A FORTRESS AND A WEAPON, BUT NOT WITHOUT SACRIFICE.

ACT 1: THE ASCENT

CHAPTER 1:

PART 1

FIVE YEARS EARLIER: The Boy from Nowhere

Neil Swansmann’s biggest worry was affording rent – not murder charges. He worked double shifts, his bike tires bald from grinding against L.A.’s asphalt.

One time, he was doing a delivery, as he walked down the alley, it reeked of gunpowder, he stumbled onto a film set-or so he thought, until he saw a pistol pressed to the actor’s temple.

Just then, the director’s gaze fell on Neil, and he staggered toward him, exclaiming that they needed a stand-in urgently.

And that if he was willing, he could try and see if he’d fit into the role they were looking for, because the actor who was supposed to fill in for that role was nowhere to be found, he urged Neil, and promised to pay him.

But, I’m just a delivery boy running errands, and as at this point, I need to deliver these, so if you don’t mind, please excuse me, he replied.

Just as he was about to leave, the director said he’d pay him five hundred bucks, which was way better than the delivery he was doing.

He signed the paperwork, kept a copy, and gave it a shot.

During the shoot, he was given the role of acting as a poor boy who had lost everything to a wealthy family in town with influence. Since he had nothing to lose, it was time to pay them back in hundredfold.

He nailed the role and was cheered by everyone, saying he was a natural. He thanked them and left; he grinned. For once, luck had swung his way.”

He decided to get some groceries and treats to celebrate with his mom.

Upon arriving at home, he told his mom what had happened, and she ruffled his hair. Around them, textbooks towered like a fortress on the verge of collapse. “My boy’s gonna be a star one day,” she teased, flicking the dimming lightbulb overhead. “Just don’t forget your old ma when you’re sipping champagne with fancy folks.”

Only if you promise not to embarrass me on TV,” he shot back, grinning. Her laughter warmed the cramped apartment sound he’d miss dearly, though he’d never admit it.

Five months later

Rain slicked the alleyways as Neil wove through puddles, takeout bags dripping grease onto his worn sneakers. He barely noticed the high schoolers huddled under a fraying awning, their phone screen glowing with Revenge – the gritty crime drama he’d filmed a 5-minute cameo for.

“Watch it!” one snapped as Neil’s shoulder clipped theirs. The boy raised a fist-then froze. “Wait… you’re the guy from the show! The one who lost his family and everything dearest to him in Episode 5!”

Neil stiffened. The scene had been cut. Hadn’t it?

“My sister’s obsessed with you,” another girl said, snapping a photo. “Can you say ‘Hi, Mia’?”

Before he could refuse, they’d vanished into the rain, leaving Neil clutching soggy noodles and a gnawing dread.

Later That Night

The photo trended by Dawn: “MYSTERY BOY FROM REVENGE SPOTTED IN WILD!” Fans dissected his frayed hoodie, his scuffed shoes, his “tragically hot” scowl. By noon, #WhoIsTheAlleyActor? Flooded Twitter.

Golden Fame’s CEO, Victor Cruz, watched the hashtag climb. “Sign him,” she ordered her team. “Before he becomes someone else’s Cinderella story.”

Across town, Jason Vance paused his treadmill, glaring at the viral clip. “A nobody,” he muttered.

“They’ll chew him up by next week.”