"We should be safe here," said Gabriel, breathing heavily as he landed.
His wings buzzed rapidly before beginning to shrink. The glowing blue membranes collapsed inward like folding blades, vanishing into his back. His skin shifted, the faint glow of his veins fading, and the carapace-like texture receded. The transformation reversed itself smoothly—like a symbiote retreating back into its host—until, finally, Gabriel stood in his normal human form: sweaty, rattled, but otherwise intact.
"Woah, dude," said a guy on a nearby bench, eyes wide as he rubbed them furiously. He pointed at Gabriel.
"You were just… just a huge dragonfly thingy."
"Who, me?" Gabriel said, trying to play it cool.
"I think you're just seeing things. A human can't be a dragonfly, dude."
The man blinked hard and looked down at the drink in his hand.
"Man… I need to stay off the drugs and alcohol. I'm seeing things."
He shook his head slowly, got up from the bench, and muttered,
"I need my home... and I need my bed."
Then he wandered off, still mumbling.
"That was close," said Jai-Lee, standing by Gabriel, still catching her breath.
"I know," Gabriel replied.
"Turn back into that dragonfly thing! There's no one around."
"Jai, do you really think that's a wise thing to do? We don't even know the extent of what I can do. What if I hurt someone?" said Gabriel.
"Really, Gabriel? We're in the middle of a large park at night, and the only person I've seen around here was that crazy drunk man—and as you can see, he's gone now. So just do it, please…"
She rested her face on his shoulder, pleading for him to transform.
"Okay, I'll do it," Gabriel said, closing his eyes and trying to focus.
But nothing happened.
"What's wrong?" Jai-Lee asked.
"I don't know. I'm trying, but… I can't. I don't know why," Gabriel muttered, confused and frustrated.
"That's strange," Jai-Lee whispered.
Then Gabriel's phone began to ring.
He looked down at the screen—six missed calls. His heart pounded.
"It's my mom," he said, showing the screen to Jai-Lee.
"Answer it, then."
He picked up.
"Mom, I know, I'm sorry—I lost track of time."
"Get an Uber right now, mister, and meet us at the restaurant," Nicole snapped.
"So you're not going to wait for me, Mom?"
"No, Gabriel. I've waited long enough. If I wait for you any longer, I'll be late," she replied firmly.
"Alright, Mom… I'm on my way."
Gabriel looked over at Jai-Lee.
"I've gotta go. We'll catch up at school tomorrow."
"See you there," Jai-Lee said with a nod.
As Gabriel arrived at the dinner, fashionably late, his mother greeted him with open arms, hugging and kissing him.
"Better late than never," said Daniel.
"Really, bro? We're doing this again?" Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"What?" Daniel laughed.
"Gabriel, over here!" Robert called, signaling his son over. "This is my oldest son, Gabriel," he said to his colleagues.
"He's the spitting image of your wife," one of the scientists remarked.
"Looks like your father," another added.
"Now that I think about it—I do see your father in him," a third said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, regardless of who you look like," one said, and they all laughed.
Suddenly, Robert's phone rang. He reached into his pocket. It was the local police department. His heart sank.
No... he wouldn't... would he? If he sold me out, that would implicate him.
Robert snapped out of his daze and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Is this Robert James?"
"Speaking."
"This is Jesse from Chaseville Police Department. There's been a break-in at your lab—"
Before Jesse could finish, Robert ended the call and bolted from the restaurant.
"Is everything okay?" Nicole asked, but he didn't respond. He ran past her, jumped into his car, and drove like a man possessed—blowing through red lights and weaving through traffic.
When he arrived, the police were already on the scene. The building was a wreck.
"What happened here?" Robert demanded.
"You must be Robert James, I take it," said Jesse. "I was the officer you spoke to on the phone. I was hoping you might know who would do something like this."
Robert hesitated. Every bone in his body wanted to say Derrick's name—but he knew the consequences.
"I don't have a clue, officer. I'm a family man, a pillar of the community. I just focus on my work and my family. No one would have a reason to do this. Can I go inside?"
"Sorry, it's an active crime scene," Jesse said. "No entry."
"I just need to see if my dragonfly is still there. Please."
"Hold on," Jesse said, grabbing his radio.
"Did anyone find a dragonfly in the—?"
"Positive," Officer Kieran replied. "It's safe in its case."
"Got it," Jesse said, turning to Robert. "It's safe. One of my officers will bring it to you."
Robert exhaled with relief.
"Thank you."
"It's best you head home," Jesse added. "But here—take my card. If you remember anything, give me a call."
"I will," Robert said, pocketing the card.
****
"What the hell happened in there?" Derrick asked.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," the op leader muttered.
"Try me."
"There was this... dragonfly guy—boy—I don't even know. Fast. Lightning fast. Knocked us all out. Then we heard sirens and had to bail. We just about made it out."
"Hmph."
"Told you you wouldn't believe us."
"If I didn't see it myself, I wouldn't. But I did. I saw that thing fly out… with some Chinese girl. So today's your lucky day. Let's go."
The following morning…
"Gabriel! Come on! You're gonna be late for school!" Nicole yelled.
"I'm coming, Mom!"
As Gabriel walked toward his bedroom door, he caught a glimpse of himself in the wardrobe mirror.
"ARGHHHH!" he screamed.
Robert rushed down the corridor. "What's wrong?"
Gabriel gripped the door handle, holding it shut.
"Gabe? Are you okay? Let me in!"
"I'm fine!"
"Open the door."
"No, Dad! I'm not decent!"
"Boy, we're both men here. Nothing I haven't seen before."
Robert tried to force the door open—but it didn't budge.
"When did you get so strong? You been lifting?"
"Nah, just the James genes, I guess," Gabriel said, playing into his dad's ego.
It worked.
"Alright then, I'll see you downstairs."
Gabriel immediately FaceTimed Jai-Lee.
"Gabe, I'm not even ready. I'll just meet you at the gates."
"Jai. Look at me."
Jai-Lee stared at the screen. Gabriel was transformed.
"WHAT?! You figured it out?!"
"No, Jai! I stretched, and suddenly I looked like this! Do you know how close my family was to seeing me like this?"
"Maybe they should. Maybe your dad could help."
"Jai… Rule number one in any superhero story—never tell your family. It puts them in danger. People already tried to kill us."
"You're right. My bad."
Gabriel took a deep breath.
"Now I gotta fix this. I can't go out like this."
"Gabe… the world's not ready for a giant human bug."
"Gabe…" she said again.
"WHAT?!"
"You've changed back."
Gabriel checked the mirror.
"Oh, thank God."
"But we need to figure this out," Jai-Lee said. "You need to get control of this thing."
"I second that," Gabriel replied. "I'll see you at school. My dad's calling."
At breakfast, Robert's phone rang.
"I need you to come down and sign some papers," the builder said.
"Right now?"
"The sooner the better."
"Alright. I'm coming."
Robert stood and looked at Daniel.
"You—you're coming with me."
"Dad, do I have to?"
"You think I'm stupid? Leave you here to play video games? Get your coat. Now," Robert snapped.
"Fine…" Daniel grumbled.
"Can I get a lift to school?" Gabriel asked.
"Not today, son. Your school's in the opposite direction to the lab. And Gabriel, how could you let your brother get suspended?"
"Me?!" Gabriel shouted, nearly choking on his breakfast.
"Lower your tone, Gabriel."
"I'm sorry, but seriously? You're blaming me for a whole human being's actions? Like—really?"
"He's your younger brother, Gabriel. You should be watching out for him, guiding him through high school."
"Dad… he's not a baby. School's a maze. It's hard enough finding your own way, let alone someone else's. But I'll look out for him."
"Thank you, Gabriel. That's all I ask."
"I don't need a babysitter," Daniel muttered.
"You clearly do. Fighting, skipping class, and now suspended? You're clearly hanging out with a bad crowd. So when you go back to school, your brother will be watching you. No ifs, no buts, no maybes."
"Hanging with bad people... that's rich coming from you," Daniel mumbled under his breath.
"What did you say?" Robert asked.
"I said… Gabriel got in a fight and no one batted an eyelid. But of course… he's the golden child. How could I forget?"
Robert turned to Gabriel, who stared at Daniel with daggers.
Daniel shut his mouth, left the house, and waited by the car.
"See you later, son," Robert said.
"Bye, Dad," Gabriel replied, grabbing his bag and heading out for school.