^FINAL EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICAL ENTITY AMALGAMATION COMPLETED^
^BOOTING SYNTHETIC SENSORY ORGANS… PLEASE WAIT…^
^...3^
^...2^
^...1^
^INITIATING^
“...”
Like waking up from a nightmare, the party, the fire, Clare, and that immeasurable pain of feeling like my brain was being electrocuted and burned. Questioning my actual reality, I start to sob uncontrollably.
After feeling a breeze, I realize I'm alive and can feel my body again. I open my eyes to see the red and blue early morning sky, ‘Damn, I wanted to say…another unfamiliar ceiling.’
Tears still in my eyes, I think, ‘But the pain….why do I not feel pain, though? What in the hell happened to me?’
I slowly rise, sitting up. I look down, my eyes widening. I notice that the burns on my arms and legs are gone. I also realize Im stark naked.
“Well, that's a problem.” ‘I think I have some old pants behind the seat in my truck.’
Trying to shake off the feeling of being tortured, looking around, I seem to be in a neighboring field that has only been seeded for grass this year.
‘Lucky me, the fire would've had difficulty spreading this way. I have no idea how long I have been here but judging from the sky, it's almost 6am.’
I quickly stand up only to accidentally kick my feet out awkwardly and instantly face plant into the earth.
“WHOA holy shit!”
I thought I was still drunk from last night and dreamed up that hellish nightmare. Rolling over, I sit up again.
‘That voice I heard said something about Booting System and stuff fusing into my body, plus I’m completely healed too. I remember it way too vividly to just be a dream. There's no way, right?’
‘This is just insane but,’ “........system.”
“...”
“......ok, ummm menu!..start!..pause!..super powers activate! go go go!”
‘How do I view my status or abilities?’ “Oh, It's real holy shit!” ‘I guess it's controlled with my thoughts, interesting.’
I'm currently looking at a goddamn game screen right now.
At this point in time, I should have been more excited about this. I have read plenty of books and watched enough tv to understand this exact scenario, but I don't even know what I'm looking at. I was still naked in the middle of a field too.
‘Let's get some pants first and go home. I'll figure this out later.’
Standing slowly, I attempt to get used to whatever is wrong with my body now. It feels like my body is weightless and wants to knee-high whenever I take a step. ‘This is so weird.’
Looking around, I can recognize some of the windbreaks and gravel roads. I try to keep to the treeline to hide my nakedness and find a piece of plastic grocery bag caught in some bushes, quickly tying it around my front. ‘Better than nothing, I guess.’
While returning to where I think my pickup truck should be, hoping it's not destroyed by the fire, I have come to understand that I am VERY strong for some reason. While jumping over a split fence, I crushed it with my grip. Yeah, that's right, I reduced a half-foot-wide log to splinters instantly.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
‘Well, that's awesome and terrifying. I should probably not hug anyone for a while.’
I can see where the fire has reduced the secluded clearing to ashes, with a few trees and bushes remaining barren of their leaves and several cars and trucks burnt and charred. Eventually, my truck comes into view the paint and tires are completely melted.
Walking around, I come to the driver's side door. The handle has disappeared from the intense heat, so I break the glass. The dash and seats seem a bit melted but not too bad. Hopeful, I lean the seat forward and spy some old pants.
Putting them on, I make my way back toward the road I had initially run to, passing the now burnt, crumbling fence I had once dragged Clare over. I hope she made it out ok.
Walking through the burnt field, I see some emergency vehicles parked on the gravel road in the distance.
I assumed they thought I was injured the way they were panicking when I showed up. Thinking quick, I made up a bull shit story about how I got wasted and fell asleep in the next field over.
They were astounded at my luck. I told them my truck and everything on me was burnt and asked if they could give me a ride home.
They obliged after giving me a once-over in one of the ambulances still on the scene. Noting my perfect health, they released me to a police officer who could take me home.
“You’re an extremely lucky boy. A few people died out there, ya know.” the officer says.
I immediately stiffen.
Taking a breath, I ask, “Do you happen to know the names of those who died, officer? Is Clare or Derek amongst them?”
“Clare? No, that family whisked her away quickly. However, your friend Derek is in some serious trouble. I can't say too much, as the investigation is still ongoing.” The officer says with a gruff.
“We were actually looking for you and a few others that have yet to be located. I'll have to call the Chief to tell him you’re alive and well. This was quite the tragedy for our small town.”
“I see,” I reply with a saddened face. ‘At least they are both alive and safe.’
‘I knew it was Clare’s last night to be with all of us because she was supposed to be on the plane for Europe first thing in the morning but…Clare, I hope to be able to see you again someday.’
The officer pulls up to my home. Seeing my Ma and Dad sitting on the porch holding each other makes tears well in my eyes. The door opens for me, and I run to my parents.
The moment my parents embraced me, joyous crying poured from all three of us. My mother could barely stand while my father nearly killed us with a bear hug.
It wasn't until later, after we all calmed down and went inside that I was told the full scope of what had actually happened last night.
“Murder?”
My dad proceeds to tell me the little of what he knows from the police, mentioning that they had found numerous cans of what they think is kerosene and that someone had dumped it all around the area.
The main suspect was some kid who brought the fire extinguishers and books to the party. They suspect it's an attempt at some kinda deranged mass murder-suicide plot.
“That's insane! But what about Derek? The officer said he is in trouble?”
My father gets a serious look on his face, leans forward, and says, “Alex, everyone there at that field was trespassing on the Patterson’s property to have that party. Derek being the organizer, they want to hold him responsible for the catastrophe.”
The thought of my best friend being imprisoned or in legal trouble to such a degree had me utterly stunned. I collapse into my seat at the dining room table we’ve gathered around.
“Obviously, they aren’t charging him for the burn victims and murders, but there was still a mass fire. The Pattersons are potentially out tens of thousands of dollars in damage.”
My mom tried to console me by rubbing my back. “Honey, why don't we give him some time and let him get out of those filthy pants, where are the clothes you went to the party with?”
Before I can answer, my father says, “Ah, real quick, a detective wants to speak to you.
I imagine he will call soon or could be coming here now.” And as if on cue
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
My father stands up and walks to the door as Ma and I peer from the table.
“Hello Mr. Reynolds, I'm Detective Clide with the Hickelsville Police Department. We had spoken on the phone.”
Not much happened with Detective Clide. My family knew better than to openly tell the police anything so my folks discussed finding a lawyer before giving a statement. That seemed to piss him off more than anything, mumbling something about “think of the families” or some such.
Granted, I really did want to talk to them, but I didn’t know what to say, considering I didn't even know what had happened to me, let alone anything else.
The Detective quickly left, and I turned to my parents. Ma hugged me again, then held her nose, saying I stank like earth and fire. She motioned me to get showered and some rest.
I truly was exhausted. I felt like I had run a marathon, both physically and mentally. Finally, after a decent shower, I crawled into bed and let a proper sleep take me away.