Chapter 5: It just keeps getting better.

"Twinkle, wake up, it's time for school," Victoria entered his room, "come on, honey, you don't want to be late for your second day, right?" she pulled the blanket off of him and saw what shape he was in: he was pale, eyes red from crying, lying in embryo pose and shaking.

"Son, what happened?" she asked worryingly.

"Nothing," he sat up. "Just a dream. A stupid, annoying dream."

"You don't look so good, baby," she said, "You can skip school today if-"

"It's fine," he interrupted her.

"Honey, you don't have to force yours-"

"I said it's fine!" he snapped at her, his irises are slightly red.

"Son..."

"I- I'm sorry," he rubbed his eyes. "It just... It was him in my dream. Again."

"Oh," she sat on his bed, "you wanna talk about it?"

"No. Not yet at least," he got off his bed.

"Just know that I'm always ready if you want to talk," she said.

"I know you are," he opened his closet. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to change my clothes."

"Oh, okay. The breakfast is ready, by the way," she said as she was leaving his room.

"Thanks. I'm sorry for snapping at you."

"It's okay, twinkle," she smiled. "You'd better hurry up if you want to get to school in time."

"Yeah."

He was sitting in a kitchen when an idea crossed his mind. How about I'll try to eat my breakfast with tendrils only? It might help me to figure out what kind of exhaustion I'll get from them. It's not like I can eat properly anyway since my hands are still fucking shaky, he sighed. And here I thought I've changed somehow over the course of three years, but I can't even talk back to him in my own fucking dream, he picked up a spoon with his tendrils. And I was the one to advise that guy yesterday? he shoved flakes in his mouth. What a fucking hypocrite.

He left the house a couple of minutes later and patted Dallas's head on his way to the gate. He was now waiting for his bus.

Wonder what's gonna happen at school today, hope I won't get in any confrontations, I'm definitely not in a mood for that kinda crap today, he shoved his hand in pockets. Why these nightmares feel so real anyway? They're completely different from any other dreams I have. Mayb- his thoughts were interrupted by the bus's arrival.

The bus was full when he entered, almost all of the seats were occupied. Almost. The only free place was next to a guy in his twenties with pieces of stone scattered all over his face, arms, and, judging by bulges under his shirt, his whole body.

He sat down next to him without a second thought, much to everyone's surprise.

There was a shitload of muttering inside the bus. Some were about him being blind, some about him being crazy, most of them, however, were insults dedicated to his neighbor. People called the poor guy a freak, an abomination, a mistake of nature. The guy was not taking it easy, he was shaking, his eyes getting wet. I need to calm him down somehow.

"Ignore those morons," he whispered. Real smooth, Jalyn.

"..What?" he whispered back.

"Don't pay attention to what they say, it ain't worth it," he paused. "I think your quirk is awesome. Really useful in a fight."

"A 'quirk'? You mean my abnormality?"

"A 'quirk' sounds better," he answered absent-mindedly. Distracting him from these jerks is an option as well.

"Huh, true," he shrugged. "Wait, does that mean you have one as well?" he said, clearly happy to be able to talk to someone like him.

"Yeah, I do. It allow-"

"Hey, stoner," he was interrupted by someone's shout. Turning around, he saw a teenager twice his age in a company of two of his friends. Are all asshats walk in threes or something? "How about you get off the bus, huh? You kinda don't fit in here, y'know?" he said smugly.

What an asshole.

He couldn't tell what disgusted him the most: the fact that some prick just picked on someone who was just minding his business or that most of the people were nodding in agreement with him. It was his stop, so he looked sympathetically at his neighbor and left.

Even on his way to school gates he still could feel a tiny bit of Blackfire he planted inside that moron's backpack. Let's see how flammable it is, he thought as he increased it's temperature, turning it orange. He felt his flame quickly moving forward a couple of seconds later. So you've thrown it away, huh? he kept the flame lit for some time and extinguished it when he reached school gates. That felt surprisingly satisfying.

He entered schoolyard and went for the door when one of his classmates passed him and bumped him on the shoulder.

"Oops, sorry, didn't mean to," he said with a grin.

Well isn't that a great start of the day, he sighed. Hope it won't get worse.

The rest of the day went pretty boring. They've studied new topics on lessons, some children occasionally were asked a few questions, from time to time his classmates tried to throw pieces of paper at him, which he successfully dodged or caught mid-air, throwing it back in their domes much to their shock and displeasure. Try harder, morons.

The last lesson ended and he was packing up when three of his classmates -Again?- approached him. One of them was the kid that shouldered him earlier.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"What the hell was that ?" one of the three asked irritably.

Jalyn tilted his head.

"Why did you throw the papers back?" he clarified.

"I thought you've dropped it," he deadpanned. "So I've decided to give it back to you."

"You think you're smartass, huh?!" the Shoulderer hissed.

"Smart enough to not pick a fight with someone I can't beat," he said.

"The hell did you just said?" the third one added.

"Should I repeat slower so you guys could understand?"

The first kid grabbed him by his collar. "Listen here, you abnormal freak, don't forget your pla-" Jalyn squeezing his forearms stopped him mid-sentence."Hrngh!"

"Don't forget my what?" he said, his voice is cold, tint of red in his eyes. "You think you morons can pick on me and expect me to bear with it?" he removed that boy's hands off his collar. "Now guess what?" he let him go, resulting in him falling on his ass. "You're dead fucking wrong, pal," he picked his backpack up. "If you want to show me 'my place', feel free to give it a try," he looked at his classroom. "That goes to all of you," and then he left.

I wasn't too rough with him, was I? Hope that's enough for them to leave me alone now, he thought on his way to the bus stop. Well, it could've gone much worse, so that's okay. One less problem to worry about anyways. Now, what I'm gonna do at home? he grabbed his chin. I guess I'll just test my tendrils. If no one's at home, I'll try to lift something, myself included, check out how fast I can shoot them out and how long I can make them, he got on the bus. Maybe I'll call Max so we can spar a bit? He might teach me something new.

He looked outside the bus window at the buildings. They weren't too tall. Maybe I can use my tendrils to swing from building to building? But I've got to overcome my fear of heights first or I ca-, he saw a pillar of smoke rising above roofs. What the hell? Oh, shit, is it a burning building? his eyes widened. I need to get there! Someone might get hurt! he jumped out of the bus the moment it stopped, rushing towards the building, shooting a couple of dozens of small black fireballs from his hands. C'mon, c'mon! he tried to run faster, dragging fireballs through alleyways simultaneously.

It was an 8-store building that was burning. Apparently, as he later read from the newspapers, some moron forgot to turn off the stove.

Without a second thought, he shot all the fireballs inside the building, merging them with fire. He now felt it, all of it.

A piercing pain struck his head.

"Shit!" he hissed. Don't pass out now! his legs were shaking. People are in danger, you idiot! he mentally berated himself. I need to make sure that I can control all of it! he tried to "feel out" all the floors as quickly as possible. As soon as he was sure of that, he immediately extinguished the fire.

He fell on his knees, panting heavily. The moment the fire was gone, firefighters finally decided to rush inside the house to save the tenants trapped inside. People were mumbling, asking what in the goddamn hell just happened. Some said it was God's blessing, but most of them, however, were convinced that it was the work of an abnormal person. He, on the other hand, didn't give a flying fuck about their conversations, looking at the door anxiously, waiting for people to get out.

Most residents were at their jobs and only 28 people were home at the time.

He wasn't fast enough to save three of them.

I should've been faster, he thought, covering his mouth. I should've practiced with my quirk better, he was looking at body bags being put inside an ambulance. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, he saw as woman, probably one of the victims' relative, fell on her knees and started crying. I'm sorry, he thought, as he got up off his knees and head home.

Why was I unable to change its temperature? Why did it hurt that damn much? Is it because it wasn't my flame? he clenched his fist. I need to practice more with alien flames. I must practice more, so there won't be any more deaths, his frown deepened. I know that I can't save everyone. But that doesn't mean that I shouldn't try to. Because every death I cannot prevent despite me being able to... he saw the ambulance drive past him. It is on me.

He took off his shoes and entered the house. A pleasant smell from the kitchen hit his nostrils. Mom's cooking something new? He headed towards the kitchen passing the guest room when a voice suddenly called out for him.

"On your left, kid," he turned his head to see Max sitting on a sofa in there. "How's your day?" his voice was way, way sadder than it usually is.

"Could've been worse," he lied. "Had a little confrontation with my classmates, but that's it."

"That pokerface of yours is really good for lying, pal," Max said with a small smile. "And I would've fallen for it if I hadn't been there."

Jalyn tensed up a bit, but then he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.

"Don't blame yourself for not saving those three," he said sympathetically. "There's nothing you could've done."

"Is there, Max?" he said calmly. "I've saved twenty-five people. They were in the same circumstances as that trio. I wasn't fast enough. I was too cautious, even when I knew that everything was under control. Their blood is on my hands, Max."

"You shouldn't berate yourself for it, kid," he said. "It could've been way, way worse, if it wasn't for you, so don't give up."

"Who said anything about giving up?" he looked at Max, eyes full of determination and sadness. "If today has taught me anything, it's that I'm more than capable of saving people. And the lives I couldn't save... They motivate me to try harder, to make sure that I won't let down those who need help the most."

Max's smile returned, "Attaboy! Now go and change your clothes, we're having mushroom soup for dinner. And don't worry, I won't tell your parents about what happened today."

"They'll hear that from news anyway," he mumbled as he went upstairs.

"So sharp, yet so naive," Max said quietly with a warm smile on his face. Media will never show a quirked person in a positive light, you know.

He entered his room and closed the door behind him. He sighed and then immediately turned his back to the door and threw his backpack on the wall opposite to him. Useless. Fucking. Weakling, he was shaking. He needed to punch something.

He quickly created a pillar from Blackfire, covered his right fist in armor, and hit it as hard as he could. He covered his left fist as well and started beating it.

Useless.

*Thud*

Fucking.

*Thud*

Weakling!

*Thud*

After ten or so hits he calmed down. 'More than capable of saving people,' huh? He started removing his jacket. What a bunch of bullshit, his tie. I could've done better, his shirt. I've just had to check that shit, aren't I? Just had to be sure? he turned the higher half of the pillar blue, hoping it'll help him calm down. And now people are dead. Because of my hesitation.

He slowly inhaled and exhaled. I need to practice even more, that kind of bullshit shall not stand. I must be ready to act instantly when there're lives at stake. He changed his clothes. He sighed. Now, let's put on a happy face. I don't want them to worry for me, he left his room. More than they already do, he went downstairs.

Max offered to dinner with the TV on, receiving a glare from a "fiery boy" in-process and winking back at him.

Victoria's cooking was definitely the best thing he ever ate. Somehow, anything she made tasted like it was cooked in the kitchen of a fucking Olympus. He was really happy that a woman like her was Jalyn's mother: caring, supportive, not too overprotective, the kid needed someone like her to stay sane, considering all the bullshit that happened to him in a span of three years. His whole family, with one famous exception, was exactly what he needed to deal with what happened. And what will happen. Gotta teach him how to shoot someday. 'Just in case', as he'd say, he stealthily looked at him. Don't worry, pal. Even if the whole world will be against you, we'll always be by your side, He continued shoving mushroom soup down his throat. Fucking divine, goddamnit.

The kid surely had similar ideas about his mom's cooking. His eyes had a tint of blue and green. Happiness and calm, was it? The easiest way to read you, pal. Just a peek in the eye. It's way harder to read you when your eyes are black, he couldn't help but smile. I don't care what you say, you'll be a great person in the future. And an even greater hero.

All of them turned their heads towards the TV when the news started. Showtime, he grinned.

The kid slightly tensed up when news report on today's fire began. Frowned a little when they brought up the names of victims. Brightened a bit when he heard that survivors were okay. You really are a worrywart, aren't ya? Now, the best part.

*... if not for our city's fire brigade's efforts in stopping the fire, who knows how many lives could've been lost*

The dumbfoundedness, surprise, and relief was seen in his eyes, silent "The fuck?" escaped his lips and Max was trying his best not to lose his composure, not break down in laughter. How the fuck is he even able to deliver so much shit with his eyes only? Dear-fucking-god.

Judging by the glare Max was receiving from the boy, he was really waiting for their next sparring session.

Oh, I'm so fucked now, aren't I? Max thought.

Yes, you are, Max, he could read in his eyes. Yes, you fucking are.

He was lying on his bed, blue, red and orange flames lit on his left forearm, black tendrils from his right shoulder lifting everything inside the room except said bed. Wonder how much I have to wait till another bullshit happens to me? Month? Week? Day? It's only the second day of my school and I've already made at least six enemies, so I've gotta be careful in case they'll try to get back at me.

Maybe I should start running in the mornings? he suddenly remembered. That'll help me to stay in shape since I've been kicked out of athletics because of that piece of shit law. His mom was really pissed when she heard about it. She can be terrifying sometimes. Hope I won't be kicked out of breakdancing though, there's still a lot for me to learn and, not gonna lie, it's kinda funny in there despite the looks I'm receiving, he then looked at tendrils sticking out of his shoulder. Guess it's the detached solidification exhaustion after all. Now I need to find out how much weight I can lift, he clamped his chin between his thumb and index finger, middle finger touching his lips. Gotta ask dad if he'll let me try to lift his car, he chuckled dryly. I can already see the look on his face.

He turned his quirk off, covered himself in a blanket and closed his eyes.

Hope shit won't get any worse at least for a couple of days.

To his sincere astonishment, the next three months went quietly. No one tried to pick a fight with him, no one tried to "show him his place", no one tried to ambush him. It looks like my threat worked better than I expected. Well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, I guess.

While his school life has become calmer, he noticed some strange shit happening in the city.

The amount of crimes has increased drastically, at least once a day he heard about someone being killed, robbed, raped, about houses, shops being set on fire. That really pissed him off. What pissed him off even more, is that, according to Max, police did jack-shit to stop it, and there was nothing he could do about it either. Not yet, at least. Four more years. Just four more fucking years and I'll start patrolling the city.

There's one more thing that worried him: a new group named "Anti-Abnormal Society" was formed. Judging by what Max said, its participants were mostly old grumps. Jalyn, though, thought that the group with such name is definitely up to no good.

The lessons are over and he was packing up yet again. That routine is getting kinda boring, he thought. Six more months and I'm free.

He exited the school gates and was on his way to the bus stop when a voice called for him.

"Jalyn! Wait!" he sighed and turned around to see a kid that bumped him back in September. "You've gotta help us, upperclassmen are picking on us and are going to beat Zhanibek," he really tried to sound scared. "Please help us."

Who the fuck is Zhanibek? Is that the kid that grabbed me by the collar the other day? And he really expects me to fall for that bullshit acting? Well, it might be something serious, so I at least should take a look.

"Lead the way," he said, rubbing his neck.

He followed him to an alleyway. Isn't it the alleyway where- "I've brought him!" the Shoulderer screamed. Aw, shit, here we go again.

"Well hello there," a familiar cocky voice said. "I've heard you've been causing trouble for... my... bro..." the owner of the voice paled. His two friends were already running away from the alleyway.

"Long time no see, Aslan," Jalyn greeted him. "Mind to tell me why I'm seeing your fucking face again?" he said, cracking his knuckles.

"W-well, it's just... A little misunderstanding occurred, you see." he started backing down. "My little brother over here," he pointed at the kid that grabbed him by his collar three months ago. "Said that some abn- a genetically different person was bothering him and his friends."

"And?" he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"I-I see that there's some kind of a mistake," he said. "I'll tell him everything he needs to know about you, so don't worry, please."

Jalyn then turned around. "See ya around," he said.

He heard a sigh of relief once he left.

None of his classmates approached him after that.

Six more months had passed. With exams dealt with, he now had a whole summer to train. A lot of various options were swirling inside his head.

Tests on solidified Blackfire are my top priority. Then I should probably learn how to increase and decrease the temperature faster, he left the bus and headed towards his house. I also need to increase my control over alien fires or at least find a way to weaken the headaches, he opened the gate and headed towards the door. "Maybe Max can help me out with something," he muttered.

"I sure as fuck can," he looked at Max, who sat on the bench near the garage.

"Oh, hi, Max," he said.

"Prepare your stuff, kiddo," he smiled widely. "You're spending your summer with me."

"...What."

"I've arranged everything whit your gramps. So don't worry," he said. "We'll be training for the whole summer."

"O...kay"

"You know what's the best part?" he asked with an even wider smile.

Jalyn tilted his head.

"Since my home is in the private territory, you can freely use your quirk outside the house, without worrying about anyone seeing it."

"When we're heading out?" he said immediately.

"When you'll be ready," he patted his head. "Now hurry up, maggot!"

With that, the kid ran inside home.

It'll be safer for you with me, pal. But I won't make it easy for you.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading.