"Is anyone gonna talk about how it feels like we don't actually have a
choice here," Billy said, still confused, "or am I the only one seeing that?"
Jack glanced at him, calm as ever.
"I mean, we can't go out there anyway," Jack said. "So I think we should
just stay and do what she says."
Nae's expression hardened.
"Correction," she said coldly. "Only you, Jack, can't go out there.
Your machine almost wiped out half of Texas—and that's a state. So if you don't
go to Mega High—also known as Mega Hick—you'll be sent to the Black Box."
Billy blinked.
"Wait… the school's name is Hick? That's weird. And what's the
Black Box?"
Ashley groaned.
"You stupid bitch," she snapped. "Where have you been living this whole
time? The Black Box is a prison for Mega Humans. Seriously—where did you even
find this guy?"
Nae raised a finger.
"First, mind your language, young lady. Second, Billy is much stronger than
you."
She paused.
"…Anyway, that's not important. What is important is that you go to
Mega High."
She looked straight at Billy.
"And Billy—return the watch you stole from the nurse. Please."
The room went silent.
Billy looked away.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered. "I didn't steal
anything."
Ashley and Jack slowly turned their heads toward him.
Nae raised an eyebrow.
Billy sighed.
"Fine, okay—no need to get mad about it."
He pulled a watch out of his pocket.
"I was gonna give it back, I swear," he said, embarrassed.
Ashley burst out laughing.
"Really, dude?" she said. "You just woke up from a coma and chose violence
by stealing? That's gotta be a crime. You ass."
"Enough," Nae said sharply.
She placed her hand on the book.
"The choice is yours," she said seriously. "You either go back to your awful
lives—or you go to the school, make a name for yourselves, and become a team."
She slammed her fist onto the book.
"A Mega Hero team."
Ashley, Billy, and Jack looked at each other.
Something shifted.
Billy stood up first.
"I'm in," he said. "Not like I wanna go back to the streets again."
Ashley stood next.
"Me too," she said. "Besides, I want to see what this world really has to
offer me."
Jack rose calmly.
"Count me in," he said. "Not like I have a choice—but I'll do my best."
Nae smiled.
"Good," she said softly. "That's what I wanted to hear."
Her eyes glistened slightly. She quickly wiped the tears away.
"Because from now on," she said, voice steady, "you are the new protectors
of this world."
"There's a car that will be here soon. It'll take you to Mega Hick,
okay? For now, go pick clothes you'd like to wear on floor 33. Don't worry—we
also have a designer who'll help make custom outfits if you don't like what you
see," Nae said calmly.
"You're not coming with us?" Billy asked.
"No," Nae replied. "I have more important things to deal with. Like the
adoption papers I was supposed to sign yesterday… and didn't."
"Adoption papers?" Ashley asked. "Who were you adopting?"
Nae looked at them. "You three. You're my kids now. I'm your legal guardian.
Think of me as your mom."
"That's weird as fuck," Ashley said bluntly. "Why would you adopt us?"
"I don't mind," Billy said with a small smile. "I mean, I have no one. And I
never really had parents before—unlike you."
Nae smiled softly and turned to Jack. "And you?"
"I mean… it's not like I can say no," Jack replied, yawning.
"That's what I expected from you," Nae said as she stepped forward and
hugged him. "I want you to protect them. You're the smart one."
"I will," Jack said calmly. "I promise."
Nae then walked up to Billy, gently holding his face before kissing his
forehead.
"From now on, you can call me Mom, okay? I know it's fast, but I'm here—as a
parent and as a teacher."
Billy hugged her tightly. Memories flooded his mind—Lily's voice echoing in
his head.
Some people won't care about your past, Lily had once told him,
smiling. They'll care about what you can bring in the future… and how
special you are. I believe you'll have a family one day.
Billy snapped back to reality and tightened the hug.
"It's okay, Mom," he said through tears. "I won't disappoint you. I promise."
Nae wiped his tears away, smiling. "You're the strongest one here. I know
that—because I believe in you."
Billy nodded.
Nae then turned toward Ashley, but Ashley had already started walking away.
"Let's get one thing clear," Ashley said without looking back. "You're not my
parent. Teacher? Sure. But not my mom."
She walked out of the room.
Nae watched her go, worry clear on her face.
"Billy… Jack… please look after her," she said quietly.
"Yes," they both said as they ran after Ashley.
Nae stood there alone, whispering to herself,
"I hope I'm right about them… because they might be our last hope."