I used to think that you could accomplish anything if you put the work in. Whenever I started any sort of sport or activity that involved competition I was never the best. There was always someone was was more experienced, more talented, more fit that bested me. But I put the effort in, I did what they wouldn’t do. I trained an hour longer, I rested less, I put in more effort. That’s what made me push and claw to beat them.

But when no matter how hard you work, how much you sweat you can’t beat something that isn’t up to you. All Ashley had to do was get kicked around a bit and bam she becomes something special, while I go through hell and all I get is sore. There’s no point to be pointing fingers and saying it isn’t fair. From what I learned so far life isn’t fair and I’ve got to deal with that.

But maybe I’m over-reacting as its only the morning of the second day. As per usual I grabbed my stuff and headed over to the bathroom. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and opened my door to greet two guys. One wore a disgusted sneer as he looked at me, the way he held himself reminded me of all the bullies who thought they were superior to others. Instantly I disliked him, the other was familiar as I met him yesterday before I went into the prep room.

“Finnally, if you’re done primping yourself asshole I can take my shower,” he said intentionally hitting my shoulder as he pushed past me into the bathroom. Irritation pulsed through me as I clenched my fist. It took a few seconds to get back into control, in times of stress I develop a slight temper that I have to control. I knew I only took ten minutes for everything

“I’m going to have to apologize for my roommate Mack, he can be quite a jerk at times,” the black guy said as he stook his hand out which I shook.

“I’m Jayden by the way” he went on.

“Chase, so you guys are my roommates?” I moved away from the door now as the shower could be heard being turned on behind me in the bathroom.

“Yes, we didn’t get to introduce ourselves yesterday due to us leaving at a different time” he said.I nodded as I heard Julian calling from our room to ask why I was taking so long. “Ok man see you later”

“Ok man see you later,” I said as I shifted to leave to my room.

“Yeah, you too” he replied as the door opened behind me to reveal the sneering face of Mack.

“You’re still here?” He questioned in such a way like he was accusing me of a crime when in reality I was just standing there chatting. I felt that moment where I wanted to punch him straight in the face and gloat in his defeat. But really I just walked back to my room with an impassive look on my face.

Julian and I went for lunch until we parted ways to our respective control rooms. Just like yesterday, the room was empty, I sat down into the reclinable chair waiting once again. I fiddled with my suit feeling the smooth texture until I heard the door open.

“Good morning Chase! Glad to see you still here” She said brightly as she walked over to the tray of needles that lay beside me.

“Good morning” I replied as I frowned, it sounded like she thought I’d quit or be in a hospitable somewhere licking my wounds.

“Why did you think I wouldn’t be here?” I asked as she filled a needle with the serum.

“That’s not what I meant silly,” She said chuckling nervously.

But before I said anything else she plunged the needle into my neck, a little bit more forcefully than yesterday I felt. She led me to the door and pushed me in once again. I was starting to feel like she was hiding something. Or maybe she just really didn’t like questions.

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Once again it took some time for the drug to kick in but this time it hit me harder than I remembered. It was silent, but suddenly massive hands grabbed my arms forcing them behind me rooting me in place. I struggled with all my might but against the unmoving figure and his iron lock resistance seemed futile.

As silent as a cat in the shadows in the night, a soft glow appeared in front of me. It burned brighter and brighter till Its shine allowed me to see what was happening. A person (a woman I presume) stood before me, with an outstretched hand that held a flame.

A deep blue at its core and bright orange around that, the flame grew larger, now encompassing her entire hand. Shadows danced around me as the flame grew larger until finally, it sprung forward towards me.

The flames licked my body as the staggering heat burned my skin. The heat left my mouth dry, and my hair singed. Eventually, the screams were drowned out by the crackling of flames now an inferno. What made it worse is as my vision started to darken they the flames withdrew to allow me to stay conscious. In a way, it was a blessing and a curse, as it gave me time to breathe fresh air not thick with soot or ash. But it kept me awake to deal with the agony of the flames merciless grip on the strings of my person.

 I had to do something, to snuff out the fire that burned. But as much as I pushed the wall that separated me from the endowment of power it never wavered.

<>

Again I lay in the infirmary, but now with curtains drawn around me. I tested my body slightly moving it in different directions to get a feel for my body. The raw pink skin slightly hurt when I moved but the pain wasn’t as bad as yesterday. I quickly ripped off the tubing on me and sat up. This time there was my clothes and my phone already on the desk next to me.

I quickly got changed and checked the time. Surprisingly I could still make it Class, even though I missed lunch I headed over to the Classroom. I knew I should be feeling proud of making it through the second day but I couldn’t help but feel disapointment for nothing happening. It took a few minutes since I took the stairs but eventually I got there five minutes before the specified arrival time.

I entered the Classroom and was immediately face to face with Mack. His face twisted into a grimace as he noticed me.

“Why’re you so red? Spend too much time in the sun?” He asked sarcasm all but dripping from his voice. I didn’t know what his problem was with me but he was really starting to grind my gears. But before I could respond I heard a familiar voice call out from the murmuring of conversations floating around the room.

“Hey Chase over here” Julian’s voice called out as he waving towards him and Jayden. Without even looking at Mach I walked past him toward Julian. The way the classroom was set up was different from a school classroom. Instead of desks and chairs, benches lining the walls the center bare. I sat next to Julian and Jayden who were glad that I was able to attend a class.

“Why are you so red?” Julian asked nervously as he scratched the back of his head.

“Because of the fire. I’m surprised you guys aren’t sporting the same” I answered as I looked at both of them more closely. Aside from a few bruises here and there they seemed fine.

“What fire?” Jayden asked obviously confused. But before I could elaborate on what I meant an authoritative voice spoke up.

“Everyone quiet down we are about to begin” I turned my head to face the man talking in the middle, to my surprise it was the same man I saw on my first day here. It was Mr.Richards. Instantly the room grew quiet which was an impressive feat given that we were a bunch of teenagers.

“Yesterday we talked about what we’ll be going over during your time here. Today is special since we normally don’t get to this point until later but this is as good a time as any” Mr.Richards said as he glanced around the room. Most of the people here sported confused faces as we didn’t really know what was going on.

“Today you’ll witness how the testing of your power goes. Hopefully, each and every one of you will experience it, It’s indubitably important for you to understand your limits.” He paused briefly before going on.

“Most people here aspire to be heroes, protecting the innocent from the villainous doings of people out there. To be a hero means many things, but most of all it means understanding yourself and your limits. I’ve seen many a hero fall due to cockiness of their own strength and power.”

His gravelly voice carried on as we listened “Being a superhero isn’t about how rare or flashy it is. A tool is only as powerful as the wielder and being a Super is no different. It’s a matter of life and death, to yourself as well as to others” Mr. Richards explained.

“Now off to the viewing room” he commanded as he stomped out of the room, obviously expected for us to follow.