Ataxia

sixteen

Sander

2069

I had been hunting after this man for months, Mr. James Ferrell. I knew the whereabouts of Zoe Greene and the young middle-school teacher would tell me how to find her. And if he did not, my fingers ran over the smooth gun's metal shell, he would pay with his life. Normally I would use my abilities in a situation like this, but I didn't like to use my powers as a threat. But hopefully, that would be enough of a threat and no one would have any blood shed.

I shuddered as I approached the teacher's home, a small cabin in the woods, secluded in beautiful evergreens and majestic scenery. I was anxious about this job. I was told to find Zoe Greene, or else I would die. If Mr. Ferrell did not give me the information he needed ... we would both be dying tonight.

I disintegrated the lock on the door and pushed it open. It created a loud croaking sound that was followed by a dog's barking warnings. I cringed. There was a dog here? I surely could not take on the german shepherd the just approached me, barking at me to get out and leave. I really wished I could.

"Who's there?" A groggy voice shouted. Mr, Ferrell entered the room, slouching and looking shaggy, but alert. He reloaded the rifle he was holding, aiming it at me. "I warn you, one step closer and I'll shoot."

"Please, sir, I ...," I started to say, backing towards the door, fumbling for my gun in my pockets. I had to focus. I came here with a job to do. I could not worry about my manners or what this random man thought. With deep regrets, I slipped out my weapon as well, aiming at the teacher. "Tell me everything you know about Zoe Greene." I said steadily. "I won't hesitate to shoot."

"Zack," he called to his dog, "retrieve."

In an instant, the german shepherd lunged at mr with a snarling growl and intimidating-looking baring teeth. Once my hands made contact with the dog, the poor thing melted to ashes on the floorboards.

Mr. Ferrell stared at the greyish pile of what used to be his dog on the floor. He looked up, his eyes filled with tears, his eyes wide and petrified.

"Zack," he whispered. I was not sure if he was talking to himself or not. "You're ... you're an ataxia!" He said, startled and dashed out the back door without a moment's hesitation, leaving behind his rifle.

"Sir, wait!" I called, running after him. I knew with my superior strength I would be able to eventually reach him, but I wasn't so sure. I did not know if I could finish the job. I came closer, closer, noticing the teacher was beginning to wear out. But he would not stop running/

Out of fear and panic, I pulled out my gun and shot Mr. Ferrell in the back. I meant to do it lower where it would not hit any vital organs, but you could not take back a gunshot.

Mr. Ferrell collapsed to the forest floor, motionless. I approached him, trying to put a fierce look on my face. "Where is she?" I pushed my boot down onto his chest to make sure he would not leave.

"I --" he coughed -- "don't know what you're talkin' 'bout." I panicked, trying to keep my cool. I must have shot close enough to one of his lungs. He sounded like he just ran a marathon.

"You know!" I said, gritting my teeth. "Tell me where Zoe Greene is!"

"I already said," he coughed again, "I don't know who yer talkin' 'bout."

"Agh!" I lifted my foot off his chest and grimaced. "You're supposed to know! Tell me what you know or you will die, right here, right now," I threatened, really hoping I would not have to take this innocent man's life. "Make one wrong move and I pull the trigger. Now tell me. Where is Zoe Greene?"

"I still don't know," he said, hyperventilating. Mr. Ferrell's eyes seemed to fade and I quickly tried to pump him for information before he passed.

"Tell me now!"

"Go ... jump off a cliff, you ...," and he drew his last breath.

I stumbled back off of the dead corpse, my hands trembling. He was my only hope. Mr. Ferrell had just died. Now I would, too.