Chapter 93: Protesting the Mutant Wave
"According to our latest report, the mutant Bobby has been released on bail by the New York City Police Department following standard legal procedures. However, our on-site reporter witnessed Bobby being picked up by other mutants. One of them appeared to be skilled in hypnosis, as all the protesters and reporters at the scene were put under a trance."
"For several hours, those present were unconscious at the back entrance of the NYPD. They've since been examined at various hospitals around New York. Aside from minor injuries, most are in stable condition."
"Our reporter also interviewed Bobby's family, confirming that he hasn't returned home. This is FKY TV, reporting live from New York."
Across the screens of Manhattan, this breaking report played on loop, turning what was initially a minor incident into a full-blown crisis. Spurred on by various social and political forces, protests erupted across the city—most of them targeting mutants.
Life was already tough for many. Now, with the emergence of "mutants," the public had found a convenient target for their frustration. Never mind that most protesters had never even met a mutant—let alone been harmed by one. Logic and facts had long been tossed aside. All that mattered was fear.
And in fear, people found purpose.
Streets were filled with chants and homemade signs:
"Down with mutants! Mutants are the cancer of humanity!"
"They hide among us—your neighbor could be a mutant!"
"Mutants threaten our safety with unchecked powers!"
It wasn't long before these protests turned into a political movement, with growing demands that mutants be publicly registered. Protesters insisted the government create an online database so citizens could track and identify mutants in their communities.