A beeping sound is heard. It shows us a hospital room and a bed where Hector is lying.

The beeps become faster and, suddenly, Hector sits up abruptly. Hector is panting and scared and says:

— I died! I had died! That explosion killed me!

A voice is heard from the deepest part of Hector’s subconscious, saying:

— Master, to me you seem very much alive.

Hector hears the voice, gets scared, and presses a red button with the word “Help.”

Still frightened, Hector says:

— Who’s there?!

The same voice from before responds calmly and peacefully:

— I am a celestial being, but you can call me Power...

— Okay... Power... what happened to me? — says Hector, still confused.

— You were affected by a mutant energy explosion. I’ve been waiting for the right moment for us to assimilate — says Power.

— Wait, so you only merged with me, from what I understand, because this mutant energy hit me? — says Hector, questioning.

— Yes, sir. I need a mutated body to inhabit. A capable body — says Power in a centered tone.

— So, if there hadn’t been an explosion, you would’ve let me die, you idiot?! — says Hector, angry.

— I need you alive, but I don’t know what would have happened if there had been no explosion — says Power.

Hector, upon hearing this, sighs a little disappointed.

Then Hector asks:

— But what are you?

— I am... — Power is interrupted when a doctor enters the room.

Hector gets startled and backs against the bed.

The doctor says:

— Good to see you’re awake, Hector. Your mother is here.

Hector says, surprised and happy at the same time:

— Really? Where is she?!

— She’s right here — says the doctor, pointing to the door, which opens right after and his mother enters.

Hector’s mother walks in, emotional, and says:

— My son, are you okay?

— Yes, mom, I’m fine... — says Hector.

Hector’s mother sighs in relief and says:

— Can I take him home, doctor?

— Yes. There’s nothing wrong with him — says the doctor.

Hector gets up and says:

— Mom, didn’t you bring any clothes for me?

— Sorry, son, I almost forgot. I did bring them. Here, they’re in this bag — says Hector’s mom, handing him the bag.

Hector takes the clothes and says:

— I’ll go get changed then...

— There’s a bathroom right there — says the doctor. — You can leave the hospital clothes in there, the nurses will collect them.

— All right... — says Hector.

A few minutes later, Hector comes out already dressed, wearing a red shirt with a yellow “P” in the center and black jeans.

Hector’s mother thanks the doctor, and they leave the hospital and get in the car.

Hector says:

— Mom, can we go somewhere? I’m really hungry.

Hector’s mom nods in agreement.

As the car drives, Hector says to himself:

— Power, you there?

Hector’s mom hears it and says:

— What did you say, son?

— You can speak just by thinking, I can hear you — says Power.

— Nothing, mom, I was just thinking out loud.

Hector starts speaking in his thoughts:

— Thanks, Power, you saved me from that...

— It’s all right, sir. It’s my job — says Power.

— Why do you call me sir? Just call me Hector. And what’s this talk about “my job”? — says Hector.

— Well... Hector, it’s because I’m a celestial being. And celestial beings must serve the body they inhabit as a helper — says Power.

— So you’re like ChatGPT in my head? — says Hector, intrigued.

— Kind of... — says Power, a little confused.

— And you said “celestials,” there are more of you? — says Hector, with curiosity.

— Yes. They’re not me, but from my race, yes — says Power.

— Cool. More ChatGPTs... — says Hector jokingly.

The car stops, and Hector’s mother says:

— You can wait here or outside the car. I’ll bring you some bread and coffee.

Above the shop, there’s a sign that says: Carlos Bakery.

Hector gets out of the car and leans against it, waiting for his mom to return.

Suddenly, Hector hears cries for help coming from a woman in an alley beside the bakery. Hector hears them and runs to see what it is. Three men are assaulting a woman.

Hector says:

— Power, did I get any superpowers from you?

— You’ve gained enhanced physical abilities that you can use — says Power.

— All right, show me what you’ve got.

Right after saying that, Hector enters the alley.

Hector enters the alley and says:

— Stop what you’re doing right now!

The thugs look at him with malice and one of them says:

— You’re just a kid! What are you gonna do?!

Hector runs and kicks the thug in the groin, saying:

— This. I’m gonna do this!

The thug falls to the ground groaning in pain, and another one says:

— You really think that’s gonna stop us?!

The thug, after saying that, pulls out a knife, and the other does the same.

Hector smiles and runs at the thug, who tries to stab Hector, but he dodges. Power, at the moment he dodges, says:

— Super agility!

Hector, after dodging with super agility, lands a punch to the thug’s face. At the same moment, Power says:

— Super strength!

The thug goes flying and hits the ground, unconscious. The same happens with the third thug, whom Hector spins and kicks in the stomach.

The first thug gets up quickly, with the knife in his hand, and tries to stab Hector from behind. Hector turns and grabs his wrist. Hector’s mom appears and says:

— Son, what did you do?!

— They were hurting this woman — says Hector, who then lands a straight punch to the thug’s chest, sending him flying into a wall, knocking him out.

— Ma’am, call the police, please. And don’t say it was me, please — says Hector kindly.

The woman nods in agreement.

Hector runs to the car with his mother, who says right after they get in:

— Son, you’re a mutant!

The end... To be continued in the next chapter.