A clap that made no sound
A dramatic scene from a movie that only lives in my mind
He is standing in front of a planet, a planet known for terrifying everyone within its reach. And its reach has no bounds.
With the imminent threat that this planet poses, he decides to establish peace once and for all.
For he has just discovered his true power. The true extent of his interminable, colossal, and astronomical power.
He knows he could just… he could simply clap and make the malevolent planet disappear into dust forever.
The cries of souls who have lived in absolute terror for millennia could finally rest in peace.
But is he the judge? Does he know the extent of the collateral damage? Is he willing to kill the innocent people trapped inside the planet?
While he thinks about it, let us recap.
It all started the day he woke up with a ring.
He doesn’t know how he got it. He doesn’t know what it does. He doesn’t even know he is wearing it.
He begins brushing his teeth while still half asleep, as usual.
But near the end, he notices something unusual… he doesn’t have the brain fog he typically has after waking up.
He gets ready and boards the metro.
He holds onto a pole as he waits for his stop.
He is lost in thought.
His stop arrives.
He dashes out at the last moment…
The part of the pole he touched is gone. Lost. It looks like it never existed.
He doesn’t notice.
He throws the metro ticket into the dustbin.
It doesn’t fall. It disappears.
He doesn’t notice.
He is working at his computer in the office, without taking a break.
He doesn’t feel hungry.
He doesn’t notice.
But a woman, his friend, does. They go for lunch.
He eats. He doesn’t feel full.
He noticed?
It is night, and he is heading home. He is crossing the road.
A drunk driver in a truck is about to hit him.
He notices the beams of light getting closer. Faster.
He looks to his right and extends his hands in panic.
He knows the enormous long-haul truck has hit him.
He feels the impact in his fingertips…
the cold steel of the grille, the vibration of the massive engine.
Then… nothing.
The headlights that had blinded him a microsecond ago are gone.
The roar of the truck vanishes, replaced by the distant chirping of a cricket.
He stands alone in the dark street, his hand still extended, touching a void where five tons of metal had just been.
Everything that touched his hand disappeared.
He noticed.