The situation escalated drastically as coworkers began to enter the office after hearing the loud clatter.
Johnny's heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled off the floor, a cold dread settling in the pit of his stomach as he realized his job and the life he knew was over. Endless thoughts raced in his mind.
Where would he go now and how would he survive in this apocalypse world ruled by the gods?
In spite of his extraordinary powers, the young man no longer had a place to live. He was homeless in the apocalypse. A fate worse then death. If only there was a sign of what he should next.
Unexpectedly, Johnny catches sight of something swiftly in his peripheral vision on the hard wooden floor, which he assumes had fallen from the bookshelf earlier. To someone unfamiliar with the details, it would appear unremarkable—a basic, aged piece of paper with a torn edge and a small metal fragment that seemed to be a mix of steel and celestial bronze. It was barely the size of Johnny's small hand.
Yet the elegant golden script scrawled across the yellowed paper proved other wise.
"To my dearest son and treasure, Johnny," it began, his name written in flowing cursive. Anticipation mingled with excitement as Johnny devoured the words on the page, his father's voice seeming to leap off the paper and wrap around him like a warm embrace.
This could mean only one thing, this had to be the letter from Johnny's late father, Adam with the single small piece of metal next to it was actually Kronus scythe that held powers far beyond anything Johnny could had ever imagined.
Without another word, Johnny snatched the letter and the small blade before the faun had a chance to take it for himself. Then the young man turned on his heel and made a beeline for the back door that lead to the staircase, the weight of Peter's burning gaze burning into his back. His mind raced with a thousand thoughts, but none could erase the finality of the command ringing in his ears.
"HEY! STOP, THEIF!"
One thing was clear – Johnny couldn't stay here anymore. As he darted up the stairs, the sound of footsteps thundered behind him, growing louder and more urgent with each passing moment. Johnny pushed himself to go faster, his hands gripping the railing tightly as he took the steps two at a time.
Then finally reaching the top floor, he burst out of the stairwell into a dimly lit corridor by candle light, his scared golden eyes scanning frantically. Without hesitation, he veered left, his instincts guiding him towards his rented space. Johnny could hear Peter's enraged shouts echoing up the staircase while he fumbled with the rusty lock on his door. Finally, the latch clicked open, and Johnny practically threw himself inside room, his heart still racing like a jackhammer. He knew he had to move quickly if he wanted to escape the clutches of the faun who had taken him in only to betray him and his late father.
With trembling hands, Johnny stuffed his meager belongings into his backpack, including the golden fleece, his father's letter and lastly a small piece Kronus blade securely inside. These were the only clues he had to the gods and his late father and he refused to let Peter or anyone else dictate his fate anymore.
Johnny zipped up his backpack, his fingers trembling as he slung it over his shoulder, the weight a stark reminder of the uncertainties that lay ahead. Johnny is also reminded as he takes a final glance around the rented space that while it was inconsequential, It still had formerly served as both a sanctuary and a prison.
Taking one last deep breath, Johnny steeled himself and quietly opened the window, casting a fleeting look back at the life he was leaving behind.
The fall air was crisp and icy against his skin as he hoisted himself up onto the sill, his golden eyes fixed on the ground below. Wondering how he was going to even survive a fall that cavernous.
He doesn't have time to dwell on this as Johnny heard loud voices and heavy footsteps entering his room, one clearly belonging to his ex boss Peter, "DON'T LET THAT LITTLE THEIF GET AWAY! HE STOLE FROM ME!"
"JOHNTHAN THUMB STEP AWAY FROM THE WINDOW!"
The other angry shouts came from a pair of soldiers. Fear coursed though Johnny as he realizes the government was involved now. He would face serious charges if they captured him and he would no doubt face the wrath of Hera in trail.
There was no turning back now.
With a surge of adrenaline, he pushed off the windowsill and leaped into the unknown, the wind roaring in his ears as the young man plummeted towards the ground below.
Maybe he'll become a bird in his next life.
It was honestly wishful thinking at the time and he clearly had no idea what would happen next.
Johnny heart raced as the ground rushed up to meet him, but just before impact, his arms spread and turned into what appeared to be gold mixed with ruby colored enormous wings, his body even took shape of a bird as it also covered in shiny feathers. With a powerful flap of his newly formed wings, Johnny managed to steady himself. His new wings beating gracefully against the wind. Below him, he could hear the shouts of the soldiers growing fainter as he ascended higher and higher into the lilac sky.
Johnny couldn't believe it, he can fly!
The rush of autumn air against his face sent a shiver down his spine, but it was nothing compared to the exhilaration of flight. As he gained altitude, Johnny glanced back at the old repair shop for the last time, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions – relief at evading capture, sorrow for the life he had left behind, and a flicker of hope for the unknown future ahead.
With his father's letter and Kronos's scythe safely secured in his backpack, he felt a newfound sense of purpose burning within him as Johnny keeps flapping his wings flying over the village that never really loved him and into the tall trees of the forest.
The village and world stretched out beneath him, a patchwork of cool colors and clouds in the dying light of day.
The young man knew this is only the beginning of his journey, despite this, for the first time in a long time, the young man felt truly free.