The lone car tentatively strayed from the road, eventually halting on the soggy verge. The rain chastised the ground as it beat aggressively on the outside of the vehicle, as if it was trying to get in. A man in his 60s staggered out, his long, wispy hair was akin to a veil until exposed to the weather. He struggled to stand up before collapsing on the tarmac. The road hissed at him as the deluge of raindrops surrounded. He felt a deep-seated heaviness in his chest; he had battled with high blood pressure for most of his adult life but never truly cared. He always thought that life was for living on his terms, not those of men in white coats. Though ideals escaped in this moment as he tried to shout for help. The cascading rain drowned out his spluttering. Planting his had upon his chest confirmed his anxieties as his heart battled menacingly against his rib cage. The man clambered to his knees and supported himself with his hands. He was beginning to feel dizzy, lost in existence. In what he considered might be his final chance, he perused over his memories. A wasted life? Perhaps. He worked for most of it, persevering for that final goal. Was this the final goal? Anger seared through his veins. He hated feeling cheated. As he came upon his last moments he noticed a soaked vine laying upon the floor. Or was it going up a wall? He could no longer tell as he was increasingly disoriented. He found solemn humour in this last observation. He realised he had led his whole life believing he was on the up, but he was in fact just plateauing. Not improving himself or following his dreams. He existed for the future, asphyxiated by society's conditioning. A cruel trick. His body produced a dead thud as it hit the ground.
I channeled my focus. I could feel the energy running through me. Master always told me to let go, give in to the power. I can't. I'm not going to let it control me. I will break it. It will be mine. I cringe as the surge begins to take hold. I clench my fists and bite down. I can feel myself slipping. My palms are bleed as my nails dig deep into my palms. I feel my teeth begin to crack under the pressure. I slam my fists into the ground. "NO!" I shout. I push back as hard as I can. I feel the energy shake. It's scared, I smirk and push harder. It breaks. I did it. I'm in charge now. Master runs into my room, breaking his vow. It's a sin to disturb a monk while he's meditating. He's angry, he could feel the energy as it died. I don't care. It's mine now. I look up at the sky and laugh. Lightning surges around me. "This is going to be a fun night" I chuckle to myself as I walk away from the burning monastery.
