Billy's eyes opened slowly.
Air rushed into his lungs through an oxygen mask. The steady beep of
machines filled the room. His body felt heavy—too heavy.
A woman stood beside his bed, writing something on a tablet.
"Take it slow, okay, Billy," she said calmly without looking up. "We don't
want you getting a cramp in your neck."
Billy turned his head slightly, wincing.
"I'll call someone to take you to the boardroom," she continued. "Just take
your time. You're not the only one who woke up today."
She walked out of the room.
Billy lay there, staring at the ceiling.
He slowly looked around.
The bed.
The machines.
The oxygen pumping into his body.
This… this looks expensive.
He raised his hands—and froze.
They were bigger than before. Stronger. Older.
He pulled the oxygen mask off his face and touched his skin, his jaw, his
hair.
"What the fuck…" he muttered in a British accent.
A nurse rushed in, eyes wide.
"Oh—it's true. You're really awake," she said, smiling warmly.
"Welcome back, Billy. You've been in a coma for five years."
Billy's heart skipped.
"I believe you're eighteen now, right?" she continued. "If I'm not
mistaken."
His head spun.
"I know you have a lot of questions," she added gently, "but they'll be
answered in the boardroom. I can't answer any of them here."
She handed him a set of clothes.
"These are yours. I'll wait outside while you change."
Billy stared at the clothes for a moment, then looked up.
"What year is it?"
"2019," the nurse replied.
Billy looked back down at his hands.
His voice trembled.
"Did she make it?"
"…Lily, I mean."
Tears began forming in his eyes.
The nurse's smile faded.
"No," she said softly. "She was dead the moment you arrived here."
Billy's tears fell instantly.
Uncontrollable.
His chest tightened as he cried silently, shaking. The nurse quietly stepped
out of the room, giving him space.
A few minutes passed.
Billy's heart felt hollow as he finished changing and walked out.
The nurse looked him over and smiled gently.
"You look good," she said. "It suits you."
Billy managed a small, shy smile.
"Thanks… didn't think it would."
She chuckled.
"You kidding me? You're killing it."
Billy smiled faintly as she led him down the hall toward the elevator.
Elsewhere—
Ashley's eyes snapped open.
She sat up fast, breathing hard, as if waking from a nightmare.
She looked around.
A hospital room.
The same one Billy had been in.
The door opened, and the same woman stepped inside.
"Oh—you're up," she said quickly. "Good. Hurry up and get changed."
She tossed Ashley some clothes.
"I'll tell you everything you need to know in the boardroom," she added,
already turning to leave.
"I'll wait outside, okay? No rush—but don't make me wait."
The door closed.
Ashley sat there, confused, heart pounding.
Ashley stepped out of the room.
The woman was already standing beside the door, waiting.
"I have so many questions right now," Ashley said, her voice tight as she
was rushed forward toward something she didn't even understand yet.
"My name is Amy, okay?" the woman said calmly. "You're here because we saved
you from death's door. Most of your questions will be answered in the
boardroom."
She glanced at Ashley.
"You've been asleep for almost three years."
Ashley's eyes widened.
"The town," Ashley blurted out. "The people—what happened?"
They stepped into the elevator. Amy pressed the button for Floor 50.
"Is this a hospital or what?" Ashley asked, confused. "I'm really lost right
now."
Amy rolled her eyes slightly.
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped out onto Floor 50.
Amy walked ahead, and Ashley followed, worry written all over her face. Amy
pushed open a large set of doors.
Ashley froze.
Inside the room, she saw Billy sitting at the table.
Next to him was Jack.
All three of them locked eyes.
For a moment, no one spoke.
No one understood what was happening.
Amy gestured to an empty chair.
"Sit. Please."
Ashley scanned the room—the massive table, the four large screens mounted on
the wall. Everything felt too big, too serious.
She walked over and sat down next to Billy, across from Jack. Jack was
quietly spinning a pen between his fingers.
"Hey," Billy said, offering a small smile. "I'm Billy."
Ashley nodded.
"Hi. I'm Ashley. Nice to meet you."
She glanced toward Jack.
"Who's the other guy?"
Billy looked at Jack.
"Hey, mate," Billy said casually. "She wants to know who you are."
Jack lifted his head, meeting both of their gazes.
"I'm Jack," he said calmly. "Nice to meet you, Billy. Ashley."
He paused.
"And don't worry—I heard you say your names already."
The room fell silent again.
Waiting.
A woman walked into the room holding a thick book.
Ashley, Billy, and Jack all turned their attention to her as she stepped
forward and placed the book firmly on the table. She clapped her hands once.
Instantly, black sheets slid over the windows, sealing the room. The lights
brightened, and the screens on the wall flickered to life.
She looked at them calmly.
"Hi, everyone. I'm Nae," she said. "I'm a Mega Hero."
Jack studied her with a neutral expression.
"A Mega Hero, huh?" he said calmly. "Interesting."
Billy frowned slightly.
"Uh… what's a Mega Hero?" he asked, confused.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Billy instantly felt embarrassed.
"What?" he said, lifting his hands defensively. "Not all of us know
everything."
Nae smiled faintly.
"They're superheroes," she explained, "but once they reach a certain level,
they're called Mega Heroes. Now you get it?"
Billy nodded slowly.
Everyone turned their attention back to her.
"First question," Nae continued. "Why are you here?"
She tapped the book lightly.
"The answer is simple. You're here because we saved all of you from death's
door. And that," she added, "cost me a fortune."
She raised a finger.
"Second question: why you specifically?"
She looked at each of them.
"Because you risked your lives to save people."
Her gaze stopped on Jack.
"Jack—you and your friend nearly destroyed the world with your teleportation
junk," she said bluntly. "But even so… you're all special."
She raised a third finger.
"Third question: why are you special?"
She smiled.
"Your powers. We've never seen anything like them. Don't get me wrong—there
are people far more powerful than you out there. But you're different."
Ashley suddenly stood up.
"Wait a second," she said sharply, walking toward the door. "You still
haven't given me a reason why I shouldn't leave right now."
Nae didn't raise her voice.
"Because you feel like you don't belong, Ashley."
Ashley froze.
"Your parents abandoned you as a child," Nae continued gently. "You were
adopted again and again. And even then, you never fit in—because of your
abilities."
Ashley slowly turned back.
"That's the thing," Nae said softly. "I'm here to help all of you."
She took a step closer.
"You couldn't save your friend. But if you work with me, you can save many
others."
Ashley's fists tightened.
"I know what it feels like to be an outcast," Nae continued. "I don't want
you to go through the same thing. You still have a chance—to save people. To be
a hero."
Ashley slowly walked back and sat down.
Billy raised his hand awkwardly.
"Uh… I have a question," he said. "How are you planning on helping us if we
don't even understand our powers?"
Nae nodded approvingly.
"Good question."
She straightened.
"I want all of you to attend Mega High—a school for Mega
Humans like yourselves."
Billy blinked.
"A school?"
"I think you'll fit in perfectly," Nae said calmly. "I've already spoken to
the professors. They've agreed to take you in."
The room fell silent.
Heavy.
Full of possibilities.