CHAPTER 4.1: K.I.D.: THE SPARK — ZUURI

CHAPTER 4.1: K.I.D: THE SPARK — ZUURI

[08:00] 05.01.2090

City of Haust, Country of Bordumond

Mahabumi Continent 

2300KM to the Northwest from JUSM

​<The total victims of the worldwide earthquakes, which struck nearly a week ago—have surpassed 10 million in the Mahabumi Continent alone.>

<Just moments after the citizens welcomed and celebrated the turn of the new year, the cataclysm struck, as the first and ultimate ill omen. Caught off guard by the hopeful atmosphere, many could not escape in time. Leading to over 4 million confirmed dead. To be noted: the officials emphasize that this body count is still actively rising and far from final.>

"Ugh... more disasters... as if this world doesn't have enough of them already."

<Now, we'll start today's highlight of the day: The inauguration of the JUSM tower. Or Juweri Ultima Speranza Mundi tower. Created and supervised by Scientist and Inventor, Dr. Hexdl Thomsak. We can see that, in thousands have already gathered to celebrate the inauguration and many more are gathering as we speak. Now, moments before this historic event....i introduce, Dr.Hexdl himself, who humbly obliged to a brief interview as per our persistent requests.>

The dimly lit kitchen was illuminated by the holographic screen in the corner which served as a TV. In the kitchen, was a table wide with 4 tall chairs surrounding it. The gloomy atmosphere of the early morning, loomed over the kitchen as a closed amusement park at night. 

The father, with his usual red glasses were already seated and watching the news. The mother was plating the table for breakfast while the little sister was running around the living room with a doll in her hand. 

*tup...tup...tup...*

The sound of soft footsteps hitting the hard concrete could be heard as the big sister was coming down the stairs. She entered the kitchen and scanned it for a moment. Then, Zuuri sat down at the table in her designated place. 

She had neck-lenght black hair. Same color as her family's. But she had another tone too. Which was absent in the rest. Electric blue highlights, glowimg as current passing through her hair. 

Her clothes were different too. She wore a black color small tracksuit with pink seams and lines. Unlike the others who wore heavy duty pants and jackets. Capable of resisting extreme colds. But sometimes, even they weren't enough. But not for Zuuri.

"Good Morning" she said looking at her father. Without a hint of enthusiasm.

"Good Morning" her father said without taking his eyes off the tv.

However, as she was about to greet her mother, her mother caught the initiative and greeted her first. 

"Good Morning dear!!Look here, today i made your favorites. Boiled potatoes!!!" Said the mother, as she brought Zuuri's plate and placed it infront of her. 

Right then, a lively voice zoomed from the living room and entered the kitchen. Jumping into her big sister's lap, Nuuri, exclaimed in a cheerful voice, making the gloomy atmosphere disappear in an instant. 

"Good Morning big sis!!" 

"Good Morning Nuu!! you are up early huh" Zuuri greeted her with a smile by rubbing her nose on her little sister's peachy cheeks.

"Mum, where did you get potatoes?" Asked Zuuri as she an empty chair so that it was right next to hers. With a smile, she lifted her little sister from her lap with ease and placed her on top of the newly positioned chair. 

Zuuri was only nine, but lifting her seven year old sister was a piece of cake. Like lifting a piece of cake literally. As Nuuri's new place was established, their mother gave the little sister's plate too.

"Oh those... the president visited us yesterday night... he said that it was a gift..." Her mother replied while sitting down with her plate on hand. 

Zuuri's plate had 2 potatoes with a generous amount of salt sprinkled on top. 

Her sister had one and a half which was the same as her mother. Meanwhile her father had two. Same as Zuuri. As the breakfast was served and all of them were sat, they started praying.  

"Heed our prayers, we thank the one above for putting food on our table as always. Please continue watching over us...." 

The father's voice was the most loud. It was rough and deep yet the words flowed smoothly. As the prayer was done, they began eating. However, before Zuuri could eat, her father spoke again. A large piece of potato still on attached to her fork. The fork hovering near her mouth. 

"Are you going out today?" Her father's voice came from across the table. Stiff and rugged. But he never looked at Zuuri while he spoke. 

"Yes." Zuuri answered immediately and tried to put her fork in her mouth. Yet another question came from across the table.

"Why?" The same rugged and stiff voice asked. 

"To play i guess..." Zuuri said annoyed. She thought it was the final 'why' but soon came another.

"Why?" 

"What do you mean 'why'? I'm just going to play outside." Zuuri replied. Her raised voice, masked out a little by the slamming of the fork. 

"And I'm telling you, you have better things to do, your test scores are only going downwards!!! And I've heard a rumor about a mysterious flying object........" Her father replied. Slamming down his fork and raising his voice too. Same as Zuuri. 

But as stopped for a moment and continued with his usual, stiff but smooth tone. ".... the rumor also said that it looked like a human girl..... that was you wasn't it..... "

"So what?! I can fly and i will... stay out of it!!" Spat Zuuri glaring at her father. Her small hands had turned into little fists by now. 

Finally looking up, Zuuri's father glared directly at Zuuri. His eyes locked into hers. He spoke again. His voice raised. Again.

"Zuuri, i told you not to fly.... Or rather, l told you not to use your powers at all...no matter the situation. How many more times do I need to tell you???? Don't stand out!!! Rest low for now!!! *Cough* " 

He was interrupted by a sudden cough. As if the raised voice had unwanted side effects. So he continued again. But this time, in his usual voice.

"If the government finds out that you're capable of flying without using manaciles, they won't stay idle. They will look for you. And they will find you. But most importantly, they will take you away. I know it. So listen to me!!"

"I was just playing... the government, the school, this, that, everything....You are becoming paranoid dad... and you take it out on me... LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" 

Doubled down Zuuri without any hesitation. Her voice echoing inside the entire house. Bouncing from a white colored wall to another. 

"Why can't you see?? We are one of the only families in this country who can afford to live like this. Most families are lucky to eat one meal per day, yet alone three meals like us... what more do you want!!! I've given you everything so tell me... WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT???" 

Shouted her father. His voice raised again. Unbeknownst to him. And now it was starting to Crack. After the last statement, his pale lips had become blood red. But Zuuri didn't notice it. She simply raised her voice even more and screamed again. 

"NO YOU HAVEN'T!! THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK!!! YOU'LL KNOW IF YOU LOOKED PROPERLY....But you only look at yourself... you don't see us...."

As her voice died down, Zuuri stood up and ran out of the kitchen. The sound of the fallen chair, still haunting the silence which came after. 

"Please dear, listen to you father, he says those things because he loves you. Same as me. And Nuuri too...we all love you for who you are.... please come back..." 

Zuuri's mother quickly got up and said in a panicked voice. Her voice smooth and gentle. But with a tone of maturity. Or rather a lot. Like her gray hair, peeking out as silver needles woven through black silk. 

Her mum tried following her but before she could even take the first step, Zuuri was already at the front door. But before she could open it, a cute little voice reached Zuuri's ear, making her stop for a second. 

"Big sis, can i come with you? Please?" Nuuri asked, ignorant of what just happened. 

Zuuri looked at her and flashed her a soft smile. Without looking at her father, she said warmly to her sister but coldly to her mother. 

"Maybe when you're a little older okay? And mum, didn't you play when you were little, why must i live like a prisoner??? I'll be back later..... bye...."

"See what you've done. Even your sister is trying to go down the stupid hole you are digging!!!" Zuuri's father's voice shot out, starting from the kitchen and reaching her ears. But Zuuri didn't react. She didn't even look. 

Without even a jacket, Zuuri opened the door. A hissing sound shot out as the airtight lock released. Suddenly a chilling cold assaulted everyone inside, except Zuuri. She stepped outside and closed the door making the assaulting cold, stop in its tracks.

Her mother couldn't try and stop her. Even if she wanted, when she got ready and chased her, she'd be out of sight and possibly out of the neighborhood even. 

So she didn't. It was one of the usual mornings afterall. Nothing which happened was anything new. It was all daily occurrences. But what followed wasn't. 

Without taking even a bite of her favorite food, which was right infront of her, Zuuri took off. The cold winds caressed her hair as and rised further to the sky. Her painful look suddenly vanished as the more she rose in air. Like a child who received a new toy, Zuuri flew off enthusiastically into the far horizon. 

Thinking she could always patch things up as she came back, she flew further and further. But she was wrong. Her daily life was about to change. Unbeknownst to her, as she was in air, the ground beneath her started to shake.