1. The Excelled Norm
The constant shouts prevented Reagan from making his way to work. The ground beneath him began to shake causing him to grip the wall beside him. He glanced around the corner to see a company of Platoons. They aimed their tranquilizers at their target. Reagan followed their gaze to see a young man. Reagan’s eyes widened. He must be one of them, he thought. The ground shook again as the gravel rose. Reagan watched in astonishment as the gravel floated. With a thrust of his hands, the gravel flew towards the platoons. A guard held a blade and threw it towards the man. It was curved and sharp as he held it up. Once he angled it, he threw the blade across the street as the man went for cover. Just like shackles, it wrapped around his wrist making him stop.
A flash sparked on the blade as the man began to move. With great speed, he clung to the nearest structure with a bump. The man yelped in pain as the blade turned on. He didn’t stop there as he began to kick. The ground beneath him rumbled making the gravel rise and attack. Reagan inched closer trying to figure out what ability the man had. Out the corner of his eye, another blade was thrown. The blade flew through the air towards the man, this time locking his feet together. The gravels dropped to the ground making Reagan edgy. It’s over. Without his hands and feet to control his ability he’s useless. The man began to scream as the blades flashed. Reagan squinted his eyes as he tried to figure out what the blades did to them. He watched as the platoons escorted him away once he passed out.
It was the year 2817 where the world faced catastrophe. The outbreaks of wars erupted leading countries to become overpopulated. President Ares accepted migrants from all over the world into his land. He sent out soldiers the following year to fight. Many joined yet they didn’t know what machinery they were up against. While the soldiers were fighting President Ares had other plans. He worked with scientists and engineers for a way to end all this. By the time they created something, the soldiers already returned. President Ares needed to know if what they’ve created works. The only people they could test it on were the injured and sick soldiers from the war. Several were sent to a top-secret facility where they were tested on. After a long wait, the soldiers started receiving what is called today NGH17. A female soldier managed to escape, not wanting to be a lab rat anymore. Most soldiers were sick after the war gaining the flu. Little did she know that the flu was contagious and NGH17. Many were transmitted with NGH17 and the thing that fascinated Reagan that every person who has it develops a different ability. Corruption started within the land. The people who developed NGH17 also known as ‘The Excels’ started to rebel and protest against the government. President Ares couldn’t do anything about it since he created NGH17 but he could control it. The Excels and The Norms lived discreetly among each other, yet they’re treated differently.
“Nothing to see here, move on.” Reagan stared at the guard then glanced over his shoulder to see the platoons taking the man away. “Move it, kid.” The guard muttered motioning with his tranquilizer gun. Reagan threw his hands up and backed away.
While he walked he thought over the recent event, he experienced it already. It intrigued Reagan how The Excels kept fighting. He’s only been here a few months, so he wasn’t used to everything. Reagan then realized he was walking into an alley. His vision wasn’t clear through the dark as he saw movement. In the far distance, he could hear yelling and many footsteps. A group of platoons turned the corner making Reagan jerk his head down to his wristwatch. He was late for work, and they would punish him since it’s his last warning. He ran into the alley yet had a strange feeling that he wasn’t alone. The deeper he went into the alley made him nervous. His back hit the wall as he saw the platoons walk pass.
He felt rapid warmth behind him as his body pressed against the wall. It got hotter as Reagan jolt away and spun around. The darkness seemed to take over making him uneasy. Out the corner of his eye, a sudden light appeared. The light got bigger until a face was visible. Reagan went stiff as he stared at the girl drifting the flame in her hand. He squinted his eyes as they stared at each other. The fire suddenly disappeared making him blink.
Reagan jerked forward as he followed the girl. They ran down the cracked roads as Reagan yelled out to her. She tried to lose him, yet he wouldn’t let that happen. The girl turned a corner as she climbed up a ladder. Reagan followed eagerly up the ladder as he watched the girl climb into a window. His pace quickened as he jumped through the window landing on a hard surface. Reagan let out a groan as he heard groggy moaning and sneezes. He stood up and glanced at his surroundings. The girl was nowhere to seen, but he did notice several beds fitted into the tiny room. The sick people in the room noticed him and began shouting. Blurry images filled his sight as someone sneezed sending electric shocks around the room. He saw one heading straight towards him; everything happened so fast as he fell to the ground and was knocked out.
Reagan’s eyes snapped open as he leaped forward. He realized he was on a bed surrounded by people. One face was familiar as he locked eyes with the girl. The room filled with noise as people argued, sneezed, whispered and questioned him all at once.
“Hey!” Reagan yelled raising his hand. Suddenly everything paused. The talking, sneezing, yelling even the movement, which frightened Reagan. He lowered his hand, and everything went back to normal. As if the five seconds of the world that stopped didn’t happen. Reagan observed his hand, which made the girl raise a brow. Her eyes widened realizing something.
“Quiet!” she shouted causing everyone to lower their voices. They all looked at the girl then Reagan. The girl smirked at Reagan. A strange feeling went through him as if he knew what the girl would say. “You’re one of us Normie.”
