Theo woke up to a bright sunny morning, the warm morning sun was unusually soothing. He stretched lazily, then sat up slowly, realizing he hadn't felt this refreshed in a while.
There was a stillness in the air that made everything seem calm, too calm.
He rubbed his eyes, shuffled over to the bathroom, and splashed his face with cold water. As he was brushing his teeth, he noticed in the mirror, a crack.
"Huh. The mirror's cracked. Weird." he muttered through foam. "Probably nothing." Dismissing it as some accidental bump.
His mind drifted back to the previous night. The alleyway, the girl, the laser, the thugs. "I wonder what happened to those guys. Did the police actually catch them? Eh, whatever. It's over now."
Downstairs, the scent of sizzling meat wafted through the air.
"You're up early today," Audrey said, flipping a steak expertly on the skillet.
"I guess your words really encouraged me, huh mom?" Theo replied, trying to keep his tone light.
Audrey raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Since school's reopening today, maybe you can show me how 'inspired' you really are."
Theo gave a half-hearted salute. "Sure, Mom."
"Oh, and come home early today."
"Why?"
"It's a surprise."
"Okay then."
"Now come eat breakfast before it gets cold."
The meal was perfect, medium-rare steak, eggs sunny side up, and a small bowl of yogurt on the side. His mom didn't always have time to cook like this, so moments like these were rare and special.
After eating, Theo got dressed and was about to step out when,
"Wait a damn minute, boy." Audrey called from the kitchen. "Where's the pendant?"
Theo let out a sigh. "Seriously?"
"Seriously."
He sighed and trudged upstairs, grabbing the thin, lobster pendent from his desk. He looped it around his neck and came back down.
"Happy now?"
"Mhm." she said, satisfied. "Goodbye, son."
"Bye, Mom."
As Theo walked to school, Audrey began her usual laundry routine. She dropped Theo's clothes into the washer and paused. They were filthy. Dirt, dust, tiny bits of gravel, and something that looked eerily like soot. "Strange" she muttered.
"I washed this just yesterday." She shrugged and turned on the machine, rushing out the door for her hospital shift.
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Theo reached Generic School 37 just as the gates opened. Students poured in, buzzing with energy. Stuart Biggie, his best friend, met him with a giant grin and a terrible attempt at a high five.
"Hey! There he is, the walking zombie returns!"
"Good morning to you too." Theo said, scanning the campus quietly.
"You okay? You're looking around like you're expecting a sniper."
"Just... checking."
There were a lot more cameras in the school.
"Theo, Yo! you hear the news?"
Theo blinked. "Huh? What news?"
Stuart leaned in conspiratorially. "Apparently a bunch of thugs were found, like, wrecked. Witnesses said they were chasing a girl, and someone claimed they saw this... shadowy figure floating in the sky."
Theo's heart skipped. "And?"
"I mean, isn't that wild? A mystery hero? Maybe the shadow guy's got laser eyes or something."
Theo swallowed hard. "Sounds like a comic book. So what? You believe in heroes now?"
"Duh. I always have. What, you think that's lame?"
"No, just... risky."
"Bro, superheroes are badass. Swooping in at the perfect moment? Saving people? That's the dream."
Theo let out a slow breath. At least Stuart wouldn't call him a monster.
As they reached class, Theo scanned the school grounds. Everything looked normal, but the hair on his neck stood up. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
From a balcony above, a man leaned against the railing, cigarette dangling from his fingers, eyes sharp. He watched the students, but lingered a little longer on Theo. His expression unreadable.
Classes were normal. Chaotic. Loud. Drama everywhere.
"SILENCE!" barked the teacher as he walked into the classroom. The students froze.
"Today" he continued, "you'll have a new classmate."
A girl stepped in. Elegant, confident. "Hello everyone, it's nice to meet you. My name's Lily. I transferred here from Corporate Class 22 due to my father's job. I hope we can all be good friends."
Polite applause followed.
Theo stared at her. There was something... familiar.
"Where have I seen her before...? Must be nothing."
She took her seat. Class resumed.
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At lunch, Theo and Stuart sat outside beneath a tree.
"You know." Theo said, unwrapping his sandwich, "I kinda miss the cafeteria."
Stuart raised a brow. "What do you mean you miss it? You never ate there. Your mom packs those deluxe lunches, man."
"Yeah, but... the atmosphere."
"Atmosphere of chaos and spilled soup? Sure."
Theo laughed, biting into his ham sandwich.
Stuart looked at him with big, hopeful eyes. "You know I'm your best friend, right?"
"Here." Theo said, handing over one sandwich.
Stuart devoured it. "Dude! Your mom needs a Michelin star. Gordon Ramsay would cry."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll let her know."
As the bell rang, Theo caught Lily glancing at him from across the yard. Just a glimpse, but her eyes narrowed for half a second before she returned to smiling with her new friends. Very suspicious.
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While going back to his class, some students whispered.
"Did you hear about the cafeteria fire?"
"Yeah, totally sus. Some say it was intentional."
"You think the school's in on it?"
"The government too, maybe."
"You said the same thing about the vending machine breaking down."
Theo smirked. Just more high school nonsense.
Theo tuned it out, glancing at the burned remains of the cafeteria as they passed by. Men in suits combed the area, reporters, police, and detectives.
It can't be that big of a deal, right?
He passed a security room and peeked inside screens showing odd angles. A few pointed directly at the classrooms. One screen froze him in place.
Blurry footage. Someone flying. From the cafeteria.
Theo.
His blood went cold.
So they had one working camera.
He walked past the room quickly, trying not to draw attention. Then, just as he turned the corner
"You're not like the rest, are you?"
Theo spun around. Nothing. Just normal students.
The day ended in a blur. Theo said goodbye to Stuart and headed home, his mind racing.
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At home, he found the house empty. A note and a box rested on the dining table.
"Sorry champ, had to go, another emergency case. Here's the surprise I promised: a new phone! Aren't I the most generous mother? Just a little something to celebrate my promotion and thank you for being such a good son. Love you –Mom."
Inside the box: a brand-new Smasnung 27 Plus Ultra. Top of the line.
Theo showered, changed, and laid on his bed, scrolling through settings on his new phone. His eyes wandered to the necklace around his neck, the cracked mirror, the mysterious whisper.
His chest tightened with a growing sense of unease. Something was coming.
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Far away, in a dimly lit alley across town, a man in a suit stood before a screen.
"It's highly likely the subject is active."
"Affirmative."
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