Scott sank onto the edge of the bed, letting the silence of the room press in around him. Memories of another life, the life he had lived before waking as Scott McCall, pressed against his mind. Every mistake, every regret, every person he had lost now felt like a tool, a warning, a lesson. Allison's death cut through him again, sharp and unyielding, but now it carried a different weight. He could learn from it. He could prevent other mistakes.
He ran a hand through his hair, trying to slow the racing of his mind. He could not just sit here. He had to think. He had to plan. He had to act. The instinct rising in his veins was not fear alone. It was power. Control. Awareness. And it demanded direction.
Deaton. The thought came unbidden. The one person he trusted. The one person who might understand what was happening to him. If he was going to make sense of this body, this life, and the power surging through him, he needed Deaton.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Scott, are you okay?" Melissa asked softly.
Scott turned to see her in the doorway, concern etched across her face. He gave her a small nod.
"I think so," he said. His voice sounded steady, but inside he was still trying to make sense of everything. "Just a lot on my mind."
Melissa stepped into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "You have been quiet since this morning. I thought maybe you would want to talk."
Scott hesitated, then tried to explain. "Do you ever feel like you have memories that do not belong to you? Like you are living things you should not have lived?"
Melissa looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"
He shook his head. "Sometimes I feel like I have lived another life. Memories of someone else are mine now. It is confusing."
Melissa frowned but did not interrupt. She had always been patient.
Before she could respond, the door opened again. Isaac stepped in, carrying a bag over one shoulder. "Hey," he said. He noticed Scott's tense posture. "Are you okay?"
Scott gave a faint smile. "I am trying to figure it out."
Isaac nodded. "I understand. Things feel off sometimes. You are not alone in that."
There was a pause before Isaac added casually, "By the way, I am leaving for France with Argent next week. Some training, helping with a situation over there. I wanted you to know."
Scott blinked. "France?"
Isaac shrugged. "Yes. It is short-term. I will be back. Just thought I should give you a heads-up."
Melissa glanced between them. "So that leaves Scott on his own for a bit?"
Scott shook his head. "Not exactly. I have things to figure out. Plans to make. I need to talk to Deaton first. He will know what to do about everything. About controlling this, about understanding it, and about staying alive."
Isaac gave him a firm nod. "It sounds serious."
Scott met his gaze, determination clear. "It is. I cannot afford to wait any longer."
Melissa reached out and placed a hand on his arm. "Then we will help where we can. Just don't shut us out ."
Scott nodded, a small sense of relief washing over him. He stood and brushed off his hands. "I won't mum I promise . But first I need guidance. Then I will move forward."
He glanced once more at the mirror, at the brown eyes staring back. Eyes filled with purpose, not fear. He remembered Allison, and the pain of losing her strengthened his resolve.
He was Scott McCall.
He was reborn.
And nothing would stop him from taking the first step.