As Kane zipped down the street on his skateboard, he glanced back and saw his three enemies-Andy, Lucas, and Ben—hot on his heels, determined to catch him before he could escape. The air was thick with the smell of spices, fried foods, and the sound of haggling customers.
Authors note: like any Normal main character, he being bullied due to him being abilitiless, my story may seem stupid at the beginning, but I hope you could follow it up till at least chap 5, if you still don't like it, leave it.
Kane skidded to a stop at the entrance of the market, his heart racing. He knew he had to think fast. With a quick push, he darted into the maze of stalls. The market was a riot of colors, with vibrant fabrics fluttering in the breeze and vendors shouting out their wares. To his left, a stall was piled high with exotic fruits, while to the right, a dizzying array of handmade trinkets sparkled under the sun.
"Catch me if you can!" he shouted over his shoulder, his laughter echoing off the walls of the market annoying his enemies even more.
Andy, who was closest to him, swerved sharply to follow him, only to clip the edge of a table laden with ripe mangoes. The fruits flew like cannonballs, splattering on the ground as Max slid out of control, arms flailing, and landed unceremoniously in a pile of produce.
Lucas and Max exchanged glances, grinning as they tried to steer clear of the chaos. But as they raced after Jake, they barreled into the fabric stall, sending bolts of colorful cloth cascading over them like a rainbow avalanche. Lucas emerged, half-wrapped in a floral print, while Max struggled to disentangle himself, his face a mask of confusion and anger
Kane couldn't help but laugh as he weaved through the crowd, gliding past a juggler who promptly dropped all his pins in shock at the sight of the chase. With a quick flick of his board, Kane sent a small child's balloon floating up into the air, where it popped right above Andy's head. The sudden explosion of color startled him, causing him to crash into a wooden cart stacked with crispy bread, sending loaves flying in every direction.
"Kane!" Andy yelled, now covered in flour and bread crumbs, looking more like a pastry chef than a bully.
"Just a little more speed, guys!" Kane called back, barely holding back his laughter as he darted past a spice vendor. The air thickened with the scent of cinnamon, making him cough just as he narrowly avoided colliding with a woman carrying a massive sack of potatoes.
Max, now determined to catch up, grabbed a nearby crate to boost himself off the ground. Instead, he miscalculated and launched himself into a giant wheel of cheese, which rolled dramatically before toppling over a display of herbal teas. It was a comedic cascade of chaos, with herbs and cheese flying everywhere.
Kane, seeing the mayhem behind him, couldn't stop laughing. He swerved around a fountain, narrowly avoiding a couple of elderly ladies who were shouting at the chaos unfolding around them. "Excuse me!" he called, grinning as he expertly maneuvered around them.
Finally, he reached the exit of the market, glancing back just in time to see Andy, Lucas and Max, now a comical trio covered in food and fabric, trudging through the wreckage of the market like defeated warriors. With one last push, Kane flew out onto the street, pumping his fists up in triumph.
"Next time, maybe just a game of tag!" he shouted, already plotting his next adventure, leaving his good friends to untangle themselves from their ridiculous predicament.
****
Kane skidded to a halt in front of a weathered building, his skateboard screeching against the pavement. He barely had time to catch his breath after the wild chase through the crowded market, where laughter and chaos still echoed in his ears.
The building loomed before him, a stark contrast to the vibrant life of the market. Established by the government as a shelter for the unfortunate, it was a sprawling structure of faded brick and chipped paint, its once-bright facade now dulled by years of neglect. A large sign above the entrance read "Hope Haven," but the letters were peeling, and the words felt more like an ironic joke than a promise.
Kane had been living here ever since that fateful day when his parents vanished without a trace. One moment they were there, laughing and planning a family trip, and the next, they were gone, leaving him with nothing but confusion and an aching void, he was so little, he couldn't even remember his last name. The authorities had placed him in this building, among other children who had lost their families or found themselves in dire circumstances.
Inside, the atmosphere was a blend of sorrow and resilience. The common area was filled with mismatched furniture and walls adorned with crayon drawings created by the younger kids who called this place home. At the corners were multiple doors leading to different rooms, each individual having to stay with roommates.
As he stepped inside, the familiar creak of the door welcomed him. The smell of old books and the faint aroma of baked goods from the communal kitchen filled the air. Kane spotted Ms. Eldridge, the kind-hearted woman who managed the building, organizing the pantry. She looked up and smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Back from your adventures, I presume?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the dust and crumbs still clinging to him, her motherly gaze descending on him making him choke a little.
"Just a little chase," Kane replied, trying to sound nonchalant as he brushed himself off. The thrill of the chase faded, replaced by a bittersweet nostalgia as he thought of how different his life had been before everything changed.
The building had its quirks: creaky floors, mysterious drafts, and the occasional leak from the ceiling. But to Kane, it was home. Here, he could escape the weight of his past, if only for a moment. He found solace in the camaraderie of the other residents, sharing stories and laughter over simple meals, dreaming of what lay beyond the faded walls.
Yet, as much as he tried to adapt, the loss of his parents hung over him like a cloud. Every night, he would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing for the impossible—to hear their voices again, to feel their embrace. It was in this building that he learned to navigate his grief, to find strength in vulnerability.
Kane stepped away from the door, glancing back at the weathered structure. It wasn't perfect, but it was a place where he could start to heal, where hope flickered in the faces of those around him. He kicked his skateboard up into his hand, a small smile breaking through the heaviness in his heart.
"Maybe one day," he whispered to himself, "I'll find them."
With a determined glint in his eye, he made his way down the hall, where he spotted a steel door with crayon pictures hanging on it, it was the picture of three stick men high up in the air with a high five. A smile appeared on Kane's face and he pulled the door open.