Forget about me

Chapter 1 Run! I rounded the corner, fear making my breath grow ragged. A few more steps then I hid behind some trash bins, trying to ease my breathing I sat down and put my head against my knees. How the hell do I get myself home now?! I hear a bunch of people run past me but I stay still. After my breathing evens out a bit I finally dare to peek out behind the bin.... nothing. Well now I can get myself some snacks, I'm in serious need of chocolate comfort I thought right before I heard a voice right next to me. "You really think we are that dumb do you?" I slowly looked up at the guy next to where I was, up, up and up ... MAN how tall is this guy?! "well you never know unless you try right?" I shakily smiled. He was big and bulky, not fat but certainly not thin (maybe some steroids is at work here) white skin with a faint tan. Big green eyes looked back at me under red hair (BOY is this a notable person). He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me close, narrowing his eyes. "well aren't you a tiny thing, hardly worth all this fuss" (yea how rude!). "Well steroid boy I certainly didn't want to have this fuss over little me either, if you had stepped in and stopped that bully this would never have happened. Next time maybe you should keep more check on your little minions". I half thought he would beat me up for talking back like that but his friends DID try to rob me after all, either i stood there and let them or I fought back. He narrowed his eyes at me but after a moment gave a big sigh. Released my arm and seemed to be in deep thought (I guess my words had merit then). I tried to shrink in on myself and made myself look as small while relaxing my whole body as well as I could, letting my magic go. Somebody shouted from behind him and he turned. I slowly took a few steps away from him as quietly as I could, luckily police sirens nearby drowned out whatever sound I might have made. I felt myself relax and my body wave in the slight wind then I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes, slowed my breathing and just listened closely. The big guy turned around and.... she was gone! he swore and his friends came up behind him. "did you find her?" one of them said.  "... no"  answered steroids guy. "but she can't have just vanished?!" his companions' slightly annoyed voice said. "did you see how she looked like? all we got is brown eyes, brown hair medium long, and I can't remember her smell. You have a better nose than me though''. "...no" answered steroids guy (real bright that one huh). Their footsteps started to fall away while they walked around the corner. They won't remember my face next time they see me, nor anything else about me. And THIS is my superpower. As a kid it sucked to be forgotten every now and then, before I could control it better, to always get average in grades no matter how hard I worked at it, for work not to notice if i didn't show up every now and then forgetting to pay me (yay sweaty work for no reward). When they had all left I extracted myself from the wall and slowly and carefully went home keeping close to as many people as I could. Hunted by those startling green eyes all the way home. Today people are getting more and more divided with the result of having "powers". In reality we are not sure what it is or what to call it but it is a result of a untried vaccine that changed a dangerous virus into something worse. In 2020 when the covid pandemic struck, things started to calm down but after the second wave we thought things would get better but instead it jumped in strength and caused a third wave stronger than ever. In a panic the american government decided on trying out the untried vaccine and promised the people it would solve everything. But the problem was that not only was it untried, they didn't have all of the solution, they took some of the vaccines Russians worked on and some of Europe in general had started to develop and added some other ingredient and decided to just go with it. It would at least give people hope, was their excuse, but the results were unexpected. First nothing happened other than less people getting sick, they called it a success and tried to provide it as fast as it could be manufactured. A year after that very few got sick and the world seemed to start to go back to normal. Then IT started to happen! First the news said that the development of the vaccine halted, and the building burned down. The police said it was anti vaxxers that wanted people to suffer, but soon after the same happened all around the world, after that people started to disappear after getting some very strange symptoms. As a result a LOT of people went crazy, people started to transform, some got deformities and others could do things they could´t do before. Then a reporter by the name of "Daniel Frost" came out with what he had recovered from secret files and interviews about all the government had tried to hide which resulted in chaos and anger. But the damage was already done, the vaccine had made the virus change into something else that changed our DNA. They managed to repress some people´s effects but their kids were born with the DNA change and had things they could do that made them become outcasts and feared by society. Some of them started to slowly make societies by themselves but today there is still a lot of bullying back and forth, from both sides. The police have zero tolerance and go often in with half an army to handle murderers from the simplest murders to big half crazed ones with extra limbs or a furry paw with monstrous claws. We still call this part of time the "Daniel Frost" incident since he triggered people against the government and then people against people. During this turn of events it spilled over to the environment and caused continents to shift, some parts sank into the sea other parts became mountains or swamps. Eventually though people did start to calm down a bit and now we are trying to find a new way to live, either it be to murder eachother, stay divided or find a common ground (yea right). Interesting though is that nobody has turned into anything that does not exist on earth.  Therefore, a hairy left hand with giant claw works, skin hardening to stone works, extreme heat works too BUT flames is not part of nature so a extremely heated hand will not conjure flames but you can use something for the heat to trigger into flames (like matches) or do the more fast and effective thing just hold on to coal to heat them up and then throw them at whatever you´re aiming for, glowing coals should hurt like a b***h. But right this moment there's me, my name is Peppa and I have two siblings and overly normal parents. One older brother and one younger sister, George and Miriam. My parents and siblings don't have an inkling of powers, which is probably good since they live in fear and disgust of other people with powers. They firmly belive that people who are mutated "freaks" will eventually murder us all (one can only wish) and are therefore a menace that should be removed. It was almost dark when I walked home from my parents house, I had promised to be there for dinner today. Sunday family dinner once a month is mandatory (oh the joy). My apartment is not very far from where my parents live, it's a short walk although when it's really late I do usually take the bus. I looked up at the stars shining bright tonight, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "it's a really nice evening tonight is it not?"  I jumped. That startling green eyed mountain was standing there. "It sure is" I said tentatively. I continued forward. "Creepy guy" I grumbled to myself when I crossed the street. Around the corner I used my magic and melted into the shadows, taking a long way home. Just in case. Did he remember me? That has never happened before with someone who didn't really know me... maybe he had some tracker power, he WAS with those mutant bullies after all. I felt a trickle of fear going through me, I have absolutely NO way of protecting myself if he would stalk and attack me. My footsteps seemed to be really loud in the quiet night. Only a breath of wind grabbing my hair. I let out a relieved breath when I finally saw my gray building.  One stairway up on the second floor, a small, cheap but cozy place. It was a simple industrial looking building with only two floors. The second I stepped my foot inside the door I heard a familiar voice say "soooo this is where you live? Pretty simple just like your looks huh". I felt my anger finally overriding the fear I have had since I heard him outside my parents house. "RUDE much? Are you my stalker now steroid boy?" He narrowed his eyes. "Don't test me". I don't doubt he meant that as a "or I can slit your throat within seconds and there's nothing you can do about it" but seriously ...RUDE. "Well with that opening line I gotta say you have serious stalker problems and your manner is definitely lacking. Either murder me already or get out of my home". I waved at the door while staring him down. He of course did´t move a muscle other than smirking at me. I grumbled while stomping into the kitchen. I threw my bag at the usual place (the floor) and made myself a cup of tea. "I would offer you something to drink if I didn't want you to get the hell out of here", I said. After a while I asked "why are you stalking me anyway, nothing better to do?" (I just had to poke the friggin mountain). After a quiet pause he said "How come nobody but I remember you? I only remember small details, how you smell, or what colour your eyes and hair was but not your face or any main features unless I have you right in front of me..." "Bad at faces?" I smiled brightly at him. He narrowed his eyes. "also smell? you have an overly sensitive nose? that gotta be awful since you´re sharing place with those other bozos, THEY did not look like the cleanest kind of people ''. I finished making my tea ready and turned around only to find him standing right in front of me, like a brick wall right in front of my nose, looking down at me. Top of my head barely reaching his chin and his crossed arms as thick as my thighs (holy moly he really is a mountain of a man). I looked up at him then my eyes went slowly down until I reached his crotch where it stopped, wonder if he is big ALL over... "Why are you avoiding my question?" he asked. "Say since you´re such a mountain of a man steroidboy, is it true steroids make your little wormie shrink?" I countered (yea I was not subtle). I swear he did blush a little bit. He stared at me for some time. Then my doorbell went off, I stepped around him and went towards the door. I paused by the door and looked behind me real quick. He was gone.. I opened the door, there stood a police officer. "Good day, we got a call about someone causing problems in this building so we´re checking if you have seen anything" (he had his hand on his pistol, maybe he thought some monster would suddenly jump out from behind me and attack him, like anyone with that description would fit behind a tiny little me (I´m short and a bit shubby but not THAT chubby). "No officer, I just got home from my parents house and have´t seen or heard anything since then". He nodded and said his goodbyes. I closed the door, turned and looked around to see if he had hidden somewhere. But when I found nothing I stood still for a moment.  "For such a big guy you sure are quiet" I said loudly into the quiet, shrugged, finished my tea and got ready for bed.  Screw this! I have work tomorrow. The next day sucked from the start, I overslept and had to rush. Running out with my coffee cup I almost forgot my car keys and when I rushed back I tripped and spilled coffee on my shirt. I grabbed my keys while swearing to myself and got back to my car (my cool old classic grey Volvo V70) and sped off. I was almost there when I heard a woman scream. I looked up and saw a couple of police officers holding back a woman and two men, all three of them had a purple eye color which told the police officers exactly who or what they were. Other people had gathered nearby to watch something on the ground behind the officers. I slowed the car so I could look closer to whatever was there. With shock I stepped on the brakes and threw myself out of the car.  Part 2 Mountainman, steroid boy or a green eyed beauty. On the ground huddled was a man that looked like he had half shifted to a wolf, eyes gleaming purple and fur on his arms, claws were out and he lay huddled in a ball on the ground. He looked like he was bleeding or at least had blood on his face. I looked at them. One of the police officers suddenly turned around aimed his pistol at the huddled man and raised his gun “BAM”. Oh my god! I stared.  The woman screamed and fell into a heap in tears while blood pooled under the guy that was on the ground. “Bastards” I thought to myself.  Sure I don´t know what he had done but an execution in the middle of the damn day.  Amongst lots of people and nobody does anything… well that sounds like the area I live in.  Few mutants survived long in custody or jail since both other inmates and police detested them But still, at least there was SOME hope then. I´ve had enough of all of this bullying! Before the virus it was skin color or how thick your wallet was and now it´s moved over to something else, all of them are just excuses to make yourself feel better about the sucky person you are inside. I made a face and got back into my car, started the car and looked in the rearviewmirror. What?! “Yo” the young boy in the back of my car said, forming a V with his hand. I´m dreaming! “Yo” I answered lamely. Too shocked for any other comebacks. He was blonde, blue eyes, looked about 13 years old and had torn jeans with a black t-shirt with a “smilie” logo on it. After a long pause when I continued out in traffic again I started talking again. “Sooo…. Is there any particular reason you´re sitting in MY car?” “Nope” he answered with a dazzling smile. “You can't have mistaken my car for the one with your parents huh? In that case I can just turn around and drop you off again”. “Naaaaah I'm fine” he answered. After another pause I said “I´m peppa” (great give the weirdo kid your name why don´t you). “Kip” he answered right when I turned around to the pub where I worked. He jumped out of the car when I turned it off at the parking lot and started to walk away. “Thanks for the ride” he shouted right before he turned the corner”. Strange. I turned to the pub, "workwork" I said to myself and kept going. When I took my first step inside, a bottle (don't worry it was empty) flew past me. I paused. Inside was complete chaos. It looked like a bar fight had erupted and now was completely out of control. I ducked and rushed into the bar, managing to get past without incidents. I took the apron by the kitchen, waved to jeanette (another waitress) and looked out amongst the chaos. Suddenly I got pushed aside by something big that strode past me with big steps, the green eyed giant! "Excuse you!" I said out loud to him. He just turned his head and smirked at me. I glanced down at a very fine ass, not bad at all. Then he strode out to the closest brawlers, picked them up like they weighed nothing more than little kittens and threw them out. And proceeded to do so with a few more until things calmed down. Things went back to normal after that  except I felt ghose eyes on me throughout my shift. Weird day indeed. A week or so later the guy kept getting on my nerves, he just popped up behind me without making a sound, making me jump. He chuckled or smirked everytime too. Apparently he is our new bouncer and doing a exellent job of it (who is stupid enough to mess with a mountain of a man?). Apparently we haven't had a proper bar fight since that day when he started. But still…  annoying dude.  One evening at work I put down the three beers and a plate of nachos on a table and went back to the bar when a little girl came in, She looked up at me with teary eyes and said “I'm looking for my brother I'm hungry”. I bent down and looked at her, she was about 8 years old , with red flaming hair (easy to guess who she reminded me of). “Who is your brother? Does he work here?” “Yes, but not always, his name is David and he is going to give me a hamburger!”. It struck me that I didn´t know the name of mountain man aka steroid boy but she did look a lot like him. Someone decided that enough was enough with the arguing couple in the corner of the bar and started to shout at them, quickly things started to get out of hand. Sometimes people are about to blow up from the constant tension around them especially now when nobody has proper rules to follow and both police and neighbors can suddenly turn on you if they decide you´re a mutant and that's probably why they go to the bar and blow up at the slightest thing, it's the only way they can vent without risking their lives. I turn to the kid, “we better find somewhere for you to wait for your brother then, I think he's busy at the moment”. I held out my hand and after a careful look at me she took my hand, we turned at a shout. I just saw two people brawling right behind us before both of them fell right on top of us, I grabbed the little girl and moved us out of the way just in time, then I dragged her in front of me inside the bar area and told her to stay down. Saying “just let your brother handle those two brutes first then we can get you that burger” I winked at her and stood up keeping her behind me until mountainman and one of the chefs had thrown both brawlers outside. Things started to calm down and mountain man came towards us looking worried. “Lilly! Are you alright? What are you doing here and where is mother?” He looked her over before giving her a hug. “She took Charlie to the doctor, he fell and was bleeding a LOT, she told me to go straight in here and you would give me a hamburger!”. She certainly kept her focus on what was important, can't blame her though hamburgers are great. He looked up at me with warmth in his eyes, “thank you” he mouthed and damn did he not look adorable with his giant arms around his little sister. I smiled and nodded. “So let's get you that hamburger sister, while all the boys are staying nice around here”. I grabbed a chair from under the counter and patted on it, she took the hint and climbed on it. “I'll grab a plate of burgers for you while your brother gets things settled” I said and turned around to grab one while her brother gave her the “behave” talk. Later when she had been picked up by her mother, spending a few hours with us eating  hamburgers and fries and greeting every customer with ketchup around her mouth.  “Adorable kid” I said when he got back in from waving her off. “Yea she can be a pain in the ass with that energy but she's damn cute”. He looked at me again, “come on I'll walk you home”. I looked affronted “I´m not in any need to be walked home, I´m perfectly capable of protecting myself thank you very much”. He sighed dramatically folding his arms across his chest, “then just for the company then, I owe you for helping out with my sister”. “Well … eh fine it IS nice to have company home this late, I´m done with my shift so I´ll go get my stuff”. When we had gone some ways he asked me carefully “you know I´m a mutant right? Why did you help her?”. I looked at him with an eyebrow raised. “You mean why did I help a little girl that had done nothing wrong except existing? I guess I'm just not as shallow as some out there”. Pause…. “To be honest I don´t mind mutants at all, I know a lot out there is very dangerous but others are worth saving…. your bully friends I would´t save for any money in the world though” I gave him a disapproving look. He laughed. “Yea I can see that, fair enough”. Right before I went up the stairs to my apartment I said “well thank you for the walk, shoo away now, go stalk somebody els...mhhg?” He had grabbed me and gave me a deep kiss, all shocked I froze, warm lips caressing mine, I felt warm and snug in his embrace, mmm we should find a bed… WAIT! WHAT? He's KISSING me?! I aimed a knee at his groin he barely deflected with moving his hip. He suddenly broke our embrace, backed a few steps, giving me a wink and a smile before turning around and walking away. Emotions in turmoil I didn't know at all what to say, does he like me? Did he just want to thank me?  Oh man… what a kiss....