Gerardo
Leaves crunch under my feet. If I was attempting to be quiet, I would be climbing trees… But at this point, the only thing I have to put at risk is myself. Smoke radiates all around me, making it difficult to pinpoint the area it's coming from. It's difficult to breathe, but not impossible. Fire is not a possible source of this smoke, for there is no warmth in the air, nor light in the area. Another one. This time, an actual threat. I arm my dual blade katanas in my hands. Bullets are rare during these times, but blades work just as well if not better. I hear crunching of leaves, but I am not creating these noises. " Who's there?" I say in a calm voice, no louder than having a conversation with a close friend. The noises come to a stop. Then excruciating pain. I grip my throat and realize that the smoke around me is going directly into my nasal cavity. Without conversation, this mutant is already attempting to murder me. I unbuckle a spare gas mask from my belt and shove it to my face, and I actually get oxygen in my lungs. The burning sensation is still there, but is dulling by the second. I then stand up, and run to the source of the noise, katanas armed. I see a figure, no larger than a young girl, and swing. Smoke barricades the area around it, and then pushes me backwards. I struggle to stay balanced, but manage to hold my ground without falling. Without warning smoke shoots out of the barricade with such force, when I defend against the blow my katana armed in my left hand shatters. I hold the handle of my other blade with both hands to get the most force out of a swing, and plummet the end of my blade into the barricade. Parts of the smoke dissipate and the figure is revealed. A young boy with long and mangled hair. I jab my sword into the gap, however before I am able to touch the boy, the barricade snaps closed, cutting the katana in half. I am defenseless against a rogue mutant. Someone without control of himself, is the person I am trying not to become. That is why I do not use my own mutancies unless in a time of need like this. Bones erupt from my knuckles. Not in a straight neat pattern. No, these bones are in a jagged jumble of pain. Bones inside of me harden, becoming the strength of titanium. Body armor is created, bones creasing over my chest and legs. This happens in a matter of 3 seconds. I charge at the mutant with full strength, and break the barrier. Smoke blasts onto me, jabbing with the sharpness of a kitchen knife. I bleed, but no more than the amount of a few raindrops. I jab my fist of bones into his chest and what is supposed to be blood, comes out as smut and water. His teeth snap at me as I hold my fist in his chest. This boy went to the point of no return. He would go on a murder spree if he wasn't killed. I retract the bones in my left hand, pull out my pistol and shoot him in the head with a lead bullet. The only way to completely obliterate a mutant. He dissolves in a ash cloud. I cry, not knowing how to continue any further.