chapter 10

Chapter 10: The Mysterious Heir

Marcus, the eldest son of the influential Wright family, was a man of imposing stature. Standing at 7 feet tall, with chiseled abs and striking features, he exuded an aura of mystery. His family's wealth and power were matched only by the enigma surrounding their background. The Wrights' business empire included a vast network of underground organizations, making them a force even the government dared not cross.

Marcus had accompanied his younger brother, Mark, on a business trip to Case City, a venture intended to introduce Mark to the world of high-stakes business. However, their plans were brutally disrupted by the sudden outbreak of the apocalypse. As chaos erupted, Marcus's bodyguards either mutated or fell in the struggle. With unyielding determination, Marcus fought to escape, shielding Mark as they fled in their car.

Their desperate journey ended at a villa on the outskirts of the city, where Elise's family had taken refuge. Exhausted and wounded, Marcus struggled to carry Mark towards the villa's gate, hoping against hope that someone would be there to help. It was then that Derick intervened, saving Marcus from the brink of collapse.

As Marcus regained consciousness, he found himself in unfamiliar surroundings. His instincts on high alert, he recalled the events leading up to his blackout. The last thing he remembered was stumbling towards the villa's gate, Mark in tow, guided by the faint light emanating from the windows. Had they been rescued? And how was Mark faring?

Marcus's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Elise, the girl who had captivated him two years ago at a dinner party. Her innocent smile and ravishing beauty had left an indelible mark on his heart. Since then, he had discreetly gathered information about her, fascinated by her enigmatic presence. Now, as their paths crossed again, Marcus wondered if fate had brought them together once more.

"Are you awake?" Elise asked, her voice gentle.

Marcus slowly opened his eyes, taking a moment to regain his bearings. "Yes, I am," he replied, his voice low and rough. "Did you save me?"

Elise shook her head, a calm smile on her face. "No, I didn't. But my dad did."

Marcus's gaze narrowed slightly, his mind racing with questions. But before he could ask any of them, he remembered his brother. "What about Mark?" he asked, a hint of worry creeping into his voice.

Elise's smile widened. "Mark is fine. He's downstairs having breakfast."

Marcus felt a wave of relief wash over him, and he nodded silently in response.

Elise's gaze turned curious. "Do you feel anything strange in your body? Like a stream of energy?"

Marcus's eyes flickered, and he focused inward. As Elise mentioned it, he became aware of a strange, pulsating energy coursing through his veins. Experimenting, he tried to guide the energy, and his eyes widened as he discovered his newfound abilities.

He had mutated, and his powers were astonishing. He could wield thunder, harness spirit energy, and manipulate space itself. But his space abilities were unique – he could not only store objects within his spatial realm but also teleport using his powers.

A surge of excitement and joy flooded through Marcus, but he carefully kept his emotions in check, not wanting to reveal his true feelings. With these powers, he could protect those he cared about – Elise, Mark, his parents, and his brothers, including his colleagues in the underground organization.

"Yes, I think I have some powers," Marcus said, intentionally vague, not wanting to alarm Elise.

Elise's face lit up with a bright smile. "Congratulations! Now you can protect your loved ones." With that, she turned and headed downstairs.

Marcus quickly freshened up in the bathroom. As he exited, he noticed a pair of clothes neatly laid out on the bed. A faint smile spread across his face. "What a thoughtful little girl," he murmured to himself, his voice low and gentle.

After dressing, Marcus checked his pockets for his phone. Although the regular network was down, he knew his family's underground organization had established a separate, secure network. He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he could still contact his family and colleagues through this private channel.

"Dad, what's up?" Marcus asked, his voice calm and collected, after his father picked up the call.

"Where the hell are you and your brother?" Mathew, Marcus's father, thundered from the other end of the phone. Though his tone was angry, it was clear that his emotions stemmed from worry. He had mobilized his resources to search for his sons, and the uncertainty had left him sleepless since the apocalypse broke out.

Mathew's wife, Anna, stood beside him, her eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep and worry. Mathew flashed her a reassuring glance, trying to convey that their sons were safe. He had been doing this every day, trying to comfort her and alleviate her fears, but the sound of her muffled sobs at night still lingered in his mind. He would often step out onto the balcony, lighting a cigarette to calm his nerves and collect his thoughts.

"Dad, we're fine," Marcus reassured him. "We're currently in City A with the family that saved me." Marcus went on to recount the events that had transpired, including his discovery of superpowers. "I think it would be best if we established our own base in City G, Dad. We can collaborate with the military and—"

"Already on it, son," Mathew interrupted, a hint of relief and pride in his voice. "I'll make the necessary arrangements. Just take care of yourself and your brother. We'll get through this together."

After hanging up the phone, Matthew turned to Anna, a warm smile on his face. "Marcus and Mark are safe," he said, his voice filled with relief. Anna's eyes welled up with tears as she processed the news, her face etched with gratitude.

Matthew spent the rest of the day making arrangements for their base in City G, utilizing his vast resources to gather supplies and mobilize their team.

Meanwhile, Marcus made his way downstairs to join Elise's family for breakfast. As he entered the dining area, Mark's eyes lit up, and he rushed towards his brother, eager to hug him. However, he hesitated, fearful of causing Marcus more harm.

"Brother, are you okay now?" Mark asked, his voice laced with concern.

Marcus reassured him with a warm smile. "Don't worry, little buddy, I'm okay." He opened his arms, and Mark eagerly hugged him. Marcus picked him up, holding him close as he walked towards Derick.

Despite his injuries, Marcus's superhuman physique enabled him to heal at an incredible rate. As he stood before Derick, he gently set Mark down and bowed his shoulders respectfully.

"Thanks for saving me and Mark," Marcus said, his voice sincere.

Derick smiled, impressed by Marcus's demeanor. "It was no trouble," he replied.

Anita called out, "Come have breakfast, Marcus!" as she served him a hearty meal.

"Good morning, Aunty," Marcus greeted, taking his seat at the table. He nodded to Elise and Madison, acknowledging their presence.

After breakfast, Derick called for a meeting to discuss their journey ahead.

Derick leaned forward, his eyes locked on Marcus. "Marcus, can you tell me about yourself and your plans?" he asked, his voice sincere.

Marcus nodded, his expression calm. "Mark should have told you my name. I am Marcus Wright, the first son of the Wright family," he began, his voice confident. "And Mark, as I'm sure you've gathered, is my younger brother – the last son of the Wright family."

Derick's eyes narrowed slightly, his interest piqued. "The Wright family," he repeated, his tone thoughtful. "I've heard of you. Your family is... influential."

Marcus's gaze met Derick's, a hint of a smile on his lips. "We have our connections," he acknowledged. "But I'd rather not discuss family business at this time. What's important is our current situation and how we plan to navigate this new world."

Derick nodded, seeming to accept Marcus's boundaries. "Very well. Let's focus on our plans, then. What do you propose we do, Marcus?"

"I've been in touch with my father," Marcus explained, "and he's already making arrangements in City G. He's collaborating with the military to establish a secure base."

Derick's eyes lit up with interest. "That's great news. What's the plan for us to get there?"

Marcus leaned forward, his eyes scanning the group. "I think our best route would be to head towards City S, then pass through to City Z, and finally make our way to City G. It's a bit longer, but it should be safer."

Elise nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. We should also stock up on supplies while we're on the move. Food, water, medical supplies – we don't know what we'll face on the way."

Marcus nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We'll need to be prepared for anything. I'll make a list of the supplies we need, and we can start gathering them as we move towards City G."

With their plan in place, the group quickly sprang into action. They packed up their belongings, loaded up their vehicles, and set out towards City S, the first leg of their journey to City G.

As they departed, Marcus took a moment to glance back at the villa, a sense of gratitude towards Derick and his family for their hospitality and help. He knew that their journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but with their combined skills and determination, he felt a sense of hope and optimism.

With Elise by his side, Mark safe and sound, and Derick's family watching their backs, Marcus felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. He took a deep breath, focused on the road ahead, and led the group towards City S, and ultimately, their destination: City G.