Today was the day she would be sold.
The word was hidden under "chosen", but Claire knew she was given to money, which meant bought. Just like every other Imaginator in that so called show, they waited for their powers to reach the surface until they were useful, but what use was she for? She could only change her body, and even that was shameful for her. What was she thinking about when she imagined having violet hair? It made it clear to her parents that she had that new ability that had appeared so short ago. She wished she could imagine just like that first case, where a whole building dissapeared. Then perhaps she could have been able to stop all that situation, jail and "show".
Arround two months ago, the news had striken the country that where there used to be an expensive building, nothing remained. Pictures had invaded the world about a white square, almoust like a real world glitch, where the building had been, And that was what started the panic.
People wondered what that had been the cause, and that was when scientists admited their failure, where they admitted a few had been detected to have "godlike" abilities and did nothing. Claire didn't feel like a goddess. She felt devastated. Her life had been taken from her just because that one kid once imagined nothing. Her mother gave her up to the police, and her other had done nothing, her brother never went to help her and only later did she learn he had trown all her things out or kept them himself. She had not chosen to be able to change her body in abnormal ways, she had not chosen to be left behind and only accepted by this freakshow. But there was always a light, and she believed that light would be the day she found a purpouse, a reason for her curse. And perhaps that day was today.
However, nobody raised the bet. Not a single scientist thought she was useful, not a single entertainer thought she was amusing, and not even the producer of the show dared to open her mouth to explain her abilities. Everyone that had been watching that show knew she had not mastered her abilities.
Terror and anxiety filled Claire's body. If she was not bought, there were only a few options, either she was kept for further experimentation or thrown away. Imaginators were not allowed to roam freely in case they could be a danger, and even if she did not fully comprehend her abilities herself, Claire was no exeption.
The show presenter didn't lower his fake smile, but his words were gloomy, malicious, and they exploded inside Claire's muffled ears.
-Well, since we don't have a decition made, we can let the public vote! Call now to the number on screen to choose what should be made with Mrs. Jeong! Will she stay for a longer ride? Or- The man stopped himself, his smile failing for a fraction of a second.- What will the public choose?
This was the time to run, or do something. Claire concentrated, just like that time with her hair or hands, her skin, she could run away and pretend to be someone else, change her life, her identity, start from 0. What was she thnking? It's never so easy. She would be tracked down, hunted like an animal. There was no escape. There is no escape when you are seen as a threat by every single person in the solar system.
Yet the phone rang.
The showman jogged to catch it, but the show producer was faster. She raised the phone and spoke herself.
-Thanks for calling Program Imaginaria, what is your vote?
Claire tried to listen through the highpitched screams shouting from the phone. A microphone lurked closer, and the voice was heard throughout the whole stage.
-Martel I told you this is the only= Hello? Yes? Imaginaria? We have- Another voice took over the phone, a deeper one.- Our child is in great need of help! Please send help! She=She can be of better use than- A high pitched scream sounded again before the male voice protested it was the only way. Fear lurked over the scene, over the workers, scientists, but specialy behind the stage, where other Imaginators were listening closely, changing their feelings from lucky-staying to terrified. A new Imaginator would probably reach the stage soon, and the screams didn't help anyone.
The cameras were turned off, and so the microphones. Claire was pushed violently by the guards behind the stage, she was used to it, but this time it felt less personal. Instead of being pushed because she was useless, she was pushed because of a greater danger, and perhaps she could be able to escape.
She looked arround the backstage for Charlie, he would soon be called to help with the new Imaginator, and Claire could use this chance to escape. She concentrated in a police that was containing the scientists. She wore short brown hair, and frekles only on her right side, Claire tried to take that and put in on herself, but it only hurt. She felt how her hair was being violently cut, her face burnt, and her nose pulled, so she stopped. It always failed. It always hurt.
Charlie ran behind the stage, his short puffy hair flowing backwards as he sprinted.
-No time! Run!
And that was when Claire remembered Charlie was a mess despite his abilities. She ran by his side, not questioning what had happened since she had been thinking of literaly running away for a while now.
Charlie raised his hand, and violentloy lowered it to catch a small pebble-like object. With no hesitation, he threw it forward, causing an explosion. A bomb made of thin air.
So Claire and Charlie sprinted out towards the recently born night, knowing their freedom was temporal, yet enjoying the exitement.
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