An Apex Predator

Blood. Andrew had never been too fond of it.

Yet, why was he now sitting on the floor of a dirty public restroom stall, marveling at it?

What exactly had changed?

So much had changed.

Andrew's hands were covered in the crimson liquid as he held up some stray teeth – his proof that what just happened was not a dream.

He examined each one in turn, admiring the neatly cut shape of some, and the not so neatly cut of the others.

He would have to practice.

He smiled at his camera, at whoever his audience was supposed to be, before throwing the teeth into the toilet.

He then noticed for the first time his hands, distractedly wiping them on some stray paper towels scattered on the floor.

He could hear the bell ringing from the hall.

He scrambled to his feet, snatching up his camera.

His hands were still slightly stained.

Andrew sat in the midst of abandoned cars and other trash, staring at his camera.

He had been practicing, studying.

He leaned in closer to his lens, wiping it with his sleeve.

'Apex predator…' He had looked up the term while eating his lunch on the school's roof – he no longer sat out on the bleachers.

It was too populated for his taste, with all the cheerleaders, football players, Matt – Andrew shook his mind, changing his train of thought.

Apex predator, the top of the food chain.

Andrew liked this idea, and he found himself comparing it to him, his position in this life.

He was on top of the food chain, seeing as with his powers – gifts – He couldn't be stopped.

He pondered this as he absentmindedly floated a scrap of metal, bending it into odd shapes in midair, all the while lifting it higher, higher.

Then he let it fall, released his grip. As it fell it tumbled, doing little cartwheels as it cut through the grey air.

Just like a body.

He stopped it just as it almost hit the ground, gingerly laying it upon the soft mud.

It was lifeless. He crushed it with a simple thought, watching as it crumbled helplessly.

'Apex predator…You do not feel guilty when you squash a fly…You just don't..No guilt…He was weak…'

'No guilt…'

Steve was weak. He let down his guard.

He failed in his position as an apex predator, as did Matt.

Andrew was the only one worthy of these gifts, the only one who could use them.

The only one who was willing to do what was necessary.

Kill the flies. He was stronger, he was always stronger.

He was alone – He was supposed to be alone.

No room at the top for them, no room for the weaklings.

'He had to die…'

And Andrew was better off alone.

The strongest could not be held down by the weaklings.

This was that natural order of the world, and Andrew knew this. He accepted it.

"I am an apex predator."

Fin