The city was a wasteland. The remnants of once-bustling streets were now cracked and fractured, with darkened buildings looming overhead, their windows shattered like broken promises. The stench of decay filled the air, and in the distance, the hum of surveillance drones buzzed like a constant reminder of the power that held the world in its grip.
Kai Jenson stood in the alley, his breath coming in sharp bursts, eyes wide with fear. Sweat trickled down his forehead, mingling with the dirt that caked his skin. He gripped his fists tightly, the sensation of heat building up in the pit of his stomach, rising through his chest like a wave ready to crash.
His heart raced as he looked at the men in front of him. A gang of local thugs, their eyes cold and hungry, stepped forward. They knew who Kai was—everyone did. But they didn't care. Genetica weren't supposed to be a part of society, not anymore. And Kai was one of the last who couldn't control his mutation.
"Think you're special, huh?" one of the men sneered, stepping forward. He was taller than the rest, tattoos snaking up his arms, a cruel smirk on his face. "Firestarter. Well, let's see how special you really are."
Kai's pulse quickened. He wasn't in the mood for a fight, but they'd pushed him too far this time. He'd been trying to stay low, avoid trouble, but there was always something. Always someone.
"Just leave me alone," he growled, his voice shaky despite the force of his words. But his words were lost in the cruel laughter that echoed around him.
The leader of the gang took another step forward, raising a rusted pipe, ready to strike. "We're tired of your kind walking around like you're untouchable. It's time to teach you a lesson."
Kai's body tensed. His hands clenched into fists, the heat building in his palms, creeping up his arms. He closed his eyes, trying to force the flame back down, but it was too late. The fire surged, consuming him from within.
Before he could even think to stop it, the alley around him ignited. Flames roared to life, licking at the walls and bursting into the night air, the heat unbearable. The gang members scattered, shouting in panic, but Kai couldn't hear them over the deafening crackle of the fire.
He felt the power coursing through him, the familiar, uncontrollable force that had haunted him his whole life. It was a gift, or a curse—depending on the day.
But today? Today it felt like a curse.
His heart pounded as he tried to stop the flames. Tried to reel it back in, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with his bare hands. The fire raged higher, scorching the walls around him, curling upward and licking the sky.
"Stop! Please stop!" he begged, his voice barely audible over the roar.
But the fire didn't care. It obeyed no one.
In the blink of an eye, the flames leaped higher, engulfing the alley completely. The heat was intense, blinding. Kai couldn't see beyond the haze of smoke, couldn't think past the fury of the flames. He felt his legs give out beneath him, the weight of his power too much to bear. His body collapsed, his mind clouded by panic, until the world around him went black.
When Kai came to, the sounds of the fire had faded, replaced by the dull hum of machinery and the muffled voices of people talking in low tones. His eyes flickered open to see a ceiling of rusted metal, the dim light barely illuminating the cold room.
For a moment, he couldn't remember where he was. His head ached, his limbs were stiff, and the air smelled of something both familiar and foreign. He tried to move, but his body felt heavy. A voice cut through the haze, sharp and calm.
"You're awake."
Kai turned to see a woman standing over him, her face partially hidden by the shadows. She was young, maybe a few years older than him, with striking green eyes and dark hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. Her presence was strong, purposeful. She wasn't afraid of him—no, she was calculating.
"Who are you?" Kai croaked, his voice rough, hoarse from the smoke.
"Leena," she replied, crossing her arms. "And you're lucky to be alive, Kai. That fire you started? It could have burned down half the district."
Kai blinked, trying to process her words. "The gang... I—"
"You didn't start it on purpose," Leena interrupted. "But you can't keep running. You can't keep hiding."
Kai felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?"
She looked at him with a mixture of sympathy and something else—something darker. "The Gene Council's enforcers are on their way. They'll come for you. And they won't stop until they have you."
Kai swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. "What do I do?"
Leena gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "You join us. You join the rebellion."