I don't want it!

She sat there staring at the paintings and other memorable of the past. Their bright colors and distressed surfaces gleaming in the low light; her eyes unseeing of the museum’s inner beauty. This place was supposed to be a place of peace. A building where nothing could go wrong; where ancient history was welcoming with all is knowledge and mysteries. It was her safe place. The only place where heroes, villains, and mercenaries could never touch despite many attempts of thieving and destruction in the distant past. The museum is one of three places—the theater and city hall being the others—in the world of superpowers where said powers are forbidden to be used. 

She’d been coming here ever since she was a child. Her one place from “oh look at me, I have a superpower! ” or “I’m powerful, do what I say!" nonsense during school. She’d think people would grow up but even in college they’re ridiculous over having powers. The museum is where she learned that history is more important than powers, movies and games, and most importantly boys.

 In a world run rampant with superpowers she just wanted to be normal. It figures that like all superpower backgrounds hers would be the same. The exhibit held a new find in history called “The Stone of Ages”. Just one month ago because she's such a regular she was given express permission to see the exhibit before opening. There she found more history on where superpowers came from but also the “Stone” which has been said to be the first stone to give the first man the gift of flight. 

Unfortunately for her, she unmistakably grew attached to the stone and did the one thing she should not have; touched it. At the time she just felt a pulsing in her fingers as she gently touched the ruby red stone. There was no spark no pain no anything; there was only a simple heartbeat and then nothing. She left the stone there and went home thinking everything was in her head. That was until the next morning she woke up as sick as a dog; no, worse than a dog. 

She was sick for an entire month. Her body aching like lightning replaced the blood flowing in her body; and her skin felt like sandpaper yet it was slowly ripping apart. If it wasn't for the fact that she lived alone, she was sure she would have been taken to the hospital. She felt like dying hundreds of times over. However because she was sure the stone had something to do with her illness she knew she needed to keep her sickness a secret and live to find the truth.

Now she sits here one month later in the place where it all began. She looked around cautiously before lifting her hand to her eyes and summoned her ability. Her hand seemed to disappear in the air in front of her but she knew different. Her hand merely took on the appearance in front of her. Then she sat her hand down next to her on the red bench and again watched as it matched.

It would seem like she could turn invisible but her ability was camouflage. No matter what she stood against, sat on, or was next to, she could blend in with the background. She placed her head in her hands sighing heavily. She did not want this. She wanted to be a regular citizen that didn’t deal with the comings and goings of heroes and villains and mercenaries with superpowers. Power just sucked.

She knew if anyone knew of her abilities she would be forced to choose one of three sides: hero, villain, or mercenary. She just wanted to drown in the history that made planet earth. Her head snapped up. Maybe there was a way to reverse it. She felt a twisted smile form. With a determined step she went to the Stone of Ages exhibit glad that no one else was there at that time.

 She read over the history again and noticed that the stone was no longer a bright red but a dull maroon. She couldn't even feel the pulse she felt before. This time with intention she touched the stone with a single finger hoping some answer would come not really expecting anything to happen. So came her surprise when a voice neither male nor female spoke.

 “You have been chosen to host the abilities of the first. We have chosen you because you are neither good nor evil, right nor wrong, Nor do you desire power of any form. Knowledge is his own great reward and therefore you were chosen and blessed with these gifts in which the world is at your feet. You will find that you will gain new abilities as time passes, even those in which you can take and give super powers to those you think deserve them.

“But be warned! This power can corrupt should you fail to uphold your duties. If you fail, you will find yourself in constant pain until the day of your death!”

She stared at the stone before her incomprehensible of what was told to her. She felt a headache growing and felt the need to curse the great ancestors. Nothing spoken to her explained much of anything. Where was she supposed to find ways to control these gifts she was given? Why was she specifically chosen? What “duties"? And why would they give a corruptive power to one who didn't desire power? Was it just a means of control or were the ancestors wrong?

 She didn’t like half-baked answers. She felt a need to take the stone and examine it at home but before she could even pick it up she noticed her hand was a blue flame. It was burning like a cold fire but she didn't feel anything on her skin. She took a few calming breaths until the flame went away before picking up the stone and pocketing it. This stone had to have answers and she would have them. 

History truly was an amazing subject. They say history is written by the victors but she also believes they were written by the crazies. The mysteries of history was before her and she couldn't wait to unravel it.