[ wp ] It 's 2138 , and at the age of 21 everyone can select just one super power granted by the government . Now 21 , You go to your local courthouse to select your superpower and discover in the records , one power everyone has completely overlooked .

Larry looked up from his phone—glancing at the sea of people occupying the lobby—before turning his attention back to his device. All around, people were discussing with others for suggestions on what they should ask for, their voices blending into one indistinguishable murmur. 
 
 Others, like himself, already knew what they wanted, and their faces made no attempt to hide the grin of anticipation. 
 
 But not him. It wouldn ’ t matter if he was the last one to receive a power today. Even if, by sheer coincidence, someone had the same idea as him and asked for the same power before he did, it wouldn ’ t make a difference. 
 
 * “ Next! Number twenty three, please step forward! ” * The voice of Samantha Evestine—the official in charge—echoed inside his skull, and instantly, the voices quieted down into whispers. As he looked up again, Larry saw the crowd near the door part as one person made his way towards the door. After one quick retinal scan, the glass door retracted into the side and the person stumbled through, almost tripping in his eagerness. 
 
 Samantha waved her hand over the scanner and the door reappeared again as the crowd started talking once again. 
 
 Larry sighed and looked at his own number, clipped onto the front of his jacket. 
 
 > 86 
 
 He wouldn ’ t mind if they hurried up, though. 
 
 -- - 
 
 * “ Next, number eighty six! ” * 
 
 Finally. It was his turn. 
 
 As Larry walked towards the door, each step brought him closer to changing Earth ’ s destiny, or so he believed. There weren ’ t even any people in his path, most of the crowd had their turn already. 
 
 He stopped, and took a deep breath, closing his eyes. There. Just beyond this door, and he ’ d— 
 
 “ Let the machine confirm your identity, please, ” said a voice that he ’ d become very familiar with all morning, yet different at the same time. 
 
 Larry opened his eyes and said, “ not using your telepathy, eh? ” 
 
 He complied, looking into the camera in the middle of the door. The door beeped and slid open just as it did for the others. There was a long corridor ahead, and two more officials stood in the opening, who nodded towards Samantha and beckoned towards Larry to follow. 
 Samantha tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at Larry before replying, “ I generally avoid using my powers if it doesn ’ t concern my job. ” 
 
 Larry shrugged. Makes sense, if you ’ re working for the government. He moved past her and was about to enter the doorway when Samantha ’ s arm almost hit him across his head, if he had kept walking. As it was, it blocked him from entering the corridor unless he ducked under it. 
 
 * “ There ’ s something you should know before you pass. ” * 
 
 Now it was his turn to frown. “ What? ” He turned to face her. As he did, he instantly knew what it was; the look in her eyes told him everything. 
 
 She knew. 
 
 * “ I ’ d highly suggest that you choose another power, ” * she said, once again with telepathy. * “ It is for your own sake. ” * 
 
 Larry gulped, but he didn ’ t answer her. The other two guards were still standing near the doorway, and it looked like they were … confused as well? Larry couldn ’ t tell that well from the way their eyes were obscured by their helmets. 
 
 * “ There ’ s a reason why they don ’ t have any other personnel in the main lobby on security duty, ” she said. “ Please, reconsider what you ’ re about to do. ” * Samantha closed her eyes and sighed. 
 
 * “ I won ’ t stop you, ” * She said, lowering her arm slowly. * “ But if you insist on doing this, later you ’ d wish you ’ d listened to me. ” * 
 
 Larry sighed, biting his lip. Now he was unnerved, why was she letting him go if she really did know what power he wanted? He raised his hand towards her as she turned around and walked away. “ Wait, can you at least tell me a bit more than that? ” 
 
 “ I apologize, I can not. I do not have the authority to do so. ” She turned her head around, but only just enough so that Larry could see one of her blue eyes. “ You won ’ t be seeing me again if you continue what you ’ re about to do. I ’ m really sorry, but I ’ ve done all I can. ” 
 
 She then walked away, faster, and the two guards grabbed him with one arm each before he could consider following her. 
 
 “ Come on, kid, I should ’ ve been on lunch break by now. ” One of them looked at Larry disdainfully, grumbling, as he lit a cigarette using his fingertip. 
 
 “ Damn it, you lucky bastard, Aaron. Mine ’ s not for another hour. ” The other guard nodded at Larry as they walked, and Larry could now see an office at the end of the corridor. “ I don ’ t know why Samantha stopped you, but it must ’ ve been important to keep a Producer waiting. ” 
 
 “ An Producer? ” What was an Produ—wait, it, or rather, she or he, can only be one thing, right? 
 “ Is that how they give us powers? How does this, Producer person do it? ” 
 
 He half-expected them to deny him the satisfaction of an answer. Maybe it was something top-secret, and the government had to blindfold you or something before they agreed to give you powers. 
 
 They only eyed one another and shrugged. “ You ’ ll find out for yourself soon enough. ” 
 
 Letting go of his hand, they gestured for him to enter. The office was tidy, despite the numerous documents over the desks and computer terminals. There was only one person inside. 
 
 It was an old man, and by only looking at a portrait, Larry was convinced he was some kind of wise wizard from a video game. 
 
 The only thing disrupting that image was the suit, in grey and white; unmistakably the colors of the government. 
 
 “ Welcome, mister Larry Baxel, please have a seat, feel free to look through the records and together we will find the perfect power just for you, ” he said, with a warm smile, as he closed the door. 
 
 As Larry sat, he gulped. He couldn ’ t get his voice out. “ Actu—actually, sir, I already have a power in mind. ” 
 
 The man raised an eyebrow. “ Really? Are you sure? Usually, people take at least thirty minutes, maybe even an hour, before they decide. ” 
 
 > “ I won ’ t stop you, but if you insist on doing this, later you ’ d wish you ’ d listened to me. ” 
 
 It was almost enough to make him reconsider. His knuckles were white from the clenching and his heartbeat pounded louder than a drum; but ultimately... he wanted this power. He was too close now to give up, even with what that woman said. 
 
 He took a deep breath. “ I want— 
 
 To be continued … 
 
 -- - 
 
 Sorry for the abrupt cliffhanger! Basically, as I was writing, I had a set ending in mind, but now I ’ m not sure if it would have enough payoff to be a worthy ending. I ’ d probably think about it a bit longer and make some changes where I see fit. If you liked the story and want to see the ending, please let me know and critique me if you can. Even if you don ’ t think you can give criticism, just letting me know what you thought would be just as good. 
 
 I haven ’ t written anything in over a year now, and I ’ m pretty insecure about my abilities… any feedback would greatly motivate me to continue writing. Even if you think it ’ s harsh, don ’ t hold back, please. I assure you that any criticism can ’ t possibly be worse than that voice in the back of my head. You probably know which one I ’ m talking about if you ’ re a writer as well. 
 
 I also wonder if anyone would be able to guess what ability he wanted, maybe this story would have more impact without continuing it. I'm not sure if the clues I gave so far were enough. There's countless of possible abilities the government like you having, though. 

