"Amazing job," Felix said after Leo managed to sustain a plasma stream for more than thirty seconds. "Let's call it a day."
Leo sat on the ground, drowning in sweat. Progress had slowed lately. And with Felix growing more distant, more unwell, the air in the lab had shifted. What once felt like collaboration now felt like... something else. Tension. Unease.
"So, what's next?" Leo said, breaking the silence. Felix looked up from one of the consoles, then back at it.
"Tomorrow, come earlier than usual."
Leo frowned. "Earlier? How much earlier?"
"Just... earlier." Felix's fingers kept typing.
"Why?"
"We will move to your next and final milestone: Pure Energy."
"Pure Energy? You mentioned that last week but never explained. What even is pure energy?"
"Tomorrow, you'll know." Felix didn't even look up. His eyes fixed on whatever he was typing.
As Leo gathered his things, the Bracelet pulsed against his skin.
Warmth, but not the usual comfort. Something sharper.
Anxiety, maybe?
That doesn't make sense. The Bracelet doesn't feel anxious.
He rubbed his wrist. Probably just exhaustion. He'd pushed hard today.
The next day, the air was tenser than ever. Leo was distracted the whole day — he always was, but today was more obvious — the only thing he thought about was Pure Energy.
What is pure energy? What does it feel like? Is it really the final step? Will I be able to master it? What if Alphabet comes before I could learn it? Wha—
"Leo!" A voice cut through his thoughts, sharp but soft at the same time.
It was Betty.
"Wha— Huh— Betty?" Leo stuttered.
"Hey… Leo…" Her eyes darted everywhere except his face. Her fingers twisted together, then moved to her hair, then back.
"Hey…"
"Leo… can we… can we meet after school? Behind the building?" She said it so fast that Leo was barely able to make up words. As if she took her time saying it, she would break.
"I… I have to—" Leo hesitated. He couldn't mention his training with Felix.
"Please! It's important!" Betty begged, and something in her voice clutched at Leo's heart. He stared at her, all nervous and… something he couldn't admit.
"Yeah. Yeah, okay. I'll be there," he finally said.
"Thank you!" She said before immediately running away with tiny, fast steps.
What should I do now?! Leo thought. I have to go early to the lab. But Betty said it's important…
…
Maybe a few minutes won't hurt.
…
The final bell rang, and Leo jumped from his seat. He had to hurry. Meet Betty quickly, then get to Felix before he noticed Leo was late.
He found her waiting behind the main building, pacing back and forth. She was wearing something nicer than usual, which Leo didn't notice of course.
Leo approached. "Hey. What's going on? Is everything alright?"
"Ah!" Betty jumped, completely startled by his sudden voice, hand flying to her chest. She spun to face him, trying to compose herself. But she failed… miserably.
"H-hey… Leo." Her voice dropped with each syllable, barely a whisper by the end.
"What did you want to talk about?"
A long silence stretched between the two. Betty couldn't face him, couldn't meet his eyes. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Hyperventilating.
"Betty, you're scaring me. Tell me what's wrong?"
Betty took a deep breath. "I… I need to tell you something."
"…"
"So, you remember we were kids? We were always playing together. All the adventures we had." Betty started talking, words tumbling about as if held by wishes only. "The playground, the forest, the river… haha…" She laughed nervously, the kind you make when you're trying to comfort yourself but failing. Her eyes were brimming with tears…
"But you disappeared, Leo. With no goodbye. You were just… gone. For seven years, Leo. I thought you were gone forever."
"…" He just listened, because he knew if he talked, she would break at any moment.
"And when you came back… I was so happy. I was relieved… but you were different. Distant. Scared. Always absent-minded… And I… I realized something…"
She looked him in the eyes, closer now. Tears threatening to spill.
"I…" She took a deep breath. "I love you, Leo. I've loved you for so long I— I just couldn't keep it inside anymore."
"Betty…"
"I thought that if I don't now, I'd lose you again before I could say it."
"Betty, I…"
Tears streamed down her face. "You don't have to say it back. You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know."
Leo stood there, frozen. She… she loves me? His mind spiraled. The Bracelet sat quiet this time, not comforting, but not warning either.
I think… I...
He opened his mouth to speak. "Betty, I—"
Suddenly, two hands clamped down on Leo's shoulders. Hard. He spun around. More hands seized his arms, locking him in place.
They… Men in black uniforms. Faces hidden, obscured by masks.
"LEO!!!" Betty screamed as they pulled him away. She lunged forward. Another agent stepped into her path, blocking her.
"Don't hurt her! Please!!" Leo shouted, each word burning his throat.
The Bracelet. I need the Bracelet.
He knew he shouldn't — not here, not in front of Betty — but he had no choice.
He tried to focus energy, reaching for any drop of it around him. Nothing.
He reached for energy in his mind, pulled at it, desperate. Nothing.
Again. Come on. COME ON.
Still nothing. The Bracelet was dead against his skin
What?! Impossible!! What is happening?! Why can't I use energy?!
"LEOOOO!!!!!" Betty's scream was cut short as one of the agents struck her in the stomach. She crumpled to the ground, gasping.
"BETTYY!!!!! DON'T HURT HER!! PLEASE!!! I BEG YOU!! I—"
Something slammed over his head. A bag, chemical smell overwhelming. Chloroform? Something stronger.
Betty… I… love…
The last thing he heard was the van door slamming shut.
Then everything went dark.