Awaked

Outside the San Fransokyo police department, a woman in her mid-thirties paced anxiously, her brow furrowed with worry.

She walked back and forth, her eyes darting towards the entrance of the building, anticipation gnawing at her insides.

Finally, the doors swung open, revealing Tadashi and Hiro emerging with downcast expressions. As they approached, the woman came forward, enveloping them both in a tight embrace.

"Hi, Aunt Cass," Tadashi and Hiro greeted in subdued tones.

Aunt Cass held them at arm's length, her eyes scanning their faces for any signs of injury. "Are you guys okay?" she asked,"Tell me you're okay."

"I'm okay"

"We're fine"

Relief flooded Aunt Cass's features as she exhaled heavily. "Oh, good," she murmured, her grip tightening on her nephews.

But their relief was short-lived as she swiftly twisted both of their ears and began to usher them towards the car.

"And what do you two knuckleheads thinking!?" she scolded, her voice a mixture of exasperation and affection.

Inside the car, silence enveloped the space as Aunt Cass drove with a stern expression, while Hiro and Tadashi winced, each holding onto their twisted ears.

Finally, Aunt Cass glanced at them and then back at the road, saying, "For ten years, I've done the best I could to raise you!"

Pulling up to their house, she continued her lecture as they exited the car, "Have I figured it all out? No! Do I know anything about children? No!"

Fumbling with her keys at the door, she said out loud, "Should I pick a book about parenting, Probably!"

Frustrated, she turned to the boys, exclaiming, "Where was I going with this? I had a point!"

Tadashi offered an apology "Sorry," while Hiro sheepishly said, "We love you, Aunt Cass."

Her anger softened momentarily as she replied, "Well I love you too," before disappearing inside.

In the house, Aunt Cass grabbed a donut from the food stand, grumbling, "I have to close early because of you two felons."

Taking a bite, she mumbled, "Unbeat poetry night,"

Before grumbling, "Stress-eating because of you."

Heading to the living room as she savor the taste of the donut, "Mmm... This is really good.", she then called for the cat, "Come on, Mochi,"

"Meow"

_________________

Upstairs in their bedroom, Hiro settled into his chair, engrossed in his computer, while Tadashi reminded him, "You need to make it up to Aunt Cass before she eats everything in the cafe."

"For sure" Hiro absentmindedly agreed, and as Tadashi dropped his jacket on the bed, he approached Hiro, urging, "And I hope you've learned your lesson, bonehead."

Hiro swiveled in his chair, "Absolutely."

Tadashi eyed him suspiciously, "You're going bot fighting aren't you?"

Hiro admitted, "There's a fight across town. If I hurry, I can still make it."

As Hiro moved to leave, Tadashi halted him, grasping his hoodie and gently turning him around.

Tapping Hiro's forehead lightly, he implored, "When are you going to do something with that big brain of yours?"

Brushing off Tadashi's hand, Hiro countered, "What, go to college like you? So people can tell me things I already know?"

Tadashi shook his head, exasperated, "Unbelievable," then sighed, "What would Mom, Dad, and Ren say?"

Hiro's mood dampened, "I don't know. They died when I was three, remember? And Ren... he just vanished for two years without a word."

Tadashi's heart sank... he then tossed a helmet to Hiro, declaring, "I'll take you." Doubtful, Hiro questioned, "Really?" Tadashi affirmed, "I can't stop you, but I can't let you on your own." Hiro's face lit up, "Sweet."

Quietly slipping past Aunt Cass, absorbed in her TV show and petting Mochi, the brothers made their way out of the house.

___________

In the living room

Ring!!

A shrill ring shattered the calm, prompting Aunt Cass to mutter, "Who could be calling at this hour?"

Answering the phone, "Hamada's Residence. Who's this?"

On the other end, a man's voice spoke, "Hello, Are you Cass?"

"Yes, I am. Why?"

"I see" Confirming her identity, the man continued, "Ma'am I would like to inform you that we've found your missing nephew, Ren Hamada, at the beach. He was injured. He's recuperating right now at the NSA Hospital."

Shock washed over Aunt Cass, rendering her speechless as tears cascaded down her cheeks, the phone slipping from her hand as the voice on the other end called out, "Are you there, ma'am? Ma'am?"

___________

NSA Hospital

Ren gasped and lurched forward as he woke up in a hospital room. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils, and the soft beeping of a heart monitor echoed in his ears. Blinking rapidly, he tried to focus on his surroundings. White walls, a small window letting in the afternoon light, and the unmistakable discomfort of an IV in his arm told him he was in a hospital.

"What happened? Where am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse.

"You are in a hospital, kid," came a calm voice from his right.

Ren turned his head slowly, wincing at the stiffness in his neck. Seated in a chair by the window was a middle-aged man, casually slicing apples with a small knife. The man's demeanor was relaxed, but there was an air of authority about him.

"Who are you?" Ren asked, his curiosity piqued.

The man reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a black card, and handed it to Ren. "I'm Rick Dicker, an agent of the NSA, or National Supers Agency."

Ren examined the card, seeing Rick's name and number printed neatly on one side, while the other side bore only the letters "NSA." Something about Rick seemed familiar, but Ren couldn't quite place it.

Grumble*

Just then, his stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension.

Rick chuckled softly and offered Ren a slice of apple. "Here."

Ren took the apple slice hesitantly and began to eat it slowly, the crisp, sweet taste grounding him in the moment. "How long was I asleep?" he asked between bites.

Rick leaned back in his chair, observing Ren with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Four days, kid. You've been out for four days."

Ren's eyes widened in disbelief as he tried to process the information, the apple slice forgotten in his hand.

"I know this may be overwhelming, but you've gone through some remarkable changes, kid."

"Changes? What do you mean by that sir?" Ren's mind raced, trying to process the information.

Rick sighed, choosing his words carefully. "Ren, you see, someone saw you unconscious with two spidery legs protruding from your back and talons on your fingers. I'm here because the man who saw you reported it to the police, who then contacted the NSA."

"Spider legs? Talons?" Ren asked in confusion. The memory of the talons when he was escaping flashed in his mind. Instinctively, he lifted his hands, but there were no talons to be seen.

"If you're looking for your talons," Rick said, noticing Ren's actions, "they retracted two days ago. Those spider-like appendages, however, are still there."

"I see, but what do you mean about those spider legs?" Ren asked as he stirred from the bed, curiosity and fear mingling in his voice.

As he shifted, a strange sensation rippled through his body. He felt an odd pressure and warmth behind his back. Confused, he reached behind, and his eyes widened with astonishment as his fingertips brushed against something peculiar.

"T-This..." Ren stammered, trying to comprehend what he was feeling.

Rick stood up and placed a reassuring hand on Ren's shoulder. "Yes, kid. Those are the spider legs I mentioned. You're not just an ordinary person anymore. Something extraordinary happened to you, and we're here to help you understand and control it."

Ren's mind whirled with questions, fear, and a flicker of excitement. "But how? Why me?"

Rick nodded, understanding the turmoil Ren was experiencing. "We don't have all the answers yet, but we're going to find out together. For now, rest and try to stay calm. We're here to help you through this."