Chapter 3:

6 months later

Devin was in a store, looking for new clothes. He had refused to ever go back to his home and instead decided to get new clothes and essentials for himself. Where did he get the money for this? By pick pocketing and stealing money from people. At this point he had about 70 dollars saved up. He grabbed a jean jacket, a beanie and some grey jeans before walking to the counter. He placed the clothes on the counter and smiled at the female cashier.

"Found everything you were looking for?" The cashier asked him. He nodded and smiled before looking at her name tag. The tag read Rachel and he looked up at her. "I'm doing good Rachel. Just getting a new…..wardrobe." He said trying to reassure himself. She nodded and scanned his clothes before stopping to look at him. "Aren't you….Devin Ross? One of George Ross' boys right?"

Devin's smile disappeared at the mention of his father. He quickly regained his composure and nodded. "Yeah. I'm….I'm his son." He said reluctantly. Rachel's eyes widened a bit and she leaned forward. "You've been reported missing for 6 months...and there's a reward for any information on you." She looked around and kept her voice low. "I wouldn't need this job if I get that reward…."

He shook his head as he kept his voice down as well. "I can't go back. Not after what happened. He thinks I'm a monster. Please, just let me live my life without my family." She sighed in realization and looked at his total. "$24.83…..why would he think you're a monster?" Devin shook his head and reached into his pocket and grabbed his wallet. He gave her the money and their hands touched. He felt the all too familiar pull and shook his head furiously. By that time, it was too late. She had clutched onto his hand out of shock and a large surge of light flashed where their hands were connected. The two fell to the floor, completely out cold.

A few hours later, he woke up inside of a bedroom. He looked around and the room seemed familiar to him. He got out of the bed and looked closer at the room. His eyes widened before the door opened and his father stood there. There was a large moment of silence before his father stepped forward towards him. Devin backed away from him, shaking his head.

"Leave me alone. Don't even touch me." He warned. His father George held his hands out. "Devin….it's big six months son. Where have you been?" He asked in a calm manner. "I AM NOT YOUR SON OLD MAN!" Devin lashed out. "A father would not make me wrestle my older and stronger brothers at the age of 13!" George shook his head in sorrow.

"I'm sorry….look. Someone called and reported you in. I miss you, John misses you and Mason does too. He's okay by the way….just not the way he was….." He walked towards Devin and Devin backed up to the window.

"That's nice to know. But the days of me being your son is over….." He ran past his father, but not at normal speed. When he ran he ran at seemingly light speed, leaving behind a trail of yellow afterimages. His father hung is head and walked out of the room. Devin watched from a tree before running back into the room and grabbing his stuff, including his new clothes. He ran out again this time running to the city once more. He ran to the rooftop that he had set up as his little home. Dropping his stuff, he crashed onto his small bed. He held his hand up and shot out a beam of light at the sky.

"Huh….so I guess that's what I do…" He sat up and stared at his hands and energy surged through them. He smiled and started shooting light beams across to the other rooftop. Standing up made it much better for him as he started doing various trick shots.

"That Rachel girl must have been a mutant too…..so I absorbed her power like the guy at the gas station." He paused and then looked around. "How do I switch back?" He saw smoke coming out of one of the air vents and walked over to it. He punched the vent hard and it cracked. He laughed and hit it again, this time light enveloped his fist as he hit it, causing it to spark a fire. As the fire started, he held his hand out and the fire and smoke was sucked into his arm and around it. He then quickly shot out a brimstone spark and smiled.

"Oh hell yeah….."

Author's Note: Short chapter I know, but in the next is when things start getting good...and we meet some familiar faces.