Seventeen years had flown by like a flock of fireflies, leaving behind a trail of shimmering memories.
Aiden, now on the precipice of adulthood, stood in his room, the familiar scent of home clinging to his clothes as he packed for college
A charmingly unassuming, nature-loving free spirit with a bottomless stomach and a heart full of wanderlust. His hair, the color of sun-kissed wheat, fell in a tousled mess that hinted at his carefree spirit. His eyes, a warm hazel flecked with gold
He wasn't built for speed or strength, but for long walks through sun-dappled forests and lazy afternoons spent reading under ancient oaks. His laughter, when it came, was like the tinkling of wind chimes, infectious and genuine.
He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, academically speaking. Tests and lectures often went over his head. But where book smarts lacked, Aiden possessed an abundance of street smarts and a natural ability to connect with people
Lily bounced on her seat.
She sat beside him, her fingers twirling a strand of his hair in a familiar gesture.
Lily zipped up his duffel bag with a mischievous grin. "Nervous, little bro?" she teased
Aiden chuckled. Lily, despite the five-year age gap, had always been his confidante and his partner in mischief
"Little bro? I'm literally a senior citizen at this point."
David, his hair now graced with silver streaks, peered over from the doorway. "Tell that to the cereal boxes you demolish in the morning."
Maya added. "Just make sure you eat something besides cereal. College dorms aren't exactly known for their gourmet cuisine."
Aiden rolled his eyes playfully. "Yes mom. I won't starve, I promise."
He glanced at Leo, sprawled on the couch, his face illuminated by the blue glow of his laptop screen. Their relationship was a puzzle with missing pieces, a constant undercurrent of distance that Aiden couldn't quite bridge.
Aiden glanced at his overflowing backpack, a mix of textbooks and childhood mementos, then back at his family, their faces filled with love and a touch of sadness. He knew their lives were about to change, but for now, all he had was the present, the warmth of their embrace, and the promise of a new adventure.
As he hugged Maya goodbye, a familiar tingling sensation danced on his fingertips.
"You'll be fine, son," David said,
"College is an adventure. Make the most of it, learn everything you can."
Aiden nodded
"I will," he promised, his voice firm despite the tremor in his heart.
"But I'll miss you all."
"Leo," Aiden started, his voice hesitant, "will you come visit sometimes?"
Leo looked up. "Maybe," he mumbled, returning his attention to the screen.
Maya, sensing the tension, intervened.
"Leo," she said gently, "your brother is leaving for a new chapter in his life. Put the laptop away, have a conversation."
Leo complied reluctantly, he offered a distant fist bump, a rare gesture of connection that spoke volumes.
"Remember, Aiden," Maya said "no matter what happens, you're never alone. We're always here for you, just a phone call away."
Aiden nodded "I know, And I promise to call, even if it's just to complain about the cafeteria food."
But as the clock ticked closer to Aiden's departure, the silence between them grew heavier
With a final wave, he climbed into the driver's seat.
He glanced back at his family, their faces a constellation of love in the rearview mirror. As he pulled away, their figures grew smaller, yet the warmth of their presence lingered in his heart.
He wasn't sure what awaited him at college, but he carried the love of his family, the weight of unspoken secrets, and the spark of curiosity within him. He was ready to face the world, one step, one adventure at a time
As Aiden's car disappeared around the bend, the living room air grew thick with unspoken truths
"We can't wait any longer, Maya," David said. "Aiden needs to know."
Maya nodded. "I know, David. But how do we tell him? He's barely adjusted to college, and the idea of another dimension, a hidden legacy, powers...it's a lot to process, even for us."
Leo scoffs "let's be honest, magic powers and another dimension aren't exactly the most believable bedtime stories."
"But they're not stories, Leo," David said, his voice firm.
"They're real. And Aiden needs to know."
"Leo, please, it's not a fantasy. It's real. And it's dangerous." Maya responded
"Dangerous? You mean more dangerous than the imaginary monsters under my bed when I was eight?" Leo shifted his eyes back to his laptop.
Maya reached out to him, but he swatted her hand away. "Don't touch me. This is insane. I refuse to join in your delusions."
David's face hardened. "Delusions?"
"And Aiden is what?" Leo cut him off, his voice rising.
"Some kind of sorcerer? Do you expect me to believe he can shoot fireballs from his hands?"
"We're talking parallel universes, magic wands, and talking squirrels here, right?"
"Leo-" Maya tried to explain, but the young man cut him off.
"Save it" Leo said, his voice dripping with frustration.
"I'm not buying this whole interdimensional mumbo jumbo."
"He's not my brother," Leo declared,
"He never was. He's some stranger, some… some imposter you brought in"
"Leo for goodness sake," Lily pleaded, her hand outstretched. "We understand you're upset-"
"Upset?" Leo roared, cutting her off. "Upset? The brother I literally grew up with, confided in, fought with, is some... some interdimensional impostor?"
"Aiden is our brother, part of our family, whether you choose to accept it or not." Lily responded
Leo stopped pacing "He may be part of your 'family,' this fabricated fantasy you've woven, but he'll never be mine. He's a stranger, an outsider, and I won't be forced to accept him as anything else."
Leo was done. He shook his head, his expression hardening into a mask of defiance.
He went back to his room
David, his face pale and drawn, stood frozen in shock, his mind replaying Leo's harsh accusations.
Lily paced the room, worry etching lines on her forehead.
"How could he...?" Maya choked out,
David nodded, his hand reaching for Maya's.
"But can we blame him? He's always been the grounded one, the one who needs proof before he believes. We've thrown this extraordinary truth at him without any evidence, any way for him to make sense of it."
"There's something else we need to consider," David said, his voice heavy with worry. "Aiden."
Maya's head snapped up
Lily cut through. "His abilities,"
"Have they...awakened?"
A hush fell over the room, the weight of the question pressing down on them.
Aiden, oblivious to the storm brewing within his own family, was out there. But the truth he sought held more than just his heritage; it held the dormant potential of power, a power that could change his life and theirs forever.
"No," David said, his voice shaking slightly.
"Not yet. At least, not that we know of."
A wave of relief washed over Maya. Aiden, without the knowledge or control of his abilities, was vulnerable.
"But what if they do awaken?" Lily asked,
"What if he's already in danger?"
David sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We can't predict"
Their conversation continued. They knew they were playing with fire, but they were driven by love and the desperate hope of keeping their family whole.
Aiden gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white against the worn leather. The road stretched before him
His phone buzzed. It was Max, his best friend from high school. Aiden hesitated, then answered
"Hey, man," Max greeted, "Settled in at the dorm already?"
Aiden chuckled, the sound hollow. "Still stuck in traffic. Apparently, everyone else in the state decided to move in today."
Max laughed, the sound light and carefree.
"Classic college chaos. But hey, at least you'll have plenty of stories to tell your future roommates."
Aiden winced. Roommates. Sharing a tiny space with complete strangers? It suddenly felt less like an exciting adventure and more like a potential disaster zone.
"Did you find that hidden coffee shop you were talking about?"
Aiden's smile faltered. The hidden coffee shop, their latest adventure, felt like a distant memory now.
"Nah, forgot actually. Got sidetracked."
"By what? Cute college chicks throwing themselves at your feet?" Max teased.
Aiden chuckled
Suddenly, a discordant screech pierced the air, shattering the peaceful scene. A large truck, its brake lights glaring a desperate red, careened towards him, the driver's frantic honking swallowed by the roar of its engine.
Aiden slammed on his brakes, his tires squealing in protest, but the truck was a runaway missile on a collision course. The world dissolved into a blur of panicked yelps, twisted metal, and shattering glass.
Aiden's body, lay unconscious amidst the wreckage. Sirens, wailing in the distance, were his only companions.