PURE WHITE
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Dim light could be seen through the lab windows.
Security guards walked their nightly routines, shining flashlights in
nooks, corners, and empty doorways. High voltage weapons hung
casually from each man's hip. The evening was warm. It was a relief
from the intense heat of midday and late afternoon. Summer day-shift
was called Salt Water, something you wanted to cross off your
bucket list!
Todd watched silently from the shadows. As he stood
shifting his molecules in the humid dusk Todd become a
shadow. He narrowed his coal eyes, any stray source of light causing
them to glint from his hiding place in the alley. His skin rose and
fell a sandy gray, blending in with it's surroundings. Todd's skin
constantly changed color and texture, rolling...shifting. His
Talent. He had adopted quickly, loving the ability to go unnoticed.
Contrary to what people saw during class hours at the Rookie
Academy, as a Super Todd valued the Talent of stealth along
side his loud humor. He was good at both. Besides, no one ever saw
it coming- the obnoxious prankster, a Super night snitch.
He waited for the next round of guards to pass, lights
bobbed as they walked, flashing. Todd tensed as one stopped, having
seen something glint against the back of an alley wall. The
stilt house form of a boy stood plastered against the bricks. The
other guard gave his buddy a friendly shove. They moved on, the first
guard grunting as he followed his partner down the road. Another hour
and the pair would be finished for the night. Todd let out a slow
breath, heart pounding in his chest. He was getting sloppy. Either
that, or the guards were becoming better. As the program had
increased in Rookie Supers, more guards had been seen prowling
Academy grounds. Everyone assumed it was crowd control. Not Todd.
They were becoming better. The school had started hiring
better, at least. The new guys were sharp as tacks. Similar to
Shimmer Sabers- the ceremonial light blade. It felt odd to the
young man- queer. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Why hired more
hands with greater skill? As a concerned party and general 'know
it all', Todd had to Know! He was like a Rottweiler- handsome, but
vicious. Possible attack, but highly unlikely. Todd was a snitch. It
came with the territory. These thoughts flashed through his mind as
he moved down the alleyway, avoiding dark puddles. After the first
few sets of soaked shoes, you learned. Todd cautiously peered
around the corner, night vision- another Talent- raking the broad
courtyard for any sign of life. No one about. Good. That would make
his task easier. Most were settling into their beds. Crickets pitched
their whistled tune in the growing dark. Feet trod in the distance,
mutely sounding as old worn boots scuffed against familiar
cobblestones. The teenage boy nodded decisively, quickly advancing
across the courtyard. Todd hunched, hands sprawled high like wings as
he loped toward his target. It was a long stretch. His throat was
dry as he reached the key panel. Licking his thumbs, Todd shifted
and delicately pressed the small cushioned numbers as he typed an
access code he had snitched.
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