*Title: The Hidden Hand*
---
*Chapter 1: The Beginning of a New Life*
*Breaking Bad - Episode 1: "Pilot"*
---
*Albuquerque, New Mexico.*
Ethan Carter, a man in his mid-20s, sat on a bus, staring out of the window as the dusty New Mexico landscape passed by. He had no memory of the life he lived before, just flashes—glimpses of things that no longer made sense. But one thing was certain: he was reborn into a world that felt all too familiar. He knew what was going to happen here. He knew the people. He knew the events. This world, this twisted version of reality, was the world of *Breaking Bad*.
He wasn't like the others, though. He had something that no one else had: the power of mind control. He could influence people, make them think or act however he wanted, but he kept it hidden. This power, as extraordinary as it was, wasn't something he planned to flaunt. No one should ever know about it. After all, in a world like this, power was dangerous, and exposure meant vulnerability.
The bus rolled to a stop, and Ethan grabbed his bag, stepping off into the city of Albuquerque. It was a Tuesday, and he had no particular destination—he was just here to survive, to blend in. He had learned that this world operated on its own set of rules, rules that were harsh and unforgiving.
He found himself walking the streets of a city that was about to be gripped by chaos, though he didn't yet realize just how deeply he would be entangled in the web of crime, corruption, and destruction.
Ethan wasn't here by choice. Fate had cast him into this world, and now it was up to him to navigate it.
As he walked down the street, the faint sound of a muffled argument reached his ears. He glanced over, and saw two men arguing outside a convenience store. One of them, a scruffy-looking man, looked as though he might be on the edge of violence.
Ethan smiled to himself. He could easily influence the situation. A simple command, and the fight would stop. But he didn't want to draw attention. He wasn't here to meddle with petty conflicts.
Instead, he kept walking. He had learned to observe from the shadows, to let events unfold naturally, knowing full well how they would play out. After all, *Breaking Bad* wasn't just a show—it was a story he knew all too well.
---
*The First Encounter: Walter White*
Later that afternoon, Ethan found himself standing in the parking lot of an industrial complex, where he was supposed to meet someone—a contact who had promised him a job. He wasn't entirely sure who it was, but in a world like this, opportunities didn't come often. And when they did, you took them.
As Ethan waited, he saw a familiar figure approach: a man in his mid-40s, dressed in a crisp shirt and slacks. He was balding, with glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. Ethan immediately recognized him.
*Walter White.*
This was the moment—the first intersection between his life and the fate of this world. Walter was about to be dragged into a world of drugs and crime, and Ethan knew it. But this was where the story could take a different turn, if he played his cards right.
Walter walked up to him and extended his hand. "You must be Ethan. Good to meet you. Let's talk about business."
Ethan shook his hand, keeping his expression neutral. "Good to meet you too, Mr. White. What's the job?"
Walter smiled slightly, looking around the parking lot as if to make sure they weren't being watched. "I've got a deal for you. You're a smart guy, right? You know how to take care of things."
Ethan could feel the tension in the air. This wasn't just any job offer. He could sense that Walter was on the edge of something far bigger than he knew. The drugs, the meth—it was all about to spiral out of control. But Ethan also knew that he had the ability to keep himself hidden, to influence people from the shadows.
"I'm in," Ethan said, smiling inwardly. "Tell me what you need."
---
*Back at the Lab – A Dangerous Partnership*
That evening, Ethan was brought to a dimly lit lab, tucked away in a warehouse. Inside, he found Walter, along with Jesse Pinkman, who was pacing back and forth nervously. The air was thick with tension as Walter introduced him to Jesse.
"This is Ethan Carter," Walter said, "He's going to help us with the business side of things. He's sharp, knows how to deal with people, and he's discreet."
Jesse eyed Ethan warily. "Yeah, sure. Whatever. As long as he doesn't screw us over."
Ethan offered a reassuring smile, but he knew Jesse wouldn't trust him immediately. It was going to take time. But time was something Ethan had on his side. He was playing the long game.
"Don't worry, Jesse. I'm here to help," Ethan said smoothly, using his calm, controlled voice. *Maybe I'll ease into this—no need to rush into anything.*
As the night wore on, Ethan could sense the crackling energy in the room. This was it—the moment when the drug trade began in earnest. Walter White was stepping deeper into the world of meth, and Ethan was already starting to make his move behind the scenes.
He knew that Walter's transformation into *Heisenberg* was inevitable. And if things played out as they were supposed to, Ethan would have a front-row seat to the chaos that was about to unfold.
But Ethan had his own plans. He wasn't just here to watch. No, he would use his influence to shape the outcome, to keep things in his control.
---
*The First Test*
The next day, Ethan found himself in a meeting with a potential client. The job was simple—representing someone in a legal dispute over a property. But as Ethan sat across the table, he felt the distinct pressure of the situation. This wasn't just about winning cases. This was about making his presence known, gaining influence.
His client, an older businessman with an arrogant smile, was talking about how he would easily win the case. But Ethan could tell the man was lying. He was hiding something. The moment he opened his mouth to continue talking, Ethan's mind shifted. *Tell me the truth,* Ethan thought, without saying a word.
The businessman stopped, blinking as if he were momentarily lost. "Actually… now that I think about it, I might have made some questionable decisions with this property."
Ethan's smirk barely moved his lips. He had done it—he had made him reveal his weaknesses, all without saying a word. It was subtle. It was easy. But it was effective. This was the kind of power that Ethan wielded—control without notice. Control without question.
He wasn't here to be noticed, but he would certainly leave his mark.
---
*End of Chapter 1*