1 Tag! You're It!

Zeke "The Monolith" Kingman, blessed with a strong body had always looked for good ways to put it to use.

In middle school he tried playing with other kids at recess. His parents had always told him to be careful with the other children, so he always rejected their invitations and played alone. This time he wanted to join. To feel the like a normal kid, and play like a normal kid.

The kids reached out and pushed him down while yelling, "Tag! You're it!"

They ran off in different directions giggling and screaming.

Zeke knew it was all a game, that they didn't mean to hurt him and only wanted the few extra seconds to get away. He had never played before and never felt such excitement.

He pushed off the ground and patted the dirt off his clothes. He looked around for a target, until his eyes locked on a familiar figure. His name was Ame. He had always been kind to the other children in his class. Even though Zeke didn't talk much and was very reserved, Ame always tried to include him in group activities. He always tried to be friends with Zeke.

That's probably why when Zeke scanned the children, he decided to chase after Ame. The one he was closest to, and his only friend.

Zeke started sprinting. His strong legs propelled him forward at a frightening speed. Much faster than a young boy should be able to run, in fact, even faster than some adults. However, he didn't notice. The adrenaline from chasing someone, trying to catch his friend, overwhelmed him. All he had in his mind was one thing.

"Catch him!"

Ame was running toward the sandbox giggling. Maybe he wanted to kick sand back as he ran through forcing Zeke back, or maybe he thought he could outrun him in the sand. As they got near, he turned to look behind him.

Zeke had just about caught up when he saw Ame was about to enter the sandbox. A smirk flashed across his face as he got an idea.

The other kids had pushed him down when they started so Zeke thought he would do the same. He would jump at him and push Ame into the sand. The sand would get into his eyes and mouth which would give Zeke even more time to run away. The plan was perfect. What he didn't expect was Ame's reaction.

As he got near Zeke lifted his left foot and pushed off with his right. Launching himself like an arrow toward Ame. Just at this moment Ame slowed down and turned his head to look behind him. Seeing Zeke flying through the air about to tag him, his first reaction was to duck.

Zeke was already past the point of no return, he didn't expect Ame to see him or react the way that he did. If he just didn't look behind him, everything would have been fine. He would have landed in the sand. It's too bad he didn't.

Zeke shot through the air and smacked both his hands onto Ame's back.

"Got him!"

The force of the impact knocked the air out of Ame's lungs. He shot toward the sandbox. However he wasn't going to land in the sandbox. There was a step made of stone that served as the wall of the sandbox. He shot forward headfirst into that stone step. It pushed his mouth open, ripping all his teeth out and breaking his jaw. The momentum wasn't stopped by that alone. He continued moving forward, face stuck to the step. His neck folded. The rest off his body flipped over finally, slamming him into the sand.

Zeke layed off to the side in shock. He watched the whole thing and still hadn't reacted.

Some of his classmates were playing in the sand when it happened. Hearing the thud of Ame's body they turned their heads to look. What greeted them was the sight of Ame's broken jaw hanging open. Tongue flipped, hanging out the side of his mouth. His lifeless eyes staring back at them.

They screamed, alerting the teachers who ran over.

Zeke can't remember what happened after that, nor does he care.

He killed his first friend...

His only friend...

In a game of tag.

Zeke was never charged for what he did. The school gave a mandatory month of counselling for his entire class. Although he was never punished for what he did legally the years he spent in school after that were a punishment on it's own. He no longer socialized with anyone. This pushed him even further from his classmates and eventually they began to bully him. Taunting him to attack them like he did to Ame. He knew that with just one punch he could stop the bullying. He was far stronger than them after all. But he never did.

Eventually he stopped showing emotion at all. The less he expressed himself, the less people would notice him.

After another day at school, his graduation was near. He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder as he walked out. Keeping his eyes on the floor in front of him he walked out the front door of his school. He walked down the stairs leading him down the hill the school was built on until he reached the bottom.

There was a well-lit twelve lane road ahead. Cars of many different designs were shooting across at high speeds. He reached into the neck of his shirt and pulled out his I.D. card. This card is used to prove his identity as a citizen and can be used as a bank card. He held it in front of a metal pole which shot out a red light as it scanned his card.

An aerodynamic white car hovered a foot off the ground as it pulled out of traffic and stopped in front of him. The door slid backwards opening for him while a step popped out of the frame of the car. Zeke stepped on it and moved inside. The inside was comfortable. Two seats faced each other with tinted windows in-between.

The door closed itself as a voice female voice asked, "Destination?"

"Home."

The car sped back out seamlessly merging into traffic. Despite moving at such speeds Zeke didn't even feel the car accelerate as he ordered refreshments. He looked out the side window while sipping on a glass of strange blue liquid. The city is filled with nothing but skyscrapers. Can't afford to waste the space on the ground when you could just build up. His eyes traced the buildings before slowly moving up. The sky is light pink, and so are the clouds. The nobles of this planet wanted to modify it. Maybe they were tired of blue, or maybe they just wanted to be different. Zeke didn't like it. Everything on this planet was artificial; the ground, the people, even the sky.

As he is about to graduate, he's been thinking about what he should do in the future. He doesn't know but he's sure about one thing. He wants to travel. Some places were meant to be visited not lived in, and this place is one of them.

Before he knows it the city had fled from view and the car came to a stop with the door opening.

"Have a nice day."

Zeke slides out of the car and walks toward a magnificent black gate. It's a smooth metal plate adorned with masterful carvings. On either side is a large stone wall that surrounds the entire estate. Zeke reaches into his shirt and pulls out his I.D. card. He walks toward the center of the gate and pushes the card out. A circular piece slides away to reveal a hole. It shoots out a red laser that scans his card. The piece slides back into place, covering the hole back up.

"Welcome home, Zeke." Announces a female voice that sounds the same as the one in the car.

The gate pulls itself open allowing him to enter. Inside is a path that leads to a gorgeous mansion. A huge golden lion stands in a roaring pose at the center of a fountain. Water shoots over it like a performance. Zeke pays it no attention as he walks toward the front door. Just as he approaches, it's opened from the inside. Three maids and an aged butler are arranged. They bow in unison.

"Young Master Zeke, please follow these servants to get cleaned up. Clothes have already been prepared." The old butler says kindly.

"Hmm? Why?" Zeke asks with a blank face.

"Great General Kingsman has returned and wants to speak with you."