An unknown time later, Hannah and Riley stood rigidly inside a spacious living room, their backs pressed against the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking New York City.
Normally, Riley would stand in front of the glass for hours, mesmerized by the skyline. But right now, he and Hannah had no choice but to remain where they were—because standing before them was Diana Ross.
[Diana Ross | Hero Rank: N/A | Powers: She's a mom.]
Diana had her arms crossed, her sharp gaze locked onto both of her children. She bore an uncanny resemblance to Hannah—same sharp features, same piercing eyes—but taller, more mature, effortlessly beautiful. Someone might mistake her for a model.
But right now, however, her expression was anything but glamorous.
Riley remained still, staring straight ahead. Hannah, on the other hand, was practically twisting her neck to avoid looking at their mother.
"You enrolled your brother without even talking to me or your dad?" Diana's voice was quiet. Too quiet.
Hannah flinched. "D… Dad approved it."
Diana's eye twitched. "Didn't a student just die on your way there? It was all over the news. And you still thought it was a good idea to enroll your brother? There's also news about that pedophile roaming around!"
"T-The student died far from the school, Mom! There was a villain and—"
"It's fine."
"Huh?" Hannah snapped her head toward her mother, only to see her expression suddenly soften.
"You made the right decision," Diana said, sighing as the tightness in her body dissipated. "If he awakened his powers, it's only natural for him to be there."
"…You're not mad?" Hannah hesitated.
"I'm not mad," Diana reassured, stretching her arms before shaking her head. "I just wish you had told me first."
Hannah winced, then hesitated before stepping into her mother's arms. "It just… happened."
"Everything just happens in this house," Diana sighed, then gestured for Riley to join them.
Riley, of course, shook his head and took a step back.
Diana didn't mind—she was used to it by now. Instead, she turned to Hannah with a cheeky smile on her face.
"Oh, and by the way? Disneyland's canceled."
"What!?" Hannah's entire body flinched. "What do you mean canceled!? I already invited people!"
"Take it as punishment for going behind my back," Diana said with a shrug, already turning to leave. "Besides, with your brother awakening his powers today, it's not a good idea to be in a crowded place tomorrow."
"Mom!" Hannah chased after her, but Diana was having none of it.
Riley, meanwhile, simply turned back toward the window, quietly gazing at the city below.
He stared out at the vast cityscape—the park, the towering buildings, the endless stream of cars, and the people below, moving about their lives like ants.
With a slow breath, he raised his hand, palm outstretched toward the world in front of him.
And then, he whispered, "Pavoom."
But nothing happened.
Riley only shrugged, dropping his hand before casually turning away and heading down the stairs, back to his room. Their penthouse, the largest in the heart of New York, was massive—but he rarely explored it. He preferred his room, where heavy curtains blocked out the view of the city entirely.
His space was barren, the complete opposite of Katherine's cluttered dorm room. There was only a bed and a desk, with a single laptop resting on top. He had his own walk-in closet and a private bathroom, but they were just as pristine and empty as the rest of his room.
But now, something new was about to be added to it.
Riley glanced around before heading to his closet. He scanned the space, then opened a drawer that contained only one item—a photograph of him and Hannah when they were younger, naked on a large bathtub and filled with nothing but innocence.
He stared at the photo for a moment, then reached into his pocket, pulling out the object he had been hiding all this time. A tooth. The tooth.
"Hmm."
He pinched it lightly between his fingers, turning it as he examined it. A faint, wide smile flickered across his face as a memory surfaced—the boy's mangled body.
Then, he opened his palm and let the tooth go.
But it didn't fall.
It floated in front of him, suspended in the air. He tilted his head, watching as it slowly twirled, weightless. After a few seconds, he gently plucked it from the air and placed it beside the photograph.
With that done, he headed to the bathroom to wash his hand, changed into fresh clothes, and lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
And he did this for an hour.
Then, finally, he closed his eyes.
But just as sleep began to take him, a faint tapping sound echoed in the quiet room.
His eyes snapped open. He sat up and pushed the curtain aside.
A bird.
It perched on the other side of the window, its beak gently pecking against the glass.
"Hmm."
Riley tilted his head, then unlatched the window.
The bird flinched and tried to fly away—but it didn't. It couldn't.
It hovered in midair, struggling, as if invisible strings had wrapped around its body and yanked it back toward Riley
Riley reached out, wrapping his fingers around the small creature. It writhed in his grip, its tiny body trembling against his palm. He stared at it for a long moment, then slowly covered its head with his other hand.
He squeezed.
His gaze narrowed, his head tilting to the side. But then, after a few seconds, his fingers loosened… and a small frown formed on his lips.
And then, he let go.
The bird shot into the sky, flapping frantically as it disappeared into the night.
"I apologize, little bird," Riley murmured, watching it vanish. "I am truly sorry."
He raised a hand in a small wave before lowering his gaze to his palm.
"…Why?" he muttered. "Why was I not happy with that?"
His fingers curled slightly.
I did not enjoy that at all. Why? Do I need something bigger?
But no. That didn't feel right.
Why?
Where was the satisfaction he had felt earlier?
Does it need to be…something else? Maybe… someone else?
He stared at his hands for a few more seconds, then turned on his heel and walked to the bathroom. He washed his hands again, dried them, and returned to bed as if nothing had happened.
But after just a few hours, someone crept into his room.
Quietly.
But Riley heard her approaching.
"Psst. Riley, you awake?"
"I am now, Sister."
He sat up to see Hannah moving toward his closet, a bag slung over her shoulder.
"Good." Her voice was muffled as she rummaged through his clothes. "I'm packing for you. Two days' worth, okay?"
"Why, Sister?" Riley blinked, watching her.
Hannah leaned out of the closet, flashing something at him—a black credit card.
"I got Dad's card."
She grinned, mischief dancing in her eyes. Then, she held up a key.
"And the keys to one of his old jets."
A wicked smile spread across her lips.
"We're going to Disneyland."
***
[Breaking News Update]
Ryan Roman, the super who recently escaped from a mental asylum, was last seen roaming the streets of Orlando, Florida.
Authorities urge residents to lock their doors and avoid going out alone at night.
And new details about the fugitive have emerged: Ryan primarily targets young individuals and is known in prison by his nickname—Ryan "Butt Ender" Roman.
Once again, Ryan Roman is considered extremely dangerous. His last known location?
Near Disneyland. Stay tuned for more updates. Once again, I'm Lorraine, and this is ABC-ZBN News.