totally meta

chapter 27

Henry entered the underground training facility at Seven Labs, his mind already set on the task at hand. It was time to help the fire-producing meta-human, Marcus. Marcus had been kept at the facility for weeks, unable to control the flames that would spontaneously burst from his hands whenever he got too emotional or anxious. It was a dangerous power—one that had already hurt a lot of people, including Marcus himself.

Dr. Harris had suggested that Henry, being a meta-human with control over his own powers, might be able to help Marcus manage his abilities. And while Henry wasn't exactly a teacher, he knew what it felt like to be afraid of something that was a part of you. He wanted to give Marcus the same hope he'd found when he first learned to control his speed.

As he walked into the training area, Marcus was already there, standing in the center of the room, looking nervous. His hands were clenched into fists, his body tense as if he was bracing himself for another uncontrollable burst of fire.

"Hey, Marcus," Henry called out, offering a reassuring smile. "How're you feeling today?"

Marcus shrugged, a flicker of flames briefly dancing across his knuckles before he forced them back down. "I don't know, man. I'm trying, but it's like the more I focus on not burning things, the more likely it is to happen."

Henry nodded, understanding exactly how Marcus felt. "Yeah, I get that. When I first got my powers, I'd run so fast my clothes would catch fire. Couldn't figure out how to stop it from happening. But the trick isn't trying to suppress it, you know? It's about understanding it—letting it become a part of you without letting it take over."

Marcus looked skeptical, but he was willing to listen. "Okay... but how do I do that? I mean, it's fire. It just does its own thing."

"First, let's try something simple," Henry said. He pulled up a chair and sat down, motioning for Marcus to do the same. "Sit down, relax. You've got to get into the right mindset before anything else. If you're all tensed up, the fire's going to feed off that energy. Think of it like fuel. The more stressed you are, the stronger the flames."

Marcus slowly took a seat, visibly uncomfortable with the idea of relaxing when he knew he could burn the place down at any moment.

"Close your eyes," Henry instructed. "Take a few deep breaths."

Marcus did as he was told, his eyes squeezing shut as he inhaled deeply.

"Good," Henry said, watching him closely. "Now, think of the fire as something you control, not something that controls you. It's not just some wild, destructive force. It's a tool—a part of you. You control when it comes out, and you control when it doesn't. Visualize that in your head."

"I'm trying," Marcus muttered, his brows furrowing. A small spark flickered at his fingertips, but it didn't grow. "I'm trying, but it's hard."

"I know," Henry said. "But you're doing better already. Just keep breathing, stay calm."

After a few minutes, Marcus opened his eyes, looking down at his hands. They were still, and for the first time in what felt like forever, there was no fire. "Holy crap," he whispered, amazed. "It's... it's not happening."

Henry grinned. "Exactly. You're controlling it. That's the key, Marcus. Now let's take it one step further."

He stood up, gesturing for Marcus to follow. They moved to the center of the room, where a series of fireproof targets had been set up for controlled tests. "I want you to focus on creating fire this time, but only enough to light up your hand. Nothing more. You've got this."

Marcus swallowed hard, but he nodded, raising his hand and concentrating. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a small, controlled flame appeared in the palm of his hand. It wasn't chaotic or dangerous—it was just fire, calm and steady.

"I did it," Marcus said, his voice filled with awe. "I actually did it!"

Henry clapped him on the shoulder. "See? You can control it. You're not a danger, Marcus. You've just got to keep practicing, and soon this'll be second nature to you."

Marcus extinguished the flame with a flick of his wrist, turning to Henry with a huge smile. "Does this mean... does this mean I can get out of here soon? I mean, if I can control it?"

Henry nodded. "That's the goal. The whole point of keeping you here was to help you figure out your powers so you wouldn't be a danger to yourself or others. Once you've got it under control, there's no reason for them to keep you locked up."

Marcus laughed, a genuine, joyous sound that filled the room. "I can't believe this. I thought I was going to be stuck here forever. But if I can control it... I can live a normal life, right? No more things catching fire, no more people getting hurt?"

"Exactly," Henry said. "You'll be able to go out there and live your life just like anyone else. You're not defined by your powers, Marcus. You define them."

Marcus looked like he was on the verge of tears, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, man. Seriously. I didn't think I'd ever be able to do this."

Henry smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "You did it yourself, Marcus. I just helped you realize it."

As they wrapped up the training session, Marcus left the room with newfound confidence, and Henry watched him go, feeling hopeful for the first time in a while. Maybe this was part of his calling—helping other meta-humans control their powers, guiding them toward something better.

Henry knew this was only the beginning, but seeing the joy on Marcus's face made it all worth it. If he could help one person, maybe he could help others too. After all, everyone deserved a chance to control their own fate.