I leaned back in my chair, staring at the mess of papers and glowing screens that filled my lab. The hum of the machinery was a constant backdrop to my thoughts, and right now, they were tangled up in one thing: Gia. Her recent behaviour was starting to fit a pattern I’d been tracking for years, and it wasn’t just coincidence. The strange energy fluctuations I’d been monitoring were too like what I’d seen in her. I couldn’t ignore the connection any longer. It felt like I was on the edge of something big, something that might change everything I’ve been working on. And honestly, it was becoming clear that Gia wasn’t just part of my research—she was the key to it. I had to figure this out before it got out of hand.
The tricky part was figuring out how to approach her without tipping my hand too early. I couldn’t afford to let emotions cloud my judgment—this wasn’t about being her father anymore. Gia was the key, the breakthrough I’d been chasing for years, and I wasn’t about to let anything get in the way of that. The data pointed to something extraordinary, something that could change everything we know about human potential, and Gia was at the centre of it. I didn’t have the luxury of worrying about how she’d react or what it would do to our relationship. All that mattered was getting what I needed to finish this project, to prove that my research was right.
It was ironic, really. I’d spent so much time searching for this “being with supernatural abilities,” and it turned out to be my own daughter. But that didn’t change the fact that she was the key to unlocking something far greater than any personal connection. The way I saw it, Gia was more than just my daughter now—she was the most important subject of my career. And if that meant pushing her beyond her limits, testing her abilities to their breaking point, then that’s exactly what I would do. There was no room for hesitation or second-guessing. The world needed this discovery, and I wasn’t about to let sentimentality stand in the way of greatness.
I paced the length of the lab, the weight of what I was about to reveal pressing down on me. My team was gathered around, their eyes filled with anticipation, but they had no idea how close we were to the breakthrough. “Listen up,” I snapped, drawing their attention. “We’ve found the subject. It’s Gia.” Their expressions shifted from curiosity to shock, but I didn’t have time for their hesitation. “This is it. We’re not talking about theories or simulations anymore—she’s the real deal, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to harness this power.”
One of my assistants, a younger guy with too much hope in his eyes, started to speak, “But Dr. Cloud, she’s your—”
I cut him off with a sharp glare. “I don’t care if she’s, my daughter. This isn’t about family; it’s about science. About changing the world. And if any of you have a problem with that, you’re free to walk out that door. But know this—if a word of this leaves the lab, I’ll personally make sure you regret it. I’ll kill you if I must, and I’m not exaggerating. We’ve come too far, and I’m not letting anyone jeopardize this.”
The room went silent, the gravity of my words hanging in the air. “Now, here’s the plan,” I continued, my voice cold and commanding. “We’ll monitor her closely, observe every anomaly, every surge in power. We’ll document everything, and when the time is right, we’ll bring her in. I want her contained, and I want it done quietly. No mistakes, no slip-ups. This is our moment, and I won’t have it ruined by carelessness.”
They all nodded, a mix of fear and determination in their eyes. Good. Fear was a powerful motivator. They knew what was at stake, and they knew I wasn’t bluffing. This project was my life’s work, and nothing—not even my own daughter—was going to stand in the way of its success.
I decided to take a different approach, something less clinical but just as strategic. I picked up the phone and called Gia. “Hey, kiddo,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. “How about we go out for dinner tonight? Just the two of us. There’s that Italian place you like—what do you say?” She hesitated for a moment, but then agreed. I could sense her unease, and it was exactly what I wanted. This wasn’t just about enjoying a meal; it was about setting the stage.
We arrived at the restaurant, a cozy little spot that always reminded Gia of her Italian roots. The warm smell of garlic and tomato sauce filled the air, but the tension between us was thicker than the atmosphere. We sat down, ordered our usual dishes—Gia’s favorite was spaghetti carbonara, and I went with lasagna. I could tell she was waiting for me to say something, to bring up whatever was hanging between us, but I let the silence stretch, watching her closely.
Finally, as the waiter brought our food, I broke the silence. “Gia, there’s something we need to talk about.” I kept my tone even, but I could see her stiffen, her fork pausing mid-air. “I know you’ve noticed things... things that don’t quite add up.” Her eyes met mine, a mixture of curiosity and fear. I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. “What’s happening to you isn’t random. It’s something we’ve been studying, something I’ve been working on for years. And now, it’s time for you to understand just how important this is.”
She didn’t say anything, just stared at me with those same sharp, questioning eyes. The tension was palpable, the kind of tension that made every word feel like it could shatter the moment. I watched her carefully, waiting to see how she’d respond, knowing that this dinner wasn’t just about food—it was about drawing her in, getting her to trust me enough to walk right into my plan.
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Gia narrowed her eyes, pretending to be confused as she twirled her fork in the pasta. “I don’t know what you mean, Dad,” she said, her voice carefully neutral. But I could see the slight tremor in her hand, the way her eyes darted around the restaurant as if searching for an escape.
I leaned back in my chair, frustration bubbling beneath my calm exterior. “Don’t play dumb with me, Gia. You think I haven’t noticed? The flickering lights, the glitches in electronics, the way things... react when you’re around? I know you’ve felt it.” My voice hardened with each word, pushing her to drop the act.
Gia’s face flushed with anger, her fork clattering onto her plate. “You’re imagining things, Dad. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.” Her defiance was like a spark to dry kindling, igniting the tension between us.
“No, Gia,” I snapped, leaning forward, “it’s not a coincidence. Stop pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about!” My voice was louder than I intended, drawing the attention of the other diners. But I didn’t care—this was too important.
Gia slammed her hands on the table, her eyes blazing with fury. “Why can’t you just drop it, Dad? Maybe I’m not some... experiment for you to study!” Her words were laced with bitterness, and suddenly, the lights above us flickered violently, plunging the restaurant into brief darkness before they buzzed back on, dimmer than before.
The air around us seemed to crackle with electricity, and I realized with a jolt that this was no ordinary argument. Gia’s anger was feeding into whatever power she had, amplifying it. The other patrons were murmuring nervously, glancing around, but I kept my eyes locked on Gia’s, seeing the raw energy simmering just beneath the surface.
“Gia,” I said, more softly this time, trying to regain control of the situation, “you need to calm down.” But it was too late. A low hum filled the air as the light above our table sparked, sending a shower of sparks raining down. Gia recoiled in shock, and the electricity in the room surged, causing the lights to flicker wildly again.
Her breath came in ragged gasps, and I could see the fear in her eyes, the realization that she wasn’t in control. For a moment, our eyes met, and I saw something that shook me—a reflection of my own ambition and the dangerous consequences it was now bringing to the surface. But I couldn’t back down, not when we were this close.
“Gia,” I said firmly, “we need to talk about this. Now.” But instead of responding, she pushed her chair back, stumbling to her feet, her face pale with fear and anger. “I need to go,” she muttered, her voice trembling, before rushing out of the restaurant, leaving me staring after her, the remnants of electricity still humming in the air.
I followed Gia out of the restaurant, the cool night air hitting me like a slap to the face. She was already halfway down the street, her steps quick and uneven, like she was trying to outrun what just happened. “Gia, wait!” I called out, my voice harsher than I intended. But she didn’t stop.
I caught up to Gia, grabbing her arm to stop her from storming off. “You don’t get to walk away from this,” I snapped, the frustration bubbling over. She yanked her arm free, spinning around to face me, her eyes blazing with anger.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” she shot back, her voice shaking. “Why does everything have to be about your stupid project? I’m not some experiment!”
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my voice steady, but the anger was seeping through. “This isn’t just about you, Gia. What’s happening to you—what’s inside you—is something I’ve been working towards for years. You have no idea what’s at stake.”
“I don’t care!” she shouted, tears welling up, but her voice was more fury than pain. “All you care about is your precious project. You don’t even see me anymore—you see your next big breakthrough!”
Her words hit harder than I expected, but I shoved the guilt down. I couldn’t afford to feel guilty now, not when we were this close. “You don’t understand, Gia. This power inside you is dangerous. If you don’t learn to control it, you could hurt people. This is bigger than both of us.”
Gia’s eyes narrowed, her voice cutting like a knife. “You’re not worried about me hurting people. You’re worried about your project failing. You’re obsessed, and you’re using me to get what you want.”
“Don’t be so naive,” I snapped, the words coming out harsher than I intended. “This is the real world, Gia. You have a gift, and it’s your responsibility to use it. I’m trying to help you, whether you realize it or not.”
She stared at me, her expression hardening into something cold, something distant. “No, Dad. You’re not trying to help me. You’re trying to control me, just like you control everything else in your life. But I’m not your lab rat, and I won’t be your pawn in this sick game.”
Her words cut deep, but instead of softening, I felt my resolve harden. “You can hate me all you want, but this isn’t going away. If you don’t let me help you, things will get worse. And if you think I’m going to let you walk away from this, you’re wrong.”
Gia’s eyes flashed with a mixture of pain and defiance. “You don’t get it, do you? You’re losing me, Dad. You’re so focused on your stupid project that you’re blind to everything else. But I won’t be a part of it. I’d rather be nothing to you than be your tool.”
She turned to leave, but I grabbed her arm again, a surge of anger boiling over. “You don’t have a choice, Gia. This isn’t about what you want anymore. It’s about what needs to be done.”
In that moment, something inside Gia snapped. Her body trembled, and before I could react, a surge of electricity shot through her, jolting me back. The power was raw, uncontrolled, and terrifying. I stumbled, my hand tingling from the shock, but I refused to back down.
Gia looked at me, her eyes burning with a mixture of rage and fear. “Stay away from me, Dad,” she hissed, her voice low and trembling. “You might care more about your project than me, but I’m done with this. I’m done with you.”
She walked away, leaving me standing there, seething with anger and frustration. I watched her disappear into the night, and for a moment, I felt the sting of loss. But I quickly buried it. This wasn’t about feelings. This was about the project. And I wouldn’t let anything— not even Gia—stand in my way.