Turn Out The Lights

A Hero's Preformance

The next three weeks passed like kidney stones, and I was glad when it was time to get the meeting over with. Aadya gave me a run down beforehand about what would happen: I would be fitted with an ear piece and a microphone so everyone could communicate and I could be heard effectively, I would walk outside onto the blacktop and onto the little X they marked on the ground, from there I would introduce myself and my quirks, taking at least one minuet so the camera could be calibrated and focused on me. From there I would preform various tasks and routines to prove my abilities, once that was over I would curtsy and return inside where I would quickly change to meet my visitors and speak with them. If there was a problem, someone would inform me through my ear piece and I would adjust accordingly. If I followed along with the plan I was supposed to be awarded a free day, where I could choose what to do.

Once the day came, I woke up early to get some extra practice with changing between gasses so everything would go smoother. Around 10 a.m. the active observer told me it was time to go get ready, and by 11 I was standing in front of the exit ready as I could be for my little performance. Action was called over the earpiece and I walked outside.

I put on my best smile and walked through the door, outside, and into position. "Hello, my name is June Luciana McGillicuddy Rialis, and today I will be demonstrating my quirks: Learnability, Adaptability, Aura, and Possession. Learnability has allowed me to learn at an accelerated rate and retain information to a higher degree. Adaptability allows my body to change and adapt based on what it experiences. Aura allows me to release a chemical gas from my pores that can change the emotions and perceptions of others who inhale it based on my own emotions. Possession allows me to share or over take the consciousness of another being if we share or exchange enough genetic material. I will first be reciting pi to the hundredth digit and Romeo and Juliet in Italian, both from memory. You can follow along if you'd like in the booklet before you. Next I will be demonstrating the use of my wings, my ability to receive and heal from damage inflicted upon me, my strength, and my ability to slow and stop time. Third I will demonstrate the release and change of my gasses. Finally, I will use volunteers to demonstrate my ability to overtake another being. Thank you for your time and please enjoy the show."

I aced my little recitals, and even did well coasting down from the platform they'd set up for me to jump from. The problem came along when they told me it was time to demonstrate my pain tolerance. Nobody told me how it was going to happen, so I assumed they'd just give me a knife and have me cut myself again, but that's not what happened. When I know I'm going to feel pain, I have time get myself ready so I don't feel pain. When a technician opened the door to the blacktop and shot me, I didn't.

He shot me in the thigh without warning, and I screamed. It hit me and passed through me completely. I was scared, hurt, confused, and angry. I touch my thigh, soaking my hand in blood and shooting waves of pain throughout my body. I started crying uncontrollably and tried unsuccessfully to wipe some of the tears away so I could see. My thigh felt like it was burning, the feeling spreading fast, and had consumed me within seconds. Before I could stop it I had erupted in flames again, but this time it was different. I couldn't stop it no matter how much I tried, and even after I got my pain somewhat managed I still couldn't cool off. I tried to walk to get help, but my leg collapsed underneath me when I put pressure on it. I fell onto the floor and looked to the door, but nobody came. I rolled onto my back, trying to both relieve pressure from my leg and calm down enough to put myself out. I breathed in and out rhythmically for a minute or two until I finally felt myself cool down a little. I looked down to check my leg but it was still bleeding a fair amount. I looked to the camera, which appeared to be cracked, and then to the door, wondering why at least Octavius hadn't come to help me, and realized I was really all alone for this. Fine, I decided, I'd figure it out on my own.