Lost and Found (2)

Grandma Windy sat across from Kyren, her curly brown hair framing her dark skin, her striking gray eyes locking onto his with warmth and understanding.

"What do you mean 'help,' darling?" she asked, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. "I'm here to help you."

Kyren hesitated, guilt gnawing at him.

"If you feel like you must do something," she continued, "then bring the kids snacks and food when you can. Help me with a couple of bucks here and there, and we'll call it even."

Kyren sighed. He wished he could do more, but even that was a challenge.

From that day forward, he woke up early and hit the streets, searching for odd jobs the locals might have for him. He spent his days working, his nights training—pushing his body to its limits, hoping against hope that one day something inside him would awaken. That he would finally develop a power.

But dreams didn't put food on the table.

So he trained his body instead. If he couldn't have power, he would have skill. He would make himself stronger, faster, smarter.

And when work wasn't enough? He stole.

Kyren became a shadow in the streets, robbing the same shop for the same snacks at least once a week. He was swift, precise, untouchable—always outpacing the aging shopkeeper. No one ever caught him. No one ever could.

Four years passed this way.

"It's the eve of your 17th birthday!"

Kyren barely had time to react before Irene's excited voice echoed through the old house. He rubbed his temples as he walked down the stairs.

"I know, I know, Irene. You don't have to scream it," he said, deepening his voice in a playfully gruff tone.

Irene shrieked with laughter before bolting down the hall, her footsteps echoing off the wooden floorboards. Kyren smirked, pretending to chase after her before letting her go.

Stepping outside, he took a deep breath. The air was warm, carrying the familiar scents of morning dew and distant city smoke.

This place had become his home. The orphanage, the kids, even Grandma Windy—it was the closest thing to family he had ever known. He had felt love here, something he had never had before.

But he had also felt loss.

Every time a kid developed their powers, they were taken away—sent to the academy, their entire future decided in an instant. It didn't even matter how strong their power was. The moment it surfaced, they had to report it to the Power Commission, and that was it.

Kyren had watched it happen over and over again. He had lost count of how many friends he had seen leave, never to return.

And he knew—no matter how hard he trained, no matter how much he wished—his time had already passed. Even if he did awaken a power, he was too old now. He'd never be sent to the academy. Never get to train alongside kids like him.

The realization sat like a stone in his gut.

"The only good thing about being powerless," he muttered to himself, "is that no one expects much from you."

With that bitter thought, he pushed himself forward, setting off to find his first job of the day.

Today's work was simple: road expansion.

The job was tough but not as dangerous as some. He met up with the crew—most of them had powers, their abilities making their work faster, more efficient. There was only one other worker like Kyren—powerless. But he was 14, still young enough to have a chance.

Kyren checked in with the boss, grabbed his equipment, and got to work.

Four grueling hours passed. Sweat clung to his skin, his muscles ached, but he pushed through, as always.

Then—

A deep, guttural growl echoed from the treeline.

The workers froze. The air turned thick with tension.

A massive black panther emerged from the jungle, its sleek body moving with deadly grace. Its yellow eyes locked onto the group, muscles coiling, ready to strike.

Silence.

Then—pure chaos.