《The Beginning》


 Chapter One

    <h2>Keith</h2>


    I laid on my bed, my headache worsening. I lit a cigarette, bringing it to my lips. I inhaled and exhaled, grabbing some aspirin from my drawer. I took some of the pills. A little more than I needed to, I almost thought of downing the whole bottle but I know I shouldn¡¯t get high. I walked out, lighting another cigarette. I leaned against the steel porch. Exhale, inhale.


    ¡°You okay Keith?¡± I heard a voice say.


    The usual sassy voice seemed nervous. Ben¡¯s curly hair was tied in a ponytail, she had no makeup on and wore a white tanktop and shorts. Her blue eyes pierced right through me, trying to find a missing piece to a puzzle, like a detective trying to solve a crime.


    ¡°My head hurts, but I¡¯ll be fine¡­ I want to sleep¡­ sleep and sleep, but I¡¯m too awake¡± I admitted.


    Ben rubbed my back, her towering over me.


    ¡°Is there anything I can do?¡± Ben asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ I don¡¯t need anything¡­¡±


    My sister''s face scrunched up when a whiff of smoke went into her face.


    ¡°Why do you smoke those things?¡±


    ¡°You used to smoke too!¡± I said, trying to defend myself.


    ¡°I used to do a lot of stuff! I smoked cigarettes to impress my friends! I smoked pot to forget the fights with dad or to get the stress away, why do you smoke?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t really speak of the answer. Maybe it helps suppress my deeper, darker thoughts. I can¡¯t tell anymore. Three years of smoking, nothing has changed.


    ¡°KEITH! We need to talk¡± Tyzon said, coming up, my heart beating faster.


    His overgrown dark blond hair covered his eyes slightly, over growing into a small tail in the back. His green eyes seemed to have the wonderful spark of enthusiasm. He wore a white shirt and brown pants that reached to his waist and to his ankles.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you two be!¡± Ben smiled.


    She walked into her apartment.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a special report that Wilson just gave me.¡± Tyzon said, disappointing me.


    Tyzon and I were friends but he was more serious about work. I just do what I need to do, as long as the people I care about are safe. Tyzon wants to save everyone¡­ even if he can¡¯t. I nodded, opening the door for him. He walked in, me following behind him. We sat down on the couch. He placed some files on the coffee table. I opened the document.


    ¡°An experiment plantation?¡± I asked.


    ¡°We can save more people, people who actually need help, who are gonna die!¡± Tyzon said, standing up and walking back and forth.


    ¡°You''re excited, aren¡¯t you?¡± I smiled.


    ¡°This time¡­ we can win no matter what! We have you! You are the most powerful person I have ever seen! It¡¯s amazing¡± Tyzon enthused, making me blush.


    I tried to hide it slightly behind my black curly hair. I crossed my legs, tapping my foot against the floor. Tyzon was smiling so brightly.


    ¡°You''re gonna accept this project too, right? I know we usually separate the projects but this is really important!¡± Tyzon said, holding my hands.


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    Stop being cute, I thought as I became red.


    ¡°I will, you seem too excited to let down¡± I said, smiling brightly.


    I shook his hands. We stood so close, it felt like me and him were gonna kiss. I shook the thought out of my head. I know Tyzon, we¡¯ve lived with each other for 2 years because of being first generals and he hasn¡¯t kissed me. He¡¯s too respectful. I blushed slightly, still keeping the image in my head. He hugged me and exclaimed.


    ¡°THANK YOU!¡±


    I hated how this feeling continued as my face burned. We pulled away from each other as Tyzon looked through the flies. I tied my hair into a ponytail.


    ¡°Well I¡¯m gonna take a nap since I haven¡¯t been feeling well¡± I smiled.


    ¡°Okay, we should go out after your nap,¡± Tyzon asked.


    ¡°Yeah, get some fun in before our schedules get full¡± I said, standing up.


    I walked into my room, locking the door behind me. I opened my drawer. My journal and knife were neatly organized. I placed my finger over my knife. I picked it up, taking my jacket off. I hesitated when I looked at my arms. I placed my knife on my arms, slowly beginning to cut. I cut deeper than meanted to. I winced slightly at the pain.


    I sat down on my bed. I wanted to cry, putting my head under my pillow.


    I fell asleep, waking up some time later.


    I sat up, looking at my clock. It¡¯s fucking 8 pm? I sat up. At least my headache was gone. I put my jacket on, walking out into the living room. Tyzon was reading documents.


    ¡°Hey, do you still wanna go out?¡± I asked, still waking up.


    ¡°Yeah but do you even want to? You just woke up?¡±


    ¡°I would rather do stuff than nothing, what¡¯ss the saying? Life is short, live it to your fullest?¡± Tyzon laughs.


    ¡°Okay then!¡± We both stand up.


    ¡°Where yo wnna go?¡± I asked, my accent coming out.


    ¡°I¡¯ll surprise you¡± Tyzon smiled, making my heart warm.


    I nodded. We both changed into outfits before leaving. I wore my usual leather jacket, black shirt and leather pants. He wore a light pink t-shirt and light blue jean pants that reached to his ankles. He drove me to Landry¡¯s Club.


    ¡°Is it Laundry or Landry¡¯s? Cause if you took me to a laundry mat? I don¡¯t know how much you respect this friendship¡± I joked.


    He rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Her last name just sucks, it¡¯s a pretty cool dance club, trust me, you¡¯ll like it!¡± he smiled.


    We got out of his car. We walked in a line. After 20 minutes we got in. He seemed as excited as always.


    ¡°I should have gotten more dressed up,¡± I  said.


    ¡°We can come back later in life, it¡¯s a pretty popular place, it¡¯ll stay,¡± Tyzon said, the loud music blaring.


    I can feel my face warm up.


    ¡°You''re always so red,¡± Tyzon teased, only making me redder.


    We started to dance.


    ¡°I¡¯ll order you a drink if you want?¡±


    ¡°We get the same salary?¡±


    ¡°Maybe but I have more money saved up,¡± he teased.


    I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°Get us drinks and you want me to get us a table to chill at?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll surprise you with a drink!¡± I found a table for us after a few minutes.


    I tapped my shoe. Thinking about Tyzon. He is so amazing. He placed two drinks on the table. He sat in front of me.


    ¡°Margaritas for you and me!¡± I nodded, taking a sip of my drink.


    ¡°So¡­¡± I placed my hand out on the table, tapping my fingers on the table.


    The booth was so small, our legs touched. He seemed to be flustered but the lighting was hard to see through. He leaned closer, accidentally placing his hand on my wrist. He flinched away.


    ¡°Sorry!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­¡± I whispered.


    Our legs were pressing against each. I took a sip of my drink. And they brought us another drink. And another. We talked and talked.


    ¡°Is Yara coming over any time soon?¡± I asked.


    ¡°She might, she¡¯s been feeling bad lately, but she likes to visit you, mainly you. I call her so much, she says I¡¯m like our mother,¡± he said, laughing slightly.


    I chuckled.


    ¡°I wish I got to meet your parents-¡±


    The music blared loudly.


    ¡°Do you like Yarra?¡± he asked.


    I took another sip.


    ¡°Where¡¯d you get that idea from, I may be bi but I don¡¯t like Yara!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why I thought that, I¡¯m bad at knowing what you feel¡­¡±


    ¡°Who do you like?¡± I asked.


    He drank his drink, chugging it. I blinked confused. I moved my face closer.

 Chapter Two

    <h2>Tyzon</h2>


    I smiled as our legs touched. Everything inside me warmed. Her face seems red as always. I took a sip of my drink. Keith was twirling her black, curly hair with her finger. Her pink eyes shimmered with the dancing lights. Her eyes seemed so focused on me. Her face seemed slightly more flushed than usual, probably from the fact she was drunk.


    ¡°Well¡­ who do I like? What about we say our crushes at the same time. I guess. It might be the best. We¡¯ll both probably have a hangover so we don¡¯t talk to each other. If I really tell her I like her.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I sighed.


    ¡°One¡­¡± Keith said.


    ¡°Two,¡± I said.


    ¡°Three¡­¡±


    ¡°Keith¡±, ¡°you¡­¡±


    We both went silent. I could see Keith¡¯s face light up. My heart warmed deeply.


    ¡°So¡­¡± Keith extended.


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    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m starting to get payback from drinking too much!¡± Keith groaned.


    I was in slight disbelief.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home,¡± I said.


    We got up, paid the check and went into my car.


    ¡°Are we gonna wanna talk about what happened or are we gonna ignore it?¡± Keith asked.


    ¡°I u-uh well¡­ honestly Yara tells me all the time just to admit my feelings, how long have you liked me?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Well¡­ I honestly don¡¯t remember, kind have just always been a feeling I¡¯ve had towards you, you?¡±


    ¡°I wanna say¡­ a year ago.¡±


    I turned the car on. She smiled cutely. We faced each other. Me and Keith''s hands intertwined. Our faces touched each other, our mouths melting into each other. She wrapped her arms around my neck. We pulled apart, gasping. We both were flushed. I drove us home, completely silent. When we got to the apartment, we kissed again. We fell onto the couch, burying my head in her hair, our legs intertwining. We didn¡¯t really care to speak, as we kissed. The kissing got more intense. Keith¡¯s tanned skin was completely flushed.


    Her jacket slipped off, showing her arms. I couldn¡¯t tell what I felt when Keith sat up. She looked scared, like life literally drained from her form. She put her jacket on, hiding her scars.


    ¡°I am¡­¡± Keith whispered, talking outside.


    I stood up. It felt like a perfect structure, happy and content, and a fire ruined everything, unexpectedly and unknown. I laid in my bed. Covering myself in the green covers. Not wanting to remember what happened. I wanted to sleep.


    Sleep.

 Chapter Three

    <h2>Adstol</h2>


    I ducked behind the rusted car. My heartbeat rang through my ears. I held my breath, trying to wait for the walking sound to pass.


    ¡°Addy~ Where are you?¡± My sister called out.


    Lisa was a sociopathic psychopath. She betrayed me and wants me to join her side. To help The Human Potential Project (THPP). I thought I would be doing that when I was younger but now, my sole purpose is to take them down. It¡¯s so weird how things change.


    I put my hand over my nose and mouth.


    ¡°ADSTOL!¡± a guard yelled.


    I saw them walking past me. Finell looked behind her, us making eye contact.


    Her long blond hair reached down her torso. Her blue eyes were like sparks. She wore a light blue dress with small designs. The dress went to her ankles and the sleeves went to her wrists. She wore white boots.


    She turned forward, continuing to walk.


    Once they were gone I stood up.


    I tried to breathe in and out.


    That was too close.


    I walked forward. The rusted silver fence in front of me was at least 7 feet taller.


    I started to latch on to the fence, climbing over. I jumped down, landing on my feet. I need to change my look. The houses lined the block. I looked through the window of this giant house. I looked through some of the others.


    No one was home.


    I looked to see if the windows were  unlocked.


    After trying three windows I found a window that was unlocked. I jumped through it.


    I ran upstairs, holding my knife in my hand. I entered the bedroom.


    No one.


    I looked through the clothes. I changed into a white button up and slacks. I went into the bathroom, hopefully finding some dye or glasses.


    Luckily I found some brown hair dye. I need to cut my hair.


    I grabbed scissors, cutting my once long waisted her to my shoulders. I put the dye in my hair, taking my shirt off so it won¡¯t get dyed. I looked for glasses while I waited for the dye to soak into my hair. I found some glasses.


    I got so so lucky.


    I popped the lenses out. I washed my hair out, making my hair dark brown. I used a blow dryer to dry my hair. I put the button up back on. I put the glasses on.


    My name is now Miriam Kim.


    I tied my hair in a ponytail.


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    I wish Miriam Kim existed. I wonder if she had a loving family, if her sister had that wouldn¡¯t betray her.


    I walked out. I walked for a little, making sure I didn¡¯t see any THPP people. That they lost my trace. I went to an ATM. I did a little tweaking to it, aka, opening the thing and stealing money. I stuffed it into a bag -that I stole on the way here- and left. I walked into the plaza. The TV¡¯s played.


    ¡°There is gonna be a new project by Captain Morris, First Generals from The Alliance named Keith and Tyzon-¡±


    It showed a picture of Keith and some other person.


    Keith had changed so much. Her hair was straightened in the picture, making it reach to her elbows. She wore a black leather jacket, a black skirt and a pink shirt. Her pink eyes soothed me.


    A boy I had never heard of was standing next to Keith. He had short light brown hair, green eyes and wore a black shirt and light blue pants. He gave a feminine vibe.


    I missed Keith. She seemed taller and had barely aged from her 14 self. I wonder if we could have salvaged anything, our friendship.


    I squinted at the photo, looking for her pinkie.


    Missing one pinkie. 9 and a half fingers. No one really realized it since it was her pinkie. I remember the last time I saw her in person.


    It was so dark¡­ so terrifying. I could feel myself shaking, remembering Imposis and moms dead image. When I heard Keith scream. The manipulation.


    I shook my head, trying to get a hold of myself. You can have a breakdown later.


    I went into a hotel, got a room and collapsed.


    I took the shirt off, bandaging the clothed gash I got from earlier when Simon had attacked me. Damn bitch.


    At least it isn¡¯t bleeding any more. I need to think clearly.


    Separate my thoughts.


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    <li style="font-weight: 400">Finell saw me and did absolutely nothing. Is she on my side? Why''d she protect me? She loves Lisa? Why would she betray her? Does she not believe the THPP cause? I remember Lisa, Finell, Simon and Jane when we were kids. The only reason we met was because our parents were a part of THPP. </li>


    </ol>


    <hr>


    <ol>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Simon just does what he does to survive. I¡¯ve been fighting my whole life to get away. After the lies, abuse and manipulation. They¡¯ll tell The Dominican Republic and Alliance that Simon was a part of THPP and they¡¯ll go after him. I did hide a note in Simon¡¯s shirt since the talk I had before Lisa came. I¡¯ll need to find a- </li>


    </ol>


    A knock echoed through the room. I cracked the door open, holding a knife behind my back.


    ¡°Caught youuu¡± Finell smiled.


    I stepped back, about to lung.


    ¡°Woah, you both had terrible reactions¡± Simon said.


    Finell pushed me into the room, Simon following. They locked the door.


    ¡°I was just thinking about you bitches!¡± I snapped.


    ¡°You''re the one who wrote the note!¡± Simon exclaimed, running his hand through his dark black hair.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t think you¡¯d bring her!¡± I snapped.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to be a part of THPP but she loves Lisa!¡±


    ¡°Addy, I¡¯m right here and I saved your fucking ass from being killed!¡±


    ¡°I could have hurt you more than that! Please!¡± Simon said, placing his hand on my shoulder to calm me down.


    I breathed in and out, trying to think clearly.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ sorry¡± I sighed.


    I sat down on the bed, Finell and Simon sat next to me.


    ¡°We¡¯re coming with you, we''ll help you take the THPP down¡­¡± Finell said, tearing up.


    ¡°Why are you helping me?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Lisa¡­ I¡¯ve seen the experiments, I never questioned her, I always went against my morals and in the end¡­ she would betray me for power¡± Finell said, tears pouring down her cheeks.


    Simon looked concerned as always. I wonder what Finell found to make her believe that, or see to make her believe that.


    I looked at Simon, waiting for his explanation.


    ¡°You already know I don¡¯t want to be apart of THPP, plus that note, Finell told me she was planning to leave so I came up with us joining you, if you¡¯d allow us, I mean I got lucky that this was you, I almost lost you but I saw how you acted in the plaza and steal some money from the ATM.¡±


    I smiled, feeling better that people would be with me.

 Chapter 4

    <h2>Lito: Called In</h2>


    ¡°Lito Son!¡± Mrs Quora yelled.


    I walked forward, into the white room.


    Mr Fredrick was sitting down at his light brown desk, black leather chair, flies cluttered among the shelves and desk. His bald spot made himself look greasy, the lab coat not helping his complexion.


    Mrs Quora was standing next to the desk.


    She was a tall skinny lady who had her black hair in a bun, threatening black eyes and a lab coat.


    ¡°You''re the special one? You look like a normal boy, not one with above average powers¡± he inspected.


    ¡°Well, remember sir, we can¡¯t put the definition on powers, we don¡¯t use our powers due to laws but someday the people with most power will rule the world¡± Mr Quora smiled.


    Her smile was unnerving, as she flipped her pen across her fingers.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be sent to the main home-¡±


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    ¡°But my friends!¡± I snapped.


    ¡°You have no choice in this, you¡¯ll see your friends eventually, either while coming back or when you''re there, if your power is truly exceptional, hopefully while coming back¡± Mr Fredrick smiled, his greasy face glistening.


    I wanted to stay in my home. I have three friends, why would I want to leave them? I clenched my fists, nodding patiently as anger boiled inside of me.


    ¡°Okay then, Lito please continue on with your normal day¡± Mrs Quora said, shooting another unnerving smile.


    I walked out of the small room into the hallway.


    Ediever was leaning against the hallway. Her white hair dangled to her shoulders.


    Ediever wasn¡¯t born blind but they made her blind. She can¡¯t even use her power anymore.


    ¡°Hey Eds¡± I said, leaning across from her.


    ¡°Hey¡± she said, trying to find me in the room.


    I held out my arm as she grabbed it.


    ¡°What did they say?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the main home.¡±


    I could see her face become pale.


    ¡°But most people don¡¯t come back from that! Day is the only one too and she¡¯s¡­ changed¡± Ediever said in a very somber tone.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you to bed¡± I said, not wanting to talk about the subject.


    I walked her to the girls'' beds. Once she was in bed I went into the boys beds. I went into the top bunk -above Hope, who was sleeping- I tried to sleep. But couldn¡¯t as nightmares consumed my mind.