Darkstar

Chapter Sixteen: The New Me

The next morning, as Alex headed toward the bus, he heard a familiar voice calling out in the distance. He turned to see Ashley running toward him, her expression a mix of excitement and determination. "You weren't going to leave without me, were you?" she asked, breathless.

Alex smiled, surprised. "I wasn't expecting you here today."

Without another word, Ashley closed the distance between them, grabbing his hand and gently placing her other hand on the back of his head. She leaned in, pressing her lips against his in a warm embrace. In that moment, everything felt right. The weight of the world seemed to lift off Alex's shoulders, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace and happiness wash over him.

As they pulled away, Alex looked into her eyes, and he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

At that very moment, Alex's alarm blared, jolting him awake from the vivid dream. He got up and rushed to the window, watching as the sun began to rise over the horizon, painting the sky with warm hues of orange and pink. After quickly getting dressed and eating breakfast, he headed out to catch the bus.

As he walked, he heard Ashley call out to him. Turning around, Alex initially thought he might still be dreaming. But there she was, approaching him with a look of urgency on her face. "Hey, I heard on the news they caught the guy who ran into your grandpa!"

Alex's heart raced at the news, a mix of relief and curiosity flooding over him. "Really? That's great to hear! Do you know what happened?"

Ashley nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "They said he confessed to everything. You must feel so much better knowing they got him."

Alex smiled, grateful for her support. "Yeah, I do. Thanks for letting me know."

As Alex and Ashley walked to the school bus together, their smiles exchanged spoke volumes. For the first time in a long while, Alex felt a surge of optimism. He envisioned his grandpa waking up soon, and the relief of knowing that the man who had caused so much pain was behind bars.

In that moment, he couldn't help but think about how his relationship with Ashley had rekindled into something truly special, a bond that felt unbreakable. With his newfound powers, he was determined to help people and save lives, making a positive impact on those around him.

Everything felt right, and Alex held onto that feeling tightly, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them. As the bus pulled up, he glanced at Ashley and felt a deep sense of hope wash over him. He knew, without a doubt, that everything was going to be okay.

Meanwhile, at school that morning, Mr. Jenkins was meticulously examining the meteorite fragments that Alex had left him. He had gathered various tools, eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the mysterious pieces. As he struck one of the fragments with a hammer, a small chip broke off, and in an instant, a thick, swirling smoke erupted from the shard.

Mr. Jenkins coughed, instinctively trying to reach the window to let fresh air in. Panic surged through him as the smoke rapidly filled the classroom, choking him. He struggled to breathe, his vision blurring as he collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.

Just as the last remnants of consciousness faded, the smoke began to clear, revealing an unsettling calm in the room. The fragments, now glowing faintly, pulsed with an otherworldly energy. As Mr. Jenkins lay unconscious, a low hum filled the air, hinting that the meteorite's true nature was far beyond what anyone had anticipated.

As Alex's bus pulled up to the school, students began to murmur and point toward the front of the building, where fire trucks and an ambulance were parked. The scene buzzed with tension, the air thick with curiosity and concern. Ashley glanced at Alex, her brow furrowed. "What could be wrong?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice.