The Cursed Power

Chapter 1: Loner

Loner
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Third POV:

Elijah was the old man who lived his life backwards. When he was born, he was a baby with white hair and wrinkled face. When he was 16 years old, he looked like an 80 year old. After 15 years, he was still powerless. Nobody knew if he had powers or not.

Something was certainly wrong with him. He was a powerless and old man. Or was this his real power? Or one of his powers? Or was he enchanted? Or... more unlikely, was this a... curse? Scientists and specialists never found out why.

Because of his unusualness, nobody wanted to talk to him or get to know him at all. His life only contained his family and no one else.

Many people were disgusted by this powerless old man. He was different, and they didn't want to befriend him. They didn't want to get to know the outcast. He was a stranger to everyone.

He was hurt by this deeply, it felt like knives piercing through his heart, but he couldn't do anything to change it. He could only wait and see what would happen.

Would his powers come later on? Or was he just powerless? He has to find out for himself.

A man with white hair walks outside. He wears a sweater and a vest on the outside, paired with very loose pants. A watch sits on his wrist. Just like what a typical grandpa would look like. With a crutch in one hand, he stumbles across the yard. His hand trembles while holding onto it. His body is supported by the stick.

"I'll be right back, mother and father! I'm going outside." Elijah speaks with his rough voice, and trudges off, not bothering to hear an answer. Afterall, he looked older than his parents, and people could take him for his parents' father so he didn't need permission.

He walks a short distance in the span of a long time. Eventually, he arrived at a grassy land. The sun shines brightly in the sky, the bright white clouds shifting gently towards one direction. The gentle breeze blows gently across the land; the grass going with the flow beautifully. Laughter and happiness was present. Kids were playing catch, playing tag, others were playing sports. All things Elijah wanted to try.

Four kids appeared in his view, and he slowly strides to them, wanting to talk to them. His hopes they will give them a chance. A chance to just talk to them.

"Uhh, is that... the old man?" One kid says.

"Uhhhh yeah? I think it's that Elijah person. You know? The man born as an old man?"

"Oh! Him? Ugh, bleck I don't want to be his friend!" Another spews in disgust. Elijah holds his hand out wanting to stop the mockery but they just don't stop.

"Why would he want to play with us? He's not even our age! And he doesn't even have a power!"

"But- hey- gu-" Elijah stammers, his heart drops as he listens to the insults directed towards him. It feels like a thousand rocks beating against his skin. The ache rushes through his whole body.
The four kids run away, with nobody left behind. Elijah bends down slowly, and plops on the ground, his hands quivers. He sits there, hearing all the joy the other kids were having, but none of them wanted him. He felt like crying; why did he have to deserve all of this? Why couldn't he have a normal day outside?

The outside world was beautiful; but why couldn't they show him a lovely world? Why did he have to live on the negative side of the world?

He didn't know why nobody wanted him. Kids would always ignore or yell at him.

"OLD MAN!"
"POWERLESS DISGUSTING MAN!"
"EWWW! ODD ONE OUT!"

Elijah felt sadness maneuver through his whole body. That was all he felt when he was outside. He was the loner with no one. But he still couldn't help but go outside. Outside made him feel so free yet so bitter at the same time.

Elijah lets out a sigh, and sits there for a long time alone. He stares hopefully at the people, hoping someone. Anyone would come up to him and talk to him. But his hope was useless when nobody came up. Maybe he should go home...Maybe he should stop hoping. Hoping for something that would never happen.

He remains there for a good portion of his time, staring off into the vast land. He could hear the melodious chirps from the soaring birds in the air. He could see the beautiful flowers that released a pleasant aroma. Maybe it wasn't that bad. He could still be able to see the beauty in the nature that he loved.

That was, until he felt something impact his back. A loud thud that anyone could hear and he lets out a groan as his body falls to the ground. Instant pain soars through his back as his hand reaches towards his back to support himself and to check if there were any injuries.

"Who's going to get the ball now?" He hears someone yell. Nobody replied. With his shaking hands, Elijah pushes himself back up and looks at the kids. A sad expression is painted on his face.

With a huge sigh and a lot of effort, Elijah stands up and wobbles his way out of the place. He was going home; he was sure it wasn't a major injury, but it was still painful for him to walk home.

Today was a horrible day, and Elijah himself knew very well.

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