Virus

As I woke up in the morning, I analyzed my dream. It seemed strange, but… anything could happen in my dreams, so I wasn’t that concerned about it. Therefore, I didn’t particularly notice when the first image popped into my head. Maybe it was something from last night… some spots were hazy. The image- or daydream- was of a fish, which swam in circles. Simple… but lucid dreaming had its perks. Something seemed off though- I had never experienced daydreams beforehand. Strange… Anyways, nothing else of importance seemed to happen, and I simply dismissed it for later. Was I… was I developing powers? It seemed too much to wish for, too easy. Was that image a premonition? Something that was going on? A vision? The possibilities swarmed my head. Now I could go back to the others… Eva and Kira wouldn’t think I was helpless now… However, that feeling of euphoria soon faded. But wait… I could make tons of money on bets… suddenly, a voice boomed in my head.

You think this power can be used for BETS! Your intentions were true- I gave you a chance…Evidently pure humans can never be trusted.

Who are you? I inquired.

I have no name… I create all ‘Hyper-Evolved.’ I choose who deserves the gene and who doesn’t… you have failed me, human. I was so close… and decided not to, at your birth. Now I am justified in my actions.

What… all I did was think about bets…

But all the ‘you are nothing without powers?’ People with abilities are not strong because of their powers, they are strong despite them. The temptation to the dark side is stronger, you know. The world of evil beckons.

Can’t I have another chance?

No. Why do you want powers, youngling?

So, I can pull my weight on the team.

Or so you say… Why?

It doesn’t seem fair…

Ha! Fair! The world is not fair, and never will be fair, child. You have failed. I am merciful- do you want me to erase your memories of this encounter or not?

No… I shall keep this memory.

Child, this might seem harsh, but your soul is not worthy. ‘Powers’ amplify what a person has in their soul. You have a good soul, yes, but why do you rage at Eva? Kira? Have they done something to you?

No…

Child, the problem is your temper. I am in a position that, after so many years, I see many indirect things that others cannot. The butterfly effect… it is true.

My temper?

You are easy to anger. This can be a strength, but also a threat. Those of your kind are easily manipulated…

Manipulated?

You didn’t see what the Amalgamation was doing? He forced your friends to openly display their abilities in front of you, inspiring jealousy, which led to your argument. This might seem trivial, the bet thought, but let me show you…

My brain was assaulted with a series of images, until I thought I would collapse. Image upon image. Me betting on a game, winning, followed by a flash of images. Finally, it ended a decade or so in the future, where a person was crushed by a car in a freak automobile accident.

This was indirectly caused by your actions, Lance, the voice persisted. You see, then, why I cannot let you get away with this. I thought this would happen, alas... the voice disappeared.

This seemed so strange, so early… cutting the head off the snake. I would never bet again… but it was hopeless. However, the conversation had left me with two pieces of information- I would never get powers, and I needed to track down the Amalgamation myself. T be fair, I hadn’t even known powers had existed before now, so there wasn’t much to lose. And the Amalgamation… no one got away with brainwashing me. No one. I had a mission, and I was going to complete it.