The Dead Scout's Handbook of Afterlife Survival

Chapter Ten: Superpowers in Theory

Back at the fire pit, they loafed around a crocodilian creature on a skewer, caught in a trap Cayden conceptualized based on an odd recollection of snares. With a proclivity for engineering, Rebecca built the device that snagged the animal seamlessly. Finally, Charlie hit it with a stick until it died. The first successful trap: an accomplishment for Cayden to remember.

Around the flames, Rebecca, Gregory, and Martha engaged in enthusiastic conversation while Randall grinned at nothing. A chorus of crashing and snapping signaled the location of a 'secret construction project' Charlie was torturing. Cayden remained wordless.

"So how does it feel to be telekinetic?" Martha asked.

"Amazing!" Rebecca attempted to levitate a stone, causing it to rattle then plummet back to the dirt. "But why can't I lift a rock when I stopped a tree earlier?"

"The majority of new arrivals find their talents with a monumental, adrenaline rush. There's also the pent-up energy released when you first discover how to use it. However, you can't keep your adrenaline at that level, and most choose not to hold their abilities at bay for such long periods. With practice, you grasp how to access your talents without fear, and that's when they play a role in everyday life. Telekinesis serves many purposes out here, but in Pirene, it will make you quite wealthy. A strong telekinetic can move steel girders or change car tires in half a second. There is a high demand for your gift," Martha said.

Cayden wrapped his arms around his knees. "Can she control me? If so, she can float me around and I can pretend my superpower is flying."

Martha chuckled. "No, Cayden. Telekinetics can't manipulate living things. Levitation requires intense concentration and any unplanned movements break that concentration. Blood flowing or a heart beating is enough to snap the best telekinetic efforts."

"Do you think mine will come in handy?" Charlie asked as he emerged from the shadow of a boulder, hiding some wooden contraption behind his back.

"Absolutely! Construction companies hire strength for moving supplies. You're also handy as firefighters, police officers and other odd jobs."

"How 'bout you guys?" Rebecca addressed Gregory and Randall as Cayden scowled in their direction.

With a quick nod in Rebecca's direction, Gregory explained for both himself and Randall. "In a society built on superpowers, some powers are more problematic. Such is the case with fire."

"Fire is beautiful, peaceful, and indiscriminately destructive of everything around it. For fire users, the warmth swirls within and they sense only happiness as they burn fields, buildings, and flesh. Many slaughter and absorb their victim's strength, and thus, get thrown into the outside world. Those who remain in the cities aren't trusted. There was a reason why Martha mentioned strength users as firefighters, rather than pyromancers themselves. That's because they're usually the ones to start them. Thus, pyromancers reside in the outskirts, working in smelting and molding factories, slowly wasting from paranoia and anger."

"I despise my power for every second that I don't use it, but when I wield my skills, I wouldn't trade them for all the money in the world. Fire has some actual perks, too. You can warm houses and even neighborhoods in cold winters. In fact, you're only warm here because I've been heating 50 square miles for the past two months."

"50 square miles?" Rebecca nearly rolled off the log she sat on.

Martha rested a hand on Gregory's shoulder. "Most regard Gregory as one of the more powerful people outside Pirene. There are some terrifying dangers in the outerlands and to be honest, Gregory is the only reason we're safe."