Dystopia X

Power Perks

I've always had this thing, a quirk, an adaption, a power, a perk. As always, I've concealed it, only letting the closest to me know. The only souls to know about my 'power' is Carter, Chase, Victoria, Miriam and Annika. I trust no other soul with this information, being in a war torn world doesn't give opportunities for any campfire cuddling. The thing is, that the demons are just like any other demon from folklore. Evil, cunning, sly, sneaky, hot-headed, blood-thirsty savages. Most cower at the mention of the name Lucifer or even the word Demon, but I see it as a challenge. Call me a freak or a stuck-up git, but I'm not backing down because of a few visitors from downstairs. That's not my power though, for some reason, I have sometimes experience visions of people's deaths and I have the kick ass power of telekinesis. 

Once I found out about my powers, I went to Annika for support. From their I was trained in a separate facility, away from the other kids. I've been building up strength not only mentally and physically, but power wise too. However, I still experience the searing pain of a headache when having a vision. As always, I was seen as an outcast or as a freak, the few that did appreciate my skill were eventually killed trying to protect it. 

Ignoring my power would have been stupid, but accepting it could be concerned and even worse choice. Thanks to an ignorant individual, named Jeremy, now every demon knows of me and my little powers existence. I can never blend in, join a small squadron or just get killed without it being a big fuss. I'm in Squadron 11, or in other words, the top squad. My team is lead my A 28 year old named Haruka. The rest of the group consists of myself (18), Carter (19), Mayumi (22), Jacob (16), Justin (16) and Teresa (25). All seven of us have been trained away from the main group. We rarely trained with others until we were 12, and I've been in this team since I was 13. It's said that I'm the youngest comrade to join the high ranks.

"Get up Power Puff" spat a familiar voice that was Jeremy's. He and I have a constant rivalry, we have always loathed each other. Jeremy has made it his duty to make my life a living hell, and its not as if I have a secret friendship with him, its just down right hatefulness. 

"Shutup, farquad" I returned with a groan as I rolled out of bed.

"Its already 8am, breakfast is in ten minutes, there's a schedule so stick to it. Once he had left the room, I limped over to the bathroom, taking a short shower before getting dressed. I slid on my camo jeans, black singlet and combat boots, tying my hair into a tight ponytail. I exited the room exactly eleven minutes later.

"Late again Miss Jaelynn" called out the soft voice of Haruka, I knew he wasn't being too strict, only joking.

"You know me, I've got to make an entrance" I replied, grabbing and apple and sliding into the seat next to Chase, opposite of Victoria. During breakfast times, you could sit with anyone, and so I chose to sit with my friends. Unfortunately, we have been spilt into separate groups. I'm in 11th, Victoria and Chase in 8th and Miriam and Ramirez in 2nd. We barely see each other, Chase and I, he's a close friend and I always feel compelled to check on him. He's fine by himself, but he just feels like a family member, and you've always got to keep them close.

"Morning grumpy" laughed Chase through the piece of toast he had just chomped his way through.

"Hey, finish your food first!" snapped Miriam whilst slapping his arm.

"Ow, all right fine Mim" replied Chase, glancing at me briefly and winking. Sitting, talking or just being around my friends made me feel safe. As disastrous as this world is, everyone still wants that small glimmer of hope that will get them through the day.

"Squadron 3, out to the mountains, Squadron 6 to the lake and Squadron 11 to the high rises" announced a high pitched voice. It was Leyla, a 28 year old lady, she had thin and long blonde hair, skinny and small. She was the one to call the shots, or at least announce them. But who better to catch the attention of others than a girl who's voice sounds like a sped up version of a little kids voice. 

"Lets roll out guys, we've got watch over the high rises" chimed in Haruka. We all slung our guns over our shoulders, including the ammo, I waved goodbye from my friends and joined my squad. Walking in an orderly fashion, we exited the buzzing of friendly conversation to adventure into the harsh and silent climate. 

It was a long and average walk to the high rises, by the time we had reached out destinations it was mid day. The sun was still covered by thick grey clouds, casting the entire city into shadow. Thus making it harder to see, not only where you going but who you're trying to protect yourself from. Demons can have field days on a day like this, cold, quiet, dark. Hiding amongst the shadows, stalking people as they walk by, then pounce onto them. One must me alert always, especially if you want to survive this new world.

"Next set of buildings, we'll split up. Carter and Jaelynn go together to the high rise furthest. Mayumi and I to the closest one. Jacob and Justin, you go to the middle one whilst Teresa you keep watch on the ground" directed Haruka, we all nodded in agreement before spinning around and walking to our key points.

"They say its getting worse" commented Carter as we ducked and climbed over the never-ending rubble.

"What is? I asked in returned, even though I knew the answer. As if playing dumb would buy me some hope"
"Demons, Jae. They're coming in from left, right and centre. We've now lost 15 faction members in the past two months, and 12 in one day" he answered sharply. We both paused and I looked in his direction, noticing that he was staring right into my eyes. This wasn't like Carter, but I guess we all knew time was running out, and so we all had to change if we hoped to survive. After a minute we turned around and continued walking towards the high rise. A huge glass building towering over the rest, however it did not look so prestigious as it must have looked 30 years ago. Windows were smashed, supports for the building were now sticking out of the building at awkward angles, and the top corner had been sliced clean off. 

"Well this looks like a lovely place" said Carter sarcastically in a british accent (well, a more heavy british accent).

"Oh yes, it certainly looks swell" I joked, but before I could even finish my sentence, my knees went weak. Falling to the ground, I smacked my head against an old post box and my body collapsed onto the floor. A pounding started bubbling up inside my head, as bad as a migraine. However it wasn't just from the post office knock. 

"Jae?" Shouted Carter as he spun around and dropped to his knees. I could barely make out his facial features anymore. My vision had gone completely blurry and all I could hear was the pounding within my head, or what I hoped was my heart beat. Seconds later, the blurriness of the world faded completely, and up came short snippets of Teresa. However she didn't look like her normally happy self, she instead looked terrified and panicked. The image swirled and distorted before focusing again on a pair of deep, dark eyes, the next thing I heard was a shriek.
"Jaelynn! Jae wake up! Say something" yelled Carter in a panicked tone. Slowly my vision was restoring myself and the headache was easing. What the hell just happened to me wasn't a random act either,

"We need to find Teresa" I proclaimed, holding my head and staring straight into Carter, out of breath but I knew what that image was.

It was a vision, but an incredibly terrible one.