The scene opened with Johnson walking down the crowded city streets, pizza box in hand, his face half-hidden beneath the shadow of his cap.
(Johnson's thoughts)
Now that I think about it… it's been two years since I first awakened this ability. Two years since that day…
His mind drifted back, pulling him into the memory he could never escape.
Two Years Ago
The sun dipped behind the hills as their car rolled lazily down the winding road. Inside, laughter filled the air.
Mary Stones—only twenty-nine yet carrying a weight beyond her years—kept one hand steady on the steering wheel. Her eyes were bright, her smile even brighter.
"How was your day at the park? Did you kids have fun?" she asked warmly.
Rose, her voice bubbling with joy, leaned forward from the back seat.
"Yep! Aunt Mary, it was the best fun I've ever had! Especially the Ferris wheel and the merry-go-round. Thank you sooo much for taking me!" She leaned in and kissed Mary's cheek, giggling.
Mary chuckled, her laughter ringing like bells. "Really? Then I'm glad. You deserve it."
But Johnson, younger and quieter, sat in his corner with his phone, expression empty. His eyes were tired—too tired for his age.
(Johnson narrating in present)
This is Mary Stones, my aunt. A kind woman who took us in after our parents' death. Unmarried ever since her fiancé died in a tragic accident six years ago. She carries the ability of Protection, though I still don't know its full extent. Aunt Mary… I sometimes wonder if she took us in just to ease her own grief. But regardless, she's always been good to us. Always smiling, always laughing… something I never could do.
Mary suddenly burst into laughter at one of Rose's silly faces. The car filled with joy, but Johnson remained silent, lost in his own shadows.
"Hey, John?" Mary glanced at him through the rear-view mirror. "You haven't said a word since we left the park. Something wrong?"
Rose chimed in, pouting. "Yeah! You didn't even play with me today! All you did was sit around, order snacks, and stare at your dumb phone! You're always like that, and it's boring!"
Mary's smile faded, replaced with gentle concern. "You didn't join in any activities? Not even one?"
Johnson raised his head slowly, his voice cold and heavy. "My mom told me not to make friends. She said I should always stay alone. And honestly, I don't see any reason to be happy in this world."
Mary froze. "My sister said that? Why would she tell you something like that?"
"Because I'm toxic," Johnson muttered, fists trembling. "Whenever I make friends, I hold on too tightly. I never let go, even when they don't want me anymore. And when they finally leave… it always ends in pain."
Rose lowered her gaze, her cheerful demeanor breaking. "It's true… Johnson was always bullied in school."
Mary's brows furrowed. "But that doesn't mean you should isolate yourself forever. You can still—"
"No." His voice cracked, his eyes wet. "I'm a bad person. I don't want friends. I'll live alone, grow alone, and die alone. That's my destiny."
Silence. Only the soft hum of the engine filled the air.
Mary reached over and patted his head gently. Her voice trembled with compassion. "Oh, John… you're lying to yourself. Grief is eating at you, but it doesn't mean you're doomed to loneliness. You deserve to be happy. Not for anyone else's sake—but for your own. Treasure life, treasure the moments you still have…"
She was still speaking when suddenly—
Time slowed.
The world stretched and warped, colors bleeding into strange hues. The car tilted, gravity betraying them. Johnson's eyes widened as sweat poured down his face.
"What… what's happening to me?" His body froze, locked in place, while the world outside moved like thick syrup. "Why can't I move? Why is everything—stopped?"
A voice echoed inside his head. Calm. Cold. Resonant.
Voice of the Will: Hi.
Johnson gasped. Who… who are you? Why can I hear you inside my mind?
Voice of the Will: I am your Will. The part of you that wants to move. That wants to fight. Do you wish to act?
"Yes! I want to save them!" Johnson's eyes darted to the road ahead—where a masked figure in a dark, rainbow-hued aura kicked other vehicles off the cliffside, laughing as he removed the screws from their own car.
"No… stop!" Johnson cried, but his voice didn't reach.
The car swerved violently.
"Be happy with yourself and love your—" Mary's words were cut off by her own scream as the brakes failed. The car spun out of control, crashing through the barrier.
Rose's terrified wail echoed through the cabin. "Help! Somebody, help us!"
Johnson's heart clenched. I can't… I won't let them die!
His eyes burned gold. Energy surged from his chest to his legs, lightning crackling along his body.
> I wish… I was faster. Faster than him. Faster than anyone!
System Voice:
> Your will is my command. Activating hidden Unique Skill: Super Fast Feet Lv.1.
Learning technique: Fast Feet.
Speed scales with will and imagination.
Do you wish to use?
"I swear—I will not let you die!"
System Voice:
> Confirmed. Locking ability. Permanent use restricted to 5% until further growth. Activation—NOW
In the blink of an eye, Johnson's body exploded with speed. Lightning split the air as he grabbed Rose and Mary, pulling them free of the falling car. To outside eyes, they simply appeared on the roadside in a flash of golden light.
Mary, dazed and trembling, blinked at the boy standing before her—her nephew, glowing with fading aura.
"Johnny…? Is that… you?"
Johnson smiled weakly. "Thank goodness… you're both safe. Let's… go on another fun trip again…" His legs buckled, and he collapsed.
"Johnson! Wake up!" Rose screamed, her hair glowing faint white as she clutched him, shaking him with all her strength.
The world faded to black.
Present Day
Johnson snapped back into reality, standing at his gate with the pizza box.
"…And that," he whispered to himself, "is how I got my powers."
Inside, he slipped off his shoes and entered the warm home.
"I'm back!"
Rose peeked around the corner. "Huh? Did you even leave?"
Mary looked up from the couch, smiling faintly. "Welcome home. You sure were fast today."
Johnson froze, sweat forming at his brow. "…Really? How long was I gone?"
Rose deadpanned. "Three minutes. The warehouse is thirty miles away."
Johnson laughed nervously. "Well… guess my transport was really fast today, huh? Hahaha…"
Mary's gaze sharpened. "Liar."
He quickly set the pizza on the table. "It's still hot."
"Oh really?" Mary smirked. "Then let's eat."
Rose came bounding in with plates. "Finally! I'm starving!"
They sat together, the warmth of family pressing away the shadows.
But before digging in, Mary raised a hand. "Wait. Say grace."
Johnson nodded. "Rose, you do it."
Rose folded her hands, eyes closed. "Oh God… bless this food. In Jesus' name."
"Amen," they chorused.
The room filled with peace.
Later that Night
In the garden, under the soft glow of moonlight, Johnson sat with a sketchpad in his lap, pencil moving swiftly.
Rose skipped over, curious. "What are you doing, big brother?"
"Drawing something." He turned the pad toward her.
Her eyes sparkled. "Ohhh! It's cute! Is that me?"
"Yeah," Johnson said with a faint smile.
Rose plopped down beside him. "It's pretty."
He hesitated, then asked quietly, "Rose… why are you always so happy? Even after everything?"
She went silent. Then, slowly, her cheerful mask slipped.
"I'm not always happy, John. Sometimes, I get scared. Angry. Sad. Every time I close my eyes, I remember the fire. It still terrifies me." She hugged her knees tightly. "But every time my mind tells me to stop thinking about it, to bury it away."
She placed a hand on his arm, her voice trembling but firm. "What really keeps me smiling is knowing I still have you. My big brother. Someone I love… someone I must protect."
Johnson stared at her, speechless, as the night swallowed their words.