by Caroline Tigeress

Created on: November 02, 2009

Karl Lamphere sat upright in bed, pouring down in sweat. Another nightmare. Another day without sleep. Without even taking the sheets off his body he rooted around through his nightstand and took several hits off of the warm, now stale high-gravity malt liquor.

He looked around at his surroundings, still expecting to see the eight by eight concrete cell that had been his home for the last ten years. Relieved to finally be out, relieved to not be on probation, he went to the one place he thought he would be comfortable in.

Somewhere with snow.

The Cube, the only facility designed to hold mutant prisoners was located in Arizona.

Karl was raised in Point Barrow Alaska. He loved the cold, the snow. He would sit at the window in his father's cabin and watch the blustery winds, watch the polar bears as they shredded the garbage bins. When his father would come home from his military post they would go on little survival walks, taking as little gear with them as possible.

Karl's mind winced. He sighed at the memory of his father, the proud Aleutian heritage that he had dishonored.

He looked over at the bottle of blue pills on his nightstand. As part of his release he was required to take one three times a day.

They inhibited his power.

Unlike many mutants, Karl did not dislike being a mutant. Karl, an exceptional electrokinetic had discovered his ability at the age of ten, kept it hidden. He had made the decision to go underground the minute he became of age.

Until one fateful day.

Being thin, Aleut and somewhat effeminate Karl was often times the target of bullies. His father had taught him enough basic Martial Arts that he could generally defend himself.

Yet, whenever there was any sort of Military rotation of staff in and out, the sons and even daughters of officers, upon finding out his father was merely an enlisted man would take delight in teasing him. They would push and shove, knowing that he would either evade them or toss off some judo flip.

One of the boys, bigger, and stronger slammed Karl into the metal lockers.

His power triggered, electrifying the entire hallway stunning the entire gang with a single, powerful blue arc.

Karl went numb from such a large discharge. When he woke, he found himself in a temporary holding cell, with a court appointed lawyer. The bully was in a coma, unlikely to come out. Karl plead guilty, and because it was a matter of self defense and of his age was sentenced to ten years.

From twelve to twenty-two, the years dragged. He

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