In the year 2035, there lived a nineteen-year-old named Kael—by all outward measures ordinary, another face in a world that never slowed. He lived with his mother, Elise, a woman frail in body yet unyielding in spirit, whose illness had long dictated the rhythm of their days. Kael had not stayed in school for long; education became a luxury they could no longer afford, and survival took its place instead. While others his age worried about grades and futures, Kael worried about rent, medicine, and whether his mother would wake up coughing through the night. Their family lived well below average, trapped near the bottom of a harsh food chain where effort did not always guarantee reward. Kael worked whatever part-time jobs he could find, moving from place to place without complaint—until a single fateful day in 2035 quietly began to tear their fragile routine apart.
By the time it was evening, Kael stood near their corridor, thinking what can he do to get out of their misrable life. Just then, as the clock struck 4:30 p.m., a bright light shines over the whole world. Some, including Kael fell on the ground and went to an immediate sleep. When Elise saw her son collapse on the cold hard ground, she quickly went to him, confused of what happened to him. She put him on his bed, worried and filled with fear, thinking if her only son had died. But Kael's moving chest relief her and hospital him all night.
The morning came and Kael woke up, saw his mother besides him. His movement woke her as well and when she see her son alive and well, she immediately hugs him.
Elise: I thought I had lost you, my sweet boy....
Kael: I'm okay mom, it was nothing.
Elise: Are you hurt anywhere?
Kael: No, I'm completely fine. Oh, look at the time! It's getting late.
Elise: Hold your horses, it's weekend. I'll cook and you rest.
Kael: What?! No, how can I? I'm gonna help out, whether you like it or not.
Elise: Oh you...
While his mother cooks, Kael went to throw their garbage bag at the distant dumpster. As Kael throw it, he accidentally slips. Now panic, Kael reach for the pole to save himself but as he did it, the pole suddenly disappeared in the blink of an eye and the garbage bag he carry was also nowhere to be seen. Confused, he thought it was just his imagination and was seeing things so he went back home.
To his surprise, he saw two man, dressed in black suit like some secret agent. They were questioning his mother about something. As Kael approach, the two man's interest shifted to Kael and asked him question like if Kael saw anything unusual around him lately.
Kael: And if i say 'yes'?
Man(1): If you do so, the we will have to escort you to our facility and check if you speak the truth or not. And if you do, you will be provided shelter, food, clothing, and any other needs you have for free.
Kael and his mother couldn't believe what they just heard! A better life just because of that one evening.
Kael: Yes, I have.
Man(2): Then you and your mother may follow us to our facility. There we will confirm your ability.
Kael: Ability?
Man(1): We will wait for you in the car. You don't need to bring anything with you.
And so, they left.
By noon, they reach the facility with was on A City. The facility was massive, estimated around hundreds of people can live in it. Once inside, they see a bunch of people, all from different classes. Kael was told that he and Elise have to be in a separate room for a while. Elise was guided to a waiting room and Kael git guided to a compound where several other people are also there. The people he saw are of different ages, from young to old aged people. Kael wanders and sees a boy, around his age, sitting by himself. He approach to the kid and ask uf he could sit beside him.
Kid: Sure, feel free to sit.
Kael: Thanks.... Are you here because you notice something weird are you too?
Diego: You can say that. Name's Diego. What about you?
Kael: Kael, nice to meet you.
And then both of them got caught up in their conversation and became friends in an instant. From his story, Diego lived with his grandparents after his parents divorced.
It was now about late evening and about 1000 people came in. Soon, there was an announcement, saying they will conduct an interview and a test on each individual. When it was time, Kael and Diego had to be separated. At the interview, they ask Kael about what kind of anomaly did he experienced, Kael answered honestly. They ask Kael to do it on the desk once more as a test and when he did, nothing happened. One of them suddenly pointed a gun at him, and seeing this Kael got terrified and his ability activated, making the desk disappear. He has the ability to erase objects on contact and it was confirmed. Seeing his ability, they got convinced and they did another physical checkup and sent him back. Reuniting with his mother, they got a room for their own and as the facility provide them of their needs.
Kael walks around the compound while his mother slept. He meet Diego again and seems like he also pass the test. Kael asks what ability did Diego have and Diego reply that he can stop time for a brief 5 seconds and move freely during that 5 second of stopped time. Diego asks back and when Kael replied, Diego got a little terrified and jokes, "You wouldn't accidentally erase me, would you?". Kael told him that he will ask if he can be given something that will help him to restrain his ability in case any accident happens. Diego also agrees that it'd be a good idea.
Kael: Well, it's late so, I guess, I'll see you tomorrow then.
Diego: Yeah, g-goodnight then.