Chương 16: Michael, The Mutant?

James Moore was right in front of Michael, Michael had so many questions but he didn't know where to begin from.

"Can I come in or…?" James questioned, raising a brow because it did feel like Michael was keeping him out. There was no way in hell Michael was letting him see the state of his home and his drugged-up mother. He had to make a good impression because this was the man that would grant him the passport to a new life.

Before Michael could respond, his mother's voice echoed through the air.

"Is that your f-father!?" She shouted, the desperation in her soft-spoken voice was evident.

James noticed that Michael was uncomfortable with the situation as he understood the drama family came with. Closing his eyes and letting out a sigh, he pointed to the black limousine that sat on the street.

"What the fuck?" Michael blurted out but quickly covered his mouth. James didn't mind his reaction because he knew where Michael was coming from.

He guided the younger man inside the limousine, and Michael reverted to a seven child, it was like his mind regressed as he admired every inch of the car.

He had only seen it in movies and to think he would ever be in one blew his mind to smithereens.

"Michael Wilson, I need to talk to you," James started, snapping Michael out of his dazed state.

He looked at James with hopeful eyes, his body was tense because he didn't know what he wanted to say.

"You aren't going to kill me, are you?" Michael asked and James could not believe that this even came out of his mouth.

"Jesus Christ! What's wrong with you!?" James responded because Michael's train of thought was troubling at this point.

Michael, despite being tense, couldn't help but laugh at James' reaction. Michael had a very strange sense of humor and James was beginning to understand him.

He didn't know Michael lived in such a dangerous neighborhood either, but this wasn't why he was here.

"Michael, I'm here to discuss the result of your test with you." James started and Michael's smile soon faded the moment he heard this.

He knew they would find out eventually that he wasn't a mutated human but was it that important that James had to come here himself?

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to see if I could get in…" Michael began to explain himself but James was confused about what he was talking about.

The chilled car offered relief from the scorching hot sun outside, and James pulled out a file.

"I'm not here about your reasons for applying, Michael. You have one of the rarest mutations I have seen, and I'm here to offer you a contract," James said bluntly and Michael's jaw literally dropped.

"W-What!? Hold up! Are you sure you aren't mistaken?" Michael asked James but James didn't respond as he dropped the contract in his lap.

Michael didn't even know where to begin, this was all too good to be true but he was going to jump on the train while it was still moving.

The contract had not only promised him a place to live but had also promised an income that would make anybody's mouth water.

"Are you in?" James asked and no one needed to tell Michael twice, signing the contract without hesitation.

But then he remembered something James had just said, it had something to do with mutation.

"What did you mean by rare mutation?" Michael asked him, Michael knew nothing about this world except what was told to him on the television.

"All superhumans experience a mutation in their genes but this does not mean they would grow up to have powers at the ripe age of eighteen, the rare mutation you have allows you to manifest before you reach eighteen… The scan shows that you have already awakened your powers." James said calmly and Michael was confused about what was happening because there was no way this was true.

He came from ordinary parents and a household, what started as a con is now proving to be legit. Michael was being told he had powers, something he had difficulties believing, and who could blame him?

But who cared? He saw the benefits of signing the contract and it was mouth-watering, but he knew the risks that came with this.

Michael agreed to the terms and James was on his way, things were looking up for him but this meant he would soon have to leave Edward according to the contract.

He would move into a dorm with other potential supervillains so they could better be watched and trained by James, himself. James didn't have powers, which was strange.

How can someone with no power keep them in check? Michael saw in the contract that this was to be kept confidential but this was something that Michael had no intention of following.

He ran to Edward's house the moment the limousine was out of sight and surprisingly, his mother wasn't home so Michael could deliver the news there with Edward welcoming him.

"WHAT!?" Edward exclaimed, he was excited for Michael as he initially thought this was a scam but to think it was real, this was great news as it meant that Michael could finally leave this slum. One thing he didn't believe however was that his friend had 'superpowers'.

Michael had broken a rule to deliver the news to his best friend and this was a gesture that Edward did not take lightly but just then, he got a text message from Elizabeth.

She too had gotten in and Michael was indifferent, Edward caught a glimpse of this and noticed that Michael has never reacted positively to anybody's good news except if it was for himself or Edward. He knew he would have problems making friends with how disconnected he was but Edward didn't say a word because today was his day. He wanted Michael to enjoy it to its fullest.

Night came and Edward's mother was on her way back from one of the redlight districts around the area, she had decided to expand her horizon because she needed far more money to take care of her kid. She knew something was up with her son and knew it was her responsibility to take care of him. Edward was the only thing she had left.

But something was strange that night, someone was following her.

She sped up and the person followed, but being a resident of the area; she knew it better than her pursuer as she took routes and shortcuts to outmaneuver him.

This was common practice for a lady of her occupation and it was no surprise when she lost the person after her. Constantly looking over her shoulder until she was sure, s he was relieved as she looked forward but her jaws dropped the moment she caught a glimpse of the person standing in front of her. It was a man wearing a white featureless mask.

"Tell me, do you sing?" This was the only words to escape the mouth of the individual.