You're Different to Me

Taming Power

I awoke with confidence and a desire to truly prove myself. For the first time, I managed to wake up before Frank. I decided to let him sleep as I got dressed and slipped on my mask. I quietly opened the door so as not to wake him and made my way out of the cabin. I went back to the spot we were at the night before. The eternal night began to feel more comforting, to the point I had forgotten about the daylight and didn't miss it. I focused on the same tree as before, with my knife in hand. I had begun to realize that it seemed a bit easier to control when I threw it, however, my precision didn't quite feel the same as it did when my body took control. I closed my eyes to focus, once again relaxing my body, almost forgetting I was even breathing. I could hear everything, the grass moving, the sounds from the cabin, even the soft crackling of the burning wood in the campfire from far away. I could tell no one was near me, the closest were those in the cabin along with Frank. My hand began to grow warm ever so slightly, but not near the intensity it was when I was successful at using this power. Despite it being so small, it made me smile hopefully. I finally felt like I have gained at least somewhat control when usually it would come out of instinct in the face of danger or in trial. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, focusing on the tree in front of me. I flipped my knife by the blade and managed to pinpoint my shot into the mark I wanted.

"Yes!" I said jumping quite embarrassingly. I came back to reality, still smiling a little too excited. I hardened my stance and held my arm out in front of me, focusing on the grip. I managed to feel that slight warmth in my hand again, making my senses rush. The knife began to wiggle in the tree before it felt like something had turned off my vision, or someone. I regained my sight, now laying on the ground feeling a dripping sensation from my forehead. I raised my hand to my head and winced at the sharp pain. My mask lay beside me on the ground, being knocked off from the blow. Looking up, I see a man with a skull-painted mask, looking down at me with fists clenched, visibly shaking with rage. I quickly tried to get to my feet before being kicked in the chest and falling back down.

"What the hell..." I questioned despite my head throbbing with pain.

"You know what bitch, you know exactly what." He said through gritted teeth. That's when it all came back to me, the man who practically gutted me in the trial when I first came here. My memory from that time was faded, but I know that Frank hurt him that night. It felt like I blinked before he grabbed me by the neck, sliding my body against a nearby tree. I could barely gasp for breath, his grip draining the life from my eyes. I tried to kick him but I was weak, I could barely graze his torso.

"Yeah, not so fucking tough without Frank around huh?" He threatened before throwing me hard against the ground. I coughed holding my throat, trying to get any air into my lungs that I could. I hated this feeling. I felt like I had when this whole thing started, in pain, scared, and hopeless. He reached to his side, pulling out a karambit, reflecting the light of the moon in its blade.

"Oh man, this is just too fucking easy. I don't know how someone hasn't killed you yet." he laughed to himself while twirling his weapon around his finger. I pushed myself away from him with my feet and somehow managed to stand.

"Stay the fuck away from me," I said as sternly as I could, trying my best to use the confidence I didn't have. I spotted my knife in the tree behind him, but I felt nothing, no tingles, nothing. It felt like my heart had dropped into my stomach, why wasn't it working? Every time I've been in danger it comes naturally, I don't even have to think. He laughed again before slashing at me, cutting my cheek slightly as I had mostly managed to dodge. How didn't I hear him? Something wasn't right, why now? Every instinct in my body told me to run, but I knew I couldn't, it would just prove everything they said about me, weak, incapable. I held my ground clenching my fists, preparing for another hit.