The sun was beginning to set as Dave stood with his parents outside the door of his home. The weight of what he had to tell them—and the reality they were about to face—was heavy in his heart. He had already explained enough to give them a glimpse of the danger, but bringing them here to meet Emily and Sarah, in their fragile states, was going to be the hardest part.
"Are you sure they're safe now, Dave?" Linda asked, her voice shaky with concern. She clutched John's arm tightly as they both looked at their son with pleading eyes. "You said Sarah is still in a coma..."
Dave nodded solemnly. "They're safe, Mom. But for now, there's something important you both need to understand." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You can't go back home. Not yet."
John frowned. "What do you mean? We've been at that house for years. You expect us to just leave it behind?"
"I know it sounds extreme," Dave admitted, "but it's not safe. The people who took Emily and Sarah might come after you too. They know about our family. They might see you as leverage." He glanced at his parents, the seriousness in his expression leaving no room for argument. "Here, you'll be safe. My house has protections they can't break through."
Linda looked as though she wanted to argue, but the fear of losing her children kept her quiet. She simply nodded, her eyes filled with worry.
Dave opened the door and led them inside, where Emily and Sarah were resting in the bedrooms upstairs. "I've taken care of everything to ensure their safety. But there's more. Emily... she's different now."
"Different?" John asked, puzzled.
"She has powers now, just like me," Dave explained as he guided them through the house. "That's why she needs to stay here. She has to learn how to control them, and I'm going to help her. For her own sake and everyone else's, it's not safe for her to be out in the world without mastering them."
Linda gasped. "Emily... powers?" She still struggled to comprehend what Dave had said earlier, and this only added more confusion.
"Yes. But she's not ready yet," Dave said softly. "That's why I've arranged for her to train. I have something that can help her—a training pod designed to strengthen her abilities under guided instruction."
He led them to a hidden room in the house, where the sleek, high-tech pod awaited. It looked like something out of a futuristic movie—smooth and metallic, large enough for a person to fit comfortably inside. The pod hummed gently as it powered up, waiting for its next occupant.
Dave turned to Emily, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, her face pale and her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Emily," he said gently, "I know you're scared. But this is the best way to help you learn how to control your powers."
Emily nodded, though her lower lip trembled. She had been through so much already, and now this—discovering she had powers she didn't understand—was almost too much for her to handle. "What... what kind of powers do I even have, Dave?" she asked in a small, shaky voice.
Dave smiled reassuringly. "It's something special, Em. You have the power of healing—a rare and powerful ability."
"Healing?" Emily repeated, surprised.
"Yes. You can heal wounds and illnesses, even bring people back from the brink of death," Dave explained. "But there's more to it than just that. Your powers are connected to your emotions. If you don't learn how to control them, they could hurt you or others unintentionally."
Emily's eyes widened. "I... I don't want to hurt anyone."
"You won't," Dave said firmly. "That's why you're going into the pod. The AI inside will guide you through the training, help you understand your powers and how to use them safely."
Taking a deep breath, Emily glanced at the pod and then back at Dave. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll do it."
Dave smiled and gave her a reassuring nod. "You've got this, Em. You're stronger than you think."
Emily approached the pod, her heart racing, but determination settling in. As she stepped inside, the pod's door closed with a soft hiss, sealing her inside. Dave activated the system, and the AI's calm voice greeted Emily.
"Welcome, Emily," the AI said. "I will be guiding you through your training. Your healing abilities are unique and powerful. We will start with exercises to help you channel your energy and emotions. Please relax, and we'll begin."
From outside, Dave watched the pod light up, glowing softly as Emily's training began. He knew this was the first step for her—a journey she had to undertake alone—but he would always be there to support her.
His parents stood behind him, still shocked by everything they were witnessing, but they trusted Dave. They had to. He was their only hope in navigating this new and dangerous world.
As the pod hummed softly, Linda whispered, "Do you think she'll be okay?"
Dave glanced back at his parents, then turned his gaze to the pod. "She'll be okay," he said quietly. "We all will."