𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧

Chapter 9: Violet

I kept running. I ran and ran, until my lungs felt like they had been filled with acid. My fists were clenched, my knuckles white.

After the stressful events of the past week, I just wanted to get away from everything. I longed for the times when Alan and I could just be siblings. I was grateful for my new powers, but I wished that my brother hadn't been so dramatic about it. I understood his jealousy, but he should have supported me. I felt lost without his support and he didn't know that. 

I decided that I would go solo. I would be the big kid. I embraced the rush of confidence that was running through me. I wanted to be like Alan, but better. I put on a brave face and continued running. I was brave, I told myself. 

I wasn't actually running in a particular direction but I could see the Virus containment centre looming in the distance. I felt drawn to it, somehow.

Once I was near enough to the Guards, I stopped running and hid behind a bush to catch my breath. I wasn't really sure why I was here, but I would make the most of my trip. I was already here, anyway.

I sneaked behind the weak spot of the guard chain, thanking my quiet sneakers. I had found them in a trash station. They had been fairly new, so the only reason that someone would throw it away was that it didn't fit them. But it was still a waste. I was so lucky to have them.

I watched from behind a tree as the Guards unloaded tanks from a van. The tanks were of medium size, so each Guard could carry one by himself. They were metal boxes that had warning labels on them. The men continued in perfect formation, reaching the loading zone. They passed them to other Officials that oversaw the containment process.

However, I wasn't interested in the Guards. They were mere sheep, following the Leader. I looked over at the Leader. He was a tall man, hovering at the edge of the site. I could tell that he was analytic, just like me. Analytic people were able to watch people without them realising. This leader was watching a particular Guard, who was talking to his fellow Guard. The two men were comfortable with each other - probably good friends. The Leader of the Guards seemed to dislike their behaviour and he pulled out a remote. He pressed a small button and one of the men shrieked. I whipped my head around to look at him. Electricity sizzled, arcing over his body. I flinched, realising that it would be extremely painful to be electrified. After a moment, the leader pressed the button again, satisfied. The tortured Guard slumped to the floor, leaving his friend in stunned silence. His friend looked over at the leader, unable to hide his fear.

I glanced over at the Leader. He held so much authority, and I admired that. I wanted to be like him...minus the torturing. I wasn't that bad. But I liked how much influence he had over his Guards. He seemed like he knew what he was doing and I admired that. It was an impressive quality to have. When I walked back home, I held my head high.

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It was only about ten minutes later when I realised that I had come out, missing something. People that I walked past had started giving me strange looks, and for a while I had no idea what was wrong. I was so confused, until I realised that people were wearing masks. The ones that we got in the boxes. I sighed, beating myself up for forgetting them. I could get into trouble if I didn't wear one. I took my scarf off, tying it around my mouth. I hoped that it would do.

Soon enough, I wasn't getting any more stares. From under my makeshift mask, it allowed me to watch people more discreetly. Everyone seemed in a hurry, and I wondered why. Was something happening? The thought made me walk faster, upping my pace.

Alan was sitting on the steps of our hideout when I arrived back, his head in his hands. I immediately felt guilty for making him feel bad. We hugged each other. "I'm sorry for running off," I said.