Sam stood between my brother and me. I momentarily focused on my nightshirt, bunched together on the countertop, while Sam and Derek focused on his laptop on the kitchen counter. Every minute that passed increased the tension as Sam drove a needle into my arm to draw out a small amount of blood. He then placed a droplet from the syringe onto a blood reader chip and inserted it into a computer.

"Well, the unfortunate news is that he has no powers," Sam sighed, leaning over the kitchen counter. My breath caught as the reality of my new situation sank in. Derek muttered a curse and pushed himself up from the chair.

"Can't you do something? Max was still a rogue super the last time I checked," Derek said, sipping his beer and momentarily staring at me, clicking his tongue. Derek grunted, loud and angry.

"At the moment, no, but I'll figure something out. James, you've always regained your powers, right?" Sam still held out hope that my powers might return.

"Yeah? What if I don't want my powers back this time, Sam?" I growled. Sam folded his hands around his beer, taking another sip.

"Maybe that's what's holding you back, James. You would have had them if you weren't so stubborn." Sam settled, sitting at the table and running his hands through his shaggy blonde hair.

"You need to focus, James. Max is a dangerous individual. Until yesterday, you were the only one who could have stopped him besides your dad, me, and the entire police squad. But as you know, humans are helpless. Find a way to trigger the return of your powers." Sam interrupted Derek.

"I don't want my powers back," I admitted honestly. I didn't care if I regained my powers or not. Sam snatched my soda can from my grasp.

"You were right about one thing, James. What happened to you when you were six was unfair, but you wouldn't be where you are today if those events hadn't occurred," he said. "Your brother is right. This is not something to be taken lightly. We need to find a way to get your powers back."

I buried my face in the granite countertop, still broken from the other day. I was fortunate my father hadn't said a word about it. My fists clenched, and I closed my eyes, attempting to focus my mind and body. If my powers were to return, now wouldn't be the time. Suddenly, my eyes snapped open as I briefly felt a flicker of energy in my palms, only to have it dissipate just as quickly.

"Why does this even matter so much? I lost my powers due to one of your cures a few years ago. Why do you care now?" I snapped as Sam slammed my soda onto the table.

"Because I created Max. I was part of a terrible government group researching and experimenting on kids like you. Now, I need your help to stop him. Your superpowers were fate. I swore to protect you from them, but it happened regardless, and now you're the only one who can save everyone." I snatched the soda back and took a big gulp, meeting Sam's gaze.

"So, that's supposed to make everything better?" I crushed the empty can in my fist. Sam licked his lips and let out a sigh, taking a breath.

"No, it doesn't, and I'm sorry, James, for everything I put you through. But I can't change the past now."

The reality sank in. I had lost my powers once again. They might return in the future, but Sam had a point about the number of antidotes I had taken and their impact on me and my powers.

"I can't handle the pressure of being the hero everyone expects me to be. I'm not a hero. I'll be getting ready for school if you need me." I hurried past the kitchen doorway, up the stairs, and slammed my bedroom door. My room was a mess, with clothes scattered all over the floor. I rubbed my weary eyes.

"Are you ready, James?" Derek asked, standing in the doorway, peering in. I took in a deep breath.

"Not even close," I replied, my lips curving into a frown. Derek walked over and sank onto the edge of my bed. I hunched my shoulders and let out a sigh.

"It sucks not having your powers, doesn't it?" I glared at Derek. He bit his tongue.

"Yeah," I conceded. It sucked immensely. I swiftly pulled a plain white shirt over my torso, feeling a wave of nausea and dizziness washed over me for a moment. Derek jingled his keys in front of me, and I rushed past him, heading to the bathroom in case I needed to vomit. My life was a mess, and it was only bound to worsen.

∆∆∆

Derek observed me as he drove, occasionally glancing my way. "Aren't you going to try to regain your powers at least?" he asked.

"I'm working on it, Derek," I confessed, slumping against the seat and chewing on my nails. Derek focused on the road and fiddled with his police scanner.

"You better hurry before Max wreaks havoc on the city. Without your powers, we'll be defenseless."

"Is it your mission to get on my nerves?" I grumbled. "What if I can't do anything about this?" I slumped even further. "What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know. Maybe once your powers return, we can devise a plan." Derek pulled up in front of the school. As I reached for the seatbelt latch, Derek stopped me.

"It's not just me who needs your help, James. It's everyone," he said. I cast my gaze downward, opening the door.

"I got it," I called out. Derek winced, resting his hands on the steering wheel as I walked away. But he rolled down the window.

"Stay safe, and text me if you see Max, Mark, or Mia," he said, slumping in his seat. I berated myself for my recent mistakes in my head as he continued, "You still seem to have a bit of power left." He pointed to a dent in the door.

"Thanks for the encouragement, Derek," I muttered, walking away. One minute, I wanted my powers back, and the next, I regretted having them. But one thing was sure: I missed them greatly.

∆∆∆

The keys clattered against my phone's screen. I was messaging Sam when my phone rang twice before I could press the send button, diverting Mr. Kinley's attention from the board. Max and Mia were absent that morning. Their chairs remained empty, but Mark grinned at me from the corner of the room.

"Mr. Knight, care to share the important messages you're sending?" Mr. Kinley addressed me.

"My apologies; I'll put my phone away." My phone was already in my bag. Mr. Kinley wrote S.P.P.Y. on the board in bold letters, catching my attention. I could have sworn Sam used those acronyms to describe the nefarious government organization.

"Can anyone tell me what this stands for?" he asked.

"I'm not an idiot, but I doubt anyone knows what it stands for," Mark sneered, eliciting chuckles from the class. Mark didn't realize the danger he was getting himself into.

"Very well, smart-ass," Mr. Kinley fumed. "I'll tell you all what it bloody means. Stand Paramount with Powerful Youth. But before we continue with English, let me give you a brief narrative about these supers," Mr. Kinley rambled on. I tuned him out, and his voice faded away. I absentmindedly doodled, sketching comic book-like figures on my page. This time, my doodles turned out better, resembling realistic comic art. I depicted scenes from my superhero adventures reminiscent of those in thick Batman comics. It brought me comfort and reminded me how much I missed my superpowers.

A frantic knock on the classroom door drew everyone's attention. A disheveled Derek, dressed in his police uniform, looked like he had seen a ghost. Pale and flushed, Derek waved me over. I gathered my belongings and walked with Derek down the empty hallway.

"Grab your things. We're going home," Derek demanded. His face flushed, and he quickened his pace down the hallway. I followed without stopping at my locker.

"Did you find something terrible about Max or my powers?" I took a shot in the dark. Derek froze at the front exit of the school building.

"Something worse. Max has Dad," he said, lowering his gaze with anger. I clenched my fists, bursting through the school doors alongside Derek.

"Son of a bitch! I'll regain my powers and then kill that Australian bastard," I exclaimed, swinging open the side door of Derek's cruiser and sliding in. Derek joined me in the car.

"You're not killing anyone, James. I'm just as furious about this as you are, but you're supposed to be a superhero. Killing Max won't solve anything and will only make matters worse," he admonished. I fastened my seatbelt on my side and buckled in.

"Since when did you become the voice of reason?" I remarked.

"Shut up, James," he snapped. "We'll discuss this further when we get home." I rolled my eyes, slumping against the car door. Derek started the engine and pulled out onto the road.

∆∆∆

I paced the living room, closing my eyes and attempting to summon my telekinesis. But nothing happened. Sweat trickled down my forehead, and I ran my tongue over my dry lips.

Derek sat on the couch, waiting for something extraordinary to occur. Sam stood in the living room, nervously biting his hangnails, watching the two of us with growing anxiety.

"I can't do it," I growled. Sam entered the room and slumped onto the couch.

"Keep pushing, James. I know you can do it," Sam urged.

"Shut up, Sam! I feel so lightheaded right now, and I can't concentrate..." My head spun from exhaustion.

"Keep trying, James," he persisted.

"Damn it, Sam! Give him a break. He's trying harder than ever. If he can't do it, don't push him. He'll only end up hurting himself, and we don't need that right now," Derek interjected forcefully.

"Derek's right," I agreed. "I have nothing left in me. My powers disappeared, and I'm useless. They've kidnapped Dad, and who knows what they're doing to him? I'm just as worried and furious about this as you guys are. I don't need anyone testing my patience." I slumped against my father's chair.

"Superpowered or not, I recall telling you that the supergene runs in your blood no matter what you do, James. So either you push yourself harder, or I'll make you." Sam rose from his seat, but Derek grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Stop it, Sam! If you don't leave him alone, I'll handcuff you," Derek warned as Sam slumped against the couch again, burying his head in his hands.

"I'm sorry, okay? I'm just on edge," Sam groaned through his teeth. "We're all on edge right now. Our dad could be dead, and we're stuck with you, Sam." Derek eyed him sternly.

Sam let out a frustrated groan. "Don't test me, Derek. I may be your uncle, but I'm also the acting parent. It doesn't matter that you're twenty. It would help if you listened to me. James must keep trying to regain his powers, or else we're all in trouble."

"Do you remember any other details about the group you used to work for? Specifically, and this is just a hunch, a man named Alexander?" I asked Sam. Sam licked his lips but avoided eye contact as he glanced in my direction. I sucked in a breath. Sam mirrored my action.

"Your father and I didn't tell you this for your safety, but you have another uncle."

"You mean Henry, right?" Derek asked, still seething with anger as he shifted on the couch.

"Alexander was the leader. He was narcissistic, making all the rules while everyone else followed. He betrayed our family, and in a way, it was for the best. The government should have shut down the superhuman prodigy project years ago. The last I heard of Alexander, he was involved in other projects. He's dangerous, though. I wouldn't go anywhere near him, James." I nodded in acknowledgment, a chill running down my spine.

"This is what Max wants. He's trying to distract us," I said, looking at Derek.

"Right now, they have the upper hand. I'm not going to sit idly by while Max tortures Dad. We have to find him before they do anything," I declared, storming out of the house with anger and determination and slamming the door behind me. I would find my dad, no matter how long it took.

∆∆∆

MAX

I bound Matt to a heater vent with handcuffs, believing the bloody bastard was already dead as he lay motionless on the floor for a while. At the very least, that wasn't the worst-case scenario. Mark entered the room and threw a bucket of water at him. Matt jolted back, his shirt soaked, his eyes fluttering open to the bright light filtering through the drapes. Mia rose in the room's opposite corner and walked over to Matt, snatching the bucket from Mark and pouring the remaining water over his head.

"Good morning, Mr. Knight. I'm glad you're awake. We have something fun in store for you," she cooed.

Matthew lifted his head, barely meeting Mia's deep aqua eyes. He spat at her, and I nearly lost my cool, but Mia pulled me closer, her hips pressed against mine, calming me down. Then she turned back to Matthew.

"I see you're just as eager to meet us," she sneered. Mia's warm hand caressed Matt's bloodied cheek as his baby blue eyes widened. His cuffs rattled against the vent, and he spat again.

"Why are you doing this to me?" he asked, struggling against his restraints.

"You mean you don't know your son has superpowers?" Mia's eyes widened with delight. "You're in for a big surprise."

"You mean James?" Matt asked a hesitant glint in his eyes and a frown. Mia frowned, too, smearing the blood from Matt's nose across her shirt. Mark scowled. But Mia was a girl after my bloody heart.

"I guess you did know. That spoils my fun," Mia laughed to herself. I glided to the counter on the other side of the room like a shadow, observing her actions. Then, I picked up a needle syringe from the countertop and waited for the right moment. Mia scratched Matthew's face with her manicured nails, admiring her handiwork from a distance. I rolled my eyes.

"Leave him alone," I commanded. "He's going to die anyway." I grinned, walking back into the light hovering above us, toying with the tip of the needle syringe filled with James's blood.

"Do you enjoy the sight of blood, Mr. Knight?" Mia taunted him. I moved closer, standing beside Mia, holding my sad-looking uncle steady.

"Don't you dare squirm, or I'll make things even harder for you," I threatened. Matt spat at me, cleaning his wet lips with his tongue.

"You can try," Matt retorted. With a swift motion, I slammed Matthew's head against the wall behind him. He slumped against the wall, drifting unconscious before plunging the needle into his bicep.

"Keep an eye on him, and make sure he doesn't die," I demanded before walking toward the doorway.

"Alright," Mia said, shoving his limp body with her foot. "He's in good hands." she laughed. I rolled my eyes, leaving her in the room hoping she wouldn't fuck this up, because I truly did love the crazy bitch.