Good.
The world goes white as I feel the energy coming into me. I have the power here.
“What the fuck?” he says.
I focus only on the hand at my throat. I take the sunshine filling me and direct there; the rest overflows and fills the well inside me. I take every drop I can find.
Then I bring my focus to the man who holds my throat. I smile for him, just as he asked.
“Is that good?” I ask as his hold slackens. Lucky for me, his mask is still up, unable to protect him when I release the first flash.
He yells and drops me to protect himself, scrambling to get the mask down.
It feels so good. I blast him again. I didn’t mean to go so big. The stress of the situation is unlike anything we practiced. I can’t control it like I can with Nathaniel. Another wave pulsates from me like the sonic boom of an aircraft. I can see the shockwave of it detonate around me.
In front of me, Camo Shirt drops to his knees. He never stood a chance. For good measure I put my hand around his throat.
“Weak, pathetic man,” I say.
The unadulterated hatred pouring out of his eyes tells me he regrets nothing. He will go to his grave thinking he is on the side of right.
“Does it feel good to hurt those who can’t defend themselves?” I squeeze harder and tsk. I focus all the power flowing through me into that squeeze. The flow of energy feels too good. Like I’m unleashing something that has wanted to be free my whole life. Years of anger and hurt flow through me.
His eyes widen for a second and then he tries again to speak but his muscles have seized up in electric shock. I could easily kill this man. The realization hits me so clearly. But I’m not that person. I’m not the monster here.
“You aren’t worthy of any of my energy,” I say.
I release him and his body slumps to the ground.
He coughs and rubs at his throat. The skin is angry and red.
“Lucky for you, I’m giving you a chance to leave,” I say. “Next time I won’t.”
He glares daggers at me. He hates this power I have. Hates how small I make him feel.
“Freak,” he spits.
I tilt my head to the side. I allow myself to glow even brighter, stronger. It feels nice to give in to the anger. The power thrumming just under my skin has always felt like a curse, but now it feels like I’m unstoppable.
He flinches and stumbles back to crawl away.
“I’m trying very hard to be the bigger person here.” I step toward him. “You have three seconds to go back to whatever rock you crawled out from under. If I ever see you again, I will not show this level of mercy.”
He glares. “You aren’t scary.”
I jump at him and he flinches back. Maybe I’m a little drunk on power, but I’ve never been on this side of things before.
And he started it.
“One …” I say. He glances quickly to where the van was.
“Two …”
“Bitch!” He swears at me but then makes a break for it. He sprints down the street, running awkwardly in his leather apron and metal mask. My back is ramrod straight until he turns the corner.
I deflate back against my door. My whole body shakes. I didn’t know I had that in me. I’m not sure how I feel about any of it.
How could they be so bold? I glance again to the Davies’ garden.
