On her 16th birthday, your main character miraculously survives a deadly car crash without a scratch. Later that week, she watches as a small scratch heals and disappears right before her eyes. Where did this new power come from and what will she do with it?
Prompt Given by John Rein
After waking up, my head feels fuzzy. Unsure of what exactly happened, I looked up, and there were ambulances, police cars, and a fire truck surrounding me. I realize the medics are wheeling me on a gurney to one of the ambulances, and one of the first responders sees that I am awake.
Trying not to startle me, she says, “Hey, stay still; we are here to help, so don’t move. Do you remember who you are? About what happened to you?”
Horsely, I respond, “My name is Kennedy; the last thing I remember is getting in the car for my 16th birthday today and going for a drive. What’s going on?”
“Don’t worry, everyone is fine; you were in a crash. We’ll get you checked out, but stay still for us, okay.”
I just nodded and let them do their work. After an hour of going over things, I learned that no one was killed and that the crash wasn’t my fault. My car looked repairable and was towed to a local shop. However, it was troubling to me that I came out of the accident with no injuries, no broken bones, no bursaries, and no scratches. The first responders all said I was very lucky and should be happy to be safe. I didn’t feel lucky; it was my first day driving by myself, and I got in a crash.
I called my mother, and she came to pick me up. She checked me over when she arrived, ensuring nothing was wrong and I was alright. We didn’t talk on the ride home, and Jesus Take the Wheel was playing on the radio. I tried to think through what happened, and the memories started returning slowly.
I remembered that I was going to pick up my best friend Olivia, when I felt my phone vibrate and received a text message. In a panic, I looked at my phone and saw the texts asking if I was close, where I was, and a missed call from her. I called her right away and explained the situation. She asked a few questions, and I answered them, and she was glad I was alright. Then we talked randomly about the latest episode of Survivor, upcoming tests, and new gossip until my mother pulled into our driveway.
When we returned home, I told her I’d call her later and hung up. My mother and I went inside, and before I took one step into the house, my sister tackled me. She kept hugging me, sobbing.
“Are you okay? What happened? Do you need anything?”
“Sarah, I’m fine. I’m still not exactly sure what happened; all I know is I was in an accident, and it wasn’t my fault. Don’t worry, okay.”
“K, how can I not worry? You’re still my baby sister. And to get into a crash the first day you drive, talk about a bad start to your birthday.”
“I know; I can’t keep myself down though. Mom, can we still go out for dinner?”
“Of course we can; where do you want to go?”
“Let’s do that Mexican place that opened two weeks ago.”
“Sounds good. I’ll make the reservations. You get some rest until we go.”
After that, my sister let me go, and we watched TV for the rest of the day. My dad met us there, asking the same questions: was I okay, and what happened? The dinner was great, and we all enjoyed ourselves. I forgot about what happened and finally enjoyed my 16th birthday.
The following week, people at school bombarded me with questions about what had happened. Events like this were always big news in a small town like mine. I got more information from the accident; the other person came from behind me and hit me off the road. I'm not sure why or how he did it, but an investigation is now looking into it. Police say it might be intentional and are investigating the man in the other car.
After hearing this, I felt on edge, as if someone's eyes were constantly watching me. My week continued as usual, and people eventually stopped asking me questions. I was also given an excuse for the homework from the weekend, but I had already completed it before the accident.
At the end of the day on Friday, I waited for Sarah to finish soccer practice. Olivia and Sarah were on the soccer team and played varsity. After school during the season, I visited their practice and watched them while I started my homework. While I was doing a reading assignment, someone yelled. “Kennedy, watch out.”
Looking up from the book, I saw a ball flying towards me. I dove out of the way, and the ball smacked the backrest of the bleachers. My bag and all my stuff dropped to the ground and went everywhere. I got up and saw some blood on the bleacher; on my hand, there was a small scratch, and before I could blink, it instantly healed on its own. I was speechless and didn’t know what to do.
Olivia and Sarah rushed over, making sure I was okay. I told them everything was fine and nothing was wrong. Sarah then went over to the girl who kicked the ball and scolded her, being the overprotective sister she was. I stepped in and stopped her, having to explain it wasn’t her fault, and apologized on Sarah’s behalf. After Sarah settled down, I told Olivia and Sarah we needed to talk later tonight. I asked Olivia if she could come over.
“I just gotta ask my parents, but I should be alright. It is a Friday night anyway.”
“Sounds good; we can go home together then if that’s okay with you, Sarah?”
“Ya, no worries, just let Mom and Dad know before we leave, okay.”
“Now go back to practice, and I’ll get my stuff.”
They both went back to practice, and I went and got my stuff from below the bleachers. I looked back at my hand and saw no more blood or marks from the cut.
What happened? Maybe I just think I got cut? Superpowers like that don’t exist, right? Thoughts flooded my head. Gathering my things, I returned to my spot on the bleachers and took out my phone. I called my mom asking if Olivia could come over tonight, and she told me that it was ok and that she would get extra stuff for dinner tonight. After we hung up, I looked online about fast healing.
There were a lot of articles about different superheroes with a power called regeneration or the super healing factor. I changed the search to medical journals and found close to nothing. One thing that piqued my interest was an article by a research group about increasing the healing factor in people. After reading the article, I had many more questions than answers.
After the practice, Oliva and Sarah went to the locker room to get their things, and I waited outside. When they finished up, we walked to the car and drove home. Mom was already starting dinner when we got home and told us it’d be ready in an hour. Olivia, Sarah, and I went to my room and sat down. I told them what I saw when I dove away from the ball. Olivia looked skeptical; Sarah came over and asked, “Where are you cut?”
I showed her and told her there was no mark of it, but I saw it heal.
“If that’s the case, how did it happen?” Olivia, still looking skeptical, came over and asked. “Are you a hundred percent sure? It just seems so far out there.”
“Olivia, I know it's a lot to take in and doesn’t sound believable, but it's true. I might be able to show you. Wait here a moment.”
I went to my desk and grabbed a needle from my sewing kit. Looking at it gave me the chills. I have to do this to make sure I’m not crazy. Walking back to Sarah and Olivia, needle in hand, I sat back on the bed and braced myself. Before I could plunge the needle into my hand, Sarah stopped me.
“Wait, what are you doing? This can’t be the only way, right?”
“I don’t know another way to prove this. I’ll take suggestions.”
“Kennedy, why don’t you just prick yourself instead of plunging the needle through your hand? Don’t need to be extreme with it.” Olivia chimed in. “ Like in Biology,”
“Okay, that works.”
I repositioned the needle to the tip of my finger and sent it in. There was a small pinch of pain, and then blood started to flow for a second. The blood seemed to absorb back into the skin, and the needle hole closed. No one said a word, staring in shock. I wasn’t sure if it would work. There is proof with witnesses, and I had more questions than ever.
Olivia was the first to say, “Okay, you weren’t lying. Now, what, how did this happen? When?”
“I have no idea. Today was the first time I saw it. Before, I’ve had broken bones and scratches that didn’t heal instantly, so I don’t know.”
Looking at Sarah, I wanted to know what she thought. She noticed me staring and said, “What if this is how you survived the crash? Maybe before something happened to you, can you think of anything out of the ordinary?”
“I can’t.”
After sitting in silence, Mom called us down for dinner. Before we went down, we promised not to tell my parents. We acted normal and had a nice family dinner. Halfway through dinner, there was a knock at the door, and my dad got up to answer it. When he came back in, there was a letter in his hand.
“Kennedy, this is for you.”
He handed me the letter. There was something strange stuck to the letter. It was the emblem from that medical article that I pulled up on my phone while on the bleachers. I was shocked and tried to hide my emotions quickly. I set the letter down and went back to eating.
Mom noticed this, “Everything okay sweetie?”
“Ya, everything is fine. Just surprised I got a letter.”
She accepted my excuse, and we finished dinner. Olivia, Sarah and I went back to my room and I explained the letter and the article.
I told them the article's authors were researching how to improve the body's healing factor and creating something to improve it. I showed them the letter and told them the emblem on the envelope was identical to the one on the article. Sarah and Olivia gathered around me while I opened the letter. I pulled out the letter and we all read it together.
Dear Kennedy Laneson,
After observing you last week, we concluded that you were injected with an experimental substance that was stolen from our laboratory. After your accident, the person you collided with must have injected you with the substance. We don’t know why and are still looking for him ourselves.
Within the next few days, a team will come pick you up. Anyone you tell will have to sign a confidentiality agreement so word of your existence doesn’t get to the wrong people. We are on your side, so please trust us.
With Concern,
Dr. Michael Parks
Lantrix Medical Company
After a few minutes, Olivia said, “What will you do? Are you going to go with them?”
Sarah seemed worried. “You can’t; what if they experiment and dissect you?”
Both my best friend and sister were waiting for an answer; I wasn’t sure what to do. If I could trust these people, maybe I could find a way to help humanity. If this “substance” that I have in me could be mass-produced and heal people, then it would be worth it. But what if they want to silence me? Do I go on the run? I can’t live like that. I'm only sixteen. What about the other group, are they looking for me since I now have the substance, and what do they want with it or me?
“I don’t know, but I have a few days to decide, right? But whatever I choose, you must respect my choice and stay living your life. Got it.”
Olivia grabbed my shoulders and confidently said, “Of course.”
Sarah jumped onto me and hugged me, agreeing through tears. After that, we talked long into the night about what I would do if I went on the run. Where we thought Lantrix was located and then about random gossip around the school.
The next morning, Olivia left and I knew my parents needed to be told about what was going on and what was going to happen. I went through the whole conversion with them again about my power and the letter. They were shocked and then concerned but agreed it was my choice. The next few nights Sarah slept with me, I knew she didn’t want me to go so she was trying to spend as much time as she could with me. It was very comforting and helped calm me down.
The following Monday morning, my family and I ate breakfast and heard a knock on the door. My dad went to answer it, and a minute later he returned with an older gentleman in a black pinstripe suit.
“Hi, sorry for interrupting your breakfast. My name is Doctor Michael Parks.” Turning his gaze towards me, “Kennedy it’s time to go. I know this is a nervous time, but let me offer you and your family something. They can come and visit anytime they wish, on the weekends. Hopefully, this allows you to trust and understand that we want to help. So will you come with us? I can give you some time to pack.”
“Dr. Parks, I’m already packed and ready to go. There is one more person I told, my friend Olivia Taylor. Can she also come and visit?”
“Don’t worry, she is more than welcome to visit. My assistant has already met with her and talked through the process. She seemed delighted at the prospect. So, are you ready to go?”
I nodded and went to get my things. My parents and sister waited for me by the door while Doctor Parks was outside next to a white sedan. I said goodbye to my family and had to push my sister off. She was crying and saying we’d see each other soon and would be there next weekend no matter what. I hugged her one more time and turned towards the car. I could still run, but I shouldn’t, Doctor Parks seems trustworthy. I got to the car and got in. Driving away from my home a feeling that this was gonna be an exciting new chapter in my life washed over me. Who knows what will come next?
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