Derek paused for a moment, taking a deep breath as he stared up at the evening sky. He couldn't believe what had just happened. The frustration burned inside him, and he felt lost. What do I even do now? He thought about his options. I need to calm down, think clearly.
He reached for his phone, hesitating for a second. He could call Chris no, wait, Ken. Ken would know what to do. He had to trust Ken, even though the whole thing felt overwhelming. What if the doctors try to dissect me? I'm not some kind of freak. The powers he was gaining felt more like a curse than anything.
Derek clenched his fists, trying to hold back the anger and fear. Why is this happening to me? His gaze fell to his right arm, where his vein was glowing faintly with a burnt-orange light, radiating just beneath his skin. This is bad. Really bad.
His mind raced. I need to get away, just get out of here for a while. He started walking, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his suit jacket sticking to his sweaty skin. I'll head out to the outskirts of the city. There won't be any cameras there.
He passed people on the street with one man talking to himself, another woman scraping her nails against the brick wall as if she was trying to claw her way out of something. He couldn't help but notice her wild eyes.
Reaching the overpass he looked out at the cars below him. I could end it now. I could end this madness and find a way to reset. This is just a bad dream! Pushing his hands up towards the edge of the overpass he felt his weight shift forwards. What am I doing?! Falling to the ground Derek felt his eyes swell up with tears. I'm not a bad person. I am a good person…a bit of a loser to some. I can't end it like this. I have to fight! Standing up he felt his legs sway a bit as he pushed off from the edge of the bridge. "I have to keep going." Turning to his left he continued his path off the overpass and into the edge of the city.
He turned a corner, his pace quickening. What if the cops are looking for me? he wondered.
Derek's thoughts were a blur as he trudged forward, the city's lights flickering around him. The streets were getting quieter, less crowded. He was nearing the outskirts now, a part of town that seemed a little less hectic, almost peaceful.
Finally, he found a small general store and picked up his pace, running faster than a normal person, his steps quick and light. This city moves so fast. It's nice to slow down a bit.
As he entered the store, he felt the familiar relief of being away from the chaos of the city. A soft beep from a metal detector confirmed he had no cybernetic implants. He sighed, relieved.
"Good evening," a woman called from the counter, smiling brightly at him.
"Good evening," Derek responded, trying to keep his arm covered as he waved back.
The woman raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you with something?"
"I've got a bit of a fever," Derek muttered. "I just need something to help with the dizziness."
The woman gave a knowing look. "We've got something special for that. It's homemade with just honey, berries, and a secret ingredient." She winked, her tone friendly.
Derek smiled weakly, but he felt a little skeptical. "Okay, I'll take it."
The woman handed him a small gel bottle. Derek glanced at the label and noticed the ingredients weren't fully listed. Well, that's... reassuring, he thought with a hint of sarcasm.
He turned around to look for something else, his stomach grumbling. As he passed the refrigerated section, something caught his eye: a bottle of espresso, labeled with a ridiculous warning: Nuclear Espresso for those long nights.
What the hell? Derek thought as he grabbed two bottles and made his way to the counter. He still wasn't sure what he was getting himself into.
The woman at the counter smiled brightly, eyeing his choices. "You look like you've had a rough day. Take a seat outside and rest for a bit."
"Yeah, thanks," Derek said with a dry laugh. If only she knew. He grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza and carried it to the counter with his drinks.
She smiled again. "That'll be everything for you, darling. Just eat the pizza and take two drops of the espresso. It'll help with whatever you've got going on tonight."
Derek nodded, trying to ignore the growing pressure in his chest. "Thanks."
Derek stepped outside the quaint store, the air cooler now as night fully embraced the cityscape. The benches outside the shop were old but welcoming, painted in faded blue with chips revealing weathered wood beneath. He sank into one of them, setting down his bag with the fever remedy, nuclear espresso, and pepperoni pizza. The world around him seemed quieter here far removed from the blaring noise of the inner city.
He leaned back, letting out a deep breath. The hum of crickets replaced the distant rumble of traffic. He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the burnt-orange light still faintly pulsing in his veins. What is happening to me? His thoughts echoed the question for what felt like the hundredth time today.
Opening the bottle of espresso, he took a hesitant sip. The liquid was scalding, thick, and somehow carried a flavor that was both energizing and horrifying at once. Nuclear indeed. He grimaced but swallowed, deciding it was the lesser evil compared to his unrelenting exhaustion.
As he picked at the pepperoni pizza, he couldn't shake the memory of his moment on the overpass. The thought of ending it all had loomed like a storm cloud, pressing down on him until the spark of his will to fight back had cut through. Whatever it was, he couldn't let this power turn against him.
His phone rang in his pocket, drawing him back from his ideas. Pulling it out, the broken screen lit Ken's name. Derek's chest opened with relief. Ken was always on time.
He swiped to respond, the weight of the day somewhat hurting his voice.
Ken? Man, I need you. It is serious.
On the other side, Ken's voice was consistent, quiet, and known. "Derek?" You sound absolutely dreadful. What's happening?
Derek hesitated, staring down the meager glow in his right arm.
He chose his words carefully. "Something's happening to me, man. I don't know how to explain it over the phone. I need to see you this in person…something is glowing in my body. Are you free?"
There was a pause, the sound of papers shuffling on Ken's end. "Yeah. Where you at?"
"There is this rinky dink corner story at the edge of the southern part of town. I'll send you the location. When can you get here?"
"No problem! 30 minutes flat if I'm opening the traffic signs."
Derek let go a chuckle. "Thanks, man." Derek hung up, feeling a flicker of reassurance.
He sat there for a while, finishing his food and staring at the faint glow in his arm. It wasn't just the glow it was the heat radiating from it. Whatever was changing inside him, it felt alive, like a force that wanted out. Was there something sinister that wanted out? Looking up he noticed blue lights blinking from the corner of the express way. Shit! The man is out this way.
Leaving the corner story Derek kept his head low and start to jog back towards the southern part of town. Graffiti sprawled across the walls, telling stories of rebellion, loss, and survival. He kept his hood pulled low, his eyes scanning his surroundings while trying to stay inconspicuous.
The air was thick with a faint metallic scent, mingled with the stale odor of trash piled in forgotten alleyways.
Derek pressed forward, his stomach growling despite the pizza he had eaten earlier.
He muttered to himself as he walked, trying to piece together the events of the day. "Why did this have to happen to me? What did I even do to deserve this?
Should I call him again? Should I tell him not to come? What if the police are already questioning him? What if I drag him into this mess? He hesitated to press the call button.
Out of the corner of his eye, Derek felt something was amiss. There was a shuffle in the distance as a shadow of a man came into view. Derek felt his muscles tense as he instinctively jumped back.
The shadow was taller than him with a slim build. The figure brown long coat fluttered in the breeze. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Should I make a run for it! Derek's mind was racing for answers as he clinched his fist.
"You can cool your jets man." The slender man stepped forward his partially covered by the darkness. "Your glowing bright"?
Derek's blood felt as if ice filled his veins. Does he know? Am I that easy of a tell? Derek's eyes traced the faint glow of orange under his hoodie.
Taking a step forward the man came under a flickering light in the dark alley. "You're different...from the others"
Derek took a step back trying to keep his cool. "What others!?"
The stranger chuckled his deep voice filling the evening sky. "Let's just say we know what it's like to be the prey. If I were you I'm the only life line you have."
Derek hesitated..we. "What did you mean by we?"
The dark-skinned man let go a smirk. "I guess you're going to have to find out."
A bead of sweat trailed down Derek's face. "Fine," he said with caution. "You better not be setting me up."