HEROES

THE DAY THE HEROES CAME

Back at Starhaven Home for Gifted Children, the afternoon was louder than usual.

The large common hall was packed with children. Some sat on the floor playing card games, others chased each other between tables, and a few older kids sat near the windows talking about the news from the city.

The orphanage was never quiet.

Not when nearly every child there had some kind of strange ability.

One little boy made toy blocks float in the air while another accidentally turned his juice blue every time he sneezed.

At one corner of the hall, Ava and T.L. sat together on a long couch, whispering and laughing over something only they understood.

A few moments later, someone dropped into the seat beside them.

It was James.

Seventeen years old, taller than both of them, with a calm face that usually made him look older than he really was. He had been in Starhaven longer than most of the others and had become one of their closest friends.

The three had grown up almost like siblings.

Nearby, Billy and Derek were arguing over a game controller.

Billy shouted, “You cheated!”

Derek crossed his arms.

“I didn’t cheat. You teleported away when I was about to win.”

Billy pointed dramatically.

“That’s called strategy.”

Derek rolled his eyes.

“That’s called being annoying.”

Billy gasped in fake offense.

Mrs. Rose, who was passing by with a tray, laughed under her breath.

---

Then the large television mounted on the wall suddenly switched to a live news broadcast.

Everyone turned to look.

The screen showed footage from the bank robbery.

The gold-suited HEROES were seen confronting the thieves, and then the footage cut to the ashes left behind after the Tribrids intervened.

The TV presenter spoke with excitement.

“The HEROES once again prevented a large-scale robbery in downtown central bank today. However, many are now questioning why the suspects were killed instead of taken into custody, raising concerns over the Tribrid division’s methods—”

Click.

Mrs. Rose muted the television.

The room quieted.

She stood in front of all the children, holding the remote tightly.

Her expression was serious but warm.

“Children, listen up. I have an announcement.”

The hall immediately became still.

Even Billy stopped mid-argument.

Mrs. Rose took a breath.

“The HEROES will be coming this evening to choose some of you for recruitment.”

Murmurs spread instantly through the hall.

She continued.

“Those selected will leave to train under them. You’ll have a better life, education, protection, and the chance to become future defenders of the world.”

Some children looked excited.

Others nervous.

Ava looked at T.L.

T.L. raised an eyebrow.

James stayed silent.

Mrs. Rose smiled.

“So I need everyone assembled here by—”

The doors suddenly burst open.

A caretaker rushed inside, nearly tripping.

“Mrs. Rose!”

She turned.

“What is it?”

The caretaker was breathing hard.

“It’s not this evening, ma’am.”

Mrs. Rose frowned.

“What do you mean?”

The caretaker swallowed.

“They’re here.”

The hall exploded with noise.

Mrs. Rose blinked.

“What?”

The caretaker pointed toward the front gate.

“They’re already on their way in.”

Mrs. Rose panicked and straightened her dress.

“Everyone stand up!”

All the children quickly stood.

Some almost fell over trying.

Ava and T.L. exchanged looks.

T.L. whispered dramatically.

“She looks like the principal caught her cheating in an exam.”

Ava covered her mouth trying not to laugh.

Mrs. Rose shot them a look.

The two instantly pretended innocence.

James, however, looked uneasy.

Ava noticed.

She nudged him.

“What’s wrong with you?”

James looked at both of them.

His voice was low.

“You don’t get it.”

T.L. tilted her head.

“Get what?”

James hesitated.

“What if they pick only one of us? Or two?”

He looked down.

“What if we don’t stay together?”

Ava’s expression softened.

Then she smiled teasingly.

“Aww. Someone’s going to miss us.”

James rolled his eyes.

T.L. leaned closer to him.

“James, relax. We either all go together… or all stay together.”

She crossed her arms proudly.

“And if they refuse to take all three of us, I’ll tell them exactly why we’re not going.”

James laughed nervously.

“Okay…”

Then—

The main hall doors opened.

Instant silence.

A line of armed personnel entered first.

They wore black jackets with the glowing gold H symbol on the back.

Dark tinted glasses.

Perfect formation.

The children stared in awe.

Then two figures stepped through behind them.

A man.

A woman.

Older now than they had once been.

But unmistakable.

Merson.

And Schizzel.

The hall felt electric.

Some children gasped.

Others whispered excitedly.

Mrs. Rose stepped forward respectfully.

Merson gave a calm nod.

Schizzel smiled warmly.

Merson spoke first.

“Good afternoon. We are from the HEROES recruitment command.”

His deep voice carried across the room.

“We’re here to select candidates for advanced training.”

Schizzel opened a digital tablet.

She glanced at the names and began calling them one by one.

As she spoke, selected children stepped forward nervously.

The tension in the room grew.

Ava’s hands tightened.

T.L. tried to look calm but was already biting her lip.

James stared at the floor.

Then—

Schizzel read:

“Ava.”

Ava froze.

Her eyes widened.

T.L. grabbed her arm.

“See? You got picked.”

Ava stood slowly and walked to the front.

James looked even more worried now.

T.L leaned toward him and whispered confidently.

“If they don’t call us, I swear I’m making a speech.”

James looked at her.

“A speech?”

T.L. nodded seriously.

“A very emotional one.”

She began muttering under her breath, rehearsing.

“You cannot separate friendship— no… that’s weak. We are united by destiny— no wait…”

Then Schizzel looked back at the list.

“James.”

James blinked.

He stood up immediately.

T.L. grinned.

“Good.”

Then Schizzel continued.

“T.L.”

T.L. jumped to her feet before realizing what happened.

She pointed dramatically at Schizzel.

“You are not taking only one of us! We are best friends! We go together, we rise together, and if you can’t take the three of us then I’m sorry but we are not going any—”

Ava tugged her sleeve hard.

“T.L…”

T.L. paused.

Ava whispered.

“They called all three of us.”

Silence.

Every eye in the hall turned to T.L.

Merson looked confused.

James was trying very hard not to laugh.

Schizzel blinked.

T.L.’s face slowly changed.

“Oh.”

She cleared her throat.

Then smiled awkwardly.

“Right.”

She sat down immediately.

“Don’t mind me.”

She folded her arms.

“That was my… very excited to see the HEROES panic attack.”

A few children giggled.

Even Merson looked like he was trying not to smile.

Schizzel lowered her tablet, hiding her own laughter.

But as she looked at T.L., something inside her paused.

A strange feeling.

That girl…

There was something about her face.

Something familiar.

Something she couldn’t place.

Schizzel stared for a second too long.

Then she shook the thought away.

Merson stepped forward again.

“Pack your belongings. Selected recruits leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

He gave a respectful nod to Mrs. Rose.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

Then he and Schizzel turned and left, followed by the armed personnel.

The hall slowly erupted into chatter.

Excitement.

Fear.

Questions.

As the children began moving out of the hall, James looked at T.L. and smirked.

“That was an impressive speech.”

T.L. glared at him.

“Shut up.”

Ava laughed.

“At least we’re going together.”

T.L. smiled at last.

“Yeah.”

The three walked out together, side by side, while children ran around them in excitement.

None of them noticed…

From outside the building, inside the black SUV still parked by the gate—

A hidden figure watched T.L. closely.

And this time…

The figure whispered one word.

“Impossible…”