Invincible:Detonate

Somewhere in the Woods. Getting Darker.]

I was halfway through my second protein bar when I heard the car pull up.

I tensed, trying to pretend I wasn't sitting in the most obvious place in the world. The parking lot of the motel wasn't exactly bustling, but the sound of an engine idling and doors slamming definitely caught my attention.

The lights outside flickered. The shadows around the room grew longer.

I hadn't even realized I'd been holding my breath until I let it out with a sharp exhale.

This wasn't going to end well, was it?

I slid off the bed, barely making a sound. My eyes darted to the window. I couldn't see much—it was too dark outside—but the faint outline of two people standing near the motel office told me everything I needed to know.

They were looking for me.

No surprise there.

I moved quickly, grabbing the nearest thing I could use as a weapon. A lamp. Heavy, old-school, like something you'd find in a cheap hotel. Perfect.

I had no idea how many people were out there. But it didn't matter. I was Rex Splode now. That meant I had one option.

Survival.

[In the Hallway. Not the Worst Spot, but Not the Best Either.]

The first knock came at the door.

I froze.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Hey," a voice called out. "Housekeeping."

I couldn't help but snort. Really? Housekeeping? They went with that?

Another knock, louder this time. "We know you're in there."

Alright, that was a little more serious.

I moved quietly toward the door, peeking through the tiny peephole. There were two guys. One shorter, one taller. They both looked like they had spent more time working out than actually thinking, but it didn't matter. They weren't here for a friendly chat.

"Open up," the taller one demanded.

I let out a breath, pressing my back against the wall. There was no more pretending.

Time to blow something up.

[Step Seven: Blow Something Up.]

I didn't even wait for the door to get kicked in. As soon as the guy on the other side took one more step forward, I exploded the lamp in my hand.

Boom!!!

The bulb shattered. The metal frame split in half, sending shards flying across the room.

The two guys jerked back, hands raised instinctively. They weren't expecting that.

"Get back!" one of them shouted, trying to duck behind the wall.

I didn't give them a chance.

I pushed forward, shoving the door open. The taller guy looked up just in time to see me before I sent another blast of energy from my hands, hitting the doorframe next to him.

Boom!!!!!

He stumbled back, clearly caught off guard.

"Who the hell—?" the shorter guy started, but he didn't get to finish.

I took the opportunity to throw another blast his way, sending him sprawling onto the asphalt outside.

I wasn't even thinking anymore. I just knew I couldn't let them grab me.

The tall guy was recovering, and he looked pissed. But he wasn't moving fast enough for me.

I aimed another blast at his chest.

Boom!!!!!!

He flew back, crashing into a nearby car. The alarm went off immediately, but I didn't stop.

I was already running.

I ran down the stairs, zigzagging between parked cars. The sound of footsteps behind me was growing louder, and I didn't need to turn around to know they weren't alone anymore.

More guys.

[Step Eight: Escape and Survive.]

I cut through an alley, trying to lose them. I needed cover, needed to think. The night air hit my face, but the pounding in my chest reminded me that I wasn't invincible.

I was just a guy who had gotten dumped into a new body with a bunch of weird-ass powers. And now?

Now, I had a bunch of people who wanted me dead.

I rounded the corner of a building, breathing hard. I could hear their footsteps growing closer.

They weren't too far behind.

I checked my hands. The energy was building again.

Okay, focus.

I turned, waiting until I saw the first guy pop around the corner.

Then I shot.

Boom!!!!!

The force sent him tumbling backward, crashing into a dumpster. He didn't get up.

Two down.

But that was just the beginning. The others were coming. And I was running out of time.

My mind raced. What now? Where to go?

Then I heard the screech of tires.

Fuck my life!!

They weren't messing around.

The screech of tires sliced through the night air, and I didn't have to look to know they were coming for me.

I turned my head just in time to see headlights shining through the darkness, blinding me for a second. My heart skipped a beat, and the first instinct was to run. But there was no way I was outrunning a damn car.

I shot a quick glance around, my brain working overtime. Alleyway. No exits. The walls on both sides were too high to climb, too smooth to scale. My only option was to fight back.

I felt the familiar buzz of energy building up in my palms. This was it—no turning back now.

The car screeched again as it slammed to a stop just ahead. Four figures hopped out. The two guys I'd blasted earlier, plus two more. These ones were bigger, tougher-looking. They weren't wearing suits, but there was an edge to them, something sharp that told me they were more than just lackeys.

They didn't waste time.

One of them—tall, with a scar running down his cheek—charged at me. I raised my hands instinctively, sending a blast toward him.

Boom!!!!!!

He flew back with the force, crashing into a nearby wall. The other three didn't hesitate. They spread out, circling me, trying to box me in.

I was getting too slow.

One of the others lunged, and I barely had time to sidestep. He grazed me with his fist, knocking me back.

I staggered but kept my balance. A low growl slipped from my throat. This wasn't going to end well if I didn't get my head in the game.

I shook off the dizziness and raised my hands again.

One guy tried to rush me from behind. Big mistake. I spun around just as he reached me, sending a blast straight into his chest.

Boom!!!!

He flew backward, but instead of crumpling to the ground, he slammed into a metal dumpster, groaning in pain.

Okay. One down.

I didn't have time to gloat. The other two were closing in fast.

[Step Nine: Make Them Regret It.]

"Get him!" Scarface shouted from the ground, pushing himself up.

"Not gonna happen, asshole," I muttered, gritting my teeth.

I wasn't going to lie. I was starting to feel the strain. My head was pounding. My powers weren't unlimited, and the more I used them, the more I felt the burn. But there was no option.

I needed to end this now.

The other two closed the gap quickly. One swung a crowbar at me, and I barely managed to dodge, the metal slicing through the air where my head had been just a second earlier.

I responded with a blast to his midsection, sending him skidding backward across the pavement.

But there was still one left.

Scarface.

He was quick. He was angry. And I was running out of energy.

I managed to fire off one last blast, but he dodged it with surprising speed. Then, before I could react, he was on me. He tackled me to the ground, knocking the wind out of me.

I grunted, struggling under his weight. I could feel his hands tightening around my neck, and I knew if I didn't do something fast, I was in serious trouble.

Focus.

The energy bubbled up in me again, a searing pressure building in my chest.

Without thinking, I shoved all of it into my hands and pressed them against his torso.

Boom!!!!!!!

The explosion was violent.

He was thrown off me with the force, his body flipping through the air before slamming into the ground several feet away.

I gasped for breath, my vision swimming.

The others were out cold, scattered around the alley like ragdolls. The only sound was the ringing in my ears and the faint hum of energy still crackling in my palms.

I didn't move. I couldn't move.

For a second, it felt like everything was just… fading.

[Step Ten: Don't Die Here.]

I couldn't afford to pass out.

I forced myself to my feet, stumbling a little. My legs felt like they were made of lead, and every breath I took felt like I was inhaling broken glass.

I was still alive, but not for long if I didn't get out of here.

I glanced around, checking for any more threats. Nothing.

But I couldn't stay here.

I had to move.

I turned and ran, pushing through the pain, ignoring the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm me. The alley seemed to stretch forever, but I pushed forward.

I had no idea where I was going, but anywhere was better than staying here.

One step at a time. That's all I could do now. Keep running. Keep surviving.

[Step Eleven: Keep Running.]

I didn't stop until I found a place to hide.