x
Evan walked over to the hotel door and locked it. He exhaled. The weight of everything-M63, Clark, the agents, the sheer insanity of the last few hours-lifted, if only slightly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzmKlLXUqe
He looked around the room, still half in disbelief. Kyra lay peacefully on the bed, breathing steady. The chaos had paused.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JAVH9jhDi
Now came the hard part: figuring out what the hell he could actually do with this power.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1F8PAlG79
Evan ran a hand through his hair, then turned toward the modest dresser on the far wall. A lonely potted plant sat atop it, looking more dead than alive-brown leaves drooping like it had given up on life weeks ago.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjXJ2eJHP2
He cracked his knuckles, feeling a spark of mischief bubble up.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL5fZ9pDvS
"Revive!" he said, voice firm.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ItiIKw2gh
Instantly, the plant perked up like it had just guzzled a gallon of espresso. Its leaves straightened with dramatic flair, turning a rich, almost too-green color. One of the petals even shimmered.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo7oAuHD0W
Evan raised his brows, impressed. "Nice! Didn't even break a sweat," he whispered, trying-and failing-not to smile.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCyu53SUeL
His eyes darted to the flickering lamp near the bedside.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSbwKYOfDm
Let's keep it going.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdLy74mBwV
"Brighten!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHohxeoKelM
The bulb didn't just brighten-it blasted to life like a tiny sun had been jammed into the lampshade. Evan shielded his eyes with a wince, blinking rapidly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qvCGlEMJN
"WHOA! Okay! Next time maybe dimly brighten!" he muttered, turning the lamp away.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeR2n8gI8y
He shook his head, grinning now. "Alright... strength test."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqkYbUzIPG
He squared his shoulders, took a breath, and shouted, "Lift!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFVP1fXSuo
Power surged through his body like a hit of pre-workout injected straight into his soul. His muscles ballooned comically, veins popping like he'd just wrestled a bear in a protein commercial. Evan flexed in the mirror, jaw dropping at his Hulk-like reflection.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30pRmPvBMI
"Okay, damn," he said, half-impressed, half-terrified. "Yeah, no one's messing with me at this hotel."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD8ziSlnwG
Then the muscles deflated as quickly as they came, like a balloon with a slow leak. He rolled his neck, loosening up.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhk8JfJY0a
"Alright... fashion time."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2GmetsaY9
He pointed at himself with way too much confidence. "Fashion change!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0F6lYjK6K
Poof.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM2BDlEzuB
Suddenly, he was in a skin-tight, sparkling red dress with a high slit and heels that could end careers. His reflection looked like he was ready to accept a Grammy and file a restraining order at the same time.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9DAc6P6YH
"...This is definitely not what I meant."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0iBH4XfBJ
He staggered a few steps, wobbling like a newborn deer. "Why do these things have arches?! Who walks in these?!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FWBg2P3zj
He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror again and burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, let's dial it back before I break an ankle."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y2JkEZ9Kf
He waved his hand with dramatic flair. "Casual menswear, please!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZdeINtnC5
In an instant, he was back in his usual hoodie and joggers. He exhaled in relief, flopping onto the nearby chair.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaiihtcMWo
"That's better," he muttered, grinning at the mirror like he couldn't believe what just happened.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsOa6PPuo2
Evan sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped, eyes unfocused. The room was quiet-too quiet-but his mind was anything but.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UiMTDgHTS
This power... it was incredible. Terrifying. And clunky.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfsgZlcAxk
"I can't keep shouting commands like a voice-activated blender," he muttered. "There's gotta be a better way."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdg2qhHs2V
He leaned back, thinking hard.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSfjKrfpLn
What if he didn't have to spell everything out? What if thought and intent could work together-like narrowing the focus mentally, then triggering it with just a simple word?
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B5TlJu31x
He exhaled and stood, rolling his shoulders. "Let's change the rules a bit."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kSyA3HKsD
He imagined a warm light pulsing through him, syncing with his heartbeat-like tuning a radio. His voice came out calm but firm.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgf1nj6Yni
"I want to be able to visualize the details... and just say a keyword to make it happen."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXA6AHwfes
A quiet pulse of energy rolled through him-not explosive, but subtle. Like something had clicked.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDnneNZYez
He grinned, cautious but excited. "Alright... just don't turn her into a damn lamp next."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsPHmcMJMD
He glanced at Kyra, still unconscious on the bed, her chest rising and falling softly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLi2YF97ig
The smile faded, replaced by something more fragile.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVJ23CWpRE
He reached over, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Wake up soon, Ky. I... I really need you for this."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNb2XNGb1Q
He sighed, the weight of what lay ahead settling deep in his chest.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsa3nCOW2t
"Because whatever's coming... I'm not facing it alone."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKiZ3UxN3q
Evan sat on the edge of the hotel bed, elbows on knees, eyes fixed on the muted glow of the TV. The news was on-some 24-hour national station with too-bright graphics and too-calm voices. The anchor's tone was polished and detached, the way only news anchors could sound when talking about things that should terrify people.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLfLHgIj2R
"In a developing story-speculation continues this morning surrounding the mysterious comet that entered Earth's atmosphere late last night. Early reports describe unusual electromagnetic fluctuations and a visible impact flash that could be seen from multiple counties across the region."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwViVMGWTp
Evan's stomach tightened.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74PnfwjUyj
"Authorities now confirm that the meteor-or 'comet fragment,' as some are calling it-may be linked to a structure fire in the Oakwood neighborhood around 2:00 AM. The home was fully engulfed upon arrival, but no injuries have been reported, and officials say the residence was unoccupied at the time."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtxdJqDXcn
The screen flashed an image-smoke still curling from the blackened bones of what used to be Kyra's house.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZpFOPbBTT
Evan stared, hollow.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRoVEc5pUW
"Experts caution against jumping to conclusions, but many online users have already dubbed the event 'Cometgate' and are calling for further investigation into what some are describing as 'a government cover-up in real time.'"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA27uSqCMN
He shook his head slowly, the knot in his chest pulling tighter. "Just another comet," he muttered, bitterness creeping into his voice.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFH3Y1DRH1
But he knew better. They all had it wrong.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Aaa6pwaOe
M63 wasn't just some rock from space.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqST0AHatp
It was a weapon.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUPWhZIWEh
And it had already changed everything.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0p06JKBdC
His thoughts were cut off by a soft sound-Kyra stirring beside him.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTcPtgN0Cy
She let out a low moan, her eyelids twitching. For a second, her face looked calm. Then-she shot upright with a gasp.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUBa13JWh8
"¡NO ME TOQUES, MALDITO CREEP!" she screamed, eyes wild, body stiff as a board. "GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyo1I4KQiV
Evan's heart jumped into his throat.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHfErw0qsd
He froze, hands raised in front of him, careful not to move too fast. She wasn't looking at him. Not really. Her mind was somewhere else-back in that room, back in the nightmare.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZLAL0J41i
"Babe-hey, hey," he said softly but urgently. "It's me. Evan. You're safe."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ3X3ur00c
She blinked, still caught in a storm. Her gaze darted around, chest heaving.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjciKjMCMbG
"Evan...?" Her voice cracked, fragile.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbE4vfqvAS
He nodded. "Yeah. I'm here. You're with me."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yzgvJ7NGX
"¿Dónde estamos...?" she asked, voice trembling as she scanned the unfamiliar room. "What happened?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF247bQk2XT
Evan swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice calm. "We're in a hotel. I got us out. You're safe, I promise. They knocked you out... and set your house on fire," he added quietly. "I got to you just in time."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dnYbMw07R
Kyra's face went pale. "My house... it's burned down?" Her voice trembled, hands shaking.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07GggDp1U1
"I know how much that place meant to you," Evan said gently.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6MO2zV5kl
Tears welled in her eyes. "All my stuff... my memories... gone," she whispered. Her voice cracked, rising with panic. "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON, EVAN?!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkONi2B5uF
"Shhh! You'll get us kicked out," Evan said, glancing toward the door. He sighed, rubbing his face. "Kyra..." He reached out and took her hand. "I know it's awful. But we'll figure this out. We have to stay focused."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5v0wyK1Lf
She looked around the room for the first time, dazed. The flicker of the TV caught her eye-news footage showing her destroyed neighborhood, the crater glowing in the background.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAIuwoeqDr
Her brows furrowed. "Wait... is that my street?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrQjEaiB9w
"Yeah," Evan said, his voice tight.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhj54iMWKF
Her eyes stayed glued to the screen. "They're saying it was just a comet," she muttered, suspicious. "Seriously? They're talking about it like it's no big deal."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtpSwRAOPI
"It's what they want people to believe," Evan said, the weight of the truth heavy in his voice.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWkeoBJZiN
Kyra looked back at him, fear creeping into her voice. "All I remember is... darkness. Like I was floating or stuck or something. I thought I was dead."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r6JpC9m1C
Evan shifted closer, voice low and steady. "You're not. You're here. And I swear-I'm not letting anything else happen to you."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycSjgZAjiM
Kyra's breath quickened again, but Evan gently squeezed her hand. "I promise you're safe now. I got you. We're okay."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4dWvs78NZ
Her eyes searched his, still filled with confusion. "¿Y ahora qué? What do we do?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS19IoFBYt1
Evan hesitated, inhaling deeply. "Alright, there's... something I have to tell you. But I need you to stay calm, okay?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSnr4yWdU3
Kyra's brow furrowed. "¿Qué? What is it?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGBbnwiNzO
He rubbed the back of his neck. "This is gonna sound crazy... but I swear it's the truth."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXYHidlBHQ
"Evan..." she warned.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVFjf3eUiN
"When I was stuck back there, after they knocked you out-I couldn't move. At all. Like, completely frozen. Except... I could move forward. Toward M63."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kch6Vntu2
"The comet?" she asked, eyebrows tightening.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ml02FYupP
"Yeah. I thought maybe if I jumped over it, I could reach you, but... it pulled me in. I didn't touch it on purpose, Kyra. It grabbed me, like gravity just flipped."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qzUzEVDbH
Kyra stared at him, half-skeptical, half-nervous. "¿Qué carajo estás diciendo...?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8vZHRNmV5
"After that, I don't even know how to explain it. Everything went black. Then it was like... colors, lights, space, time-all swirling around me. And I just-felt something change."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXfVHV0mBJ
"Like what?" she asked carefully.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK2oAmyc5W
He hesitated again. "When I came back... everything was frozen. Clark. The fire. The people outside. You. Time had stopped-except for me."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwJ4DCmLEa
She blinked slowly. "¿Tú me estás jodiendo? Are you messing with me right now?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAOrYlidWO
"I know how it sounds, Kyra. I didn't believe it either," he said, voice calm but shaky. "But then I started... testing things."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P2uL5Foiy
Kyra folded her arms. "Evan, if you're about to tell me you're Spider-Man, te juro por Dios-"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqXFx9SOzu
"I'm not," he said quickly. "I'm not flying around or climbing walls. But... watch this."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvAF33bWhR
He looked at the space beside her on the bed, focused, and said, "Money."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSYckIWzJT
In an instant, a heavy duffel bag thudded onto the mattress beside her.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl9D9YpszV
Kyra jolted, eyes flying wide. "¡¿QUÉ MIERDA?!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5hdv9lIsu
"It's real," Evan said softly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ff5r6XWfh
She leaned back slightly, staring at the bag. "Wait, wait, wait-¿qué está pasando? How the fuck, so now you make money appear?!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCLLHHhY2z
"Not just that. I stopped time. I brought a dead plant back to life earlier," he explained. "I don't know the limits yet... but something in that comet gave me powers."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfrNVVcQck
Kyra blinked again, processing.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBrjsDWd2E
Then she shook her head, rubbing her temple. "Dios mío... this is too much. What else can you do?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fV0kv7U2n
Evan focused, picturing something he loved.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6pzOrCEDh
A soft pop echoed-and suddenly, beside Kyra, sat a perfect slice of chocolate cake. Rich, dense, and somehow glowing like it had been blessed by a pastry god.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYVRB1OPil
Kyra blinked at it. "What in the actual fuck...?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DOSRYHPHG
"Try it," Evan said, grinning like a kid on Christmas. "I swear-it's the best chocolate cake in the universe."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3R5qGcys9
She eyed him skeptically, but curiosity won. She picked up the fork, took a bite-
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzIH5axIiq
And froze.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQJoP5VKgx
Her eyes widened. Her pupils dilated like she'd just tasted heaven.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4KTZLjxq8
"Oh my fucking GOOOOD," she moaned, dropping the fork as she melted back onto the bed. "¿¡Qué es esta brujería!?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4SHaPPtjY
Evan laughed, watching her roll around in bliss, cake smearing on her arms, the sheets, everywhere.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9tIccIum4
"This is... fucking amazing," she groaned between bites, licking frosting off her fingers. "This is... this is illegal. I'm pretty sure this is illegal."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tKt8CdKuG
"You're welcome," Evan chuckled.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C9pQSHxKy
"I can't stop eating it!" she wailed joyfully, her face covered in frosting, her voice muffled by more cake. "This is better than sex!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TmyGI1ceM
"Okay, okay!" Evan laughed, dodging a flying crumb. "Maybe less cake on the comforter, though-this room was not cheap."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiD84DLdDG
Kyra rolled over dramatically. "Then you should've wished for plastic sheets, papi!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzQbrgY9wE
Just as Kyra's laughter echoed off the walls-
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkrHT9DAZW
BANG. BANG. BANG.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT895xx65nF
A heavy fist pounded the door. Then again. Louder.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQvvbSPlli
Evan froze. The joy in the room vanished like smoke.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAMeiDlk1N
Adrenaline hit him like a wave. His breath caught, heart hammering.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr6erwXtMW
Shit. Did they already find us?
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSqHV2oh2F
Kyra, still lost in the throes of chocolate bliss, didn't even flinch. She rolled over on the bed, giggling with cake smeared across her cheek.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBXjeG2MOC
"Evaaaan," she moaned, half-laughing. "This cake is so fucking-"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxIemn2oKf
"Shh!" Evan hissed, holding out a hand, eyes locked on the door.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98AXBKkSH4
His pulse thundered in his ears. That knock-too aggressive. Too intentional.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5irW5YEEiO
He stepped forward, slow. Each footfall felt heavier than the last.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZT8QNomgX
Another knock.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLODi4YVHK
BANG. BANG.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGyrhAV6af
It echoed like a threat.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzORZM2Mtq
He reached for the handle, barely breathing. Cold air from under the frame brushed against his legs. His fingers hovered, then closed.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu1eG3xKHz
With one last deep breath, he turned the knob and cracked the door open-
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwd5CXCUJn
A rush of air swept in.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSEpVoAEeM
His eyes narrowed.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFkkGmAqeo
His heart stuttered.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90IM2K5wJU
And standing on the other side...
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2ddVJ41vc
Standing in the hallway was the front desk woman, arms crossed, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips-but her eyes? All business.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g745j9SIl
"Good evening!" she chirped, voice chipper but firm. "We've had a few complaints about... screaming. Just checking in. Everything alright in here?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl523SBg8W
Evan's heart dropped. "Y-Yeah! Totally fine!" he said too fast, voice cracking halfway through. He forced a smile, but panic buzzed behind his eyes.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX2Pu1InkI
"Oh really?" she lifted a brow, unimpressed. "Because when guests report a woman screaming like she's being murdered, it usually means I need to investigate." She leaned in slightly. "Especially since you booked this room alone."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O5kJD6Ptt
Before Evan could spin a halfway decent excuse, she stepped forward and peered over his shoulder.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP87MjaO7H
Her face shifted instantly.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5346fFIdB
There was Kyra-cake all over her face and sheets, eyes half-closed in sugary bliss, moaning softly as she licked frosting off the blanket. Beside her, an unzipped duffel bag practically bursting with hundred-dollar bills.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt5HjxCqp4
The woman blinked. "Well," she said dryly, "that's... not something you see every day."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwTcFUG5W8
Evan opened his mouth to explain, but no words came.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHD2Qzh33A
"Is this a surprise birthday party," she continued, "or are you filming the pilot of What Not to Do with Your Tax Return?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqgJW8pWdm
"I-no! It's not what it looks like," Evan blurted. "She just really... likes cake."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae61ri9IAj
The woman tilted her head, arms still crossed. "Uh-huh. Cake. Right. Looks like she took a frosting bath."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58J9jpZxUQ
"I swear," Evan said, cringing, "it's just a misunderstanding."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYkOe8Pn6S
"I'm sure it is." She glanced back toward Kyra, who let out a giggle and started rolling in the sheets again. "Well, however you two celebrate is your business-but keep it down. This is still a hotel, not a rave."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOocAxxAF0s
"Yes. Of course. Absolutely," Evan said, nodding furiously.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYo3fwQAzW
She turned to go, but paused.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAaE8SeiOy
"Oh, and if you need more frosting?" She winked. "We've got room service for that."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJPeyJvRHj
And with that, she strolled off down the hall, leaving Evan standing in the doorway-mortified, relieved, and completely dumbfounded.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS99t98v1e
From inside the room: "Evaaaan, tell me this cake is magic!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF2SGsHGcn
As the door clicked shut, Evan glanced back at Kyra-still sprawled on the bed, licking cake off her fingers like it was a sacred ritual.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0UEfpW0pa
He took a breath, focused, and with a flick of his wrist-gone. The cake, the mess, the smeared sheets... everything reset.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFKBJnk7gI
"NOOOO!" Kyra cried, arms flailing toward the air like the cake might return if she screamed loud enough. "I wasn't done!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafa2F42QIS
"Kyra," Evan rushed over. "It was too much, you were gonna pass out-"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Ddku3MEa
"It was worth it!" she snapped, then blinked at the spotless bed. Her expression changed.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ35pxn9FIu
She sat up slowly, wiping her hands, eyes flicking to him like she was seeing him again for the first time.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ffG5GOFKo
Her voice softened. "Evan... are you still you?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1L9bNFakA
He froze. "Of course I am."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5UQbwO674
"But..." she hesitated, her tone caught between fear and love, "...you just made a whole-ass cake appear from nowhere and then deleted it like it was nothing."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp48FC2kZa
"I'm still me," he repeated, more gently this time. "I swear."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP2Ka366hf
She nodded slowly, but he could see it-the worry. Not just about what he could do, but about what it might do to him.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP88yT8jcQN
"I love you," she said, barely above a whisper. "But what if this power... changes you?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgIg1QOxt1
He took a breath, sat beside her. "It won't."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUMSNGVWOm
She looked at him, eyes glossy. "And what if one day you lose control? Not on purpose, just... something slips. What if I'm the one who gets caught in it?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8pqlUOvL1
Evan's throat tightened. "I'd never hurt you."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKneEoDlFoF
"I know," she whispered. "But that's what scares me. Because you're still you... and I love you too much to watch that happen."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1kcv8rCc0
He didn't answer right away.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDs8oMV4VH
He just reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tight-like he was holding onto more than just her fingers. Like he was holding onto himself.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ667tFNTyWG
The thought chilled Kyra to her core. This wasn't just some adventure-they were dancing on the edge of something dangerous. And she was terrified. Not just of losing Evan... but of losing herself in whatever this was becoming.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4vz27HTgF
"I don't want to hurt you," Evan said, voice low. "I need someone to go through this with. I need you, babe."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtSuOzw444
Her expression softened, but wariness lingered in her eyes. "And what if one day you just... zap me?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwGa9Xtak4
He leaned forward, an idea forming. "What if I put a safeguard on you? Something that makes it impossible for me to use my powers on you without your say-so."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPlSZgB86i
"A magic no-zapping clause?" she asked, eyebrow raised. "And I'm just supposed to believe it works?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCEXptcS8S
"You'll have control," he promised. "A watch. It'll glow if I ever try anything. Like a built-in alarm system-you'd feel it. You'd know."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfuj7C7UJb
Kyra hesitated, then shrugged. "Alright. But if I end up as a pile of glitter, I'm haunting your ass."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqb7DcW7ai
Evan closed his eyes, focusing. He imagined it clearly-sleek, elegant, powerful but understated. "Create: a protective watch, tied to my powers. Alerting her if I ever use them without permission."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOABU58IGo
A shimmer sparked in the air between them.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL40mmfhXK
Bit by bit, it took shape. A matte titanium body. Midnight-blue face etched with soft-glowing constellations. No numbers. No ticking. Just time moving like light in slow motion. The hands, black and sharp, left faint glows as they moved.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERzBFmvR2c
The rim lit up with a silvery glow-gentle, constant, like it was breathing.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7aDl4Uaqn
Evan held it out. "Not just a watch. It's tied to you. If I try anything, it reacts. You have the final say."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJQF9SriBK
Kyra stared, wide-eyed. "Dios mío... it's beautiful. Is it waterproof?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDn4c4R3iU
Evan grinned. "It better be. I imagined it that way."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrzesqPwiM
She touched it gently. It pulsed with a quiet chime, syncing with her heartbeat. A calm fell over her. Trust was still fragile, but this... this helped.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh8ysA9X3K
"Okay," she said, strapping it on. "Let's see what this power of yours can do. Together."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xMJNyIRGh
Evan smiled, tension melting from his shoulders.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnToAAlWlLo
They weren't just surviving anymore.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4mG7y9W3V
They were starting.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWoYiTRzS0
"So... what else can you do?" Kyra asked, still eyeing the glowing watch on her wrist.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNJlLmYnu4
Evan hesitated. "Honestly? I think... anything. I froze time. And at one point..." he trailed off, voice tightening, "I think I accidentally destroyed the universe."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2ScEyf7tz
Kyra's head snapped toward him. "¿Qué carajo? When?!"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jYbP2JR67
He looked at her, urgency in his voice. "Do you remember when I tried to get to you-when M63 hit?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVu65FUZE0
Kyra squinted, trying to recall. "I... I don't. I was out cold. Everything's blank."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEbsOPlrZv
Evan's chest tightened. "Clark's agent knocked you out. Took you to that house. They were going to kill us both."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nLQoFVWM2
Her expression changed-recognition creeping in. "Okay. Yeah. I remember the house... the fire..."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD13j1TL5NG
"I tried to jump over M63 to get to you," he said. "But the thing pulled me in. And when it did... something in me snapped. My subconscious-my fear, my instincts-everything just exploded outward. It was like... everything in existence collapsed at once."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx88eO4Sqye
Kyra stared at him, stunned. "You destroyed the universe?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMajpz7rpT
"I didn't mean to. But yeah. And somehow-I don't know how-I pulled it all back. Rebuilt it. Like rewinding reality."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bz8yIvAE3
She didn't speak for a moment, just took that in.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPvaTqupjf
"And time," he added, "was already frozen when it came back. That's how I got you out. I moved through the world while everything else was stuck."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAax5tZrhr
Kyra's voice softened. "And you did all that... for me?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnmxWkitRm
"Of course I did," he said, meeting her gaze. "But I also realized something-I can't let that happen again. So I've made rules for myself. My subconscious can't trigger my powers anymore. Even my thoughts alone aren't enough. I have to consciously decide, and say it out loud. Only then will it happen."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITSvmdP1nE
She nodded slowly, visibly shaken but steady. "Okay... okay. That's smart."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKdAaW2fTE
"We're in this together," she added. "You're not figuring this out alone."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMkNu9QuPh
Evan let out a slow breath. That one sentence grounded him more than anything else. With Kyra by his side, he could face whatever was coming.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1pZzDKBFI
Kyra leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her brow tight with thought. "Okay, so I get that you put those dampeners on your powers-smart move, by the way-but what if you do something that doesn't, like, blow up the universe immediately, but still messes things up long-term?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsvY5xcPtS
Evan tilted his head. "Mess things up how?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X3QLmcZkf
"You know," she said, waving a hand, "like that thing... the butter... the butter side-"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOdSY5yfd
He blinked. "Butterfly effect?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CaoJidLBZ
"¡Eso!" She snapped her fingers. "Yeah, that. Like, what if you change one little thing and it causes a chain reaction?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2sVTeRWxn
Evan nodded slowly, absorbing it. "Yeah... that's actually a really good point. Small actions, big fallout. Gotta be extra careful."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw2WIptDm0
"Exactly," she said, stepping closer. "Like one flap of a butterfly's wings causes a storm on the other side of the world. I saw it in a movie once. Or a TED Talk. Or maybe TikTok."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ4s6I1iNY
He chuckled. "So, basically: don't sneeze on history."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cxxeow70I
"Pretty much," she grinned. "And for the love of God, please don't create some weird time loop. I do not want to relive high school."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAREFjicSi
Evan laughed, the tension between them loosening. "No promises."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXSZz0jLxm
Kyra lit up a little. "But wait! What if you just made yourself, like, super smart? Then you could predict everything before it happens, like-run the simulations in your head or something."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx3wAjU6Xu
Evan raised an eyebrow. "You think that'd work?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJSOvokVRS
"Why not? Just don't go all robot on me," she said, poking his chest. "You stay you, or I'm pulling the plug."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHA0YroKSm
"Deal," he said with a smirk.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL8g97h3qr
Then, with a breath and a focused thought, he whispered, "Knowledge."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtRfRYtiuR
In an instant, something exploded behind his eyes. Not pain-just... everything. A flood of information crashed through him like a tidal wave-equations, algorithms, particle physics, timelines, probabilities. He saw molecular structures dancing in the air, emotions broken down into neurological impulses, human behavior mapped like algorithms.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPFpt5Ebj4
His breath hitched.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUJWQOKt7v
"I... I can see it all," he whispered, trembling. "Every outcome. Every path. Every variable."
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yBGxUlIeh
He staggered back a step, overwhelmed but electrified. His heart raced-this was power. Not brute force, not explosions. Understanding.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMKMtNOgRb
But then... something shifted.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ3KuqxUEz
His gaze slowly drifted toward Kyra.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv14gyzPoFX
She stared at him-concern tightening her brow-but something inside him had changed. He didn't feel the way he always did when he looked at her. No tug in his chest. No comfort. Just data. Inputs. Outcomes. Calculations.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxEORAFjiX
She was a variable.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UrWDenqFu
A fragile one.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAotlw5ptG
"Evan?" she said softly, her voice breaking through the silence. "You okay, babe?"
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU9ZqtfyEA
But the warmth in her voice barely registered.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7HfkLPcIu
His head tilted ever so slightly, like analyzing a strange noise.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY3pE9bIpX
And for the first time since touching M63-
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdfwMBvIje
Kyra felt afraid.
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw0VLzaNin
