I stare at it some moments. Its ravenous destruction is captivating.
So captivating, in fact, I find it hard to remember what exactly my original intention was. I mean, is there anything better than watching things burn?
Oh, that’s right: watchingeverythingburn! That’s something I didn’t even know I wanted. But I’m sure I have. Especially after being so small for so long.
One house is not enough! I’m just getting started. There’s another next to it with movement inside. More tiny, little bodies running around. More fear. Some of the house lights are on. But they aren’t that bright. I can do so much better.
I raise my arm back and create a rolling, churning fireball. It’s the size of a small car. Even the real Sarah Strykerwould be impressed. I bet you anything I can knock that little shack down in a single blow!
“Alvin…”
It’s a familiar voice, calling my name. I lower my arm slightly, before cocking it back again. I’m having fun. No reason to get distracted.
“Alvin!”
Sigh.
The voice is next to me, and I turn to see Collin. Except he’s super-sized. My size.
“You did it. You got the vampires! Rafa and the elf are safe!”
Of course I did. I’m strong enough now to get anything I want. But the magic Irish boy doesn’t look like he’s celebrating. He looks stressed.
Whatever. That spirit is such a roller coaster of emotions, who can keep up? But he does remind me that therewerevampires and that I was wanting to do something to them, but it looks like they’ve all run away.
Except for one. There’s one who looks like he’s sticking around to take in the show. I see him down the street, and recognize his smug face immediately. It’s Rafa’s dead dad.
Our eyes lock. He’s yards and yards away, but everything is so clear to me now. Distance doesn’t matter. He gazes back at me, curious, like I’m an interesting bug. He still thinks I’m the stupid incubus boy.
You know what? I don’tlikethe way he’s looking at me. Not one bit. And now, there’s not a single reason I have to.
I draw back my elbows, thrust up my chest, and roar into the air. The night sky is torn open with an eruption offire from my mouth. The ground tremors beneath my feet. When I grin back at him, jaws hungry, the snotty vampire straight-up hops in the air like agitated chipmunk. Then he turns and runs. Terrified.
That’s more like it.
I surge after him, sweeping through weed-choked backyards clogged with dilapidated sheds and rusting clutter, and I bring flaming ruin with every footstep. He’s faster for now, but I’ll get him. To think, Alvin was scared of that little speck of lifeless flesh! I will teach that snooty vampire whatrealfear is—even if I have to burn the entire city to the ground!
I step out into the street—my massive leg the size of architecture—when Big Collin appears in front of me, palms out.
“Alvin, stop!”
But big or small, he’s just a spirit. I’m on the open road now. I simply run through him. I won’t let my prey slither off.
The magic Irish boy appears again, now twenty feet ahead of me. This time, he blocks the view of Rafa’s father—which isfrustrating. He’s clearly not going to give up.
I wonder if I can use my power to hurt a spirit, especially something as powerful as an “Avatar of Knowledge.” Something tells me I can.
I raise my fist and then swing down with all my strength to punch him in that big soft baby face of his.
The blond boy drops his arms and takes the punch, full in the jaw. The contact feels delicious. Skin crackles and bone breaks against my knuckles. He tumblesbackwards, full heels over head—two times, even!—before skidding on the pavement.
Nice!
Then I’m over him, ready to pummel him into pulp, and see I’ve already done tremendous damage. I really am so fucking strong! That beautiful face of his is crumpled-in and bloody. He’s a god-tier spirit, and I took him down-and-out in one shot!
He looks like he’s in so muchpain!
But… for some reason, that doesn’t feel as good as I thought it would.
