The final half of Devon's school day passed by at an agonizing crawl. He itched to be free and experiment with the electricity he could apparently channel. Glancing at the clock every minute didn't help make time go any faster.
Finally, the last bell set them free. Most students rushed immediately out the gates to enjoy the bright afternoon. But Devon headed straight for the athletic field to meet with the track team.
Their coach, Mr. Adams, had also survived the mosquito attack. He now walked with a slight limp courtesy of some stray Coco venom affecting his left leg. But his passion for the sport remained intact.
"Alright sprinters, gather round," Coach Adams bellowed. The dozen or so team members grabbed water bottles and huddled around him. Devon smiled seeing a few new recruits had joined their ranks.
"I know these past weeks have been tough, we lost good friends," the coach said solemnly. Students instinctively glanced at the empty spots formerly occupied by Kamau and Rayon.
"But our fallen heroes would want us to move forward and make them proud, you hear?" Coach Adams' voice rang with conviction. "This team still have plenty of potential. We just have to give everything in training and believe in ourselves."
Determined nods answered him. Devon clenched his fist. The coach was right, sitting around moping wouldn't honour anyone's memory. It was time to push harder than ever.
"We got a big regional meet coming up in two months," Coach Adams reminded them. "I want everyone in top shape with ya personal best times. We have a real shot at reaching the finals this year."
That sparked excited murmurs among the team. Devon bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, ready to get started.
"Alright enough talk, let's get out there and run!" Coach Adams blew his whistle sharply. The athletes took their cue and started doing warm-up laps around the track.
Devon relaxed into an easy stride, feeling the tension drain from his muscles as he circled the familiar red rubber surface. Running always centred his mind, wiping away worries and frustrations.
After loosening up, it was time for sprint trials. Devon crouched down into the starting position. He visualized surging forward with blinding speed, adhering to his mental ritual.
Coach Adams watched with the stopwatch. "Ready...set...go!" The whistle pierced the air.
🏃♂️Whoosh!💨
Devon exploded from the start line, arms pumping as his cleats tore into the track. He leaned forward, narrowing his profile to cut through air resistance. As his speed accelerated, time seemed to slow, each footfall thundering in his ears.
Now he was gliding down the straightaway, thighs burning with exertion. His knotted dreadlocks whipped behind him like patterned streamers. With the finish line nearing fast, Devon gritted his teeth and willed every fibre of muscle to propel him that tiny bit faster. He felt bizarre new energy crackling subtly along his locks.
Whoosh!
Devon crossed the line nearly tumbling from the effort. He slowed to a stop, bending with hands on knees and sucking air desperately.
Coach Adams stared at his stopwatch in amazement, then back at Devon. "😲Incredible...a personal best by a mile!" Coach exclaimed. "You just run 100 meters in 9.98 seconds!"
Stunned murmurs rippled through the team. Devon blinked in disbelief. He'd gained a massive boost in speed since waking his Coco Power. This gift could allow him to finally shatter the elusive 9-second barrier.
Coach Adams patted him firmly on the back. "Whatever training you've been doing, keep it up! Yuh making ya parents and this whole community proud."
Devon swelled with happiness. He felt closer than ever to fulfilling his destiny as an unstoppable hero.
After practice ended, Devon said bye to his teammates and hurried from campus, energized by the thrilling revelation of his quickening speed. Now more than ever, he was ready to develop the full extent of these spectacular abilities.
Arriving at Lover's Beach, Devon followed a winding path down to the secluded cove where Tanya waited. This spot was rimmed by high cliffs carved with ancient Taino petroglyphs. Locals considered it a sacred place, ideal for their discreet training.
"About time yuh reach!" Tanya teased. "Come, we have work fi do."
She brought Devon to a clear space on the white sand. "Alright, show mi what you can do so far with yuh electro locks."
Devon rubbed his neck self-consciously. "Well, nothing really yet. Is just that one time it activates on pure instinct."
Tanya nodded thoughtfully, untroubled. "Okay, well try to remember exactly how you feel in that moment. Picture Rex in danger again and let your emotions flow."
Closing his eyes, Devon imagined being back in those shadowy woods facing the three wicked thugs. He heard Rex growling and saw the flashing machete spinning lethally through moonlit air towards his dog. Fear and desperation lanced through him.
There was a sharp crackle at his temple. Devon's eyes shot open to see a thin strand of electricity arcing wildly from one lock.
"Yes, that's it!" Tanya cheered. "See if yuh can control it."
Devon frowned in concentration, letting the adrenaline fade away. To his excitement, the electric tendril shrunk but remained flickering. Slowly he raised and waved his arm, directing the energy whip a few feet with jerky motions.
"This feels incredible!" Devon grinned. With practice, he could see himself wielding these dreadlock tasers like deadly energized extensions of his body.
"Yuh getting it fast!" Tanya clapped proudly. "Soon you aguh master yuh powers, Blur."
"Blur?" Devon quirked his eyebrow at the nickname but had to admit it fit well. Between these electric locks and his enhanced speed, blurring motions would likely become his signature.
They spent the next hour with Devon testing the limits of his unique dreadlock energy. He was able to discharge strands from multiple locks now, but controlling more than two at once proved still tricky. The electrical whips moved as flexibly as octopus tentacles.
When Devon managed to split an energy strand into a crude fork shape, he whooped excitedly. "Tanya, by the time we done here, mi aguh be unstoppable inna fight!"
She giggled at his enthusiasm. "Yuh motivate me to train harder too. We can be an unbeatable super duo."
The sun was starting to dip low over the sea. Reluctantly, they decided to call it a day before any locals wandered by and discovered them.
"Same time tomorrow," Devon said as they walked back. "This is just the beginning!"
He felt charged up in a way that had nothing to do with his newfound electricity. Finally, his sense of purpose was aligned with the gifts he'd been blessed with.
Destiny awaited. The Blur would soon be striking fear into evil hearts across Jamaica as a true superhero.