Bagas's POV
I've tried countless times to break free. But the harder I struggled, the more my body burned with pain.
"Calm down, Bagas. Dad won't hurt you. Trust me."As if he could sense my every movement, my father said that in a calm, deceiving tone.
But I didn't care.I have to get out of here, I thought.
Then he stepped closer—holding a syringe filled with a faint pink liquid. I watched as he flicked the tip and prepped the needle.
"No—" I turned my face away in fear.
But it was too late.
The injection pierced my arm, and I could feel the cold chemical flood my veins. My vision swam. My head pounded. It was overwhelming. I lost control of my body—it moved on its own, faster and faster.
"AAAAAAHHH!"
I screamed as the surge overwhelmed me. My muscles spasmed wildly. In the chaos, I broke free of the metal restraints—but not without bruises marking my wrists, ankles, and neck.
I collapsed. Dizzy. Barely able to stand.
But Father caught me with a grin on his face. "I did it!"
He was wrong.
It wasn't long before the truth caught up with him.
The formula was incomplete. Day by day, I grew weaker."What's wrong with my serum?" he muttered in frustration.
Eventually, he discovered the cause—an overdose of choline. It's a vital nutrient, sure, essential for brain and nerve function. But too much of it? In the wrong balance?
It was killing me. Slowly.
The injection was meant to activate a new gene, unlocking hidden abilities. A miracle.But it was banned. Years ago, unethical experiments had already taken hundreds of lives.
One hundred patients. Dead. Simultaneously.
Your father, Alfa—he was the only one who cracked the formula. The one who succeeded.
And he died protecting it.
But my father never gave up. He recreated the serum from scratch. And I—his own son—was the lab rat.
All for his pride.
All to prove he was better than Alex Alexander.
Author POV
"BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR MY REVENGE!" Bagas roared.
His fingers tightened around Alfa's throat. Alfa coughed and writhed, feeling the crushing weight of Bagas's fury.
Unseen by Bagas, Alfa was gathering energy deep within. His father's voice echoed faintly:"Alfa, never use that power. Never."
But if he didn't now—he would die.
Suddenly, Bagas's gaze shifted.To the car.To Sheila.
Alfa's eyes widened. "No—"
"PEOPLE CLOSE TO YOU DESERVE TO SUFFER TOO, ALFA!!" Bagas bellowed and blurred toward the car like a lightning bolt.
"Sheilaaa!" Alfa screamed, his voice desperate.
A surge of pure instinct erupted. Power exploded from Alfa's body. He lunged forward—his right arm a blur—and struck Bagas square in the side.
BLAAAARRR!
Lightning crashed—brighter than ever—illuminating the street for half a second.
Sparks erupted from Bagas's abdomen as he was hurled backward. His shirt tore from the impact, the skin beneath scorched by fire.
Alfa stood there—his breathing ragged, his eyes now glowing deep violet.He had lost control.All of his power—100% unleashed.
His right arm was red-hot, flames flickering from his fingertips.
Alfa collapsed to his knees.
"This hand… What have I done?"
Bagas lay crumpled, his side burned, blood staining his clothes. Still conscious, barely.
Alfa rushed to him, struggling to stay steady.
"I'm sorry, Gas…" he whispered as tears fell, his hand trembling over Bagas's motionless body.
Bagas's head now rested on Alfa's lap. With effort, he raised one hand.
"Alfa… my father… he's coming for you. You're Alex's son. He'll use you… like he used me…"
Alfa's throat tightened. The guilt crushed him.
"Gas—hang in there!"
Bagas's lips parted weakly. "Help… me… be free…"
Then his eyes closed.
"Gas!!" Alfa shouted.
Without hesitation, he scooped up Bagas's limp body and ran—his feet pounding through the rain toward the hospital.
This wasn't over.
The Next Day
"Okay, kids, take a break. We'll review the material again next hour, and then... pop quiz!" said Mrs. Tika.
The class groaned in unison. "Yes, ma'am…"
As the bell rang, Tata's eyes swept across the classroom.No sign of Alfa.
Her fists clenched.Where the hell is he?She was ready to punch him herself.
"Dika," she whispered. "Where's Alfa? He didn't come in?"
"You didn't hear? Sheila's in the hospital," Dika replied. "Nothing major, but…"
"What?! Why didn't anyone tell me?" Tata snapped. "And Bagas? He's gone too!"
"No idea. Maybe he skipped."
"Bagas? Skipping school? Doesn't sound right…" Tata muttered. She pulled out her phone and called Alfa again.
This time—he picked up.
"Hello?" Alfa's voice was low, tired.
"Fa?! Where the hell have you been? What happened to Sheila? I called you both last night—you didn't pick up! I was worried! I saw a car following you after you dropped me off! And now Sheila's in the hospital?! What the hell is going on?!" Tata blurted.
Alfa sighed. She's really going all in.
"Calm down, Ta. Sheila's okay. She just needs rest. There's… a lot I can't explain yet."
"What do you mean, can't explain?! Did you crash?! Was it the car? Was it Bagas?! Tell me the truth, Alfa!"
"I can't, Ta. Not now."
Tata fell silent for a moment. Then:"Fine. I'll visit Sheila and Bagas after school. Send the hospital address. Tell them I hope they get better."
"Thanks."
"And don't think you're off the hook!"
Before he could respond—click—she ended the call.
"…Also, bring me food?" Alfa said into the dead line.
Tata's eyes twitched."Unbelievable…"
Later That Day
Sheila's injuries were mild. She was awake now, though she often winced from the pain in her head.Bagas's condition, however, remained critical.
Bandages wrapped around his abdomen.Still unconscious.
Alfa checked on him every hour, shuffling between rooms. Now, he sat beside Sheila, trying to feed her.
"Sheila can eat herself now!" she pouted.
"I know. But I'm still worried," Alfa said softly, brushing her hair.
He didn't dare tell her the truth. Not yet. It would terrify her.
Meanwhile, his mind was spinning.
The formula… Bagas… My father never gave him the proper dosage. Of course. He never shared the final recipe. He thought it was too dangerous. He was right…
"HELLOOO!" Sheila waved her hand in front of him. "Earth to Alfa?"
"Ah—sorry. What?"
"You were spacing out again! And I said—I wanna eat by myself!"
Alfa chuckled and offered her the spoon again.
"Here. Open wide."
As she ate, Alfa looked out the window.
This isn't over. I'll finish what my father started.Bagas… I swear, I'll save you.Even if it means going up against your father…