War Torn Life

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Fortune Street, once the bustling heart of the city's CBD, now lay eerily silent and deserted. Fear of encroaching conflict had emptied the streets, shuttering every shop and establishment. Rayner Smith walked through this ghostly scene, memories of better times mingling with the harsh reality of the present.

He remembered the days when Fortune Street thrived—a cacophony of hurried footsteps and voices, a vibrant tapestry of urban life. He recalled the daily grind of his job, the satisfaction of a hard day's work, and the sense of purpose that came with it. People rushing and bumping shoulder to shoulder, the streetlights glowing softly as the city never truly slept. Those days felt like a lifetime ago.

Now, the streets were littered with the desperate remnants of humanity. Homeless figures lay motionless, some already lost to starvation, their bodies emitting a sickening stench that hung heavy in the air. The contrast was stark and jarring, a grim reminder of how drastically life had changed.

The war had sucked the life out of the city, turning bustling streets into desolate stretches haunted by fear and uncertainty. Rayner's own struggles mirrored the city's decline. His bank account had dwindled to nothing after six months of fruitless job hunting, his rent was six months overdue, and the skyrocketing cost of food had forced him to cut down to a single meal a day. Desperation drove him to seek a rumored high-paying job, even if it meant working for Seed Labs—the company at the center of both miraculous innovation and intrigue.

Seed Labs had developed the "Super Gene" medicine, a breakthrough hailed as a cure for cancer, but its unintended consequence—the awakening of supernatural abilities in humans—had set off a chain of events that would echo through history. Now, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the company was coveted for its secrets, its name synonymous with wealth and mystery. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this war was caused by Seed Labs.

A million-dollar offer for undisclosed work beckoned Rayner to a familiar meeting spot—an old Chinese grocery where he had once found comfort in simpler times. As he entered cautiously, he was met with tense hostility from Mr. and Mrs. Chang, armed and on edge in these dangerous times.

"Calm down, it's me, Ray," he urged, hoping to defuse the tension. Mr. Chang, recognizing him, signaled for his wife to lower her weapon. They exchanged cautious greetings, their conversation tinged with concern for safety and the scarcity of trust in these uncertain times.

"Long time no see, Ray," Mrs. Chang said softly, her voice carrying a mix of relief and worry. "What did you come here for today?"

Rayner leaned in slightly, his voice low. "I want Seeds of Evolution," he murmured, the code words that would unlock the next step of this clandestine journey.

Mr. and Mrs. Chang exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions turning serious.

"How many?" Mr. Chang finally asked, his tone grave.

"As many as needed," Rayner replied, his resolve firm despite the dangers ahead.

Mr. Chang hesitated, then spoke with caution born of experience. "Ray, think carefully. Do you know what you're getting into?"

Rayner's thoughts raced, weighed down by the harsh realities of his existence. "What job is this, Mr. Chang? What do you know?"

"I can't say more," Mr. Chang replied cryptically, his gaze steady.

In a moment of resignation and defiance, Rayner decided, "I'm going. I don't have much left to lose."

"Come with me," Mr. Chang instructed, leading him to a restroom at the back of the store. With practiced ease, he stopped on a wall just beside the bathroom mirror. He pressed down on three different tiles that would seem not different from any of the tiles in the bathroom. After a few seconds, a sound of gears moving was heard and the wall moved to reveal a dark, seemingly unending passage.

Rayner stared in disbelief at the revealed passage, its darkness beckoning like a portal to another world. "I will only accompany you until here. Go on," said Mr. Chang. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding with anticipation and apprehension. This choice, he did not realize, would alter the course of his life forever—a path that would lead him into the unknown realm of Super Humans. 

With resolve hardening in his soul, Rayner stepped into the darkness, uncertain of what lay ahead—a choice that would set him on a path towards discovery and transformation. Little did he know, this fateful decision would mark the beginning of his journey—a journey fraught with peril, discovery, and the relentless struggle for survival.