This story is the Prequel to my new story coming out in January 2019 called Inferno.

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Synopsis;

June's is 19 years old, living alone in an unfamiliar city, while saving for her transition. Inferno is 47 years old and the most notorious super villain in the world. When June’s life is threatened, Inferno steps in to save her. But all is not as it seems as June is drawn into the world of villains and Specials, people with the power over the four elements; earth, wind, fire and water. Being a Special herself, June has spent her life suppressing her power but now she has little choice but to acknowledge it as her position as personal assistant to Inferno puts her life in more danger. The more time June and Inferno spend together the more they learn about each other, and in time June begins to realise some villains are not what they are made out to be.

Written in 2014 for NaNoWriMo this story is ready to be told.

REFLECTION

Six year old, James, stared at his reflection in tall bathroom mirror. Dressed in long black polyester pants, over black shiny shoes and his white short sleeve shirt tucked in. The oyster grey tie sat uncomfortably tight around his neck.

“I liked the girls shirt better,” he told Katherine, his mother.

“Boys don’t wear girls clothes. Do you want to be teased on your first day of school?”

“No,” James replied, a little down cast. He really did like the girl’s uniform better.

“Stand still,” Katherine, told him, as she adjusted his tie.

“I don’t like it,” James gave one last protest.

“You’re required to wear it.”

Katherine looked at James in the mirror, reached out and brushed his blond hair across the front.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get use it in no time, I promise.”

James smiled, knowing his mother was always right.

“Now that you’re ready, get your bag from your room and bring it to the kitchen.”

With jittery excitement, James retrieved his school bag and joined his mother.

The lingering smell of cookies baked the night before greeted James and the thump of his bag on the kitchen table alert Katherine to his presence.

Katherine stood at the cream melamine bench preparing James’ lunch for the day. A small radio tucked behind the toaster and kettle in the bench corner softly played music in the background, and Katherine hummed, while James twirled around her.

“James, sit down and eat your breakfast, please.”

James twirled to his seat at the table and began eating the cereal in front of him.

“Don’t spill your breakfast on your clothes,” Katherine told him.

James nodded, his mouth full, only to spill milk from the spoon into the table. A sideways glance told James his mother did not notice and with a hand, James smeared the milk from the table top.

Bowl in sink when done, James once again began to twirl around the kitchen as the familiar song he like came on the radio.

“Turn it up, please,” James asked.

“James, not now. I have to finish getting your lunch ready.”

James continued to twirl, arms above his head, as he did his best to imitate his favourite female singer.

“James, please clam down or you’ll hurt yourself.”

James paid no attention to his mother as he shook his hips before spinning on the spot several times.

“James. Watch out,” Katherine called.

What happened next was over in a matter of seconds but would stay with them a lifetime.

James crashed into his chair he had not put back under the table. His spinning motion had his body tilt awkwardly and he saw his mother rush forward, arms outstretch to catch him. James too, reached out a hand, his effort to stop himself from crashing to the floor. Their hands were close to grasping, when his mother froze, and the look of apprehension on her face turned to fear.

Before James hit the ground, his entire body became encase in a translucent bubble of water. The shock of falling wasn’t near as bad as James thought, the water surrounding him breaking his fall. As fast as it appeared, the water disappeared. James quickly examined himself, afraid his uniform was ruined but instead was still dry and relieved washed over him. 

"It's all fine mummy. I'm still clean." James exclaimed.

When no reply can, the silence drew James' attention to the fact something was wrong.

He looked up at his mother, her arms still outstretch and the look of horror on her face. James reached out to her but Katherine slowly withdrew her arms, and standing, said, “You’re not going to school today. I need to speak to your father.”

Katherine did not look at James as she spoke and she left the kitchen, and James remained on the floor. Confused and alone, the birth of anxiety took root in James’ heart. For the rest of his life, the image of his mother’s withdrawal would always haunt him.

Ten year old, James, stood looking at his reflection in the long bathroom mirror.

Dressed in blue denim jeans, over white sneakers and a red cotton shirt. His recent haircut was too short for his liking but his mother insisted it be so.

“You’re father and I will be back in an hour. There are cookies in the kitchen if you get hungry. Stay inside.”

James could only nod. Told to stay inside so often it had become a broken record. With no friends and being home schooled, James was terribly lonely.

On the bathroom counter his father’s razor and the spare blade, James knew, were kept in the top draw. If he could end his suffering he would.

“James, it’s important you understand,” his father, Sean, told him. “You are a Special. Someone who has a power over water. If people where to find out, they would destroy us and you. We have to protect our family. You have to learn to suppress this power.”

If James’ stood still and didn’t move he couldn’t feel his power beneath his skin. Often, this was what James did, but his parents knew he had to use his power to be able to learn to suppress it.

“We’re doing this for your own good, James. You’ll thank us when you’re older.”

How often James heard those words from his father as he pushed James over the edge again and again, hurting him so that his power would react and protect him.

“Drive it away, James. Force it down. Fight to control it.”

To cry over it had made no difference and James’ soon learned to stop crying as yet another emotion became locked away.

The boy staring back at James was a stranger but it was not his power that made him feel this way.

Hand on the top draw of the vanity, James pulled it open, and dug past the razors for the one thing he knew would give him relief.

Ruby red within a small black tube James removed the lid and wound up the small splash of colour from within. With care, James placed the lipstick against his lips, and applied it. When done, he lowered his hand and stared at his reflection again.

Without realising it, a single tear fell down his pale cheek. James went to wipe it away, smearing the lipstick slightly across his face. Anger, and the feeling of revulsion, tore through his body. James took a hand and viciously rubbed the lipstick across his face, as the tears continued to fall. The stick of lipstick in hand, he rose, and savagely rubbed against his lips. Like an image of blood he could not shed, James collapsed on the floor and cried. Being a Special was nothing compared to pretending to be a boy?

Sixteen year old, James, stook looking at his reflection in the long bathroom mirror.

“You’ll be fine,” Katherine told him before leaving the room.

Dressed in long black polyester pants, over black shiny shoes and his white short sleeve shirt tucked in. The oyster grey tie sat uncomfortably tight around his neck.

It was James’ first day of school but none of the feelings he once felt remained. Rather, anxiety and fear engulfed him.

“You’ve been able to supress your power for two years now James and we feel you need to start learning to adapt to society so you can live as normal a life as possible. We won’t always be here for you,” Sean told him.

James would not go against his parent’s wishes. Deep in his heart he looked at this as an escape and one he would do anything to achieve.

Katherine returned to check on James and if she sensed his fear, she did not acknowledge it.

“Remember what I told you. You’ll feel when you’re power surfaces; repress it like you were taught to. Stay clear of any physical alterations and you’ll be fine. The doctor’s certificate bars you from any sports and will make it easier for you.”

James could only nod.

“We’re doing this for you. We won’t always be here to protect you,” Katherine said.

James noticed she could bring herself to look at him, before he replied, “I know.”

“Try to make friends and fit in. You’ll be fine.”

You keep saying that, James wanted to reply but said nothing.

As he stared at his reflection, it was not his power that concerned him, but that he still preferred the girls uniform, to the boys.

Eighteen year old, June, stood staring at her reflection in the tall bathroom mirror.

Dressed in black dress pants, over black shiny shoes, with turtle green blazer over crisp white button up shirt.

The suffocation of her identity finally coming to an end.

Her curtained blond hair fell across her face and with comb in hand; June parted it to one side and tucked her hair behind her ears. The strands not long enough fell back over her eyes and June returned the comb to the counter before brushing the hair from her face with her hand. As she did, June gently stroked her eyebrows, thick and dark above her blue eyes. So often June averted her gaze from her reflection to not be remind of her appearance but not this time.

A bouquet of floral perfume caught June’s attention and with it came a mixture of emotions. One of envy, the feminine smell was not her own, the another of dread and the possible confrontation that was to come before the end of the day. A moment later Katherine entered the bathroom and came to stand beside her.

June gazed at her mother’s reflection. The years had not been kind to her and June often wondered if the stress of having a Special as a child contributed to her decline.

“You’re looking very smart. You’re turning into fine young man, much like your father.”

Katherine’s voice was hollow of any emotion and June had long since given up on ever knowing what it would be like to feel loved by her parents.

“You’re father will drive you to your interview. Remember to speak politely and do your best to get this job. It’s a good place to work and an office job will best suit you.”

Katherine brushed June’s hair down, flicking her finger through the front to straight it out.

“You need to get your haircut, it’s getting too long.”

June averted her gaze from her mother to stare at an imaginary piece of lint on her blazer she pretended to remove. Doubts began to take hold once again while June’s flat chest mocked her, reminding her who she was to her parents. Choked into silence time and time again, June knew there was no going back now. The breath June inhaled was a lifeline, as determination once more grew deep and June squeezed her blazer over her heart to reaffirm the decision she had made.

June once again stared at her reflection with distaste. How she hated the image before her. Whoever it was her parent’s saw it was not June.

“Your father will be looking for you soon. If you’re ready, lets go.”

Katherine turned to leave and at the door, she turned back, and said, “Come on, James, you look fine as you are.”

June took another deep breath and called her mother back.

Note: For every ink support during Inksgiving leave a writing prompt in the comments and I'll write a story with ever prompt received.