2024-08-21 02:28:54Marvin pulled his sedan into a parking spot just outside the Mayor’s Bite restaurant.
The neon lights flickered in the evening gloom, casting a pale glow on the sidewalk. He killed the engine and stepped out, stretching his back, wincing slightly as his hand brushed against the bandage on his head. Circling around to the back, he opened the door for his kids. “Easy, Bryan. Don’t hurt yourself,” he said, just in time to catch his son as the boy tumbled out, nearly tripping on the curb. Bryan grinned, as fearless as ever. “I’m fine, Dad.” Marvin chuckled despite himself, then turned his attention to his daughter. “Hey, sweetie, ready to come out?” His voice softened as he gently lifted her from the car seat, with her tiny hands clutching his shirt. She giggled, pressing her chubby cheek against his, and his heart melted just like it always did. But before he could fully savor the moment, Bryan’s voice broke through. “Dad, is your head still hurting?” Marvin adjusted his daughter on his hip and glanced at his son, whose wide eyes were locked on the bandage. “It’s not too bad, buddy. It is better than yesterday.” Bryan frowned. “Are the floors at your workplace that slippery?” “A little, yeah.” Marvin admitted, his lips curved into a reassuring smile. “But I promise, I’ll be more careful from now on.” Bryan nodded, satisfied for now, while his little sister cooed. “Papa,” and nuzzled into his neck. Marvin kissed the top of her head, and warmth spread through his chest. Inside the restaurant, the familiar scent of freshly baked bread and garlic greeted them. Marvin waved at a man behind the counter—Mr. Fredrick, the owner, his apron was dusted with flour. “Hey there, Marvin,” Mr. Fredrick called, his well-groomed mustache twitched as he spoke. “How’s the day treating you?” “Pretty good,” Marvin replied, walking up to the counter, with Bryan trailing behind. Mr. Fredrick’s eyes narrowed on the bandage. “Yikes. What happened?” “Ah, just took a nasty fall at work,” Marvin said with a shrug. “Sorry to hear that.” Fredrick’s brow furrowed in sympathy. “Anyway, I see you’re all ready for Martha’s birthday celebration.” He smiled warmly at the children, who waved back shyly. “That’s right,” Marvin said, grinning. “We’ve been looking forward to it.” “And the cake?” Fredrick asked. Marvin’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, the cake! How’s it coming along?” Mr. Fredrick’s chest puffed out with pride. “Oh, it’s done, and trust me, you’re gonna love it. It’s one of my best yet. But... I’ve got to ask...” Marvin’s smile faltered slightly. “What is it?” Fredrick lowered his voice, leaning in. “Marvin, I know it’s not my place, but twenty-five thousand dollars for a cake? For just you, your wife, and the kids? That’s a fortune, man. Are you sure Martha’s worth all that?” For a moment, Marvin stood frozen. Then, a slow smile crept across his face, a smile that reached his eyes, eyes that were glowing with devotion. “Mr. Fredrick, Martha is worth every penny. She’s been my rock, my happiness, and look at these kids,” he gestured to his son and daughter, “she gave me the best gifts I could ever ask for.” Fredrick held up his hands, backing off. “Alright, alright. I get it. It’s just that with the economy, and with the way those corporate gladiators are running wild with their—what do they call it—elemental powers or whatever, the world’s changing, Westwood especially is changing Marvin. People are struggling.” Marvin shook his head, smiling with quiet resolve. “Even if the world falls apart, I’ll do whatever it takes to make Martha happy.” Fredrick studied him for a moment, there was a strange mix of admiration and wariness in his eyes. “Well, you’re a better man than most, I’ll give you that.” Marvin nodded, gathering the kids and heading to a table near the window. The evening crowd began to fill the restaurant, and Marvin ordered drinks for himself and cookies for the kids, but his mind wandered. Martha was late. Twenty minutes late. He fished his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. It rang, then went to voicemail. His heart sank. What’s keeping her? His daughter, oblivious to his growing unease, broke a cookie in half and giggled as crumbs scattered across the table. Bryan, on the other hand, was quiet, with his eyes darting to the door every few seconds, clearly missing his mom. Just as Marvin started to dial again, the door swung open. There she was. Martha stepped inside, with her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She looked radiant, her fitted dress highlighted her curves, and her long hair framed her flawless face. Marvin’s breath caught in his throat. She was always beautiful, but tonight—tonight she looked stunning. A broad grin spread across his face, and relief and pride washed over him. But just as he was about to stand and greet her, the door swung wider, and another figure stepped through. Marvin’s smile faltered, and his heart stuttered in his chest. It was Daniel Richmond. His stepbrother. The man he had come to despise more than anyone else in the world. Martha’s hand was on Daniel’s arm, her expression was warm, too warm. She leaned in close to say something to him, and Daniel laughed, with his eyes glittering with something Marvin couldn’t quite place. The sound sent a chill crawling up Marvin’s spine. His mind reeled, unable to make sense of what he was seeing. Why was she with him? And why did she look so comfortable? The blood drained from Marvin’s face as a thousand possibilities raced through his mind, each one was worse than the last. His heart pounded, his throat turned dry. Everything in the room blurred except for the two figures standing in the doorway—the woman he loved, and the man he hated.
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Marvin shot up from his seat, his legs turned shaky beneath him, but his heart raced with burning anger. His breath hitched, and his thoughts tumbled over each other like a dam ready to burst. He forced a strained smile, trying to make sense of the situation. "Honey, welcome... how—" "Hey, my little angels!" Martha’s voice cut through his greeting like a knife, her tone was unnervingly sweet, but it wasn’t for him. She breezed past Marvin as though he didn’t exist, swooping down to embrace their children. “Mommy, you’re late!” Bryan said, as his arms were wrapped tightly around her. His voice carried that mix of worry and joy, clearly happy to see her after what felt like an eternity. Martha tousled his hair. “I know, baby. I’m here now.” Marvin’s pulse quickened. He couldn’t believe it. Martha had never ignored him before—not once in their years together. She was always affectionate, always pulling him into her world. And now? Now, it was as if he was invisible. What was
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Like a lightning bolt, Marvin’s fist clenched tight, his knuckles turned white as fury overtook him. His eyes were locked on the glowing Synapticore mark etched into Daniel’s forehead, it was the symbol of the man who had stolen his life, his future—his family. In a burst of adrenaline, Marvin lunged forward with a force he didn’t even know he had. His vision tunneled, and the world shrank down to the single goal of his fist smashing into Daniel’s skull. The crack of impact echoed through the restaurant as Marvin’s fist connected with Daniel’s head, right over that cursed Synapticore mark. Daniel staggered under the blow, and his body jolted from the sheer force. “You took everything from me!” Marvin roared, his voice was thick with years of suppressed rage. His next punch came hard and fast, the power of it was fueled by a cocktail of heartbreak and betrayal. “I’m going to destroy you!” But Daniel, whose blood was now trickling from the corner of his mouth, simply smirke
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Two days after Marvin’s discharge from the hospital, he was driven home. The shock of his wife’s revelation still clung to him like a shadow, leaving him sober and hollow. It wasn’t just that he had wasted years loving the wrong person—the truth was worse: He had no children. As the car rolled to a stop in front of his house, Marvin barely noticed the towering structure before him. His mind was a battlefield, as the words of his wife replayed in a torturous loop. Therapy had been prescribed for his injured head, but how could twenty-four hours of counseling ever soothe the wreckage of a man who had lost everything? "Hey, I know you're dealing with a lot," said Mr. Fredrick from the driver’s seat, breaking the silence. "But don't be too hard on yourself, okay?" Marvin nodded absently. "Okay," he muttered, already opening the door. "If you need anything, just call me, alright?" Mr. Fredrick added before driving off, his voice was full of concern. Marvin stood at the entrance
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Daniel’s fingers hovered over the edges of the papers, with a mocking smile playing on his lips as he skimmed through Marvin’s meticulously detailed calculations, theories and notes. “Marvin, Marvin…” Daniel mused, with a voice that was dripping with false admiration. “You’ve really put a lot of effort into all this, haven’t you?” His eyes darted across the pages, but the cold glint in them betrayed his true intentions. He picked up one sheet, holding it between his hands, as if savoring its fragility. “I wonder how it would feel to tear it in half,” he said, his tone was mocking, and lips curled into a twisted grin. “Daniel, don’t,” Marvin warned, his voice was firm but it was tinged with desperation. “Those papers... they’re my life's work. You don’t understand what you’re about to destroy.” Daniel’s gaze flicked up, his expression shifted from fake curiosity to a cold, brutal indifference. “Oh, I understand perfectly.” He sneered, his grip tightened on the paper. “What you see
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Marvin walked through the entrance of the company building to the reception. Upon reaching where the receptionist was and upon sighting him, her eyes were wide out of shock. "Good morning Master Marvin." She greeted. "Good morning Mrs Flora, how is everything?" "Everything is fine. How about you?" "I am good." Replied Romeo. "So sorry about what happened to you, I on you must be going through a lot right now." "I know Mrs Flora, but what would I do, my father has made his decision." Marvin shrugged his shoulders. "You know I really wish you had the synapticore force within you, you surely would have been a great leader." She was aware of how hardworking and passionate Marvin was during his time at the company. "Well, I don't have it." "About your wife…" "No Mrs Flora, don't go there, I don't wish to remember anything about Martha Arceneaux." Marvin interrupted. "I am sorry about that master Marvin, but what I really wanted to say, is that I have a niece that you c
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THE ILLUSION OF FLESH
Helena turned around slowly, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw Marvin standing there. For a moment, everything seemed to stop. Her gaze was locked onto his, and in that split second, a smile began to form on her lips, as if she had been waiting for this exact moment."Marvin?" she said, her voice was a mixture of disbelief and joy. "Is it really you?"Marvin’s confusion deepened, his heart started racing. He had never seen her like this before. She was standing before him, completely human, with no trace of the mechanical features he had once known. The skin on her face, smooth and flawless, reflected the warm light of the room. Her body, once metallic and artificial, now had the softness and warmth of flesh.“Helena... what... what happened to you? Your body is...” Marvin whispered, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the words.He stepped closer, unable to stop himself, reaching out and gently taking her hands in his. He was careful, as if afraid to break the
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Don’t get too comfortable; it’ll never stand the test of time.” Mr Whitfield said.Marvin’s expression remained composed and respectful. "Thank you, Mr. Whitfield. It’s an honor to be considered among such esteemed company. I truly wish you a successful and enjoyable evening.”Whitfield scoffed, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Marvin, as if he was dismissing him entirely. Marvin smiled politely before turning to walk away, his eyes scanning the room. He felt the weight of the remark given to him by Mr Whitfield but he didn’t let it affect him. He had more important things to focus on.As Marvin walked away from the conversation, he grabbed a drink from the nearby bar and took a sip. The glass was cold in his hand, but the warmth of the event was undeniable. People were chatting, laughing, and exchanging stories, but Marvin couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on him. He was a nominee, but he was also a target for some who thought his success was unwarranted.Out of the corner of
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Marvin’s presence sent a ripple through the crowd. All eyes were on him. Cameras flashed non-stop, and reporters scrambled to get their shot, eager for an audience with him. His security detail, always prepared, quickly stepped forward, ensuring the space remained clear and safe.As Marvin strode down the red carpet, the energy in the air grew even more intense. Reporters and journalists surged forward, eager to get a word from him."Mr. Richmond! Over here!" The female reporter called out, holding her microphone high as she tried to push past the security detail.Another journalist, a man in a navy-blue suit, raised his voice, “Marvin! Just a few questions, please! How does it feel to be a top nominee for Tech Man of the Year?”The protocol officers and Marvin’s personal security moved swiftly, forming a protective barrier around him."Back up, please! Give him space!" one of the security officers ordered, his voice was firm.But the reporters were relentless. Cameras flashed wildl
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Two weeks later, the grand occasion had finally arrived—the Apex Tech Gala. The atmosphere at Neovalle’s Grand Hall was electric, the air was filled with excitement and anticipation. The hall itself as usual stood as a beacon of modernity and luxury, a towering structure with shimmering glass walls that reflected the city’s skyline, which sparkled under the evening sky.Outside, the red carpet stretched long, flanked by photographers and reporters eager to capture the high-profile guests. Limos and sleek black cars arrived one after another, carrying dignitaries and influential figures from across the tech world. The Governor, a well-known figure in Neovalle’s political scene, stepped out of his vehicle first, with his presence commanding attention. The Prime Minister followed closely behind, his face was calm but authoritative as he waved to the cheering crowd. Uncle Christopher, dressed in his finest attire, exchanged a few words with the Governor before making his way inside.
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Marvin’s body trembled. His mind was still drowning in pain, but the Prime Minister’s voice—those strange, ancient words—kept flowing, steady as a river.“”Marvin’s breath came in short, ragged gasps. His muscles burned, his fingers twitched, and his vision blurred. The force inside him—his own Synapticore energy—was spiraling out of control, thrashing like a beast trapped in a cage.His knees buckled again, but he refused to fall. He clenched his jaw, forcing his body to stay upright, forcing himself to fight back.A deep growl rumbled from his throat. Then, through the haze of agony, his lips curled into a twisted smirk.“Enough… talking,” he spat. His shimmering blue eyes pulsed, and the air around him distorted. A powerful, unseen wave shot toward the Prime Minister—it was a hypnotic force meant to override his mind and bend his will.The Prime Minister would let him go. He would step back. He would stop interfering.That was the command.Marvin watched, breathless, as his pow
DARK HYPNOSIS: A STRUGGLE AGAINST THE ABYSS
Pa Christopher’s breathing grew ragged. His fingers trembled, the cold barrel of the gun was pressing lightly against the side of his head. His eyes, wide and terrified, flickered between awareness and an eerie blankness. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his body was caught in the violent tug-of-war between his will and the hypnotic force suffocating his mind.Marvin’s shimmering blue eyes burned brighter, glowing with unnatural intensity. His voice remained soft, soothing—yet it carried an overwhelming weight.“You’ve worked so hard, Uncle,” Marvin whispered, the words sliding deeper into Pa Christopher’s consciousness like venom. “And what did they give you in return?”A tear slipped down Pa Christopher’s cheek. His hands trembled harder, the gun shaking as he tried to resist. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to die.“N-no…” His voice was barely a whimper. His lips quivered as he struggled to pull the gun away. But his body… his body wouldn’t listen.The dark pull of Marvin’
CONTROL AND RESISTANCE
Marvin’s shimmering sky-blue eyes were locked onto the rabbit. The glow pulsed, like waves of energy flowing through his pupils.His voice dropped lower, softer—like a whisper carried by the wind. But there was something in it. Something unnatural.A rhythm.A pull.The rabbit trembled, its tiny body started shivering as Marvin’s words slithered into its mind.“So weak…”The rabbit’s twitching nose slowed.“So scared…”Its breathing grew uneven.“You run… You hide… but in the end, what are you?”Marvin’s voice shifted. It was no longer just words.It was something deeper.A sound. A melody.It wasn’t human.It was rabbit language.Clicks. Murmurs. Soft, vibrating tones.It slipped between the rabbit’s thoughts like a shadow in the dark.“Your life is suffering. You are nothing but prey. You live to run, to fear, to be eaten.”The rabbit’s ears twitched. Its small, black eyes glazed over.Marvin smiled.He could feel it.The rabbit’s mind was slipping.The resistance was breaking.“The
A WHISPER OF DARKNESS
Marvin kept his focus locked on the rabbit. His breathing slowed, and his senses sharpened.The tiny creature twitched, its nose began moving rapidly as if it sensed something unusual. Then, with a sudden jerk, it tilted its head from side to side, letting out a soft, barely audible squeak.Marvin didn’t flinch.Instead, he pushed deeper, allowing his consciousness to stretch toward the rabbit. It felt like an invisible thread tightening, like something unseen was pulling him closer.Then, a strange sensation washed over him.His cognitive sphere—the core of his mental abilities—seemed to reach out like a vast, unseen hand. It wasn’t just touching the rabbit’s mind. It was trying to grasp it, catch it, hold it still.Marvin felt resistance.The rabbit’s thoughts were erratic, scattered—like a whirlwind of fragmented instincts. Hunger. Fear. Curiosity. The raw emotions of a simple creature flooded into Marvin’s consciousness, but they were too chaotic to understand.His eyes burned
A MIND OPENED
The Prime Minister’s expression didn’t change. Not at first.But Marvin felt the shift—an invisible weight settling into the room.For thirty long seconds, the older man simply looked at him, his sharp gaze was unreadable.Marvin held his breath. His grip on the Prime Minister’s arm remained firm, but inside, doubt crept in.Then, at last, the Prime Minister spoke.“You want to know why I stopped you from killing my wife at the AETC headquarters?” His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. “I will tell you.”He slowly pulled his arm away from Marvin’s grasp and leaned back in his chair, with his eyes still locked on him.“When you entered my wife’s office at AETC, you weren’t careful enough to check your surroundings,” he said. “You should have noticed the surveillance cameras. But you didn’t.”Marvin frowned.The cameras?The Prime Minister let the words settle before continuing.“If you had carried out that assassination… you would have been caught on video.
