Chapter 1: The boy
there was a boy named Adrian. Around the city, he was quite popular — not because of anything he had done, but because of who his father was. Adrian's dad was a superhero.
Superheroes were rare. They were people born with remarkable powers, sworn to protect the city from bandits or even aliens. With a father like that, Adrian was bound to be well-known. Everywhere he went, people whispered or smiled, as if being a hero's son made him special.
One quiet afternoon, Adrian sat at his desk, studying for an upcoming test. The house was still, except for the scratching of his pencil and the occasional sigh as he flipped through his notes.
Then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by familiar voices.
"Hey! You done yet?" Riley shouted. "We've got a party at Jake's house!"
Adrian hesitated for a moment, then pushed his books aside. He grabbed his jacket, feeling relief at leaving the dull pages behind. As he stepped out, his friends were waiting by Jake's car.
"Yeah, I'm done. Let's go," Adrian said, sliding into the back seat.
The drive didn't take long — maybe ten minutes — but it gave Adrian time to relax. The city passed by in flashes: bright storefronts, quiet neighborhoods, and the faint hum of traffic. Soon, Jake's mansion came into view.
The place was huge, with guards stationed near the gate. Inside, it seemed to have everything: a theater room, a swimming pool, even a PlayStation set up in the corner. Adrian and his friends wandered through the rooms, laughing as they tested out everything Jake had prepared for them. More guests arrived, and the house slowly filled with voices, music, and laughter.
The party was in full swing when a sudden announcement echoed across the city. A mechanical voice rang out over speakers and phones alike:
"Aliens are attacking! Please remain in your homes and allow the heroes to handle the situation."
People paused for a moment, exchanging uncertain glances. Then the noise returned. Alien attacks weren't unheard of; most assumed the heroes would take care of it.
But this time was different. A few aliens broke away from the main assault and headed straight for Jake's mansion. The walls shook as they tore through them, debris scattering across the room. They lunged at Jake's friends, knocking them down and injuring them with ease.
Adrian ducked into a nearby room, heart pounding. From there, he watched as his friends were picked off one after another. Guilt settled over him like a heavy stone — he wanted to help, but fear held him still.
Then his father's words came to mind:
"Son, if you or anyone else is in danger, don't be scared. Fight. You'll be surprised at what you can do."
Adrian clenched his fists. Slowly, he stepped out from hiding and faced one of the aliens. He swung at it with all his strength, but the blow barely made an impact.
"Watch out!" Jake yelled.
The warning came too late. The alien struck Adrian hard in the stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. He staggered, nearly collapsing, as pain shot through him.
Then something inside him shifted. His heart felt heavy and strangely hot, beating faster than it ever had before. Energy surged through his body, chasing away the ache.
Adrian straightened, his vision clear and sharp. With a single punch, he felled the alien. Another came at him, and he met it with ease. One after another, they fell — and when some tried to escape, Adrian found himself flying, chasing them down effortlessly.
When it was over, Jake and Riley stood frozen, staring at him.
H-how?" Jake stammered, his voice shaking.
"I don't know… it just happened. I feel different," Audrey said, breathing hard.
"Could it be you've become a hero too?" Jake asked.
"Maybe! Oh my god — this is amazing. Now I can be like my dad!" Audrey replied, a grin spreading across his face.
Before they could celebrate, the heroes arrived, his father among them. They looked around at the wreckage and the lifeless aliens, confusion written across their faces.
"Who killed these aliens?" one of the heroes asked.
"I… I did," Audrey said quietly.
"You? Audrey? Wait — already?" his father said, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Yes… but what do you mean by 'already'?" Audrey asked.
"Oh, it's nothing," his dad said after a pause. "Well, if you really did this, then… well done. I'm proud of you."
Thanks, Dad," Audrey said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Together, they headed home. Exhausted, Adrian collapsed into bed, and before long, he drifted into sleep.