"Power like yours comes from sacrifice, from pain, and such agony guarantees a scar. A stigmata that will forever brand the soul with darkness. That darkness will call to you no matter where you are. Do not answer."
Lost and abandoned by the only fa...
SPENCER ROCKED HIS HIPS to the vibrations of TLC's "Waterfalls." His headphones were cranked to the highest volume possible. So loud that they could've vibrated off his head if his hoodie wasn't holding them down.
The music electrified his bones and resonated within his soul. He tapped his stained fingers against invisible drums to the beat. Orchid sparks twinkled around his fingers.
Spencer reached into the backpack leaned against his foot. He emancipated a steel spray can. The pea inside rattled as he shook the can and his hips. He fired a generous splash of violet inside the black lines. He bit down on his tongue as he harmonized it with the rest of the colors.
He could see a world of color in his mind. Shapes formed and grew, and faded as he observed them. Those were the colors that both inspired and imprinted upon him.
The resonance of the song pitched a glow inside his chest. Bursts of color came to life. He felt light as a feather. He spun and the can slipped free. It thudded on the ground and rolled into the pile of empty cans.
He sucked his teeth and opened his eyes. Cloud 9 split open and he plummeted from his high. His eyes met another's.
A boy, no older but much taller than him, watched his embarrassing dance number. His brown hair was messy, borderline unkempt, but it suited him. His lanky frame was shrouded by an oversized parka that swallowed 3 more layers with ease. Skinny jeans clung to his legs for dear life. Spencer prayed the camera looped around his neck hadn't captured the moment.
"Nice moves," The stranger complimented through a timid smile. His eyes flicked past Spencer and to the wall. That's when his jaw dropped. "Wait a minute, you're the butterfly?"
Peter walked past him. "I've been seeing your work around the city for two weeks. You're everywhere! Man, your work is like magic. Would you mind?" He glanced at Spencer.
Spencer pulled his headphones and hoodie down. His thick and of dreadlocks spilled free. He lifted a lock and tapped his ear. "I'm deaf," He signed.
Peter's ears burned hot. "You're deaf?" He repeated unknowingly. "But your... you have on headphones? Wow, you haven't heard a thing I said. I probably look like a crazy person right now, don't I?" Peter's hand planted on his forehead with a smack. "He can't hear you, dummy, of course you look crazy."
A snort escaped Spencer. He bit his lips to conceal his laughter. He wanted to crawl into the nearby dumpster moments ago. He was glad he didn't. Or else he would've missed how cute the stranger was in his flustered state.
