The smell of smoke filled the air, burning his eyes and making it hard to breathe. The city around him was on fire, buildings collapsing in flames. He was tied to a post, unable to move, his heart pounding, as the screams of the other people echoed in his ears.
"No! No! Please, no!" he cried out, his voice breaking.
The first person was dragged in front of him, their hands tied behind their back. One of their attackers stepped forward with a cruel smile, and without a word, they struck. The person crumpled to the ground, their scream silenced forever.
He struggled against his bonds, but they were too tight. He turned just in time to see the second person forced to their knees. A blow was delivered, and before he could scream, they fell lifelessly to the ground.
Tears streamed down his face as he watched the third person, shaking with fear, dragged in front of him. They tried to fight, but the attackers were too strong. Another swift strike, and they were gone, their eyes staring blankly at him.
"No! No! Please, no more!" he screamed, his throat raw.
It was just him now. He fell forward, sobbing, as the world burned around him. The flames roared, and the sky above was a sickening orange. These people—his family—were gone. And he was alone, the weight of their loss crushing him.
Suddenly, everything went dark. He felt a jolt, as if he were being pulled through a vortex. His eyes snapped open, and he found himself lying in his own bed, drenched in sweat. The morning light filtered through the curtains, and the sounds of everyday life seeped in through the window.
He sat up, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. With a deep breath, he swung his legs out of bed and got ready for school. He quickly dressed in fresh clothes, splashed water on his face, and brushed his teeth.
After grabbing a quick breakfast, he grabbed his backpack and headed out the door. The neighborhood was just waking up, the morning sun casting a golden glow over the familiar streets. Birds chirped in the trees, and he walked towards the bus stop, ready to start the day.
He boarded the school bus and found a seat by the window. As the bus rumbled along, he pulled out his earphones and tuned into the morning news broadcast on his phone.
"...1.5 years ago, the cracks opened and unleashed energies and unknown phenomena into our world, granting some humans superhuman powers," the reporter's voice filled his ears. "The question remains: how is the government keeping control?"
The scene shifted to an interview with the Chief of the Superhuman Control Department (SHCD). The chief appeared on screen, a stern look on his face as he spoke.
"Over the past year and a half, we have developed stringent countermeasures and an identification system," the chief explained. "Any individual found to possess superhuman abilities must register with the government. They have a choice: either work for the government under strict supervision, or be branded as rogue.
The school bus reached the campus, and Ryan pulled out his earphones, neatly coiling them in his pocket as he made his way to his sophomore year science class. Sitting down, he settled into his seat as the lesson began.
The teacher, Mr. David, paced at the front of the class, his voice authoritative yet engaging. "Today, we're diving into the physics of superhuman abilities," Mr. David announced, clicking through slides projected on the board. "Can anyone tell me how 'supes' create or destroy mass?"
Ryan raised his hand confidently. "The cracks from another dimension opened, allowing 'supes' to borrow energy from that dimension," he explained. "They don't create or destroy mass; instead, they convert it from one form to another."
Mr. David nodded approvingly. "Correct, Ryan. 'Supes' utilize energy conversion rather than altering mass directly. It's a fundamental principle underlying their abilities." He glanced around the classroom, acknowledging the understanding nods from the students.
The class continued with discussions on the scientific aspects of superhuman powers, and by the end of the session, Ryan felt a sense of accomplishment as Mr. David praised his understanding. As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, he gathered his belongings, and headed for the next class.
Certainly! Here's the continuation:
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The next class was physical education, and Ryan eagerly changed into his athletic gear. As a dedicated athlete, he excelled in track and field, particularly in long-distance running. The coach, Coach Thompson, greeted the class and outlined the day's training session.
"Alright, team, today we're focusing on endurance and stamina," Coach Thompson announced, pacing alongside the track. "We'll start with a warm-up lap, and then move into interval training. Let's give it our best!"
Ryan laced up his running shoes, feeling the familiar anticipation build within him. As the warm-up lap began, he settled into a steady pace, his muscles warming up with each stride. The crisp air filled his lungs as he rounded the track, his focus sharpening on the training ahead.
During the interval training, Ryan pushed himself to the limit. He sprinted during the bursts and maintained a strong pace during the recovery periods. His determination and commitment to improving his endurance were evident as he pushed through each set.
Coach Thompson monitored the athletes closely, offering encouragement and technique adjustments where needed. "Keep it up, Ryan! You're looking strong out there," Coach Thompson called out, noting Ryan's form and determination.
By the end of the session, Ryan felt a sense of accomplishment. He jogged a cool-down lap to relax his muscles, his breathing steady and controlled. Track and field was not just a sport for Ryan; it was a passion that allowed him to challenge himself and strive for personal bests.
As the class concluded, Ryan wiped the sweat from his brow and headed to the locker room, reflecting on the rewarding training session. He knew that his dedication to track and field would continue to drive him forward, both on and off the field.
It sounds like you're continuing the story where Ryan encounters mysterious individuals who are monitoring him. Here's the continuation based on your description:
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The school day concluded with three more classes, and Ryan headed home on foot, unaware that he was being watched from afar. Two individuals, hidden from view, observed him closely.
"Are you sure it's him?" the shorter person whispered, adjusting a small detector device. "The detector isn't showing any signs."
"Why would a supe live the most normal life ever?" the shorter person muttered, frustration evident in their voice. "We've been at this since morning and haven't found anything."
"Shut up," the tall middle aged person hissed back. "There was a signal a week ago, and it came from near his house. When I reported it to the higher-ups, they told us to leave the case and go home for some reason. But I can't be a good SHCD member if I ignore this."
"What if he's a Grade 2 or higher?" the short person asked anxiously. "He could just... Kill us."
"Don't worry," the tall person reassured, peering through binoculars. "He won't notice us from this distance."
As they continued watching, Ryan moved into a blind spot where they lost sight of him momentarily. Straining their eyes to locate him from afar, they suddenly heard a voice behind them.
"Looking for someone?"
Startled, one of them turned around slowly. "Yeah, a ro—" They couldn't finish their sentence as Ryan stood right behind them, his expression unreadable.
Ryan sighed heavily, his brow furrowing in frustration. "I made a deal... Why are SHCD members chasing me?" His voice echoed in the narrow alleyway, the two SHCD agents before him trembling nervously.
The taller agent, his voice strained with fear, replied, "You're not registered in our database, thus considered a rogue. I'm placing you under arrest."
Ryan calmly reached into his pocket and dialed a number on his phone. After a few rings, a voice answered, "Hey Ryan! What's up?"
Ryan wasted no time and recounted the situation to the person on the line. There was a moment of silence before a sigh came through the receiver. "It must be those two. I specifically told them to stay out of your case... I'm sorry, this is my fault."
Confused and shaken, the agents demanded, "How do you know Sir Lloyd? And why is he speaking so casually with you? Who are you?"
Ryan's gaze hardened as he awaited the arrival of the SHCD unit. Just then, a tall, blonde man with scars on his face emerged, clad in a heavy vest. "Hello, Ryan," he greeted calmly, his voice carrying authority. Turning to the two agents, he scolded them sharply before turning back to Ryan. "I apologize for their actions."
Addressing Ryan directly, he continued, "Hey, if you ever want to come back... Our arms are open. Consider it." His expression softened slightly, but Ryan remained silent, his thoughts unreadable.
Without another word, Ryan turned away and left the alleyway, leaving behind a tense silence and unanswered questions.
As Lloyd and the two agents walked away, the tension between them remained palpable. The agents' curiosity got the better of them, and one finally spoke up. "Lloyd, who is Ryan really? Why is he so important?"
Lloyd sighed deeply, realizing he couldn't keep the truth from them any longer. "I guess I can't hide this from you two. Do you remember the incident a year ago in City 45? The one where two Grade 1 and four Grade 2 rogues overpowered our superhuman squad?"
The two agents nodded, their expressions somber. "Yes, we remember. It was a significant loss for us."
Lloyd continued, his tone grave. "Ryan was part of the SHCD superhuman squad that responded to that incident. He was the most cheerful and peaceful one among us. We received intel that two Grade 2 rogues were hiding in City 45, and naturally, we sent Ryan's squad to handle it."
The agents listened intently, their faces reflecting their growing unease. "But it turned out to be false information," Lloyd went on. "Instead of two Grade 2 rogues, there were two Grade 1 and four Grade 2 rogues. It was an ambush. Ryan and his teammates didn't stand a chance."
The agents exchanged glances, one of them speaking up. "That's tragic. Losing a team like that..."
Lloyd interrupted, his voice tinged with something darker. "But that's not the reason for Ryan's contract. After his teammates were killed, the cameras went offline. When we regained visual, all the rogues were dead. Ryan was the only one left standing."
The agents' eyes widened in disbelief. "You're saying Ryan took out all those rogues by himself? How is that possible?"
Lloyd continued with a grim expression-"Ryan said he could not remember anything". Ryan blamed the SHCD for the false information that led to the death of his teammates. He believed we were responsible for their deaths, and he couldn't forgive us for it."
The agents were silent for a moment, processing this revelation. "So, that's why he left," one of them finally said. "And that's why he's been living a normal life, trying to stay under the radar."
"Exactly," Lloyd confirmed. "He made a deal with us to stay out of our affairs, and in return, we wouldn't come after him. But he's still being watched, and any slip-up could bring him back into our world, whether he likes it or not."