"Oh yeah...that's where I started..." Zack said.
I started as a child born into a home from parents devoid of any empathy for their son...
"USELESS! WHY THE HELL CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT!!!" In his memory, the silhouette of an adult male was shouting at a younger Zack.
"You are nothing but a disappointment of an offspring." The silhouette of an adult female responded.
Birthed from successful parents, I was expected to be just as successful, if not more, but those bastards took it to another level. If I did anything that was even slightly below what they'd want, I'd get abused relentlessly.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!" The male silhouette exclaimed as he violently beat Zack with a leather belt. Belt Scars could be seen on his body as Zack profusely cried.
"SHUT YOUR DAMN CRYING!" The mother yelled as her silhouette sat on a brown leather couch and watched television. "DON'T EXPECT ANY DINNER TODAY FOR YOUR SUBPAR PERFORMANCE!!!"
To the outsider's eyes, I'm sure they were nice, but to me, they were monsters. For as long as I remembered, I was their plaything, which all their abuse was meant for.
I couldn't even have fun. They wouldn't allow me to make friends in school and only wanted me to focus on excelling in my studies.
"I'm...going to leave for school now..." A teenage Zack said to his parents.
"Hurry up and get the hell out." The mom said as she was reading the newspaper and drinking what seemed to be tea. With a depressed expression, Zack opened the door.
"Oh, and don't forget..." The dad added. "If I hear you're making any friends and not focusing on school...I'll beat the shit out of you."
"...Okay."
As I aged, the abuse only got worse. With people being born with abilities becoming increasingly common, they wanted a child with one, but their disdain for me only grew when I showed no signs of power.
"GODDAMMIT! YOU'RE SHIT IN ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE ANY OF THOSE BLESSED POWERS!!!" The mother berated Zack as he silently listened. "AND NOW YOU'RE JUST LYING AROUND INSTEAD OF STUDYING!!!"
"...Sigh..."
"DID YOU JUST SIGH AT ME!?" The mom snapped. "DO YOU WANT ME TO KILL YOU!?"
"...I'm not even bad in academics..." Zack softly responded. "I'm third in my class--"
Before he could finish talking, the female silhouette smacked him across the face, causing Zack's head to knock into the wall.
"YOU THINK THIRD PLACE IS GOOD ENOUGH!? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!?" The mom said as she repeatedly slapped him. Zack's face quickly became red. "I SUPPOSE I SHOULD KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO YOU! WAIT UNTIL YOUR DAD COMES HOME FROM WORK!!!"
Those monsters never gave me anything good. On top of the abuse and pressure I experienced daily, I was forced to take part-time jobs to acquire 'job experience'. Well, I guess if all that stuff to erode my mental state never took place, I wouldn't have watched what I did on that day.
Coming home from school, Zack noticed that his parents weren't home. Cautiously, Zack looked around the house to make sure.
"T...They aren't home..." Zack said. "They probably have a busy day at work..."
He stood for a second before snickering. Immediately, he turned on the television.
"Finally, I can finally watch the TV!"
Without any hesitation, Zack searched for movies. He watched a few movies in different genres, even violent action movies, which he enjoyed. As he watched the films, it quickly became late evening, and his parents were not home.
"Hmm...that's strange," Zack said as he ate chips on the couch. "My parents were never this late..."
Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door.
"Oh...they are here!!!" Zack said as he frantically turned off the television and brushed off any crumbs off the couch. Feeling contempt with his covering of evidence, he opened the door.
"Good even--"
"Are you Zack Isaac?" An unknown man said. The male seemed to be wearing a trench coat, and beside him was another male, both wearing officer badges.
"Huh?"
"We have...unfortunate news." The other officer said. "You might need to sit down to hear this."
The reason why my parents weren't home that day was made clear. They were murdered in an alleyway, as told by the officers that came to my house. They were killed by a serial killer who was at large. However, I never felt any sadness.
"Thank you...for letting me know, officers," Zack said as the silhouettes left.
"If you need anything...we will be there for you..." The officer with a trench coat stated. After they exited, Zack quickly locked the door.
There was no noise as Zack was silent. Suddenly, a twisted smile emerged on his face.
"Ah, finally..."
Even though I hated them, I still attended their funeral. Seeing them go six feet under was my way of severing all ties. But I guess they still had control over me...even after death, as I attended school to become successful...so I wouldn't become useless like they said I was.
I was nearly 18 when they died, and I could care for myself, so I continued to live alone in their house. Since no one was at the house to abuse me, I could do things like watch the television more...I even got into a habit of...watching the news more.
"Please beware of the serial killer, Jack the Ripper, as deemed by law enforcement, who is at large." The news reporter said as Zack was watching the television. "His modus operandi involves torturing his victims by either cutting off their body parts or even eviscerating them, before murdering them by decapitating or removing their hearts."
"Wow, what a sociopath," Zack said. "I wonder if this is the guy who killed my parents."
"Unlike most serial killers, there are reports of him murdering at any time of the day. It's suspected that he has a speed blessing. Please, if you see his whereabouts, contact the nearest police station."
"He attacks at any time of the day, huh?" Zack said. "He doesn't worry about anything, huh...how envious."
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
I was oddly fascinated with him, so I'd always watch the television and even search the web for any updates about Jack. For two years, I'd follow up on Jack, even to the day he was caught.
"Ladies and gentlemen of America, the worst mass murderer known as Jack the Ripper has been apprehended." The reporter said, which piqued Zack's interest. "Jack the Ripper, real name Jack Knight, is responsible for the murders of over a thousand innocent people."
Displaying on the screen, was a younger Jack. In the picture, he had a smug smile.
"Wow, that smile is kinda cool," Zack said. "Wait, have they confirmed the people that Jack killed?" Zack said before immediately grabbing his phone. He began to search for Jack the Ripper's victims.
Upon clicking a link to an official criminal details website, Zack saw a very long list of Jack's victims. After a seemingly endless scrolling, he found what he was looking for.
"Ah...Samuel and Erica Isaac...my parents." Zack said with a smile. "So that is the guy that killed them...Thank you, Jack."
"When asked why he committed this atrocity, this was the deranged psychopath's response," The reporter said before a video of Jack came on-screen. He seemed to be sitting in an interrogation room, his hands and legs chained up. He was also surrounded by super soldiers. Sitting in front of him seemed to be an interrogator.
"So, why did you do it." The interrogator asked.
"Do what?" Jack responded in confusion.
"Don't play dumb. Why did you kill all those people!?" The interrogator snapped. "Do you realize you're the most hated person in America!?"
"Oh, that's what you mean," Jack said before smiling. "It's simple...I slaughtered those buggers for the same reason you guys eat, mate. There was no deeper meaning or anything. I was never scared of being hated by anyone...I just wanted to kill. I love it more than anything."
The clip stopped.
"As you can see, Jack the Ripper is just a sick man."
Strangely, Zack's eyes widened in admiration.
I never bore any grudge it was the opposite. I was just in awe at how Jack could be so free. I was also jealous. While he did what he wanted, I still was haunted by my parents, even after they were dead. The thought of defying my parents was still impossible but Jack had placed a big seed in my mind, which would quickly grow.
I became addicted to watching crime documentaries about Jack...I was truly envious of how unshackled to anything he was.
The innate need to live up to expectations instilled in me by my parents was eating away at my mental state. When I'd get what my parents would consider as subpar results, I'd become depressed. But the nail in the coffin quickly came...
In class, Zack seemed to be by himself, studying.
"Damn...I have to prepare for the finals..."
"Look on Zack." A silhouette said as they stared at Zack. They garnered the attention of a group of silhouettes. "He's always studying. Does he never try to make any friends?"
"He's just an introverted nerd. Just ignore him." Another silhouette said as the group started to chuckle.
Hearing their conversation, Zack immediately turned to them with a shocked and distraught expression. In response, the group averted their gaze.
Those bastards that knew nothing about my life were saying all that shit...I've always yearned to make friends, but I never could! My parents affected me so badly that I couldn't make friends. That little conversation they had caused me to snap...
After hearing them bad-mouthing him, the only thing that Zack could think of was Jack's monologue about his reasons for murder.
"You...bastards..." Zack softly said. "You think...I can't do what I...want? I'm just as free!"
"Huh--"
BOOM!!!
In a different area, the school's cafeteria exploded.
"AH!!!!" Screams were audible as students from around the school were seen frantically running. Even Zack and his classmates were surprised as some hid and others (including Zack) hid underneath their desks.
"W-What...?"
In the sudden disaster, professors tried to help students, and first responders quickly arrived.
Oh yeah, the gas cylinders in the cafeteria blew up. Numerous students, teachers, and cafeteria workers died. It was a scary time, but everything returned to normal...until it didn't...haha.
One day in Zack's home, he heard knocking.
"Huh, someone's there?" Zack said. "I don't even have any friends..."
Reluctantly, he opened the door. He noticed several men in black suits waiting.
"Hello..." One of them said.
"Who are you--" Before Zack could ask, one of them put a cloth on his mouth, much to his shock. Immediately, he tried to struggle, but it was futile.
"Shhh...go to sleep." The man with the cloth said. Eventually, all the energy left his body as Zack fell unconscious.
* * *
"--Up."
"-Aking up."
Zack's vision came to as he awoke. The first thing that met his eyes were numerous men with black suits and ties standing around him.
"You're awake, kid." An individual said. His clothing style was different from the rest - along with the black suit and tie, he donned suspenders and a dark grey fedora hat. "You can call me Director...because that's who I'll be to you soon."
"W-Where...am I?" The visibly scared Zack asked. He realized that he was unable to move, as he got chained to a chair.
"You are in an experimenting room of an illegal organization." The individual responded with a strange smile. "That's all you need to know...bring the goods in."
While Zack was stricken with fear, another individual in a black suit entered. In their hand was a glass box, and in it was a frag grenade.
"W...What are you...doing?" Zack asked as the individual rested the box on the ground away from everyone.
"Do you remember the recent explosion that occurred at your school?" The Director asked. "The explosion was a result of a blessed ability being used."
"Huh? W...Why are you telling me this--"
Suddenly, the director placed the barrel of a pistol at Zack's head. Immediately, Zack broke out in sweat and began to hyperventilate.
"We know it, Zack." The director said. "You were the one that did it..."
"W...wha...t?" Zack stuttered due to extreme fear.
"All our sources point to you."
"I...It wasn't me!" Zack exclaimed. "I...I don't have a blessed ability!"
"Oh, don't lie." The director advised. "My organization is looking for blessed humans to combat those pesky super soldiers that might get in the way of our business. Do you see that grenade over there?" He asked before pointing to the grenade in the glass box. "You have five seconds to make it explode, and if you don't...you will die."
"But...I don't--"
"5...4...3..." The director began counting down, much to Zack's distraught. "...2..."
In desperation, Zack looked over to the grenade.
"...1--"
BOOM!
Suddenly, the grenade exploded, immediately causing the shattered glass to be tossed around.
"Heh, you pass..." The director said as he removed the pistol from Zack's forehead. Zack, on the other hand, was sweating profusely as he nearly lost his life, but for some reason, he was smiling strangely.
I nearly died...I nearly freaking died, but for some reason I was happy! Even though I was responsible for killing all those people in the cafeteria...I couldn't help but smile. My parents were angry that I never had an ability, but I did have one the entire time, and they weren't alive to see it!!!
"Looks like you're going to be useful..." The director added as the men were untying Zack. His words made Zack surprised.
I knew I was weird because even though I nearly died, I felt happy that I was called useful for the first time in my life. So even though they treated me poorly to turn me into a war machine, I was grateful, because I learned a lot more about my power. They even strengthened my body with drugs to be over the level of regular humans...
I was even forced on missions to commit terrorism for them...but I didn't care, because...I felt free, like the ones I watched on television. But when you, the developer, came to rescue me...I was elated.
You offered me the chance to do missions with criminals I admired, including Jack. Killing my abusive parents and encouraging me to be free...that was when I realized who my true friends should be...
"So, you remember now?" The developer asked.
So, that's what it's like for your life to flash before your eyes...
"...Yeah, I do remember," Zack responded. Beside him was the steel rod the super soldier threw, which he picked up. "Where I started...and why I'm doing all this..."
"What the hell...is that bastard doing...?" The super soldier muttered as he noticed Zack picking up the steel rod.
This must be the reason why I've been training my volatile manipulation blessing...
"I want to be free...like Jack and the rest," Zack said as he slowly stood up. "And for that freedom...I'll blow away any damned obstacle out of my way!!!"
Surprising the super soldier, Zack mustered his strength and ran at him.
But how...how can he still run with those injuries!?
Suddenly, Zack whacked him across the side with the rod.
"Ugh! Dammit!" The super soldier grunted as he staggered, but in rage, he grabbed Zack's neck with his working arm. He began to choke him.
"DIE!!!" The super soldier declared.
Clenching the steel rod with a determined expression, Zack raised his arm. Suddenly, the rod began glowing.
"WHAT!?" The super soldier exclaimed with a bewildered expression.
SCREW OFF, OBSTACLE!!!
Putting his back into it, Zack struck the super soldier in the face with the rod.
BOOM!
The rod released an explosion after connecting, knocking the super soldier to the ground. With the side of his face and eye that Zack struck burnt, the super soldier died instantly.
Zack was running on adrenaline as his breathing patterns sped up. His faster breathing was blended with coughing after being choked by the super soldier.
What...what the heck was that? Did I just make the rod, a non-explosive...explode...???
"Haha, great job, Zack." The developer commended. "I knew you had some development in ya."