Summer
Fulham, London — 8:00 AM
PRESENT DAY
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"Dad, we're ready," Rose called from the stairs, tossing the last object into her canvas tote bag.
Her sneakers thudded lightly on the wooden steps as she rushed toward the living room, expecting to find Alan waiting by the door.
But, alas—he was still in the bathroom.
Steam drifted lazily from the narrow gap under the door. She could hear him humming some half-forgotten tune, as if there was no rush at all.
At the center of the living room, Aldrich—Nathan's father, their guardian—stood already dressed, neatly pressed in a dark blue jacket.
He reached for the worn coffee mug sitting on the edge of the table and took a rapid sip, grimacing slightly at the taste.
"Still no sense of urgency," Aldrich muttered with a small shake of his head, setting the mug down.
"You'd think the boy was getting ready for a coronation, not a trip to the institute."
Rose grinned, brushing her hair back into a loose ponytail.
"He's nervous. This is the first day of his in the new school. Remember?"
Aldrich's face softened a little, though the edge of worry never left his eyes.
"New school..." he echoed under his breath, almost to himself.
If only she knew how all these is getting him worried all time.
Alan finally emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp, a satchel slung lazily over his shoulder. His uniform was slightly crumpled, as if he'd worn it in his sleep, but there was a brightness in his dark eyes that made him seem older than sixteen.
Alan had grown into a tall, sharp-eyed young man. He was now a first-year at Oxford University, studying Advanced Cognitive Systems under a scholarship arranged quietly by Aldrich.
Rose, slightly older than him in age, was sharper still—a fierce mind with a hidden fire, training in cybernetics and stealth systems at an underground academy.
Together, they were Aldrich's greatest secret... and his greatest pride.
"You ready, genius?" Rose teased, ruffling his hair as he passed.
Alan gave a small, distracted smile but said nothing.
"Dad, we'll grab breakfast on the way," Rose said, adjusting her tote strap
.
"I'm stopping by the startup today. First day of my internship, remember?"
Aldrich nodded. "Be sharp. Watch your surroundings."
Rose rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Dad, it's just research work. Not MI6."
Still, Alan caught the weight behind Aldrich's words. They were always paranoid of being watched. Even if no one else could see it
"Alan," Aldrich said, fixing the boy with a steady look, "no shortcuts today. No... interventions."
Alan flushed slightly, understanding what his grandfather meant. He knows him as he grandfather.
No hacking. No oddities. No signs of what he could really do.
"Yeah," Alan mumbled, heading for the door. "I'll behave."
Outside, the streets of Fulham buzzed with Monday morning energy—delivery vans, cyclists weaving between cabs, the smell of fresh bread from the corner bakery.
Rose directed the black sleek car into the busy street of Fulham as they find their way to Old Pope Secondary school. A private college near Fulham Palace, the school is heavily secured with international cyber security and protection. Provided that it's very much obscure to the public, Dad deemed it fit to be perfect for Alan although it cost him a fortune.
The traffic at Bishop's Avenue was heavy as taxis and private cars moved slowly. They soon reach the entrance of the building as Rose parked the car beside the daffodils labelled wall of the school gate. Alan got down from the car. But not before his sister had gave him a tight and emotional hug; with the words—"take care of yourself, munchkin."
He smiled as he watched his sister drove out of the gate.
Old Pope Secondary School — 8:55 AM
The black cab slowed to a halt in front of the wrought-iron gates of Old Palace Secondary School. Alan stepped out, adjusting his satchel. His dark uniform, though slightly wrinkled, looked smart enough among the tailored blazers of the other students streaming into the building.
The school's ancient brick facade loomed above, its spires and arched windows a contrast to the modern world humming just beyond its gates. It was one of London's elite private schools—small classes, tight surveillance, and tighter secrets.
This was his year 11—final year— at school. He has plans to go for sixth form but his sister with Dad deemed it fit that he should go directly to college.
He understand why. But he still wanted to go for his sixth form. Well he have plenty time to convince them; his GCSE papers is still some months away anyways.
Alan had barely stepped onto the main walk when a sharp voice cut across the morning air.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in."
A boy, slightly taller and broader than Alan, stood by the school wall, flanked by two other students. His tie hung loosely, but his sneer was sharp.
Luca. One of the many privileged students who saw loves to bully and cause ruckus walked towards him.
Alan gave a tight-lipped smile and kept walking.
"Hey! Don't ignore me, genius," Luca said louder. " Must be a great problem for Oxford to squeeze a place like dimwit like you. Must be so pathetic for qualified students here."
Laughter shooked through the hall.
Alan winced. Not this morning again, please.
But then he froze.
Not because of Luca.
But because something shifted in his head—like a flicker of static brushing against the edges of his consciousness. A soft, synthetic whisper:
"Do you want me to handle this?"
It was Solace. The entity embedded in his mind.
"No," Alan whispered inwardly, blinking to suppress the impulse. He took a slow breath and kept walking.
Dad has done a great job of putting it dormant over the recent years. An external trigger could only caused it to be active —but just for some minutes; approximately 5 minutes.
The only trigger was with the Three Eyes. But they have lost the access to it many years ago. It's a radio wave directly connected to SOLACE.
Alan looked haunted as he tried to figure it out. This happening means someone with the trigger is at Fulham or even in the school.
HE HAS BEEN EXPOSED
Luca stepped in front of him.
"What? Cat got your tongue, freak?"
Alan looked up calmly, his dark eyes steady.
"You don't matter enough to insult me."
The words hit harder than any shove. Luca's smirk faltered—but not for long.
He grabbed the strap of Alan's satchel. "Say that again, tech boy—"
Suddenly, every light on the school corridor behind them flickered.
Luca's grip loosened
A nearby school announcement speaker popped and hissed.
"Override protocol initiated." The robotic voice echoed faintly—then died.
Alan's heart raced. He hadn't done anything.
Or at least, not intentionally.
Solace was defending him.
He muttered under his breath, "I said no…"
A calm pulse in his head responded.
"Automatic threat deterrence engaged. Minimal exposure maintained."
Luca took a step back, uneasy now.
"Whatever, freak."
He walked away with his posse, eyes flicking nervously toward the school building.
Alan exhaled, the tension easing slightly as the systems normalized. He entered the school building, pushing through heavy doors into marble-floored corridors and echoing chatter.
This was supposed to be a normal day.
But Alan knew better.