Episode 2:The Newspaper Lady

The darkness of the night had completely swallowed the coastline by the time Edward returned to the beach. He stood on the damp sand, his eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and growing dread. He paced the shoreline, scanning the rugged rock faces, but the entrance to the cavern where he and James had found the shimmering stones was entirely gone. It was as if it had never existed.

This is where the cave was,Edward thought, panic tightening in his chest. Where is it? How can a whole cave just vanish?

He stared out at the endless black horizon, the sound of the crashing waves filling the silence. *Maybe I should try using my power here,* he reasoned, looking down at his palms. *There is more than enough water to practice with.*

A short distance away, perched high above the beach on a concrete bridge, Ava Washington leaned against the railing. She stared down at the dark water in deep despair, her mind consumed by the pressure of finding a major scoop before she lost everything.

Down below, Edward stepped closer to the surf. He took a deep breath and suddenly flung both of his hands upward.

Responding to his command, a massive column of seawater rose into the air, twisting and turning in perfect synchronization with his movements.

Up on the bridge, Ava gasped, her breath catching in her throat. Her journalistic instincts immediately kicked in. Trembling with excitement, she grabbed her camera, raised it to her eye, and began rapidly snapping pictures. From her high vantage point, Edward’s back was turned, keeping his face completely hidden in the shadows of the night.

Satisfied with his control, Edward calmly lowered his hands, and the towering wall of water crashed harmlessly back into the ocean. He let out a breathless, triumphant laugh.

Desperate to get a closer look, Ava rushed toward the staircase leading down to the beach. She bolted down the steps, her camera swinging from her neck. But by the time her boots hit the sand, the beach was empty. Edward was gone, leaving nothing behind but the dark, churning tide.

Edward slid into his apartment, carefully locking the door behind him. The upbeat, energetic rhythm of "Something Brand New" by the Danger Twins was blaring through the living room speakers. In the center of the room, his young cousin Jack was dancing around without a care in the world.

Before Edward could even process the scene, Mia stepped out from the hallway, her arms crossed. "Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to show up."

Edward let out a heavy, exhausted sigh. "You know I have a night shift at the clinic," Mia reminded him sternly.

Edward didn't want to argue in front of the kid. He grabbed his mother's arm and gently dragged her into the quiet privacy of the kitchen. "First of all, I know you're on a night shift," Edward hissed under his breath. "But don't you dare tell me to babysit that little devil. I have plans tonight, Mum."

Mia’s expression instantly soured.

Meanwhile, across town at the newspaper building, Mark Jason was grabbing his coat and preparing to leave his office for the night. Just as he stepped into the hallway, Ava intercepted him, panting slightly.

Mark stopped, raising an eyebrow. "Ava, what are you still doing here? It's late."

"Sir, I just got us something completely new," Ava said breathlessly, holding up her camera. "And I think it is major front-page material." Mark merely smirked, crossing his arms.

Back in the apartment kitchen, Mia snapped at her son. "Don't call him that! He is my sister's son, which basically makes him your brother. Nia is out of town and she won't be back until tomorrow, which is exactly why he is here. So, I need you to cancel your plans and stay with him."

Edward stared at her in utter disbelief. "Cancel my plans for that little devil? No, Mum, I can't do that. Take the kid with you to the clinic!"

"Are you out of your mind?" Mia shot back, her voice rising. "You know I can't do that. I need you to do this for me, Edward, or else I will throw you out of this apartment."

Edward ground his teeth, realizing he had no choice. "Yeah, sure. Whatever."

A triumphant smile broke across Mia’s face. She picked up her handbag from the counter, entirely missing his fake smile. "Dinner is on the table, dessert is in the fridge. Love you!"

As the front door clicked shut behind her, Edward marched back into the living room to face Jack.

Back at the office, Ava eagerly showed Mark the digital display on her camera, flipping through the glowing images of the levitating ocean water and the silhouette of the mysterious man on the beach.

Mark stared at the screen for a moment, then looked up at her with pure disdain. "Are you this dumb, Ava? I know you are a pathetic excuse for a journalist, but this is just stupid."

The excitement drained from Ava's face, replaced by a crushing wave of sadness.

"Anyone could do this," Mark scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "It’s 2026! This could easily be faked."

"No, no, sir!" Ava pleaded, her voice trembling with worry. "I saw it with my own eyes. I swear, this could be huge news!"

Mark’s impatience boiled over. "Ava, go home and take a nap. Because you clearly need one." Without another word, he turned and walked down the hall, leaving Ava standing alone in total disappointment.

By midnight, the apartment was completely silent. Jack had finally fallen fast asleep, and Edward couldn't help but smile. His plan was back on track; he was going to rob the bank tonight.

Edward quickly changed into the sleek black suit that had arrived earlier. He pulled on a pair of dark gloves to cover his hands and grabbed his black mask, holding it tightly in his grip as he slipped out into the night.

The bank was only a short walk from his apartment complex, and the streets were completely deserted. Edward crept up to the side of the building, checking his surroundings. He raised the black mask, preparing to pull it over his face and make his move inside.

Suddenly, a small, cold hand tapped him on the wrist.

Edward spun around, his heart leaping into his throat. Standing right behind him was Jack.

"Hello, brov," Jack whispered, looking up at him innocently. "Where are you going without me?"

Shock and fury washed over Edward. "I thought you were asleep!" he hissed angrily, keeping his voice as low as possible. "Why did you follow me, you knucklehead?"

Jack shrunk back slightly, looking down at his shoes. "I don't want to be left alone. I'm scared."

On the other side of the heavy glass doors, inside the brightly lit 24-hour section of the bank, Ava Washington was just walking up to an ATM. She had pulled together what little money she had left, desperate to pay off the remainder of a mounting debt she owed to a dangerous collector.

Outside, Edward glared down at his cousin, his mind racing as he glanced toward the bank doors. "Go back home right now. I will be back soon."

"No, no, no!" Jack protested, grabbing the sleeve of Edward's suit jacket. "You have to come with me, please."

Edward's eyes darted around frantically, his anxiety spiking. Then, he spotted a lone metal bench sitting under a streetlight a few yards away.

"Okay, okay," Edward muttered, exhaling a sharp breath. "You see that chair over there? Go and wait for me right there."

Jack nodded eagerly, releasing his grip, and walked over to the bench. Edward rubbed his temples, letting out a long, worried sigh as he prepared to step into the bank.

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