In the normal world, people have a hormone called adrenaline that prepares the body to handle stressful situations a fight or flight response that kicks in when needed. It's a primal mechanism, one that every human experiences, although it comes with its limitations. However, as the laws of nature dictate, wherever there is normal, there is also abnormal. And where there is right, there is wrong.
For centuries, grandmothers have told tales of mythological beasts, creatures of the imagination that existed only in fairy tales. These stories spoke of shape-shifters, beings not only magical but also deeply connected to nature. Long ago, there was a population of such beings who had the ability to channel the power within their bodies to an extraordinary, almost supernatural extent. This evolutionary step enabled them to reign over nature and its predators for many years.
These beings didn't possess magic in the traditional sense; instead, they achieved their extraordinary abilities by summoning powerful emotions fear, anger, jealousy, and more. These emotions would manifest physically, revealing to the outside world the true version of one's inner self, the part of a person with immeasurable power. It was said that a devil and an angel lived inside every one of us, and when one was pushed to the brink, the real self would emerge. A man's personality determined the kind of monster they would become when these deepest emotions were unleashed.
Over time, this extraordinary ability, once passed down through generations, began to fade as the human race evolved. Eventually, it disappeared almost entirely. But traces of their existence were occasionally found on Earth concrete evidence in the form of marks and anomalies that science itself couldn't explain. Yet, despite all the proof, governments around the world dismissed these stories as nothing more than myths, tales told to children to keep them from wandering too far or speaking to strangers.
Then, in a certain September, in the United States of America, an event occurred that caused history to repeat itself. The world as people knew it began to change. Some welcomed the change, others feared it, and some were unsure how to feel about it. But amidst this turmoil, one man stood out from the rest.
His name was Guion Marrow. He was a twenty-four-year-old police officer, living a simple life in California. Guion was tall and fair-skinned, with long black hair that curled slightly at the ends, brushing the bottom of his neck. He worked the night shift at a local sheriff's department and lived alone in a modest one-bedroom apartment. Despite the odd hours, he was content with his life. He loved his job, and the salary was enough to keep him comfortable.
Guion had a best friend, Erick Ryan, who worked alongside him. Erick was a bit of a joker, always ready with a quip or a laugh. But Guion's thoughts were often elsewhere specifically, on Annika Georgia. Annika was a fellow officer at the station, a striking Latina who stood about six feet tall. Her long black hair was styled into a sleek Mohawk, giving her an air of both elegance and defiance. Guion was infatuated with her, though he had never mustered the courage to tell her how he felt.
Annika was the kind of woman who could command a room with just a glance. She was tough, smart, and dedicated to her work. Guion admired her from afar, always going out of his way to get her attention. Every night when he arrived at work, she was the first person he greeted. He made it a point to bring her coffee, making sure to deliver it personally. Yet, despite his efforts, Annika only saw him as a brotherly figure, a reliable friend who was always there when she needed help. This unspoken rejection stung Guion deeply, though he never admitted it. He was often alone, and even when surrounded by others, he felt isolated.
One evening, around eight o'clock, Guion was at home, lounging on his couch in a dark room, half-naked and relaxed. A big bowl of popcorn sat on his lap as he watched television, the screen casting a bright light across the room. The news was on, and the headline was grim: another mysterious death. This time, the victim was a cop who had been heading home after his night shift. His car had been crushed, seemingly by a giant foot, the imprint of which was clearly visible on the ground around the wreckage. From an aerial view, the car looked like a smashed bug. "God knows what the heck is happening in this town," the reporter said. "Yeah, no kidding," Guion muttered to himself as he chewed slowly on his popcorn, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the image of the car. Something about it was eerily familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
At that moment, his phone rang. The sharp sound cut through the quiet of the room, startling him. When he picked it up, the call seemed urgent his superior was on the line. "Yo! What's up, boss?" Guion answered casually. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me 'sir,' you idiot?" his boss snapped in a low, irritated tone. "Of course, sir," Guion replied, rolling his eyes. "Never mind! A new recruit has just been assigned to your post. I need you here to show him around," the boss said.
Guion listened quietly, grumbling to himself, "You could very well do it yourself, sir.", "What was that?" his boss barked. "My shift doesn't start until midnight, sir," Guion replied, trying to keep his tone neutral.
"I could have sworn I heard you say something else," the boss said suspiciously. "No, that's exactly what I said," Guion answered nervously. "Fine! Now get your ass in here!" the boss ordered, then hung up.
With a sigh, Guion dragged himself off the couch and headed to his bedroom. He didn't bother with a shower, just threw on his uniform a dark blue ensemble with long sleeves that he always folded up to his elbows. He strapped on his black bulletproof vest, laced up his boots, and was out the door within minutes.
As he arrived at the station, the familiar routine kicked in. "Good evening, Ms. Geo!" he called out as he walked in, making a beeline for Annika's desk, just as he always did. "Always her, huh?" an officer remarked, standing by Annika's station with a cup of coffee in hand.
Guion ignored the comment and continued on his way, heading straight for his boss's office. He had a high and cheerful spirit as usual but inside, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his gut ever since he saw that news report. Something big was coming, something that would change everything. And deep down, he knew that when it did, his life would never be the same again.