The answer touched me, but something inside me still felt incomplete, like a piece of a puzzle I couldn't find.
My grandmother returned with a steaming bowl of soup, the comforting aroma filling the room.
— Here you go, my dear. Eat it all, it'll do you good.
I took the bowl, incredibly grateful.
— Thank you, Grandma. — I sat on the sofa, savoring each spoonful of the soup.
She sat next to me, her gaze affectionate but concerned.
After a few minutes of silence, I lifted my gaze, hesitant.
— Grandma, Grandpa... what if... — I paused, searching for the right words. — What if someone had... I don't know, superpowers? What do you think that person should do?
The spoon in my grandmother's hand froze mid-air, her eyes widening for a moment. She exchanged a quick glance with Grandpa before trying to hide her nervousness.
— Superpowers? — she repeated, forcing a smile. — Where did that idea come from?
— It's just a hypothetical, Grandma. Like... if someone could do amazing things, like helping others. What should they do?
My grandmother set the bowl down on the table, her expression now serious.
— Zephyr, if someone had superpowers, I think the best thing to do would be... forget they had them.
— Forget? — I frowned, confused.
— Yes. Superpowers can bring a lot of problems, Zephyr. It's not anyone's responsibility to save the world. What if that person tries to help someone and ends up making everything worse?
I hesitated but pressed on.
— What if someone important was in danger? Like... a friend, or... you two?
Grandma crossed her arms, the nervousness now obvious.
— That doesn't matter, Zephyr. Even if it was me, your grandfather, or Evander, that person shouldn't act like a hero. That kind of thing is for those who choose that life, like police officers or firefighters. You never wanted that.
Grandpa nodded slowly, supporting Grandma.
— You always dreamed of being an actor, Zephyr. Inspire people, send important messages. That's what matters. Don't let ideas like these distract you from what you really want.
I felt a lump in my throat. I knew my grandparents were trying to protect me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this conversation than they were letting on.
I stood up from the sofa, the bowl of soup still in my hand, trying to act calm as I changed the subject.
— I'll take this to the kitchen. Be right back.
Grandma nodded, but her eyes stayed on me for a moment, as if searching for a clue on my face. Grandpa's gaze followed, but he remained silent.
In the kitchen, I rested my hands on the sink, looking out at the garden. The plants were still wet from the rain, and some leaves gently swayed with the wind. The question about superpowers echoed in my mind, along with Grandma's reaction. She was clearly nervous, but why? It was just a hypothetical... or maybe not?
I took a deep breath, trying to push the thoughts away. I finished washing the bowl and went back to the living room. My grandparents were now speaking in low voices, but stopped immediately when they saw me enter.
— I need to go out for a bit, — I announced, trying to sound casual.
Grandma frowned, standing up immediately.
— Go out? You just got here, Zephyr. You're tired and still feel warm. You can't just leave again.
— I won't be long, Grandma. I just need... to clear my head for a bit.
— Zephyr... — Grandpa started, but his voice was cut off by Grandma's, now firm.
— No. You'll stay here. We've worried enough for one day. If you need to clear your head, do it here.
I sighed, knowing insisting would be useless.
— Alright, alright. I'll stay.
Grandma crossed her arms, clearly satisfied.
— Good. Go rest in your room, then.
I nodded and went upstairs to my room, closing the door behind me. I sat on the bed, feeling the exhaustion finally catch up with me. But even then, my mind wouldn't stop racing. The questions, the fears, what happened in the alley... everything spun around like a whirlwind inside me.
I looked at my hands as if expecting to see something different in them. Was what happened real? Was it something I could control? The idea of ignoring it, like Grandma suggested, seemed impossible.
But at the same time, how could someone like me carry something so big?
I fell back on the bed, covering my eyes with my arm, trying to silence my thoughts for a few moments. The wind outside began to blow again, and I felt that same energy from before, like a dormant force waiting to be awakened.
Suddenly, a sound at the window brought me back. I opened my eyes and got up slowly to look. Outside, there was nothing—just the wind. I went back to bed and eventually drifted off to sleep.