Night had fully fallen over the abandoned factory. Shadows stretched across the cracked walls, and the air was thick with dust and rust.
Maria walked cautiously, unaware of the black van sliding silently behind her.
Before she could react, two masked figures jumped out, grabbing her and pulling her inside.
A hand covered her mouth.
The door slammed shut, leaving the street empty.
At the same time, Miki stood at the school gate, sensing something wrong.
A stray dog ran past him, barking frantically.
Miki's senses sharpened. He knew—Maria was in danger.
Black car… west road… three figures…
His red eyes narrowed.
"Maria."
He sprinted, using shortcuts only he knew.
Night. The city's edge. An abandoned factory.
Inside, Maria was tied to a chair, struggling.
Three men were present—two masked, one in shadow, holding a gun.
"She's alone. Let's finish this fast," one said.
Miki stepped silently into the room.
The kidnappers froze, sensing something unnatural.
"Wrong question. The real question—why are you here?"
One of them lunged with a knife.
Before the knife could reach him, Miki's telekinesis lifted a metal rod from the floor and struck the attacker's hands.
The knife clattered to the ground.
The second kidnapper tried to pull Maria forward.
Miki's eyes glowed deep red.
Through telepathy, he anticipated every move.
With a single fluid motion, he freed Maria, stepping between her and danger.
"Do you feel it? The fear inside you?"
Maria froze, chest heaving.
Miki raised the gun near her head—not to harm her—but to show control over fear itself.
Suddenly, everything went black.
Time stretched. Sound vanished.
Seconds later, the room returned.
Maria sat trembling on the floor.
Miki no longer aimed at her.
Two kidnappers lay motionless behind them.
Maria's fear and confusion had been amplified by the illusion.
Miki bent down, loosening her ropes.
"What… just happened?" she whispered.
Miki's eyes fell on a paper near one of the fallen men.
Experiment 1966
Recognition flashed in his eyes.
From deeper inside, a shadow stirred.
A slow clap echoed.
"Subject still reacts as expected."
Miki's focus sharpened. This was no random kidnapping. Someone here knew him—and his abilities—very well.
He stepped closer to Maria, keeping her behind him.
"They wanted to control you with fear. They miscalculated."
Maria's eyes darted to the dark corners.
"Then… why me?"
Miki scanned the shadows, ready for whatever came next.
The factory felt alive, breathing, filled with unseen eyes.
His deep red gaze cut through the darkness.
"This… is only the beginning."