The Superhumans

Liam tinkers with the big round webcam sitting on top of his computer to see if it’s on. He slowly takes a few steps back, standing brave and bold. He lets out a big sigh and speaks. “March 10, 2049. Log one. I, Liam Colten Porter have successfully accomplished to engineer the world’s first user-friendly hoverboard, and...”

“Why in the world are you doing this for? It’s so weird!” Liam is interrupted by Ayren, who is located behind him on a cramped chair, fiddling with a small ball in his hand.

Liam turns around, rolling his eyes, “How many times do I have to tell you not to interrupt my logs! I have my thing and you have yours!” Ayren abruptly raises his hands in defence, almost to depict his innocence.

“Well, your thing is kinda stupid!”, says Paige in a chilled tone. She looks to Ayren excited. “Why can’t we just sell it for some good fortune! We all get to benefit from this. After all, no one has ‘engineered the world’s first successful user-friendly hoverboard’ before?” Paige says almost intimidating. Ayren likes the idea and gives Paige a smile of approval. "Essentially, you're becoming the next Steve Jobs!" she adds. "Yeah, until he died and then Apple lost its mojo!" Ayren responds.

“Haha, guys! Not happening! There’s still a lot to test out and you never know if there are some bugs and...”

“Okay LC! Slow down! Let’s just get something to eat at Jonny’s. I'm starving!” Ayren says and with that leaves the garage and heads outside. Paige quickly follows. Liam rolls his eyes, groans and heads out too. Jonny’s is their favourite restaurant and meeting place; their version of a perfect leisure time, where they do not argue for once.

After a few hours of having a nice meal and some good chat, the three of them leave the place and head back to Liam’s garage.

“Talking about pranks at school, do you still remember when Liam did his first prank?” Ayren laughingly jokes with Paige.

She responds, “yeah like, ‘the altitude of this self-made rocket must be accurate’” trying to imitate Liam’s voice.

“Not funny! I still feel guilty about having damaged Mrs Simmons’ desk” he laments.

“At least I admitted my mistake, Ayren!” Liam says annoyed. The three of them take their usual shortcut to Liam’s place at Shepherd Alley.

“Liam’s right!” Paige admits. “You literally made the whole school smell like rotten eggs and didn’t even admit to what you did.”

“Since when do pranksters admit to their pranks?” Ayren asks confused.

“You got us all a whole week of detention, Ayren!” Liam chants frustrated. Both of them begin to argue. Paige unsurprised walks in front of them, when a weary young man dressed in black walks across the lone alley. He gains Paige’s attention, who is still trying to distance herself from her two annoying friends.

“Guys...”, she says in a concerning voice. The young man, about their age, approaches the bunch and faints. Ayren and Liam abruptly stop talking and look at the young man in front of them. Their eyes widen up. It’s Reece. Their classmate.

Reece twirls around in Liam's bed, confused, not remembering any of the events that had happened earlier.

"You are finally up!" Paige says relieved as she approaches him. "Paige?" Reece responds baffled.

She calls Liam and Ayren into the room. They approach their disoriented classmate. Briefly, all three began to explain what had happened.

"What were you doing during that time anyway?" Paige asks him curiously. "Your parents might be worried as well!" Liam adds. "I can't go to my parents!" Reece chants abruptly. The three of them look at him confused. "Please!" he begs them.

"Oh boy!" Ayren comments distressed. Paige ignoring Ayren continues to question Reece. "Why don't you want to go back? Did you do something...". "Some people are after me. I can't go back! I can't!" Paige gestures her hands, indicating that he should calm down.

"My parents may be coming anytime soon!" Liam explains. "You can stay here for a while." "I don't think that might be a good idea." Reece counters. "Why?" Liam asks confused. A sudden knock on the door they hear downstairs. Liam isn't expecting someone today. No voices.

"They are here!" Reece states worried. Liam and Paige glance at each other concerned, while Ayren slowly peeks out of the window. He sees two black SUVs and three, no, four men standing in front of the door. "I think we need to leave" Ayren discloses. Paige helps Reece up and Liam leads the way downstairs quietly. They are heading for the back door to escape. "We are going to my place!" Paige says. "We get to the car without these guys noticing and we'll be safe."

"No respond, Sir!" one of the four men says to the tall figure approaching them at the door. "Then what are we waiting for?" He gives them a nod of approval, as the four men break through the door, to step into the house, searching through every room.

"There's no one, Sir!" the men reply after a brief search. The man smashes a table in response. "I've been looking for this kid for five damn years! In the last three weeks, I finally caught up to him. I won't lose him. Not this time!"

They hear a loud shriek outside. A woman, one of the agents standing outside in front of the SUVs approaches him. "Sir, they are about to leave!"

"Ayren start the freaking car!" Paige chants aloud while she, Liam and Reece run towards it. Ayren, Paige's old white minibus, revives the engine. "Come on guy!" he chants. The four of them see the two black automobiles coming towards them from a distance.

"Wait!" Reece hesitates and turns around, facing the oncoming cars. "What are you doing?" Paige exclaims frustrated. Reece stands his ground, balls his two fists, leaning forward and claps his two hands; a sudden giant shockwave is released that bring the two SUVs to a halt. The alarm of every car on the street goes off. The three friends remain speechless. Reece enters the minibus and they hurry away.