.
Then there is a voice, a murmur in the back of my head.
**Your power is humility.**
I sit for a moment, before I try and cry. I lift a hand and realise I cannot even do that. For my hand only touches smooth skin.
I am 18, and I am blind.
I am changed.
| The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Entering the assembly hall, I looked amongst the cheap plastic chairs and spotted my group of friends in the crowd. Awkwardly squeezing past people, mumbling sorries and excuse me's, I sat down with them.
We were facing a large raised stage, lectern in the middle with teachers sat towards the back of the stage. A large digital clock counting down. 15 minutes remained. A dour faced man in a cheap suit stood up to the lectern.
*cough* *cough* "Hello assembled students, I am Mr. Robertson with the IPCC. I am here today because several of you are going to receive your powers today. I assure you, this is normal. Your bodies will be changing, hormones raging. Some of you will change at different rates to others. This is all perfectly normal."
He shifted awkwardly, adjusted his papers and continued.
"Take a look at the clock above me. When that hits Zero, the solar flare will hit and the excess of radiation will start the mutation of your cells. This you should know from your biology classes. Now, each of you will fit into a category. The most common of these is strength, I myself am part of this category. A lucky few of you will become fliers, or have increased speed."
The students hearing this murmured excitedly, wondering what they or their friends who's birthday it was powers would manifest themselves as. Everyone stared at the clock, one minute remained. That must have been the longest minute of my life. Heck, I was lucky to even be in the Super-Powered gene pool. My mother had never developed powers, and that drastically reduced my chances of developing them.
10.9.8
My palms started to sweat
7.6.5
A ball of tension tightened in my gut
4.3.2
This was it.
0.
I braced . . waiting for . . anything? I couldn't feel anything different about me? I turned to my friend "Hey . mmmgarharh" Out of my mouth flowed spiders. Large, small, hairy creepy. Spiders everywhere. Standing up I writhed in panic, spiders flying everywhere I turned. Leaping from the stage, the man who was delivering the address landed on top of me forcing my mouth shut.
"Sorry kid, but . . "
He gently caressed my face, then snapped my neck. In the last moments of my consciousness all I could hear was "Nope nope nope nope nope^nope^^nope" | The a voice boomed from the heavens:
FOR LO AND BEHOLD! UNTO YOU SHALL BE GRANTED THE DIVINE POWER TO GET ANY MANNER OF WHITE GOODS AT A 5% DISCOUNT. 15% ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY OTHER MONTH. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | Everyone is destined for something great. You become an adult on your 18th birthday. You become hero.
Maybe I'll be the next Mia Kit. She's one of the greatest superheros in the world. She has the ability to take other powers. Maybe I'll be like The Great Kirk, invincible. No one since him has had that power.
I can't sleep, it's 11 o'clock the night before my birthday. Tomorrow morning a reader will come and tell me my power. I want something that will shock them!
I stared at the clock, it was 11:34. I kept looking at it till I accidentally fell sleep.
I woke to my mom shaking me awake.
"Sweet! Wake up! It's your 18th birthday. The readers here." She said.
I rushed to put on fresh cloths and ran down stairs. The reader awaited for me in the kitchen. My dad had offered him a cup of coffee.
"So this is Mr. Stulops Jr. Hello." He said calmly. He had a wrapped present with him, "From the goverment to you." He handed it to me.
I unwrapped the present. It was a mug, I knew it was a mug. Everyone gets a mug. It has my name and birthday on it. It has the flag and "Superheros create supernations" On it.
I smiled, one step closer to my power. Holding the mug to my chest, I looked up at the reader. "Umm.... what's my power?"
The reader looked at me. He squinted his eyes. He put on reading glasses. "You seem to be able to create fire through your skin." He said softly.
My eyes lite up, "Like the spark? He is so cool! Like a blazing comet."
The reader was hesitated, "Somewhat. The only difference is you'll still get burned." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "If you use your power, you will die."
~~Edit: A word.~~ | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | Everyone is destined for something great. You become an adult on your 18th birthday. You become hero.
Maybe I'll be the next Mia Kit. She's one of the greatest superheros in the world. She has the ability to take other powers. Maybe I'll be like The Great Kirk, invincible. No one since him has had that power.
I can't sleep, it's 11 o'clock the night before my birthday. Tomorrow morning a reader will come and tell me my power. I want something that will shock them!
I stared at the clock, it was 11:34. I kept looking at it till I accidentally fell sleep.
I woke to my mom shaking me awake.
"Sweet! Wake up! It's your 18th birthday. The readers here." She said.
I rushed to put on fresh cloths and ran down stairs. The reader awaited for me in the kitchen. My dad had offered him a cup of coffee.
"So this is Mr. Stulops Jr. Hello." He said calmly. He had a wrapped present with him, "From the goverment to you." He handed it to me.
I unwrapped the present. It was a mug, I knew it was a mug. Everyone gets a mug. It has my name and birthday on it. It has the flag and "Superheros create supernations" On it.
I smiled, one step closer to my power. Holding the mug to my chest, I looked up at the reader. "Umm.... what's my power?"
The reader looked at me. He squinted his eyes. He put on reading glasses. "You seem to be able to create fire through your skin." He said softly.
My eyes lite up, "Like the spark? He is so cool! Like a blazing comet."
The reader was hesitated, "Somewhat. The only difference is you'll still get burned." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "If you use your power, you will die."
~~Edit: A word.~~ | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | Everyone is destined for something great. You become an adult on your 18th birthday. You become hero.
Maybe I'll be the next Mia Kit. She's one of the greatest superheros in the world. She has the ability to take other powers. Maybe I'll be like The Great Kirk, invincible. No one since him has had that power.
I can't sleep, it's 11 o'clock the night before my birthday. Tomorrow morning a reader will come and tell me my power. I want something that will shock them!
I stared at the clock, it was 11:34. I kept looking at it till I accidentally fell sleep.
I woke to my mom shaking me awake.
"Sweet! Wake up! It's your 18th birthday. The readers here." She said.
I rushed to put on fresh cloths and ran down stairs. The reader awaited for me in the kitchen. My dad had offered him a cup of coffee.
"So this is Mr. Stulops Jr. Hello." He said calmly. He had a wrapped present with him, "From the goverment to you." He handed it to me.
I unwrapped the present. It was a mug, I knew it was a mug. Everyone gets a mug. It has my name and birthday on it. It has the flag and "Superheros create supernations" On it.
I smiled, one step closer to my power. Holding the mug to my chest, I looked up at the reader. "Umm.... what's my power?"
The reader looked at me. He squinted his eyes. He put on reading glasses. "You seem to be able to create fire through your skin." He said softly.
My eyes lite up, "Like the spark? He is so cool! Like a blazing comet."
The reader was hesitated, "Somewhat. The only difference is you'll still get burned." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "If you use your power, you will die."
~~Edit: A word.~~ | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | In retrospect, it made perfect sense.
There I was on the eve of my 18th birthday throwing the wildest party a bunch of pre-supes' could possibly throw (supes and pre-supers don't really mix too much), when I threw up all over the kitchen after trying to down what could only be described as a mixture between a bloody mary and a dry crabstick.
I whirled in stupor as my senses flew about me, but steadied myself on the counter and watched the clock tick to keep my mind off throwing up again, whilst trying to drown out the roars of laughter coming from my so-called friends. Dimly, at the back of my mind, I registered that I was now eighteen.
"wHERre raM I?" I blurted.
One of my mates immediately stopped laughing and looked me dead in the eye, "you are at your own house, in your own kitchen." He looked confused and worried for a second, but then went back to laughing
"SssSTohP LAFAFling U HaiEnaaas!" I screamed. I could feel another surge of vomit tickling the back of my throat. The room swayed, but the laughing had seemed to cease altogether.
"tHAs berrer.... soAMwone crleer rup fis mesSss" I said, closing my eyes as fatigue got the better of me.
When I woke up, the entire house was spotless - it looked like an entire platoon of cleaners had gone to work diligently scrubbing every surface and crevice like there was no tomorrow.
The kitchen tiles sparkled like they'd never done before, except around the grimy silhouette I left on the floor when I rose.
My head still swam, but I managed to stumble outside into the front garden where much to my surprise I saw my house guests tirelessly trimming the grass and hedges using any sharp utensil they could find. Many had bags underneath their eyes like they'd been up all night.
"Wha..at are you doing?"
I almost jumped a foot when they turned to me and started screeching like a pack of wild animals. It was like their minds were gone and that they could only communicate through high screeching noises.
I retreated into the house and gingerly locked the door. This was a really weird day. I hadn't even found out what my new supe power was, but I vowed never to get that drunk again. | I was sitting and counting down, today was the day!
5...4...3...2...1...
A voice sounded in my mind, I knew I didn't hear it with my ears, but it definitely was not me.
"You recieve the power of making anyones nipples explode"
What the fuck is this shit....is this a joke? I mean that could kind of maybe help to save myself or someone else, but I mean...fuck...cmon...really? Are you fucking kidding me? I waited for the voice to say something...anything...but that was it.
Well, with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever someone is in danger or peril, when evil strikes, I, NipSploder Boy, will be there to rescue those in need! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | I was sitting and counting down, today was the day!
5...4...3...2...1...
A voice sounded in my mind, I knew I didn't hear it with my ears, but it definitely was not me.
"You recieve the power of making anyones nipples explode"
What the fuck is this shit....is this a joke? I mean that could kind of maybe help to save myself or someone else, but I mean...fuck...cmon...really? Are you fucking kidding me? I waited for the voice to say something...anything...but that was it.
Well, with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever someone is in danger or peril, when evil strikes, I, NipSploder Boy, will be there to rescue those in need! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | I was sitting and counting down, today was the day!
5...4...3...2...1...
A voice sounded in my mind, I knew I didn't hear it with my ears, but it definitely was not me.
"You recieve the power of making anyones nipples explode"
What the fuck is this shit....is this a joke? I mean that could kind of maybe help to save myself or someone else, but I mean...fuck...cmon...really? Are you fucking kidding me? I waited for the voice to say something...anything...but that was it.
Well, with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever someone is in danger or peril, when evil strikes, I, NipSploder Boy, will be there to rescue those in need! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | *Sixty*
For my whole life I have waited for this moment.
*Fifty nine*
For the day, the hour, the very second I turn 18.
*Fifty eight*
I know, I know - nothing changes when you turn 18. You’re an adult in nothing but name.
*Fifty seven*
But there’s more to this world than bars.
*Fifty six*
More than just being able to buy alcohol.
*Fifty five*
Buying it yourself, anyway.
*Fifty four*
You see, everyone hits 18 differently.
*Fifty three*
Some are ready for it.
*Fifty two*
They make the graceful change into an adult.
*Fifty one*
But most don’t.
*Fifty*
Most find being an adult pours too much responsibility on them.
*Forty nine*
But I’m getting off topic.
*Forty eight*
Off the point I was going to make.
*Forty seven*
Not everyone hits 18 differently.
*Forty six*
Here, it’s actually pretty similar for all of us.
*Forty five*
We might be in completely different situations, but we all go through the same thing.
*Forty four*
The same process.
*Forty three*
The awakening.
*Forty two*
When I was a kid, playing ball with my friends, we daydreamed about what we’d get.
*Forty one*
Fantasised.
*Forty*
See, when you turn 18 you have something very special happen to you.
*Thirty nine*
You get… a power.
*Thirty eight*
An ability. I’ve seen them range from superhuman strength to shooting fireballs from your tear ducts to being immune to asbestos.
*Thirty seven*
You have no choice in the matter, of course.
*Thirty six*
We used to dream about cool powers, wings and fireballs and all of that.
*Thirty five*
Now I’m almost 18 myself, I don’t know what to think.
*Thirty four*
Do I want something cool, or something useful?
*Thirty three*
I honestly don’t know.
*Thirty two*
It’s not like I can decide what I get.
*Thirty one*
How long left?
*Thirty*
Thirty seconds. I’ll think for a moment about my life, how it is going to change once I change.
*Ten*
Ten seconds left.
*Nine*
*Eight*
*Seven*
*Six*
*Five*
Five seconds left. I’m gripping the chair arms so hard I think they’re going to fall off.
*Four*
Four.
*Three*
Three.
*Two*
Two.
*One*
One!
The world goes dark. Is this the change? I wait, patiently. I feel nothing. I see nothing.
I wait some more.
Still I see nothing.
Then there is a voice, a murmur in the back of my head.
**Your power is humility.**
I sit for a moment, before I try and cry. I lift a hand and realise I cannot even do that. For my hand only touches smooth skin.
I am 18, and I am blind.
I am changed.
| I was sitting and counting down, today was the day!
5...4...3...2...1...
A voice sounded in my mind, I knew I didn't hear it with my ears, but it definitely was not me.
"You recieve the power of making anyones nipples explode"
What the fuck is this shit....is this a joke? I mean that could kind of maybe help to save myself or someone else, but I mean...fuck...cmon...really? Are you fucking kidding me? I waited for the voice to say something...anything...but that was it.
Well, with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever someone is in danger or peril, when evil strikes, I, NipSploder Boy, will be there to rescue those in need! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | I was sitting and counting down, today was the day!
5...4...3...2...1...
A voice sounded in my mind, I knew I didn't hear it with my ears, but it definitely was not me.
"You recieve the power of making anyones nipples explode"
What the fuck is this shit....is this a joke? I mean that could kind of maybe help to save myself or someone else, but I mean...fuck...cmon...really? Are you fucking kidding me? I waited for the voice to say something...anything...but that was it.
Well, with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever someone is in danger or peril, when evil strikes, I, NipSploder Boy, will be there to rescue those in need! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | I was sitting and counting down, today was the day!
5...4...3...2...1...
A voice sounded in my mind, I knew I didn't hear it with my ears, but it definitely was not me.
"You recieve the power of making anyones nipples explode"
What the fuck is this shit....is this a joke? I mean that could kind of maybe help to save myself or someone else, but I mean...fuck...cmon...really? Are you fucking kidding me? I waited for the voice to say something...anything...but that was it.
Well, with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever someone is in danger or peril, when evil strikes, I, NipSploder Boy, will be there to rescue those in need! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Entering the assembly hall, I looked amongst the cheap plastic chairs and spotted my group of friends in the crowd. Awkwardly squeezing past people, mumbling sorries and excuse me's, I sat down with them.
We were facing a large raised stage, lectern in the middle with teachers sat towards the back of the stage. A large digital clock counting down. 15 minutes remained. A dour faced man in a cheap suit stood up to the lectern.
*cough* *cough* "Hello assembled students, I am Mr. Robertson with the IPCC. I am here today because several of you are going to receive your powers today. I assure you, this is normal. Your bodies will be changing, hormones raging. Some of you will change at different rates to others. This is all perfectly normal."
He shifted awkwardly, adjusted his papers and continued.
"Take a look at the clock above me. When that hits Zero, the solar flare will hit and the excess of radiation will start the mutation of your cells. This you should know from your biology classes. Now, each of you will fit into a category. The most common of these is strength, I myself am part of this category. A lucky few of you will become fliers, or have increased speed."
The students hearing this murmured excitedly, wondering what they or their friends who's birthday it was powers would manifest themselves as. Everyone stared at the clock, one minute remained. That must have been the longest minute of my life. Heck, I was lucky to even be in the Super-Powered gene pool. My mother had never developed powers, and that drastically reduced my chances of developing them.
10.9.8
My palms started to sweat
7.6.5
A ball of tension tightened in my gut
4.3.2
This was it.
0.
I braced . . waiting for . . anything? I couldn't feel anything different about me? I turned to my friend "Hey . mmmgarharh" Out of my mouth flowed spiders. Large, small, hairy creepy. Spiders everywhere. Standing up I writhed in panic, spiders flying everywhere I turned. Leaping from the stage, the man who was delivering the address landed on top of me forcing my mouth shut.
"Sorry kid, but . . "
He gently caressed my face, then snapped my neck. In the last moments of my consciousness all I could hear was "Nope nope nope nope nope^nope^^nope" | I was sitting and counting down, today was the day!
5...4...3...2...1...
A voice sounded in my mind, I knew I didn't hear it with my ears, but it definitely was not me.
"You recieve the power of making anyones nipples explode"
What the fuck is this shit....is this a joke? I mean that could kind of maybe help to save myself or someone else, but I mean...fuck...cmon...really? Are you fucking kidding me? I waited for the voice to say something...anything...but that was it.
Well, with great power comes great responsibility. Whenever someone is in danger or peril, when evil strikes, I, NipSploder Boy, will be there to rescue those in need! | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | In retrospect, it made perfect sense.
There I was on the eve of my 18th birthday throwing the wildest party a bunch of pre-supes' could possibly throw (supes and pre-supers don't really mix too much), when I threw up all over the kitchen after trying to down what could only be described as a mixture between a bloody mary and a dry crabstick.
I whirled in stupor as my senses flew about me, but steadied myself on the counter and watched the clock tick to keep my mind off throwing up again, whilst trying to drown out the roars of laughter coming from my so-called friends. Dimly, at the back of my mind, I registered that I was now eighteen.
"wHERre raM I?" I blurted.
One of my mates immediately stopped laughing and looked me dead in the eye, "you are at your own house, in your own kitchen." He looked confused and worried for a second, but then went back to laughing
"SssSTohP LAFAFling U HaiEnaaas!" I screamed. I could feel another surge of vomit tickling the back of my throat. The room swayed, but the laughing had seemed to cease altogether.
"tHAs berrer.... soAMwone crleer rup fis mesSss" I said, closing my eyes as fatigue got the better of me.
When I woke up, the entire house was spotless - it looked like an entire platoon of cleaners had gone to work diligently scrubbing every surface and crevice like there was no tomorrow.
The kitchen tiles sparkled like they'd never done before, except around the grimy silhouette I left on the floor when I rose.
My head still swam, but I managed to stumble outside into the front garden where much to my surprise I saw my house guests tirelessly trimming the grass and hedges using any sharp utensil they could find. Many had bags underneath their eyes like they'd been up all night.
"Wha..at are you doing?"
I almost jumped a foot when they turned to me and started screeching like a pack of wild animals. It was like their minds were gone and that they could only communicate through high screeching noises.
I retreated into the house and gingerly locked the door. This was a really weird day. I hadn't even found out what my new supe power was, but I vowed never to get that drunk again. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | In retrospect, it made perfect sense.
There I was on the eve of my 18th birthday throwing the wildest party a bunch of pre-supes' could possibly throw (supes and pre-supers don't really mix too much), when I threw up all over the kitchen after trying to down what could only be described as a mixture between a bloody mary and a dry crabstick.
I whirled in stupor as my senses flew about me, but steadied myself on the counter and watched the clock tick to keep my mind off throwing up again, whilst trying to drown out the roars of laughter coming from my so-called friends. Dimly, at the back of my mind, I registered that I was now eighteen.
"wHERre raM I?" I blurted.
One of my mates immediately stopped laughing and looked me dead in the eye, "you are at your own house, in your own kitchen." He looked confused and worried for a second, but then went back to laughing
"SssSTohP LAFAFling U HaiEnaaas!" I screamed. I could feel another surge of vomit tickling the back of my throat. The room swayed, but the laughing had seemed to cease altogether.
"tHAs berrer.... soAMwone crleer rup fis mesSss" I said, closing my eyes as fatigue got the better of me.
When I woke up, the entire house was spotless - it looked like an entire platoon of cleaners had gone to work diligently scrubbing every surface and crevice like there was no tomorrow.
The kitchen tiles sparkled like they'd never done before, except around the grimy silhouette I left on the floor when I rose.
My head still swam, but I managed to stumble outside into the front garden where much to my surprise I saw my house guests tirelessly trimming the grass and hedges using any sharp utensil they could find. Many had bags underneath their eyes like they'd been up all night.
"Wha..at are you doing?"
I almost jumped a foot when they turned to me and started screeching like a pack of wild animals. It was like their minds were gone and that they could only communicate through high screeching noises.
I retreated into the house and gingerly locked the door. This was a really weird day. I hadn't even found out what my new supe power was, but I vowed never to get that drunk again. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | In retrospect, it made perfect sense.
There I was on the eve of my 18th birthday throwing the wildest party a bunch of pre-supes' could possibly throw (supes and pre-supers don't really mix too much), when I threw up all over the kitchen after trying to down what could only be described as a mixture between a bloody mary and a dry crabstick.
I whirled in stupor as my senses flew about me, but steadied myself on the counter and watched the clock tick to keep my mind off throwing up again, whilst trying to drown out the roars of laughter coming from my so-called friends. Dimly, at the back of my mind, I registered that I was now eighteen.
"wHERre raM I?" I blurted.
One of my mates immediately stopped laughing and looked me dead in the eye, "you are at your own house, in your own kitchen." He looked confused and worried for a second, but then went back to laughing
"SssSTohP LAFAFling U HaiEnaaas!" I screamed. I could feel another surge of vomit tickling the back of my throat. The room swayed, but the laughing had seemed to cease altogether.
"tHAs berrer.... soAMwone crleer rup fis mesSss" I said, closing my eyes as fatigue got the better of me.
When I woke up, the entire house was spotless - it looked like an entire platoon of cleaners had gone to work diligently scrubbing every surface and crevice like there was no tomorrow.
The kitchen tiles sparkled like they'd never done before, except around the grimy silhouette I left on the floor when I rose.
My head still swam, but I managed to stumble outside into the front garden where much to my surprise I saw my house guests tirelessly trimming the grass and hedges using any sharp utensil they could find. Many had bags underneath their eyes like they'd been up all night.
"Wha..at are you doing?"
I almost jumped a foot when they turned to me and started screeching like a pack of wild animals. It was like their minds were gone and that they could only communicate through high screeching noises.
I retreated into the house and gingerly locked the door. This was a really weird day. I hadn't even found out what my new supe power was, but I vowed never to get that drunk again. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | In retrospect, it made perfect sense.
There I was on the eve of my 18th birthday throwing the wildest party a bunch of pre-supes' could possibly throw (supes and pre-supers don't really mix too much), when I threw up all over the kitchen after trying to down what could only be described as a mixture between a bloody mary and a dry crabstick.
I whirled in stupor as my senses flew about me, but steadied myself on the counter and watched the clock tick to keep my mind off throwing up again, whilst trying to drown out the roars of laughter coming from my so-called friends. Dimly, at the back of my mind, I registered that I was now eighteen.
"wHERre raM I?" I blurted.
One of my mates immediately stopped laughing and looked me dead in the eye, "you are at your own house, in your own kitchen." He looked confused and worried for a second, but then went back to laughing
"SssSTohP LAFAFling U HaiEnaaas!" I screamed. I could feel another surge of vomit tickling the back of my throat. The room swayed, but the laughing had seemed to cease altogether.
"tHAs berrer.... soAMwone crleer rup fis mesSss" I said, closing my eyes as fatigue got the better of me.
When I woke up, the entire house was spotless - it looked like an entire platoon of cleaners had gone to work diligently scrubbing every surface and crevice like there was no tomorrow.
The kitchen tiles sparkled like they'd never done before, except around the grimy silhouette I left on the floor when I rose.
My head still swam, but I managed to stumble outside into the front garden where much to my surprise I saw my house guests tirelessly trimming the grass and hedges using any sharp utensil they could find. Many had bags underneath their eyes like they'd been up all night.
"Wha..at are you doing?"
I almost jumped a foot when they turned to me and started screeching like a pack of wild animals. It was like their minds were gone and that they could only communicate through high screeching noises.
I retreated into the house and gingerly locked the door. This was a really weird day. I hadn't even found out what my new supe power was, but I vowed never to get that drunk again. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | Like any grand or nightmarish moment of fate, my destiny came to me on the toilet.
Just like everyone else, I had been waiting feverishly for my 18th birthday. The day itself was one giant anti-climax - I awoke awash in the glow that accompanies a soon-to-be legend. I climbed into bed that night in a huff - surely someone meant for glory would have been struck with their power the very moment they turned 18? Then why was I going to bed no different than I woke up?And what would everyone think if I never did gain my power? Or, maybe worse, if my power and I turned out to be a dud?
In the weeks following my 18th birthday I barely slept. Paralyzing anxiety wracked my brain, but I knew it had only one cure. Regardless of when fate would find me, the waiting game preyed on more than just my emotions - it also wreaked havoc on my naturally high-strung bowels. My IBS had flared up when I thought I heard a friend say that Bravo was cancelling Top Chef. Needless to say, it was in its heyday during my current emotional distress.
I was in the midst of one of my many marathon bathroom sessions when I realized the worst had happened. I was just settling gingerly onto the cold porcelain when I realized my phone was at less than 5% battery. Barely enough time to rouse the sleeping dragon that is my digestive tract and certainly not enough time for it to go about its volatile business.Nonetheless I settled in and, ten minutes post the death of my phone and after reading the backs of all the shampoo bottles I could reach several times over, a rumbling deep at the base of my being indicated that my intestines had worked through their performance anxiety. Several loud blasts were like music to my ears, signifying sweet relief from the cramps that rolled through my abdomen.
*Creeeeakk.*
*What was that?* I thought. *It couldn't be....*
Soft footfalls in the hallway sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. Andra - my suspiciously quiet roommate - was home. Her bedroom shared a very thin wall with our tiny bathroom. My breath caught as I realized that one of my all-time top three nightmares was being played out and there was nothing I could do about it.
As every muscle in my body clenched tighter, I suddenly realized that physical stress was unintentionally propelling my body to a grand finale that would probably be heard around the block. *Noooo!!!!!* I screamed in my head - urging every pipe in my body to cease movement, block passage, HALT!!!
Would but I could describe the sounds that came from my body that afternoon. There are no words. It's safe to say that it was somewhere between a ship fog horn sounding (long and loud) and the sloppy contents of a near-empty ketchup bottle being forced out so quickly that red globs shoot out in all directions.
Shame rose up my face like a heavy steam and my forehead felt warm as I cradled it in my palms. *She must have heard that right? Is there any chance? Is she one of those people who judges you for having bodily functions...?*
Andra's voice interrupted my agony. It sounded loud, brusque and oddly hard - there was an edge that I had never heard before. "That is so disgusting!! How can she do that without even thinking - I never.... And what in the hell is she putting in her body? Healthy people don't make sounds like that... oh god, that smell!!!!! Holy shit!!"
I abruptly burst from the bathroom, fly half-zipped and pants drifting open. "Alright, already!!! I get it - you think I'm gross!! Just shut up or keep it to yourself!"
I stared at her, feeling hurt but vindicated. After a moment, I noticed that her frown didn't look particularly cruel, but quite dumbfounded. She wouldn't make eye contact with me - was she embarrassed by her outburst?
"Jess - what did you hear? Because I didn't say anything..... I didn't say anything out loud..."
---
Years of waiting and anticipation, stress that had led me to spend so much time in the bathroom I knew exactly how long it took for my butt to fall asleep on the seat, the constant guessing at what my power could be - it had been years of energy and emotion invested in this moment. I know parents fear for their children's safety, maybe hope for a power that is low-profile. But my greatest fear whenever I thought about my 18th birthday was simple - what would others think about me? Would they admire my new abilities? Or scorn a boring fate they deemed appropriate for an unremarkable person? They say powers know you better than you know yourself and so I guess mine is fitting. I think I could get used to hearing other people's thoughts. It would be a burden, but one I could bear with dignity and purpose. But what purpose does it serve to only be able to hear others' thoughts during my most embarrassing moments? | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | I woke up this morning and the pain in my throat was finally gone, the scream I let out two day ago...or was it three...tore up my vocal cords. The time between that scream and now is a jumble of crying, dark rooms, and kicking every family member out of my room as they tried to make contact with me. I swing my feet out of bed and get dressed, not willing to turn the light on yet. I walk around the shards of glass from my smashed mirror and wash the dried tears off my face in the sink. Deep breaths still cause a tingle in my chest but I take a few, the time for wallowing in self pity is over, I feel the push in my chest to get out into the world and begin to walk the path I have been set upon.
Brad is outside my room in the hallway, I have been dreading him the most, might as well get it over with, I meet his eyes, and manage to keep it together. He looks exactly like I used too, a young man just hitting adulthood, mop of brown hair, longer than I usually keep mine, skinny frame that we both struggled to put muscle on. He was born fifteen and a half minutes before me and we have always been there for each other, his eyes show that he has no idea what to say to me. He opens his mouth to ask the question everyone wants the answer to, but it doesn’t cross his lips. I walk down into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee from the pot my father always makes and sit at the table. My parents sit and look at me as I stare at the mug and my brother sits down next to me. “OK, I am ready to tell you.”
Three days ago was the celebration, I see it was three days with a glance to the cat calender on the wall, our family tradition is a simple family gathering and a dinner. My father set the timer a week ago and it is now counting down from ten minutes. My brother is going first, he will know his power before mine is revealed. He pushes me and tells me to get ready for 15 minutes of torture before I can defend myself, this is his favorite joke, I indulge him, he can barley sit still he is so excited. It is always different, even for identical twins. The power, fully developed and understood, becomes a part of you at the moment of your eighteenth birthday, from what my father said, it is just like discovering another limb you just know what it is and how it works. My father can see through a wall, not walls, just one at a time, not a huge help to a computer science professor, but always knows when the mail is coming. The falcon my mother transforms into is a sight to see diving through the air and into our backyard, she still tries to get Brad and I to try mouse meat.
The clock hits zero and Brad bursts out laughing, he runs around the table smacking me in the back of the head each time he makes a circuit, snickering each time. “ITS FORCE REDIRECTION, try to hit me, do it.” I feint a slap then aim my fist at his stomach, just as I am about to connect my fist slides to the left and I spin off without touching him. He is already talking about a fighting career is the unlimited power class, hopefully his power works on laser beams.
My father is busy trying to reset the clock for the exact time and I am trying to help, but each time I focus Brad smacks my eyes out of focus. I tell him to knock it off and he finally settles down for my reveal. He set if for too long, as the clock hits seven seconds, it hits me, the mantle of my power folds over me like a lead blanket. The scream pours out of my lungs, taking with it any hope I had for my future. I flip the table and Brad catches it midair and directs it back to its familiar place in the center of the room, but I am already in my room sobbing on the other side of the door.
The coffee is burnt, it always is, but the heat and caffeine help me say the first words I have said in days. “I will save thousands of lives, in fact I will save Wendy Harrington's life today. I can feel the pull getting stronger right now, I feel a hundred tethers to my soul as it is, but Wendy's is strongest. She lost her baby today, no one knew she was pregnant, but she poured all her heart into that tiny life growing inside her, and now it is gone.”
The pull is too strong and I get up to leave the house,”Cmon, I will show you.” My mother, tears already in her eyes is the first to follow me. Wendy lives two houses down so with barley a thought I am in her bedroom, she is in the fetal position around the orange plastic bottle, pills melting in the pool of spit on the sheets. I lay my hand on her back and open myself to the core, It feels kinda like that time Brad and I stole a bottle of vodka from my parents and drank it in the garage. My head swims like then, but without the pleasant numbness. The despair is like a vise around my soul, but the Oxycontin now flowing through my veins is already slowing my heart. As my eyes close, I feel Wendy's tears hit my face and she strokes my hair, her “thank you” echos in my ear as I fade away.
The tug awakens me, I feel it swing my legs off the bed and propel me out the front door and into the street. Mr. Grogin lives 45 miles away, but I have time, I will make it there in time, I will always make it there in time. At least he owns a gun, should be faster this time. | |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | My mother said I popped out of her at 18:12. Well it was 18:11 and we are about to find out if her memories were accurate! One flippin more minute! I’ve literally been waiting for 18 years for this moment.
All my friends are already 18. They all have their superpowers. Do you know how hard it is to be the only underage guy in my group? Every day is like being the only guy that can’t taste in a group of professional ice cream testers.
30 seconds. My buddy Jared has the power to skip back or ahead 30 seconds whenever he feels like it. I’d trade my little sister for that power right now.
My entire family is here for this. Of course it’s the biggest event in a young man’s life, but it feels good to see them around the table. They can be out of it a lot of the time, but seeing them smile as we count down together is pretty exciting.
I have thought a lot about what power I would love to get. It does no use to wish - it’s completely random as far as anyone can tell. The moment 18 years after you breathe your first lungful of air you get a superpower. You can’t change it or choose it or trade it. This is how things work.
A girl in my class can fly. She was voted most likely to succeed after that. Literally the sky is the limit for her.
I hope I can fly.
15 seconds.
My mom is beaming at me. She’s so proud of everything I do. No matter what power I get she’ll be super supportive. I knew a guy who’s power was to change the colour of his shirt at will. His mom apparently disowned him. Came from a long line of teleporters and he just didn’t cut the mustard.
My mom would never disown me.
My dad might though.
I’ve been praying that my power isn’t to change my sex at will or something like that. Not that it’s a bad power, but my dad is convinced those people are… subconsciously different. He’s a bit old fashioned you could say. Let’s just hope I get something cool. Super speed or something.
5 seconds. The clock seems like it’s going in slow motion for some reason.
4 seconds. Dad, Mom, Sister, even Grans is here.
3 seconds. Come on flying power.
2 seconds. Wow this is suspenseful.
1 seconds. Aaaaand…
Ding.
The power fills me. Mom was right. For a second it feels like I’m dowsed in cold water then I can feel the power, nestled in my mouth. I can taste the power!
I look at Mom, beaming expectantly, and my mouth fills with this tepid metallic taste, like a sewer pipe that has been cleaned with way too much bleach. I stick my tongue out in revulsion, but nothing changes. My Mom recoils from me as the taste circles my throat as if trying to get to my stomach.
In horror I look to my Dad and the taste changes. This time it’s the unmistakeable taste of shit. With it comes a chunky texture that settles on the inside of my cheeks.
My Sister jumps in with excitement, eager to hear what my power is and my mouth fills up with a streamy, milky shitty taste. Oh my god I almost pass out.
And I do pass out when I look at Gran. Her taste is so bad I can smell it from my mouth.
Thankfully darkness knocks out my senses.
When I wake up it’s my Mom there with me. The bleached taste fills my mouth again. It’s not near as bad as the others was.
As the world comes back to me the realization of what has happened comes too.
I’ve received my power.
And it’s the last power I would have ever dreamed of, something I wouldn’t wish on any human - not even a terrorist.
I can taste someones asshole just by looking at them.
Shit. | *Sixty*
For my whole life I have waited for this moment.
*Fifty nine*
For the day, the hour, the very second I turn 18.
*Fifty eight*
I know, I know - nothing changes when you turn 18. You’re an adult in nothing but name.
*Fifty seven*
But there’s more to this world than bars.
*Fifty six*
More than just being able to buy alcohol.
*Fifty five*
Buying it yourself, anyway.
*Fifty four*
You see, everyone hits 18 differently.
*Fifty three*
Some are ready for it.
*Fifty two*
They make the graceful change into an adult.
*Fifty one*
But most don’t.
*Fifty*
Most find being an adult pours too much responsibility on them.
*Forty nine*
But I’m getting off topic.
*Forty eight*
Off the point I was going to make.
*Forty seven*
Not everyone hits 18 differently.
*Forty six*
Here, it’s actually pretty similar for all of us.
*Forty five*
We might be in completely different situations, but we all go through the same thing.
*Forty four*
The same process.
*Forty three*
The awakening.
*Forty two*
When I was a kid, playing ball with my friends, we daydreamed about what we’d get.
*Forty one*
Fantasised.
*Forty*
See, when you turn 18 you have something very special happen to you.
*Thirty nine*
You get… a power.
*Thirty eight*
An ability. I’ve seen them range from superhuman strength to shooting fireballs from your tear ducts to being immune to asbestos.
*Thirty seven*
You have no choice in the matter, of course.
*Thirty six*
We used to dream about cool powers, wings and fireballs and all of that.
*Thirty five*
Now I’m almost 18 myself, I don’t know what to think.
*Thirty four*
Do I want something cool, or something useful?
*Thirty three*
I honestly don’t know.
*Thirty two*
It’s not like I can decide what I get.
*Thirty one*
How long left?
*Thirty*
Thirty seconds. I’ll think for a moment about my life, how it is going to change once I change.
*Ten*
Ten seconds left.
*Nine*
*Eight*
*Seven*
*Six*
*Five*
Five seconds left. I’m gripping the chair arms so hard I think they’re going to fall off.
*Four*
Four.
*Three*
Three.
*Two*
Two.
*One*
One!
The world goes dark. Is this the change? I wait, patiently. I feel nothing. I see nothing.
I wait some more.
Still I see nothing.
Then there is a voice, a murmur in the back of my head.
**Your power is humility.**
I sit for a moment, before I try and cry. I lift a hand and realise I cannot even do that. For my hand only touches smooth skin.
I am 18, and I am blind.
I am changed.
| |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | I woke up on my 18th birthday and - aside from the obvious nervousness - I felt exactly the same. Of course, this was to be completely expected. After a wonderful birthday breakfast with my family beset with gifts, well-wishes, and gentle teasing, my father volunteered to be the one to fly me to the local Scientific Unlocked Potential Eradiation Reactor to receive the present we all knew I was anxiously awaiting: my power.
My dad was a "flyer", naturally. He was one of the 20% of the population or so that received the ability to hover through the air. It was a fairly common power, although each flyer seemed to have different top speeds and acceleration. The government said it wasn't so much as turning off gravity as telekinetically controlling micro gravity wells.
It was well over most people's heads, well, over everyone's heads except the less than 1% of the population who were "thinkers," bestowed with the power of seemingly unlimited scientific aptitude. They were the rarest powers, but they were probably the most valuable since they were able to refine the process that gave humans their powers.
On the flight over my father reassured me that he and my mother would love me no matter what happened. He joked that my mom's side - full of speedsters - wouldn't mind if I could suddenly break the sound barrier, but that it made no difference what I was gifted with. His voice was lost in the wind as my mind was racing with nervous anticipation.
We landed at the Reactor and entered into the lobby, currently host to a handful of other nervous, but giddy, 18 year olds. For such a miraculous process, the government had done an exemplary job of dulling the entire affair. After a mountain of sign-in paperwork, I awaited my turn.
My name was called an hour later and I was escorted alone to the Reactor, deep inside the facility. The Reactor core was a cavernous, five-story column, large enough for hundreds of people to stand in at the base. At that moment, I was the only one standing in it. The government thinkers stood outside reinforced doors and sent reassuring messages through the intercom. They flipped the switch. Nothing happened.
For the ensuing hours there was confusion. I had gained no observable power. My head swimming, the thinkers' voices blended together. "Unparalleled." "Anomaly." "We've never seen this before." They advised to keep me overnight for full observation.
My father and I had a reassuring chat outside before he left. I'll never forget how worried he looked and I'll never forget his words to me. "We'll love you no matter what." I'll never forget the hug. I'll never forget how scared I was. And I'll never forget when they told me hours later how he died when he fell from the sky after his powers faded.
It was that day I learned that I was given the one power no one in our society wanted: I permanently take away others' powers through touch or being in close proximity. Worse, the area of effect of my "power" was unstable. It could be a meter, it could be a mile. Or, as a leading thinker said, I "have the power to singlehandedly bring the Golden Age of humanity to an end."
I am alone. I am feared. I am hunted. And I'm scared. | *Sixty*
For my whole life I have waited for this moment.
*Fifty nine*
For the day, the hour, the very second I turn 18.
*Fifty eight*
I know, I know - nothing changes when you turn 18. You’re an adult in nothing but name.
*Fifty seven*
But there’s more to this world than bars.
*Fifty six*
More than just being able to buy alcohol.
*Fifty five*
Buying it yourself, anyway.
*Fifty four*
You see, everyone hits 18 differently.
*Fifty three*
Some are ready for it.
*Fifty two*
They make the graceful change into an adult.
*Fifty one*
But most don’t.
*Fifty*
Most find being an adult pours too much responsibility on them.
*Forty nine*
But I’m getting off topic.
*Forty eight*
Off the point I was going to make.
*Forty seven*
Not everyone hits 18 differently.
*Forty six*
Here, it’s actually pretty similar for all of us.
*Forty five*
We might be in completely different situations, but we all go through the same thing.
*Forty four*
The same process.
*Forty three*
The awakening.
*Forty two*
When I was a kid, playing ball with my friends, we daydreamed about what we’d get.
*Forty one*
Fantasised.
*Forty*
See, when you turn 18 you have something very special happen to you.
*Thirty nine*
You get… a power.
*Thirty eight*
An ability. I’ve seen them range from superhuman strength to shooting fireballs from your tear ducts to being immune to asbestos.
*Thirty seven*
You have no choice in the matter, of course.
*Thirty six*
We used to dream about cool powers, wings and fireballs and all of that.
*Thirty five*
Now I’m almost 18 myself, I don’t know what to think.
*Thirty four*
Do I want something cool, or something useful?
*Thirty three*
I honestly don’t know.
*Thirty two*
It’s not like I can decide what I get.
*Thirty one*
How long left?
*Thirty*
Thirty seconds. I’ll think for a moment about my life, how it is going to change once I change.
*Ten*
Ten seconds left.
*Nine*
*Eight*
*Seven*
*Six*
*Five*
Five seconds left. I’m gripping the chair arms so hard I think they’re going to fall off.
*Four*
Four.
*Three*
Three.
*Two*
Two.
*One*
One!
The world goes dark. Is this the change? I wait, patiently. I feel nothing. I see nothing.
I wait some more.
Still I see nothing.
Then there is a voice, a murmur in the back of my head.
**Your power is humility.**
I sit for a moment, before I try and cry. I lift a hand and realise I cannot even do that. For my hand only touches smooth skin.
I am 18, and I am blind.
I am changed.
| |
[WP] You live in a world where every person receives a superpower on their 18th birthday. You eagerly count down the seconds then shriek in horror as you are given a power no one would ever want to be stuck with. | Entering the assembly hall, I looked amongst the cheap plastic chairs and spotted my group of friends in the crowd. Awkwardly squeezing past people, mumbling sorries and excuse me's, I sat down with them.
We were facing a large raised stage, lectern in the middle with teachers sat towards the back of the stage. A large digital clock counting down. 15 minutes remained. A dour faced man in a cheap suit stood up to the lectern.
*cough* *cough* "Hello assembled students, I am Mr. Robertson with the IPCC. I am here today because several of you are going to receive your powers today. I assure you, this is normal. Your bodies will be changing, hormones raging. Some of you will change at different rates to others. This is all perfectly normal."
He shifted awkwardly, adjusted his papers and continued.
"Take a look at the clock above me. When that hits Zero, the solar flare will hit and the excess of radiation will start the mutation of your cells. This you should know from your biology classes. Now, each of you will fit into a category. The most common of these is strength, I myself am part of this category. A lucky few of you will become fliers, or have increased speed."
The students hearing this murmured excitedly, wondering what they or their friends who's birthday it was powers would manifest themselves as. Everyone stared at the clock, one minute remained. That must have been the longest minute of my life. Heck, I was lucky to even be in the Super-Powered gene pool. My mother had never developed powers, and that drastically reduced my chances of developing them.
10.9.8
My palms started to sweat
7.6.5
A ball of tension tightened in my gut
4.3.2
This was it.
0.
I braced . . waiting for . . anything? I couldn't feel anything different about me? I turned to my friend "Hey . mmmgarharh" Out of my mouth flowed spiders. Large, small, hairy creepy. Spiders everywhere. Standing up I writhed in panic, spiders flying everywhere I turned. Leaping from the stage, the man who was delivering the address landed on top of me forcing my mouth shut.
"Sorry kid, but . . "
He gently caressed my face, then snapped my neck. In the last moments of my consciousness all I could hear was "Nope nope nope nope nope^nope^^nope" | *Sixty*
For my whole life I have waited for this moment.
*Fifty nine*
For the day, the hour, the very second I turn 18.
*Fifty eight*
I know, I know - nothing changes when you turn 18. You’re an adult in nothing but name.
*Fifty seven*
But there’s more to this world than bars.
*Fifty six*
More than just being able to buy alcohol.
*Fifty five*
Buying it yourself, anyway.
*Fifty four*
You see, everyone hits 18 differently.
*Fifty three*
Some are ready for it.
*Fifty two*
They make the graceful change into an adult.
*Fifty one*
But most don’t.
*Fifty*
Most find being an adult pours too much responsibility on them.
*Forty nine*
But I’m getting off topic.
*Forty eight*
Off the point I was going to make.
*Forty seven*
Not everyone hits 18 differently.
*Forty six*
Here, it’s actually pretty similar for all of us.
*Forty five*
We might be in completely different situations, but we all go through the same thing.
*Forty four*
The same process.
*Forty three*
The awakening.
*Forty two*
When I was a kid, playing ball with my friends, we daydreamed about what we’d get.
*Forty one*
Fantasised.
*Forty*
See, when you turn 18 you have something very special happen to you.
*Thirty nine*
You get… a power.
*Thirty eight*
An ability. I’ve seen them range from superhuman strength to shooting fireballs from your tear ducts to being immune to asbestos.
*Thirty seven*
You have no choice in the matter, of course.
*Thirty six*
We used to dream about cool powers, wings and fireballs and all of that.
*Thirty five*
Now I’m almost 18 myself, I don’t know what to think.
*Thirty four*
Do I want something cool, or something useful?
*Thirty three*
I honestly don’t know.
*Thirty two*
It’s not like I can decide what I get.
*Thirty one*
How long left?
*Thirty*
Thirty seconds. I’ll think for a moment about my life, how it is going to change once I change.
*Ten*
Ten seconds left.
*Nine*
*Eight*
*Seven*
*Six*
*Five*
Five seconds left. I’m gripping the chair arms so hard I think they’re going to fall off.
*Four*
Four.
*Three*
Three.
*Two*
Two.
*One*
One!
The world goes dark. Is this the change? I wait, patiently. I feel nothing. I see nothing.
I wait some more.
Still I see nothing.
Then there is a voice, a murmur in the back of my head.
**Your power is humility.**
I sit for a moment, before I try and cry. I lift a hand and realise I cannot even do that. For my hand only touches smooth skin.
I am 18, and I am blind.
I am changed.
| |
[WP] A conspiracy theorist gets kidnapped and interrogated by the North Koreans for his "Top secret American Intel" | "Lizard people? They control America?"
"Yes and the UK. They drink our blood. They're monsters."
"What else do you have for us?"
"You know about 9/11?"
"Oh yes."
"How about the moon landing?"
"What about it?"
"It never happened. Our entire space program is a lie. If you nuked the US tomorrow, they couldn't retaliate."
"Are you sure? We stole our rocket technology from you."
"And your rockets do what?"
The interrogator gasps. It all makes sense, and another believer is born.
"Tell me more." | "You don't have to interrogate me. I'll tell anyone who listens. Especially one from a progressive state like yours. But first, we need to all be wearing tin foil hats. Or the CIA will just steal our thoughts and kill us all with aneurysms."
"Ah--so... And you know this how?"
"It's classified."
"Mr... Smith, you said. Why do you sport the mullet?"
"Because the CIA would disregard me because of it. Listen, I can be your greatest asset. You just have to return me to the U.S. and give me the assets I need, and you'll have the end of the CIA and this petty world government." | |
[WP] A conspiracy theorist gets kidnapped and interrogated by the North Koreans for his "Top secret American Intel" | "So Mr. Gyeong, what have we learned from this American?"
"Well, apparently, the attacks on 11/09/2001 were done by the US government themselves."
Taken aback, the North Korean sits down to process this revolutionary new information.
"How does he know this? What sources does he have? And why would the US government attack their own nation?"
Gyeong sits down at the desk across from the general.
"Well apparently (in his own words), the capitalist pig George W. Bush would be able to utilize a terrorist attack to his advantage, because it would allow for public support of an invasion of the Middle East, which would benefit his oil companies."
The general was not impressed.
"How would the president improvise planes being hijacked and flown into those towers?"
Gyeong replies with a succinct
"He claims the planes were not the cause of the explosion but rather just catalysts to set off the explosives that the government had placed at the bottom of the buildings."
The general was blown away.
"Please tell me that no one knows of this. And the prisoner? How is he?"
Gyeong hangs his head.
"He's dead sir."
The general is furious.
"Dead? How? What did he do?"
"After we said that we didn't believe his story, he kept screaming to explain the melted steel. We told him to calm down or we would put him into isolation, at which point he started screaming, asking if he was being detained. One of your men got annoyed relatively quickly and shot him in the head."
The general stands up.
"I want the soldier responsible dead. Have you deciphered the cryptic message this man was saying?"
Gyeong starts to say no, when he is cut off by the general.
"The answer was right in front of us the entire time." He motions to the MiG jet.
"No matter how many times a bad cadet crashed a jet into steel buildings, they never caught ablaze. Do you know why?"
Gyeong shakes his head again.
"Because, Mr. Gyeong, jet fuel can't melt steel beams." | "*What the fuck are you talking about?*" His voice was thin and reedy, stretched taut as wire about to snap. His wrists already felt chafed raw by the metal constraints, yet he couldn't stop himself from yanking instinctively every time the electric shocks coursed through his body.
No matter how much he screamed or struggled, the woman before him was unflinching. As far as he could discern, she was the only one who was semi-fluent in English, although her accent was so strong it could be hard to understand her brusque words.
"The top secret American intel, *Byron*. We know you have access to classified intel regarding the inner workings of the US government. You can disclose this information to us, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or suffer the -"
"No! No, stop. I'll do anything. But," he could feel his heart rate returning to something resembling its usual rate. As long as there was a way to make the torture stop, he'd be okay. "I - I'm just an ordinary American citizen, I swear. I... I don't know what you want me to tell you!"
Her finger hovered precariously over the dials. "Then you can explain why this website lists *you* as its creator, Mr. Hendrickson."
*Could it be...?*
The woman turned to the display screen behind her, gesturing to the blog heading:
FUCK THE ILLUMINAGENDA | |
[WP] A conspiracy theorist gets kidnapped and interrogated by the North Koreans for his "Top secret American Intel" | The North Korean interrogator furrowed his brow. “Wait… *Why* did they create AIDS again?”
“To wipe out the world’s homosexuals,” his American prisoner replied, adjusting his tin-foil hat.
“I still don’t see what that has to do with the Ebola virus.”
“It’s all about *control*, man. They’re trying to keep the population down so they can turn the rest of us into slaves by poisoning the water with fluoride. And they’re setting up military bases on the moon. The *moon*, man. All so Obama can—”
Thousands of miles away, in an underground bunker, Colonel Sanders shut off the feed to his monitor screen. “Get me General Smith,” he told the young lieutenant standing at his side. “The lunar base has been compromised.” | "*What the fuck are you talking about?*" His voice was thin and reedy, stretched taut as wire about to snap. His wrists already felt chafed raw by the metal constraints, yet he couldn't stop himself from yanking instinctively every time the electric shocks coursed through his body.
No matter how much he screamed or struggled, the woman before him was unflinching. As far as he could discern, she was the only one who was semi-fluent in English, although her accent was so strong it could be hard to understand her brusque words.
"The top secret American intel, *Byron*. We know you have access to classified intel regarding the inner workings of the US government. You can disclose this information to us, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or suffer the -"
"No! No, stop. I'll do anything. But," he could feel his heart rate returning to something resembling its usual rate. As long as there was a way to make the torture stop, he'd be okay. "I - I'm just an ordinary American citizen, I swear. I... I don't know what you want me to tell you!"
Her finger hovered precariously over the dials. "Then you can explain why this website lists *you* as its creator, Mr. Hendrickson."
*Could it be...?*
The woman turned to the display screen behind her, gesturing to the blog heading:
FUCK THE ILLUMINAGENDA | |
[WP] You are going down a long road in the middle of night. Every 15 minutes or so you pass by a hitchhiker with one arm raised, asking for a ride, but you decide to ignore them all. After a couple hours of driving, you start to realize that you're passing by the same hitchhiker over and over again. | *Mods, I am unsure whether or not im allowed to make my own response, but I wanted to share my own take on it. Take it down if needed.*
The road seemed limitless, it stretched on for miles, not another tail light in sight. Hitchhikers weren't uncommon in these parts, I don't pick them up during night, and especially on such a long drive. I felt sorry to ignore them, but it was better for me to be safe in my own sudan. It wasn't long before I started to notice that there was something eerie about the men who i have been passing by, they all wore the same clothes, walked the same direction, and had the same thumbs up. It didn't take long for the paranoia to set in, it didn't seem like it was going to stop, so I decided to pick up the next man I saw.
I slowed down next to the hitchhiker, he had a backpack on and was wearing a lot of layers of clothes, rolled down my window and asked "Hey, do you need a ride there fella?". He took out a blinding flashlight, shone it right to my face and pointed a gun to my head. His voice was deep, unnaturally so he spoke nervously "Get out of the car."
I had my own gun tucked away in the back of my waist, but I knew if I tried anything, he would shoot me right then and there. I didn't have a choice.
I stepped out of my car, careful not to let him see the revolver all snug in my ass crack. He got in my car and drove off, but not before he took my bag and threw it out on to the road. An act of kindness? I don't know. I went over and picked it up, put the straps on my shoulder and started walking, hoping that maybe I can reach the city or a gas station to get some help. God it was dark, and so goddamned cold, I had to take out a couple shirts to add more insulation, no wonder that man was wearing so much layers. Fuck that guy, If I ever find him again, Ill drag him back here so he can finish walking the rest of the 10 miles.
Every now and then a car passed by, but they all ignored me. I guess this is the karma I get for my ignorance. I kept on walking, arm raised, waiting for one of them to stop. Low and behold, after about a couple hours of walking, this sudan pulls over, the man inside rolls down his window. And in a somewhat familiar voice, he starts to talk... "Hey, do you need a ride there fella?" | I drove along the clear, straight road, not another car in sight. The radio was blasting out my favourite albums and the heater was on. I sighed, it was bliss. Then I noticed a hitchhiker, with his arm raised.
I decide to ignore him, after all-it still is my wife's birthday, and I can't afford to go on a detour-She'd kill me! It was every fifteen minutes that I noticed a hitchhiker, then-it seemed that I was the only car for miles and they all flocked to me. I just kept driving, ignoring them all.
Suddenly, I started to notice something weird. The hitchhikers were all men, and were all dressed in similar attire. It did seem quite suspicious... After another hour of driving, it dawned on me, I was passing the same hitchhiker, again and again.
When I passed him again, I slowed the car to a halt, rolled down the window and said, Do you need a ride?" He shook his head and said, "Come. It important." And sped off through the woods. Reluctantly, I grabbed my pocket knife, baseball bat and a torch, and sped off after him, locking the car as I went.
I follow his trail of footsteps imbedded in the mud, until we reached a clearing. He took my hand and said, "You, take this-" His paused, struggling over his words. "This." He handed me a silver oval, shining dangerously in the moonlight. "Uh...Thanks? I guess..."
I ran away as fast as I could, racing through the underbrush and leaping over rocks. I had barely got twenty feet, when a deep male voice, in a heavy foreign accent, bellowed, "Him! Get him! He die...!"
The last thing I remember was me swaying and crashing to the floor, and the silver oval, slipping out of my hand and get squished into the mud. I whispered in my last breath, "Anne..." | |
[WP] You are going down a long road in the middle of night. Every 15 minutes or so you pass by a hitchhiker with one arm raised, asking for a ride, but you decide to ignore them all. After a couple hours of driving, you start to realize that you're passing by the same hitchhiker over and over again. | Over and over again I see this soul.
But why, is there some reason behind it all?
Hours on this road have taken their toll.
I can no longer ignore his call.
And thus I cannot ignore myself, my decision.
I had the time to stop and the courage stay.
Instead I forsake my mind, my intuition.
Now he is death haunts me today.
I passed this man just once in life.
Had I stopped a moment then,
I would have ended his strife,
and he'd be alive again. | I drove along the clear, straight road, not another car in sight. The radio was blasting out my favourite albums and the heater was on. I sighed, it was bliss. Then I noticed a hitchhiker, with his arm raised.
I decide to ignore him, after all-it still is my wife's birthday, and I can't afford to go on a detour-She'd kill me! It was every fifteen minutes that I noticed a hitchhiker, then-it seemed that I was the only car for miles and they all flocked to me. I just kept driving, ignoring them all.
Suddenly, I started to notice something weird. The hitchhikers were all men, and were all dressed in similar attire. It did seem quite suspicious... After another hour of driving, it dawned on me, I was passing the same hitchhiker, again and again.
When I passed him again, I slowed the car to a halt, rolled down the window and said, Do you need a ride?" He shook his head and said, "Come. It important." And sped off through the woods. Reluctantly, I grabbed my pocket knife, baseball bat and a torch, and sped off after him, locking the car as I went.
I follow his trail of footsteps imbedded in the mud, until we reached a clearing. He took my hand and said, "You, take this-" His paused, struggling over his words. "This." He handed me a silver oval, shining dangerously in the moonlight. "Uh...Thanks? I guess..."
I ran away as fast as I could, racing through the underbrush and leaping over rocks. I had barely got twenty feet, when a deep male voice, in a heavy foreign accent, bellowed, "Him! Get him! He die...!"
The last thing I remember was me swaying and crashing to the floor, and the silver oval, slipping out of my hand and get squished into the mud. I whispered in my last breath, "Anne..." | |
[WP] You are going down a long road in the middle of night. Every 15 minutes or so you pass by a hitchhiker with one arm raised, asking for a ride, but you decide to ignore them all. After a couple hours of driving, you start to realize that you're passing by the same hitchhiker over and over again. | A pleasant sort of auto-pilot visits me on moonless midnight drives. I tend to lose all sense of self and the sanity that provides...
Basically, I space out. Weird, pretentious thoughts flit in and out of focus of my mind's eye. Some rhyme. See above.
Anyway, that's my excuse. Why I didn't notice the guy sooner. Or, what I assumed to be a guy. I default to a standard white male in my imagination. And because the figure fits, deep-rooted authorial gender bias aside...
I think I'm in denial. At least, avoiding the issue. Namely that some figure, guy or gal or whatever, is haunting me. I've seen The Twilight Zone. I know what this means. Spoilers: It's Death and I've died and I'm as of yet unaware of it.
Except that doesn't make any sense. Loads of shit happened in that show - why is none of it true if this is? Because it isn't, obviously. Just a spooky coincidence. Like the figure. Sorry, *figures*. There's more than one. Anything else is impossible.
So to settle myself, *and to prove it*, I'm going to pick up the next hitchhiker I come across. Don't worry. This is not horrible horror movie character logic - I've thought this through! Hear me out:
I'll see the hitchhiker with their hand sticking out. I'll stop. They'll hop in. Because this is not a horror flick, they will not gruesomely murder me and assume my identity. Instead, they'll probably mumble some sort of thanks and we'll set off, making uncomfortable small-talk along the way. Something like 'Haha, I thought *that* was *you*' when we pass by the next guy. Gal. Whatever.
Two minutes pass. I'm on the lookout. Three. Four. Five... There! I slow down and indicate, then stop. Even in this weird, autonomous state, I refuse to be a shitty driver. That sort of thing's a slippery slope. Best not to even entertain the notion.
Anyway, I snap back to attention as the door opens. The figure gets in. 'Figure' because I still can't tell. It's wearing a bulky black hoodie. My thanks comes in the form of a small polite nod, so obviously, I can't use their voice to tell. They turn and stare ahead. I start up the car. We're off.
Uncomfortable conversation does not materialize as planned. I try, but conversation is a two way street and what ends up technically ensuing is a series of awkward remarks from yours truly. Shit like 'Mmm, no moon - they have cycles for that right?' and 'Out of interest, how do you feel about deep-rooted authorial gender bias in modern literature?'. Admittedly, I am no great conversationalist.
No reaction from the figure whatsoever. No acknowledgement. I throw out 'So, big night huh?' with next to no expectations.
'As opposed to what, a small one?'
What. The. Fuck. Sorry. The swear is for emphasis! I'm not exactly sure how to put this, so I'll just lay it all out: I hadn't expected the voice to be sexy.
And it was. I turned to the 'gal', girl, young woman, whatever, which I was now sure this was. She hadn't turned, and instead, was still staring ahead. But her 'figure', which I now use not as an identifier, but as a means of description, *was more feminine*. That's the only way I can think to put it. She was more streamlined and sleek than I had previously perceived.
Looking back to the road, I tried to desperately come up with something witty. Clever. Charming. 'Aha, yeah, suppose that was a stupid thing to say'. Again, I am no great conversationalist.
'Stupid, yes. Not the first stupid thing you've done tonight.'
I froze, hands clamped tight around the wheel. Previously, I WTFed in surprise. Now in fear - because this was a different voice. A man's. Cold and clinical. Chewing out the vowels. Less Scarlett Johansson and more Alan Rickman.
It was staring at me, I could see out of the corner of my eye. It felt bigger now. Burlier. Doubtless it was. And I still couldn't see the face...
Absolutely terrified, my mind still managed to drift away from the present moment. I was in that weird state after all. Idly, I wondered, the thought rolling around and about my head, how long was it since I had picked up this hitchhiker? Only fourteen minutes right? Surely. So in a minute, I'd pass by another, and I'd see that they weren't repeating, and I'd laugh and so would my passenger, who'd add 'What'd you think of my Alan Rickman impersonation?' in that sexy Scarlett Johansson-like voice, and I'd repeat my laugh and be happy. Right? I told myself this over and over, as if it somehow made even a shred of sense.
'Look at me' came a third voice, neither man or woman. I turned and did as it drew back the hoodie and revealed to me what lay underneath. | I drove along the clear, straight road, not another car in sight. The radio was blasting out my favourite albums and the heater was on. I sighed, it was bliss. Then I noticed a hitchhiker, with his arm raised.
I decide to ignore him, after all-it still is my wife's birthday, and I can't afford to go on a detour-She'd kill me! It was every fifteen minutes that I noticed a hitchhiker, then-it seemed that I was the only car for miles and they all flocked to me. I just kept driving, ignoring them all.
Suddenly, I started to notice something weird. The hitchhikers were all men, and were all dressed in similar attire. It did seem quite suspicious... After another hour of driving, it dawned on me, I was passing the same hitchhiker, again and again.
When I passed him again, I slowed the car to a halt, rolled down the window and said, Do you need a ride?" He shook his head and said, "Come. It important." And sped off through the woods. Reluctantly, I grabbed my pocket knife, baseball bat and a torch, and sped off after him, locking the car as I went.
I follow his trail of footsteps imbedded in the mud, until we reached a clearing. He took my hand and said, "You, take this-" His paused, struggling over his words. "This." He handed me a silver oval, shining dangerously in the moonlight. "Uh...Thanks? I guess..."
I ran away as fast as I could, racing through the underbrush and leaping over rocks. I had barely got twenty feet, when a deep male voice, in a heavy foreign accent, bellowed, "Him! Get him! He die...!"
The last thing I remember was me swaying and crashing to the floor, and the silver oval, slipping out of my hand and get squished into the mud. I whispered in my last breath, "Anne..." | |
[WP] You are going down a long road in the middle of night. Every 15 minutes or so you pass by a hitchhiker with one arm raised, asking for a ride, but you decide to ignore them all. After a couple hours of driving, you start to realize that you're passing by the same hitchhiker over and over again. | Over and over again I see this soul.
But why, is there some reason behind it all?
Hours on this road have taken their toll.
I can no longer ignore his call.
And thus I cannot ignore myself, my decision.
I had the time to stop and the courage stay.
Instead I forsake my mind, my intuition.
Now he is death haunts me today.
I passed this man just once in life.
Had I stopped a moment then,
I would have ended his strife,
and he'd be alive again. | *Mods, I am unsure whether or not im allowed to make my own response, but I wanted to share my own take on it. Take it down if needed.*
The road seemed limitless, it stretched on for miles, not another tail light in sight. Hitchhikers weren't uncommon in these parts, I don't pick them up during night, and especially on such a long drive. I felt sorry to ignore them, but it was better for me to be safe in my own sudan. It wasn't long before I started to notice that there was something eerie about the men who i have been passing by, they all wore the same clothes, walked the same direction, and had the same thumbs up. It didn't take long for the paranoia to set in, it didn't seem like it was going to stop, so I decided to pick up the next man I saw.
I slowed down next to the hitchhiker, he had a backpack on and was wearing a lot of layers of clothes, rolled down my window and asked "Hey, do you need a ride there fella?". He took out a blinding flashlight, shone it right to my face and pointed a gun to my head. His voice was deep, unnaturally so he spoke nervously "Get out of the car."
I had my own gun tucked away in the back of my waist, but I knew if I tried anything, he would shoot me right then and there. I didn't have a choice.
I stepped out of my car, careful not to let him see the revolver all snug in my ass crack. He got in my car and drove off, but not before he took my bag and threw it out on to the road. An act of kindness? I don't know. I went over and picked it up, put the straps on my shoulder and started walking, hoping that maybe I can reach the city or a gas station to get some help. God it was dark, and so goddamned cold, I had to take out a couple shirts to add more insulation, no wonder that man was wearing so much layers. Fuck that guy, If I ever find him again, Ill drag him back here so he can finish walking the rest of the 10 miles.
Every now and then a car passed by, but they all ignored me. I guess this is the karma I get for my ignorance. I kept on walking, arm raised, waiting for one of them to stop. Low and behold, after about a couple hours of walking, this sudan pulls over, the man inside rolls down his window. And in a somewhat familiar voice, he starts to talk... "Hey, do you need a ride there fella?" | |
[WP] You are going down a long road in the middle of night. Every 15 minutes or so you pass by a hitchhiker with one arm raised, asking for a ride, but you decide to ignore them all. After a couple hours of driving, you start to realize that you're passing by the same hitchhiker over and over again. | A pleasant sort of auto-pilot visits me on moonless midnight drives. I tend to lose all sense of self and the sanity that provides...
Basically, I space out. Weird, pretentious thoughts flit in and out of focus of my mind's eye. Some rhyme. See above.
Anyway, that's my excuse. Why I didn't notice the guy sooner. Or, what I assumed to be a guy. I default to a standard white male in my imagination. And because the figure fits, deep-rooted authorial gender bias aside...
I think I'm in denial. At least, avoiding the issue. Namely that some figure, guy or gal or whatever, is haunting me. I've seen The Twilight Zone. I know what this means. Spoilers: It's Death and I've died and I'm as of yet unaware of it.
Except that doesn't make any sense. Loads of shit happened in that show - why is none of it true if this is? Because it isn't, obviously. Just a spooky coincidence. Like the figure. Sorry, *figures*. There's more than one. Anything else is impossible.
So to settle myself, *and to prove it*, I'm going to pick up the next hitchhiker I come across. Don't worry. This is not horrible horror movie character logic - I've thought this through! Hear me out:
I'll see the hitchhiker with their hand sticking out. I'll stop. They'll hop in. Because this is not a horror flick, they will not gruesomely murder me and assume my identity. Instead, they'll probably mumble some sort of thanks and we'll set off, making uncomfortable small-talk along the way. Something like 'Haha, I thought *that* was *you*' when we pass by the next guy. Gal. Whatever.
Two minutes pass. I'm on the lookout. Three. Four. Five... There! I slow down and indicate, then stop. Even in this weird, autonomous state, I refuse to be a shitty driver. That sort of thing's a slippery slope. Best not to even entertain the notion.
Anyway, I snap back to attention as the door opens. The figure gets in. 'Figure' because I still can't tell. It's wearing a bulky black hoodie. My thanks comes in the form of a small polite nod, so obviously, I can't use their voice to tell. They turn and stare ahead. I start up the car. We're off.
Uncomfortable conversation does not materialize as planned. I try, but conversation is a two way street and what ends up technically ensuing is a series of awkward remarks from yours truly. Shit like 'Mmm, no moon - they have cycles for that right?' and 'Out of interest, how do you feel about deep-rooted authorial gender bias in modern literature?'. Admittedly, I am no great conversationalist.
No reaction from the figure whatsoever. No acknowledgement. I throw out 'So, big night huh?' with next to no expectations.
'As opposed to what, a small one?'
What. The. Fuck. Sorry. The swear is for emphasis! I'm not exactly sure how to put this, so I'll just lay it all out: I hadn't expected the voice to be sexy.
And it was. I turned to the 'gal', girl, young woman, whatever, which I was now sure this was. She hadn't turned, and instead, was still staring ahead. But her 'figure', which I now use not as an identifier, but as a means of description, *was more feminine*. That's the only way I can think to put it. She was more streamlined and sleek than I had previously perceived.
Looking back to the road, I tried to desperately come up with something witty. Clever. Charming. 'Aha, yeah, suppose that was a stupid thing to say'. Again, I am no great conversationalist.
'Stupid, yes. Not the first stupid thing you've done tonight.'
I froze, hands clamped tight around the wheel. Previously, I WTFed in surprise. Now in fear - because this was a different voice. A man's. Cold and clinical. Chewing out the vowels. Less Scarlett Johansson and more Alan Rickman.
It was staring at me, I could see out of the corner of my eye. It felt bigger now. Burlier. Doubtless it was. And I still couldn't see the face...
Absolutely terrified, my mind still managed to drift away from the present moment. I was in that weird state after all. Idly, I wondered, the thought rolling around and about my head, how long was it since I had picked up this hitchhiker? Only fourteen minutes right? Surely. So in a minute, I'd pass by another, and I'd see that they weren't repeating, and I'd laugh and so would my passenger, who'd add 'What'd you think of my Alan Rickman impersonation?' in that sexy Scarlett Johansson-like voice, and I'd repeat my laugh and be happy. Right? I told myself this over and over, as if it somehow made even a shred of sense.
'Look at me' came a third voice, neither man or woman. I turned and did as it drew back the hoodie and revealed to me what lay underneath. | *Mods, I am unsure whether or not im allowed to make my own response, but I wanted to share my own take on it. Take it down if needed.*
The road seemed limitless, it stretched on for miles, not another tail light in sight. Hitchhikers weren't uncommon in these parts, I don't pick them up during night, and especially on such a long drive. I felt sorry to ignore them, but it was better for me to be safe in my own sudan. It wasn't long before I started to notice that there was something eerie about the men who i have been passing by, they all wore the same clothes, walked the same direction, and had the same thumbs up. It didn't take long for the paranoia to set in, it didn't seem like it was going to stop, so I decided to pick up the next man I saw.
I slowed down next to the hitchhiker, he had a backpack on and was wearing a lot of layers of clothes, rolled down my window and asked "Hey, do you need a ride there fella?". He took out a blinding flashlight, shone it right to my face and pointed a gun to my head. His voice was deep, unnaturally so he spoke nervously "Get out of the car."
I had my own gun tucked away in the back of my waist, but I knew if I tried anything, he would shoot me right then and there. I didn't have a choice.
I stepped out of my car, careful not to let him see the revolver all snug in my ass crack. He got in my car and drove off, but not before he took my bag and threw it out on to the road. An act of kindness? I don't know. I went over and picked it up, put the straps on my shoulder and started walking, hoping that maybe I can reach the city or a gas station to get some help. God it was dark, and so goddamned cold, I had to take out a couple shirts to add more insulation, no wonder that man was wearing so much layers. Fuck that guy, If I ever find him again, Ill drag him back here so he can finish walking the rest of the 10 miles.
Every now and then a car passed by, but they all ignored me. I guess this is the karma I get for my ignorance. I kept on walking, arm raised, waiting for one of them to stop. Low and behold, after about a couple hours of walking, this sudan pulls over, the man inside rolls down his window. And in a somewhat familiar voice, he starts to talk... "Hey, do you need a ride there fella?" | |
[WP] You are going down a long road in the middle of night. Every 15 minutes or so you pass by a hitchhiker with one arm raised, asking for a ride, but you decide to ignore them all. After a couple hours of driving, you start to realize that you're passing by the same hitchhiker over and over again. | A pleasant sort of auto-pilot visits me on moonless midnight drives. I tend to lose all sense of self and the sanity that provides...
Basically, I space out. Weird, pretentious thoughts flit in and out of focus of my mind's eye. Some rhyme. See above.
Anyway, that's my excuse. Why I didn't notice the guy sooner. Or, what I assumed to be a guy. I default to a standard white male in my imagination. And because the figure fits, deep-rooted authorial gender bias aside...
I think I'm in denial. At least, avoiding the issue. Namely that some figure, guy or gal or whatever, is haunting me. I've seen The Twilight Zone. I know what this means. Spoilers: It's Death and I've died and I'm as of yet unaware of it.
Except that doesn't make any sense. Loads of shit happened in that show - why is none of it true if this is? Because it isn't, obviously. Just a spooky coincidence. Like the figure. Sorry, *figures*. There's more than one. Anything else is impossible.
So to settle myself, *and to prove it*, I'm going to pick up the next hitchhiker I come across. Don't worry. This is not horrible horror movie character logic - I've thought this through! Hear me out:
I'll see the hitchhiker with their hand sticking out. I'll stop. They'll hop in. Because this is not a horror flick, they will not gruesomely murder me and assume my identity. Instead, they'll probably mumble some sort of thanks and we'll set off, making uncomfortable small-talk along the way. Something like 'Haha, I thought *that* was *you*' when we pass by the next guy. Gal. Whatever.
Two minutes pass. I'm on the lookout. Three. Four. Five... There! I slow down and indicate, then stop. Even in this weird, autonomous state, I refuse to be a shitty driver. That sort of thing's a slippery slope. Best not to even entertain the notion.
Anyway, I snap back to attention as the door opens. The figure gets in. 'Figure' because I still can't tell. It's wearing a bulky black hoodie. My thanks comes in the form of a small polite nod, so obviously, I can't use their voice to tell. They turn and stare ahead. I start up the car. We're off.
Uncomfortable conversation does not materialize as planned. I try, but conversation is a two way street and what ends up technically ensuing is a series of awkward remarks from yours truly. Shit like 'Mmm, no moon - they have cycles for that right?' and 'Out of interest, how do you feel about deep-rooted authorial gender bias in modern literature?'. Admittedly, I am no great conversationalist.
No reaction from the figure whatsoever. No acknowledgement. I throw out 'So, big night huh?' with next to no expectations.
'As opposed to what, a small one?'
What. The. Fuck. Sorry. The swear is for emphasis! I'm not exactly sure how to put this, so I'll just lay it all out: I hadn't expected the voice to be sexy.
And it was. I turned to the 'gal', girl, young woman, whatever, which I was now sure this was. She hadn't turned, and instead, was still staring ahead. But her 'figure', which I now use not as an identifier, but as a means of description, *was more feminine*. That's the only way I can think to put it. She was more streamlined and sleek than I had previously perceived.
Looking back to the road, I tried to desperately come up with something witty. Clever. Charming. 'Aha, yeah, suppose that was a stupid thing to say'. Again, I am no great conversationalist.
'Stupid, yes. Not the first stupid thing you've done tonight.'
I froze, hands clamped tight around the wheel. Previously, I WTFed in surprise. Now in fear - because this was a different voice. A man's. Cold and clinical. Chewing out the vowels. Less Scarlett Johansson and more Alan Rickman.
It was staring at me, I could see out of the corner of my eye. It felt bigger now. Burlier. Doubtless it was. And I still couldn't see the face...
Absolutely terrified, my mind still managed to drift away from the present moment. I was in that weird state after all. Idly, I wondered, the thought rolling around and about my head, how long was it since I had picked up this hitchhiker? Only fourteen minutes right? Surely. So in a minute, I'd pass by another, and I'd see that they weren't repeating, and I'd laugh and so would my passenger, who'd add 'What'd you think of my Alan Rickman impersonation?' in that sexy Scarlett Johansson-like voice, and I'd repeat my laugh and be happy. Right? I told myself this over and over, as if it somehow made even a shred of sense.
'Look at me' came a third voice, neither man or woman. I turned and did as it drew back the hoodie and revealed to me what lay underneath. | Over and over again I see this soul.
But why, is there some reason behind it all?
Hours on this road have taken their toll.
I can no longer ignore his call.
And thus I cannot ignore myself, my decision.
I had the time to stop and the courage stay.
Instead I forsake my mind, my intuition.
Now he is death haunts me today.
I passed this man just once in life.
Had I stopped a moment then,
I would have ended his strife,
and he'd be alive again. | |
[WP] Super villains are always portrayed in their most villainous times, attacking cities, planets, or super heroes, which only make up a very small portion of their lives. You're a super villain. During a normal day of life. | Get up.
If you don’t, you’ll miss the minion morning meeting. Places like this run on structure, and postponing the 3M will just send ripples of unproductive work all over the place.
Still, waking up is the worst. Do you know what kind of hours you have to keep to threaten China AND Monaco?
Can’t even get toothpaste. I’m out and the ship to shore doesn’t come back until Monday. Assuming they will have a toiletries shipment. Still, you think they would have learned after the toilet paper shortage a year ago. This place was still under construction. I saw a guy relieve himself into a cement mixer. Not the direction you’re thinking. Since then, he’s been in a box that reminds everyone what happens when we don’t have adequate hygiene. If I have morning breath, everyone gets to be uncomfortable.
Stairs. So many stairs. It’s one thing to sit on a high dais, it’s another to have to get up there myself. I have a treadmill and a weight set in my chambers, but the treadmill is still covered in the empty boxes that the weights came in. The weights get used though. How am I supposed to be intimidating without some muscle? The day after I work out legs, I always have the same thought. But, no matter how menacing the pointed steel stairs are, a handrail would ruin the aesthetic.
It’s a program built into the microphone. There, are you happy? That’s my secret. Nobody has a voice this deep. It just doesn’t happen. But, with a few lines of code and a microcontroller, I can make everyone hang on my every word. It’s perfect for conference calls.
The minion in front of me is babbling about benchmarks and throughput. Sorry, Operations Manager. You can’t just call people minions anymore. It’s all gone wrong. It used to be about the money and power. I’ve traded expendable crew for HR. I’ve traded shark tanks for OSHA-approved railings.
I’ve traded “You won’t get away with this” for “It’s not in the budget.”
How did we get so big? It used to be me and No-Face. Now even he’s out of the game. Settled down with the Shapely Shadow and had kids. Not that I could blame him. She turned me down.
My CFO is yelling on the phone to our investors. They want to know why we haven’t sold out yet. See if they can stifle their losses. It costs a lot of money to operate out of a volcano. Location, location, location. They won’t even listen to all the tax benefits we get by being our own nation. All of a sudden we have to deal with tariffs.
I turn to the wall, to my cherished possession. A spy we caught one time, permanently frozen in ice. It must have been nice to be so free. To up and move any time you want. Fast cars, faster women, and absolute freedom. I touch the ice.
Where did it go wrong?
| *Honk*
I grumble as the asshole lays down on his horn. I stick my hand out the window of my old Datsun and flip him off. This would never happen if I was in my Deathmobile. That always gets respect.
But the Union won't allow the use of villainous transport to shop for groceries.
Get to the store, no parking spaces, except...aha! Handicapped parking, front and center. My lucky day. Hang up my false tag and in I go.
Grab a cart, last one left. The front right wheel is broken, causing it to constantly veer to the side. I grip the handle for control so tightly my heat powers melt the plastic coating.
"Oh, hey!"
I look up and there he is. Derik Dashing, aka Wonder Guy. Handsome, charming, lousy in bed as I recall.
I smile and give him a wave. He tries to hook up with me over the weekend, I refuse. I just want my groceries.
He gives up and I move to the produce. I want bananas. Of course they're out of bananas. Why wouldn't they be?
I start to grab some plantains instead, but crack up thinking of Derik and pass them by.
Shopping, cart handle melting, people stopping in the aisles to chat while taking up as much space as possible.
I hate those people.
A little press on my sonic emitter and they're bleeding from the ears. Respect taught.
Not that I'm allowed to use it, but what the Union doesn't know won't hurt me.
I grab more groceries, including a few things I don't need, but, hey, I've got coupons. Get to the line...and fifty people waiting.
To hell with this.
I pull around and stroll right out the door.
"Miss? Hey, Miss!"
Bagboy.
I turn as he approaches, step in before he can say another word, and grab his ass.
He must've found it thrilling, judging by his face, right before his pants burst into flame. A flip of the sonic emitter to seal the deal and I'm loading groceries in peace.
I pull out of the parking lot and speed down the road when it hits me.
Shit. I forgot the milk. | |
[WP] You lived a quiet life, and in passing Death comes to collect your soul, but Death seems afraid of you. | "What did I do?" I asked.
"Nothing." he said, "That's the point. You didn't do anything. Your lack of contribution to either the good or evil side of things has placed you in the worst of predicaments. I fear for what will become of you. I fear the powers that are coming for you."
This probably should have scared me, but it didn't. Instead, I laughed.
"Powers? Good and evil? You can't be serious."
The strange man turned to look at me. He pulled back his hood. It was the first time I had seen his face. I wished I hadn't.
His eyes were like fire. They weren't literally like fire. They didn't blaze or shine or anything like that, but they were fiery. I had never seen a gaze that seemed so...alive. It was if the very essence of life was contained behind those golden orbs.
"This is exactly what I mean." he said. Or so I thought. It was to my horror that I realized he wasn't moving his lips: "You don't believe in us. As I said, this places you in a very precarious position. There are all kinds in this universe who have their own uses for you. I have to get you to where you belong before they all come crashing down on us. Dealing with the powers of deep heaven is not something that most find favorable." he paused and squinted at me. "You don't even know who I am, do you?"
I said nothing. I was trying to wake myself up from what appeared to be a very vivid dream.
He sighed and rolled his eyes: "So disinterested that you have not even studied myths and legends. What did you do with your life?"
"I'm an accountant." I said. "I keep people's books in order."
The man peered at me in silence. "This isn't a dream," he said, "It's very real. You're not an accountant anymore. From henceforward you are the most sought after and valuable commodity in the whole of deep heaven--save for Maleldil himself." the man pulled his hood back over his head. "Come," he said, "We've a long journey ahead of us." | Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, asleep. Dreaming in that space between the worlds of living and dead was dangerous for those still possessing life, but Requiem had never felt more at ease than when he wandered the halls of his world unseen.
He knew the dangers, knew the risk of discovery, but too he knew that sooner or later this world would be his home. *I will end up here eventually, why not learn what I can now?*
Requiem opened his eyes and saw the real and tangible world around him. Another night of exploring, another night spent alone in the not-quite-dark of the space between worlds. The smells of breakfast wafted down the hall in to his room. "Requiem honey, your breakfast is ready! I made those waffles you like!" called his mother.
Requiem smiled to himself as he got out of bed, got dressed, and walked down the hall. He knew he was different, but he also knew things that no one else knew. He knew his destiny.
He sat down at the table as his mom brought him a plate of chocolate chip waffles made into the shapes of every eight-year-old boy's favorite Disney characters. His mom glanced at him as she set the plate down and asked, "Req, how do you like your waffles?". She hoped for answer, but knew she wouldn't get one. *This is my life now*, she thought, *no husband and a child who doesn't speak*.
_____
Requiem was a grocer by trade. He had worked at the local grocers for some forty years now: he stocked shelves, faced aisles, and carried bags for customers without complaint or issue for all his time with the company. He lived on a small plot of land, in a small house, with no car or bike. He had no pets, no wife, no sons, and no daughters.
Requiem was content with his unassuming life, and he was no longer surprised to discover that no-one else knew what he knew.
He finished his night shift at the store, clocked out, and started his walk home. The night was eery with no one wandering the streets, the moon casting shadows through the clouds and a dead wind leaving behind deafening silence. For Requiem, it was perfect.
He opened his front door and slipped inside, leaving the door open behind him. Requiem wouldn't want his house to be damaged when the paramedics arrived.
He fell in to a deep sleep, alone, and died of a heart attack.
_____
Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, but he was no longer asleep. He was awake within that space between the worlds of living and dead, but he was not unseen. Hiding in the faux shadows of a corner stood Death, Shepherd of Souls.
Death eyed the old man laying on the bed, wondering that such an uneventful life could ever be lived. This was supposed to be fun. This was supposed to be his duty - to examine the lives and souls of the dead and determine where to take them.
But this old man had no bad deeds. This old man had no good deeds. He had simply... existed, without affect or effect. Death stepped from the shadows and spoke, ***Old man, how could you live such a life?***
Requiem mulled the question for a minute. "I knew my destiny", he finally responded.
***What, then, was your destiny? To live this life of perfect solitude?***
"No. My destiny is *you*. Take me to where you keep your souls, Shepherd. Take me to where you hid them away. I will give them new life, I will give them hope. I will rebuild the world and inspire all the world's people to peace and prosperity. I will give them their every want and desire and make them think they achieved all this of their own doing. And when they are firmly stuck at my teat, I will have fulfilled my destiny".
Death was at a loss. This man did not belong to any of the worlds of Dead, there was no place Death could take him. There was no higher power to turn to.
Requiem smiled at his success. He stepped out of bed, grabbed Death, and looked him straight in the eye.
"I will give the dead and living alike their day of reckoning. I am the Anti-Christ".
| |
[WP] You lived a quiet life, and in passing Death comes to collect your soul, but Death seems afraid of you. | The room is quiet. I'm weeping softly on my bed in the corner. It's fatigue more than fear I think. I'm not really afraid to die now. It's funny, I never really took the time to imagine what death would be like. I never thought much about it but when I did I never thought it would be like this though. I never thought it would be so lonely. I had a family but I outlived them all. I had children but when they died in the accident I knew they would never be the ones to see me off. Brothers died years ago. She died too. That was hard. I wish I hadn't had to watch her go. Not like that. Not in that kind of pain. She died and I cursed death in my weakness. I cursed it to hell. I always lived a quiet life and never rocked the boat. Maybe I should have. Maybe if I had made more mistakes I would have left this earth sooner and less alone.
I can barely remember how old I am. It's over a hundred for sure, I know that because people seem to marvel at my age. Their eyes get wide like saucers and then they talk to me like I'm a child. They talk to me like living this long is not only some sort of accomplishment but has also served to dull my wits. My body moves slow, my brain, my brain is sharp still. It's sharp enough to know just how alone I am. I know he's coming now though. Death, he's coming. I'll meet him and I'll ask him all the questions I have. Why so long? Why did you make me wait so long? I would have come with you years ago had you just pitied me enough. He'll be here soon.
I close my eyes for the last time, or so I think. Moments pass, maybe a minute. Then from inside myself I'm shocked awake, heart thumping. I'm not alone anymore. I have to find the strength to open my eyes. The lids are so thin I can already see the dark outline in the corner without even opening them all the way. There he is. Real excitement.
You imagine death would be a large dark figure, perhaps like the ghost of Christmas future in that novel. He is not. He is small and slight from what I can make out.
When you get to this age moving is a huge endeavour. You need to will yourself to every twitch of the muscles. You need to work at it, it takes time. Surely death would have sympathy enough to come to me as I lie here a not make me walk to him. Do I even have the strength? Yes, for this last freedom I can make myself young enough to walk again.
My feet lightly touch the floor. It's strange how strong I feel. My legs, they can hold my body. They're listening to me. I can stand, my lungs are not as dry and sore as they were, I can breathe a full breath. Two, three, four, five, six full breaths. My gums don't hurt and my eyes are no longer dry. I have the strength to get to him, to get to death to let him take me.
Walking across the floor I can feel the cold. My feet long since numb from age have feeling again, as though every step I wind back the years. I can hear! I can hear a soft weeping. A soft low weeping from the dark.
A few more steps and I see death, I see him and before I can open my mouth to thank him for giving me the strength to walk once more like a man and meet my fate with dignity. I see him clearly. I see me clearly. I'm weeping in the corner. | Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, asleep. Dreaming in that space between the worlds of living and dead was dangerous for those still possessing life, but Requiem had never felt more at ease than when he wandered the halls of his world unseen.
He knew the dangers, knew the risk of discovery, but too he knew that sooner or later this world would be his home. *I will end up here eventually, why not learn what I can now?*
Requiem opened his eyes and saw the real and tangible world around him. Another night of exploring, another night spent alone in the not-quite-dark of the space between worlds. The smells of breakfast wafted down the hall in to his room. "Requiem honey, your breakfast is ready! I made those waffles you like!" called his mother.
Requiem smiled to himself as he got out of bed, got dressed, and walked down the hall. He knew he was different, but he also knew things that no one else knew. He knew his destiny.
He sat down at the table as his mom brought him a plate of chocolate chip waffles made into the shapes of every eight-year-old boy's favorite Disney characters. His mom glanced at him as she set the plate down and asked, "Req, how do you like your waffles?". She hoped for answer, but knew she wouldn't get one. *This is my life now*, she thought, *no husband and a child who doesn't speak*.
_____
Requiem was a grocer by trade. He had worked at the local grocers for some forty years now: he stocked shelves, faced aisles, and carried bags for customers without complaint or issue for all his time with the company. He lived on a small plot of land, in a small house, with no car or bike. He had no pets, no wife, no sons, and no daughters.
Requiem was content with his unassuming life, and he was no longer surprised to discover that no-one else knew what he knew.
He finished his night shift at the store, clocked out, and started his walk home. The night was eery with no one wandering the streets, the moon casting shadows through the clouds and a dead wind leaving behind deafening silence. For Requiem, it was perfect.
He opened his front door and slipped inside, leaving the door open behind him. Requiem wouldn't want his house to be damaged when the paramedics arrived.
He fell in to a deep sleep, alone, and died of a heart attack.
_____
Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, but he was no longer asleep. He was awake within that space between the worlds of living and dead, but he was not unseen. Hiding in the faux shadows of a corner stood Death, Shepherd of Souls.
Death eyed the old man laying on the bed, wondering that such an uneventful life could ever be lived. This was supposed to be fun. This was supposed to be his duty - to examine the lives and souls of the dead and determine where to take them.
But this old man had no bad deeds. This old man had no good deeds. He had simply... existed, without affect or effect. Death stepped from the shadows and spoke, ***Old man, how could you live such a life?***
Requiem mulled the question for a minute. "I knew my destiny", he finally responded.
***What, then, was your destiny? To live this life of perfect solitude?***
"No. My destiny is *you*. Take me to where you keep your souls, Shepherd. Take me to where you hid them away. I will give them new life, I will give them hope. I will rebuild the world and inspire all the world's people to peace and prosperity. I will give them their every want and desire and make them think they achieved all this of their own doing. And when they are firmly stuck at my teat, I will have fulfilled my destiny".
Death was at a loss. This man did not belong to any of the worlds of Dead, there was no place Death could take him. There was no higher power to turn to.
Requiem smiled at his success. He stepped out of bed, grabbed Death, and looked him straight in the eye.
"I will give the dead and living alike their day of reckoning. I am the Anti-Christ".
| |
[WP] You lived a quiet life, and in passing Death comes to collect your soul, but Death seems afraid of you. | *I fear you,* Death said.
*I do not want you,* Hell declared.
*I do not wish to see you,* Heaven sang.
So he remained a ghost inside his home,
Waiting to understand.
*I wish you wouldn't come to me,* Death said.
*Please stop knocking,* Hell replied.
*I am crowded. Full. Go back.* Heaven refused him entrance yet again.
Why fear him?
What had he done?
Death survives on bitter regret, begging.
Tyler did not beg when he died. He did not care if he lived or died. He just wanted peace.
Hell needed anger to fan the flames. Tyler did not blame death for his problems. He did not hate those who hurt him. He had seen what hatred did to a man. He loved, with such an uncanny power Hell could not look upon him.
And heaven? Heaven needed a soul with little strength. It needed a perfect balance of sin and sadness. Tyler did not need heaven. He was content. He believed in love and lived by love.
So on earth he remained, humming in his old chair, as his world turned to dust. | Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, asleep. Dreaming in that space between the worlds of living and dead was dangerous for those still possessing life, but Requiem had never felt more at ease than when he wandered the halls of his world unseen.
He knew the dangers, knew the risk of discovery, but too he knew that sooner or later this world would be his home. *I will end up here eventually, why not learn what I can now?*
Requiem opened his eyes and saw the real and tangible world around him. Another night of exploring, another night spent alone in the not-quite-dark of the space between worlds. The smells of breakfast wafted down the hall in to his room. "Requiem honey, your breakfast is ready! I made those waffles you like!" called his mother.
Requiem smiled to himself as he got out of bed, got dressed, and walked down the hall. He knew he was different, but he also knew things that no one else knew. He knew his destiny.
He sat down at the table as his mom brought him a plate of chocolate chip waffles made into the shapes of every eight-year-old boy's favorite Disney characters. His mom glanced at him as she set the plate down and asked, "Req, how do you like your waffles?". She hoped for answer, but knew she wouldn't get one. *This is my life now*, she thought, *no husband and a child who doesn't speak*.
_____
Requiem was a grocer by trade. He had worked at the local grocers for some forty years now: he stocked shelves, faced aisles, and carried bags for customers without complaint or issue for all his time with the company. He lived on a small plot of land, in a small house, with no car or bike. He had no pets, no wife, no sons, and no daughters.
Requiem was content with his unassuming life, and he was no longer surprised to discover that no-one else knew what he knew.
He finished his night shift at the store, clocked out, and started his walk home. The night was eery with no one wandering the streets, the moon casting shadows through the clouds and a dead wind leaving behind deafening silence. For Requiem, it was perfect.
He opened his front door and slipped inside, leaving the door open behind him. Requiem wouldn't want his house to be damaged when the paramedics arrived.
He fell in to a deep sleep, alone, and died of a heart attack.
_____
Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, but he was no longer asleep. He was awake within that space between the worlds of living and dead, but he was not unseen. Hiding in the faux shadows of a corner stood Death, Shepherd of Souls.
Death eyed the old man laying on the bed, wondering that such an uneventful life could ever be lived. This was supposed to be fun. This was supposed to be his duty - to examine the lives and souls of the dead and determine where to take them.
But this old man had no bad deeds. This old man had no good deeds. He had simply... existed, without affect or effect. Death stepped from the shadows and spoke, ***Old man, how could you live such a life?***
Requiem mulled the question for a minute. "I knew my destiny", he finally responded.
***What, then, was your destiny? To live this life of perfect solitude?***
"No. My destiny is *you*. Take me to where you keep your souls, Shepherd. Take me to where you hid them away. I will give them new life, I will give them hope. I will rebuild the world and inspire all the world's people to peace and prosperity. I will give them their every want and desire and make them think they achieved all this of their own doing. And when they are firmly stuck at my teat, I will have fulfilled my destiny".
Death was at a loss. This man did not belong to any of the worlds of Dead, there was no place Death could take him. There was no higher power to turn to.
Requiem smiled at his success. He stepped out of bed, grabbed Death, and looked him straight in the eye.
"I will give the dead and living alike their day of reckoning. I am the Anti-Christ".
| |
[WP] You lived a quiet life, and in passing Death comes to collect your soul, but Death seems afraid of you. | ***O***n April 11th, I had a sudden brain aneurysm and died at home on the couch. I was watching late night re-runs of Columbo when it happened. I blacked out just as Peter Falk looked into the camera and said “Oh, just one more thing.”
When I woke up an hour later, I didn’t realize I was dead. I didn’t realize that my soul refused to pass on, as all souls should, and that I was now a stick in the universe’s cosmic craw.
My soul was tethered, trapped inside a prison that I had cultivated over sixty five years through discipline, exercise and good diet. I had long prided myself on being fitter, faster, and stronger than men half my age. I had abstained from every conceivable vice, be it booze, drugs, or loose women. Now I couldn’t even reach the remote, let alone wiggle one toe. I lay there, staring at the ceiling through unblinking eyes, unable to look left or right. I mistook it for some form of paralysis - a pinched or severed nerve in my spine.
I tried to maintain composure and slow my breathing. But then I realized I wasn’t breathing at all. Panic set in. I screamed with an inaudible voice. I pleaded for God to deliver me from whatever this was.
As the hours crept by, I made deal after deal with the divine. First God, then the devil, before moving on to Allah, Buddha, Krishna and any other deity I could think of or had seen on TV. My prayers, like all prayers, went unanswered.
Night gave way to morning and my grown daughter, who indulged her old man with a visit every other Saturday, was the one to find me - what was left of me.
“Oh Dad, you know this is bad for your back,” she said, pulling back the blanket. “Dad?”
She turned my body over and peered into my face.
“I’m here. I’m here,” I shouted, but my words couldn’t reach her.
I watched her eyes water as her face flushed red.
“Dad?” In that moment, she wasn’t a thirty three year old mother of two. She was seven again. “Daddy?”
“Ssh, it’s okay. I’m here.” I told my arms to rise up, to hold her. To cradle her. They didn’t.
She disappeared from my vision. There was a thump on the floor beside me as her sobs filled the room.
“Chrissy, listen to daddy, Chrissy.” If I had a voice, it would have been hoarse from all the screaming. “This is hell. I’m in hell.”
She got on the phone and called her brothers. They came over and I went through it again with the both of them. I cursed God, asked for forgiveness, and cursed him again. It made no difference.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When funeral came around, I was myself again. Still dead, but doing better. I had been through an autopsy and an embalming. I had felt every incision, every prodding instrument, every burning chemical. What was left to fear? Or feel, for that matter?
Family and friends paid respects to my open casket. A few were too willing to speak ill of the dead, right to the dead’s face. But it was just as well. If this same hell awaited them, then punishment would come in due time.
My daughter came up to the podium and gave me a proper eulogy.
Then it was quiet for a long time.
A man in a black baseball cap and hoodie appeared over my casket. I didn’t recognize him.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, fidgeting nervously.
I studied his gaunt features and pale skin. “Could he be one of Jake’s friends? Or a nephew I had forgotten?”
“No, we’ve never met,” Black Cap corrected me.
“You can hear me?” My emotions welled up.
“Fuckin aye,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Shit, how did this happen?”
I was dazed. “How did this happen?”
“You a fucking parrot, friend? HOW. ARE. YOU. HERE?!”
“I don’t know.”
Black Cap covered his face with his fingers and let out a long sigh. He had hands like a stage 4 cancer patient. “Is this a cult thing?” He finally asked. “You mixed up with Bapho?”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“You know, goat-lookin’ fellow, pentagrams and what not.”
“I’m a Catholic,” I responded indignantly.
Black Cap scoffed. “Catholic? When’s the last time you been to church?”
“Christmas.”
He shot me a look. “You couldn’t make it to Easter?”
“Christmas ten years ago. I’m non-practicing.”
“Well, you’re not supposed to be here, friend.” He pulled out something like a machete and brought the edge against my eyes. The blade didn’t look like metal though. It was flesh. Pitch black, swirling, shifting human flesh. “I’m going to cut you out of there. Cut you out and sort this out. Or they’ll be trouble.”
He brought the blade down and a pain, beyond the autopsy, beyond the embalming, beyond all the emotional anguish, radiated through me. All I saw and felt was red. When I regained myself, I was looking down at my own corpse in the casket. My daughter was still on stage and the pews were still filled. My funeral was on pause.
“Up here.” Black Cap spun me round to face him. His face was as big as Mount Rushmore. “Got you in a little jar on my necklace. Wouldn’t want to lose you, friend.”
“One prison for another, huh?” I looked over at my children, knowing I would never hold them again.
“You’re a real sourpuss.” Black Cap turned and headed for the door. With each step, the crowd began to move again. “If you ask me, you looked like you were dying to get out of there.”
“Well, I was kind of attached to it.”
| Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, asleep. Dreaming in that space between the worlds of living and dead was dangerous for those still possessing life, but Requiem had never felt more at ease than when he wandered the halls of his world unseen.
He knew the dangers, knew the risk of discovery, but too he knew that sooner or later this world would be his home. *I will end up here eventually, why not learn what I can now?*
Requiem opened his eyes and saw the real and tangible world around him. Another night of exploring, another night spent alone in the not-quite-dark of the space between worlds. The smells of breakfast wafted down the hall in to his room. "Requiem honey, your breakfast is ready! I made those waffles you like!" called his mother.
Requiem smiled to himself as he got out of bed, got dressed, and walked down the hall. He knew he was different, but he also knew things that no one else knew. He knew his destiny.
He sat down at the table as his mom brought him a plate of chocolate chip waffles made into the shapes of every eight-year-old boy's favorite Disney characters. His mom glanced at him as she set the plate down and asked, "Req, how do you like your waffles?". She hoped for answer, but knew she wouldn't get one. *This is my life now*, she thought, *no husband and a child who doesn't speak*.
_____
Requiem was a grocer by trade. He had worked at the local grocers for some forty years now: he stocked shelves, faced aisles, and carried bags for customers without complaint or issue for all his time with the company. He lived on a small plot of land, in a small house, with no car or bike. He had no pets, no wife, no sons, and no daughters.
Requiem was content with his unassuming life, and he was no longer surprised to discover that no-one else knew what he knew.
He finished his night shift at the store, clocked out, and started his walk home. The night was eery with no one wandering the streets, the moon casting shadows through the clouds and a dead wind leaving behind deafening silence. For Requiem, it was perfect.
He opened his front door and slipped inside, leaving the door open behind him. Requiem wouldn't want his house to be damaged when the paramedics arrived.
He fell in to a deep sleep, alone, and died of a heart attack.
_____
Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, but he was no longer asleep. He was awake within that space between the worlds of living and dead, but he was not unseen. Hiding in the faux shadows of a corner stood Death, Shepherd of Souls.
Death eyed the old man laying on the bed, wondering that such an uneventful life could ever be lived. This was supposed to be fun. This was supposed to be his duty - to examine the lives and souls of the dead and determine where to take them.
But this old man had no bad deeds. This old man had no good deeds. He had simply... existed, without affect or effect. Death stepped from the shadows and spoke, ***Old man, how could you live such a life?***
Requiem mulled the question for a minute. "I knew my destiny", he finally responded.
***What, then, was your destiny? To live this life of perfect solitude?***
"No. My destiny is *you*. Take me to where you keep your souls, Shepherd. Take me to where you hid them away. I will give them new life, I will give them hope. I will rebuild the world and inspire all the world's people to peace and prosperity. I will give them their every want and desire and make them think they achieved all this of their own doing. And when they are firmly stuck at my teat, I will have fulfilled my destiny".
Death was at a loss. This man did not belong to any of the worlds of Dead, there was no place Death could take him. There was no higher power to turn to.
Requiem smiled at his success. He stepped out of bed, grabbed Death, and looked him straight in the eye.
"I will give the dead and living alike their day of reckoning. I am the Anti-Christ".
| |
[WP] You lived a quiet life, and in passing Death comes to collect your soul, but Death seems afraid of you. | Susan nervously grasped the door handle and turned it ever so slowly. Halfway through her arm began to shake with anxiety. A cold sweat swept over her as she completed the turn. She could have just appeared inside the quaint little house but she did not dare be so direct and impolite. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and stepped inside.
The morning sun illuminated the tidy interior of the home. The shoes and boots were neatly arranged by the door and a leather coat with a fresh mud stain hung on the coat rack. Susan closed the door behind her and leaned her scythe on it. She took off her boots and placed them by the others making sure to arrange them neatly as well. As she approached the coat rack to hang her robes she wondered if this would be the last time she would ever see this house. Perhaps someday the children would return and claim it. Susan made a mental note to maintain the house should they do so.
Susan picked up her scythe and softly made her way upstairs. The warm carpet felt so good beneath her bare feet. The black handle of her scythe seemed to get heavier the more she thought about it. The silvery blade shined with an intense fury as it seemed to suck in all other light near it. This was Susan's most powerful scythe. It was designed to reap only one person and today would be the only day she would use it. She forged it so long ago that even in her infinite memory she forgot when that was. She took another deep breath when she approached the closed door of the study.
Susan knocked once and heard a voice from within: "Come in Susan!"
She entered the room and looked around. The room was illuminated by the warm yellow glow of an old-style incandescent desk lamp. The walls had shelves overfilling with books and there were even piles of books on the floor. A single window at the far end of the room provided some light but was overpowered by the desk lamp. In front of the window was a desk that faced a coffee table where the lamp was positioned. On the other side of the coffee table was a very comfortable looking leather sofa. An old man wearing a sweater vest and reading glasses lay in it, eyes transfixed on the final pages of a book he was reading.
"Anything i can get you? Tea? Coffee? Coke?" The man asked.
For the first time in all of time Susan had no appetite. "I'm fine George. Are you alright?"
"Just let me finish this last page." George instructed still looking at his book.
Susan silently made her way to the sofa and sat on the arm. For an extremely tense few moments she waited for him to finish. Susan remained perfectly still not daring to distract him. Finally, with a deep breath and a chuckle he closed the book and took off his reading glasses.
"That was a good story." He exclaimed and tossed the book onto a neatly stacked pile on the couch.
"You sure you don't want your children here?" Susan asked.
George paused for a moment before smiling. "No, we've already said our goodbyes and everything else that needed saying. They know i love them and we all understand each other now."
George sat up from his sofa and opened a photo album that was on the coffee table. He flipped through and passed by the big bang, stars, planets, worms, dinosaurs, birds, cavemen, people, cyborgs, beings of light and finally came upon entities of pure thought and will.
"I'm so proud of them, it took so long but they made it. I couldn't be happier when they graduated and set out on their own." George said with a tear in his eye.
"They're making their own universes now." Susan reported.
George smiled. "Soon, they're going to outdo me. They don't need me around anymore."
"But they'll always love you."
"I know, they sent me a cake this morning." George nodded to a cake on the desk that had a slice taken out of it. He turned to Susan, "Take a piece, it'll probably be the only time they ever make it quite like that one."
Not one to pass up cake, Susan momentarily forgot her anxiety and rushed over to cut herself a piece. In the first bite Susan could feel the infinity of several universes condensed just to make the frosting. The taste was beyond divine.
"They really went all out. You're right, i don't think they'll ever make something like this again." Susan exclaimed between bites.
George smiled proudly, "Maybe, if you ask very politely, they'll make another one for you." George look down at his photo album again. "You'll watch out for them won't you?"
Susan abruptly stopped eating and put the cake down. She swallowed hard and gripped her scythe.
"Of course, I love them too." She replied.
George closed the photo album. "I have no last words that i haven't already said to them. Make sure they get my things, even if they don't want them." George stood up and readjusted his sweater. "Okay, i'm ready Death, it's time for me to go."
Susan stood in front of him and smiled one last time for him, tears streaming down her face. In one swift stroke of her scythe he dissolved into nothingness. Her scythe, now having completed it's one true purpose, also dissolved into nothingness a moment later. Susan stood alone in the room. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked around. She took the photo album and carefully placed it on the desk, ready for the day when his children would come to claim it. Glancing at the unfinished cake she let out a small laugh, she realized it was his final gift to her. She picked it up and regarded the room one final time.
Making her way toward the door she passed by the desk lamp and reached out for the switch. Before turning it off she whispered: "Goodbye, God." | Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, asleep. Dreaming in that space between the worlds of living and dead was dangerous for those still possessing life, but Requiem had never felt more at ease than when he wandered the halls of his world unseen.
He knew the dangers, knew the risk of discovery, but too he knew that sooner or later this world would be his home. *I will end up here eventually, why not learn what I can now?*
Requiem opened his eyes and saw the real and tangible world around him. Another night of exploring, another night spent alone in the not-quite-dark of the space between worlds. The smells of breakfast wafted down the hall in to his room. "Requiem honey, your breakfast is ready! I made those waffles you like!" called his mother.
Requiem smiled to himself as he got out of bed, got dressed, and walked down the hall. He knew he was different, but he also knew things that no one else knew. He knew his destiny.
He sat down at the table as his mom brought him a plate of chocolate chip waffles made into the shapes of every eight-year-old boy's favorite Disney characters. His mom glanced at him as she set the plate down and asked, "Req, how do you like your waffles?". She hoped for answer, but knew she wouldn't get one. *This is my life now*, she thought, *no husband and a child who doesn't speak*.
_____
Requiem was a grocer by trade. He had worked at the local grocers for some forty years now: he stocked shelves, faced aisles, and carried bags for customers without complaint or issue for all his time with the company. He lived on a small plot of land, in a small house, with no car or bike. He had no pets, no wife, no sons, and no daughters.
Requiem was content with his unassuming life, and he was no longer surprised to discover that no-one else knew what he knew.
He finished his night shift at the store, clocked out, and started his walk home. The night was eery with no one wandering the streets, the moon casting shadows through the clouds and a dead wind leaving behind deafening silence. For Requiem, it was perfect.
He opened his front door and slipped inside, leaving the door open behind him. Requiem wouldn't want his house to be damaged when the paramedics arrived.
He fell in to a deep sleep, alone, and died of a heart attack.
_____
Requiem opened his eyes to a ghostly pale reflection of the world he left, but he was no longer asleep. He was awake within that space between the worlds of living and dead, but he was not unseen. Hiding in the faux shadows of a corner stood Death, Shepherd of Souls.
Death eyed the old man laying on the bed, wondering that such an uneventful life could ever be lived. This was supposed to be fun. This was supposed to be his duty - to examine the lives and souls of the dead and determine where to take them.
But this old man had no bad deeds. This old man had no good deeds. He had simply... existed, without affect or effect. Death stepped from the shadows and spoke, ***Old man, how could you live such a life?***
Requiem mulled the question for a minute. "I knew my destiny", he finally responded.
***What, then, was your destiny? To live this life of perfect solitude?***
"No. My destiny is *you*. Take me to where you keep your souls, Shepherd. Take me to where you hid them away. I will give them new life, I will give them hope. I will rebuild the world and inspire all the world's people to peace and prosperity. I will give them their every want and desire and make them think they achieved all this of their own doing. And when they are firmly stuck at my teat, I will have fulfilled my destiny".
Death was at a loss. This man did not belong to any of the worlds of Dead, there was no place Death could take him. There was no higher power to turn to.
Requiem smiled at his success. He stepped out of bed, grabbed Death, and looked him straight in the eye.
"I will give the dead and living alike their day of reckoning. I am the Anti-Christ".
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