The Ferocious Five

CHAPTER SIX

Jackson Roberts

Orange, California

Everyone knows that a boy can’t show his emotions. Well, at least that was what I was taught.

As I amble about my school campus, I feel a presence behind me. When I turned back, the feeling vanished, almost as if it were never present. I chuckled to myself, hoping that it was just a friend messing with me.

“Jackson…” a raspy voice whispers.

That’s when I stopped, thinking to myself, what the hell? I turn back again, and there a shiver crawls down my spine. A  Monster with red fur, bloodshot eyes, curved horns, yellow teeth, and it began to twitch the longer I looked at it. “What the–”

“Do not fear,” the Monster said, “Call me your new Manifestation, Jackson.” It walked closer to me, stroking my dreadlocks.

“How do you know my name?” I pushed them away.

“A feisty Human you are,” they said, “As I said, do not fear. My name is Molly; I am what you Humans call a friend.”

“You want to be friends? Yeah, not interested,” I began to speed walk my way out of the conversation, but they were quick to follow me, “Oh my God! What do you want?” I snarl.

Molly replies, “All I want is a friend–a friend to keep me safe from those Humans that experiment.”

“Scientists?” I chuckle, “You’re joking.”

Molly made a face of seriousness, “No jokes told here, friend. Humans are searching for Monsters to harm, Humans to kill, and children to kidnap. We can stop them, and as your Manifestation, I can assist you in any way possible. Only if you give me a chance.”

“Listen, it was nice meeting you, but I’m not a superhero, nor am I looking for any ‘Manifestation’.” I stated firmly, “Thanks, and goodbye.” Again, I attempt to walk away. One could probably guess that she’d follow me again. I sigh, turning around as I say, “If you don’t leave me alone, I’m going to call the police–” as soon as I look, Molly wasn’t there.

It was then that I had a strange feeling in my body. Huh, I guess she left me alone, I thought. My vision began to distort a bit, my chest started to hurt, my head felt as if it were pushing out horns, my hands grew red and furry, the inside of my mouth started to feel sharp and painful, and–I faint.

I wake up in the same spot. “What the?” I murmur to myself.

“So this is what it’s like to take the place of a Human body,” I hear Molly’s voice.

“Molly? What the hell?” I turn around, “Why do I have a tail?”

“While you weren’t looking, my soul simply warped into your body,” Molly explained, “As your Manifestation, I can manifest myself into whatever I want whether that be my physical appearance or yours. Sure, it might be painful, but in the end, it will be worth it.”

“I never even agreed to this though!” I shout.

“Listen to me, Jackson,” Molly says, “Every action I do has a reason, and so this action is for our safety. I hope you know that what you’re doing is going to change the world and its history as we know it. If we rid the world of all of its Manifestations, dangers, and horrors, we can be the superhero that everyone will recognize.”

I thought for a moment. I didn’t like the dangers and horrors of the world around me, which was one of the reasons why I had mental health issues. I suppose getting rid of Manifestations–they hurt like hell–dangers, and horrors of the world would make everything better. I may have been subjected to a lot of trauma in my life, and this might be the solution. “Okay, Molly,” I sigh, “What’s your plan?”

“Whatever you wish, Jackson,” Molly replies, “for I am not only your Manifestation, I am your servant.”