As I walked downstairs with the quiet precision of someone who didn't quite belong in his own skin. The morning light spilled through the windows, casting golden streaks across the hardwood floor. The smell of eggs and turkey bacon wafted from the kitchen.
Amanda stood at the stove, multitasking like a pro. Daniel was sipping coffee and scrolling through his phone. Anthony was already halfway through a plate of pancakes, syrup pooling like a crime scene.
"Morning," Silas said, sliding into a seat.
Daniel looked up. "Hey, bud. You sleep okay?"
Silas nodded. "Yeah. Weird dreams, but I'm good."
Amanda smiled. "You want eggs or pancakes?"
"Eggs, please."
As Amanda plated his breakfast, Silas scanned the room. Everything felt familiar—but not entirely his. The memories of this life were stitched into his mind like a second skin. He remembered family dinners, learning karate, awkward hugs, but most of all, he remembered being Silas LaRusso.
But Samantha didn't look at him. She walked past the table, grabbed a granola bar, and left without a word.
Daniel frowned. "She's been moody lately."
Anthony snorted. "She's always moody."
Amanda shot him a look. "Anthony."
Silas didn't say anything. He just ate quietly, the silence between him and his sister louder than any argument.
Back in his room, Silas sat at his desk and stared at his laptop. The memories of ROB's offer still echoed in his mind. Skill creation. Power. Integration.
He whispered the words:
Create Skill: Spidey Sense.
A soft ping echoed in his head.
Skill Created: Spidey Sense (Lv. 1)
Passive skill. Grants heightened awareness of danger, movement, and intent. Improves with use.
He felt it immediately—a subtle hum in his awareness, like a sixth sense stretching its limbs.
"Let's try another."
Create Skill: Business Stock Analyst.
Skill Created: Business Stock Analyst (Lv. 1)
Grants intuitive understanding of market trends, stock behavior, and entrepreneurial strategy. Improves with research and application.
Silas grinned. "Let's get rich."
He opened a few stock simulators, set up a real account with some leftover birthday money, and started scanning. His fingers moved with eerie precision. He could see the trajectory of the market and where it would end up.
He invested in three rising stocks, pulled out of one just before a dip, and set alerts for two more.
Then Amanda called from downstairs. "Time to get dressed! We're heading to Encino Oak!"
He closed the laptop and started getting dressed ready to face the world and live the life he was now in.
[Encino Oaks Country Club]
The country club was a swirl of linen shirts, sparkling drinks, and polite laughter. Daniel greeted old friends. Amanda chatted with other moms. Anthony disappeared somewhere to play on his tablet without getting caught.
Silas wandered toward the barbecue pit, drawn by the scent of sizzling meat.
A chef was flipping burgers, sweat glistening on his forehead.
"Hey," Silas said. "Mind if I help out? Always wanted to give it a shot."
The chef raised an eyebrow. "You know how to grill?"
Silas smiled. "Let's find out."
Create Skill: Cooking Mastery.
Skill Created: Cooking Mastery (Lv. 1)
Enhances culinary intuition, flavor balancing, and food presentation. Improves with practice.
He took the tongs and got to work. The skill kicked in instantly—he started adjusting the heat, flipping the meat with precision, and seasoned with instinct. When he finished he started handing food out. Guests started complimenting the food. Amanda gave him a proud nod while Daniel looked impressed.
Hours later, while chatting with a few teens near the lawn, Silas felt a sudden tug in his awareness.
A football was flying—fast, off-course, and aimed straight at his head.
Without thinking, he extended his hand behind him.
Thwack.
The ball landed perfectly in his palm.
Everyone stared.
"Dude," one kid said. "That was insane."
Silas shrugged. "Lucky reflexes."
But he knew better.
Spidey Sense triggered. 1/10 uses until Lv. 2.
After awhile, it was time to go. They all got into the car and started their journey back home.
When the LaRussos pulled into their driveway, music echoed from the backyard. With laughter and yelling that could be heard from the driveway.
Samantha had invited friends over. Loud ones. Stylish ones. Ones Silas didn't recognize.
Daniel's jaw tightened. "She didn't ask for permission."
Amanda sighed. "We'll talk to her."
Silas didn't wait. He slipped past the chaos and headed upstairs.
Back in his room, Silas opened his laptop and checked his stock dashboard.
His eyes widened.
Profit: $3,142.87
In just a few hours, his investments had surged. He'd pulled out at the perfect time, reinvested, and watched the numbers climb.
He leaned back, heart pounding.
This is real. This is power.
Just as he was wondering what to do next, the door slammed open.
Samantha stormed in, eyes blazing.
"You brought them back early!" she snapped. "I told you to keep them busy!"
Silas blinked. "What?"
"You ruined everything!"
He stood up slowly. "Those are the first words you've said to me in weeks."
She froze.
"I didn't ruin anything," he said, voice low. "You did. You stopped talking. You stopped caring. You started pretending I didn't exist."
Her face twisted with anger, but beneath it—hurt.
She turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Silas sat back down, contemplating on what he had done today.
For now, he had three skills, a fractured sibling bond, and a new life to navigate.
Silas LaRusso was just getting started.