_His feet were like hammers as he ran, propelling him forward as fast as they could. He was running away from something; he didn't know what, but he knew that he had to get away. Whatever it was, it was out to get him._

_He was in a forest, thick with trees, their foliage blocking out all sunlight. Leaves and twigs crunched under him, as loud as gunshots. Branches scratched at his face, thin trails of blood oozing out of where they made contact. He heard loud, guttural screams, barely human. They sounded pained, tortured; sick._ 

_It was them. The things that were after him._

_His foot caught on a root, and he fell on his face, unable to break his fall. He tried getting up, but he was weak. All he could do was turn around and face his pursuers._

_They arrived not even seconds later. Upon seeing them, his eyes widened with shock. It couldn't be them. Please, don't let it be them._

_His teammates stood around him, withered and weak, their eyes bloodshot. Burns covered their skin, the rawest red anyone could imagine. Their teeth were barred, whether in pain or agony, he couldn't tell. Their chests grew and shrunk as they drew their heavy breaths, their red eyes never leaving him._ 

_Minutes passed. Nothing happened. He was stuck in his spot. He couldn't move. Not a single muscle. Sweat trickled down his face, mixing with the tears on his chin. It took all he could not to break down. These couldn't be his friends. They just couldn't._ 

_And then, she emerged. Stepping out from behind the others, Jin walked up to him. He couldn't hold back the tears anymore. When did everything go so wrong?_

_Glaring down at him with those florid eyes, his best friend spoke. The words that left her mouth broke his heart._

_"You. You did this to us. How could you, Gabe? I **trusted** you. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?"_

_His lips parted, but no words came out. He couldn't find any to say. Because Jin was right; he did do this to her. To his team. And he could do nothing to stop himself._

---

Gabe woke with a start. He was slick from sweat, and his lungs desperately needed air. He took three deep, calming breaths, telling himself that it wasn't real, that it was just a dream. But he knew that if he didn't learn to control his powers, the nightmare would soon become a reality. He bowed his head down, his hands gripping his wet hair.

And he watched as the flower on his bedside table withered, dying. Dying from the radiation that he was creating.