The roar of the crowd echoed across the stadium as Elias Dane sprinted down the field, the football tucked securely under his arm. His cleats pounded against the turf, muscles taut with focus. The opposing team's defense closed in, but Elias was quick. With a sharp pivot and a burst of speed, he dodged the tackle and launched himself toward the end zone.
Touchdown.
The stadium erupted with cheers. His teammates swarmed him, clapping him on the back and shouting in triumph. But Elias barely heard them. The rush of victory pumped through his veins, eclipsing everything else.
From the stands, Silas Dane watched, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. Football had never been his world, but it was Elias's entire universe. While Silas spent his youth buried in lab experiments and ancient plant research, his son had found joy in the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the game.
Silas couldn't help but admire that.
As the team regrouped on the sidelines, Elias caught sight of his father and lifted a hand in a quick wave. Silas waved back, his chest tightening with pride.
But that pride was laced with guilt.
Elias had never shown interest in the lab or in Potenus. Silas had kept it that way on purpose, shielding his son from the dangers and mysteries that had defined his own life. But lately, the plant's behavior had become unpredictable, and Silas couldn't ignore the possibility that its influence might somehow reach Elias, even outside the lab.
After the game ended, Elias jogged over, his face flushed with sweat and exhilaration.
"Hey, Dad," he said, grinning. "Did you see that run?"
Silas nodded. "Couldn't miss it. You're fast—too fast for those guys."
Elias laughed. "Yeah, they didn't stand a chance."
As they walked toward the parking lot, the fading cheers of the crowd behind them, Silas felt a familiar weight settle on his shoulders. He wanted to keep this moment simple, but the unease gnawing at him wouldn't let go.
"Elias," Silas said carefully, "I need to talk to you about something. It's...important."
Elias arched an eyebrow. "Is this about the lab again? Because, you know, I'm really not cut out for that stuff."
"I know," Silas admitted. "But it's not about getting you into research. It's about—"
Before he could finish, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Silas frowned and pulled it out. A message flashed across the screen:
Emergency Protocol Activated: Potenus Containment Breach
Silas's heart stopped.
"Dad?" Elias's voice was edged with concern.
Silas forced himself to stay calm. "It's nothing. Just...work stuff."
Elias studied him, his expression skeptical. "You sure? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Silas swallowed hard. "Yeah. Look, I'll meet you at home, okay? I just need to take care of something at the lab."
Elias hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But be careful, okay?"
"I will," Silas promised.
As Elias walked off toward his car, Silas's mind raced. Potenus had never breached containment before—not like this. Whatever was happening, it was escalating faster than he had anticipated.
And if he didn't stop it, there was a chance it would spill over into Elias's world.
Silas clenched his jaw and got into his car, the engine roaring to life. He sped toward the lab, knowing that tonight would be a turning point.
Potenus was no longer content to be contained.
And neither was the past Silas had tried so hard to bury.