In 2025, a baby named Charlie was born—except “born” wasn’t quite the right word. From the moment his eyes opened, reality itself trembled. Time stretched, space wavered, and for a brief instant, the universe itself seemed to acknowledge his existence. His parents, ordinary people, saw none of this. All they knew was that their child was… different.

They raised him with love, even as strange occurrences surrounded him. When he cried, storms raged. When he laughed, flowers bloomed out of season. They told him bedtime stories laced with hidden lessons, teaching him to suppress his “tricks.” They homeschooled him, keeping him hidden from the world, terrified of what might happen if anyone discovered the truth.

Charlie never questioned it. He thought he was just like everyone else. His parents loved him, and that was enough. But on his 16th birthday, everything changed. They decided it was time for him to experience life beyond their careful protection.

Charlie hurried through the crowded hallway, head down, trying to avoid attention. He wasn’t used to so many people, so much movement—it felt like the world was pressing in on him. Just as he turned a corner, he bumped into someone, nearly losing his balance.

Lucas the resident Badass, troublemaker of school barely reacted, only glancing at Charlie before adjusting his jacket. “Watch it, newbie,” he muttered, slipping his hands into his pockets. He was about to walk off when he frowned, pulling something out—a lighter, old and broken, one he’d been meaning to replace. Except now, as he flicked it absentmindedly, the flame sparked to life on the first try.

His eyes snapped to Charlie, who was already retreating, oblivious. Lucas watched him go, flipping the lighter open and closed, the flame steady every time. That thing hadn’t worked in months.