AWAKENING

CHAPTER TWO: GLITCH

"No way." Cassie said as she and Genesis waited in the lunch line. Genesis nodded.

"It was so weird, and it hurt. Really bad, actually," Genesis said, tugging a lock of her long white hair and tucking it behind her ear, glimpsing partially at her burnt left wrist.

"What an asshole. I can't believe I used to crush on him in elementary school," Cassie said, irritated. At the end of the lunch line they checked out with their student codes and found a seat at their usual corner table by the south side of the cafeteria where the broad window was looking out at the school courtyard.

Together they sat at the table, making small talk about their classes and current grades, when a whistle from behind them sounded out loudly. Genesis turned to look at Soren, whose black bangs fell in his face, over his deep crimson eyes, which leered down at her.

"What's up you eavesdropping freak?" Soren asked. His friends stepped up from behind him, both the purple eyed twins and the odd green haired boy.

"Watch it, buddy, my dad owns guns bigger than you," Cassie snapped.

"Really? What's your loser soldier dad gonna do?" Soren asked, inching closer. He neared Cassie, and leaned down just inches from her face. "Is he gonna shoot me?" Soren asked, letting out a sly laugh. "Or Cassie? Are you gonna do it?" He asked, grabbing Cassie's tray of food, quickly dragging it to the edge of the table, before letting the tray fall, food splattering all over the table and floor.

Genesis watched as Cassie stared forward, a single teardrop falling down her pale cheek. Genesis could feel herself cracking, and any patience she had inside of her was quickly turning into rage. Then, a familiar strange voice came from the deep caverns of her mind, and it called to her, echoing. It was angry.

You're not like them, the voice said robotically. You know you're more evolved, it said matter of factly.

Genesis shook her head. She could feel her blood boiling, and it hadn't occurred to her how much time was passing. All she knew in the moments that the voice was speaking, was the voice itself, and an internal instinctive feeling, a desire to do something with all of the energy that was rising to the surface.

"Hey," said one of the purple eyed boys, nudging Soren to look back at the two girls.

Genesis glared at them, a pink light gathering in her hands. She shook her head again, trying to stop the unbearable ringing that started in her ears.

I can show you real power. I can show you justice for your little friend, too.

Genesis stared at the boys, her hands trembling as the pink light emitted from her fingertips.

Just give up control.

Genesis sucked in a deep breath, struggling to stay conscious, fighting to be present, but the voice was too enticing and had captured all of her attention for just one moment, and in that moment, the voice came forward to take control as Genesis's consciousness was suppressed into a comatose state. The unconscious came forward in a blaze of violent pink light, and started giggling. She smiled, and when her laughter ceased she stood up in a fit of rage, striding in confident footsteps, she approached Soren and proceeded to violently slap him in the face, one single time, with her glowing bright pink hand.

"Go to hell, Soren," said the unconscious. "Rot there," she said.

In an instant, Soren was on the ground, screaming in an episode of some type of madness. "No! No! Anything, please! Please!" He stared helplessly up at Genesis, cowering in fear.

The unconscious slipped back inside quickly, and Genesis' consciousness slowly regained control of her body, the glowing in her hand dulling, until it fully faded away.