by C. S. Won
“I have my ways,” Daniel said.
Jae looked at Edison. “And what about your friend? If you blow yourself up, wouldn’t he die too?”
Daniel looked up at his partner. “He is always ready to die for the cause.”
“Cause? What cause? What are you trying to achieve here?”
“To replace humanity.”
The girl whimpered.
“That is why I am here, brother Yeon,” Daniel said. “I want to discuss—”
“Don’t call me brother,” Jae said.
“You are my brother. You and I, we’re one in the same. We’re people who possess extraordinary talents. Our powers bind us.” Daniel gestured at the window. “Humanity is a blight. Man is, compared to the long age of this world, a young species, but already in its short but shameful history, they’ve done nothing but cull the earth. Humans have no regard for one another, or the world at large for that matter. Countless millions have been slaughtered, destroyed, or oppressed. Any progress that was ever made was made on the bloodied backs of those less fortunate. They give lip service to equality, to freedom, to liberty, and they express their desires for it, but at the end of the day, equality, freedom, and liberty is only a sound that comes out of their mouths. They know nothing of such virtues. They never wanted it in the first place. They lack any desire for it. The only thing humans yearn for is to look down at the person standing next to them and think, he is lower than dirt. I am better than him.” Daniel looked back at Jae. “When people see us, all they see is a freak of nature. They can’t see us any other way. They refuse to. No matter what we say or do, they will never understand us, and they don’t care to. Sooner or later, they’re going to do what they can to grind us into dirt. I won’t let that happen.”
“You’re insane. Talking nothing but nonsense.”
“Am I? Look deep within your soul, and you’ll know it to be true. These toothless humans, who do not possess our innate capacity for greatness, are powerless and weak. Their gift to the world—their only gift, in fact—was a fruit basket of misery and suffering. The only way the world will ever experience equivalence is when humanity is gone, leaving only us, the Phenoms, behind. We will achieve the peace that they never could.”
“You actually think we’re better than them?” Jae wanted to laugh. “How can you stand there and espouse such crap?”
“Because of our powers. It’s mutually assured destruction on both a macro and micro scale. Our collective abilities will be the great equalizer. When each and every one of us possesses a gun and we bring it to the table, then—and only then—will we finally learn how to work together. Dialogue and exchanges can finally be done in good faith. The greater good will finally have meaning. No more selfishness, no more pride, no more egos. When the other person has a gun as big as you do, then and only then will we finally learn to be selfless, and when that time comes, Phenoms will usher in a golden era of unprecedented progress and achievement. A system like this will benefit everybody, and not just the lucky, privileged few. We will cleanse the world anew, and from its ashes we will mold it into a better place for all. But before that dream can happen, humanity needs to fade, and Atlanta and Chicago were the start of that. More attacks will follow, more buildings will fall, and more people will perish. It will be a never-ending series of cities drowning in fire. Their time has come, and frankly, it can’t come soon enough. They are the wall standing against true progress, and I am the hammer.”
A neo-human with delusions of grandeur. This was worse than anything Jae could have ever imagined. “So to kill the spider in your home, you opt to burn the entire house down. You’re insane.”
“Like it or not, we need to support each other, because we’re all we have. You can’t depend on these humans anymore. We’re in the same boat now, and it would behoove you to think of me as your friend.”
“I will never be your friend.”
“I think you know who the real enemy is, and I believe, in due time, that you’ll understand our cause to be a just one.” Daniel spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. “That is why I’d like for you to join us.”
“Join you? You’re kidding, right?”
“I’ve admired you from afar, brother Yeon. You’re a true hero to us all, a man who others can only hope to aspire to be. Your presence alone would be a boon for our organization.”
“You think I’m going to link hands with a murderer who has killed untold thousands? You’re not as smart as you think you are.”
“My actions were done to cripple a dangerous enemy. I was justified in what I did.”
“Killing innocent people is crippling a dangerous enemy?” Jae took out his axe. “How were they the enemy? They were helpless. They did nothing to you.”
“Humanity needs to be cast off. They deserve their fate.”
“And you deserve yours.” Jae took a step forward.
“Not another step, brother. The threat still stands, I’m sorry to say.” Daniel began to glow again.
“You think you can blow yourself up before I can get to you? Only a dozen paces separate us.” Jae took another step.
“You won’t make it.”
“Who says I have to? I can just throw the axe. I’m pretty sure it can get to you a lot faster than I can.”
Daniel dragged the girl back up in front of him. “You’ll hit her. You wouldn’t dare.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“You’re not a killer.”
“I can make an exception.”
“Think this through, brother. I am not your enemy.”
“I’m not going to break bread with a superpowered terrorist freak. I don’t give a shit what you have to say. Put the girl down and surrender yourself, or I’ll make you.”
Daniel sighed. “I had high hopes for you. I was certain that you were a reasonable man willing to listen and contemplate, but it appears dissident dialogue is not your cup of tea. You choose to stay ignorant, to coddle at the bosom of those who hate you, which is a shame because they are your enemy, not me.” He shook the girl. “People like her are the ones you need to be afraid of. Their hatred will be weaponized, and they’ll use it against you.” He turned to his partner. “Edison, we’re leaving.”
The taller man nodded, and his hands started to glow purple. He waved his arms in a circular motion, and in that circle a portal appeared, rippling like a disturbed pool of water. Jae gawked at this tear in the fabric of space, and through the opening he could make out with what appeared to be an office space, furnished with a desk, some chairs, and an assortment of packed boxes. Edison stepped through the portal first. Daniel dumped the girl and followed close behind, but midway through the portal he stopped, turning back to look at Jae.
“A war is coming between humans and Phenoms, and sooner or later you’re going to have to pick a side. When that time comes, you’re going to wish you joined up with me. Perhaps when they drag you out of your home and string you up, you’ll realize the folly of your mistake, but I fear by then it will be too late. When the people turn against you, and they will if they haven’t already, I sadly won’t be there to lend you a hand.” Daniel shook his head. “Together, we could have been on the forefront of a revolution. We could have toppled the old order and shaped a better world for future generations to come, but you choose to remain a slave to those who will never accept you. I’m saddened by this, but fate marches on and change will come regardless. We won’t meet again, but if we do, I won’t be as friendly. Stay out of my way.”
“Wait!” Jae made his move, hefting the axe back so he could throw it, but Daniel had already stepped through, the portal immediately sealing up behind him. With the duo departed, Jae suddenly found himself alone with the girl in a room spiked with fire and smoke, a dire situation he had nearly forgotten about during his conversation with the bomber.
The girl was slumped, motionless, against the window. Jae ran over to her, and gently placed a hand on the back of her head. She was still alive, but he
r chest and back rose and fell slowly, the rhythm of it irregular. She wouldn’t be long for this world unless he moved fast.
“Miss, can you hear me?” Jae asked.
She peeled her eyes open, filled with tears and bloodshot. Her face was swollen, her hair was damp with sweat, and her skin was layered with soot. She opened her mouth to speak, but all she managed was a cough, and even that was weak. Jae slid his breathing mask off and placed it over her face, gently hooking the latches behind her scalp. Immediately his eyes stung, and his throat burned, but he tolerated it, holding in his pain as he watched the girl drink in nourishment with sharp, desperate gulps. She gripped the mask with one hand, clutching it tightly.
“I’m going to get you out of here, but I’ll need you hold onto me tightly. Can you do that for me?” Jae asked her.
She peered up at him, a look of bewilderment in her eyes, almost as if she couldn’t believe she was being saved. She finally nodded and moved away from the window, scooting closer to Jae. He slid his arms underneath her and lifted her slowly, draping her across his chest. She curled an arm around his neck, her fingers hot and sweaty against his skin. She felt like nothing in his arms, as light as the air itself, a weightless little thing.
He turned, his eyes watery from the prickling smoke, and looked back at the entrance of the room. While he could make the trek back through the fire, the woman was another story. She was much too weak, her thin body shivering with pain, and if he tried to go back, he feared she would not last long. He turned to the window and peered outside, the sun hitting his face. He looked at the pavement below and saw that they were not that far up, only about four stories high. It was a jump he felt he could make, but what about the girl? Would she be okay?
A portion of the ceiling caved in behind him, wood, plaster, and concrete crying out in a horrible sound and kicking up a great burst of ash into the air, agitating the smoke into an even greater frenzy. It looked like the choice was being made for him. With no other viable means of escape, what else could he do but jump? Unless he wanted to see the woman burn as he ran back the way he came, then he had to take the risk of falling.
He slid the window all the way up and stepped through, being careful not to bump the woman’s head against anything and found himself with half his boot dangling just over the edge of the foothold outside the window. The woman clutched at his neck even tighter, her eyes widening, whimpering under her breath. Jae saw a swarm of people gathered on the ground below, their hands up to shield their eyes from the sun, and mobile phones held high to film the rescue. He also saw his station crew dotted amongst the spectators, looking up at him in surprise. A few of them were waving their arms at him, and some were calling out to him with a panicked look on their faces, but whatever they said were muffled by the chaos still churning loudly behind him.
Jae looked at the woman in his arms, and for a moment he thought he saw a ghost. Even with the mask concealing much of her face, she reminded him of Madeline, and he felt comfort in that lie as she pressed closer to him. He imagined this was the rescue he should have made six months ago, when he had failed to save her, and the thought of it made his chest swell with regret. But he gritted his teeth and forced the fantasy to ebb away, burying the pain as deeply as he could, brushing away the images of Madeline that fought hard to take root in his mind. Now was not the time to contemplate about past failings. He had a job to do.
A voice fizzled through his radio. “Yeon! What the hell are you doing? Get down from there!” It was Chief Flores.
Jae clicked on his radio. “Don’t worry. I’ll be down in a second.”
A shiver ran through the woman.
“That’s not what I meant! Don’t you dare do it, Yeon!” the chief said.
“I have no other option. The fire is right on our asses. It’s too dangerous to go back,” Jae said.
“Then wait until I have something to cushion the fall!”
Jae shook his head. “I can’t wait for that. The fire is too close. Listen, you have nothing to worry about, the fall won’t hurt me.”
“You will wait until I get the cushion ready, and not a moment too soon, you hear me? That’s a direct order!”
“I can’t hear you chief, there’s too much static coming through. We’ll talk once I get down.”
“Stop! Wait!”
Jae clicked his radio off. He knew the chief meant well, but he still didn’t seem to fully comprehend the strength Jae possessed. Perhaps a year ago Jae would have obeyed his command and waited, but things had changed, and “normal” rules didn’t really apply to him anymore. A cushion would be an unnecessary waste of time.
The girl spoke to him. “Are you really going to jump?”
Jae looked at her. “Close your eyes and don’t let go.”
“Please, don’t.” She had a soft voice, weakened by the smoke. “We won’t make it.”
Down below Jae could see the chief running frantically about, trying to corral his people into getting a cushion ready before the crazy idiot made his leap.
“Do you trust me?” Jae asked her.
She said nothing, perhaps realizing there was no point in arguing with her rescuer, and only answered him by tightening her grip around his neck.
“You won’t get hurt. Just close your eyes and hold tight. You’ll be safe, I promise.”
She closed her eyes as directed. Jae took in a deep breath, letting it sit in his chest, and pushed it out, slowly. He recited a quick prayer in his head, and took a step forward.
The world pulled away from him. A gasp erupted from the crowd. Jae heard a scream, then shouts of horror. The wind tugged at his face and bit into his eyes. The ground rushed up to meet him, the concrete a grey blur. He bent his knees at a slight angle, bracing himself for impact, his teeth pressed together so tight he thought they were going to shatter.
“Oh my god,” someone blurted out.
The ground exploded. The earth shook. Tremors surged through Jae’s body. The pavement erupted into a shower of splintered pieces, his feet punching through and caving in the ground, a web of cracks forking out in all directions. Cries of astonishment went through the crowd, and dozens of people stumbled backwards all at once, scrambling to get away from the concrete that fractured underneath their feet.
It took a moment for Jae to recompose himself. His legs shook, as did his teeth and vision. His ears rung, a harmonic humming that persisted. His feet throbbed with an unimaginable pain, but nothing felt broken. A quick perusal revealed no wounds, bruises, sprains, or bleeding from the mouth. He felt a little dizzy, but otherwise he was lucid.
It was over, and they were safe.
He looked at the girl. She had her head down, eyes shut tight, whimpering softly. Her legs were drawn inward, and her arms formed a chain around Jae’s neck. He gently squeezed her arm to let her know that it was over, and she opened her eyes, blinking up at him. He pulled the breathing mask free from her face, and again he was struck with a memory of Madeline. Admittedly, she looked nothing like her, but it was enough to remind him of what he had lost.
“We made it?” she asked.
Jae nodded. She embraced him, crying into his shoulder.
The EMTs pulled the girl away and the chief pulled Jae in a different way. The chief admonished him for the stunt he had pulled and was keen on reminding him of the damage he had caused to the pavement, lamenting about how the state was going to reprimand him for this stunt. The rescue was almost an afterthought for the chief. The rest of his crew didn’t share the same sentiment however, instead surrounding Jae to voice their congratulations on the rescue and their awe at the feat he had performed. They heaped praise on him, their faces lit up with pure adulation.
An hour passed and the sun was at its peak, cooking the earth with its summer light. Jae sat on the curb of the sidewalk, enjoying the warm wind that whistled through his hair. Sweat gleamed in the ridges of his brow, and he patted them away with a graying handkerchief. Much of the crowd had dispersed, with onl
y a few stragglers left behind, most of them seeking comfort from the sun by shading underneath trees.
Gabe sat next to Jae, sighing as he made himself comfortable, and shrugged his coat off, dumping it in a bundle next to him. He clamped a hand down on Jae’s shoulder, and smiled in his face.
“You’re a crazy son of a bitch, you know that? A crazy son of a bitch. How did you know that fall wouldn’t hurt you?” Gabe asked.
“I didn’t. I just took a leap of faith,” Jae said.
“Literally.” Gabe looked over to the side, staring at the crater Jae had created, which was cordoned off with yellow tape by the police. “Have you gotten stronger? I’ve never seen you do anything like that before.”
Jae looked at the damage. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“How did you not break your legs? That wasn’t exactly a short fall.”
Jae wondered about that too. Perhaps there was another facet to his strength that he didn’t realize or consider, such as increased resilience. It would make sense if that was the case. To accommodate his newfound strength, his body would need to be denser, stronger, and more tolerant for all the heavy weight he was now lifting, and that could in effect give him the added benefit of a much higher pain threshold. His incident with Andrea gave further credence to that theory, and the more he thought about it, the more Jae couldn’t help but laugh quietly. Was he just realizing this now? Perhaps the hoopla over his strength had blinded him to the other changes his body had gone through.
“By the way, were there other people in the room? The girl mentioned there were two other guys with her,” Gabe asked.
“Did she tell you who they were?” Jae asked.
“She was pretty out of it. Doesn’t remember much.”
Jae stared at the threads of black smoke spilling out of the windows of the dormitory. “One of them was the bomber.”
Gabe stared at Jae, cocking one eyebrow in a questioning manner, as if he wasn’t sure he heard correctly. “The bomber?” The moment the words left his lips, he jolted back, as if suddenly awakened from a slumber. “You mean the bomber?” He stood and stared at the dorm windows. “Are you sure? Where is he? Is he dead? I didn’t see anyone else coming out.”
