The Alley Way

John had enough. He hit his breaking point. He always knew what he was capable of, but he taught himself to control it and promised himself never to use it. However, he hadn't expected to be bullied either. He always thought of himself as a good guy, a nice guy, a friendly guy, but he had no friends. He didn't know why he was bullied. He maybe didn't look like a popular guy, but they couldn't bully him just because of that, right? It was the worst with Mack. He took it way too far with John. He is the sole reason that John got to the point that he did. Mack had made a mistake. A big mistake. John was shy to begin with, but with his capabilities and his desire to hide them he became even more shy. On this day John was no longer going to take it. He was angry and was looking forward to it. School ended and John started to walk home just like he did everyday. And Mack stopped him in an alley just like he does everyday. But today events did not take place like they did everyday. Mack walked up to John calling him horrible names and making jokes about him. Mack pushed John against the wall with all of his force. John hit the wall. A smirk appeared on John's face. It was almost in slow motion that John could see Mack's left fist coming towards his face. John saw his chance and took it. He stopped Mack's fist inches from his face. And with that simple touch of his hand touching Mack's he brought Mack to his knees. John very calmly and confidently moved his hand on to Mack's chest where he made him lay flat on his back in complete and utter pain. He left Mack laying there on the ground in pain. He knew the pain would subside, but long enough for John to take his time walking out of that alley with a smile on his face. He knew that would have scared Mack enough to leave him alone. John knew he had taken it too far, but he was fed up. He didn't deserve to be treated like that, so he decided to do something about it. He told himself it was a one time thing to get Mack off his back, but it made him feel good. It made him feel respected. It made him feel powerful. It became his go to move. Any time someone tried to mess with him or was even a little rude to him he would simply rest his arm on their shoulder and they would fall to their to knees because John had the capability to force pain upon anybody he touched. This was the reason that John never used his ability, because he knew what kind of person it would make him. But it was too late, he had already become that person. He became greedy for power. It became a way that he would get what he wanted. Nobody bullied him anymore, in fact, he was now known as the bully. Mack became the shy one. He stayed as far from John as he could and never told anyone what happened because he was too scared. John had hit a knew breaking point, but that was about to change. John knew he had been given this divine ability, he knew that it could have been used for good, but he abused it. But this power was given to John for a reason. This reason was found out on the most important day of John's life. It seemed like a normal day. John went through his normal routine. He started walking the same way as he always does. He was approaching the alley and saw that Mack was near the end of the alley with another man. The man pushed Mack up against the wall similar to John's previous position. John thought to himself that Mack was getting what he deserved. Then the man pulled out a gun and shot Mack. The man ran away as soon as it happened. Mack slowly slid down the wall with a streak of red making a path down to the ground. John was in shock. He didn't know what to do. He ran over to Mack and dropped to his knees. He held Mack in his arms. The blood seemed never ending. He couldn't help but think it looked like a scene right out of a movie, but this was reality. He kept telling Mack he would be alright. He thought he was lying. Mack suddenly opened his mouth and very slowly tried to talk to John. John was able to make out the words; "I'm sorry". John started to cry. He was disgusted with himself, but in that moment, that moment of shame, he finally knew the reason he was given this powerful ability. It was not to help himself, but to help others. As he held Mack in his arms and his tears rolled off his face on to Mack he placed his hand over Mack's wound. John could feel it. He could feel the wound appearing inside of himself. You see, his ability was not to give people pain, that was his curse, his ability was that he could take pain away. He finally knew that as the wound disappeared from Mack and appeared in himself. The blood started to pour out of himself. But he wasn't scared. He simply layed down knowing this was what he was meant for. John knew that if he realised his potential earlier he could have saved many more, but he died with the satisfaction of saving at least one. And that was enough.