Tatsumaki

My name is Xion.

Just a few hours ago, my parents whom I have always loved let those weird men in white coats take me away, not even glancing back at me when I called out to them in tears.

Of course, I am an idiot...

Money is more important.

What could a worthless 7-year-old boy like me give them?

All of this started when I have awakened some kind of superpower, allowing me to modify my hands into bloody black claws that were sharp enough to slice a fully grown tree without any resistance or whatsoever.

Amazed by its ability, I started playing with it as if it was a toy. Testing its sharpness by cutting everything at my disposal.

The longer I used them, the more it exhausted me. Maybe it's the price of strength.

Will their size also grow along with my hands in the future? And if so, will their power increase further too?

When I tried to make a slight cut on my arm, those weird claws didn't work against me. I guess that's for the better.

But for the worse, my parents changed their behavior once they discovered my superpower, treating me like a monster by ignoring me as if I was a stranger.

Their kind smiles disappeared, instead, there would be a disgusted expression on their face. They refused to play with me whenever I asked them.

If those scary claws were not here, nothing of it would have happened. I would still have a loving family and be a normal person like everyone else.

On another side, this curse allowed me to see the harsh truth of reality where money is everything and how little they loved me. People are capable of anything for wealth. The sooner I realize it, the better I will be.

A blessing in disguise...

My fate is now in the hands of those men and our destination is unknown.

Why am I not feeling anxious?

The feelings of disappointment and emptiness are too overwhelming, as such there is nothing to be afraid of.

I have no one to count on and when you have nothing to lose, you become fearless.

The car stopped in a midst of a forest, but the only thing that didn't match the forest scenery was a plain cube building without any windows.

That giant thing is spoiling the natural beauty of the area. They could have made something more beautiful.

Am I going to live there?

After getting out of the car, they took me in front of a cell before pushing me in.

This thing looks like a jail. But aren't they supposed to only be for villains?

I haven't done anything bad as far as I know. Maybe my claws are evil powers?

In the middle of the undecorated room, a girl seemingly the same age as me wearing an overused white robe is hugging her knees.

She looks like a little pup who was separated from her family — abandoned is a better word to describe such a pitiful sight.

Raising her head, she stares back at me, analyzing my appearance like I am doing back to her.

Those bruises on her legs contrasted with her beautiful emerald green eyes greatly matching her green hair that naturally curls up on the end.

After a while, I finally avert my eyes from hers and under this gloomy atmosphere, take a seat at the opposite side of the cell.

While moving, I have never been stared at by a girl like a predator would to its prey until now.

"My name is Xion. What is yours?"

Since she is my roommate, we should at least introduce ourselves. It would be weird if we didn't talk to each other at all.

"Tatsumaki," she says in a rude voice. "The bed is already taken so sleep on the floor."

"Alright"

Even though it is big enough for two people, I keep my mouth closed and nod my head in agreement.

It's best to avoid any argument as I am not far away from a mental breakdown.

This is my first time feeling such emptiness. Even if I manage to escape from this place, what am I gonna do next?

There is no point in life. If I could, I would rather choose not to have been born at all.

Upon hearing my words, Tatsumaki blinks her eyes several times, seemingly not expecting me to accept it so easily.

Well, she has a good reason to do so.

Sleeping on the concrete floor is uncomfortable, not to mention its cold surface pressing against your back at night.

Even homeless people have something better.

But with all that has happened until now, I just don't care about anything else.

Everything seems so uninteresting and worthless. I don't even have any motivation to escape from this ugly place.

"Stop acting all weak. Pull yourself together. If you don't, I will gladly do it in your stead." she declares in a stern voice while glaring at me.

Seeing her dead serious expression, I am certain that she would keep her words.

Her statements shook me to my core as surprise and realization hit me.

Is it what they call feeling 'enlightened'?

The girl is right...

Why should I be saddened by the betrayal of people who love money more than their own children? They are not worth my affection and time.

To think that I wanted to put an end to my suffering just because of them...what an idiot...

I owe Tatsumaki a great deal for this. Despite being rude, she isn't that terrible of a person...

Once I get out of here, I will make them regret their mistake by showing my worth to the entire world.

With those thoughts, my mind finally relaxes in peace for the first time in a week as my eyes started growing heavier and heavier.

"Thank you..."