Arthur made his way to school the way he always had, out the front door of the apartments and down the long, straight road to school. However, on this chilled winters morning something was off, the snow lay thick in clumped sheets along the road, flustered drivers frantically throwing hot water on their car windscreens in a hopeless bid to get to work on time. All of this he was used to, living in England poor weather was pretty much guaranteed, as he stepped down the stairs he realized he truly did have to go to school, he let out a sigh that the temperature captured in a perfect misty dance. No, something else, maybe the air was different or the dark sky put him uneasy, but something was off.
As Arthur passed the electronics shop, he stopped for a moment to watch one of the televisions they had set up displaying the news, the reporter was a middle-aged woman that had an ear poking out of her ring finger.
"What a boring Soul." Arthur exclaimed to seemingly no one but himself.
"Population rates continue to drop as more children are born with fatal Souls, however CEO of Margas Jack Breaker claims that his company is working on something revolutionary." Claimed the enthusiastic reporter.
Arthur was close to school now, thankfully his university was near to his home so he could sleep in most days. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him, they were regular and familiar however. He didn't even have to turn around to greet them,
"Hey Simon."
"Damn, can't even sneak up on you huh?" He said rather disgruntledly, catching up to Arthur and walking alongside him.
"Maybe if you didn't move like an elephant I wouldn't have heard."
"Doesn't even make sense..."
Simon had been Arthur's friend for at least 7 years now since high school. He was 5'11 and quite skinny, he had black, slick hair and the kind of face that would make you change your mind mid argument, soft and approachable yet also cold, calculating and calm. His eyes were bright green, frighteningly green in reality.
"I thought about your offer."
Almost instantly the atmosphere changed, Simons eyes turned sour and he clenched his teeth. He grabbed Arthur's shoulder and dragged him into a nearby alleyway.
"Jesus Simon, get off!" Arthur protested as Simon roughly handled him into the alley.
"Any louder and my aunt in Belfast would've heard!"
"Right ok, fuck me." Arthur said under his breath
"So?" Simon said expectantly
"I appreciate it, I really do, but I can't just leave my mum and sister to join some rebellion, it's weird."
"It is not just some rebellion Arthur, It's THE rebellion! Doesn't it make you sick what they do to our people?"
"I mean, yes... but I can't just up and leave randomly. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too." Simon says as Arthur leaves him in the alley, the cold drips from broken drainpipes scattering water on his polished shoes.
As Arthur enters through the main gate he sees a girl, she was about 5'9 and had long scraggly hair, she had freckles on her cheeks and deep brown eyes, Arthur immediately thought she was gorgeous but realised the poor girl probably didn't want another guy hitting on her when she was studying.
The rest of the day mostly went on like usual, Arthur didn't have many other friends, so he kept to himself. He was, however, hard-working, he wasn't naturally gifted so had to work his ass off for his grades. His only source of joy was Simon, but he had been giving him the cold shoulder after he rejected his offer, "childish" thought Arthur, but that's the way it is. As he turned the corner on his way home he saw the foreboding aura of red and blue police sirens. "That's strange..." Arthur thought, his neighbourhood was one of the better ones, so he wasn't used to much crime. His heart sank as he got closer and saw what house they were visiting, "123f, Blackmoore Road" Arthur's apartment.
"Yeah, looks like a hate crime to me, mother was African American so it's not unlikely, with the changes happening recently people are on edge."
"Is that what we tell the kid? I mean it's bad enough as is, but a hate crime is even worse..."
"We'll say it was a break-in, spare 'im the details for now."
The police officers exited the apartments to Arthur who was waiting outside, he was sat on the back of an ambulance staring straight ahead, the violent, flashing lights of the ambulance and police cars reflecting off his absent, glassy eyes.
"Hey pal" the male officer said kneeling down to Arthur, he looked kind.
"It looks like it was a break in." the female officer looked less kind, cruel even.
Arthur didn't move, nor did he even respond in any fashion. The officers decided to give him some space. Ten seconds later he stood up and turned towards the road his arms splayed at his sides.
"Hey kid, you okay?" the male officer said, obviously concerned. Looking up from the clipboard the female officer was showing him. Arthur didn't respond, however his body did. Small holes appeared on his back, and from deep within, a disturbing rumbling was heard. Finally, in a split second he shot forward, eruptions of fire crackling forth from the holes, explosions, hurtling him down the road. This was Arthur's Soul. Burst.
Arthur was reaching an immense speed now, however he managed to manoeuvre around all the cars he met while screaming down the middle of the road. Despite the insane reaction speed that would take. He finally arrived at Simon's house and frantically knocked on the door. Simon lived alone as he had to move out for university, his parents were quite wealthy so he could afford a nice apartment near the university. He finally opened the door,
"Jesus Arthur what the hell happened!?"
He sounded concerned, Arthur's eyes were blood red, and his hair was sticking up. He also had multiple spots of blood on his face from colliding with insects.
"Simon they're dead, they're dead..."
Arthur completely broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Ok ok, come in." Simon's tone was relaxed and reassuring,
Simon led Arthur in and sat him down.
"Listen to me Arthur, tell me what happened and breath. In and out three times slowly, c'mon."
Arthur followed his instructions, Simon's apartment was scarlet red, dangerous almost. Decorative historic items littered the walls, masks taunted Arthur, laughing at him. After a few minutes he calmed down enough to explain to Simon what happened.
"Fuck me..." Simon said under his breath, he had known Arthur's family for years. He sat down next to Arthur.
"Arthur, I-I'm really sorry."
"Fuck. Being sorry."
Simon was shocked, after a moment he replied.
"What?"
"I found this at my house."
Arthur had stopped crying, now he was scowling. He slipped an ID on the table, it read:
Margas employee 44353
Field Martial
Michel Brandt
"Wait, wait hold on that's Margas... You found this at your house?"
"Someone did this, and I swear on my life I won't rest until I gut their fucking stomach."
Arthur clenched his teeth; Simon had never seen him like this before. His eyes went from the usual soft brown to a mudded dark black.
"I have a favor to ask."
"Yeah, anything."
"Let me join."
The room went dead silent, Simon looked horrified. His expression curled up and he turned to face Arthur.
"What? Why now of all times?!"
"Brandt took EVERYTHING from me, and I will find him!" Arthur was shaking and still crying, but there was an undeniable determination in his words.
"Why would Margas want to do this though?" Simon pondered, staring down at the dirty field ID Arthur had placed on the table moment's prior. Arthur began to look even more uncomfortable, if that was even possible.
"Margas was always hassling my mum about getting me to join the Super Soul Defence League, it might be to do with that, if I believed that this was a hate crime or some fucking bullshit... then, I don't know maybe it would convince me to join. For revenge I guess." Arthur spike softly now, a deep sadness perturbed his eyes.
Simon's gaze softened, he put his arm around Arthur.
"Ok" Simon whispered "Of course you can join."