The first punch landed hard on Shiro's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He staggered back, breathless, the laughter of his classmates filling the air. Before he could react, a second punch caught across his jaw, sending him falling to the ground. The familiar wave of shame twisted in his chest, but beneath it, something darker stirred.
" Come on, freak !!" one of the bullies sneered. "Show us your powers! Do something!" Shiro clenched his fists, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
They didn't understand him so did he. He had always known he was different. Since childhood, strange things had happened to him and around him ; a cup shattering when he was angry, the air going cold when he was scared, his classroom becoming so hot when he's sad...even having dreams that seemed a little too real and familiar. And lately, it had grown stronger, harder to control.
He felt it now, bubbling just beneath the surface. Heat prickled at his skin, and the earth beneath him trembled ever so slightly, responding to the storm inside him.
" Stop!!! " Shiro shouted, his voice raw, tears in his eyes. But they kept taunting, circling closer. One of them shoved him hard in the chest, and he stumbled, his body scratching across the rough pavement.
And that's when it happened.
The ground beneath his feet rumbled, harder this time. Stones and bits of pebbles began to rise into the air, swirling around him. The bullies froze so did everyone, their faces twisting in confusion and fear. They had wanted to see his power, and now they were.
Shiro could feel the energy building inside him, it was getting out of control. He had never felt it like this -- so wild, so powerful. He couldn't stop it. His heart raced as the ground beneath him split, a crack shooting across the concrete, towards where the bullies stood.
The air crackled with electricity, and his skin buzzed with an otherworldly charge.
His mind screamed at him to get control, but the power surged beyond him.
"Run !!" one of the bullies yelled, stumbling backward as they ran away.
Shiro' instincts took over, and he turned, his feet pounding against the concrete. He had to get away too -- away from them, away from the chaos he had unleashed.
He sprinted down the school gate, his heart racing, sweat pouring down his back. His mind swayed, trying to make sense of what had just happened. He knew he had this power-he had known for years. But never like this. Never this powerful.
Buildings blurred past him as he ran, his breath ragged in his throat. He could still feel the energy crackling under his skin, surging through him like some electric current. He had to calm down, had to find a way to stop it before it got worse.