The Underdogs

McKenna: The Pilot

A needle was once again stabbed in my back. A clear fluid runs down my spine in yet another attempt to suppress my powers. Everyday is the same routine. This one won't work like the last one and all the new ones to come. It's annoying to say the least. But the best part of my day is what most would believe to be the worst. Getting thrown into my cell, and I mean literally thrown.

My cell has charred walls from my attempted escapes, a bathroom with barely any room for my body, and a spring mattress on the floor. It's the only place I am free. Free to think, free to be me.

I question what the world outside is like in there. Would all people be so critical of my powers? Do I have a family? How beautiful are stars? I given up hope that I would ever find out. They won't release me unless they are absolutely sure I am not a "threat," but at this point, I may be stuck here forever. The research has provided nothing. Half the scientists have even left this entire experiment behind due to the lack of results. If all of them leave, I am still stuck here. Alone and afraid.
I guess I am lucky though: I have an education, I'm not totally starving all the time and the scientists could be worse (even if their job is to experiment on me every damn day). That doesn't stop me from hating this place any less.

"McKenna there is food in your cubby when your ready"

Without my dampeners, the scientists are afraid I would burn them all to a crisp. I personally would never want to kill anyone but if I absolutely had to I would. Being trapped in a facility your entire life kind of changes your view on life.

"McKenna, it's better to eat the food now before it's cold"

My dinner consists of an overcooked hot dog, dry green beans and a glass of milk. It's the only dinner food I have ever had. Yes, the flavor is terrible, but I've gotten used to it.

I woke up this morning to the smell of coffee and blueberry muffins and I knew that meant it was Friday. Dr. Gongersnap always brings food and coffee for her coworkers on Friday. I got to enjoy delicious undercooked pancakes with a rotting apple and a glass of slight yellow water. Just the usual morning.
But dear old Dr. Gongersnap isn't done yet. She gets to come in and teach me today. Her energized self plus coffee equals a bad morning for me. "Hi McKenna! Oh my god are we going to have so much fun today. I brought math worksheets and short story we can annotate together and.. blah blah blah blah blah" That's what I heard at least. Don't get me wrong I am a good student but she is to fucking much for 7 am everyday.

After a long afternoon of Dr. Gongersnap's rambles and some new serum (Shocking, I know), I am finally alone with my own thoughts. Today I thought about my powers: What would it be like if I had a different power? What if my powers were never detected? What if I never had powers at all? That last one goes through my head too much. Without powers, I would probably have a normal life. I would have a cellphone, a school to go to, friends, family.
Friends and family are the things I've wanted more than anything else in the world. When I was young that's what I asked the scientists all the time if they were my friend or if they were my family. Their response: "how cute." To put it more into perspective, I was 5. They shoved any hope i had down the fucking toilet.
Family I have lost hope for, but one day, I hope to find a friend.

It's 12 o'clock at night and I heard the strangest noise. I got up and the guards are all missing. "That's strange" I thought. I walked across the cold floor and when I reached the door a group of people came running up to my cell with the keys. They didn't look much older than I was, but all they said were six words and I immediately trusted them "We are here to rescue you."

They unlocked the cell and led me to the exit. Every alarm was blaring like crazy and there was lots of blood on the floor. I passed by rooms I have never seen before in the facility, but there was a girl running while holding my arm so I didn't get a good look. As we reached the exit I had the biggest realization of my entire life: "I'm free. I'm never gonna see that facility again."