EXT. RAMONA STREET NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Lightning and thunder rattle in the sky above. ALEXANDER LOPEZ, a sixteen-year-old high school teen, with dark hair and brown eyes, bikes down Ramona Street, Los Angeles, California, in a quiet American neighborhood.

A violent thunderstorm rages, and soon the sky is covered in dark clouds, but Alex doesn't seem to mind. He's more interested in escaping the high school thugs following him on stolen bikes. He briefly glances at the sky, but he pushes on. Thunder CLAPS nearby and startles Alexander. Lightning POUNDS the floor a few blocks from him. The rusted chain breaks apart on the bike tires. He pushes the emergency brakes forcefully and screeches to a halt.

ALEX

Hijo de puta.

Alex throws his bike to the ground and runs down a side street. Another loud boom rocks the neighborhood. The young thugs push closer. Alex turns down an alleyway and hits a dead-end.

ALEX

Shit!

The three thugs, SAMUEL KAI JONES, LENNOX HALE (Nox), LEONARDO HALE, twins, and GREGORY DAXON, glide around the corner and quickly halt on their bikes. Gregory, the lead thug, steps forward.

GREGORY

Where are you going?

Gregory spits in front of himself. The three teens chuckle. Thunder rumbles in the near distance.

ALEX

I don't have your money, and neither does Mateo.

Gregory and the three other hoodlums drop their bikes and close in on Alexander.

GREGORY

You either have our money, or we kill you, puta.

Then, there's a brief silence — thunderclaps above, and a bright, powerful lightning strike slaps the floor in front of Alex and his chest. Alexander's screams echo through the dense fog, and his eyes flutter before he collapses to the floor, unconscious.

LENNOX

Let's go.

The three thugs coward off in a panic and swiftly bike away, leaving Alex with charred clothing and almost lifeless on the ground.

Int. Alleyway - later

EMTs arrive on the scene. A news correspondent reports the location of the grey background. The street lights flicker, and Alex's eyes fade from brown, ocean blue, back to brown in a flash and close softly. Rain pours down on the harsh concrete while the patter of a slowing heartbeat fades in and out before silence. Paramedics perform CPR chest compressions on Alex. Suddenly, Alexander's eyes flutter open and closed, and he gasps awake—a large crowd forms in the background.

ENTs load Alex onto a gurney, quickly fill him into an ambulance, rush into the vehicle, and take off down the street with a siren wail.

Alex, now alert and conscious, surveys the van and paramedics. At least two sit in the back with him while one drive.

Paramedic One shines a bright light on Alexander's face. Alexander's pupils dilate, fading to blue, barely visible now, and he pulls away from the sensitivity to light.

Paramedic Two slams his fists gently against Alexander's arm, looking for a vein to start an IV. He's not having much luck.

PARAMEDIC TWO

Can you tell me your name, bud?

Alexander looks confused and a little pale.

ALEX

Alexander?

He looks around, and his eyes land on the needle poking through his upper arm. His eyes flutter again before falling into a light seizure and quickly snapping out. Alex's eyes fade back to brown. The needle finally pokes through Alexander's thick skin into a working vein. Wilson works fast to steady the IV in place.

PARAMEDIC ONE

I'm going to take a set of vitals. Can you keep him still?

Wilson hands over the blood pressure machine.

PARAMEDIC TWO

I'm going to check his blood sugar.

(looks at Alex)

Are you here with us, Alexander?

Alex's eyes drift to Wilson, and he blinks.

PARAMEDIC ONE

Any history of diabetes? Anything we need to know about, kid?

Alex slowly shakes his head. While Paramedic Two checks Alex's blood sugar, Mason wraps a blood pressure cuff around the boy's arm and turns on the machine.

ALEX

¿Qué estás haciendo?

Alex flinches when the needle pokes his index finger, and Wilson calms him down.

PARAMEDIC ONE

(to Alex)

It's okay, bud.

PARAMEDIC TWO

Do you remember what happened?

In a blink of an eye, everything flashes back to Alex.

The thugs chase Alex on bikes—the thunderclaps above, then the lightning strikes. Alexander breathes sharply before his vision flickers and everything...

: FADES OUT.

(Intro Plays)

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Alexander's eyes flutter open, fading from brown to ocean blue, in a hospital bed, and he looks around the small room divided by a simple curtain. Machines monitor his heart.

He observes two shadows outside his room, talking with a NURSE in his '30s.

PARAMEDIC ONE

Male, sixteen, Hispanic, struck by lightning—bilingual. Signs of a seizure. No present stroke. Minor cardiac arrest. BP is 198 over 155. Unconscious but breathing on his own. Present bruises are visible on his upper chest.

Alexander clears his dry throat.

ALEX

(Confused)

Where...

(beat)

am I?

The nurse and Mason push through the curtain.

NURSE

Can you tell me your name?

ALEX

(Pronouncing slow)

Alexander Lopez?

Alex slides his knees into his chest from under the covers.

NURSE

Good. Do you know the date?

Alex shakes his head no.

PARAMEDIC ONE

Have the Doctor check his eyes. They were brown when we picked him up.

Mason pats the nurse on the shoulder and walks off. The nurse walks forward, studying Alexander's eyes and the black spider web veins down his back and chest with a flashlight.

NURSE

Any pain or discomfort? Nausea or vomiting?

ALEX

My chest is a little tight.

Alex readjusts his posture on the bed. The nurse pulls up the bed's sides and brings out a button connected to a long wire from behind, placing it on the bed with Alexander.

NURSE

If you need me, push that button, kid.

The nurse takes one more evaluation with his eyes and walks out.

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY

In bed, Alex, wearing a hospital gown, guzzles apple juice and devours a sack lunch. In walks DR. HARRISON, tall, broad, and in his '40s. He watches Alexander completely inhale the last of his food.

DR. HARRISON

Hungry?

Alex nods silently. The Doctor sighs in relief.

DR. HARRISON

Your family is here if you would like to see them.

Alexander nods again, and the doctor walks out. A few seconds later, Alexander's panicked mother, MRS. SAMIRA LOPEZ, petite, his father, MR. MARK LOPEZ, solid yet thin, and younger brother and sister, MANUEL LOPEZ and MELISSA LOPEZ, gathered in the room.

MELISSA

Que diablos estabas Haciendo, tonto?

Alex smiles.

ALEX

Qué pasa punky? I'm okay if you want to know.

Melissa hugs her brother tight, and Alex breathes deeply, feeling soreness around his chest.

MELISSA

You dork.

Manuel smiles awkwardly in the background.

MANUEL

Hey, Alex.

Alex grins wide.

ALEX

Hey, bro. What's up?

Manuel walks up to the other side of the bed and hugs Alex.

MANUEL

Your eyes? Are they blue?

Alexander's eyes widened.

ALEX

Qué?

MANUEL

It doesn't matter.

Manuel squeezes his brother tight again. Melissa joins in.

MRS. LOPEZ

¿Te sientes mejor, mi amor?

Mrs. Lopez rubs Alexander's feet. His dad stands there for moral support.

ALEX

I'm feeling better. A little sore, but overall, feeling like myself.

Mrs. Lopez pats his son's ankles. Dr. Harrison walks through the curtains and smiles.

DR. HARRISON

Are you feeling okay going home, kid?

Alexander nods silently.

DR. HARRISON

Great! Let me grab some paperwork for you, and be okay to leave.

The doctor leaves, and Alex sighs.

MRS. LOPEZ

Aww, mi cachorro.

Mrs. Lopez frowns. Dr. Harrison returns with the discharge papers and hands them to his mom.

DR. HARRISON

These are his discharge papers. He is free to go but comes to the emergency room immediately if any symptoms arise.

Alex shifts in bed. The doctor walks out, and the curtains close further.

MR. LOPEZ

Mas Rapido, Alexander.

Alex pulls from the bed, and his family walks out while he pulls off his gown, his muscled upper chest showing. The camera fades away.

I/e. CAR - DAY.

Alex stares out his family's minivan window as they take off from the hospital and onto the road. His father drives. His sister sits in the middle row with Alex, and Emanuel sits in the back with his headphones covering his ears; loud music blares from the headset. Melissa pokes her brother's arm.

MELISSA

What does getting struck by lightning feel like?

Melissa pokes her brother again.

ALEX

I don't know. Stop poking me, Melissa.

MELISSA

Do you mean you don't remember?

Alex rolls his eyes. Mr. Lopez watches from the front mirror.

MR. LOPEZ

Melissa, leave Alex alone. He's exhausted.

Melissa turns forward in her seat.

Emanuel glances at his brother as the van screeches down the road but doesn't pay him too much attention.

The car pulls into a nearby driveway and comes to a halt in front of a decently sized-house. Everyone evacuates the vehicle except Alex, who takes his time. Manuel holds back to check on his brother sitting in the car with the door open.

MANUEL

Que pasa, Alex?

Alex sighs, slipping off his seatbelt; his hands slide against the door, sparks fly, barely visible, and as Alex walks with his brother into the house, the car jump starts for a moment. Alex slides the car door closed. Alex rolls his eyes again.

Alex

Did you leave the keys in the ignition again, Dad?

MR. LOPEZ

I have the keys right here.

Mr. Lopez peeks around the corner and holds up a set of keys. Alex groans.

ALEX

¿Que demonios?

Alex shakes his head and slams his back onto the couch, flipping on the TV.

Alex sits on the couch when a bike pulls up in the Lopez driveway, and MATEO HERNANDEZ, a young teen with brown eyes and dark hair, rings the doorbell.

MATEO

Alex?!

Alex walks over to the door and opens it. Alex lets Mateo in.

ALEX

What do you want, Mateo?

MATEO

I got the money.

Alex pulls Mateo into the living room.

ALEX

You, what?

MATEO

I made a bet with someone for thirty thousand and won! I have the money!

Alex scowls. Mateo holds up a backpack full of cash and weed.

MATEO

We're rich, bro!

ALEX

Hold up! You're not handing the money over to Gregory, are you? He's still going to kill us both.

Mateo huffs.

MATEO

Trust me, Alex. I know what I'm doing.

ALEX

That's what got us into this mess.

Just then, Mr. Lopez extends from the top steps.

MR. LOPEZ

Alex, you're supposed to be resting.

Mr. Lopez finds Mateo standing beside Alex, hiding the bag behind his back.

MR. LOPEZ

Mateo? What are you doing here? You know Alex is sick.

MATEO

Struck by lightning? It was all over the news, Mr. Lopez.

MR. LOPEZ

Go home, Mateo.

Mateo pouts, walking around Alex to the doorway.

MATEO

I'll text you later, Alex.

Alex gives Mateo a thumbs up, and Mateo walks out the door.

MR. LOPEZ

Mateo is trouble, Alex.

Alex huffs without saying a word.

MR. LOPEZ

Go to your room and rest. You were struck by lightning, for God's sake. Promise me you'll get some rest.

ALEX

Alright, Dad. I'm going.

Alexander walks up the steps to his room.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Alex slumps against his sheets and pulls his phone from his pocket. The screen flickers, damaged from the lightning strike. Alex checks his cell phone into his bean bag chair across the room. White lightning streaks from his fingertips and hits the giant bean bag, watching it explode with stuffing and pebbles. Alex looks shocked and confused.

ALEX

Shit.

Alex examines his hands and then the chair again.

ALEX

Did I just...

Alex is silent momentarily; then, he shoots his hand out again. Another bolt of lightning hits his desk lamp, shattering the glass. Alex chuckles in disbelief and amusement.

ALEX

I have superpowers?

He grins cockily, but his excitement soon turns into fear.

ALEX

I-I have fucking superpowers.

Melissa knocks outside his doorway.

MELISSA

Hey, Dork. The police brought your bike back, waiting outside to talk with you.

Alex gulps, looks at his hands, then to the doorway.

ALEX

Uh...

He panics, then takes a deep breath of air.

ALEX

Thanks, Mel.

Alex pulls himself from the bed and walks to his doorway. His hand curls around the opening, and the door rips off the hinges. Alex stares in disbelief at the door and sets it to the side. Melissa stares at the door, then her brother with a cocked eyebrow, confused and fascinated but looking more disgusted.

MELISSA

What kind of milk is Dad feeding you?

ALEX

What?

Alex sets the door down and walks out of the room.

INT. FOYER - DAY

Alex shrugs and proceeds down the stairs. He opens the front door, greeted by SHERIFF GABRIEL HERNANDEZ, the leading officer at the Los Angeles police department, the Early '40s, and Mateo's father, who holds the bike handlebars. OFFICER JUSTIN BURNES, in the late '20s, standing next to Gabriel, shifts in place, back and forth. Off to the side lies a bent and beaten-up bike.

GABRIEL

Good afternoon, Alexander. Are you feeling okay?

Alex nods.

ALEX

Yeah, thanks.

GABRIEL

Did my son come over earlier?

Alex huffs.

ALEX

Yeah.

Gabriel shifts the wheels of Alexander's bike.

GABRIEL

Did you see where he went?

ALEX

Nope.

Gabriel nods.

ALEX

I'll let you know if he comes back.

GABRIEL

Alright. Stay safe, Alexander.

ALEX

Thanks, Sheriff Hernandez.

GABRIEL

Mr. Hernandez.

Long beat. Gabriel salutes Alex, and Alex shuts the door. Mr. Lopez stands behind Alex, his arms crossed over his chest, with a toothbrush in his mouth and half-dressed in business clothes.

MR. LOPEZ

What did you do to your door, Alexander?

ALEX

Did Melissa rat me out?

Mr. Lopez nods, taking a long beat in silence, brushing his teeth before pulling the toothbrush from his mouth.

MR. LOPEZ

Que sale de tu sueldo en el Castillo de Castro.

Alex rolls his eyes and walks up the steps. He yells to his son up the steps.

MR. LOPEZ

La próxima vez, no rompa la puerta o la quitaré de las bisagras de forma permanente. Gracias.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Alex is on his phone, researching lightning strikes and superpowers. Nothing comes up. Suddenly his phone dings, and a single text appears on his screen from Mateo.

INTERCUT — TEXT MESSAGE

Alex settles into his comforter, reading his texts.

MATEO

Did my dad come over earlier?

Alex thinks, then...

ALEX

Yeah. He was looking for you.

MATEO

Oh. Can you meet me under the Six Street bridge in an hour?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

I'm on bed rest tonight. Besides, if my father catches me, he'll double my sentences.

MATEO

Damn. Well, we don't want to piss off Daddy dearest. Have fun.

Alex shuts down his phone and stares at his lampshade, and as he thrusts his hands forward, a bolt of lightning pushes from his palm to his fingertips like Spiderman's webs, cracking the polished porcelain.

ALEX

Cool.

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

Alarms chirp in the distance from a cell phone sitting on a side desk. Alex swipes his hands through the air, his stomach drops, and his eyes widen as he stares at his bed two feet below him.

ALEX

Shit, shit, SHIT!

Alex somersaults in the air, trying to steady himself, and a loud pounding rattles his brain.

ALEX

SHIT!

Alex focuses, trying to balance in the air, and shuts his eyes, trying to clear his mind. THEN, his eyes land on nearby objects floating in the air with him; he fights confusion, and suddenly he plummets through the air, smacking down against his rock-hard mattress.

The things fall too, and he bolts out of bed, finding himself on the other side of the room in mere seconds, as he catches his lampshade and computer, placing them on his desk gently.

ALEX

What the fuck?

Int. Bedroom - Later

Alex throws a dark hoodie over his fresh, white t-shirt and grabs his phone off his dresser. The battery reads 5%. He plugs his phone into the plug next to his dresser, and the phone flashes 3% battery.

Alexander's phone dings in his pocket, and a text message appears on the screen.

INTERCUT - TEXT MESSAGE

Mateo

Bruh, you good?

End of Intercut

Alex sighs, stuffing his phone in his hoodie pocket, and grabs his headphones from the dresser.

There's a wall thump, and MR. LOPEZ, dark, athletic, mid-'40s, yells from below. Alexander checks the time and flips off the light as the power to the entire house fizzles out. Brennan's phone beeps, and the phone reads 100% battery—female screams in the dark from below. Brennan proceeds to the staircase.

MR. Lopez

Don't be dramatic, Melissa.

Alex runs down the stairs. Jeremy pops his head out of the living room doorway.

Jeremy flicks the light switch, but the lights don't budge.

Mr. Lopez

These damn lights. I guess I'll call an electrician.

Alex races down the staircase, his hand barely encasing the doorknob as the lights flicker on again. He pulls out a pair of earbuds and walks off.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

A locker door slams shut. Mateo and Alex stand side by side as they walk.

MATEO

Gregory is going to kill us.

ALEX

I know.

Alex melts into his locker. His head smacked against the grooves.

MATEO

And it's not just him. It's those men I stole the cash from--

Alexander's eyes widened.

ALEX

(Interrupting Mateo)

You told me you won that money.

MATEO

I did, Sort of.

Alex huffs angrily.

ALEX

(Angrily)

Mateo! You're going to get us killed.

MATEO

Be happy Gregory isn't here today.

Alex sighs.

ALEX

How do you know he's not here?

MATEO

I have yet to see him yet.

Alex breathes deeply.

ALEX

We're going to die.

The two boys walk off as the warning bell rings.

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY

Mateo and Alex sit at a table, pushing day-old mashed potatoes, Salisbury steak, and gravy on their tray. Gregory and his gang watch from another table, madly dogging the boys.

MATEO

Are you going to tell him, or do I have to?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

We're telling Gregory something when we talk to your dad.

Alex and Mateo look back at Gregory, watching him snatch a cake off someone's tray. He opens the packaged cake and eats it, glaring at Mateo and Alex.

MATEO

We are not telling my dad anything. This might be his mess, but this is our fight.

Alex scoffs.

ALEX

Sure.

Alex takes a bit of his rubbery steak.

MATEO

Someone has to stop him. He's a terrorist.

Alex chuckles.

ALEX

Yeah, but it sure as hell will not be us.

The two boys watch Gregory finish his cake.

INT. HOUSE - AFTERNOON

Mateo and Alex sneak through the front door. Mr. Lopez waits for Alex in the kitchen.

MR. LOPEZ

Alex, the kitchen now.

Alex and Mateo drop their backpacks in the doorway and wander to the kitchen. Mr. Lopez stands by the counter, sipping a seltzer beer.

MR. LOPEZ

How was your day, boys?

MATEO

It was okay, Mr. Lopez.

Mr. Lopez sighs, taking a sip of his beer.

MR. LOPEZ

Good, good. You were supposed to stay home today, Alexander.

Alex sighs and opens the fridge, pulling out two colas.

ALEX

I went anyway.

Alex shrugs, handing a soda to Mateo, and pops off the top, sucking soda from the bottle.

MR. LOPEZ

Alexander Martinez Lopez! You need to understand. You were struck by lightning, for God's sake. I only want the best for you. I'm concerned about you, Mijo.

Alex shrugs and sucks more soda from the bottle. (Pointing to the staircase) Go to your room!

Mateo and Alex walk off. Mr. Lopez stops Mateo.

MR. LOPEZ

Go home, Mateo.

Mateo rolls his eyes and walks to the front door. Alex walks up to his room.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Mateo climbs through Alexander's window. Alex sits on his bed, flipping through articles about lightning on his phone. Mateo closes the window and walks over.

MATEO

Daddy dearest is at it again. What Bullshit...

ALEX

(Mocking tone)

He only wants 'THE BEST FOR ME.'

Long silent pause. Mateo and Alex chuckle.

MATEO

What are we doing about Gregory and the thirty grand?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

I'm not sure. You're going to get us killed.

Mateo chuckles.

MATEO

My dad is a cop. What could go wrong?

ALEX

He arrested and confiscated the drugs, guns, and cash that Gregory is now demanding us from--

Mateo

--So what?

Alex scoffs.

ALEX

Your dad will find us face down near the skid row with a bullet in our skulls.

Melissa walks by, a disgusted look on her face while she snacks on red vines.

MELISSA

Yeah, you're an idiot, Mateo.

(To Alex)

Why do you even hang out with him?

MATEO

(Mocking Melissa)

She's a feisty one today.

Melisa grunts.

MELISSA

I'm on my period, dumbass.

Melissa rolls her eyes, biting into her red wine. Then, she flips the bird at Mateo and walks off—Alex and Mateo chuckle.

MATEO

(Muttering)

That's T.M.I., Mucosa.

Melissa pokes her head in the doorway.

MELISSA

I heard that. You are such a little pinchazo. I bite too.

Mateo and Alex break into fits of laughter. Melissa wanders down the hallway.

MATEO

(Yelling to Melissa)

Como una maldita sanguijuela.

MR. LOPEZ

(Yelling at Mateo)

Knock it off, Mateo.

Mateo bites his tongue—fast beat.

MATEO

(shouting back)

Yes, sir.

There's a moment of silence.

MR. LOPEZ

I thought I told you to go home, Mateo.

More silence. Then Mateo and Alex break into laughter again.

MATEO

Your dad scares me. I should go home. I'll text you updates, though, Bro.

Mateo and Alex slap hands, then Mateo descends to the staircase.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Alex jogs down the sidewalk with a hoodie flung over his head, sweatpants, and a pair of tennis shoes. He stops and checks the time on his phone. It reads 12:01 AM.

He looks around, checking his surroundings, and hovers off the ground. Suddenly a big SUV races by with three men with BB guns in ski masks, carrying duffle bags filled with cash. He watches as two cop cars, one with Gabriel, chase after him. Then, he swoops after the robbers, landing in front of the car, his head tilted to the floor.

The car slams against Alex, and he covers his eyes as his body smashes into the hood of the SUV. The two cop cars barely have time to hit the brakes, but they screech to a halt. Gabriel and three other cops push from their vehicles with guns drawn on the four men and Alex.

Alex lifts into the air, barely scraped by the car, although his body leaves an imprint in the engine of the SUV.

GABRIEL

Son of a bitch.

The cops and robbers stare at Alex for a moment, hiding his face from view under his hood as he dangles in the air a few feet. Gabriel pulls his intercom to his lips and speaks.

GABRIEL

This is Officer Hernandez requesting backup and medical.

A voice grumbles through the other end.

RANDOM OFFICER (V.O.)

Rodger.

The cops watch Alex for a moment, and he watches them. There's silence, then Gabriel nods at Alex.

GABRIEL

Are you okay?

Alex deepens his voice with a husky growl.

ALEX

Yeah.

Alex grunts, shutting off his phone. Gabriel watches Alex as he walks off, clutching his stomach.

Gabriel

Wait! Who are you?

A crowd forms as neighbors wander outside their homes, snapping photos and videos of a flying boy hiding like a coward under his best friend's hoodie.

Alexander turns back to Gabriel, his eyes meeting the chiefs as he shivers in the cold.

Alex

Look, I don't know if you know this, but you've got three bad guys trapped in a car.

Gabriel

I'm aware.

Random OFFICER

Do you need medical to look at your gash?

Alex shakes his head.

Alex

No, I'm sure it'll heal.

Alex salutes the two cops.

Alex

See you, Chief.

While sucking up the pain from the large gash in his stomach, Alexander nodded at Gabriel, looking at the mess he made before flying off.

INT. BEDROOM — TWO HOURS LATER — NIGHT

Alex lies on his bedsheets, starting with two shallow cuts on his stomach and chest—barely any blood seeps from the wound. Alex touches the wound and moans. However, he hardly feels pain.

ALEX

FUCK. SHIT!

Alex touches his wound again, and as lightning pulls from his fingertips to his slash, it fades from view.

ALEX

Son of a bitch!

Alex grabs his phone off the side of the dresser next to him, unlocks the screen, and checks his messages; Nothing. Suddenly there is screaming downstairs from Melissa, and Alex bolts to the stairway and down the steps into the living room, where his family watches the news.

MELISSA

There's a super! Holy fucking shit!

EMANUEL

Shut up, Melissa. I'm trying to listen to the tv.

Melissa grunts and sticks her tongue out at Emanuel. Alex takes a seat on the couch next to Melissa.

ALEX

Who's this super?

Alex leans back against the back of the couch and settles in.

MR. LOPEZ

We don't know, but it's nice of you to join us, Alex.

Mrs. Lopez snuggles into Mr. Lopez on the couch.

MRS. LOPEZ

How are you feeling, Mijo?

ALEX

It could be worse.

Alex shrugs. Suddenly his phone dings, and he checks it.

INTERCUT - NEIGHBORHOOD AND BEDROOM

Mateo stands in an alleyway on his phone.

MATEO

We need to talk.

Alex sits on his bed, shuts off his phone, and rushes out of the room. His family watches him leave the front door, slamming it shut.

END INTERCUT

EXT. SKID ROW BRIDGE - NIGHT

The two boys stand under Skid Row Bridge, lined with tents belonging to the homeless tenants.

ALEX

What the fuck, Mateo? Are you nuts?

MATEO

It's so obvious it was you, bruh. First, you get struck by lightning, and suddenly there's a super running about being a total fucking badass. Not to mention, I loaned you that hoodie, and I very much would like it back...

Alex sighs.

ALEX

(Shouting)

Mateo!

(Lowers voice)

So, what if it is me? What are you going to do? Tell your dad?

Mateo laughs.

MATEO

No, but I've got something better. You can finally kick Gregory's--

ALEX

--I'm not doing shit to Gregory. You know it'll backfire.

MATEO

Not if you're wearing a mask. Think about it. I still have mine from three years ago when we dressed up as Robin and Night Wing. Do you know how fucking long I've been waiting for someone to kick Gregory's ass?.. Year's, Alex. I know you have to. You have superpowers, for fuck--

Alex super speeds behind Mateo and covers his mouth.

ALEX

--Yeah, and I would not like the entire neighborhood to know about them.

Alex releases his grip on Mateo.

MATEO

Geez, do you have super strength or something? You hurt my jaw with your shitty iron grip. You should work on that.

Mateo moves his jaw around. Suddenly, a homeless man walks into view.

HOMELESS MAN

Hey! What are you two boys doing down here?

Mateo's and Alexander's eyes meet with the homeless man. Then they look at each other.

MATEO

FUCK!

The two boys bolt off down the street, Alex taking the lead, and stop when they reach the houses.

MATEO (CONT. D)

(through huffs)

You're not... winded? You really should consider this superhero shit.

Alexander rolls his eyes and walks on. Mateo follows behind.

ALEX

I'll think about it, only if you promise you won't give Daxon any money and you'll talk to your dad.

Mateo cringes.

MATEO

Ooh, hard pass. I don't want to get killed for being a snitch.

Alex raises his hands.

ALEX

Fine, no superhero shit.

MATEO

Fine, okay, you win, but only if you promise to show me some of your powers.

Alex mocks Mateo.

ALEX

Ooh. Hard pass. You'll have to wait and see what I can do.

Mateo chuckles.

MATEO

You are an asshole, bruh.

Mateo pushes Alex. Alex goes Mateo back.

ALEX

I have a reputation for withholding. I made a pretty good news story tonight.

Mateo laughs.

MATEO

You bet your ass you did. My dad was going nuts! How was your dad's reaction?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

He was... Eh, He didn't care much.

MATEO

Sounds like your dad. See you tomorrow?

ALEX

Yeah. Text me before school. We have to go over some ground rules.

Mateo scowls.

Mateo

Right. See you tomorrow. My dad will kill me if I'm not home by eleven.

Alex snorts.

Alex

Mine too...You're Welcome, by the way. I saved your father tonight.

Mateo

No...You're welcome. I saved your ass by loaning you that hoodie.

Alexander's eyebrow raises.

Alex

Oh really?

He watched Mateo momentarily with an amused grin before lifting into the air a few inches. His eyes light up in astonishment. Mateo rolls his eyes and scoffs.

Mateo

I want my hoodie back tomorrow.

Alex

I'll text you in the morning.

(Mateo salutes his friend as he lifts higher into the sky.)

You better not bail like you always do.

Mateo

I won't.

Alexander salutes Mateo and swoops into the clouds, disappearing into the cold night air. Mateo starts walking home.

Int. Mateo's home - kitchen - day

Mateo walks into the kitchen and slumps down his backpack in the corner. Gabriel sits at the table eating half a tray of baked ziti while the other half sits on the stole, piping hot, next to the fridge.

Gabriel

Hey, bud.

Mateo opens the fridge, grabs the milk carton, and chugs it.

Mateo

Good.

Mateo slams the carton back into the fridge and shuts it. Then he opens the drawer next to him, grabs a fork, and works on the half tray of ziti on the stove.

Gabriel

How's Alex doing?

Mateo sucks down a noodle, chews, and gulps.

Mateo

Alex? He's super.

Gabriel eats a big spoonful of noodles and cleans his fork, gesturing to Mateo.

Gabriel

What happened to that hoodie Uncle John gave you?

Mateo

(Jokingly )

Sold it for drugs.

Gabriel takes another spoonful of ziti, unfazed. Mateo takes another bite of his ziti, challenging his father.

Gabriel

I'm serious.

Mateo

Oh, that hoodie. I loaned it to Alex. Why?

Gabriel pauses for a beat. His eyes widen, and his eyebrow lifts. Then, he shovels more food into his mouth.

GABRIEL

Nothing. Glad to know Alex is doing "Super." I've got to get back to the station. Stay safe.

Gabriel walks to the sink, washes his empty dish, and leaves the room.

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

Alex stands before the bathroom mirror, pulls his shirt over his head, and throws it to the floor. His six-pack washboard abs look more like bread rolls you buy at the grocery store at a discount. He laughs, amused.

ALEX

Superpowers... Cool.

Alex flexes his new muscles in the mirror. Suddenly, Melissa slams her fists into the bathroom door.

MELISSA

Hey, Doofus. I want to arrive on time for the bus!

ALEX

Give me a second.

Alex slips a shirt and hoodie over his head. Then he falls into his jeans.

MELISSA

If you make Manuel or me late, I'm going to kick your ass harder than that super.

Alex chuckles.

ALEX

Sure you are.

The door creaks open, and Mr. Lopez stands in the doorway next to Melissa, giving a disappointed glare.

MR. LOPEZ

You've got five minutes, Ten tops. I mean it.

ALEX

Alright.

There's a quick beat.

MELISSA

¡Más rápido!

Alex rolls his eyes and closes the door behind him.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL — HALLWAY — DAY

Alex and Mateo walk down the school hallway together.

MATEO

What's your superhero name? Rayo Mexicano or some shit like that? Get it because you were struck by lightning?

ALEX

We shouldn't talk about this at school.

Mateo raises an eyebrow, leaning against his locker. Alex's eyes narrow on Mateo as they stop in front of their lockers. Mateo pulls string cheese from his backpack.

MATEO

Sure, you know, pick one now that you've made the news.

Alex and Mateo open their lockers, and they dig for their books.

ALEX

You know, I'm just an ordinary person.

MATEO

With superpowers!

Mateo looks at his best friend up and down. Alex's eyes dart around the hallway and land on GUENEVERE GRANT (GWEN), (16), with long black hair and brown eyes standing with her friends.

ALEX

I'm not a fan of superheroes.

Mateo gestures to Gwen in the background with his string of cheese.

MATEO

You should ask Gwen on a date. Maybe she likes superheroes.

Alex moans. Mateo finishes the string cheese and shoves the wrapper into his backpack.

ALEX

I'm not a superhero.

MATEO

Sure. That wasn't what you said last night when you went all Macho Macho by the bridge. What did you say? Something about ruining your reputation.

(Mateo Chuckles)

Whatever that lightning did to you granted you the strength of a god. Do you even lift, bro?

Alex glares at Mateo. Mateo shuts his locker.

ALEX

I'm not a superhero.

Alex stares at the prepackaged cake wedged perfectly between his books.

MATEO

What superpowers do you have?

ALEX

I-uh, I don't know.

Alex avoids eye contact as Gwen looks his way. Instead, he glances at Mateo.

MATEO

We have to return to Skid row bridge and try some shit out. It's going to be lit.

Alex rolls his eyes as Mateo grabs the cake from Alex's locker. Gwen walks off with a group of girls. Mateo pulls the cake package open. Alex snorts.

ALEX

Is that all you think of?

MATEO

What?

Mateo stuffs his mouth with cake.

ALEX

Food.

Alex slams into his locker, leaving grooves in the metal.

MATEO

Yeah, food and money. Those are the main two. How do you stay so calm?

(lowers voice)

I mean, with all those superpowers and stuff.

Mateo piles the rest of the cake in his mouth.

ALEX

How do you stay so thin? You shovel food in your mouth as if you've never eaten before.

Mateo grins.

MATEO

Okay, sick burn, but that's my superpower.

Alex rolls his eyes and shuts his locker, and both boys walk off to class.

INT. SCHOOL — CLASSROOM — DAY

Alex takes his seat in the back row, settling into his desk. Mateo takes the seat next to him. They both watch Gregory on the opposite side of the classroom with his gang, watching them.

MATEO

(whispers)

I can't wait until you beat the shit out of Gregory.

Alex chuckles.

Alex

(whispers)

You wish.

Alex and Mateo look at Gregory. Gregory flips them off. The school bell rings overhead, and MR. DEIGO SANCHEZ (Early '30s), handsome and muscular, slaps the board with the palm of his hand, attracting the entire class's attention.

DIEGO

Good morning. I saw that, Gregory.

Gregory growls.

GREGORY

Shut up, Sanchez.

The room grows quiet.

DIEGO

Excuse me?

Gregory sits back and throws his feet on the desk before him.

GREGORY

You heard me.

STUDENTS

(Louder)

Ooooh.

Alex throws his hoodie over his head, and Mateo pulls it down.

MATEO

(Whispering to Alex)

Are you crazy?

Alex shrugs at Mateo.

DIEGO

Anyway...

Diego rambles off. Alex lays his head down on his desk. Mateo copies him.

INT. SCHOOL — HALLWAY — AFTERNOON

Gregory shoves Mateo into a locker. A group of boys forms a circle around Mateo and Alex.

ALEX

Come on. Don't be a dick, Gregory.

Gregory's eyes drift to Alexander.

GREGORY

What did you say?

There's a brief silence. Mateo pleads silently with his eyes for Alex not to do anything stupid. Gregory and Alex face to face. Alex sighs.

ALEX

I said, leave him alone.

Gregory chuckles, licking his chapped lips. So do the boys standing behind him.

GREGORY

Or what?

Alex and Gregory glared at one another, challenging each other with locked eyes. The final overhead bell rings, and Gregory shoves Alex into the lockers behind him.

GREGORY

You're not even worth it. I can snap you like a toothpick. See you around, puta.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

Alex and Mateo walk down the street, detouring their homes through a shady neighborhood. Tents line the sidewalk, and a few skid-row homeless men and women take refuge inside, watching the two boys walk through the street.

MATEO

So, what's the plan?

ALEX

I don't know. It depends on what you want to see.

Mateo squares Alex up; his fists pull before him, playfully ready to pounce. Alex shoves Mateo.

ALEX

Could you stop it?

Mateo chuckles.

MATEO

Sure, Rayo Mexicano. Show me what you can do.

Alex laughs.

ALEX

That's a stupid name.

MATEO

Why?

Mateo bounces on his toes. Alex shoves Mateo to the ground playfully.

ALEX

Shut up!

Suddenly a gun clicks behind Alexander's head. Alex slowly raises his hands in the air. Mateo freezes on the ground. Gregory's older brother, the gunman, LUCAS DAXON, stands four feet taller than Alex at 6′4", pointing a gun between his ears.

LUCAS

Yeah, Mateo. Shut up.

Lucas swerves the gun at Mateo before pointing it back at Alex. Alex slowly turns around.

ALEX

What do you want, Lucas?

Lucas spits on the ground toward Mateo. Mateo helps himself up.

LUCAS

I want what Greg wants—half of his money and drugs.

Mateo spits back at Lucas, hitting the sidewalk near his shoe.

MATEO

What's in it for us?

Lucas chuckles—long beat.

LUCAS

Both of you get to live.

Mateo grunts. Alex bawls his fists.

MATEO

What if we don't have your money?

LUCAS

Then I put a bullet in both of your skulls right now, and Daddy Hernandez gets one too.

Alex steps forward in front of Mateo.

ALEX

We don't want any bad blood between us. You should back off.

Lucas shoves the weapon in Alexander's face.

LUCAS

(Lowering his voice)

You better hope I don't pull the fucking trigger right now.

Lucas clicks the gun again. Alex stares him straight in the eyes. Their noses almost touch. Alex sizes Lucas up, pulling Mateo behind him.

ALEX

You better hope I don't do something stupid right now.

Mateo drifts behind Alex. Alex focuses on the noises surrounding him. Mateo anxiously taps his fingers on his thigh; loud birds chirp in the trees.

BANG.

The bullet pushes forward in one quick motion. Alexander's eyes open. The bullet slams against his arm, barely scratching the surface of his chest, bouncing off like a rubber ball. Lucas and Mateo look stunned.

LUCAS

Son of a fucking bitch.

Lucas drops the gun to the floor, frozen in place. Lightning ripples from the tiny scratch on Alexander's chest stitches back together in seconds.

LUCAS

What the fuck are you, freaks?

Mateo

I don't know. Why don't you fuck around more and find out?

Mateo raises an eyebrow. Alex leans forward and picks up the gun, pulling the safety latch and crushing the barrel.

ALEX

Did you want your gun back?

Alex dangles the gun on the tip of his fingers in front of Lucas.

LUCAS

Nah, fool. Keep it.

Lucas panics, his adrenaline pumping momentarily, and he races down the street opposite Alex and Mateo. Long beat. Both boys look at each other, then erupt into laughter fits.

MATEO

Dude, you have problems. Your parents are going to flip when they finally find out.

Mateo gestures to Lucas, more than halfway down the long block.

ALEX

That's why I'm not telling anyone about my powers.

(Alex takes a deep breath)

And neither are you.

Mateo lifts two fingers in the air.

MATEO

Scout's honor, but I'm not the one you should worry about.

Mateo lifts an eyebrow at Alex and crosses his buff arms over his chest.

ALEX

It's not like anyone's going to believe Lucas, anyway.

MATEO

Should we risk it?

Mateo and Alex stare at each other. They both break out in laughter again.

INT. DINING ROOM - NOON

Alex and his family sit around the table, enjoying homemade roasted chicken taquitos, rice, beans, guac, and sour cream. There's silence, and suddenly, Mr. Lopez clears his throat.

MR. LOPEZ

How was everyone's day?

MANUEL

It was okay.

MELISSA

Meh. I could have been better.

Mr. Lopez reaches for the tongs and swipes three taquitos from the hotplate. Mrs. Lopez smiles.

MRS. LOPEZ

(To Alex)

How are you feeling, Mijo?

There is silence for a moment. All eyes are on Alex. Melissa takes a drink of water. Manuel crunches into a taquito.

ALEX

To be honest, I'm super.

Melissa spits and takes her water toward the floor. All eyes are on her now.

MELISSA

What? I choked.

Mr. Lopez sighs.

MR. LOPEZ

Slow down, and maybe that won't happen.

MRS. LOPEZ

Mark!

Mr. Lopez bites into a Taquito.

MR. LOPEZ

What? It's true?

MRS. LOPEZ

Those kinds of comments are why anorexia exists.

There's tension in the room. Suddenly Manuel clears his throat.

MANUEL

I got an A+ on my AP science test.

The attention moves to Manuel.

MR. LOPEZ

That's good. I'm happy for you, Emanuel.

Everyone takes a bite of Taquito.

MELISSA

(With a mouth full)

Yeah, but I heard everyone's senior year sucks.

EMANUEL

It's okay right now. My friends and I don't get to talk much anymore.

Melissa chuckles.

MELISSA

Yeah. That sounds about right.

Mr. Lopez swallows his food, then takes a sip of water and speaks.

MR. LOPEZ

What about you, Alexander? How are you and Mateo doing?

ALEX

Still the best of friends. It's just been rocky, but he's helped me with these last few days.

Mr. Lopez sighs.

MR. LOPEZ

Hmm. Interesting.

(to Melissa)

What about you, Melissa? How is your second year?

MELISSA

It's okay. Not much excitement, and nothing is going on between my friends and me.

Mr. Lopez raises an eyebrow.

MR. LOPEZ

What about Stacy and Hannah? Anything new with them?

MELISSA

Nope.

Alex pushes his half-finished food around on his plate, half-finished, but his stomach is full.

ALEX

I'm going to my room.

The chair screams as Alex pushes from his seat.

MRS. LOPEZ

Are you going to finish your food?

ALEX

Nah, I'm not hungry anymore.

Alex looks at his food, and his stomach churns.

MR. LOPEZ

Save it in the fridge for tomorrow.

ALEX

Okay.

Alex stretches big, showing off a few washboard abs, grabs his plate from the table, and walks into the kitchen.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Thunder and rain rock the home outside Alexander's bedroom. Alex settles into bed, holding his old Night-Wing mask, studying the foam fabric and structure.

He flicks it around in his hand and turns it repeatedly in his palm. Melissa stands in the doorway, watching her brother from a distance.

MELISSA

You're not honestly considering doing something that stupid?

Alexander's eyes drift to Melissa in the doorway.

ALEX

What do you mean?

MELISSA

Don't play dumb. I know that it was you who stopped those thieves. Shit! That was Mateo's hoodie.

Alex chuckles in disbelief.

ALEX

Yeah, right? I can barely stand up to Gregory. How am I going to confront two robbery suspects?

Melissa laughs this time.

MELISSA

Okay? Gregory scares me too, but Dad will kill you when he finds out about this.

Alex melts against his mattress.

ALEX

Yeah, I know.

Melissa walks in and takes a seat at Alexander's bedside.

MELISSA

What? Are you going full Nightwing, or...

(long beat)

I can get my sewing machine and whip you out something if you're still considering this.

Alex sighs.

ALEX

You can't tell anyone, okay? Not even Emanuel or I'm telling Mateo about your little crush.

MELISSA

You are sure as hell not!

Alex grins. Thunderclaps nearby again. White lightning hits the ground just outside Alexander's bedroom window.

ALEX

Good, we agree.

MELISSA

Only if I have free will with your costume design, do you even have a name yet?

Alex looks outside his window.

ALEX

I'm working on something.

Long beat.

MELISSA

You know, this is insane.

Alex chuckles.

ALEX

Yeah.

Manuel walks by, stopping in the doorway now.

EMANUEL

What's insane?

MELISSA

What?

Alex clears his throat.

ALEX

Nothing.

Manuel sighs.

MANUEL

Alright, fine. You don't have to tell me anything.

Manuel walks off.

MELISSA

Before remodeling your costume, I need details, such as your superpowers.

Alex points to the lampshade in the room's corner.

ALEX

Watch this.

Alex shoots his hand out toward the lampshade on his desk. Lightning pulls from his fingertips, striking the lamp with a powerful force, knocking it off balance. The lampshade shatters against his table and flickers.

MELISSA

(Screaming)

Alex!

ALEX

Fuck.

Thunder and lightning rattle the house again. Melissa stares at the lampshade, still flickering on the desk table.

MELISSA

Where's your suit?

ALEX

In my closet.

Alex points to his off-white closet, stuffed with unfolded clothes.

MELISSA

I'm not digging in there.

Alex huffs. Melissa rises from Alexander's mattress.

ALEX

Fine. I'll bring it to you in the morning.

MELISSA

Okay. I'll also dig under my bed for my sewing stuff in the morning.

Alex smiles.

ALEX

Thanks again, Mel. Promise not to tell anyone about my secret, though.

MELISSA

I promise, okay, Doofus?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

Okay, good.

Melissa walks to the door and stops at the opening.

MELISSA

Good night, dork.

ALEX

Good night.

Melissa flips off the light and walks off. Alex lies on his bed, examining his mask and new reality. He flips the mask in his hands and then tosses it across his room onto his desk. A bolt of lightning claps outside his window again. Alex gets comfy in his sheets. Alex's eyes flicker with the lights in the home one last time. Heartbeats, thunder, and everything...

: FADE TO BLACK.

THE END. EXT. RAMONA STREET NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Lightning and thunder rattle in the sky above. ALEXANDER LOPEZ, a sixteen-year-old high school teen, with dark hair and brown eyes, bikes down Ramona Street, Los Angeles, California, in a quiet American neighborhood.

A violent thunderstorm rages, and soon the sky is covered in dark clouds, but Alex doesn't seem to mind. He's more interested in escaping the high school thugs following him on stolen bikes. He briefly glances at the sky, but he pushes on. Thunder CLAPS nearby and startles Alexander. Lightning POUNDS the floor a few blocks from him. The rusted chain breaks apart on the bike tires. He pushes the emergency brakes forcefully and screeches to a halt.

ALEX

Hijo de puta.

Alex throws his bike to the ground and runs down a side street. Another loud boom rocks the neighborhood. The young thugs push closer. Alex turns down an alleyway and hits a dead-end.

ALEX

Shit!

The three thugs, SAMUEL KAI JONES, LENNOX HALE (Nox), LEONARDO HALE, twins, and GREGORY DAXON, glide around the corner and quickly halt on their bikes. Gregory, the lead thug, steps forward.

GREGORY

Where are you going?

Gregory spits in front of himself. The three teens chuckle. Thunder rumbles in the near distance.

ALEX

I don't have your money, and neither does Mateo.

Gregory and the three other hoodlums drop their bikes and close in on Alexander.

GREGORY

You either have our money, or we kill you, puta.

Then, there's a brief silence — thunderclaps above, and a bright, powerful lightning strike slaps the floor in front of Alex and his chest. Alexander's screams echo through the dense fog, and his eyes flutter before he collapses to the floor, unconscious.

LENNOX

Let's go.

The three thugs coward off in a panic and swiftly bike away, leaving Alex with charred clothing and almost lifeless on the ground.

Int. Alleyway - later

EMTs arrive on the scene. A news correspondent reports the location of the grey background. The street lights flicker, and Alex's eyes fade from brown, ocean blue, back to brown in a flash and close softly. Rain pours down on the harsh concrete while the patter of a slowing heartbeat fades in and out before silence. Paramedics perform CPR chest compressions on Alex. Suddenly, Alexander's eyes flutter open and closed, and he gasps awake—a large crowd forms in the background.

ENTs load Alex onto a gurney, quickly fill him into an ambulance, rush into the vehicle, and take off down the street with a siren wail.

Alex, now alert and conscious, surveys the van and paramedics. At least two sit in the back with him while one drive.

Paramedic One shines a bright light on Alexander's face. Alexander's pupils dilate, fading to blue, barely visible now, and he pulls away from the sensitivity to light.

Paramedic Two slams his fists gently against Alexander's arm, looking for a vein to start an IV. He's not having much luck.

PARAMEDIC TWO

Can you tell me your name, bud?

Alexander looks confused and a little pale.

ALEX

Alexander?

He looks around, and his eyes land on the needle poking through his upper arm. His eyes flutter again before falling into a light seizure and quickly snapping out. Alex's eyes fade back to brown. The needle finally pokes through Alexander's thick skin into a working vein. Wilson works fast to steady the IV in place.

PARAMEDIC ONE

I'm going to take a set of vitals. Can you keep him still?

Wilson hands over the blood pressure machine.

PARAMEDIC TWO

I'm going to check his blood sugar.

(looks at Alex)

Are you here with us, Alexander?

Alex's eyes drift to Wilson, and he blinks.

PARAMEDIC ONE

Any history of diabetes? Anything we need to know about, kid?

Alex slowly shakes his head. While Paramedic Two checks Alex's blood sugar, Mason wraps a blood pressure cuff around the boy's arm and turns on the machine.

ALEX

¿Qué estás haciendo?

Alex flinches when the needle pokes his index finger, and Wilson calms him down.

PARAMEDIC ONE

(to Alex)

It's okay, bud.

PARAMEDIC TWO

Do you remember what happened?

In a blink of an eye, everything flashes back to Alex.

The thugs chase Alex on bikes—the thunderclaps above, then the lightning strikes. Alexander breathes sharply before his vision flickers and everything...

: FADES OUT.

(Intro Plays)

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Alexander's eyes flutter open, fading from brown to ocean blue, in a hospital bed, and he looks around the small room divided by a simple curtain. Machines monitor his heart.

He observes two shadows outside his room, talking with a NURSE in his '30s.

PARAMEDIC ONE

Male, sixteen, Hispanic, struck by lightning—bilingual. Signs of a seizure. No present stroke. Minor cardiac arrest. BP is 198 over 155. Unconscious but breathing on his own. Present bruises are visible on his upper chest.

Alexander clears his dry throat.

ALEX

(Confused)

Where...

(beat)

am I?

The nurse and Mason push through the curtain.

NURSE

Can you tell me your name?

ALEX

(Pronouncing slow)

Alexander Lopez?

Alex slides his knees into his chest from under the covers.

NURSE

Good. Do you know the date?

Alex shakes his head no.

PARAMEDIC ONE

Have the Doctor check his eyes. They were brown when we picked him up.

Mason pats the nurse on the shoulder and walks off. The nurse walks forward, studying Alexander's eyes and the black spider web veins down his back and chest with a flashlight.

NURSE

Any pain or discomfort? Nausea or vomiting?

ALEX

My chest is a little tight.

Alex readjusts his posture on the bed. The nurse pulls up the bed's sides and brings out a button connected to a long wire from behind, placing it on the bed with Alexander.

NURSE

If you need me, push that button, kid.

The nurse takes one more evaluation with his eyes and walks out.

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY

In bed, Alex, wearing a hospital gown, guzzles apple juice and devours a sack lunch. In walks DR. HARRISON, tall, broad, and in his '40s. He watches Alexander completely inhale the last of his food.

DR. HARRISON

Hungry?

Alex nods silently. The Doctor sighs in relief.

DR. HARRISON

Your family is here if you would like to see them.

Alexander nods again, and the doctor walks out. A few seconds later, Alexander's panicked mother, MRS. SAMIRA LOPEZ, petite, his father, MR. MARK LOPEZ, solid yet thin, and younger brother and sister, MANUEL LOPEZ and MELISSA LOPEZ, gathered in the room.

MELISSA

Que diablos estabas Haciendo, tonto?

Alex smiles.

ALEX

Qué pasa punky? I'm okay if you want to know.

Melissa hugs her brother tight, and Alex breathes deeply, feeling soreness around his chest.

MELISSA

You dork.

Manuel smiles awkwardly in the background.

MANUEL

Hey, Alex.

Alex grins wide.

ALEX

Hey, bro. What's up?

Manuel walks up to the other side of the bed and hugs Alex.

MANUEL

Your eyes? Are they blue?

Alexander's eyes widened.

ALEX

Qué?

MANUEL

It doesn't matter.

Manuel squeezes his brother tight again. Melissa joins in.

MRS. LOPEZ

¿Te sientes mejor, mi amor?

Mrs. Lopez rubs Alexander's feet. His dad stands there for moral support.

ALEX

I'm feeling better. A little sore, but overall, feeling like myself.

Mrs. Lopez pats his son's ankles. Dr. Harrison walks through the curtains and smiles.

DR. HARRISON

Are you feeling okay going home, kid?

Alexander nods silently.

DR. HARRISON

Great! Let me grab some paperwork for you, and be okay to leave.

The doctor leaves, and Alex sighs.

MRS. LOPEZ

Aww, mi cachorro.

Mrs. Lopez frowns. Dr. Harrison returns with the discharge papers and hands them to his mom.

DR. HARRISON

These are his discharge papers. He is free to go but comes to the emergency room immediately if any symptoms arise.

Alex shifts in bed. The doctor walks out, and the curtains close further.

MR. LOPEZ

Mas Rapido, Alexander.

Alex pulls from the bed, and his family walks out while he pulls off his gown, his muscled upper chest showing. The camera fades away.

I/e. CAR - DAY.

Alex stares out his family's minivan window as they take off from the hospital and onto the road. His father drives. His sister sits in the middle row with Alex, and Emanuel sits in the back with his headphones covering his ears; loud music blares from the headset. Melissa pokes her brother's arm.

MELISSA

What does getting struck by lightning feel like?

Melissa pokes her brother again.

ALEX

I don't know. Stop poking me, Melissa.

MELISSA

Do you mean you don't remember?

Alex rolls his eyes. Mr. Lopez watches from the front mirror.

MR. LOPEZ

Melissa, leave Alex alone. He's exhausted.

Melissa turns forward in her seat.

Emanuel glances at his brother as the van screeches down the road but doesn't pay him too much attention.

The car pulls into a nearby driveway and comes to a halt in front of a decently sized-house. Everyone evacuates the vehicle except Alex, who takes his time. Manuel holds back to check on his brother sitting in the car with the door open.

MANUEL

Que pasa, Alex?

Alex sighs, slipping off his seatbelt; his hands slide against the door, sparks fly, barely visible, and as Alex walks with his brother into the house, the car jump starts for a moment. Alex slides the car door closed. Alex rolls his eyes again.

Alex

Did you leave the keys in the ignition again, Dad?

MR. LOPEZ

I have the keys right here.

Mr. Lopez peeks around the corner and holds up a set of keys. Alex groans.

ALEX

¿Que demonios?

Alex shakes his head and slams his back onto the couch, flipping on the TV.

Alex sits on the couch when a bike pulls up in the Lopez driveway, and MATEO HERNANDEZ, a young teen with brown eyes and dark hair, rings the doorbell.

MATEO

Alex?!

Alex walks over to the door and opens it. Alex lets Mateo in.

ALEX

What do you want, Mateo?

MATEO

I got the money.

Alex pulls Mateo into the living room.

ALEX

You, what?

MATEO

I made a bet with someone for thirty thousand and won! I have the money!

Alex scowls. Mateo holds up a backpack full of cash and weed.

MATEO

We're rich, bro!

ALEX

Hold up! You're not handing the money over to Gregory, are you? He's still going to kill us both.

Mateo huffs.

MATEO

Trust me, Alex. I know what I'm doing.

ALEX

That's what got us into this mess.

Just then, Mr. Lopez extends from the top steps.

MR. LOPEZ

Alex, you're supposed to be resting.

Mr. Lopez finds Mateo standing beside Alex, hiding the bag behind his back.

MR. LOPEZ

Mateo? What are you doing here? You know Alex is sick.

MATEO

Struck by lightning? It was all over the news, Mr. Lopez.

MR. LOPEZ

Go home, Mateo.

Mateo pouts, walking around Alex to the doorway.

MATEO

I'll text you later, Alex.

Alex gives Mateo a thumbs up, and Mateo walks out the door.

MR. LOPEZ

Mateo is trouble, Alex.

Alex huffs without saying a word.

MR. LOPEZ

Go to your room and rest. You were struck by lightning, for God's sake. Promise me you'll get some rest.

ALEX

Alright, Dad. I'm going.

Alexander walks up the steps to his room.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Alex slumps against his sheets and pulls his phone from his pocket. The screen flickers, damaged from the lightning strike. Alex checks his cell phone into his bean bag chair across the room. White lightning streaks from his fingertips and hits the giant bean bag, watching it explode with stuffing and pebbles. Alex looks shocked and confused.

ALEX

Shit.

Alex examines his hands and then the chair again.

ALEX

Did I just...

Alex is silent momentarily; then, he shoots his hand out again. Another bolt of lightning hits his desk lamp, shattering the glass. Alex chuckles in disbelief and amusement.

ALEX

I have superpowers?

He grins cockily, but his excitement soon turns into fear.

ALEX

I-I have fucking superpowers.

Melissa knocks outside his doorway.

MELISSA

Hey, Dork. The police brought your bike back, waiting outside to talk with you.

Alex gulps, looks at his hands, then to the doorway.

ALEX

Uh...

He panics, then takes a deep breath of air.

ALEX

Thanks, Mel.

Alex pulls himself from the bed and walks to his doorway. His hand curls around the opening, and the door rips off the hinges. Alex stares in disbelief at the door and sets it to the side. Melissa stares at the door, then her brother with a cocked eyebrow, confused and fascinated but looking more disgusted.

MELISSA

What kind of milk is Dad feeding you?

ALEX

What?

Alex sets the door down and walks out of the room.

INT. FOYER - DAY

Alex shrugs and proceeds down the stairs. He opens the front door, greeted by SHERIFF GABRIEL HERNANDEZ, the leading officer at the Los Angeles police department, the Early '40s, and Mateo's father, who holds the bike handlebars. OFFICER JUSTIN BURNES, in the late '20s, standing next to Gabriel, shifts in place, back and forth. Off to the side lies a bent and beaten-up bike.

GABRIEL

Good afternoon, Alexander. Are you feeling okay?

Alex nods.

ALEX

Yeah, thanks.

GABRIEL

Did my son come over earlier?

Alex huffs.

ALEX

Yeah.

Gabriel shifts the wheels of Alexander's bike.

GABRIEL

Did you see where he went?

ALEX

Nope.

Gabriel nods.

ALEX

I'll let you know if he comes back.

GABRIEL

Alright. Stay safe, Alexander.

ALEX

Thanks, Sheriff Hernandez.

GABRIEL

Mr. Hernandez.

Long beat. Gabriel salutes Alex, and Alex shuts the door. Mr. Lopez stands behind Alex, his arms crossed over his chest, with a toothbrush in his mouth and half-dressed in business clothes.

MR. LOPEZ

What did you do to your door, Alexander?

ALEX

Did Melissa rat me out?

Mr. Lopez nods, taking a long beat in silence, brushing his teeth before pulling the toothbrush from his mouth.

MR. LOPEZ

Que sale de tu sueldo en el Castillo de Castro.

Alex rolls his eyes and walks up the steps. He yells to his son up the steps.

MR. LOPEZ

La próxima vez, no rompa la puerta o la quitaré de las bisagras de forma permanente. Gracias.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Alex is on his phone, researching lightning strikes and superpowers. Nothing comes up. Suddenly his phone dings, and a single text appears on his screen from Mateo.

INTERCUT — TEXT MESSAGE

Alex settles into his comforter, reading his texts.

MATEO

Did my dad come over earlier?

Alex thinks, then...

ALEX

Yeah. He was looking for you.

MATEO

Oh. Can you meet me under the Six Street bridge in an hour?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

I'm on bed rest tonight. Besides, if my father catches me, he'll double my sentences.

MATEO

Damn. Well, we don't want to piss off Daddy dearest. Have fun.

Alex shuts down his phone and stares at his lampshade, and as he thrusts his hands forward, a bolt of lightning pushes from his palm to his fingertips like Spiderman's webs, cracking the polished porcelain.

ALEX

Cool.

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

Alarms chirp in the distance from a cell phone sitting on a side desk. Alex swipes his hands through the air, his stomach drops, and his eyes widen as he stares at his bed two feet below him.

ALEX

Shit, shit, SHIT!

Alex somersaults in the air, trying to steady himself, and a loud pounding rattles his brain.

ALEX

SHIT!

Alex focuses, trying to balance in the air, and shuts his eyes, trying to clear his mind. THEN, his eyes land on nearby objects floating in the air with him; he fights confusion, and suddenly he plummets through the air, smacking down against his rock-hard mattress.

The things fall too, and he bolts out of bed, finding himself on the other side of the room in mere seconds, as he catches his lampshade and computer, placing them on his desk gently.

ALEX

What the fuck?

Int. Bedroom - Later

Alex throws a dark hoodie over his fresh, white t-shirt and grabs his phone off his dresser. The battery reads 5%. He plugs his phone into the plug next to his dresser, and the phone flashes 3% battery.

Alexander's phone dings in his pocket, and a text message appears on the screen.

INTERCUT - TEXT MESSAGE

Mateo

Bruh, you good?

End of Intercut

Alex sighs, stuffing his phone in his hoodie pocket, and grabs his headphones from the dresser.

There's a wall thump, and MR. LOPEZ, dark, athletic, mid-'40s, yells from below. Alexander checks the time and flips off the light as the power to the entire house fizzles out. Brennan's phone beeps, and the phone reads 100% battery—female screams in the dark from below. Brennan proceeds to the staircase.

MR. Lopez

Don't be dramatic, Melissa.

Alex runs down the stairs. Jeremy pops his head out of the living room doorway.

Jeremy flicks the light switch, but the lights don't budge.

Mr. Lopez

These damn lights. I guess I'll call an electrician.

Alex races down the staircase, his hand barely encasing the doorknob as the lights flicker on again. He pulls out a pair of earbuds and walks off.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

A locker door slams shut. Mateo and Alex stand side by side as they walk.

MATEO

Gregory is going to kill us.

ALEX

I know.

Alex melts into his locker. His head smacked against the grooves.

MATEO

And it's not just him. It's those men I stole the cash from--

Alexander's eyes widened.

ALEX

(Interrupting Mateo)

You told me you won that money.

MATEO

I did, Sort of.

Alex huffs angrily.

ALEX

(Angrily)

Mateo! You're going to get us killed.

MATEO

Be happy Gregory isn't here today.

Alex sighs.

ALEX

How do you know he's not here?

MATEO

I have yet to see him yet.

Alex breathes deeply.

ALEX

We're going to die.

The two boys walk off as the warning bell rings.

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY

Mateo and Alex sit at a table, pushing day-old mashed potatoes, Salisbury steak, and gravy on their tray. Gregory and his gang watch from another table, madly dogging the boys.

MATEO

Are you going to tell him, or do I have to?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

We're telling Gregory something when we talk to your dad.

Alex and Mateo look back at Gregory, watching him snatch a cake off someone's tray. He opens the packaged cake and eats it, glaring at Mateo and Alex.

MATEO

We are not telling my dad anything. This might be his mess, but this is our fight.

Alex scoffs.

ALEX

Sure.

Alex takes a bit of his rubbery steak.

MATEO

Someone has to stop him. He's a terrorist.

Alex chuckles.

ALEX

Yeah, but it sure as hell will not be us.

The two boys watch Gregory finish his cake.

INT. HOUSE - AFTERNOON

Mateo and Alex sneak through the front door. Mr. Lopez waits for Alex in the kitchen.

MR. LOPEZ

Alex, the kitchen now.

Alex and Mateo drop their backpacks in the doorway and wander to the kitchen. Mr. Lopez stands by the counter, sipping a seltzer beer.

MR. LOPEZ

How was your day, boys?

MATEO

It was okay, Mr. Lopez.

Mr. Lopez sighs, taking a sip of his beer.

MR. LOPEZ

Good, good. You were supposed to stay home today, Alexander.

Alex sighs and opens the fridge, pulling out two colas.

ALEX

I went anyway.

Alex shrugs, handing a soda to Mateo, and pops off the top, sucking soda from the bottle.

MR. LOPEZ

Alexander Martinez Lopez! You need to understand. You were struck by lightning, for God's sake. I only want the best for you. I'm concerned about you, Mijo.

Alex shrugs and sucks more soda from the bottle. (Pointing to the staircase) Go to your room!

Mateo and Alex walk off. Mr. Lopez stops Mateo.

MR. LOPEZ

Go home, Mateo.

Mateo rolls his eyes and walks to the front door. Alex walks up to his room.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Mateo climbs through Alexander's window. Alex sits on his bed, flipping through articles about lightning on his phone. Mateo closes the window and walks over.

MATEO

Daddy dearest is at it again. What Bullshit...

ALEX

(Mocking tone)

He only wants 'THE BEST FOR ME.'

Long silent pause. Mateo and Alex chuckle.

MATEO

What are we doing about Gregory and the thirty grand?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

I'm not sure. You're going to get us killed.

Mateo chuckles.

MATEO

My dad is a cop. What could go wrong?

ALEX

He arrested and confiscated the drugs, guns, and cash that Gregory is now demanding us from--

Mateo

--So what?

Alex scoffs.

ALEX

Your dad will find us face down near the skid row with a bullet in our skulls.

Melissa walks by, a disgusted look on her face while she snacks on red vines.

MELISSA

Yeah, you're an idiot, Mateo.

(To Alex)

Why do you even hang out with him?

MATEO

(Mocking Melissa)

She's a feisty one today.

Melisa grunts.

MELISSA

I'm on my period, dumbass.

Melissa rolls her eyes, biting into her red wine. Then, she flips the bird at Mateo and walks off—Alex and Mateo chuckle.

MATEO

(Muttering)

That's T.M.I., Mucosa.

Melissa pokes her head in the doorway.

MELISSA

I heard that. You are such a little pinchazo. I bite too.

Mateo and Alex break into fits of laughter. Melissa wanders down the hallway.

MATEO

(Yelling to Melissa)

Como una maldita sanguijuela.

MR. LOPEZ

(Yelling at Mateo)

Knock it off, Mateo.

Mateo bites his tongue—fast beat.

MATEO

(shouting back)

Yes, sir.

There's a moment of silence.

MR. LOPEZ

I thought I told you to go home, Mateo.

More silence. Then Mateo and Alex break into laughter again.

MATEO

Your dad scares me. I should go home. I'll text you updates, though, Bro.

Mateo and Alex slap hands, then Mateo descends to the staircase.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Alex jogs down the sidewalk with a hoodie flung over his head, sweatpants, and a pair of tennis shoes. He stops and checks the time on his phone. It reads 12:01 AM.

He looks around, checking his surroundings, and hovers off the ground. Suddenly a big SUV races by with three men with BB guns in ski masks, carrying duffle bags filled with cash. He watches as two cop cars, one with Gabriel, chase after him. Then, he swoops after the robbers, landing in front of the car, his head tilted to the floor.

The car slams against Alex, and he covers his eyes as his body smashes into the hood of the SUV. The two cop cars barely have time to hit the brakes, but they screech to a halt. Gabriel and three other cops push from their vehicles with guns drawn on the four men and Alex.

Alex lifts into the air, barely scraped by the car, although his body leaves an imprint in the engine of the SUV.

GABRIEL

Son of a bitch.

The cops and robbers stare at Alex for a moment, hiding his face from view under his hood as he dangles in the air a few feet. Gabriel pulls his intercom to his lips and speaks.

GABRIEL

This is Officer Hernandez requesting backup and medical.

A voice grumbles through the other end.

RANDOM OFFICER (V.O.)

Rodger.

The cops watch Alex for a moment, and he watches them. There's silence, then Gabriel nods at Alex.

GABRIEL

Are you okay?

Alex deepens his voice with a husky growl.

ALEX

Yeah.

Alex grunts, shutting off his phone. Gabriel watches Alex as he walks off, clutching his stomach.

Gabriel

Wait! Who are you?

A crowd forms as neighbors wander outside their homes, snapping photos and videos of a flying boy hiding like a coward under his best friend's hoodie.

Alexander turns back to Gabriel, his eyes meeting the chiefs as he shivers in the cold.

Alex

Look, I don't know if you know this, but you've got three bad guys trapped in a car.

Gabriel

I'm aware.

Random OFFICER

Do you need medical to look at your gash?

Alex shakes his head.

Alex

No, I'm sure it'll heal.

Alex salutes the two cops.

Alex

See you, Chief.

While sucking up the pain from the large gash in his stomach, Alexander nodded at Gabriel, looking at the mess he made before flying off.

INT. BEDROOM — TWO HOURS LATER — NIGHT

Alex lies on his bedsheets, starting with two shallow cuts on his stomach and chest—barely any blood seeps from the wound. Alex touches the wound and moans. However, he hardly feels pain.

ALEX

FUCK. SHIT!

Alex touches his wound again, and as lightning pulls from his fingertips to his slash, it fades from view.

ALEX

Son of a bitch!

Alex grabs his phone off the side of the dresser next to him, unlocks the screen, and checks his messages; Nothing. Suddenly there is screaming downstairs from Melissa, and Alex bolts to the stairway and down the steps into the living room, where his family watches the news.

MELISSA

There's a super! Holy fucking shit!

EMANUEL

Shut up, Melissa. I'm trying to listen to the tv.

Melissa grunts and sticks her tongue out at Emanuel. Alex takes a seat on the couch next to Melissa.

ALEX

Who's this super?

Alex leans back against the back of the couch and settles in.

MR. LOPEZ

We don't know, but it's nice of you to join us, Alex.

Mrs. Lopez snuggles into Mr. Lopez on the couch.

MRS. LOPEZ

How are you feeling, Mijo?

ALEX

It could be worse.

Alex shrugs. Suddenly his phone dings, and he checks it.

INTERCUT - NEIGHBORHOOD AND BEDROOM

Mateo stands in an alleyway on his phone.

MATEO

We need to talk.

Alex sits on his bed, shuts off his phone, and rushes out of the room. His family watches him leave the front door, slamming it shut.

END INTERCUT

EXT. SKID ROW BRIDGE - NIGHT

The two boys stand under Skid Row Bridge, lined with tents belonging to the homeless tenants.

ALEX

What the fuck, Mateo? Are you nuts?

MATEO

It's so obvious it was you, bruh. First, you get struck by lightning, and suddenly there's a super running about being a total fucking badass. Not to mention, I loaned you that hoodie, and I very much would like it back...

Alex sighs.

ALEX

(Shouting)

Mateo!

(Lowers voice)

So, what if it is me? What are you going to do? Tell your dad?

Mateo laughs.

MATEO

No, but I've got something better. You can finally kick Gregory's--

ALEX

--I'm not doing shit to Gregory. You know it'll backfire.

MATEO

Not if you're wearing a mask. Think about it. I still have mine from three years ago when we dressed up as Robin and Night Wing. Do you know how fucking long I've been waiting for someone to kick Gregory's ass?.. Year's, Alex. I know you have to. You have superpowers, for fuck--

Alex super speeds behind Mateo and covers his mouth.

ALEX

--Yeah, and I would not like the entire neighborhood to know about them.

Alex releases his grip on Mateo.

MATEO

Geez, do you have super strength or something? You hurt my jaw with your shitty iron grip. You should work on that.

Mateo moves his jaw around. Suddenly, a homeless man walks into view.

HOMELESS MAN

Hey! What are you two boys doing down here?

Mateo's and Alexander's eyes meet with the homeless man. Then they look at each other.

MATEO

FUCK!

The two boys bolt off down the street, Alex taking the lead, and stop when they reach the houses.

MATEO (CONT. D)

(through huffs)

You're not... winded? You really should consider this superhero shit.

Alexander rolls his eyes and walks on. Mateo follows behind.

ALEX

I'll think about it, only if you promise you won't give Daxon any money and you'll talk to your dad.

Mateo cringes.

MATEO

Ooh, hard pass. I don't want to get killed for being a snitch.

Alex raises his hands.

ALEX

Fine, no superhero shit.

MATEO

Fine, okay, you win, but only if you promise to show me some of your powers.

Alex mocks Mateo.

ALEX

Ooh. Hard pass. You'll have to wait and see what I can do.

Mateo chuckles.

MATEO

You are an asshole, bruh.

Mateo pushes Alex. Alex goes Mateo back.

ALEX

I have a reputation for withholding. I made a pretty good news story tonight.

Mateo laughs.

MATEO

You bet your ass you did. My dad was going nuts! How was your dad's reaction?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

He was... Eh, He didn't care much.

MATEO

Sounds like your dad. See you tomorrow?

ALEX

Yeah. Text me before school. We have to go over some ground rules.

Mateo scowls.

Mateo

Right. See you tomorrow. My dad will kill me if I'm not home by eleven.

Alex snorts.

Alex

Mine too...You're Welcome, by the way. I saved your father tonight.

Mateo

No...You're welcome. I saved your ass by loaning you that hoodie.

Alexander's eyebrow raises.

Alex

Oh really?

He watched Mateo momentarily with an amused grin before lifting into the air a few inches. His eyes light up in astonishment. Mateo rolls his eyes and scoffs.

Mateo

I want my hoodie back tomorrow.

Alex

I'll text you in the morning.

(Mateo salutes his friend as he lifts higher into the sky.)

You better not bail like you always do.

Mateo

I won't.

Alexander salutes Mateo and swoops into the clouds, disappearing into the cold night air. Mateo starts walking home.

Int. Mateo's home - kitchen - day

Mateo walks into the kitchen and slumps down his backpack in the corner. Gabriel sits at the table eating half a tray of baked ziti while the other half sits on the stole, piping hot, next to the fridge.

Gabriel

Hey, bud.

Mateo opens the fridge, grabs the milk carton, and chugs it.

Mateo

Good.

Mateo slams the carton back into the fridge and shuts it. Then he opens the drawer next to him, grabs a fork, and works on the half tray of ziti on the stove.

Gabriel

How's Alex doing?

Mateo sucks down a noodle, chews, and gulps.

Mateo

Alex? He's super.

Gabriel eats a big spoonful of noodles and cleans his fork, gesturing to Mateo.

Gabriel

What happened to that hoodie Uncle John gave you?

Mateo

(Jokingly )

Sold it for drugs.

Gabriel takes another spoonful of ziti, unfazed. Mateo takes another bite of his ziti, challenging his father.

Gabriel

I'm serious.

Mateo

Oh, that hoodie. I loaned it to Alex. Why?

Gabriel pauses for a beat. His eyes widen, and his eyebrow lifts. Then, he shovels more food into his mouth.

GABRIEL

Nothing. Glad to know Alex is doing "Super." I've got to get back to the station. Stay safe.

Gabriel walks to the sink, washes his empty dish, and leaves the room.

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

Alex stands before the bathroom mirror, pulls his shirt over his head, and throws it to the floor. His six-pack washboard abs look more like bread rolls you buy at the grocery store at a discount. He laughs, amused.

ALEX

Superpowers... Cool.

Alex flexes his new muscles in the mirror. Suddenly, Melissa slams her fists into the bathroom door.

MELISSA

Hey, Doofus. I want to arrive on time for the bus!

ALEX

Give me a second.

Alex slips a shirt and hoodie over his head. Then he falls into his jeans.

MELISSA

If you make Manuel or me late, I'm going to kick your ass harder than that super.

Alex chuckles.

ALEX

Sure you are.

The door creaks open, and Mr. Lopez stands in the doorway next to Melissa, giving a disappointed glare.

MR. LOPEZ

You've got five minutes, Ten tops. I mean it.

ALEX

Alright.

There's a quick beat.

MELISSA

¡Más rápido!

Alex rolls his eyes and closes the door behind him.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL — HALLWAY — DAY

Alex and Mateo walk down the school hallway together.

MATEO

What's your superhero name? Rayo Mexicano or some shit like that? Get it because you were struck by lightning?

ALEX

We shouldn't talk about this at school.

Mateo raises an eyebrow, leaning against his locker. Alex's eyes narrow on Mateo as they stop in front of their lockers. Mateo pulls string cheese from his backpack.

MATEO

Sure, you know, pick one now that you've made the news.

Alex and Mateo open their lockers, and they dig for their books.

ALEX

You know, I'm just an ordinary person.

MATEO

With superpowers!

Mateo looks at his best friend up and down. Alex's eyes dart around the hallway and land on GUENEVERE GRANT (GWEN), (16), with long black hair and brown eyes standing with her friends.

ALEX

I'm not a fan of superheroes.

Mateo gestures to Gwen in the background with his string of cheese.

MATEO

You should ask Gwen on a date. Maybe she likes superheroes.

Alex moans. Mateo finishes the string cheese and shoves the wrapper into his backpack.

ALEX

I'm not a superhero.

MATEO

Sure. That wasn't what you said last night when you went all Macho Macho by the bridge. What did you say? Something about ruining your reputation.

(Mateo Chuckles)

Whatever that lightning did to you granted you the strength of a god. Do you even lift, bro?

Alex glares at Mateo. Mateo shuts his locker.

ALEX

I'm not a superhero.

Alex stares at the prepackaged cake wedged perfectly between his books.

MATEO

What superpowers do you have?

ALEX

I-uh, I don't know.

Alex avoids eye contact as Gwen looks his way. Instead, he glances at Mateo.

MATEO

We have to return to Skid row bridge and try some shit out. It's going to be lit.

Alex rolls his eyes as Mateo grabs the cake from Alex's locker. Gwen walks off with a group of girls. Mateo pulls the cake package open. Alex snorts.

ALEX

Is that all you think of?

MATEO

What?

Mateo stuffs his mouth with cake.

ALEX

Food.

Alex slams into his locker, leaving grooves in the metal.

MATEO

Yeah, food and money. Those are the main two. How do you stay so calm?

(lowers voice)

I mean, with all those superpowers and stuff.

Mateo piles the rest of the cake in his mouth.

ALEX

How do you stay so thin? You shovel food in your mouth as if you've never eaten before.

Mateo grins.

MATEO

Okay, sick burn, but that's my superpower.

Alex rolls his eyes and shuts his locker, and both boys walk off to class.

INT. SCHOOL — CLASSROOM — DAY

Alex takes his seat in the back row, settling into his desk. Mateo takes the seat next to him. They both watch Gregory on the opposite side of the classroom with his gang, watching them.

MATEO

(whispers)

I can't wait until you beat the shit out of Gregory.

Alex chuckles.

Alex

(whispers)

You wish.

Alex and Mateo look at Gregory. Gregory flips them off. The school bell rings overhead, and MR. DEIGO SANCHEZ (Early '30s), handsome and muscular, slaps the board with the palm of his hand, attracting the entire class's attention.

DIEGO

Good morning. I saw that, Gregory.

Gregory growls.

GREGORY

Shut up, Sanchez.

The room grows quiet.

DIEGO

Excuse me?

Gregory sits back and throws his feet on the desk before him.

GREGORY

You heard me.

STUDENTS

(Louder)

Ooooh.

Alex throws his hoodie over his head, and Mateo pulls it down.

MATEO

(Whispering to Alex)

Are you crazy?

Alex shrugs at Mateo.

DIEGO

Anyway...

Diego rambles off. Alex lays his head down on his desk. Mateo copies him.

INT. SCHOOL — HALLWAY — AFTERNOON

Gregory shoves Mateo into a locker. A group of boys forms a circle around Mateo and Alex.

ALEX

Come on. Don't be a dick, Gregory.

Gregory's eyes drift to Alexander.

GREGORY

What did you say?

There's a brief silence. Mateo pleads silently with his eyes for Alex not to do anything stupid. Gregory and Alex face to face. Alex sighs.

ALEX

I said, leave him alone.

Gregory chuckles, licking his chapped lips. So do the boys standing behind him.

GREGORY

Or what?

Alex and Gregory glared at one another, challenging each other with locked eyes. The final overhead bell rings, and Gregory shoves Alex into the lockers behind him.

GREGORY

You're not even worth it. I can snap you like a toothpick. See you around, puta.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

Alex and Mateo walk down the street, detouring their homes through a shady neighborhood. Tents line the sidewalk, and a few skid-row homeless men and women take refuge inside, watching the two boys walk through the street.

MATEO

So, what's the plan?

ALEX

I don't know. It depends on what you want to see.

Mateo squares Alex up; his fists pull before him, playfully ready to pounce. Alex shoves Mateo.

ALEX

Could you stop it?

Mateo chuckles.

MATEO

Sure, Rayo Mexicano. Show me what you can do.

Alex laughs.

ALEX

That's a stupid name.

MATEO

Why?

Mateo bounces on his toes. Alex shoves Mateo to the ground playfully.

ALEX

Shut up!

Suddenly a gun clicks behind Alexander's head. Alex slowly raises his hands in the air. Mateo freezes on the ground. Gregory's older brother, the gunman, LUCAS DAXON, stands four feet taller than Alex at 6′4", pointing a gun between his ears.

LUCAS

Yeah, Mateo. Shut up.

Lucas swerves the gun at Mateo before pointing it back at Alex. Alex slowly turns around.

ALEX

What do you want, Lucas?

Lucas spits on the ground toward Mateo. Mateo helps himself up.

LUCAS

I want what Greg wants—half of his money and drugs.

Mateo spits back at Lucas, hitting the sidewalk near his shoe.

MATEO

What's in it for us?

Lucas chuckles—long beat.

LUCAS

Both of you get to live.

Mateo grunts. Alex bawls his fists.

MATEO

What if we don't have your money?

LUCAS

Then I put a bullet in both of your skulls right now, and Daddy Hernandez gets one too.

Alex steps forward in front of Mateo.

ALEX

We don't want any bad blood between us. You should back off.

Lucas shoves the weapon in Alexander's face.

LUCAS

(Lowering his voice)

You better hope I don't pull the fucking trigger right now.

Lucas clicks the gun again. Alex stares him straight in the eyes. Their noses almost touch. Alex sizes Lucas up, pulling Mateo behind him.

ALEX

You better hope I don't do something stupid right now.

Mateo drifts behind Alex. Alex focuses on the noises surrounding him. Mateo anxiously taps his fingers on his thigh; loud birds chirp in the trees.

BANG.

The bullet pushes forward in one quick motion. Alexander's eyes open. The bullet slams against his arm, barely scratching the surface of his chest, bouncing off like a rubber ball. Lucas and Mateo look stunned.

LUCAS

Son of a fucking bitch.

Lucas drops the gun to the floor, frozen in place. Lightning ripples from the tiny scratch on Alexander's chest stitches back together in seconds.

LUCAS

What the fuck are you, freaks?

Mateo

I don't know. Why don't you fuck around more and find out?

Mateo raises an eyebrow. Alex leans forward and picks up the gun, pulling the safety latch and crushing the barrel.

ALEX

Did you want your gun back?

Alex dangles the gun on the tip of his fingers in front of Lucas.

LUCAS

Nah, fool. Keep it.

Lucas panics, his adrenaline pumping momentarily, and he races down the street opposite Alex and Mateo. Long beat. Both boys look at each other, then erupt into laughter fits.

MATEO

Dude, you have problems. Your parents are going to flip when they finally find out.

Mateo gestures to Lucas, more than halfway down the long block.

ALEX

That's why I'm not telling anyone about my powers.

(Alex takes a deep breath)

And neither are you.

Mateo lifts two fingers in the air.

MATEO

Scout's honor, but I'm not the one you should worry about.

Mateo lifts an eyebrow at Alex and crosses his buff arms over his chest.

ALEX

It's not like anyone's going to believe Lucas, anyway.

MATEO

Should we risk it?

Mateo and Alex stare at each other. They both break out in laughter again.

INT. DINING ROOM - NOON

Alex and his family sit around the table, enjoying homemade roasted chicken taquitos, rice, beans, guac, and sour cream. There's silence, and suddenly, Mr. Lopez clears his throat.

MR. LOPEZ

How was everyone's day?

MANUEL

It was okay.

MELISSA

Meh. I could have been better.

Mr. Lopez reaches for the tongs and swipes three taquitos from the hotplate. Mrs. Lopez smiles.

MRS. LOPEZ

(To Alex)

How are you feeling, Mijo?

There is silence for a moment. All eyes are on Alex. Melissa takes a drink of water. Manuel crunches into a taquito.

ALEX

To be honest, I'm super.

Melissa spits and takes her water toward the floor. All eyes are on her now.

MELISSA

What? I choked.

Mr. Lopez sighs.

MR. LOPEZ

Slow down, and maybe that won't happen.

MRS. LOPEZ

Mark!

Mr. Lopez bites into a Taquito.

MR. LOPEZ

What? It's true?

MRS. LOPEZ

Those kinds of comments are why anorexia exists.

There's tension in the room. Suddenly Manuel clears his throat.

MANUEL

I got an A+ on my AP science test.

The attention moves to Manuel.

MR. LOPEZ

That's good. I'm happy for you, Emanuel.

Everyone takes a bite of Taquito.

MELISSA

(With a mouth full)

Yeah, but I heard everyone's senior year sucks.

EMANUEL

It's okay right now. My friends and I don't get to talk much anymore.

Melissa chuckles.

MELISSA

Yeah. That sounds about right.

Mr. Lopez swallows his food, then takes a sip of water and speaks.

MR. LOPEZ

What about you, Alexander? How are you and Mateo doing?

ALEX

Still the best of friends. It's just been rocky, but he's helped me with these last few days.

Mr. Lopez sighs.

MR. LOPEZ

Hmm. Interesting.

(to Melissa)

What about you, Melissa? How is your second year?

MELISSA

It's okay. Not much excitement, and nothing is going on between my friends and me.

Mr. Lopez raises an eyebrow.

MR. LOPEZ

What about Stacy and Hannah? Anything new with them?

MELISSA

Nope.

Alex pushes his half-finished food around on his plate, half-finished, but his stomach is full.

ALEX

I'm going to my room.

The chair screams as Alex pushes from his seat.

MRS. LOPEZ

Are you going to finish your food?

ALEX

Nah, I'm not hungry anymore.

Alex looks at his food, and his stomach churns.

MR. LOPEZ

Save it in the fridge for tomorrow.

ALEX

Okay.

Alex stretches big, showing off a few washboard abs, grabs his plate from the table, and walks into the kitchen.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Thunder and rain rock the home outside Alexander's bedroom. Alex settles into bed, holding his old Night-Wing mask, studying the foam fabric and structure.

He flicks it around in his hand and turns it repeatedly in his palm. Melissa stands in the doorway, watching her brother from a distance.

MELISSA

You're not honestly considering doing something that stupid?

Alexander's eyes drift to Melissa in the doorway.

ALEX

What do you mean?

MELISSA

Don't play dumb. I know that it was you who stopped those thieves. Shit! That was Mateo's hoodie.

Alex chuckles in disbelief.

ALEX

Yeah, right? I can barely stand up to Gregory. How am I going to confront two robbery suspects?

Melissa laughs this time.

MELISSA

Okay? Gregory scares me too, but Dad will kill you when he finds out about this.

Alex melts against his mattress.

ALEX

Yeah, I know.

Melissa walks in and takes a seat at Alexander's bedside.

MELISSA

What? Are you going full Nightwing, or...

(long beat)

I can get my sewing machine and whip you out something if you're still considering this.

Alex sighs.

ALEX

You can't tell anyone, okay? Not even Emanuel or I'm telling Mateo about your little crush.

MELISSA

You are sure as hell not!

Alex grins. Thunderclaps nearby again. White lightning hits the ground just outside Alexander's bedroom window.

ALEX

Good, we agree.

MELISSA

Only if I have free will with your costume design, do you even have a name yet?

Alex looks outside his window.

ALEX

I'm working on something.

Long beat.

MELISSA

You know, this is insane.

Alex chuckles.

ALEX

Yeah.

Manuel walks by, stopping in the doorway now.

EMANUEL

What's insane?

MELISSA

What?

Alex clears his throat.

ALEX

Nothing.

Manuel sighs.

MANUEL

Alright, fine. You don't have to tell me anything.

Manuel walks off.

MELISSA

Before remodeling your costume, I need details, such as your superpowers.

Alex points to the lampshade in the room's corner.

ALEX

Watch this.

Alex shoots his hand out toward the lampshade on his desk. Lightning pulls from his fingertips, striking the lamp with a powerful force, knocking it off balance. The lampshade shatters against his table and flickers.

MELISSA

(Screaming)

Alex!

ALEX

Fuck.

Thunder and lightning rattle the house again. Melissa stares at the lampshade, still flickering on the desk table.

MELISSA

Where's your suit?

ALEX

In my closet.

Alex points to his off-white closet, stuffed with unfolded clothes.

MELISSA

I'm not digging in there.

Alex huffs. Melissa rises from Alexander's mattress.

ALEX

Fine. I'll bring it to you in the morning.

MELISSA

Okay. I'll also dig under my bed for my sewing stuff in the morning.

Alex smiles.

ALEX

Thanks again, Mel. Promise not to tell anyone about my secret, though.

MELISSA

I promise, okay, Doofus?

Alex sighs.

ALEX

Okay, good.

Melissa walks to the door and stops at the opening.

MELISSA

Good night, dork.

ALEX

Good night.

Melissa flips off the light and walks off. Alex lies on his bed, examining his mask and new reality. He flips the mask in his hands and then tosses it across his room onto his desk. A bolt of lightning claps outside his window again. Alex gets comfy in his sheets. Alex's eyes flicker with the lights in the home one last time. Heartbeats, thunder, and everything...

: FADE TO BLACK.

THE END.