Human Superior

by C. S. Won

  “The point is, is that at the end of the day, no matter what we do, people will always hate us. Every Phenom on this planet could be an upstanding citizen. We could end world hunger, we could rejuvenate the environment, we could topple dictatorships around the world, we can create a utopia, but none of that would make a single iota of a difference as to how we’re perceived. They will always hate us, because that’s what humanity does. They hate. They thrive off of it. Feed off of it. Live off of it.”

  “People will not spite you if you help them. Goodwill is never forgotten. Kindness is always repaid in kind.”

  “Then why didn’t Adam thank you when you dragged him out of that burning apartment? Your actions saved his life, and yet he repays that tremendous debt by taking away the love of your life. Is that how benevolence is rewarded in your world?”

  Jae took a step forward, his hands curling into fists. Edison, guarded and alert, took a step forward of his own, readying himself for potential intervention. Daniel raised his hands in an appeal for appeasement. “I apologize. That was uncalled for. But I had to show you that I know more about people than you think I do. A benevolent act does not always mean that you will be rewarded for it. In fact, it can be the opposite. After all, as the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.” He waved Edison away, coaxing him to fall back. “We’re simply too different from people, and as I said before, people hate different. Different is discriminated against. Different is loathed. Different is shunned. Different is marginalized. People see different—no matter how small or inconsequential that difference may be—as an affront, a horror, a grotesquery, and they will try to destroy you because of it. Conformity, similarity, familiarity—that is what people prize most and what they are most comfortable with. Those who claim otherwise are nothing but two-faced pandering liars, speaking empty words that are only meant to give the illusion that they’re tolerant, when the truth is, people like that wouldn’t be caught dead with someone of a different skin tone or background, let alone someone like us.”

  “We live in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people. I won’t deny that. But that’s why we should be working to make it better, not burn it all down. What good would that do exactly?” Jae asked.

  “Think about all the varying systems of oppression that were built throughout human history. Think of all the chains, both seen and unseen, placed upon those who were simply different, all in an attempt to break their spirit. The examples are innumerable. Even here in America, in this so-called land of freedom and equality, her history is fraught with oppression on a massive scale. Her birth was predicated on the near extinction of the indigenous population, then it continued on after that with slavery, lynchings, internment camps, and widespread racism and inequality that persist to this day. When you keep all that in mind, and realize that we as Phenoms represent that next big step on that scale of difference, how do you think people will react and feel, when there has never been anything like us on this planet, ever?”

  “So your solution to that is to start a preemptive global war, to replace humanity with neo-humanity?”

  “Humanity had their chance, and they squandered it.”

  “How does a genocidal war break the cycle of inequality and violence? How does that even help neo-humans? All you’re doing is triggering a conflict that will destroy us all.”

  “Because it has to be done. Because humanity needs to be burned to the ground before the world can heal. As long as they perpetuate, we cannot progress. Sooner or later they have to be supplanted, and if something is inevitable, then why wait?”

  “Do you really think the world will be a better place once the dust settles and we emerge as the new alpha on the food chain?”

  “I know it will be.”

  “Then you’re delusional. Neo-humans are still human. Everything normal humans are, we still are, including the behaviors that you attribute to them. These systems of oppression that you talked about? They’ll continue, even with neo-humans in charge. Discrimination, subjugation, oppression—these are ugly, age-old problems that have plagued mankind since their inception, and they’ll continue even if we replace them. Just because we possess powers does not mean we suddenly exist on some higher plane of morality, or that we’re suddenly going to live in harmony. That’s a pipe dream. We’re still very much the same horrible animals we were before the storm, except now the only difference is that we’re packing some serious heat. If anything, it sounds like things will only get worse if we’re in charge.”

  Daniel smiled at Jae, but it was an ambiguous sort of smile, one that conveyed many meanings and expressions, where it was difficult to tell if he was either amused, disappointed, or just really annoyed. “How did you find us?”

  Jae hesitated for a moment. “What?”

  “I never told you where we were staying, and I’m pretty sure no one from my organization has told you either. Who let the secret slip? Who told you where we were?” Daniel walked over to Jae. The smile did not let up. “I doubt you’re here just to debate me on the moral justifications of my actions. No, there’s more to it than that. What is your real objective?”

  Temptation urged Jae to lie, to weave a tale of how he had a change of heart and saw the light, of how he wanted to join Daniel in his neo-human revolution. But lying was not Jae’s forte, and his inability to string together believable falsehoods compelled him to wield the truth instead, hoping that in doing so he could convince Daniel that he had nothing to hide, and had no intention of deceiving him.

  He just hoped that his honesty would not get him vaporized.

  “Your father sent me,” Jae said.

  The poison was injected, and it did its work slowly, the gradual decline of Daniel’s expression going from curious to cold. “You’re working for my father?”

  “Not for him, with him.”

  Daniel said nothing. He didn’t need to. The hardness in his eyes told Jae everything he needed to know.

  “He wants a truce,” Jae went on.

  “A truce?” Daniel echoed.

  “He wants you to come back home so he can make amends.”

  Daniel pulled his head back and narrowed his eyes, appearing confounded by the idea. “And you believed him?”

  I’ll believe anything he says if it means stopping you. “He told me everything, Daniel, about his relationship with you, and the strain that underscored it. He regrets everything that has happened, and he wants to reconcile.”

  The smile returned, although it was crooked and forced. “Cheap words and an even cheaper ploy. Let me guess, he wants me to stop the attacks, and in exchange he’ll, what . . . ask for my forgiveness? I don’t think so. Hostilities will only stop once he and everyone else are turned to dust.” Daniel’s eyes narrowed, his face the expression of suspicion. “What exactly did he promise you?”

  “Promise me?”

  “There had to been something that compelled you to form a partnership with him.”

  “An end to this mindless bloodshed.”

  “I see.” Daniel pursed his lips, as if he was weighing the possibility. “I’m not an unreasonable man. If he wants to negotiate, then I’m willing to negotiate. Here are my terms: in order for me to stop my attacks, he must go public with who I am, disclose his relationship to me, then issue a public apology for all he has done. If he can meet those terms, then I will consider standing down.”

  “You know he won’t go for that, Daniel. He’s already said as much to me. He feels the public does not need to be involved in this. It is not their fight. He wants to reconcile privately.”

  “Of course he does. The guilty do not want their crimes to come to light. To a sinner, a confession is worse than death.” Daniel sighed. He looked disappointed. “He’s played you for a fool. How can you be so gullible? Of all the people in the world, why him? Are you not aware of what he is capable of doing?”

  “Do I think he’s some kind of saint? No, of course not. I have an idea of what kind of man he is. But when he t
alked about the missteps in raising you, the pain he showed was the sort of pain you can’t fake. He knows very well the anger you harbor is because of him, and he feels guilty about it. An admission like that—that’s huge, don’t you think? Especially coming from someone like him?”

  Daniel said nothing.

  “Does he think a personal apology will wipe away years of hurt? No, he’s under no such delusion. But he’s hoping that at the very least it can serve as the first small step in a much-needed reconciliation.”

  “You really don’t know my father, do you? Because if you did, then you’d know that he has no conception of regret. Everything he does is deliberate and calculated. Everything. Even sending you here. He’s got you flipped and doing his dirty work for him, and you don’t even realize it. You’re brainwashed.”

  “What do you have to lose just by meeting with him?”

  “Everything. If he truly seeks an end to this conflict, then relay my terms to him. The whole world must see him on his knees when he begs for forgiveness. If that is not to his taste, then he’ll face annihilation. Simple as that.”

  “Morgan was a bad father, and you hate him for that. Most people would too if they were in your shoes. You’re angry, so you lash out. I get it. But this is not the way to resolve this. This is not how you deal with your anger.”

  “This is exactly how you deal with it. I’m confronting the issue head-on. How is that not dealing with it?”

  This was going nowhere. Round and round it seemed they went, saying the same thing in different ways, wasting words and time. Jae decided it was time to shift gears and try a different approach, something that was a little provocative, a little daring, and perhaps, a whole lot of stupid. If this new approach didn’t work, then Jae knew he was finished, but he had to do something—anything—to spur new life into this dialogue, because with the way things were going, Daniel was more likely to dig in his heels than dig out.

  “You know what? This whole thing where you think you’re some kind of new-age Jesus for the downtrodden neo-humans—it’s all bullshit. The only truth here is that you’re a brat; a nasty, spoiled little brat with a personal vendetta against your father, and you’re recklessly hurting others in some foolish, misguided quest to inflict pain. Your only real goal here, your true goal, is to make others feel what you feel, because—boo-hoo—daddy didn’t tuck you into bed at night and give you good night kisses. You think just because your father was a little strict with his discipline gives you justification to start throwing a temper tantrum and murdering thousands of innocent people? How emotionally stunted are you?” Jae asked.

  The line in Daniel’s mouth drew thinner, and Jae could see his jaw being clenched tight together, muscles squirming in his neck. “What did you say?”

  Jae continued to press. “I’ll give you this: you talk a really good game. That whole spiel about the less fortunate always being oppressed—for a second there you almost had me convinced. You really did sound like you cared. But then you just couldn’t stop running your mouth, and the whole illusion was shattered the moment you marked everyone—both oppressors and the oppressed—for extermination. If you truly cared so much about a more equal and just world, then you’d be fighting for all those who needed your voice, your power, and your influence, regardless if they were neo-human or not. But you’re not fighting for everyone, because it was all a great big lie. You never cared.” Jae jabbed a finger at Daniel. “Everything you’ve done so far was just to spite your father, nothing more, nothing less, and we’re all unfortunately caught up in this pathetic little squabble of yours. This is all just a big cry for attention.”

  “You haven’t seen what I’ve seen, or experienced what I experienced! You don’t know what Morgan has done or will continue to do! He has—” Daniel abruptly cut himself off, his words trailing off into sudden silence. He took a step back, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath in, appearing as though he was trying to coax himself into a state of calm. He stayed like this for what seemed like a full minute, until he finally opened his eyes and made his way back over to the window, where, from the other side and floating in the darkness, his faint reflection stared back at him. “Edison, can you give us the room, please?”

  Acquiescing to the order without a word, Edison created a wavering portal and made his exit through it. Once the rift vanished, Daniel remained unmoved from the window, looking out into the emptiness of the night.

  “What do you see when you look out this window?” Daniel asked. “What’s the first thing that comes to mind?”

  Jae chose not to answer, opting to wait and see where Daniel was going with this.

  “You know what I see? I see a world that doesn’t make any sense. A world that is sick, and needlessly cruel, and so unfair and hateful, to the point where even a small, innocent boy can cry out for help and go completely ignored, even as he drowns and flails his arms, struggling to survive.”

  Jae furrowed his brow. “Small, innocent boy?” Is he talking about himself?

  “The most innocent of victims.” Daniel sighed. “When I was born, my mother hated me. I was unworthy of her love the moment she first set her eyes on me. People even told me that she tried to strangle me when the doctor handed me to her. They had to intervene and stop her before she could.” His eyes shifted, and his reflection stared at Jae. “Do you know why she hated me?”

  Jae shook his head.

  “Because I was her.”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “Mothers usually want kids that look like them, because it’s a way to pass themselves on, to continue to live even when they are gone. The child is a living legacy that carries on their spirit and blood. My mother, however, hated everything about herself, and didn’t want to pass anything on. She wanted a child that looked nothing like her, and for nine months during my pregnancy, prayed that I would turn out looking more like my father. But instead she got a reflection of herself, someone who shared the color of her hair and the shape of her eyes. I was her curse, a reminder of her own seething self-hatred, the exact thing she was trying to run away from for all her life. I was a nightmare realized.”

  “Why did she hate herself?”

  Daniel’s reflection stared back out into the night. “This country made her hate herself. For all of her life, she was surrounded by a plurality of people who didn’t look like her, and these same people were keen to remind her of that fact. She was an outsider, a perpetual other, the exotic Oriental, and despite her best attempts to integrate and fit in, she couldn’t. It didn’t matter how well she spoke English, or how advanced her education was, or even the fact that she was born in this country. She was different, and people in this country reviled different. So she internalized that hate until it became a core part of who she was.” Daniel clenched his fists, which visibly shook. “So overwhelming was her self-loathing that she couldn’t even accept her own child, all because I looked like her. I was deprived of her love, and instead only received coldness. You’re probably thinking that I hate her because of that, and for a time I admittedly did, but now . . .” He shook his head. “I don’t. Not anymore. How could I? She was young, and external forces beyond her control shaped her conflicting identity. Few can stand firm against such overwhelming outside pressures. She had no chance. She was a victim in many ways, so I can empathize with why she felt the way she did. It makes sense. She had reason to hate me, even if her reasons were influenced.”

  Daniel unfurled his fist and let out a sigh.

  “She died when I was young, in a plane crash, so my memories of her have grown somewhat faded. Perhaps that’s another reason why I learned to become fond of her. If she had lived, and I had to continue to live with her toxicity, then maybe my opinion of her would be different.” Daniel stared blankly out into the night. “But that’s neither here nor there, because my dad, unlike my mother, was keen to fill the void, and he wanted to make sure he had a presence in my life. And a presence he had. Time spent with him was time filled with b
eatings by way of hands, feet, or belt. Kicks to my stomach, punches to my face, lashes at my back. He did this almost every day, reveling in it, his eyes filled with fire as he made me bleed and bruise.”

  “Why? For what purpose?” Jae asked.

  “I really don’t know, to be honest. Maybe it was because I was the culmination of a loveless, lifeless marriage. Maybe it was because, just like my mother, he was expecting something different with my birth and instead received something profoundly disappointing. Or maybe he just rejoiced in exerting power and subjugating a small, defenseless child. I don’t know.” Expressions of anger and repression swirled on Daniel’s face. “He tortured me. Dominated me. Inflicted pain that I thought wasn’t possible. But ironically the beatings weren’t the worst of it. Physical pain you can develop a tolerance for; it’s something you can eventually withstand. No . . . the worst came after the beatings. What he did after left me in true pain.”

  “What did he do?”

  “He would take my head, cradle it against his chest, then cry out for forgiveness.”

  Jae was perplexed. “He apologized?”

  “It sounds benign, but it horrified and confused me. How could he come close to breaking my bones but then suddenly embrace me in repentance? I could never make any sense of it, especially as a child. It was a mystery to me, and maybe even to himself. But in the end, I never really gave it too much thought, because it was also in those moments that I finally had a taste of what a father’s love was capable of. Even as I bled, I was happy, because it made me realize that people didn’t have to be so cruel . . .” Daniel’s words drifted off into the form of a hard fist pressed against the glass. “But then my father, as he often did, burned it all away when he’d suddenly take my hand, and while crying his tears, made me reach down and touch . . .”

  He stopped, never finishing the rest of what he was about to say. He didn’t need to. Jae could infer plenty what Daniel was alluding to.