The Monridge Evening News buzzed from the old TV in the restaurant's corner, static humming beneath the anchor's voice.
"Breaking news tonight: A mysterious electrical event shook Maple Street two hours ago. Officials are calling it a gas leak, but eyewitnesses say otherwise. Surveillance shows flickering lights, strange distortions—and what some describe as a digital phantom."
In the kitchen, Alex sat frozen on a stool. His mom, Mei Steele, leaned against the cupboard, arms crossed and brow furrowed. On the screen, jittery clips played—bursts of static, something shadowy flickering in and out of frame. Glitchy. Unmistakably real.
Mei gripped the table. "That's your route home…"
Genesis, floating lazily and camouflaged in a corner, muttered, "If that's what passes for a Hollowborn attack, I'm a toaster."
Mei shook her head. "Maple Street's always been weird. Lucky you weren't caught in it. You sure you're okay? You've been… off."
"Just tired," Alex said quickly, forcing a smile.
Genesis gave him a wink. "Classic protagonist denial."
"Well," Mei said, straightening, "you've still got orders to hand out."
She turned off the TV and set plates down with practiced speed.
"Easy," she warned, stacking three plates on his arms. "Drop those, and it's coming out of your allowance. Tables three and five."
Alex slipped into the dining area, passing out meals to regulars. Mr. Takeda gave him a nod as Alex placed a plate of eggs and garlic noodles in front of him—just the way he liked it.
The last dish went to a woman who looked like her entire week had collapsed on her shoulders.
After closing time, Alex waited while his mom locked up. Ever since the alley attack, walking home alone wasn't an option.
The car ride was quiet. Mei looked tired. When they got home, she went straight to bed, leaving Alex alone with Genesis.
Upstairs, Alex sat cross-legged on his floor, Genesis floating nearby, casting a soft glow against the walls.
"Genesis… what was that thing? The Hollowborn. And that girl—who is she?"
The console's glow pulsed thoughtfully.
"You want the comedy version or the deeply existential truth?"
"Try serious for once."
Genesis sighed. "She was injured—virtually. But she'll recover. Mostly."
Alex's brows furrowed. "Am I even… still human?"
"No," Genesis said bluntly. "Your reality was erased long ago."
Alex's eyes widened.
Genesis chuckled. "Kidding. You're still you. But… enhanced. Fused with my systems. You're not exactly normal anymore."
"So what? I'm like… cyber-mutant?"
"More like human-plus. Terrible brand name, I know."
Alex didn't laugh.
Genesis's tone shifted, a rare softness bleeding through. "It's okay to be scared. But maybe 'not normal' is what this world needs right now."
Alex nodded slowly and stood up, stretching. "Long day. I'm crashing. At least tomorrow's Friday."
He kicked off his shoes and collapsed into bed.
Genesis floated over to the cupboard and powered down with a soft hum.
"Goodnight, Genesis."
"Goodnight, socially awkward host."
"Just call me Alex."
"Noted."
Elsewhere…
Deep beneath the towering skyscrapers of Virtual Society HQ, Lena Hart stood in a glass-walled bunker, eyes locked on the flickering surveillance footage.
Kade's voice crackled from the shadows behind her. "You broke protocol."
"I contained the anomaly," Lena said stiffly.
"And the console wielder?"
She didn't flinch. "Unconfirmed."
Kade stepped closer, his presence heavy. "You're one of our best, Lena. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment."
She said nothing.
"The console is too powerful. In the wrong hands, it could destroy everything we've built."
Silence stretched. Then Kade turned and faded into the darkness.
Lena clenched her fists, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the screen—where the blurry silhouette of Alex limped through a haze of static.
The Next Day — Monridge High
Whispers echoed through the halls like background noise in a bad dream.
"Did you see it?"
"Glitch demon. I swear."
"My cousin says this town is cursed."
Alex kept his head low as he slid into science class. Two rows down, a girl whispered, "There was this silver light… and someone in a mask. Like a spy."
His chest tightened. The agent. They'd seen her.
Lena Hart walked past his desk moments later. No words. Just a brief glance. A flicker of recognition—there, then gone.
Class started.
They were watching a documentary about the universe, theorizing that reality could be a simulation.
"You're closer than you think," Alex muttered under his breath.
Mr. Ford, the science teacher, launched into a rant about kids wasting time on video games.
Genesis, synced to Alex's school tablet, decided that was the final straw.
The teacher's notes glitched. The screen filled with a giant meme:
"Science is pain. Send help."
"What the—?" Mr. Ford stared at the screen.
Alex hissed, "Genesis!"
"What? Every class needs a laugh break."
The room burst into laughter.
Mr. Ford glared at Alex. He barely dodged detention by spinning a story about a "learning-disability support AI."
After School
The streets buzzed with restless students. Alex avoided Darren and Blake entirely, ducking their nonsense.
He walked with Genesis nestled in his backpack, half-expecting another Hollowborn attack. It was becoming… routine.
"You're a burden, Genesis," Alex muttered.
"Try living in a backpack all day. Not exactly thrilling for me, either."
"You almost got me detention."
"That one's on the chevron-mustached science troll."
As Alex cut through an alley behind the convenience store, a voice stopped him cold.
"Alex Steele."
He turned.
Lena.
Leaning against the wall. Not as a student—no hoodie, no headphones—but in full VR-ops armor. Sleek. Tactical. Dangerous.
Genesis chirped in his head, "Wow. Lena moonlights as Batman?"
Alex's jaw dropped. "You're the agent?"
Lena's face was unreadable. "Come with me."
Genesis whispered, "Kid, this is literally how abductions start."
Alex hesitated. "Why would I do that?"
"Because your life depends on it."
She pressed a button on her wrist. A glowing portal opened beside her, swirling blue and white like digital liquid.
Alex looked from the portal to the street behind him. Normal. Boring. Safe.
Then he looked forward.
"You better not be kidnapping me."
Genesis added, "For the record, I do not consent."
Alex took a breath and stepped through.
Lena followed.
The portal sealed behind them with a flash.