Episode 3
The Brooklyn dusk hung heavy, casting long shadows behind the gym where Ruby stood frozen, her mind reeling from Lena's bombshell. Professor Bernard's failed experiment some wild bid for immortality that exploded and dosed pregnant women like Gladys with that weird substance. And now, Ruby's "spark" wasn't a curse; it was a legacy, tying her to these Gazels. Her hands still tingled from last night's freak-out, and the thought of Dominator lurking out there made her stomach twist. What if her parents knew all along? What if this power could actually hurt someone?
Lena watched her, leaning on the fence with that knowing smirk, her purple eyes flickering like distant neon signs. "Look, Ruby, I get it. This is a lot Prof Bernard's mess, the Gazels, Dominator sniffing around like a bad storm. But you're not alone in figuring it out. Me and the crew? We've been through the same shocks. We can teach you how to handle your spark. Like, intentionally and deliberately channel it without blowing up lights or flinging stuff accidentally. No hurting people, no getting noticed. We train in hidden spots, keep it low-key. You'll learn to control the surge, make it work for you, not against you."
Ruby shifted her weight, her ripped jeans scraping against the pavement. The offer sounded tempting finally using her powers without the fear of her parents' lectures or some random "incident" at school. No more suppressing, no more hiding. But jumping in with strangers? "I... I don't know, Lena. This is crazy. What if it goes wrong? What if Dominator finds us?"
Lena nodded, her voice steady. "That's why we train smart. No risks until you're ready. Just come meet the others tonight old warehouse by the docks, 9 PM. See for yourself. No pressure to commit."
Ruby bit her lip, the city hum buzzing around them taxis honking, kids laughing in the distance. The thrill mixed with the fear, but something in her sparked brighter. "Alright. I'll give it a thought. But if it's sketchy, I'm out."
Lena grinned. "That's all I ask. See you there, powerhouse."
Back home, dinner was a blur. Gladys eyed her suspiciously over stew, and Nicholas fiddled with tools, but Ruby kept her cool, her mind racing with possibilities. At 8:45, she snuck out, heart pounding, heading to the warehouse. The rusted building loomed, graffiti swirling like chaotic energy. Inside, a small group waited. Marcus with his dreads and easy vibe, Jada flipping coins in mid-air.
"Ruby's here," Lena announced. "Told her we'd show her the ropes controlled stuff, no chaos."
Marcus nodded. "We've got your back. Let's start simple."
But as they began a basic demo Jada lifting a crate without a sound a distant rumble echoed outside. Enforcer? Or just the city? Ruby's hands buzzed, ready or not.
To be continued...