CHAPTER THREE: Choices

For three days Zach had been surrounded by nothing but the darkness that consumed him. No light, no air, not any drop of life but the shallow breaths coming from his lungs and every twitter of his heart. He couldn't remember much after the horrible memory of all of those people dying in Arkansas, but he knew that he certainly wasn't dead quite yet.

"Is anyone there?! Answer me!" The rage in his voice echoed throughout the shadowy room, but alas, no friendly noise greeted him any sort of comfort.

With another exasperated sigh, Zach collapsed to his knees and began to question whether or not he was truly alive. He hadn't been chained or restrained by his mysterious captors, but the strain of not being able to escape his predicament was equally painful on the mind and body.

Suddenly, a light flashed before his sensitive eyes and out stepped a blurred figure that seemed to be reaching out to him with an outstretched hand.

Dazed and confused by the lights and lack of water, Zach eagerly clutched onto the arm and could feel himself being pulled up into a tight hug.

The voice of a gentle woman filled his ears and seemed to rattle the very heart of his soul."You are such an amazing individual, Mr. Benson. Out of everyone I've ever studied you seem to possess the most raw and absolute power in many years. You are my prized possession."

After a few moments, Zach's eyes began to focus and he stared up to look directly into the eyes of his captor. She was a beautiful older woman of Asian descent; her eyes were like fiery black coals that seemed to match the devilish smile perched upon her red lips.

"You have been through a lot these last couple of days, Zach. I'm sure you have many questions that you would like answered. Please follow me to the room down the hall and I will answer them as best as I can."

With that, the woman released him and led the poor boy down the brightly lit hallway at a brisk pace. Everything around them, including his holding cell, was a sickly crimson color that reminded him of blood. Other than that, there wasn't anything really interesting, just hallway upon hallway with hundreds of doors to match.

"Ah, here we are. Please feel free to sit as comfortably as you like." The woman opened the door and motioned for him to enter. Inside was a simple table with two chairs facing each other on opposing sides, complimented by a black television that stuck out like sore thumb against the crimson paint.

Zach took a seat at the chair away from the television, noticing for the first time he was wearing the same black hoodie and jeans from the day he blacked out in the mall.

The woman paced in front of the table for several minutes, simply staring at him for moments on end, but after a while she began to speak very firmly.

"You must be wondering where you are and what happened to you, correct? I'm sure anyone would in your condition Zach."

She folded her arms while continuing to stare through him as if she were searching for something inside of him."My name is Eris Hakumi, but you may refer to me . It seems very fitting, doesn't it?"

Zach could feel his heart beat began to race for some reason, it was as if her very presence made his blood run at tremendous speeds."Where am I and why are you holding me here?"

tapped her chin as the devilish smile returned to her lips."You really don't know what you are, do you?"

He was a little caught off guard by that question, forcing him to fidget in discomfort within his seat."What do you mean?"

She turned away from his and rested her hands neatly behind her back, the large coat she was wearing gave her a powerful presence.

"You have abilities far beyond your wild dreams, Zach. The extent of your power has only been scratched to the tip of it's surface…but you have so much more potential. Surely you don't think the incident in Arkansas was an accident, do you?"

Zach could feel a bead of sweat trickle down the back of his neck as his grip on the chair tightened slightly."How did you know about that?"

Without getting an answer to his question, the television screen came to life and began to flash different images taken from the police report in Arkansas.

"You see, we've been following you for a long time Zach Benson. However…this was the first time you've ever exposed yourself to the public."

Zach stared mindlessly at the photos that clicked to his mind one after another, but there was something in each picture so obvious that it completely bewildered him. Everyone was covered in the thickest ice he had ever laid eyes on. Not only were the people frozen, but everything around them from shops to vending machines was either destroyed or covered with ice.

"How is this possible?"

stood silently for a moment, seemingly observing each slide as it passed by the screen with such interest that it almost surprised him. After a long while, without saying a word, she took a seat at the other chair and met his eyes with her own.

"What I am about to tell you may terrify you and even shock you beyond words could ever describe…but I want you to handle it calmly and remain seated. Understood?"

Zach hesistated at first but eventually nodded ever so slightly.

"Good. You, Zach,have the very power to control the cold elements around us at your very fingerprints, and the ice that cost those people their lives is your creation. It was simply an accident mind you, but that revealed to me and my followers, that you are truly worthy of helping us in our quest for salvation."

The poor boy laid stunned in the chair, the overwhelming feeling of guilt and terror lay within the deepest reaches of his heart soul. He couldn't believe what she was telling him…he was a murderer.

"There is no reason to get upset, Zach. Those people did not die in vain, no, those people will be remembered as those who helped change the world as we know it. You have a chance to use your abilities to help people in ways never imagined. With my help and with assistance from my comrades, you can save the world."

She thought for a moment before turning her gaze back to the television, a hidden smile danced upon her lips.

"Before you make any decision…there is one more thing I must show you."

The television went blank for a moment before pulling up an article from a newspaper dated the night before, the location was not legible from the distance they were sitting but the headline was very clear.

LOCAL MARRIED COUPLE MURDERED IN THEIR HOME

turned her attention back to Zach and folded her hands under her chin."You might be wondering what this has to do with you? Well, let me explain something to you first…something that may help you understand our situation. The government does not look very kindly on people like us Zach, people who are gifted with certain talents that go up and beyond the normal humans. So, many years ago they established a secret branch for dealing with these said people known as the Irregular ability agency, also known as the 'IAA' for short. They are responsible for capturing innocent people who have committed no crimes and lock them away in the Barren Facility far away from here…where unspeakable cruelties are carried out. They torture the human flesh in ways never imagined possible and go even further than that…and that is why I have personally declared war on anyone associated with these people. However, where you tie into this whole situation is quite simple. The FBI managed to get to you before we could when you collapsed after that short 'outburst', and after that they managed to keep you sedated long enough to transfer you to the Barren."

She smiled slightly as her eyes seemed to reflect a peaceful memory of sorts.

"Luckily, I sent to rescue you and the operation went very smoothly…and that is why you are here with us today. Now let me bring you back to why I have shown you this newspaper article on the screen over there. It can only be assumed that the IAA was desperate to find you after we recovered you safetly about three or four days ago, so they must have thought to search for you at your home."

Her expression became very grave as she spoke directly to him.

"…They murdered your parents and covered it up, Zach."

The feeling of numbness overtook his body as he felt his eyes moisten slightly at the thought, all of this was just too much for him to bare.

"It is okay to feel the anger and sorrow of a lost one…I know it all too well. However, you must stand up to these monsters who kill without mercy and save the world as know from becoming a horrible place! I am asking you to stand beside me Zach…stand by me and fight for what is right."

She slowly extended her hand to him, letting it rest softly on the tabletop as her expression softened to a gentle smile.

Feeling the bitter sadness and guilt over the loss of lives in Arkansas and his parents, Zach was very conflicted between his head and his heart. However, believing in the words that had so strongly said…maybe this was his only shot at redemption.

He extended him arm quietly and put his hand into hers without any hesistation, his eyes had now dried up and his features had become firm and determined.

"I will do anything I can to help people like us, . What can I do?"

She smiled warmly at his acceptance and squeezed his palm within her own."There is nothing you can do now but learn the ways of your talents…and once you have mastered your element it will be time for you to complete you destiny. As for tonight, get some rest in a room I have prepared for you… will show you the way.

At that instance, a well dressed man entered the room in a most dignified way. His eyes were extremely cold and the long scar that slithered across his face shone brightly in the crimson light.

", please show Zach to his room. I have things to prepare for in the morning."

nodded with a small smile."Yes ma'am…please come with me Zach."

With that, Zach followed and the door was shut behind them, leaving alone to stare at that the monitor with an enormous smile plastered on her face.

"The tables have turned for you humanity, I now have control of a weapon strong enough to bring the people to its knees…and then I will make changes to the world as I see fit. Let the IAA sleep comfortably tonight, as tomorrow brings the fatal dawn."