Malachai woke up early the next day. He didn't need an alarm his new body seemed to have a perfect internal clock. He got up effortlessly, stretched his arms, and felt every muscle respond with surgical precision.
He looked in the mirror: still 1.92 m tall, broad shoulders, sharply defined muscles. The loose hoodie no longer hid it as much, but he didn't care. At school they'd say he "It grew suddenly" or "secretly started training." Easy lies he could tell if anyone asked.
He went downstairs to the kitchen. Cory was already there, making coffee in her impeccable lawyer suit. She looked him up and down as he walked in. Her eyes lingered a second too long on his crotch.
"Good morning, sweetheart…" She said, pausing with the mug halfway to her lips. "Malachai, have you… grown even more?"
He poured himself coffee without flinching.
"I guess it's just late puberty." He lied smoothly. "It happens."
Cory frowned, but with a curious smile. She stepped closer, placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. She felt the hardness beneath the fabric.
"You're… more solid. Stronger." Her hand stayed a second longer than necessary. "Have you been working out without telling me?"
"Just… good genetics, Mom." He replied, looking straight into her eyes.
She let out a soft laugh, but there was something in her gaze: a mix of maternal pride and something more ambiguous, deeper.
"Whatever it is, it suits you. But don't stop eating healthy, okay?" She kissed his cheek, accidentally brushing the corner of his lips. "And get to school. I don't want another call from the principal."
Malachai nodded and left. He got into the pickup truck and started driving, but not straight to school. He took a detour toward the poorest residential area of town, where Andrew Detmer lived according to the memories of the "other" Malachai and what he had seen yesterday.
He parked two blocks from Andrew's house. It was a modest place peeling paint, neglected yard. He saw Andrew come out the front door with his backpack on, headphones in, head down. He was walking toward the school bus stop, alone.
Malachai followed at a distance. He didn't need to get too close, his enhanced reflexes and perception let him keep Andrew in his peripheral vision effortlessly. Andrew boarded the bus. Malachai followed in the truck until the school, parked far away, and entered afterward.
Throughout the day, he observed him without being obvious. Andrew always sat alone at the back of the classrooms. He didn't talk to anyone. At lunch, he stayed in a corner of the courtyard with his notebook, drawing. Malachai sat at a nearby table, pretending to read a book, but in reality studying every gesture.
Andrew drew spaceships, explosions, flying figures. Themes of power, of escape. Classic for someone who feels trapped.
Poor kid. In the movie, the crystal gives him everything he dreams of… and then destroys him. This time it's not going to happen like that.
Malachai didn't approach him. Not yet. He was just gathering data: schedules, routes, friends (almost none). He noticed that Matt (the cousin) and Steve (the popular one) looked for him from time to time. The trio was already starting to form. Perfect. That meant the storm and the crystal were close.
At the end of classes, Andrew left alone again. Malachai followed him to the bus stop. He watched him get on and disappear through the window. He didn't follow any further that day. Enough for now.
He returned home. Parked and went inside. Cory wasn't back yet. He went up to his room and opened the computer. He searched local forums and town maps: the forest near the lake, the exact spot where in the movie the crystal falls during an electrical storm. He marked it on Google Maps. There was no storm in the forecast yet, but he knew it would come soon.
His phone buzzed. Message from Beth.
Beth: "Mal, are you home? I want to stop by to thank you. Brought apple pie this time. Is 7 okay?"
Malachai: "Sure. I'll be waiting."
At exactly 7, the doorbell rang.
Beth came in carrying a covered tray. She was wearing tight jeans and a simple blouse that highlighted her natural curves. She smelled of cinnamon and home.
"Hi…" she said with a more relaxed smile than yesterday. "I couldn't show up empty handed after what you did."
Malachai let her into the kitchen. They served the pie and sat at the island.
"It's delicious." he said after the first bite. "Thank you."
Beth looked down, playing with her fork.
"No, thank you. This morning I paid the overdue mortgage installment. The bank isn't calling every five minutes anymore. The kids can keep going to their activities… and I… I can finally breathe." She looked up. "I've never felt someone have my back like that. Without asking for anything."
Malachai leaned in slightly.
"I don't ask for anything you don't want to give."
The silence grew heavy. Beth swallowed.
"Malachai… you're young, but sometimes I feel like you're older than me. Like you know exactly what to say and when." She laughed nervously. "Sounds silly."
"It doesn't sound silly." He said in a low voice, leaning in a little more. "And you're not the only one who notices."
She moved a little closer. Their knees brushed under the counter.
"What are we doing?" She whispered, feeling her heart beat faster.
"What we feel." He replied simply.
Beth hesitated for a second. Then she raised her hand and touched his cheek. Her fingers were warm.
"You're dangerous for me." She said, but didn't pull her hand away.
Malachai covered her hand with his own.
"Only to those who want to hurt me."
They looked at each other. The air felt thick. Beth leaned in slowly… and the doorbell rang again.
They pulled apart. Malachai went to open the door, frustrated.
It was Betty Cooper, holding a folder and looking nervous.
"Hi… sorry for coming unannounced. I brought the history assignment you were missing. The teacher said to turn it in tomorrow."
Malachai sighed inwardly and let her in. Beth came out of the kitchen and saw her.
"Oh, Betty… hi." Beth said, a bit uncomfortable.
"Mrs. Boland… hi." Betty replied, blushing. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You're not interrupting." Malachai said calmly. "Come in, Betty."
The three of them stood in the hallway for an awkward second. Beth broke the silence.
"Well… I should get going. Thanks again, Mal." She gave him a quick hug, brushing against his chest. "See you soon."
Once she left, Betty stared at the door.
"Everything okay?" Malachai asked.
Betty nodded, shy.
"Yeah… just… you seem really busy lately." She handed him the folder. "Here you go. If you need me to explain anything…"
"Thanks. Come in for a minute."
Betty hesitated, but stepped inside. They sat in the living room. She began explaining the history assignment with that quiet passion, gesturing softly, blushing every time their eyes met.
Malachai listened, but his mind was in three places: Betty in front of him, Beth who had just left, and Andrew Detmer walking toward a fate he planned to intercept.
When Betty left, it was almost 9. Malachai closed the door and looked out at the dark street.
The storm would come soon.
The crystal would come soon.
And he would be ready.