The Nexus.

My mom's sharp voice rang through the house. "You what?!" Her reaction wasn't what I had anticipated. I had hoped for a hint of excitement or even cautious support, but instead, I was met with shock and apprehension.

"Please don't be upset," I pleaded. I started to explain, stumbling over my words, trying to convey how I'd wanted to share this for a while but didn't know how. She sighed heavily, her eyes narrowing in thought. She then turned her focus to my siblings, asking, "Do either of you have powers, too?"

They both shook their heads and denied it outright, but something peculiar caught my attention as I glanced at my sister. Around her was a faint, almost imperceptible aura, similar to the energy I'd seen emanating from power sources like outlets or light bulbs. I decided to keep this observation to myself, at least for now.

"Mom, this isn't a bad thing," I said, trying to reason with her. "I was born with this ability. It's part of who I am, and I shouldn't have to hide it. This is what makes me, me."

She didn't seem convinced. Her expression remained stern as she replied, "Kaleb, you might think this is exciting, but anything involving metahumans always ends in disaster. You don't understand what you're getting into."

"But what about Sentinel Solutions?" I countered. "They've been in the news for their efforts to help people like us stop those who misuse their powers. Even you saw that!"

Her response was immediate and firm. "Kaleb, I don't want you involved with The Harbingers of Doom."

"Why not?!" My voice rose, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Her demeanor shifted. She took a step closer to me, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Because I can stop them again if I have to. You don't want that." Without another word, she left my room, leaving me standing there, stunned.

My sister, Aaliah, broke the silence. "What just happened?"

I shrugged it off, waving for both of them to leave, but they stayed, their curiosity getting the better of them.

My brother, Booker, hesitated before asking, "Do you think it's possible for us to get our powers back?"

Aaliah chimed in eagerly, "Yeah, Kaleb, do you know if we can?"

I shook my head, frustration seeping into my tone. "I wish I had the answer. I don't even fully remember how mine came back. All I know is that I was near a lake when something hit me, and when I woke up, my powers had returned, but my memory of that moment was gone."

"Maybe if we retrace your steps, we could figure it out," Aaliah suggested.

"Mom wouldn't let us," I pointed out.

"She doesn't have to know," she retorted with a sly grin.

"Hold on," Booker interjected. "What if she checks up on us? She always seems to know when something's up."

I paused, considering their words. "Even if we figure it out, what's the point? You heard what Mom said. Having powers just complicates everything."

"Yeah, I'm with Kaleb on this," Booker agreed hesitantly. "I don't want to end up on Mom's bad side."

Aaliah rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a coward, Booker."

"I'm not a coward!" he snapped, his frustration evident.

The tension between them was palpable. I could sense Booker's emotions spiraling. He shoved Aaliah, his anger getting the better of him. "Don't call me that again!"

Aaliah's eyes narrowed, and her aura flared. "Maybe if you weren't so weak, you'd have some purpose in life."

I felt Booker's emotions shift from anger to outright rage. "You're such a—" he started, but I interrupted him before he could finish.

"Enough!" I barked, but it was too late. Aaliah's fist was already swinging, crackling with electricity. Her punch connected with my chest, and I felt the energy surge through me. My body absorbed it instinctively, neutralizing the attack.

"Whoa," Aaliah murmured, staring at her hands in awe as electricity danced along her fingers. "I didn't know I could do that."

"Were you trying to hurt me?" I asked, still reeling from the sudden surge of power.

"No!" she protested. "I didn't even know I could generate electricity."

Booker's expression was a mixture of awe and sadness. I could sense his envy, even if he tried to hide it.

"I need to use the bathroom," he mumbled before slipping away.

Aaliah, however, was brimming with excitement. "I'm going to my room to experiment with this!" she announced before disappearing down the hall.

Left alone, I couldn't ignore Booker's turmoil. I knocked on the bathroom door. "Booker, I know you're not in there for that. Open up, man."

After a moment, the door creaked open. I pulled him into a hug. "I know how you're feeling. You think you're the odd one out, and I get it. But you're not. Come to my room, and let's talk this through."

He nodded silently and followed me. Once we were seated, I started. "This is a lot to process, I know. Aaliah and I both have powers, and you're feeling left behind. But that doesn't mean you're less important."

"It's just not fair," he muttered. "Why am I always the last one? Why do I always have to wait for everything?"

"Booker, listen," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Mom took our powers away once, but that doesn't mean they're gone forever. They're still a part of us, and maybe yours just needs time to come back."

As I spoke, a strange warmth emanated from my hand. I pulled it back instinctively.

"What was that?" Booker asked, his brow furrowed.

"I'm not sure," I admitted. "It just felt... different."

I smiled at him reassuringly. "Just keep your chin up, okay? And don't let Aaliah get under your skin. She means well, even if she doesn't always show it."

He nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thanks, Kaleb."

As he left, I sat at my desk, reflecting on the events of the day. I grabbed my notebook and started jotting everything down. This situation was more complicated than I'd anticipated. Between my own abilities, Aaliah's newfound powers, and Booker's struggle, I knew the days ahead would be anything but ordinary.