Two weeks earlier, District 4
...
The shrill sound of an alarm clock echoed through the small apartment walls.
Jim stared at it in annoyance before harshly tapping its screen to silence it. He wondered why he wasted his money on it in the first place; he always found himself waking up before its insistent beeping began.
He lazily sat up, alarm in hand. He began scrawling through the melody options available in its system. If it was always going to interrupt his morning silence, it might as well provide him with some entertainment. He had paid a steep price for it after all.
He ended up choosing, Ring of Fire by Rone, it was a soft rock song that had been trending lately. Jim liked it quite a lot.
With a reluctant sigh, Jim rose from his cosy bed, his worn sheets rustling below him. Sighing, he noted that he needed to buy new ones.
Stretching, he surveyed his small room, the place had been slowly transformed to suit his taste.
A forty-inch transparent television sat mounted on the wall just above the foot of his bed.
The wall to the left of his bed was fitted with white shelves protruding from it as well as a small study table at the farthest corner.
The three top shelves had several novels arranged neatly on them. The corresponding two middle ones held school books, while the bottom one held various stationery neatly arranged.
The bed itself was fitted with shelves at the bottom sides where his few clothes and shoes were arranged.
To the right was his small open kitchen, which was relatively well furnished with even a small dining table and sits. And directly opposite his bed was a small door leading to the bathroom.
Despite its modest finishes, it felt like home.
He had been slowly transforming into an image of himself.
The walls were decorated with posters of his beloved video games and framed books that were a testament to his reading passions.
But today, his gaze was fixated on the offending alarm clock—a tacky, beeping monster that broke his peaceful slumber.
He couldn't help but imagine the pleasures he could have otherwise enjoyed: a new video game to indulge in, a gripping book to become lost in, or perhaps a set of beautifully made stationery, at least they would be useful.
These enticing alternatives taunted his thoughts, turning what had otherwise been a somewhat tedious morning into one of restlessness and remorse for lost opportunities.
The thought of what he could have done lingered in his mind unpleasantly, adding to the burden of his day-to-day life.
He prepared himself a scrambled egg and toast breakfast, along with a coffee.
Having eaten, he cleaned up the kitchen by washing the dishes and wiping the counters.
He took his bag and, after switching on his phone, music started playing over his headphones.
He walked to school, knowing he would likely be among the first pupils to arrive, as always.
Each day, he woke up before the earliest light peeped into his window, enjoying the silence and solitude that came from having an early start.
He awoke to chaos; he detested the chaos. Turning the corner, he slowed a fraction of an instant, sensing the peril ahead. Then, suddenly, a wildly bouncing red ball shot through the air, straight at him.
It was Jason, the notorious neighbourhood troublemaker, renowned for his blatant use of telekinesis.
Jim, himself completely devoid of any such abilities, could do nothing but watch as this kid taunted him.
A mixture of irritation and jealousy boils within him.
Jim half-heartedly smiled at incensed Jason, who was fuming with rage after missing yet another shot.
The usually effervescent boy whirled around, dejected, hurrying off towards his home, his footsteps echoing with annoyance along the pavement.
Jim shook his head in exasperation, a mixture of self-pity and annoyance churning in his stomach as he wondered why this kid was so intent on annoying him so relentlessly.
In a world where power was money, it was not uncommon to find others like him—individuals who had been denied extraordinary abilities, being mistreated. Especially since this world is ruled by those who could manipulate reality to their advantage.
While not an everyday occurrence, there were enough of them that friendship was feasible, but it never seemed to soften Jason's biting sarcasm.
Sighing in relief, Jim accepted bad luck, whispering prayers of gratitude to heaven that the boy's aim was still atrocious, so sparing him of any real danger.
He arrived at school forty minutes early, a welcome added bonus of time that filled his heart with an ecstatic sense of joy.
The usually chaotic hall was still, empty, and he was free to indulge himself in the tranquillity of it all.
He walked past, appreciating the familiar sight—the walls painted soft colours, filled with colourful posters promoting upcoming events, and the very highly polished floor reflecting dancing fluorescent lights above.
He walked over to his locker, the metal floor cold to the touch as he ran his finger over the lock mechanism, the soft click echoing within the room. Having just checked his timetable, he put his textbooks down carefully, double-checking each one was in its rightful place.
Having plenty of time to himself, he decided to replace his headphones with a book he had been waiting ages for: "Revenge of the Damned."
The cover, which had colourful artwork, welcomed him in, and he wished the pages within would transport him to an exciting world he had not yet encountered.
Shutting his locker, he walked to his homeroom class, eager to read as soon as he could. Two girls filled the classroom debating passionately about the new exchange students.
They were so engrossed in talking that they didn't even notice him entering the room. Not that they ever do, anyway.
He sat down quietly at his own desk and began reading. He didn't even realise that the other students had arrived until he looked up from his book and noticed the room was full.
The students were split up into their respective groups, the room echoing with a chorus of voices.
In this chaos, only three people stood out.
Dan, a good-looking guy with trendy glasses and wise eyes that twinkled behind them, sat studying, lost in a thick book, his eyebrow slightly furrowed in concentration.
His own reputation was as the most perceptive and serious of students in class. He kept others at arm's length, creating a near-reflexive solitude that he appeared to embrace.
Behind him sat Fray. She contrasted sharply with her surroundings, looking like she had been summoned straight out of a black and white film from centuries ago. Her waterfall-like, inky black hair spilling over her shoulders made her marble skin stand out even more, while the enigmatic look on her face gave an aura of mystery.
Her dark clothes and her solitary nature served to make her stand out even more.
All this gave her an almost otherworldly quality amongst the brighter personalities of her peers.
And then there was Jim—an ordinary boy whose presence didn't even make a dent amidst the bright weave of talent that surrounded him. He was defined by his lacklustre features: unexceptional dark hair, ordinary clothes, and a manner that merged so easily into the background.
His grades were generally middle-of-the-pack, and there was nothing particularly remarkable about him, but somehow he felt a quiet connection with both Dan and Fray, the other two misfits.
He glanced down at his phone, the screen flashing with light as it reminded him class would be starting soon. He sighed and set the book aside, casting a glance out at the outside by the window, seeing the gleaming school grounds. The campus truly was lovely for a public school.
The structures stood tall, their facades glowing with proper maintenance and trimmed with colourful flags flapping softly in the wind. The grounds were covered with green lawns, interrupted by vibrant flowerbeds that lent an air of beauty.
It was difficult to complain about the standard of education provided in such a well-maintained setting. Maybe a bit outdated, after all, it was still a public school
However, as he considered the meals served at the cafeteria, a scowl spread across his face.
The food there was a culinary disaster—each dish resembling a foul concoction that would be dangerous to taste and health, hence an actual threat to the culinary image of mankind.
It was no secret he deeply resented the food here, but it was cheap, and he couldn't afford to be picky with his limited funds.
The door creaked open as the home room teacher, Mr. Ken, stepped into the classroom, his shoulders slumped and his face creased with fatigue—a stark reminder of the never-ending demands placed on high school teachers.
This was a different world from the dynamo he had been at the beginning of his teaching career, then he was brimming with passion for moulding the minds of youth; now he looked as though the world had come crashing down on his shoulders.
His unlimited enthusiasm had been worn down by continuous interaction with many troublesome students, each meeting draining him of energy.
With a weary breath, he chose to sit and watch a historical documentary—a film of the intricacies of world history that they had all learned very well.
The old, familiar flickering images and voiceover promised a relief from the fatigue of the day, but they could see in the eyes of Mr Ken that even this would provide little solace to his dwindling enthusiasm.
The documentary offers an informative historical analysis of the early years of democracy, focusing on the various challenges it faced during its formative stages.
This significant period marked the beginning of individuals actively asserting their rights to freedom, leading to a dynamic atmosphere characterised by vigorous debates and compelling discussions of revolutionary concepts.
The film highlights the complexities and struggles involved in the establishment of democratic principles, shedding light on the transformative ideas that shaped this critical aspect of history.
As humanity grappled with these ideas, they collectively perceived the world in a completely different way.
This was a time of mental evolution, fueled by a commitment to scientific research, which laid down the groundwork for many of the principles and realities that we uphold today.
As human beings embarked on their journey of exploration through the diverse landscapes of the Earth, a very interesting encounter was had with a unique race known as the Farda.
At first glance, they were human, but their characteristics set them apart in remarkable ways.
The Farda were not just blessed with a sharp and highly intelligent mind that seemed to exist beyond the limits of normal human potential, not to mention that they possessed overpowering physical strength as well.
Their strong physiques exuded vitality and allowed them to perform acts of power, which would be unimaginable for a normal human.
Moreover, their remarkable dexterity permitted them to move around with such beauty and grace that it left witnesses speechless. Overall, all these attributes brought the Farda the tag "superhuman",
Unlike most humans, they sported patterns that resembled plant life greatly, but whose effect only rendered them prettier.
Having such rare qualities on display by such an unusual race, human beings embraced these unknown beings into their homes and hearts, integrating them into society with amazement and wonder.
Since most people were impressed with the extraterrestrial magnetism and superpowers of the Farda, they perceived these beings as heavenly or divine.
Though a tiny fraction of the human population remainedsceptical and questioned the ulterior motives behind the arrival of the Farda, the others gladly accepted this previously unimaginable alliance, infatuated with the seemingly boundless possibilities and transformations the arrival could bring to their lives.
The Farda, this enigmatic race of extraterrestrial beings, brought with them enormous amounts of highly sophisticated technology which fascinated human imagination.
Their most intriguing inputs were aimed at space travel and the revolutionary theory of portals—gateway systems capable of transporting entities across vast distances in the matter of a single blink.
But beneath the veneer of glib cooperation and shared knowledge lay a devious ulterior purpose.
While interacting with humans through seemingly peaceful exchange, the Farda were actually gathering intelligence, quietly observing Earth and its peoples.
Their ultimate goal was to gain mastery over a world they had initially underestimated, grappling with the shocking fact of possessing an intelligent race.
They revealed their real intentions after gaining tremendous amounts of information regarding mankind.
This discovery was characterized by violent actions that led to widespread destruction and loss of life in every corner of society, regardless of age or vigor.
With the Farda came super-powerful creatures akin to the animals of Earth but more ferocious and stronger.
Defence mechanisms of human beings in the form of nuclear bombs and guns were rendered useless against the superior technology of the Farda, rendering the human race defenceless against this attack.
During the time of impending doom, humankind was in a state of desperation. It was at this time that certain individuals began to display exceptional abilities.
Initially, these awakenings were considered to be accidental. But these awakenings eventually demonstrated a trend.
Scientists conducted studies and discovered that the individuals who had exhibited the exceptional abilities had one characteristic in common: all of them had undergone extreme pressure and had been tested to their limits.
This implies that the awakenings were not spontaneous but were a response to their desperate circumstances.
The first generation of individuals with the abilitylityes was referred to as the "Genesis."
They were primarily engaged in combat with the Farda, an aggressive force threatening humankind.
During the war, each branch of the military was commanded by a practitioner of these abilities, which existed in many different categories, including combat and intelligence to defense.
This variance allowed them to be effective within multiple industries, and they became an important contributor to the fight against both the Farda and their respective beasts.
Over time, it became more common for children to be born with these abilities, solidifying humanity's resistance to these potent effects even further.
"Like, just remember that some individuals don't possess ability," Mr. Ken said, thinking about it as he paused the classroom video. He looked around the room, his expression serious and focused.
"It's not that big of a deal. I mean, certainly one in every 100 people might be without those things, so we should not criticize other individuals for it." He gave the dazed students a strong stare.
Just as everyone was becoming abominably dull, the large bell rang, breaking the instant and letting the students rush out into the chaotic hall.
Jim's face began typically in a melee of noise and disarray, a maelstrom of sound and distraction that surrounded him like a thick fog.
Morning rush hour, with the blaring of alarms and the frenzy of footfalls of the people surrounding him, tended to smooth him out.
He'd catch a glimpse of relief during lunch, eating at his desk buried beneath a mountain of files, enjoying those brief moments of silence that seemed to hover about him like a ghostly bubble.
By the time he returned home, there was an insidious fatigue clung to him, like a damp shroud that hung across his shoulders.
He grunted and headed to the relief of a hot shower, letting the scalding water cascade over him, loosening his muscles, washing away the stresses of the day.
Later, he cooked himself a modest puffy rice meal accompanied by crispy, juicy fried chicken and savored each bite despite the fatigue numbing his brain.
With tired eyes that appeared to fight to stay open, Jim finally fell onto his bed. There, he lay and looked up at the ceiling, wishing silently that the new students would not disrupt the comforting familiarity of his established daily routine. The routine gave him a sense of calm amidst the chaos that ever seemed to be surrounding him.