Super Teens | Book 2: The Deity

Chapter 7: A Wave of Emotions

Mary landed silently in front of Bryson's house, the night air still and quiet. She glanced around, noting the absence of any signs of pursuit. We hadn't caught up to her yet. It was late, and Bryson's parents were likely asleep. She knew Bryson well enough -he stayed up late most nights. He would answer the door.

With a composed demeanor, she knocked softly, masking her powers as the glow in her eyes and hands faded.

A few moments later, the door creaked open, and Bryson's familiar face appeared, startled. "Mary? What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep," she replied, her voice smooth and casual. "I've been thinking about you. We need to talk."

His face lit up, clearly charmed by her words. "Of course! Come on in." He stepped aside, holding the door open for her, and she walked in without hesitation.

Once inside his room, Bryson closed the door and sat on the bed, smiling. "So, what have you been up to?"

Mary smiled back, though her expression was unreadable. "Oh, nothing much," she said. "Just trudging through life." She could see Bryson noticing her change in demeanor, more lively than usual. His grin widened.

"So, you're finally over the whole... incident?" he asked, cautiously hopeful.

She nodded, turning her back to him. "Yeah. I think I'm ready to give you another chance."

Bryson's eyes lit up with excitement. "Well then, my love-" he began, rising from the bed, but his voice faltered as he noticed something off. Mary still wasn't facing him, her shoulders tense, fists clenched.

"Mary?" Bryson's voice wavered.

In an instant, she was on him, pinning him against the wall by the throat, her eyes blazing gold once more, hands glowing with power. Bryson gasped, clawing at her hand in shock and fear.

"Did you really think," she growled, her face inches from his, "that after everything you did, I would just forgive you?"

"Mary!" Bryson gasped, barely able to speak. "That... that wasn't me!"

"I don't care!" she hissed. "You abused me, killed my friend, and all you care about is getting your girlfriend back. Well, guess what? I don't love you. I never did." Her voice darkened. "I'll be happier when you're gone."

Tears welled up in Bryson's eyes, but they only enraged her more. "Don't you dare cry," she spat. Her fist slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind from his lungs. "Don't act like a victim now."

Bryson whimpered, too terrified to resist as Mary's fury unleashed on him. With one final, devastating punch, she let him fall to the floor, unmoving.

Panting, Mary stepped back, staring down at his lifeless body. Relief washed over her. It was done. She could finally live in peace.

"Mary!" A voice called from behind her, sharp and familiar.

Before she could react, Connor's fist-a blur of metal and power-struck her, sending her crashing through the wall into the backyard. Dazed but furious, she scrambled to her feet and saw us standing there, all six of us, faces steeled with determination.

"How dare you interfere with a goddess!" Mary bellowed, her voice trembling with rage. "I'll tear you all apart!"

We stood firm, unwavering in our stance. This wasn't Mary anymore-not the one we knew. The person before us was someone else entirely, a villain who wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.

Mary screamed and charged, golden energy radiating off her as she lunged forward. We scattered, dodging her wild attacks, but she was faster than before, her strength overwhelming. One by one, she sent us flying with powerful blasts, her fists landing heavy blows.

I pulled myself up, watching her relentlessly strike down my friends. She was barely breaking a sweat while we were battered and bruised. I knew I had to act fast. Summoning all my strength, I lunged at her from behind, clinging to her back.

"Get off me!" she roared, twisting violently, trying to shake me off. Ellis rushed in, grabbing her arm, and Will caught the other. Together, we tried to hold her down.

Connor stood before her, his chest glowing as his repulsor powered up. "If you won't stop, we'll force the evil out of you."

Mary's golden fists clenched, her power surging. She flung us off as if we weighed nothing, and with a flick of her wrist, she froze Connor in place, hurling him backward with a forceful push. His repulsor fizzled out, and he crashed to the ground.

We regrouped, realizing we had to strike together. "We need to attack at the same time," I called out. The others nodded, determined.

As we approached, Mary smirked, sensing our movements. In a flash, she grabbed Will and me mid-air and slammed us into the ground. Ellis managed to land a kick to her face, momentarily staggering her.

Empowered by his success, Ellis rushed in again, but Mary blasted him back with a beam of energy. I looked around, realizing our combined efforts were barely making a dent in her. She was too strong.

With a deep breath, I got back on my feet. No more fear. I sprinted toward her, dodging her attacks, and launched into a series of kicks that knocked her off balance. For a moment, I thought we might have a chance.

But Mary rose with a growl, her fist closing once more. My body froze in mid-air, suspended by her power. I couldn't move.

"You know what?" she sneered, her eyes gleaming with dark delight. "I'm done with this. Time to make an example of you." She turned to the others, beaten and sprawled on the ground, and grinned wickedly. "Starting with him."

I struggled, helpless as her glowing eyes locked onto me, a laser forming and creeping closer. I could do nothing but close my eyes and brace for the end.

Suddenly, Ellis lunged from behind, grabbing her arms and pulling her back, breaking her focus. "Mary, stop!" he shouted, struggling to old her still.

Mary screamed in frustration. "Let me go!" Her eyes reignited, the laser growing stronger, inching closer to me. Ellis gritted his teeth and held on tighter.

"Please, Mary!" he cried. "This isn't you!"

But Mary didn't care. "You're too late. I'll never stop." The laser moved closer. I could feel the heat on my skin. I shut my eyes, accepting my fate.

Ellis screamed, louder than I'd ever heard, his voice echoing through the night. And then, a sickening crack pierced the air.

The world went silent.