A group of scientists scuttled past the office of Doctor Mathers.
"We have finally gotten a handle on the media regarding the incident. I will say this one more time—this can never happen again."
He slammed his hand on the table.
Mr. Oken smiled. "You're far too tense, Mathers. No one was seriously hurt."
A file slid across the table toward Oken. He opened it.
"Tell that to those two," Mathers said coldly. "The girl is still in a coma."
Oken closed the file. "So we should concern ourselves with two people when seventy were saved? Stop looking at the glass half empty."
The doctor scoffed. "If there are people already looking for a reason to hate us, one mistake is all it takes for them to turn completely against us."
He placed the file back into the carbonate.
"I understand your concern, Mathers, but that isn't what we're here to discuss."
Valiant leaned forward, showing interest in the conversation.
"How are we going to put this second team together?"
The room fell silent.
"There haven't been any capable graduates in years."
"Valiant makes a good point," Oken added. "You want a team, Mathers—but where are we going to get one?"
Mathers' chair slowly spun.
"What about the seniors of the academy? We could select from them."
A tablet slid across the table.
"This is the data on all the seniors—updated today. They are not capable."
A cheeky smile spread across Valiant's face.
"I see," Mathers said. "Then I suppose we'll have to use the in-lab task force. We still need a secondary defense force."
He slid the tablet back toward Valiant.
Mr. Oken caught it. "Hmm… these results are lackluster. As much as I dislike it, I agree with Mathers."
The room fell silent again.
Oken sifted through the academy data. "But we will *not* be using lab resources for this. Gentlemen, I have an idea."
His grin unsettled the other two.
The office door shut.
---
"Is everything okay, honey?"
Daina, Jerold, and Nani sat beside Ulim.
"I'm fine," Ulim said, shifting into a sitting position. "Just a bit bored."
"You know I can see right through you. What's wrong?"
Ulim glanced at his father, silently asking for help. He was denied.
"I'm just worried about my job. Since I'm here, they might replace me."
His hands fidgeted.
She took his hand. "Everything will be fine. It's just a few days off, and it affected the whole company. You'll be okay."
Jerold nodded in agreement.
"I guess you're right. Wait—is that—"
"Yeah. We passed by your apartment and she just grabbed it. Hope you don't mind."
Nanisca held a Bumbo plushie in her hands.
"No problem. I bought it for her anyway."
"Both of them?" his father asked, gesturing to the second one in the baby bag.
"She had a crisis picking one, so she took both."
Nanisca reached into the bag, grabbed the second plushie, and threw it at Ulim's bed.
"So that was her plan all along."
Ulim picked it up. "Thanks."
He placed it beside his bed.
"So," Daina said, "about your eating habits…"
"Well…"
"Don't give me that. I taught you how to cook. What's with all the instant ramen? You know that stuff isn't healthy, right?"
"I know."
"Good. Because I threw it all away."
"What?"
Ulim looked at his father for help again.
Jerold shrugged and went back to playing with Nani.
"What am I supposed to eat?"
"I bought you real food and prepared meals for the whole week. They're in your fridge."
"Thanks… I guess."
She gave him *the look*.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Good. We have to leave now. I still need to do some last-minute shopping while we're in the inner city."
Jerold looked at Ulim for help. He was denied.
"We won't be here for your discharge tomorrow—it's Nani's first day of kindergarten. I need you to promise me you'll stay safe."
"I'll be fine, Mom."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Love you. Jerold, say it too."
Ulim and his father nodded at each other.
"What?"
"You two are impossible. Now she's doing it too."
Nani nodded and shook her head frantically.
"Okay, we really have to go now. Bye."
Jerold picked up the baby bag, and they were gone.
The room fell silent again.
---
Ulim focused on the plushie.
Warmth spread through him—then suddenly vanished.
"Right now, we have a special: two for the price of one."
The memory echoed in his mind.
Her smile had been bright.
---
The door to Amani's room swung open.
Ulim dragged his IV stand inside. He stood there, unsure of what to do. Maybe he should leave. The guilt was paralyzing.
He took a deep breath and walked toward the bed.
She looked peaceful—and that hurt even more.
He tried to hold her hand. He couldn't. The best he could do was grip the edge of the bed.
The longer he stayed, the louder the incident replayed in his mind. He tried to speak, but no words came. He couldn't even say *sorry*.
He sat there, silently hoping she would wake up.
After a while, he stood, placed the Bumbo plushie on the nightstand, and left the room.
---
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen."
Mr. Oken stood at the podium as journalists buzzed with anticipation.
He cleared his throat. "As you know, there has been a minor spike in criminal activity within our city. This has put more of our people in danger. The recent incident has persuaded us to strengthen our fight against crime."
He paused, glancing at Mathers and Valiant beside him—as if seeking approval.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be introducing a new team."
The journalists erupted, shouting questions. Oken raised a hand, and the room fell silent.
"We will not be picking the hero. *You* will."
His finger seemed to point at every soul in Eclipse City.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce the first-ever Academy Games. Our novice heroes will compete against one another—and all of you will decide who earns the privilege of defending our city."