[ WP ] What does n't kill you makes you stronger . It actually kills a weaker you from a parallel universe , raising the average strength of all the different versions of `` you '' .

“ Did you feel, that? ” 
 
 I had blurted out the first thing in my head, but not after feeling a surge of energy coursing through my body. Yet it felt different as if my bones vibrated for a quick moment then all of sudden I ’ m feeling refreshed and awake. 
 
 My cubicle mate Alex continued typing away at his keyboard, “ Feel what, you crazy twat? Your new cigarettes bothering ya? ” 
 
 “ …Yeah, duck me, right? ” 
 
 Weird, I haven ’ t had my coffee yet and Alex and I had our pre-work smoke break just a while ago. He might be right, though, I ’ ve been trying to find a new brand of smokes and currently smoking some weird organic brand. He ’ s laughing now, but if this stuff keeps working the way it does, then they can have my business forever. 
 
 Unfortunately, Alex gets to have the last laugh. For the next couple of weeks I felt nothing of the like I did before. I waited for the burst of energy and ended up resorting to my usual coffee and occasional energy drink. Or maybe it ’ s time to quit smoking after all; surgeon ’ s warning and all. 
 
 Then it happened again, this time during a bleary Sunday morning Mass service. Usually the droning of the priest would undoubtedly put me to sleep, however, I was attentive and very aware of my surroundings. I ’ ve heard every shuffle, every child ’ s rustling and whining, every cough, and even the snoring. I swear I heard the old lady 6 pews behind unwrapping and suckling on some candy. 
 
 Sorry, God, but what the hell is happening? I excused myself and left early. 
 
 Nana ’ s probably rolling in her grave, but I ’ m sure she could use the exercise. I know I, definitely, needed some with this newfound energy. My attire isn ’ t fit for it, but I didn ’ t care and proceeded to Usain Bolt down street. 
 
 Once off the property I head towards traffic. A busy intersection is coming up, but I don ’ t care. With precise jumps and weaves, I ’ m on the other side. 
 
 A new rush of energy, and I swear I can feel my legs move faster. I dodge semi-trucks, vault over bikers, and zigzag through construction work. So this is the thrill that certain blue hedgehog feels. No wonder he wears that shit-eating grin all the time. 
 
 I feel concrete and asphalt at my soles and look down to see that my shoes have melted and my socks have begun smoldering. I slow down, caught myself on a barrier, and began hopping from foot to foot. Runner ’ s high may have stopped me from feeling my muscles ache, but it sure as heck doesn ’ t stop the sensation of fraying nerves. 
 
 However, all this didn ’ t stop me from being an idiot. If I ’ d realized sooner that I was hopping around train tracks this story may have turned out differently. Alas, the clanging bells, the horns, even the striped markings of the barrier has been dismissed by the adrenaline. 
 
 I watch as the mass collective of metal collide into my body creating a glorious mess of guts and gore. Then the crystal ball goes clear. 
 
 I snuff out the candles around me and take another drag on my cigarette. A new wave of energy courses through my body. It ’ s weird how the world works, isn ’ t it? 
 
 
 
 OOC: Nice prompt. It elicited a strange drive for me to try my hand at submitting a story.
