Apex by Adam Moon Page A

figured out how to use their powers correctly yet so the general set up a bunch of old milk crates out back and told them to practice.
    Scott rolled his eyes and Melanie said, “This is hardly an innovative way to test us. The doctor set up the same basic test and we failed it miserably.”
    “So you have plenty of reasons to practice then. Get to work before I decide to get more creative.”
    None of them were bothered by his silly threat. They knew the general and his remaining men couldn’t harm them.
    After witnessing Dan’s wild aim with his heat power, and seeing the resultant destruction, all of the soldiers decided to keep their distance from the makeshift firing range.
    Scott cut a crate in half and they all watched the severed piece float away like magic.
    The general said, “Ok now, drop it.”
    Scott tried to concentrate but he couldn’t turn his power off. When the general slapped him hard across the face, the piece of crate toppled out of the sky, free from Scott’s force field.
    Scott turned on him angrily and said, “Be careful or next time it’ll be half of you floating off into the sky.”
    “Give it a rest. I’m trying to help.”
    “No you’re not. You’re polishing your weapons. That’s all you’re doing with us.”
    “You’re right. What’s the point of having the perfect weapons if they’re all broken?”
    Dan yelled, “Hey, we’re people, not instruments.”
    “Not to me.”
    Molly took a step forward and said, “I want you and your men off of my property.”
    “I’m not going anywhere, miss.”
    Dan’s hands glowed menacingly but the general shook his head sadly and said, “You’ll have to kill me because I’m staying. I’m sorry for the disrespect, but I’m under a lot of pressure here. I need to help you in case the unknown enemy make themselves known to us.”
    Melanie said, “Just let it go Dan. We’ve seen enough death for a lifetime.”
    Scott interrupted them all. “Why are we still here? Jack’s mom was killed. I need to be there for my family if they get attacked. So do you Melanie.”
    Melanie said sheepishly, “I was going to sneak off tonight when everyone fell asleep.”
    “Why bother? They can’t stop us. Screw this stupid shit. We’re out here playing games for the general’s amusement while our loved ones are in danger. Come on. Let’s go.”
    General Parsons opened his mouth to object but he must have changed his mind. “We’ll escort you. Hold on.”

    Crime Fighter
     
    Jack heard a muffled scuffle down an alleyway. He thought about ignoring it and getting on with his search for his mom, but he just couldn’t. What if someone was being hurt?
    He saw two large men with their backs to him. They were unbuckling their pants, laughing to one another. A trembling woman was crouched before them, blood running down her nose, her hair mussed.
    They both turned when they heard Jack approach. One of th em nodded to him and said, “Beat it, kid. You don’t want none of this.”
    For a second, Jack considered tucking tail and getting out of there. The men were much bigger than he was, and they looked like they’d have no problem beating him to death.
    And suddenly, they looked like they wanted to do just that. They buttoned up and turned on him menacingly, the woman just an afterthought now. These reprobates just wanted to hurt people. They were using the chaos of the moment to unleash their base desires.
    Jack took a step backwards.
    The woman stood up tentatively, looking around for an escape route. She seemed lost and confused.
    The nearest guy turned on her and slugged her in the eye. She screamed and fell back to the ground. Then he kicked her in the head like he was trying to score a goal.
    The woman fell forward on her face, either dead or unconscious. Before the guy could join his friend to advance on Jack, he started to scream.
    Jack felt the power overtake him, but it was too strong this time. It was fueled by a sense of righteousness and