Flash Fiction Project

The Boy with the Sun in His Hands

One of the most dominant traits within human beings is our desire for power. I feel that to be undoubtedly true amongst every single person. What I feel is different amongst ourselves, however, is how we achieve power. I don't just mean asserting dominance over others. While that certainly is a form of having power, it's not the basic definition of what it truly is. Power is, at least to me, the feeling of being in control over any facet of your life. This manifests in different ways within different people. Some people feel powerful being at the top of their field of work, and therefore having power over their inferiors. Others attain it by being proficient in a skill, or having multiple friends, or attaining social popularity. As I mentioned before, everybody has a different way of feeling powerful and maintaining control over their lives.

How do I do it?

I have the mother-fucking power of the sun at my disposal.

My doctors call it a medical anomaly. The local religious fanatics call it a curse from Hell. My parents call it a danger to society. But I've always called it "My Force to be Reckoned With."

I call it this for good reason. I can do whatever I please. If you were face to face with a human-flamethrower like me, would you really want to mess with him? I didn't think so.

Sometimes I feel like my life is just a bore. I can realistically have what I want, when I want it. This sounds great, but it certainly takes any sort of challenge out of my life. I'll give you an example anecdotally...

I have a friend, Marcus. I've known him since I was a kid, and he's always been very very easy-going with me. Whatever I want to do, he's always nodding and smiling and saying "Okay, Leo!" But anyway, I said to Marcus, "Hey, we should go to the pier!"

He responded, with a rather nervous laugh, "Oh, okay... But you know I don't like rides, I get sick on 'em. So is it okay if you go on the rides without me, and I'll wait for you in line?"

My expression must have darkened, because his face showed nasty fear on it. "What?" I retorted.

I could see sweat forming on his face. "I just... D-don't like the rides man. I-I'm sorry, never mind."

"Oh, okay, good!" I beamed. "Because for a second I thought you were going to make me ride alone like a fucking loser and make me look stupid!" My rage was at its peak, I know this because my hands began to ignite. I saw them reflect in Marcus' teary eyes like a blinding flashlight.

"I would never!" he cried, "I'm sorry, Leo!"

"Oh, no problem!" I exclaimed, as my flaming paws began to simmer down. "Because between you and me, the last guy who told me 'no' looked a bit sunburnt by the end of our conversation. Let's go!"