Persuasion »Quicksilver

Running

We all have choices about who we are and what we do.

There's never only one path. You, and only you, get to decide your fate . But what if the right path was unclear ?

 If you had the chance to manipulate strangers minds, would you? You can make someone dance around, sing at the top of their lungs, or put a bullet in their best friends head.

A gift they called it. 

To me it was a Pandora's box- to unleash my powers would send my world into chaos. 

So I try to keep it locked inside...But temptation is too strong sometimes.

***

I run, and I run fast.

My feet slap the ground, spraying puddles into the air. Gasping frantically for air, my breathes forming white puffs in the cold air. A sharp pain shoots up my side like an electric shock. I press my side, wincing. I never realized how unfit I was- to be fair i didn't realize i would have to run for my life. Remind me never to skip Gym day ever again. My movements get sloppy as the pain in my side grows worse. I come to a halt, bent over my knees as i wheeze.

Not good, not good...

Straightening my torso I observe my surroundings, squinting into the street. Despite the dim lighting, barely helped by the streetlamps, one thing is for certain. I am lost. Very lost.

There's no one around me to ask for directions, and i cant afford to stop any longer. Looking behind me I glare at the emptiness of the street. It seems to taunt me, sending a shiver dancing up my spine.

Maybe they gave up the chase?

Doubt crawls into my head, reminding me of who they are. Who I am. They would not stop when they nearly caught me. 

My muscles groan and shudder in distaste as begin to jog forward. The world starts to blacken at the edges, my chest tightening. I rapidly shake my head to concentrate. I won't let panic consume me. Not now.

Suddenly a blinding beam of light cuts through the dark, and I throw up my arm to cover my eyes from the glare. Slowly I peer through my fingers to the source of light. A sense of euphoria fills me as i realize its a Taxi. 

"Hey! Hey!" I shout, waving my hands frantically in the air.

The car continues to  move towards me: so close I can see the driver. An older man with short graying hair and kind brown eyes. Suddenly the idea hits me like a slap- his eyes!

I swallow thickly, pushing down the tinge of regret bubbling. I hate to use this..this power.. to manipulate people for my own benefit. But i'm left with little choice. The car continues to come at me. Closer and closer.

Come on Kat- you have no choice. Its the only chance to escape.

Striding into the road in front of the car, my eyes connect with the drivers- a electric buzz flowing through me.