A day after the examination, Zack made an unexpected appearance in the dining hall for breakfast. Adam, visibly concerned, approached Zack in a quick pace and bombarded him with questions, desperate to ensure that he was alright and that nothing untoward had occurred. Zack, however, brushed off his concerns, assuring him that he was fine. He mentioned waking up in Dr. Cain's office that morning and joining everyone for breakfast, offering no further explanation.

Yet, despite Zack's reassurances, something seemed odd. He was quieter than usual, withdrawn into his own thoughts. His interactions with the others were minimal, except for his persistent harassment of a particular staff member - a maintenance man with the knife tattoo on his neck.

In the days that followed, Ian learned about the horrors of Saffi and Luca's examination. They were subjected to painful tests, enduring cuts and forced to heal each other repeatedly to push the limits of their regenerative abilities. What intrigued Ian even more was the fact that both Luca and Saffi couldn't heal themselves; their abilities only worked on others. Additionally, the doctors used the other children as test subjects, injecting them with viruses and challenging both Luca and Saffi to identify and heal the infections. The treatment of his friends and the other kids weighed heavily on Ian's conscience, leaving him with a deep sense of sadness and anger.

Three days had passed since then and Ian's mind was consumed by the examination events that had unfolded, particularly the unsettling conversation of the two doctors. Despite his best efforts to brush them off, they stubbornly persisted, relentlessly creeping back into his thoughts. Each passing day only served to deepen the weight of those memories.

I need to talk to someone about it. Realizing the need to confide in someone, Ian considered his options while having lunch that day with his friends. I’m sure Dr. Cain would know about everything, and he told me he would answer all my questions honestly… but those doctors, and what they said about him. Can I even trust him? Zack and Adam warned me to be careful… He let out a deep sigh, his doubts about Dr. Cain’s honesty lingering in his mind. His gaze shifted towards Adam. I could just talk to Adam about it, but how? Everything I do or say is being watched. My only option is Zack. Ian's eyes then settled on Zack He could send the message to Adam telepathically. As the thought of approaching Zack crossed his mind, Ian's mind raced with conflicting emotions. The memories of their constant arguments and their knack for getting on each other's nerves made him hesitate. 

Ian let out another sigh as he continued to eat his meal, trying to distract himself. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the dining hall gradually returned to normalcy, with Saffi and Luca engaged in their usual animated conversations. 

Caught up in his own thoughts, Ian was taken by surprise when Saffi called out to him with excitement in her voice. "Hey Ian!" Her enthusiasm caught his attention, and he shifted his gaze towards her, slightly confused. "What do you think?" Saffi asked, her face brimming with anticipation.

Ian's brows furrowed as he tried to catch up with the conversation. He glanced at Adam and the others, then back at Saffi. "I'm sorry, think about what?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine confusion. 

Saffi's expression shifted to a mix of disappointment and frustration. "About what I just said," she replied.

Ian scratched the back of his neck bashfully. "I wasn't paying attention," he admitted sheepishly. 

Saffi let out an exasperated sigh, giving Ian a playful pout. "Seriously?!" she exclaimed, her disappointment evident. 

Ian offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry," he said softly.

Undeterred, Saffi continued explaining her idea. “Well, as I was saying. Since Luca and I will be meeting you and the others in the Dome in an hour from now. I thought it would be fun to have a little competition to see who can catch the most bugs there!" She announced eagerly, her eyes fixed on Ian. "So, what do you think?"

Ian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Bugs?" he repeated, glancing at Adam for a moment. Adam responded with a smile and a shrug, silently admitting his own confusion in keeping up with Saffi's unique ideas. 

Persistent in her proposition, "Yes, bugs! It will be fun! Come on, we don't get to do anything fun in this place. And you know what would make it even more exciting? Ian using his gravity ability to make all the bugs float in the air!"

Ian tilted his head, considering the suggestion. "I guess we could..." he trailed off, still unsure.

Zack, who had been quiet until now, rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. "This sounds so childish," he remarked while continuing to eat his meal. 

Saffi quickly retorted, her voice filled with playful annoyance. "Ah, shush, you cranky grandpa!" She teased. "You can go lay under your tree and take your power nap while us children have our fun!"

Zack frowned at Saffi's teasing but chose to ignore her. "Whatever," he muttered, pushing aside her playful antics.

Saffi responded by sticking her tongue out at him, playfully mocking his skepticism. The others chuckled, recognizing that Saffi had a unique ability to push Zack's buttons with ease.

With their laughter fading, they all agreed to play the game Saffi had suggested. Finishing their lunch, Saffi and Luca headed off to their class, joining the rest of the children. Ian, Adam, and Zack made their way towards the Dome.

As they stepped into the Dome, the collar devices around their necks transitioned from their usual green glow to a striking red. The shift in color signified a temporary release from the constraints placed on their abilities, allowing them a taste of temporary freedom.                

After Zack had obediently made his way to the designated building, Adam and Ian continued their stroll towards their favorite spot by the serene lake. However, their peaceful moment was abruptly interrupted as another drone approached, its metallic presence casting a shadow over them. A booming voice resonated from the drone's speakers, commanding, "GARNET, HEAD TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TREES."

Adam's eyes widened, a flicker of disgust crossing his face. Sensing Adam's unease, Ian reached out and gently grasped his sleeve, concern etched on his own features. Adam turned his gaze towards Ian and offered a reassuring smile, affectionately patting him on the head. "I'll be back soon, don't worry."

As Adam walked away towards the trees, Ian stood there, watching him until he disappeared from sight. He let out a sigh. I guess I’m left alone for now. As he made his way to their usual spot on the other side of the lake, Ian's mind became consumed by curiosity. His gaze fixed on the trees where Adam had vanished. What is behind all these trees? With a furrowed brow, he continued walking along the edge of the lake, absentmindedly kicking rocks and grass in his path, feeling a sense of boredom creeping in.

Suddenly, a daring idea sparked in Ian's mind. I could float upward and check! The notion thrilled him, and without hesitation, he made his way to their usual spot on the other side of the lake, determined to put his idea into action.

With a resolute expression, Ian drew in a deep breath, centering his thoughts and tapping into his inner power. A radiant glow emanated from his eyes, now transformed into a captivating shade of amber.  feeling the surge of energy coursing through his veins intensified. The gravitational forces around him seemed to respond to his command, and slowly but surely, he lifted his feet off the ground, defying the laws of gravity.

As Ian ascended, a mix of exhilaration and apprehension filled his heart. This is freaking cool! His face lit up with joy and excitement. The view from above was breathtaking, and the sprawling landscape of the dome stretched out before him. His eyes widened with awe as he comprehended the true size of the dome. Whoa this whole place is big.