Johnson home/City outskirts (KFC)
Mary brought out her Samsung Universe Seven device and tapped a few commands. "Done. I just transferred $10,000 to your account—that's for you guys."
Johnson walked up and pecked her on the cheek. "Thanks, Aunty, but I wanted to ask…"
Rose, reading his thoughts effortlessly, smirked. "Do you want me to go inside the city or the outskirts?"
Angela, surprised, blinked at them. "What just happened?"
Johnson glared at Rose. "Hey! Stop reading my mind!"
Rose laughed. "What? It's not like you have any bad thoughts about going out."
Johnson turned to Mary, exasperated. "Aunty, tell her to stop reading my mind!"
Mary sighed. "Rose, stop bullying your brother. Stop reading people's minds—I told you it's rude. Johnson, you can buy inside the city, but avoid going outside the gates. I can't guarantee your safety if you do."
Jerry added casually, "Don't worry. If any xenomorphs outside try to attack you, I'll tell them to stop and rescue you in a second."
Johnson slipped on his headphones and put his phone in his pocket. "Very funny, but I'm already faster than you. You'll be too slow." He headed out.
Angela called after him. "Take care, John."
Johnson nodded. "I will." He adjusted his hoodie and headphones and stepped into the city streets.
Mary, still worried, muttered, "Will he be okay?"
Jerry glanced at her. "I'm more worried about the people he's going to meet."
Rose, holding the remote, plopped on the couch. "We can't just sit here worrying about Johnson. He's a big boy; he'll take care of himself."
Jerry nodded. "He will, but I'm still concerned for those he meets."
Mary took the remote and switched on the news. Rose whined. "Nah, not fair!"
The newscaster's voice rang out. "NASA has decided to allot an acre of land on Mars to Elon Musk for $3.5 million per month, as the cost of living there rises daily. Breaking news! A subway train inside the dome in Voyage City, Oklahoma, has requested a state of emergency. Its energy engine has exploded, leaving passengers panicked. Rescue will not arrive on time, as the Hero Association is still abroad following the Cave Incident."
The broadcast showed the subway teetering on the cliffside. "Passengers should remain calm. Help is on the way, but it will be delayed. Let's hand over to Peter Hart, who reports from the scene."
---
Johnson navigated the city streets toward KFC, the familiar aroma of fried food pulling him in.
"Your order, young man?" the waiter asked.
"Umm… I'd like six packs of pizza, six fries, six burgers, three wings, and some juice," Johnson said.
"Alright. It'll take about fifteen minutes to prepare."
Johnson nodded. "Yeah, I'll wait." He put on his headphones, and suddenly, his skin glowed green.
A first customer stared, uneasy. "Are you okay, kid?"
Johnson frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Your skin… it's green! Are you a xenomorph?" a second customer asked.
"I thought xenomorphs were outside the dome," a third chimed in.
Johnson's eyes glowed as he realized the attention. In an instant, he vanished from the store.
"Huh? Where did he go?" the second customer whispered.
"I don't know," the first said, shaking his head.
On an empty street, Johnson examined himself. His skin tingled, hair standing on end. "What the hell is happening to me?" he muttered, scratching his skin futilely.
"Jake, check my status. What's happening?"
Checking status… Jake's mechanical voice responded. "User has upgraded skill: Danger Sense. You can now detect danger within a thirty-mile radius."
"Is there any danger nearby?" Johnson asked urgently.
Calculating… calculations complete. "Yes, Master. A train outside the city is about to fall off a cliff."
Johnson grimaced. "I don't need to be here any longer."
Train Cliffside
The camera zoomed across the rail tracks on the cliff outside the city. The train rocked violently, its energy source malfunctioning. Reporter Mike hovered above in a helicopter, broadcasting live.
"I'm on the scene of the impending accident," Mike said. "The train is about to fall. Passengers are panicking."
Inside, the driver gripped the controls tightly. "Please remain calm. Help is on the way."
"Calm?!" shouted the first passenger. "You can't even guarantee our safety!"
"Stop the train!" cried another. "We're going to be thrown off the tracks!"
"I can't! It's too fast!" the driver yelled, pressing every device available.
A passenger pointed. "Look! The train is headed straight for that rock!"
Inside the train, chaos erupted. Children screamed, adults panicked, and some tried to break the reinforced windows.
Mary's voice, from a broadcast, pierced the commotion. "Where are the heroes when we need them? This world needs a symbol of justice. Without one, injustice runs free…"
The cameraman slapped her hand. "Don't say what you feel on camera! Look—lightning is striking the train!"
Meanwhile, Johnson ran through the streets, his hoodie flaring as friction from his speed ignited the fabric. "Jake! Release the suit! I was so focused on coming here, I forgot to change!"
The train crashed onto the cliffside rocks, exploding in a fireball as time seemed to slow.
Johnson's hair glowed as he prepared to act.
Check out what happens in the next chapter...