{{Eric's House – Morning}}
The sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting warm streaks of light onto the wooden floor. The usual blaring of his alarm clock wasn't what woke Eric up. it was something else. A strange feeling.
For the first time in years, he woke up early.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes, his mind still groggy. It felt… odd. There was no rush to get ready, no last-minute scramble to throw on his uniform and sprint to the bus stop. He had time.
As he descended the stairs, the scent of fried eggs and toast filled the air. His mother, Maria, stood by the stove, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. When she turned and saw him, her eyes widened in surprise.
"You're up early," she said with a small smile.
Eric shrugged and sat at the table. "Yeah, just woke up."
Maria set down a plate in front of him and sat across the table, gazing at him with a mix of warmth and sadness. "You know… this reminds me of the times when it was the three of us, me, you, and your dad, having breakfast together."
Eric felt a lump in his throat. He knew his mother missed his father terribly. Every meal without him must have felt incomplete.
He forced a smile. "Don't be sad, Mom."
Maria sighed and shook her head. "I just worry about you, Eric." She hesitated, then asked, "Are you sure you don't have any powers?"
Eric's grip on his fork tightened. He had been asked this question before, and every time, the answer remained the same.
"No, Mom. I'm not like Dad. I don't have powers."
Maria let out a small breath of relief. "Good… That means you won't be in danger."
Eric bit his lip, holding back the words he wanted to say.
The bullies at school, the constant humiliation, he had no powers, yet he still suffered. But he didn't want to burden his mother with his problems. She already had enough to worry about.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"I'll get it," Eric said, standing up.
As he opened the door, Lily stood there, arms crossed, giving him a suspicious look.
"You're up early," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Did the world just end, or am I dreaming?"
Eric chuckled. "I just felt good today, I guess."
Lily studied him for a moment. "Well, whatever it is, it's weird."
Eric let her in, and as she stepped inside, she gave him another glance. "You seem… energetic."
He frowned. Now that she mentioned it, he did feel oddly weightless, like his body was moving with less effort than usual.
"Maybe I just slept well," he said, brushing it off.
Lily shrugged. "Lucky you. Anyway, let's go before you're late again."
Eric turned to his mother. "See you later, Mom."
Maria smiled. "Take care, sweetheart."
{{School Bus – Morning}}
Eric and Lily boarded the bus, and as usual, the bullies were waiting.
Dwayne smirked the moment he saw Eric. "Look who it is, the loser who actually woke up on time."
His friends laughed, and as Eric walked past them, a wad of paper smacked against the back of his head.
He clenched his fists but kept walking. Fighting back would only make things worse.
Lily, however, glared at Dwayne. "Can't you guys just leave him alone?"
Dwayne leaned back with a smug grin. "What are you gonna do about it, princess?"
Lily fumed, but Eric tugged her sleeve. "Let it go," he whispered.
Reluctantly, she did. They took their seats, and as the bus rumbled toward school, Eric stared out the window, lost in thought.
{{School – P.E. Class}}
The students lined up on the track field, preparing for their jogging exercise. Eric already knew how this would go. He'd start off okay, then after a few laps, he'd be gasping for breath while the bullies laughed at him.
But as they started running, something felt off.
His breathing remained steady. His legs didn't ache. He felt… light. Faster. Stronger.
The other students were beginning to slow down, but Eric? He kept going.
Dwayne, who had been running ahead, turned and frowned. "Huh?"
Eric was still running, and not just running. He was gaining speed.
Then it happened.
A faint blue spark flickered around his feet.
Eric's eyes widened in shock, and he immediately slowed down, pretending to be out of breath.
No one else seemed to notice. Not even Lily.
But deep down, something told him he wasn't.
{{Downtown – Evening}}
After school, Eric told Lily he wanted to stop by the comic store.
"Alright," she said. "See you tomorrow."
As they parted ways, Eric walked through the streets, lost in thought.
Heroes existed in this world, beings with incredible strength, speed, and abilities beyond normal humans.
As he walked, a caped hero soared overhead, flying gracefully above the city skyline.
He was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn't notice the crosswalk light turning red.
A loud honk. Screeching tires.
Then.
Pain.
A car slammed into him.
The world spun. Everything became a blur.
Eric's body hit the pavement. The car sped away. Someone screamed. A crowd gathered.
His vision darkened. His ears rang. The last thing he heard was someone calling for an ambulance.
Then.
Silence.
{{Hospital – Emergency Room}}
Eric's body was rushed into the emergency room. The paramedics shouted for assistance.
Outside the room, Maria arrived, panic written across her face.
"Eric!" she cried, trying to push past the nurses, but they held her back.
She collapsed against the door, tears streaming down her face.
"Please… don't take my son away from me…"
{{Unknown Realm}}
A blinding white light.
Eric stood in an endless, glowing space. He felt weightless, like he was floating.
Then, a figure emerged, a dark hooded silhouette.
Eric swallowed hard. "W-Where am I?"
The figure stepped closer. "You are at the crossroads of life and death."
Eric's heart pounded. "Am I… dead?"
The hooded figure shook his head. "Not yet. But you were meant to die."
Eric's breath hitched. "What?"
The figure lifted a hand. "I have chosen you. You will not die today. Instead… you will awaken."
A surge of energy rushed through Eric's body.
"You will gain the power to protect those you love."
Eric's eyes widened as blue energy began swirling around him.
The figure's voice became a whisper. "And know this, your father… is alive."
Eric froze.
"No… That's impossible. H–he sacrificed himself!"
"He is trapped. In a place of darkness. Waiting for someone strong enough to save him."
Eric's hands clenched. His father was alive?
He had to know more, but before he could ask, the world around him shattered.
{{Hospital – Night}}
The sound of a flatline pierced the air.
Maria gasped. "No… NO!"
Then.
Beep.
Beep.
The heartbeat monitor came back to life.
Eric's eyes snapped open. He was drenched in sweat, his heart pounding.
Maria sobbed in relief. "Eric… You're awake…"
Eric looked at his trembling hands. The words of the hooded figure echoed in his mind.
"Your father is alive."
He couldn't tell anyone. Not his mother. Not Lily.
For now, this secret was his burden alone.