Chapter 5: Chapter 5

RIVERNEA

Birds chirped afar off, brown shrubs solemnly danced with the gentle breeze and the sunny afternoon shone brightly upon Theodore's white skin. He raised his red headed axe sharply in the air before plunging it deep into the wood. The log fell apart with sweats trickling from his forehead and unto the sandy grounds. He picked the small logs, tossing them to other finished products before picking another uncut wood.

"----and on to today's news!" The newscaster from his small radio hanging by the left mirror of his ocean blue truck. "Mayor Carlos has declared that the continent shall be on a temporary lockdown with an imposed curfew. He says the citizens of Rivernea shouldn't panic but should see this an effort in bid to identify the terrorists. Who stole a top secret military weapon in one of Rivernea's command base." The newscaster paused for a split second. "Popular singer L---"

"Come on Bruno, we've got to be quick if we wanna make money today." He said to his Red and Black German Shepherd dog that laid on the ground. By his side with it's tongue baring outside. Theodore returned to his axing whilst wondering how he was supposed to deliver twenty logs of wood to his customers. He had utilised over three hours cutting only three and at this pace, he knew he was nowhere finishing by the time evening dawns. Hence, he resigned to his special abilities. He first looked around the vast lands to affirm no stalky eyes were alert before taking deep breaths and concentrating on his subconsciousness. An heavy amount of energy started to fuel within him and encompassed his body. His super strength and speed instantly activated once he opened his eyes. Gleaming a beautiful orange.

He smiled at his dog before axing the logs at unimaginable speed and strength. He continued to work at that pace for the next twenty five minutes before returning to his humanly nature.

He gleamed a smile at Bruno.

"Just two left, Bruno, and we finally get some meal." His dog whined in response while he chuckled. Another of his abilities was being able to connect to the dog and cat family. He could feel, hear and understand what they thought. And in Bruno's case, his dog simply pleaded for the work to be finished.

He was about to axe another wood when his eyes fell on the luxurious SUV car that sped across the narrow road, causing dust to trail behind until the vehicle halted in front of his compound. Bruno barked at the lady who alighted off the vehicle alongside a man. Both dressed in a formal black clothing.

"It's okay Bruno!" He toned calmly to his dog that simply threaded on it's paw in a furious manner.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Theodore." The lady chirped with the man poised beside her sternly. Theodore nodded whilst eyeing them suspiciously.

"My name is Rita Madeline and this is Trevor Cooper." She gestured with a tiny smile. "We work for Roberts Industries, I'm sure you've heard of it."

"Yes," he responded icily, recalling the critically acclaimed Doctor Roberts responsible for the heavy contribution in the development of technology. "What do you want?"

Rita smiled as she sauntered closer while Bruno sneered.

"Doctor Roberts is starting a new agency called 'The Shining' and with your expertise in interior designing," she paused her lips. "We would like to employ your services."

He scoffed.

"No." He icily declared as he carried his axe in a bid to plunge.

"We're offering two hundred million Pillings as your pay or even higher if you want." She added briskly. He wouldn't deny it, he was taken aback by the huge offer but that didn't warrant him going against his principles.

"The answer is still No." He plunged his axe into the wood.

"Mr. Theodore,"

"Why don't you find another Interior designer and stop bothering me!" He scowled. "As you can see, I'm busy so please leave."

She sighed and then wore a smile as she slipped a gold inspired letter out of her coat.

"Just in case, you change your mind." She handed him the letter to which he flung to their faces.

"I'll never help in designing a lab that would one day cause another World catastrophe. Now leave." He ordered with his axe hanging by his shoulder. Rita smiled courteously.

"Thank you for your time." She muttered and then they returned into their vehicle. Trotting at an alarming speed.

Theodore hissed as he watched the vehicle disappear with the smokes. He unpacked his long blonde hair and dusted his singlet before continuing in his work.

#########

Daniel Rucker's Straight To Hell blared from the radio as Theodore chewed on his burger. Driving his truck under the starry night. In a lonely path surrounded by forests. He hummed to the song whilst he thought of the day's offer. Two hundred million was more than enough to treat his disorder but he couldn't stoop below his principles either. The same scientists were the one who caused a nuclear explosion that cursed him with powers and a disorder that could end his life.

His front tyres suddenly went flat and his truck swerved dangerously across the road. It finally halted after several efforts on the brakes.

"Stay here, Bruno." He mumbled to his dog that had now grown agitated. He stepped outside, looking back and forth, hugging his coat tightly as he bent towards the tyres. He squinted his eyes noticing tons of nails sputtered across his Tyres position.

Theodore arose in a alert posture, peering at the forests suspiciously. These days, Rivernea was a breeding ground for terrorists and he couldn't help but think he was going to be a victim today.

He activated his powers, stealthily roaming to the front of his vehicle.

Suddenly, a small knife flung in his direction. One he easily caught with his right hand.

"Whoever you are," he blared into the cold nights. "Come out before I find you."

Smoke streamed across his front. Metres away, but his vehicle headlights and his superior night vision revealed a figure. A man dressed in a black uniform that proudly held several dangerous weapons. Ranging from knives, guns, grenades and other weapons he had no knowledge of.

"Who are you?" Theodore furiously questioned as he took steps closer.

"The Trainer." The man responded but with a voice modulated mask. So his voice sounded overly gruffy and intimidating.

"You'll get nothing but pain if you trample with me." Theodore stated boldly. "You better let me go or we could do this the hard way."

"The hard way works fine for me." The Trainer retorted and then trotted towards him.

"Don't say I didn't warn you!" Theodore growled. He was about to trot towards him with his inhuman speed when the knife in his hand suddenly electrocuted him. Dumping him to the ground roughly. Theodore arose lazily, his body still in it's healing process. But the Trainer appeared in his front bombing a gas in his face. Theodore fell to the ground again and all he could hear was Bruno's relentless barking before slipping unconscious.

His eyes faintly opened to a brightly lit room causing them to squint for seconds. His vision still retained haziness and his body were chained to a metal chair. The only furniture in the room. His body was also weak, struggling against the drug they laced into his system. It prevented him from engaging his special abilities.

He wriggled his head to overcome this weakness but it only tousled his perfectly packed Blonde hair. Then the door opened and a man walked in, poised proudly in his front. His haziness couldn't review the man's face but he was certain the stranger donned a lab coat on a tailored suit.

"Where am I?" He asked in oblivion.

"You are in New Canada, Mr. Theodore." The voice sounded so agile and endearing. Theodore frowned trying to reason how long he'd passed out for him to be transported from Rivernea to a new continent.

"Who are you?" He asked. In his head he had imagined himself growling but in reality, his voice trailed a whispery path.

"My name is Doctor Roberts Shanghai and I warmly welcome you to The Shining."

"Warm welcome indeed."

Theodore exhaled in disbelief. The same people who offered him a job committed this atrocious act.

"Where's my dog? Where's Bruno?!" He questioned.

"I can assure you, Bruno is perfectly fine and in safe hands." Doctor Roberts calmly replied but his words only agitated him.

"You know this is abduction right?! This is violation of my human rights and believe me, once I get off this chair, I'll rip your crazy head off!" He forced every nerve in his body to growl.

"I am so sorry it had to be this way, Mr. Theodore." Doctor Roberts replied in his retained calmness. "But all these could have been averted if you had accepted my agents invitation."

Theodore scoffed. He easily concluded The Shining was more than an agency that needed interior designing.

"You don't know me if not, you wouldn't dare do this to me." He growled again.

Doctor Roberts chuckled. "I know you in ways you can't imagine, Mr. Theodore."

"I am more than an interior designer, old man." Theodore retorted while his vision were gradually turning lucid.

Doctor Roberts chuckled again. "I know that Mr. Theodore." He avowed. "In 2020, you were one of Los Angeles leading CEO. And after the unfortunate incident that befell the world, you lost everything and started a new life as Lumberman and interior designer in a small town of Rivernea."

Theodore exhaled while his jaw dropped as Doctor Roberts roamed in his front with pride.

"But that's not all, Mr. Theodore." Doctor Roberts voice suddenly trailed a hoarse path. "There's something else in your life I know. A dangerous secret."

Theodore's heart started to race like sport cars with his body quivering alongside.

"You're a mutant." Doctor Roberts stated. Theodore's eyes exclaimed, his breaths ceased whilst wondering how Doctor Roberts had known of his secret. All mutants were usually deported to Area X, another wave of fear struck him. Mentally broken at the thought of landing in Area X, the most dreaded place in the world.

"But not to worry, I'm not reporting you to the authorities." Doctor Roberts calm voice jolted him back to reality. "Your remarkable powers will save your ass which of course is of relevance to me." The man paused as he inched closer.

"But what I don't know," his voice sounded again. "Is if you're ready for the job?"

"What job?" Theodore fearfully asked. The Doctor smiled.