Fruit of Superpowers

The chill of early spring still clung to the air on the day of the memorial, the familiar scent of blooming daffodils filling my senses. I watched as my sister, Scarlett, snatched the metallic-looking power fruit from the table without a moments hesitation.

Her movements were swift, almost rehearsed. In that instant, a cold dread seized me C shed come back, too, carrying the ghosts of our past life.

In that first life, shed chosen the immunity fruit, only to be dragged away by the labs as a test subject due to her unique physiology. I, wielding the very metal power she now coveted, became a war heroine, a legend forged in the wasteland. Yet, in the end, I met my demise beneath her scalpel.

Her enraged screams still echoed in my ears: Why do you get to bask in glory while I suffer? The memory was as sharp as the blade itself.

This time, I calmly picked up the remaining fruit, the vibrant red one offering immunity to viruses, and swallowed it whole.

She didnt know. She couldnt know that every use of the metal manipulation power gnawed at ones life force C a secret Id unearthed through an entire apocalypses worth of pain and sacrifice.

If she craved heroism that desperately, then I would grant her wish. Lets see if, this time, she could bear the true cost of her ambition.

The chill of early spring still clung to the air when I found myself back in the familiar living room. My sister, Scarlett, was rummaging through the wardrobe, a familiar scene that still sent a shiver down my spine.

My hand instinctively went to my throat, a phantom ache lingering from the surgical blade that had ended my last life. As Scarlett pulled out a small, tarnished metal box from the depths of the closet, her face alight with barely contained excitement, my world tilted.

Rain, look what I found! she chirped, trying for casual, but her knuckles were white from clutching the box.

I slowly rose, feigning a polite curiosity. What is it?

Seeing my clueless expression, Scarlett let out a relieved breath. She giggled, I have no idea. Probably Moms old jewelry box? She carefully pried open the lid. Inside lay two fruits, glowing with an otherworldly luminescence C one a vibrant, blood-red, the other a sleek, metallic silver.

What are these? I murmured, my gaze fixed on the fruit, pretending to see them for the first time.

Mom left them, Scarletts breath hitched, her eyes glued to the silver one. Theres a note too take a look

I took the yellowed slip of paper. It was Moms familiar handwriting, detailing the coming apocalypse in a month and the powers of these two fruits. Scarlett leaned in beside me, her entire body tensed.

This silver one grants control over metal, and the red one immunity to viruses, I read slowly, deliberately, my peripheral vision catching Scarletts fingers inching toward the silver fruit.

Just as her fingertip was about to make contact, I looked up. Scarlett, which one do you want?

She froze, then forced a smile. I I think controlling metal sounds pretty cool. Id like that one

A cold smirk played on my lips as I watched her try to maintain composure. In my previous life, shed snatched the immunity fruit with the exact same greedy look.

Then its settled, I said softly, laying down the note and reaching for the red fruit. Ill take this one.

Scarletts eyes lit up instantly. She practically snatched the silver fruit and shoved it into her mouth. As the pulp burst, a flash of triumphant joy crossed her face.

Hows the taste? I asked, savoring a bite of the red fruit C sweet, with a subtle bitterness.

Amazing! Scarlett wiped her mouth, already eagerly spreading her palm. A coin from the coffee table shot into her hand, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration. It actually works!

I watched her display calmly, my mind already calculating the timeline. Thirty days until the apocalypse, plenty of time to prepare.

Scarlett. I discarded the fruit core, asking casually, If there really is a zombie virus, whats your plan?

She paused, her gaze flickering. To to protect everyone, of course. With this power, I can definitely help a lot.

I nodded, saying nothing more. She had no idea about the cost of using the power. Each use drained the users life force. In my last life, when I became a war heroine, my life force was already nearly depleted. Even if she hadnt killed me, I wouldn't have lasted much longer.

Since she was so keen on being a hero, it was only right for me, her sister, to grant her wish.

The following days unfolded with an unsettling calm. Scarlett practiced her metal manipulation daily, oblivious to the fine sheen of sweat on her forehead. She brushed it off as a beginners struggle, completely unaware of the gradual drain on her vitality.

Meanwhile, as she honed her powers, I secretly hoarded supplies and contacted trusted friends. My five years of survival experience in the previous apocalypse made me intimately familiar with this city. I knew exactly where the safest havens lay.

Following the memories from my past life, I rented a defunct factory on the city outskirts. It had its own water source and generators, making it the most secure refuge during the initial chaos. Id initially thought that, given her past lessons, Scarlett would also suggest moving. But she merely scoffed, If I go to the suburbs, how will I be a savior?

In the previous timeline, Scarlett was captured by the lab precisely because she was too high-profile. At the very beginning of the apocalypse, shed flaunted her abilities within our neighborhood, attracting the attention of malicious individuals, which led to her capture. Reborn, if she hadnt shed that habit, she was destined to repeat history.

Seeing her insistence on staying, I tried to persuade her to stock up on more supplies. I urged her to lie low during the initial chaos and only emerge as a hero after order had completely collapsed. But she remained dismissive, even mocking me for being cowardly. Whats the point of having superpowers if you hide them? shed argued.

I was utterly speechless. Perhaps this was a case of good advice falling on deaf ears. So, I stopped trying to dissuade her and quietly moved all my hoarded supplies to the warehouse. I reached out to a few friends I trusted implicitly, asking them to help me build a secure safe house. Only those who had truly lived through the apocalypse understood that the most terrifying threat was never the zombies, but human nature itself. Even my own sister had brutally murdered me out of jealousy in the last life; others were certainly no different.

The people I chose were all individuals who had risked their lives to save me in the previous apocalypse. Though their individual abilities might be limited, their loyalty and reliability were unquestionable. The night before the apocalypse struck, I received photos from them. Seeing the mountains of supplies and the rows of weapons procured through special channels, a genuine smile touched my lips. I left a note and, under the cover of darkness, departed my home, heading towards the safe house

I had done my duty as a sister, offering all the warnings I could. Since Scarlett wouldnt listen, all I could do was silently wish her good luck.

The safe house was even more perfect than Id imagined. The heavy metal door was a solid eight inches thick, steel plates were embedded in the walls, and every window had been replaced with bulletproof glass. The basement had been converted into a comprehensive living space, stocked with enough food and medicine for ten people for five years.

Rain, are you sure the end of the world is really coming? Uncle Leo, who had helped me build the safe house, handed me a hot mug of tea, his eyes still holding a hint of doubt.

I took the mug. Yes. Tomorrow morning at 7:15, Eastside Hospital will report the first zombie case. By 8 oclock, the citywide alarm will sound

Uncle Leos hand trembled, tea sloshing onto the table. He had been my fathers wartime comrade and, in my previous life, the only one who had risked his life to find medicine for me when I was gravely wounded.

Dont worry, Uncle Leo. Well make it through this, I said, setting down the mug.

He hesitated, then asked, What about Scarlett? She why isnt she here?

I spread my hands, then turned on the hidden camera Id installed at home. Scarlett was in the living room, excitedly practicing her powers, various metal objects dancing around her. Pointing to my sister on the monitor, I explained, She said she wants to be a hero, and heroes dont hide in the shadows.

Uncle Leo sighed, saying nothing more. Hed probably figured out Scarletts stubborn nature and knew that trying to persuade her would be futile. He shook his head and walked away.

Just then, an excited voice crackled through the monitor. Yes, I really have superpowers! Tomorrow tomorrow Ill prove it to you!

I realized Scarlett was on the phone with someone. I sighed, turning off the monitor, a knot tightening in my chest. It seemed, even given a second chance, she had chosen the same path

The next morning, I stood on the safe houses observation deck, scanning the city through binoculars. At 7:15, Eastside Hospitals alarm blared exactly as predicted, the wail of ambulances slicing through the dawns silence.

Its begun, I murmured, my fingers unconsciously tightening on the binoculars.

The streets below erupted into chaos, screams drifting from the distance. Countless zombies surged from the hospitals direction, sweeping through the city like a tide. I adjusted the lens to my old neighborhood and saw Scarlett already standing in the main plaza, surrounded by panicked residents.

With a sweep of her hands, the iron gate of the community entrance tore upwards, twisting and deforming in the air, ultimately forming a metal barricade. Gasps of amazement rose from the residents; some even pulled out their phones to record.

A wry smile touched my lips. She still loved the spotlight.

Rain, check the news! Uncle Leo called from downstairs.

I pulled out my phone and found Scarletts video already going viral online, emblazoned with headlines like Superhuman Appears! Apocalypse Savior! The comment section was ablaze, some cheering for a savior, others questioning if it was just special effects.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Scarlett, a video call. I hesitated but answered.

Rain! Did you see the news? Scarletts face, vibrant with excitement, filled the screen, the chaotic neighborhood blurring in the background. Im a hero now! Where are you? Come find me, I can protect you!

I shook my head, a sense of weariness washing over me. You should worry about protecting yourself first.

A mocking sneer twisted her lips. Rain, are you jealous? Jealous that I have powers and you dont? Her voice dripped with triumph. Dont worry, once Ive got things sorted here, Ill come for you.

I watched the crowd gathering around her. No need, I sighed. Just be happy. I hung up.

Uncle Leo walked over, his face etched with a complex expression, hesitating before he spoke. Rain, are you really not going to try to talk some sense into Scarlett? Being so flashy, shes going to get herself into trouble!

I picked up a nearby weapon, my face devoid of emotion. Its her choice, Uncle Leo. Instead of worrying about her, we should focus on fortifying our defenses.

Outside the window, the shadow of the apocalypse had already engulfed the city. But I knew this was just the beginning. The truth about my healing powers would inevitably come out. To face the wolves eager to exploit it, only early preparation would ensure our survival.

By the third day of the apocalypse, the city had descended into utter chaos. We monitored various channels via radio. Temporary shelters were established in the city, only to be quickly overrun by zombies. One district, plagued by an overwhelming number of the undead, issued orders for carpet bombing. Even more bizarrely, a lab claimed to have developed a vaccine, recruiting survivors for trials.

This very lab, recruiting survivors for trials, was the same organization that had captured Scarlett in my previous life. As for why they hadnt made a move on her yet, I suspected it was due to public opinion. After all, Scarlett was a rising online sensation; a sudden move against her would spark outrage. Moreover, order hadnt completely collapsed yet; they still had to consider the authorities.

I sat in the safe houses control room, watching Scarletts latest video on the screen. She had formed a small team of survivors and was actively rescuing trapped citizens. Her metal manipulation skills were clearly more refined in the video, but her complexion was noticeably paler.

Shes used her powers too many times, I murmured. Even though Scarlett in the video was trying to project strength, the fine lines around her eyes and her chapped lips betrayed the rapid drain on her life force.

Uncle Leo handed me a hot coffee. When are you going to tell her the truth? I had already confided in him about the side effects of the powers and my past life experiences.

I took the coffee, shaking my head. She wouldnt believe me. Shed just think I was jealous.

But Uncle Leo began, then trailed off.

Uncle Leo, I know what youre going to say, I said, setting down my coffee cup. But this is the path she chose. Our priority now is to ensure the safe houses defenses are impenetrable.

Uncle Leo watched the monitor, Scarlett basking in the adulation of the crowd, and sighed. Oh, that girl when will she ever grow up?