Four years ago, an eleven year old form of myself would have never thought that I would be leading a double life. And now fifteen year old of myself never would have thought that I would be in this situation. Some form of a place I called home was in ruins all around me, the broken bodies sticking through cracks in rubble. The wailing sounds of sirens had finally slowed to an eerie stop. The only noise was my beating heart. Had I really done this? Had I destroyed the place that raised me since the accident? The accident. The voice flowed through me like the old “friend” it was. They didn’t help you. They let you suffer silently while they reaped the rewards of your powers. I remember an old idiom that we had learned in poetry class. “A child that is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” Is that what I had done? Burn down my home to feel the warmth they had hid from me all these years?

“Carter. Why?” A voice broke through my thoughtful silence. A mixful melody of pain and betrayal laced through its tune.

Figures broke through the fog of broken rooms. My classmates, the ones that were there for me through everything that had happened, stared at me. Expressions of shock displayed on their faces. Hands flew to mouths and eyes softened at the sight of me. Your mask… The voice seemed shocked, unlike the emotionless acts he had said to me before. Slowly, I reached up to my face. I felt the unmistakable feeling of cold skin. My mask was gone, but my identity was no longer.

“I-'' I tried to speak. Explain myself, tell them why, reveal the true story of the accident. But the words didn’t come to me. You have no excuse. The voice persuaded my answer. This is your fault, but you can fix it. Lie to them. One of them stepped forward, Grace? Her blonde hair was draped over her face, a dark shadow hiding her expression.

“Carter, we trusted you!” She burst out, a rage of tears spitting into my face. She suddenly calmed, burying her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook violently. At first, I thought she was crying harder. But then she lifted her head up. A low laugh filled the eerie air around us. “If only you knew what we’ve had to hide from you for years. How unlucky you are to be who you are.”

I slowly watched in horror as my friends transformed into the heroes I’ve been fighting since I got my powers.
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I skittered backwards, my legs failing me as I tripped over a spare piece of wire. This can’t be happening right now.. I thought to myself quickly. Was it my thought? Or the voice? Everything was so clouded right now. I pained myself to look up at my hero friends. Grace had become Mango, the sweet and loyal hero that was famous among the children. Her face was concealed by a mango-orange mask. Jasper, coming out from the back, turned to me. His freckled face and fluffy brown locks were coated with a thin layer of dust. He was Bearboy, and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t seen the resemblance sooner. He had the same hands that were always held together by his chest and the same bounce whenever he walked. The tips of his ears went red when I noticed his suit, which basically looked like a slightly oversized bear onesie. He stood beside a still smirking Grace and looked at the floor timidly. Get out of here. The voice commanded me. I started moving my hands behind me, preparing for a running escape. As my feet started to leave the Earth, I heard a soft jingling and managed to lift my head to see someone that I would never expect. Standing in a bright yellow outfit and cape, holding two mini throwing items, stood Bella. Her perfect crooked smile made it my turn to go red. She laughed and swung her hand over Jasper’s shoulder. Her throwing bells jingled sweetly through the barren air.

“I got this name from your little nickname for me, dork, just so you know.” She seemed the most happy in this situation, as if she was almost glad to see me. Though I hadn’t been in school in months, her little smile still brought a shock to me. How could I have never seen the resemblance before? The final person walked through the gap in between Grace and Jasper. The expressions on everyone's faces were different. Grace was grinning evilly as she threw small globs of golden material across her hands. Mangos? I couldn’t help but to remember the mangos she ate everyday during our old lunch. I couldn't see Greyson’s eyes but he seemed to wince and clutch his hands tighter when the person stepped forward. Bella’s face may have fallen, but her anger rose as she turned over to Grace.

“Grace! You said you wouldn’t bring him!” A look of betrayal crossed her face. I shifted my scarred hands and finally looked at the person that had come forward. No… Even the voice was shocked. It wasn’t possible. No it couldn’t be- Greyson gave a sad smile at my horror-struck expression. His sandy blonde hair was cut neatly, and a faint outline of a scar traced down his face. He lent me an outstretched hand, one that seemed so familiar all those years ago.

“Well, Carter?”


“Greyson!!” I yelped again as he kicked my fingers off the pier again. His skinny legs dangled in front of me, wet with water from me splashing him. My arms were starting to get tired as I paddled myself above the deep murky lake’s surface. Greyson brushed back his messy hair and smiled warmly. He finally stopped joking around and outstretched his hand towards me, helping me up. I reached to grab it but my body suddenly jerked away. His jokeful expression turned to terror as he leaped up and pointed a single finger behind me.

“Carter! B-behind you!”

I could barely turn around before I saw a blackness touch my arm. Immediately, I felt my body turn to nothing. Everything around me went cold. My arm went limp, stopping me from staying above the water.

“Greyson..!” I sobbed, my face capsizing under the lake's surface. The blackness was spreading to my whole body. Greyson suddenly leaped into the water and tugged my body away. Water spilled from my gaping mouth. The darkness stopped, but started forming into something. Greyson had learned how to use his water powers better now that he had started the academy. Speeding under the forming monster, he kicked it, but was immediately slashed in his face. A look of shock spread, then bubbles escaped from his mouth as he slowly sank, eyes closed.

I screamed. “No, no, no!” I dove down, grabbing him from the deep part. The monster seemed to be satisfied with his sacrifice and dissolved into nothing. I hauled Greyson onto the dry grass as he sputtered water everywhere.

“D-did you see what I did?” He asked me, his right eye practically swollen shut. A gruesome gash ran from his chin to his eyebrow. I tried to nod but a quiet voice inside my head disagreed.

“I didn’t.” I said blankly.

“What do you mean? You watched me almost get killed while trying to save your life!”

I didn’t say that, but then who did? I tried to apologize, saying that I had no idea what had happened at that moment, but he stood up, tears falling down his face. Greyson turned, running away to lord knows where. I sat there, another voice whispering through my body. I shivered and felt my body collapse, no one there to save me this time.

I laid here now, rethinking my choices from all those years ago. Greyson reached his hand a little farther, a hopeful look on his face.

“Carter, please. Stop whatever you’re doing and let us help you.”

Should I take his hand? Or should I not; take the risk and lay here, broken, surrounded by those whom I once trusted. I looked around at everyone. Grace, with her mango-loving lifestyle and personality. Jasper’s big brown eyes and bear hugs when his friends are sad. And Bella- her fearless attitude and beautiful smile. These people were my friends. Friends are always there for you. I stood up, blocking the protesting voice in my head.

They’ll never accept you! Turn back! Now!

No… I answered this time, my voice echoing through my own head. You can’t control me. These people are my friends. I took Greyson’s hand and he pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me. Grace grumpily joined in, but I saw a smile peeling in the corner of her mouth. Jasper came over, his cheeks now pink with happiness. Bella stood beside me, grabbing my hand.

“We’ll help you Carter. We promise.”

oops my post was not supposed to be here sorry ^^;

also i read your entry it's really good i think you definitely have a shot <3 /gen

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