The Outcasts *COMPLETED*

Chapter 23 - Higher Beings: Romero's Demise

Some Time Ago

Professor Otto Romero sat in his car, staring down the highway waiting for the traffic light to turn green so he could finally get home. Driving back and forth to his apartment in the city, then to the school was hectic at times due to the traffic that could build up in the hallway. It was also extremely time consuming, which annoyed Romero since he valued the time he had. Finally, the light turned from red to green and Romero stepped on the gas, quickly picking up speed. As he drove along the highway, the road slightly rose in the air due to a small but wide river that happened to separate the woods and the city.

A flashing light in the sky caused Romero to look out his window. What he saw was a large rock flying through the sky, a little too close for comfort. He continued to stare at it, almost mesmerized until he looked forward again and saw he was about to hit a car in front of home. Romero quickly swerved, crashing into the concrete guardrail. Despite wearing a seatbelt, Romero was flung from his car, nearly flying into the woods from the impact of the crash. His eyes were wide, but he remained silent as he watched the dirt ground quickly approaching. His body smacked against it, then rolled a few feet after the point of initial impact, dirtying his suit immensely.

For hours, Romero laid in that one spot, his eyes closed and a streak of blood coming down his nose and covering his mouth. His insides felt scrambled, and if he had managed to live he would definitely feel a few cracked ribs.

His hand flinched, shaking slightly. He let out a gasp, which was shaky. A black cloud started to cover his body, completely hiding his body from view as it conformed to fit him. From Romero's eyes, everything looked the same. However, his senses were heightened, which allowed him to be more aware of his surroundings. The injured man felt his ribs almost reforming healing instantly as this substance took over his body.

"What is happening?" he asked, but he didn't hear his voice. Instead he heard a dark and disturbing growl come out from the form that had taken over him. He looked down at his hands, seeing almost a shiny black substance covering them.

"You have been saved." a deep voice spoke to him. Romero jumped, looking around the woods and seeing that no one was around.

"Who's there?" Romero asked. The professor slightly jumped at hearing this new voice of his but pushed by the shock of it. He heard no response and continued to spin around slowly, his eyes wide open and scanning for whoever could be messing with him. "What did you do to me?!"

"I kept you alive." the voice spoke out again. Romero stuck out his hand, and watched as a ball of darkness began to form in his hand. His eyes went wide and he waved his hand, sending the ball flying at a tree and causing the tree to break in half.

"What did I just do?" Romero asked, looking down at his hand. Something began to grow in it again, this time it was a long object that stayed in a straight line.

"Slam it into the ground."

"No." Romero simply said.

"Do it."

"I won't."

"You will."

"No I won't."

"Fine." the voice finally gave up. Romero sighed, looking around again but then realized his arm was moving into the air on it's own. His fingers wrapped around the staff like object and he had no idea how to stop himself.

"What are you doing to me?" Romero asked. He watched as his arm came swinging down, slamming the staff into the ground. Silence filled the air, and Romero closed his eyes in fear of something happening to him.