Chapter 7

PREVIOUSLY...

 Malik is on the sidewalk, lost in thought. Things are different from where he comes from. Everything here is technology-based, no sign of supernatural elements like in his world (The Veil). And also, in his world the day someone turns 18 years old; that person will manifest an ability, they are also known as the gifted. But also, if it's the other way around, someone turns out having no special ability, they will be looked down on, discriminated against because such a person is considered normal and believed to contribute nothing to the growth of his world. He is a victim of bullying since he has no special power, just ordinary and weak. Malik decides to join his world's army with a friend who's also normal with no ability. After a series of training, they are recruited and sent to catch a traitor, which leads him to stay on Earth and worse of all with the traitor himself

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 Then, a sudden car chase ensues between the police and robbers. They are both driving at top speed, and it seems like the criminals are not ready to back down, nor are the police. The moment the cars pass by Malik, he feels an eerie sensation within him. His entire body feels instantaneously empowered. Malik starts perceiving his legs moving autonomously, with incredible speed, as he chases behind the police cars, outrunning them and the robbers' vehicles within seconds. Malik couldn't control himself; a bug enters his mouth, and he spits it out in disgust. By the time he stops, he is standing in the middle of the road, while the robbers' car is miles away, approaching at full speed. Malik waves his hands to signal them to slow down when he feels his legs sticking to the road like magnets. He tries hard to move out of the way, but his legs aren't complying.

 "Who the hell is that in the middle of the road? Is he blind, seeing we're speeding?" one of the robbers that noticed Malik first informs his accomplices.

 "He is a psychopath. What are we going to do? The road is just one lane, and this pitiful being is standing right in our way!" Another robber, the only woman among the five, says, looking at the boss sitting next to the driver. The others turn to their leader for his judgment.

 "CRUSH!" is what the robbers' leader says, gritting his teeth, saying 'Crush.' And with that, the driver accelerates, ready to demolish the living obstacle in their way of heist and escape the law's punishment. 

 Sensing the danger ahead, Malik closes his eyes and imagines the horror of his death by car. With a final deep breath, he feels the weight of the car HITTING. Hitting him so hard, readying to feel the agony of pain washing over him. But... he didn't feel anything; all he hears while his eyes are closed is the sound of crushing metal, screaming of the robbers, and a reecho of a car wrecking. Malik opens his eyes to see what just happened, leaving him amazed and mouth agape. On the side of the road is the half-destroyed car of the robbers, leaving the culprits hanging near the car's window. They're motionless and sustain some injuries.

 The police also arrived in time, surrounding the robbers. Malik observes himself, noticing he has no even a single scratch. This makes him feel a little joy inside him. So it means he is also... GIFTED! One of the officers tries to approach Malik, but he leaves in a flash, making the officer blink with disbelief.😳

MEANWHILE...

 Back at the cafe, Mark has been having a great time with his new stranger friend. Mark starts noticing the man is checking his wristwatch every minute; he wants to ignore it at first but decides to ask.

 "I've been noticing you are checking the time consistently. Am I delaying you, or something?" Mark asks with a little bit of concern in his voice. The man quickly gives Mark an assurance smile.

 "Of course, not. I, em, I was expecting someone to meet me here, but he hasn't arrived. So, I am worried maybe he already got himself lost since he doesn't know much about this worl... place, I mean this place." The man corrects himself before he could blow their cover. Despite his smiley face, he observes that Mark isn't convinced... yet.

 "This city isn't the most secure, but I assure you he will be fine. You probably think too much of the negative outcome." Mark begins. "I remembered how scared my parents were one day I decided to skip the school bus; I was 4 or 5 then. Due to my slow movement and my house distance, it took forever to get home." Mark cackles, recalling. "I can still remember their boiling angry faces. I felt guilty for making them restless." Both of them burst into laughter as he narrates. "A month after I lost my dad." Then all the happy emotions in the atmosphere vanished when he mentions the last words. He didn't know why he said the last part, he shouldn't have, especially to a stranger.

 "Oh, I'm sorry about your dad. Trust me, I know how it feels like to lose someone important to you. I also lost the woman of my life and with an innocent unborn child." Mark looks at the man after hearing his story. He couldn't imagine how hard it must be for him, losing a wife and a child. "You see, tragedies are part of everyone's story. We don't let it define us, but instead, we are forged into something mighty during those times." The statement of the man hit something in Mark. The man's words keep repeating in his head. "I am sharing this with you because I see you as a friend, not a stranger, because a stranger is also a friend we don't know yet." The man concludes, making Mark finally feel at ease and comfortable with the man.

 "I am Mark, by the way."

 "The name is Galban, and pleasure meeting you." They introduce themselves.

 Then Malik rushes in with speed, panting before speaking, "Sorry I am late," he says, raising a finger up.

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