The middle aged man looked me over like a potential father staring at the man taking his daughter to prom. I sent an eagled-eagled eyed glance at Emily. Even though she wasn’t a dropped dead knock out like Jada or even Timothy with the blonde hair. However, ignoring the little nerdy quirks, the virgin behavior, she was cute with those fun-facts that I pointedly ignored.

Her mother was right though. She wore a little baggy clothes, joggers, baggy tee, and a hoodie to top it off. I think I only ever saw her wear something less was time I walked by her room and the door was cracked. She had this nice heart shape ass that spread out perfectly when she bent. It was like someone designed her ass with a perfect arch in mind. Even though her upper chest was kind of small, it was bigger than the koreans.

Which I guess wasn’t much to approve of, given that the korean was more curvy looking.

The man stopped admiring me and held out his hand. “You must be Chase Cross, correct?”

I shook his hand, displaying my dimpled smile. “Correct. Emily’s Dad, yes?”

The man’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “Step-father, Terrance Chandler. Though I hope she considers me more like her real Father.” He turned to watch his daughter and the crew walk over.

“So how long have you known my daughter? I was only told that you guys were friends before this mess.” Terrance said.

I crossed my arms over my chest with a mischievous grin playing out. “Not too long, actually. She started coming to my cafe around six months ago with her friends. They usually stayed late nights. She was kind enough to offer to help me clean up a few times upon noticing I never hired any additional employees.”

Terrance's mouth twitched and he shot me a glance. “Is that so? The one on the main strip? I had thought of buying your shop a few times. Quite a successive thing you got going for yourself.”

I smirked. He sounded impressive and annoyed at the same time. “Yeah, it was hard work getting it all set up. A lot more work being the only employee but I was too lazy to hire someone to do what I would have done anyway.”

He kept mum.

“Plus it gave me the opportunity to hit on college girls. They are always so helpful and well, look at me. I look really sauve with my bad boy appeal. They flock to my bed like I had on cologne called ‘pussy bait.’ Your daughter included though she seems a lot more shy now. Though when I asked her to marry me, she said yes.” I grinned like a devil.

The poor man was shivering with disbelief and righteous anger. He pulled out his phone, giving me that polite look. “Sorry, have to take this.” He hurried away. I was positive he thought about hitting me but I had long noticed his eyes upon me earlier.

I chuckled lightly and turned to a woman that had been eyeing me a little too much. It didn’t take her long to find the courage to walk over. She was a decent looking older lady. Ignoring the few wrinkles that timed cast upon her. She was attractive, fit, and wore that outfit I grew accustomed to labeling as Lawyer uniform. The whole to calf or knees skirt, blouse, and matching skirt colored jacketed.

She held out a hand and I kissed it. “I’m Emily’s Mother, Layla Harper. I heard so much about you and I have to say. You look even more delectable in person.” She leaned in and whispered. “Did you really propose to my daughter or just mess with my husband?”

I laughed and glanced at Emily who came running up to her mother.

“Jesting.” I said as I walked away.

I climbed onto one of the four wheelers and cranked the darling up. Listening to it purr, vibrating like a newly tuned engine.

The big guy rode up to me at the same time as Jada jogged over. I pulled her down in front of me. Resting my chin upon her head, enjoying the feel of her body against mine.

“I didn’t thank you for helping out my men earlier. Thanks.” his barrel voice sounded extra loud to me.

I just nodded in reply as the rest of the crew filed into SUV’s, except Joe who copied me. Was he secretly trying to compete with me on cool factor? Such a dumbass.

I shook my head. Driving over to my bag and picking it up before falling into lane behind the convoy.

The trip was boring but it gave me time to think. Sitting still made me feel like ants were crawling up my skin. I was full of energy, like a bunny or something.

But thinking.. I was getting stronger quickly. Quicker than Joe and Jada which was strange. How was this possible? I wasn’t a scientist and I didn’t even fully graduate high school. I took the test to graduate early but due to a circumstance, police knocked on my door. I never got to know if I finished or not.

Which means I had no theoretical knowledge to guess the true reason. However, what I did have was a bunch of guesses based on games. You can’t run a computer cafe without learning or wanting to play games.

Thus my guess was that I was picking up some kind of experience points from the zombies I killed. Coupled with my daily meditations, my practice sessions, and my constant radio antenna; I was gaining power at an accelerated rate.

I thought about how I charged the girl's cell phone and looked at a power line. What if I could absorb that and increase my power?

Test time!

I pulled over and grabbed the metallic pole. Studying the electrical aura before attuning my body signal to it, then I absorb.

At this moment, I thought I was a genius.

It came in slow and I felt a very comfortable feeling. Like that feeling after sex, where you feel lethargic but weirdly content. That was what I was feeling until all of a sudden—

I went flying through the air. Slamming through a building and rolling to a stop after going through a toilet into the bathtub.

It honestly felt like I was high, weed high, not heroin high. There were differences, huge differences.

I struggled up and staggered out of the house. Ignoring the damage I did, hiding the embarrassment as I climbed back on the four wheeler.

We caught up and I held my hand out to the side. My ability came so fast to my fingertips. Peaking out of my hand like a dog expecting to be walked. The annoying kind that would sit at your bedside looking up at you with those puppy dog eyes. When you roll over, it would start making that whining sound, dipping its head while looking up at you.

I pointed my finger at the stop sign and thought of shooting out a small bolt of lightning. My mouth fell open upon seeing a hole in the sign as we drove past. Jada glanced back at me and I laughed. What a fucking upgrade—

***

I woke up in a bed and instantly shot up. Grabbed my balls, relaxing upon feeling that they were still there.

I caught someone's text but ignored it in favor of turning to Jada. Who was sitting in a chair playing a game on pc. I wondered what she would do if the world went dark. No lights, no electricity, no games.

She turned to me with a grin. “I would use you to power up a console. Plenty of single player games and stop projecting your thoughts. Distracting.”

She turned back and I frowned. I hoped she died. She shot me a horrified expression before laughing, sticking out her tongue.

“I’m too good to die.” she laughing said.

I rolled my eyes and thought about shielding my thoughts. I felt something but had no description to describe it. However, I turned to Jada and thought about how that fluffy pink robe looked hideous but she had no reaction.

Patting myself on the shoulder, I climbed out of bed. The room was kind of big. The bed looked like two twin sizes pushed together, there was a plain brown dresser with a half moon mirror. Couch against the wall near the door. The pc was pushed up to the right of the bed, the bed itself was pushed up against a corner in the wall.

I stepped into the bathroom and it was small but had a walk in shower which was important. I went back, tossed my bag off the floor onto the bed, and pulled out my clothes. Running to take a shower and piss, leaving out the room to explore.

I had this odd feeling that we were underground. The walls were way too thick and I was picking up signals but they were like a sort of muted background noise. Same as power lines or power outlets, not the people are here kind.

I finished traversing a long corridor to a stairway when I noticed someone opening a door. It was the Mother of Emily, looking extra fit in that lawyer outfit. She spotted me and smiled.

“Oh, hey there. Need a tour guide?” She asked with an attractive older lady smile.

Being in my late twenties, I could call someone old. “Yes, please.”

She took my arm in a comfortable gesture. Leading me down the hallway and to the right where a room opens up into a lounge-like area with multiple doors. She pointed to the left of us with a sign above saying dining hall.

“Everything food related would be in that direction.” she gestured at the next door several meters away from that one. “Entertainment and training facilities, research facilities, garage and only exit out.”

I took in the handy signs before getting dragged down another hall that didn’t have a name.

“This is where a bunch of computers and offices are. My office is this one.” She pointed at the fifth door on the left. Then dragged me in, locking the door behind us. She licked her lips and released my arm.

“How about we have a civilized conversation, Mr. Cross?” She said civilized but why was she unbuttoning her top?

Ah, fuck it.

I was a mobster. Do the bad stuff first then consider the consequences later.