[h3][i][b]Miami Herald, Three Weeks Ago [/b][/i][/h3]
“Hmmmm what I do this.” The man picked up a baseball bat laying on the floor and held it in his hand. A brief glow emitted from his hand and images of the bat’s recent history floated through his mind. With his abilty he was able to peek into the glimpses of the objects brief tunure in existence.

“Wow Kevin so you can see where things are going? You realize with this power, we’ll be the next big power couple in journalism!” His fiancée Leslie spoke out excited about the prospect of her future husband Kevin’s powers working. Already they’d gotten some pretty big leads in the city of Miami, and were able to shake stuff up moving up in the world.

“Yeah no forreal, honestly I was thinking we keep going at this pace, keep what I can do on the hush and maybe we can really approach your dad about getting him to buy us our paper, and we actually won’t run it into the ground. “Kevin quipped even more excited at the idea. Although he was a man of theuth, and he was drawn to both Leslie & this career for it’s authenticity having tasted the lavish life he could see why some of the more seedier elements in society underook the actions they did to get a pieceo f it.

They were both at their place of work in Miami, Florida. They’d snatched up cozy and very good jobs at the Miami Herald. “Hey guys! Lori wants to see you in her office in ten!!” A somewhat chubbier man called out as he opened the door briefly to the couple’s shared office instructing them that the boss waned to see them.

“Got it Ronald we’ll be right out.” Leslie answered back making a shoo motion for with her hand for Ronald to close the door. 
“Jeez he never learns to mind his own business does he, annoying lad isn’t he.” Kevin went in to lock lips with Leslie, kissing her with passion. 
“Any other news besides that babe? ?” His girl asked curiously as she walked over to the desk to organize some paperwork and take a sip of her mocha frappachino she’d picked up from Starbucks earlier.
“No not really, that one guy the agent dude stopped by again offering me a position, but I told him I’m not really trying to get into Government work. I mean sure I had a brief two year tenure as a cop but that was years ago, and honestly I feel like they do more harm then good.” Kevin just shook his head he’d had enough of humanity’s depravity working for the Miami Police Department all that time ago. He’d shut that door on that chapter of his life and he wasn’t planning on revisiting it any time soon. As a journalist sure he wasn’t really able to legally conceal and carry but as long as he stayed out the way he was sure he wouldn’t run into trouble. He was still on good terms with most of his co-workers on the force and since he was a journalist investigating crime & corruption as long as his work didn’t carry him towards anything that would implicate the force they tended to leave him alone.

“Yeah good no disagreements from me here.” She spoke out again before taking a few more sips of her caffeinated beverage. “Well in that case we might as well head to the office and see what that bitch Lori wants.”

Kevin laughed at what she said before grabbing a folder and his camera tucking it under his arms. “Come on don’t be mean to her yet, let’s wait until we talk your father into making us the bosses of this place, or somewhere of own making.” Locking hands with her they went out to Lori’s office to see what the hell she wanted.

After a few minutes of sitting in Lori’s office talking to her they were ready to leave. “And that’s that! I know you guys are together but number one limit the PDA in the office, if I wanted to watch something to get hot & bothered I’d be on Pornhub okay. “ Lori barked out it was clear she was having quite the difficult day today and wasn’t in the mood

“Wow your just a bundle of joy, anything else you wanna say to drain all the happiness from the office” Leslie retorted back to her employer wondering why she was always nit-picking about every single aspect of their relationship.
“Come on honey calm down.”
“That too, all those affectionate terms Kevin cut it out.” Lori interjected into the conversation, I guess more of the terms & conditions to make this better. “This is the Miami Herald, not the Miami Mentage a Tois okay?” 
“Interesting because when we had our fling last year, you didn’t seem to mine both wearing some stuff that was quite revealing, and being more then a little flirtacious in the office with or without the blinds closed do you remember.” It seemed Kevin was stepping up for his woman, although the preferential treatment he had with Lori had been wavering since they’d broken up 14 months ago.
“Listen Kevin, you know…your special as in a really good worker I mean, and that;s why I tolerate you…and your friend over here.”

[i]The nerve of this bitch, I’ve been a journalist here for four years! Before she was even hired, OMG!!! UHHH I wanna wring her neck out, I wish I was the girl with the laser version on the news [/i] Thoughts of revenge floated through Leslie’s mind and she briefly pondered about getting a stapler and applying it to Lori’s fingers.

“But anyway I need your help, a little birdie in my ear whispered to me about this talent you had, and I couldn’t help but think you could take my career to the take next level, and of course get some of the credit yourself. .” Lori smiled seeing the color drain from Kevin and his fiance’s face as she mentioned the power he was hoping to keep discreet.

“Listen Lori I don’t know…”

“Please allow me.” Lori reached for her purse and pulled out her iphone X. Opening up the photo tab, she went to her recent videos and pressed play. Kevin was stunned when he heard himself talking to Leslie a conversation about the latest story they’d broken two days ago, a discussion the’d had in their office.

“Wow your spying on us bitch!” This time Leslie didn’t hold back feeling her privacy had been utterly disregarded by her boss.
“That’s against the law! I can take you to court for this! Wow! I knew you were low down but that’s just new! What me and her take about in the confines of our office is private business, besides I still…don’t know what your talking about. I don’t have any sort of gifts or anything I was just joking…”:Kevin stood his ground bu it was clear he was un-nerved both about the fact that Lori knew about his powers and that she’d been recording him. The truth was he had no idea how long she could have been monitoring them and what sll she could have found out.

“Hhmmm..I don’t know if you’ve been falling the news, but just about a week ago the Diana Gray case right? Well people were murdered, they’ve got that popular pastor down by the beach Travis Mendez his anti Empowered sermons are gaining a-lot of tractions, I mean youtube views are rising. I’d hate to think what might happen if someone was to deliver this message to him or perhaps the authorities. Sure the way you talk about your power it’s not one that’s showy but…you know the truth so let’s say I talk to the Feds and the look into you, a power like yours, using it to further your career for your own gain, I’ve heard the dorito man talking about how he’s got “very very” good men & women looking into people using their powers to cheat in the workplace, and how it won’t be tolerated. If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed about President Trump it’s his ability to do everything within his power to target marginalized groups. Not to mention the rumors that some followers of Pastor Mendez are taking matters into their own hand with vigilante justice against people like you. I’m a very resourceful woman, you both know this, try me if you wish but the consequences will not be ones you want to deal with trust me, I will crash and burn your little life love-birds, so what is it? You going to do what I Say, and help me become a star, and get a slice of the pie yourself on top of that, or you want to go to war? “ 

Lori finished her rant while looking at the shocked & intimiated journalism couple. The tension so thick in the air it could be cut with a butterknife, she tapped her fingers against the tapestry of her desk going to respond to some messages on her phone while taking a few gulps from her Dasani water bottle.” I’m waiting, I don’t have all day, make your mind.”

“Your….sick…look Kevin, you know my dad has pull with the mayor, maybe.” Leslie was trying to choose her words carefully, she knew that Lori was out to get them, especially her and she didn’t want her husband’s life to be torn apart not inthis anti empowered climate that was getting worst by the day.
“No…leave your dad out of it, you know what we talked about. We can still do that, but not if Lori ruins my life..our lives. What do you want Lori, tell me.”

“Well I want you, pulling my hair, putting your hands on my ass telling me I’ve been a very bad girl, but just because I like to multi-task with men you dropped me, a girl’s gotta know her options hun. So what I want is Travis Mendez I had a thing with him back in the day, but were not on the best terms these days.” Lori paused flicking her tongue across her lip and wiping away some dryness before drinking some more of her Aquafina beverage.

“Travis Mendez…the pastor?” Kevin raised an eyebrow wondering how someone as course and sinful as her could have ever had a thing with a man like him. Maybe the pastor wasn’t the man of God he claimed to be, but that was no different then many other religious leaders.

“Yes with the campaign he has gaining traction, he’s going to be thrust forward into the spotlight sooner or later, he’s already getting a rapidly increasing amount of donations to his church. You know with social media damn near replacing us, we’re struggling to keep up. Not to mention two of my rental property tenants croaked as a result of the Incident and I’m behind on Rent. I want you to use that power of yours to get some dirt on him, compromising information, so I can force an arrangement that benefits the Miami Herald, and Mendez’s congregation. You know something he dosen’t want out there, something so bad he’ll let me stick my nails in the cookie jar, and get as many chocolate chips as I want. Not to mention I want us to get exclusive rights to his story, and any interviews he’s giving out as a result of the actions he’s under-taking. We do that and Miami Herald will be at the top, above NY Times, Chicago Tribune, none of them we’ll be able to keep up, we’ll be ahead, breaking story after story. We might even be able to get funding from that new organization NEBU, their looking to partner with and aid anyone who can help them with enforcing laws on you freaks.” 

Lori leaned back in her chair finishing her bottle and tossing it in the trash bin under her desk. She could see the wheels turning her plan coming into fruition to get Mendez under her control, and run the church.  Leslie lowered her head and took a seat at the desk sad that she’d basically gotten them. “Damn…it..your cruel.”

“Oh you don’t know the half, so what do you say Kevin your up for the task? Ready to take us to the next level or do you want your future with that skank to be a pipe dream ?” Lori seemed to be making her final offer, and Kevin walked over to the desk putting his hands on it and looked at her. Within a quick moment he slapped her in the face causing an audible gasp.

“Now you listen to me Lori, I don’t give a fuck what you think you know bitch! Don’t you ever call me into this office again and come at me or my future wife! You know what they say once a cop always a cop. I’m pretty sure if I make a citizens arrest, call the commissioner and say I’m looking for a job, and explain the type of power I have with proof he’ll be happy to oblige. So who do you think he’s going to support more super cop who can find out anything they need and largely reduce the number of CI’s or you borderline criminal journalistic hack.  Besides you put that out there even if you ruin my life, I’ll make sure I find you and personally but a bullet in-between your eyes. Stay away from me, and my her. We’re BOTH putting in our two week leave Lori, and that’s that. I’m not doing a damn thing for you, stay away from me, and her!” Kevin lunged forward putting his hands around Lori’s neck and snatched her from the chair throwing her on the ground then brutally kicking her in three times causing her to cry out.

“Do…you..understand? Yes or no answer me!!!!”

Lori was fighting back tears, feeling pain from being kicked three times by her ex-lover and soon to be former employee. “Yes…yes..I understand…I’m sorry please don’t hurt me Kev please.”

“It’s Kevin to you I’m glad we were able to come to an under-standing, now remember what I said boss.” He said the last part sarcastically and helped her up pushing her into the chair and walking over to Leslie extending a hand to helpher up.
“Wow!” Was all she said in response to him sticking up for her, for him, for both of us. “Hit em where it hurts” Starting to collect her bearings she took his hand and got up. [i] Wow that ws hot…I’m soaked [/i] “ Bye Lori, see you at the meeting this afternoon.”

She was beaming with pride over Kevin’s actions and they got up to leave. Lori sat in the. Chair frustrated rubbing her cheek her ears ringing from the force of which Kevin used against her and she looked down at her desk. [i] Fucking piece of shit…I can’t believe I ever loved you….your gonna regret this…both of you..all of you! Lori Hasboro will get what she wants! [/i] “Time for Plan B.” Lori fought back some tears drifting from her eye lids grabbing her phone and scrolling through her contacts to send out a text.

[h3][color=pink][i][b]Two Hours later - Miami Herald Conference Room - Adora Zayas[/b][/i][/color][/h3]
Kevin & Leslie had showed up to the board room meeting late on purpose, having a tryst in the car prior to it smelling of sex and victory from their earlier refusal to give into Lori’s demands like most people In the office.

“So you see, our ratings are lower then the need to be, we’ve got to do better much better, ah Kevin, Leslie, nice of you two love-birds to join us.” 

Catching a glimpse from Kevin Lori instantly decided for now it was best to stop agitating them. They’d called her bluff, and even though she wanted revenge and had utterly lost any & all feelings for Kevin for the most part it still wasn’t going tobe good to get tied in with Travis’s ministry or the CIA’s task force without some solid evidence on Kevin & his powers. 

“Oh well we had some important matters to tend too, carry on Lori.” Leslie responded to her matter of factly addressing her in a demeaning tone. Some of the other members of the office noticed but none of them seemed too interested in trying to figure out the nature of what was going on.

“Ok then well like Iwas saying, it’s just you guys aren’t good enough really. And it’s sad, I do so much for this office, for our jobs and we’re loosing to the Chicago Tribune? Like come on that city is hell on solid ground, no different then Detroit. After a while nobody wants to keep hearing about gang wars tearing up the streets and rampant violence. They want different stories, if they wanted to watch organized crime be detrimental to the population every-day the could go watch The Wire.”

“So what are you gonna do fire all of us, good luck with that.” Ronald spoke out and some other members of the board laughed, even if she wanted to there’d be so many protests & the could easily band together to file complaints and expose her for the selfish & over-demanding employer that she was.

“Naw maybe she’s gonnna be like Mo’s Knights and just blow us all up, then she can cash in on the insurance I mean at least until your in jail in like what how longyou think few days?” Cory spoke out an afircan American with a slim build, sporting some ray band glasses, dress pants and a white button up T Shirt, Ronald’s best friend in the office.

“You…make a point Cory…but no I don’t intend for any acts of terrorism, your being funny but this is serious uh.” [i] Where is she christ I’m tired of waiting [/i]

“Bomb that’s far too serious.” They heard a feminine voice ring out but didn’t se anybody, suddenly a girl seemed to materialize out of thin air. She was sporting long luscious black hair, some Robin Jeans, and a very tight yellow Truk Fit tight that seemed to be gripping her chest.

“What the fuck” Cory retorted seeing the woman who seemed to shimmer into existence.

“Hello my name is Adora Zayas, I’m an Empowered if you can’t tell, your boss invited me here, said things have been moving along in the office far too slow..”

“Hey Lori if your plan to motivate us, is making strippers come out of thin air, I take back my complaints your actually might know what your oding.” Ronald said in response to Adora coming from places unkown causing himself, Cory, and some others in the office to chuckle. Leslie had an eyebrow raised wondering who this Adora lady was, and why lori had invited them. Kevin seemed to be of a similar mind and just sat the table unresponsive but very attentive to wha wasgoin g on.

“Glad for you to finally join us Adora, why don’t you pass along the message I hired you for?”

“Sure “Adora began walking around the office table looking at the members of the board before laughing and with a motion used her ability causing the members of Lori’s office to all be miniaturized in size. As the members of the room where all reduced in size besides Lori and herself she could hear squeaks and protests from the miniature Miami herald staff.

“Now come on guys, where’s that sense of humor you just had? I guess I don’t know what I’m doing, even my pranks aren’t funny when I hire outside help.” Lori reorted as Adora walked over to the entrance to the board room stepping on and killing three people along the way covering the door. Raising her hand those that were left living were lifted into the air floating and all wound up on the table as if an invisible force had air-lifted them and dropped them on the table as Adora took a seat.

“Oh my god…oh my god!” Leslie was speaking rapidly at the horrific scene that was starting to unfold before them. One inute it was just another boring memeting aside from the girl who seemed to come out of thin air, but now they’d been reduced in size and were now being snatched by invisible hands and brought to the table.

“What the fuck?!” Even Kevin couldn’t hold back as this situation was utterly confusing to him as well, whats worst was the same invisible force that placed them in the table singled him out and lifted him into the air flying towards Adora’s hand.

“NOOO!!!!” He screamed out as Adora grabbed him now with her real hand and pinching his legs held him outside down causing him to be get disoritented as he looked to the long fall below him now looking like hundreds of feet belowat his current size. “Put…w…what do you want from me?” He was about to ask her to put him down but feeling the blood rushing to his head from being held upside down and looking at how far the drop was he didn’t want to find out if this woman had some sick sense of humor and would just release her hold on him which would surely end his life.

“Ah what was that your about to say? I think I know you might actually be one of the smart ones, shame I have to do what I have to do. Well I lied I have no shame none at all.”  Turning her hand over to drop him into the palm of her hand she turned to face the wall and using her power increased Kevin in size. Kevin stumbled back into the wall before feeling like an invisible force pressed him against the wall leaving him unable to move.

“Fuck what the hell do you want! What the fuck are you talking about! Make my wife bigger again, my co-workers too now this isn’t funny!” Kevin barked he was still scared but he was starting to think maybe this was some sort of asshole prank and not someone who was there to do them great harm. [i] What is this one of Lori’s bitchy ass friends from college with super powers fuck. [/i]

“I want you or rather what you can do, sit still honey it’ll be over quick.” Adora placed her hand on Kevin and closed her eyes. Focusing Kevin began screaming in pain as energy surged from him to her. He cried out in agony as Adora continued to do whatever it is that she spoke about hving no shame about. Gasping for breath he was finally released and fell to his knees nearly hitting the table and shaking his miniaturized co-workers frozen I nfear on top of it.

“What…the fuck did you do to do me jesus.” He was huffing and puffing trying ot catch his breath, all he could be sure of was some sort of ability had been used on him and he didn’t know what. He felt much weaker, as if he was being drained of the very essence of his life itself.

“Jesus dosen’t have anything to with this honey, wow Lori you were right. And to think at one point I doubted you, I can see me and you see eye to eye. It’s hard to find good help out here, so I’ll be keeping my end of the bargain.”  Using her power and with a hand motion the same invisible force that had been moving them about twisted Kevin’s neck until it was broken. A loud audible snap was heard as his body now lifeless fell to the ground of the Miami Herald conference room with an thud.

Tears were now welling down Leslie’s eyes witnessing her now deceased lover body hit the ground. “No…..no…..Kevin no..”Falling to her knees as tears rushed from her eyes hse was ignoring the pleas of help from her other co-workers who were screaming in fear seeing Kevin murdered in-front of them.

“Thank you so much Adora, I’m in agreement with what you said, I’m certainly going to be more careful about the employees I collect. .” She was happy things were going here way but was a little un-nerved about the situation. She’d discussed it with Adora earlier, but it just wasn’t something she was use to seeing. 

“You want to kill them Lori? It’s so fun snuffing out the lives of people at your mercy, pleading for you to spare them practically begging you not to send them to the afterlife” Stepping over Kevin’s corpse like some clothes strewn out in a messy room she took a seat at the table using just her thumb pressing down on a victim smushing him to death then doing it two others carelessly as if she was killing some ants running around on her kitchen table.

“Hmm…no…I mean..I do so hate the little slut he was with, but I’d prefer not to get blood on my hands if you don’t need me to. Besides you seem to be enjoying it, but we do have to make this good, so let’s get on with it not to rush you of course.” Lori was careful although she’d struck up on good terms with this Adora woman, seeing her powers at work,she didn’t want to end up as a victim herself.

“Oh alright you have a point, usually I like to have fun with my victims, but we are on short time today aren’t we.” She brushed the rest of the miniaturized survivors off the table into the palm of her hands including Leslie ignoring their pleas for mercy as she leaned down and dropped them o the ground.  

Leslie was lifeless not dead at least not yet, but soon she would be. To hear this woman spoke so calmly about extinguishing them from existence sent chills down her spine. She was looking into the face of evil, shuffled around with the bodies f the other survivors she didn’t even cry. Althouhg her heart was racing at a 1000 miles per hour, perhaps she’d die with some dignity the little she’d have after all she’d just watched Kevin get his neck broken and some of her co-workers get murdered by a freaking thumb.

“It’s over…we’re gonna die…” Leslie spoke depressed as the tears had stopped Kevin was gone, there was nothing the could do no escape and Lori was going to get money, promotion & a whole new team fmor this.

“LORI!!!!! You gotta help us man fuck these fools! I was always on yo side whole team, I don’t fuck with none of these dudes even Ronald fat ass” Cory was screa,ing out trying to get mercy for himself and none of the others.

“I think Lori’s written you all off, good bye now.” Getting up fromhe r chair she brought her right foot down then her left then right then left slamming her feet down on the floor killing the rest of the team as they futile tried to run from their deaths.

The last thing Leslie experienced was getting pushed aside by Ronald trying to run to safety as a massive foot came down smashing him alive gruesomely. Laying down paralyzed by fear she could only gasp as a foot came down on her. The most pain she’d ever experienced in her life being literally crushed alive bones her body smashed into a bloody pump.  But within seconds her life was out, back to Adora who yawned.

“Oh well it’s so much more fun when you get to torture them, go ahead and call 911 darling.” Adora instructed the head of the newspaper who did just did dialing.

“Hello..please help me please! I’m under attack, I have no idea what’s going on this crazy woman is here she’s …she’s a monster…my entire office was disintegrated I have no idea wher AH!!!” Before she could keep speaking the invisible force lifted Lori and flung her through the glass window of the office causing her to slam into a desk outside.

Then Adora caused the phone to zip to her. “Don’t worry officers there probably won’t be anyone alive when you get here, have a good day buh bye now” Adora hung up the phone and placed it on the table. Taking her attention to Lori who was groaning in pain Adora walked opening the front door and walking over to Lori.

“Jesus Christ…through a window….we didn’t agree on that.” Lori rolled over in pain feeling scraped from glass.

“True, you kept your end of the bargain but honestly I regret rushing the murders, I’m going to take my time with you. I know I said we could work together, but I just don’t know honestly if you’ll be a good fit for me. I mean sure we had some fun in college, but people change.” Adora grinned and Lori felt an invisible force wrapping around her neck as she was gasping for breath.

“Adora…what…the fuck…Adora” Before she could protest any longer the force around her neck was released, and Adora was just laughing as she knelt down using her power to brush the glass shards off of her “Friend” and then away formh er so she wouldn’t roll onto them.

“Calm down Lori, you know I love messing with people, friends for life right. “She leaned down and kissed her friend on the cheek. “I’m soweee I through you through a table, but look at you there’s not goin got be any doubt that you got fucked up too and were just a lucky survivor. I got you a present though” Reaching in her pocket she pulled out a small blue pill with the numbers 30 impritnedon it and placed it in Lori’s mouth. 

Lori instinctively gulped down the pain killer and grimaced. [i] Perk 30…and she’s not killing me…fuck she scared the fuck outta me [/i] “ Damn it Adora, that’s not fucking funny and you know it. Your still just as immature as you were back at our old apartment, but thanks for the perk….”

“Toodles hun, I’ll see you soon.” With that Adora faded from visibility, and now invisible made her way out the office, the sound of blaring sirens in the distance. Lori down against the desk wincing cause of the pain awaiting the opiates to kick in to reduce the amount of pain she was in, thinking about how if the hospital didn’t give her something strong she might have to go back to Adora to ask for some more pills. [i] Those motherfuckers are gonna learn not to mess with me….when you have friends in high places…powerful places your gonnna get ahead no matter what [/i] She lay back against the desk starting to breath slower happy that she had won once again and like always in life she won.