The Sanctuary, a safe haven for evolved humans to live out their lives in peace. Located in New York City, Times Square, the same place where "The Day" occurred, the ruined section of the city had been turned into the only place on the East Coast of the America where evolved humans could turn to without being killed. Thanks to the powers of the one called "Guardian," this person's force field extended to a radius of over twenty miles. An unbreakable field that the government still could not figure out how to enter, stood strong thirty years after that fateful day. Shrouded in a mystical blue light that even touched the sky, the barrier could be seen from very far away.

The force field housed over thirty thousand evolved humans seeking refuge, including a young boy named Lemon. At fifteen years old, the boy had never seen anything past that radiant blue barrier in the sky. He was brought to the sanctuary as a newborn infant. The only personal belonging found on the baby was a silver necklace which he still wore around his neck. He had brown skin, black hair, brown eyes, and a healthy curiosity about the outside world. Were the people so bad beyond that barrier? Was there truly no way for them to coexist with one another? Those were the questions that often went through the boy’s mind as he often wandered aimlessly throughout the ruined city.

As evening came in, as well as the sunset, Lemon was finishing up patrol duty on the streets of District One. Though the sanctuary was technically a safe haven for evolved humans, that did not stop violent outbursts, fights, and mischief throughout the place. This self-governed area employed any resources they could in order to maintain order. That included Lemon, a young boy with incredible powers. He was patrolling the district along with his partner, Elias. He was the same age as Lemon, and they'd been patrolling their district together since they were ten-year olds.

"How much longer do we have left? Can we stop already? I'm so hungry," Elias complained.

"Yeah, I feel you. We still got about thirty minutes, though, so hang in there," Lemon replied as they walked through the quiet streets. "I could go for a burger myself," he said, rubbing his stomach.

"I'm tired of this shit. I want a new job."

"Well, you're not good at anything else," Lemon grinned with a snarky smile.

"Damn. Well, you ain't wrong. But, damn. Why you gotta be so blunt all the damn time?" Elias remarked.

"My bad. I'll work on that, for sure."

"Yeah, whatever. Man, this is so boring. Hardly anything ever happens besides breaking up some drunk fights every now and then. We damn sure haven't spotted any moles since we started."

"That's a good thing in my book. I like when things are peaceful!" Lemon said.

"Yeah, well, peace won't last forever once the outsiders get serious about invading us. What do we do then, Lemon?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'll throw your ugly ass at them. Good chance they'll flee once they get a good look at ya."

"You don't take shit serious!" Elias said, lightly karate chopping Lemon on the back of his head.

"Sorry, couldn't help it. I think we'll just have to cross that bridge when it gets here. No point of living in fear, am I right? Besides, I'm planning to leave this place soon regardless. Go explore the world, you know?"

"You're still talking about that, L? You'll die out there so quick."

"Hm, ya really think so? I'm pretty strong," Lemon said confidently.

"You'd be no match for a hero, though."

"Oh, yeah? Have you ever seen a hero?"

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"Well, no... But, I heard they're really strong. Like, the strongest!"

"Well, they've got another thing comin' if they think they can stop me. I won't let anyone get in my way of exploring the world!" Lemon said, pumping his fist in the air.

As Lemon and Elias wrapped up their evening patrol, and started to head home for the night, they heard chants in the opposite direction.

"Fight, fight, fight!" the crowd chanted from a distance.

"Fuck that. I'm off the clock," Elias said, continuing to walk home. "Let's let night patrol take care of that."

"Aw, you're no fun," Lemon remarked. "Go on home then. Tell the old hag I'll be a little late," He said, waving to his friend, and running towards the action.

Lemon ran toward the chants. He saw a small crowd gathered outside the local tavern, watching two evolved humans drunkenly fighting each other.

Is that old man Grikis back at it again?

An elderly man named Grikis, who was like an uncle to Lemon, hurled Icy punches at a younger man, looking around his thirties. Grikis had ice powers, but was not very proficient with them. The younger man seemed to have some light control over wind, but also seemed fairly inefficient. Grikis was not landing any of his attack, as he was being slightly pushed back by the wind user, who was just standing there. The younger man looked as if he didn't even want to fight Grikis.

"Please, just stop, old man!" the wind user pleaded.

"Hell no! You... you owe me money!" Grikis yelled.

"I don't owe you shit!"

Should I just let this play out, or what?

Lemon reluctantly interfered after a while longer. Stretching out his hands, he covered the old man, Grikis in a barrier. The old man was trapped, unable to exit, as he complained.

"Hey! What the fuck, Lemon! Why are you helping that bastard out?" Grikis yelled.

Lemon ignored Grikis as he approached the wind user. "Sorry about my friend here," he said. "Why were you two fighting, exactly?"

"It's no big deal. The old bastard's just drunk," the man smiled as the crowd quickly vanished. "He thinks I stole his beer at the tavern, then caused a whole scene out of it."

"Yeah, that sounds like him, alright. I'm very sorry for the trouble, mister. I'll see that the old man gets home."

Lemon walked the old man Grikis back to his house. He made the old man some tea, and stirred up conversation with him.

"Old man, I can't keep covering for you, ya know," Lemon said.

"I know... I know. It's just... I get out of control sometimes. You know that, Lemon."

"Might want to take it easy on the booze, yeah?" Lemon said.

"I can't stand this shit. Living in this hellhole, what else is there to do besides get drunk?" Grikis grumbled, as he sipped on his tea.

"Maybe, I don't know... try helping out for a change?"

The old man just silently grumbled incoherently for a bit. Lemon just listened and nodded, keeping the man company for a while longer.

Damn, it's getting late. Still haven't eaten yet, either.

"Got any food, unc?" Lemon asked.

"Booze," Grikis responded.

"Hm, sounds enticing. I think I'll pass on that tonight, though," Lemon laughed. "I'm gonna head out for tonight, but I'll be back to check up on you," he said as he walked toward the exit.

"S-sorry again for the trouble today, Lemon," Grikis said, as he teared up a bit. "I-I just still miss them," he said, trying to keep a stoic look on his face.

"Your family, you mean? Yeah, that sucks," Lemon said as he sat back down. "You had two daughters that got killed, right? You hardly ever bring that up. Must've really drowned in your sorrows tonight."

"You're an insensitive brat!" the old man chuckled, while wiping his teary eyes. "You never seemed to wonder about your parents, did ya, brat?"

"Eh, I have this necklace around my neck, so clearly someone loved me... I think. I'll just leave it at that for now. Besides, the old hag is a nagging enough mom for me," Lemon chuckled.

"You're damn right she is!" Grikis laughed. "LIsten kid, you gotta use your powers to yer full potential. I got a whole list of pranks you could pull on her!"

"Who's the kid again?" Lemon said, smiling. "You know what, I'll take a beer after all. I have a feeling that I'll be here for a while."

"That's what I'm talking about, kid! Spend some good quality time with yer old uncle Grikis," he said, rushing to his fridge, and grabbing two beers. "Cheers to a shitty life!" the old man said, cracking the top of his bottle.

"To a better life," Lemon smiled, taking a sip of the beer. "Damn, this shit's bitter!"

"What better life?" Grikis groaned.

"A life outside this damned barrier. I think... I'm gonna leave soon," Lemon said.

"How the hell are you gonna do that?"

"You want in?" Lemon said with a wry smile. "Whether you do or not, I'm gonna leave this place. Anyone who wants, is welcome to join me."

"You seriously have a death wish, don't ya, brat?"

"Not at all... I just know I'm strong!" he said, as he fiercely chugged the beer. "I'll take another one, old man," Lemon smiled.