Chapter 2
It had been five days since school ended, and you’d never felt more at peace with yourself, your favorite snack food (F/S/F), and the characters of your favorite TV show (F/TV/S). Those days had been spent binge-watching (F/TV/S), allowing yourself to cry with all the beautiful moments.
Now, on day six, you’d finally finished the series. Getting up to use the bathroom, you heard the front door open. Footsteps echoed in the living room. You initially assumed it was your brother and his friends, but then remembered he was spending the week at a friend’s house. Your younger sister, (Y/S/N), was at overnight summer camp for another two days. And your parents… they weren’t the type to abandon a work trip, especially one involving their company. It wasn't like them to bail on a work trip.
Listening closer, you heard voices.
“Come on! All we have to do is hack their files, erase all evidence we were here, and get out!”
“It’s not that simple, Darrel! We have to figure out where they keep the hard drive.”
“That shouldn’t take long.”
A third voice cut through their bickering.
“Are you two going to keep arguing or actually get something done?”
You immediately recognized it as Baron Johnson, Ryker’s father and Vice President of your parents’ company. You’d always suspected he craved control of the company, but never imagined he’d go this far.
Lost in thought, you heard footsteps climbing the stairs. Panic seized you. *Use your powers? Call the police? What do you do?* Options swirled until you settled on one.
Sneaking back into your room, you grabbed your phone. Dialing 911, you quickly relayed the situation.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“There are three men in my house, trying to steal my parents’ hard drive.”
“Is anyone else in the house?”
“No.”
“Alright. What’s your address?”
You provided your address. They assured you help was on the way, but you told them you needed to do something first and hung up.
Focusing, you pictured the hard drive, extending your hand and snapping your fingers. It appeared in your palm, and a small smile touched your lips. You were getting better at this.
But the smile vanished as footsteps approached your room. *Shit.* You quickly shut down your computer, hiding it under your bed. Concentrating, you turned invisible just as a man you assumed was Darrel opened the door.
He stepped inside. You noticed the gun in his hand and your heart hammered against your ribs. This had escalated. He rummaged through your belongings, and it took every ounce of self-control to remain still as he touched your things. Slowly, you moved towards the open window. As he left your room, you slipped out the window and crawled onto the roof. Relief washed over you as you saw your parents’ car pull into the driveway.
You jumped off the roof, flying towards them. Touching the ground, you became visible again, startling them.
“(Y/N)! How many times do I have to tell you not to do that!” Your mother scolded, while your father simply shook his head.
“I’m sorry, but now isn’t the time for lectures. Baron and two other men are inside, looking for the hard drive to hack the company.”
Your parents stared at you, shocked. You pulled the hard drive from your pocket and handed it to your father. “You need to go, and keep this safe.”
You ushered them back into their car, but not before memorizing the license plate of the black van parked down the street. As they were about to enter, you saw Baron and his associates raise their guns.
“Go get (O/B/N), (Y/S/N), and get to the safe house!”
“Will you be okay?” your mother asked.
“I’ll be fine! Just go!”
Distracted, you weakened your force field. A bullet lodged in your arm, warm blood trickling down your sleeve.
“(Y/N)!”
“GO!”
You raised your hands again, ignoring the sting. You heard the car door slam shut, and a surge of adrenaline coursed through you. You didn't see the grenade Baron threw. It exploded, engulfing the car in flames.
You were thrown forward, hitting your head hard. Looking at the burning wreckage, you felt your vision blur.
Then, focus returned, and you realized what had happened. Your parents…
“NO!”
Power surged through you, fueled by grief and rage. You felt heat radiate from your body, flames flickering around you. Slowly, you walked towards the two men, Baron gone. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!”
You raised your hand towards the man you assumed was Darrel. Channeling your power, you ignited him in flames, lifting him into the air until he was nothing but ash. Releasing him, the ashes fell to the ground, the fire dissipating.
You turned to the remaining man, who was trembling, a wet patch staining his pants. You smirked, raising your hand to finish him.
“ (Y/N).”
You froze, turning slowly. Your parents were crawling on the ground, covered in burns. The power drained from you, replaced by tears.
“Mom! Dad!”
You ran to them, kneeling. You healed their burns, demanding an explanation for their survival. Your mother silenced you with a kiss on your head.
“We’re okay, (Y/N). We’re okay.”
You embraced them, sobbing.
“Ah, what a touching family reunion.”
You turned to see Baron holding a gun. “It’s such a shame I have to end it.”
You shielded your parents. “You won’t touch them.”
He smirked. “No, I won’t. But that doesn’t go for you.”
Drained from the previous power surge, you didn’t sense the remaining intruder inject a strange liquid into your arm.
Everything blurred, the ground spinning. You heard muffled screams as your parents were gagged and grabbed. You lost your balance, collapsing.
You looked at Baron, smiling at your limp form. Two pairs of arms picked you up, and everything went black.