Purple Phoenix

Chapter One

Finally, the school bell rang, and the students started to pack up their binders and notebooks, including me. I've had enough of school already, and I've only been here for one week. I wondered why I even bothered to enroll at all. Of course, there was some part of me that wanted to go to college and pursue a career, but that was out of question after my recent discovery.

"Eve! Wait up!" I kept in a groan when I heard Soraya's voice behind me. Great, now I need to deal with her too. Soraya, in my opinion, was way too determined to become friends with me. She even called me by my nickname, Eve, from Evelyn. Despite me constantly ignoring her, turning down any invitations, and picking the seat opposite of hers in the classroom, she seemed to not have gotten the memo. I didn't want to be friends, nor did I ever want to be friends in the future. Even though all that, she didn't get it. How could I be any clearer?

Once she caught up with my quick strides, I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice and asked her as sweetly as possible, "What do you want?" I frowned when it still sounded snappy. Perhaps I needed to put in more softness?

She gave me a hesitant smile. "Well, Olivia and I wanted to see if you would like to hang out with us sometime tomorrow?" My nose scrunched up. I didn't think Olivia would be involved with this. She's a shy person which is probably why, when I looked back, I saw Olivia's freckled face apprehensively watching us from a distance. Is that... hope on her face? Nevertheless, I had better things to do than chit-chat with a bunch of nobodies.

I waited for her to continue but I realized she was expecting a response. "Ah... tomorrow is going to be hard for me." Just like any other day.

"Oh." Her smile fell, and she hid behind her short, black hair. I blinked at her. Why is she still here? There was an awkward silence in the air, so I decided to break it.

"Uh. Bye, then." I turned around and started walking. Real nice, Eve. Couldn't have gone any better. I rolled my eyes at my inner, but true, thoughts.

She called out behind me, "So I guess I'll see you on Monday?" I didn't say anything and continued to leave. Hopefully not. Hopefully, she'll get hit by a bus, and I wouldn't have to see her ever again. I felt a bit bad for thinking that. It wasn't her fault she was incredibly ignorant of the world. Even though she perhaps had good intention, Soraya needed to back off.

A car honked beside me, jarring me out of my thoughts. It also made me realize I was going a wrong way. I didn't need to get lost on top of everything. Turning around, I tried to spot a recognizable street. Of course, no such luck. I bit my lip and decided to continue in the direction I was already heading.

I wished I could take a nap right now in the one-room apartment that I bought a week ago. Life was too tiring, especially the part where you had to deal with people. Even if I could somehow teleport to my apartment, I had yet to buy a decent bed. I slept on the floor these past days, and my back wasn't too happy about that. I rolled back my shoulders and winced when I heard a crack. Yep. Definitely a bed. Top priority. Once I got that out of the way, I would need a table, a chair, and a coffeemaker.

I walked by an alley when I heard a shriek, breaking me out of my thoughts yet again. I paused. Should I check it out or ignore it? I could walk by and pretend I didn't hear anything, but something held me back. Shrugging, I backtracked and peeked inside. I saw a guy with a face mask pointing a gun at an elderly lady. He wasn't a super, simply a regular bad guy and at the same time, a coward who targets and attacks vulnerable people.

"Give me your money!" He shouted at the woman pushed back against the wall. Her body was shaking, and one hand was over her chest as if she could calm down her racing heart. I took a step back as I didn't want to get involved. This caused her eyes to flick to mine and widen in surprise, making the robber turn around and find me standing there. I held back another groan. Wonderful. This better not compromise my nap. The woman was pleading with her eyes to urge me to run and get help. I can take care of myself quite fine, thank you very much.

"You!" The robber growled, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I rose an eyebrow. "Me?" I pointed at myself, playing along.

"Yes, you! Give me your money, too!" He barked, waving his gun in the air as if that would compel me to obey his command. Jokes on him, I wasn't carrying any money. He was going to be very disappointed very soon.

Seeing that I didn't move, he wrenched the purse of the elderly woman and let her stumble and run away on her nimble legs. I considered my options. Fight or flight? My mouth curved into my first smile of the day. Most definitely fight. It's been too long since I had my last satisfying battle. He would make do, even though he wasn't much of the challenge, or more accurately, any challenge at all. People like him were all say and no action.

The robber turned his attention to me and was startled to find me giving him a sly grin. I reached in for my power well. It was full, nearly overflowing. I tugged on it, and it responded quickly. For a moment, I cherished the feeling of the increasing heat on the tips of my fingers.

"Look, buddy," I called to the robber. "I'll give you one chance to leave now. I wouldn't want you to get hurt." I winked at him, and in turn, making him narrow his eyes and grip his gun tighter.

"Look, kid," He spit out, "Let's not dilly dally. Give me your money and-" I blasted flames across his eyes, burning some wisps of his hair as well. I looked down in wonder at my hands. That went surprisingly well. He shouted in pain and fell backward, using his hands to pat his face and hair to try to put off the fire. That only made it worse as the fire spread to his hands.

The only thing that could stop this was water or me, but I stood there, amazed by the fire I created. I felt strong. I felt powerful. I felt invincible. But most of all, I felt complete. My powers and I were one, unbeatable by any force.

Instead of the usual orange and yellow flames, purple danced around his body. My fire was made up of hues of purple. Some lighter, others darker, but all beautiful. His screams blended with the flames until I realized if I let this go on any longer, he would die. It was really his fault. I gave him the opportunity to get out of here unharmed, and I didn't make his choice to stay. Still, I reached my hand out, focused for a second, and slowly drew the flames back into my skin. Even when the flames stopped, his whimpering continued. I may be a villain, but I've never crossed into the murdering territory, and I wasn't about to, yet.

Not bothering to call an ambulance or help the pained man lying on the floor, I left the scene and resumed my way home, hoping I could still be able to take a quick nap.

The sirens of police cars blared behind me. The lady must have called them in an effort to help me. I smirked. She should've called an ambulance instead. I wondered if they would gather that the attack was done by a super and if they would label me as a hero or villain. Sure, I beat up a bad guy, but not because I was seeking bad guys specifically. Anyone who messed with me would get the same treatment. On another day, the old lady could have been the aim of my anger.

I yearned to feel my power once more, so I lifted my hand, palm up, and encouraged little flames to rise. Slowly, tendrils of purple flames built up in my hand again. I let them dance for another minute before I clenched my hand into a fist, effectively putting it out. Looking out to the city, I smiled. This was going to be fun.