Death

[April 26th 2012]

A dimly lit cinema hall was teeming with the electrifying energy of the crowd in anticipation for the first Avengers movie. In the back row sat David, an 18-year-old unknowing about the event that would soon change his fate forever. The silver screen flickered with the larger-than-life action of the superhero team, and the iconic line from the Hulk echoed through the hall. "That's my secret, captain: I'm always angry." The following spectacle unfolded with a breathtaking intensity that transported David from the confines of his monotonous routine into a realm of fantasy and wonder.

For him, visits to the cinema were a rare escape from the clutches of homework and the strict academic regimen enforced by the Sisters at the orphanage. The movie theatre became a sanctuary where he could momentarily break free from the structured life he'd known. Although he would miss the kindness of the sisters at the orphanage, an unspoken excitement brewed within him – the anticipation of a life where he could finally embrace his true nature when he finally moved out.

Amidst the laughter and applause that accompanied the cinematic chaos on the screen, David found himself chuckling along with the crowd. Yet, at the back of his mind, the wheels of responsibility continued to turn. He thought about his near future, focusing on the studies that awaited him after the movie.

"Learned behaviour really is a bitch," he mused, acknowledging the ingrained habits instilled by the sisters at the orphanage, a truly monotonous routine. As the credits rolled and the lights brightened, he hastily made his way out, mindful of catching the last bus and avoiding the disapproving gaze of his family for missing curfew.

With noise-cancelling headphones snug around his ears, David strolled across a white zebra crossing, lost in the residual thrill of the superhero narrative. Unbeknownst to him, a truck hurtled toward him, its blaring horn drowned out by the music blasting in his ears. Panic seized the truck driver as the brakes betrayed their duty, hurtling them both toward an unavoidable collision.

In the final seconds, an instinctual jolt of awareness surged through David. With a swift turn, he leaped into the air, attempting to defy the imminent threat. Failure was still the only outcome as the world around him slowed and his body gracefully soared through the space, a surreal dance with destiny. Yet, the laws of physics and reality reclaimed their dominion, and David met his fate with a bone-jarring impact.

In that instant, the cinema's euphoria lingered as a stark contrast to the harsh reality unfolding on the asphalt. David's life extinguished on impact, the cinematic marvel replaced by the agonising roll of his lifeless body, not too dissimilar to the way the hulk treated Loki.

On this April night, a young man's journey transcended the boundaries of fiction and reality, leaving an indelible mark on the timeline of his existence. His fate altered and changed, the next time we would see David, it would be in an entirely different reality.

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A/N

In writing this story, I aim to take a slow-paced approach to character development and world-building, allowing my writing to develop as I write the story. While I've tried to infuse some scientific logic into the workings of my character's powers, I acknowledge that my interpretations may not always align perfectly with scientific principles. Plus, they're superpowers anyway lol. As a first-time writer, I ask for your patience and understanding as I navigate the intricacies of storytelling.

One of my goals is to explore David's life beyond just action and adventure. While these things will undoubtedly be a part of his journey, I also want to try and write the quieter moments that shape his character. From everyday interactions with his family and mentors to moments of introspection and growth, I hope to paint a rich tapestry of his experiences.