Superpowers are a hell of a thing. It warps minds and brings with it its own moral quandaries. Do the powers change the person or simply free them of inhibition. We find that it's the common man who determines whether you're the hero or the villain. But such notions are often too simple and quite wrong.
The world is not black and white. There is no right or wrong. A person cannot be categorized so easily. We are complex beings governed by basic needs and ambitious wants. Too often we find it's too much to handle. We shut down our common sense and simply throw our lot in with the mob mentality. It's easier to believe than to reason. Which leads us to our main man J.
"I don't believe in powers." - J
"No way, wtf is wrong with you. Where have you been for the last decade? Under a rock?" - S
"I know that we're taught they exist, but I've never seen anyone with such abilities." - J
"I see them all the time on the news. I even saw one taking the subway just yesterday." - S
"I guess I'm just one of those people who need to see it to believe it." - J
"You're in denial man, I don't have time for this. We'll talk later." - S
"k. Later." - J
J or Jogn looks up from his phone only to peer out at the dark void of a room. A ragged cot runs the length of this small chamber. Adjacent to the bed is a tall hickory dresser with an ancient television on it. Jogn, of average height and complexion walks out the door of this small room. Still in darkness. J flips the switch that lights up the whole place. An empty run-down boxing gym lays before him. Dozily glancing at the clock, he sees it's about 4am. He starts his stretching and then begins his morning routine. Exercise, Eat, Jog, then off to work.
Stolen story; please report.
Conveniently, Jogn's job as a 9-5 dishwasher at a shitty Chinese restaurant is within walking distance of his home. The pay is garbage but still better than nothing. The down-trodden J works his way through the day only to return to his little slice of heaven in the old-ass boxing gym. Eat, Exercise, Surf the Net then to sleep for a bit before starting it all again. The only thing that breaks up this monotony is the pleasant conversations J has with his friend Sara and the payday that happens once every two weeks.
Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt - Payday!
J checks his phone and turns off his alarm. "It's payday." J says to himself with a slight smirk on his face. Skipping his morning routine J sleeps until it's time to get his check. J awaking later in the morning, jaunts over to the restaurant.
Walking straight up to his boss, Jogn works up the nerve to ask for his pay.
"Chin, I'm here for my pay." - Jogn announces.
A slightly greasy paranoid man of Asian descent stands in the back room staring down at his clipboard.
"The what now?" – Chin Clarifies.
Somewhat pissed Jogn looks around then speaks again.
"My, pay. The pay that I earn. From the job I have here."
Chin chuckles to himself as if the joke he plays on J every time is funny.
"Ah, right. Don’t spend it all in one place." – Chin hands over a small envelope.
Looking down at the greased stained envelope J grips it tightly.
"... Thanks." – J whispers under his breath.
Speeding out the door, J flashes a look at his check and heads to the bank. Four-hundred whole dollars earned for the past two weeks. It seems almost criminal for the amount of work put in. J now waiting in line to make a deposit at the bank, stares off into the distance dreaming of better circumstances.
Just outside, a small gang of people armed with weapons and dressed in "intimidating" punk-rock clothes walk down the street. A woman from the gang with bright pink hair dressed in black leather stands in front of the banks doors. She gives her gang a quick look and power-screams at the door.
Glass breaks everywhere and brick starts to crumble within a 5-meter radius near the scream revealing the bank lobby. As the dust settles the gang enters with weapons readied. J looks on at the rubble and at the armed gang completely confounded. The rest of the people in the bank either run for cover or cower.
Suddenly a small text-box flashes before Jogn's eyes.
[https://i.imgur.com/Pm5j4wz.png]