Hat man finds about Kenny's power

Instead of reacting with aggression or surprise, the Hat Man's lips curled into a smile, one that matched the prediction Kenny had just witnessed. "Following you?" he echoed, his voice rich and velvety, as if it were meant to comfort. "That's an interesting way to put it. It seems there's a misconception here."

"What do you want?" Kenny felt his throat tighten, visions of danger flashing through him—visions he couldn't escape.

The Hat Man leaned forward, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes. "This world hides many secrets, and you, Kenny, hold one of the most intriguing."

Kenny's heart raced. He hadn't anticipated this. Panic surged through him. "I—" he started, but words failed him.

The Hat Man leaned forward, his voice gravelly and deep. "Nothing is hidden from the watchful eye of curiosity, boy. Curiosity follows you as a shadow follows the sun. Yours just seems more... amusing."

"Uh... amusing?" Kenny echoed, unsure if it was an insult or compliment.

"Indeed. It's rather entertaining to watch the three of you fumble through high school," the Hat Man remarked, folding his arms.

Kenny felt a chill run down his spine. Was this man somehow aware of Kenny's ability to see into the future? Before he could dwell on the thought further, the man gestured to the seat across from him.

"Please, sit," the man said, his smile never faltering. "I believe we have much to discuss."

Nervously, Kenny took a seat opposite the man, glancing back at Tony and Emma who watched with curious expressions. The man leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with a hidden knowledge that sent a shiver down Kenny's spine.

"It's quite a talent you have, young one," the Hat Man continued, his eyes gleaming under the brim of his hat. "To understand what other people are going to do next."

Kenny froze. It was like being caught in a trap he had no means to escape. He instinctively glanced toward his friends. Their laughter seemed so far away. "I—what do you mean?" he stuttered.

"I now know many things about you. Things you keep tucked away beneath layers of hesitation." The Hat Man straightened, drawing back slightly. "You have a gift, but gifts come with their own burdens."

Kenny's heart sank. So much for anonymity. Keeping his power a secret had been his greatest task, and somehow, this strange man had seen through his facade. "You don't know anything about me," he snapped, trying to regain his composure.

Kenny glimpsed a potential future—a torrent of events crashing against each other. The Hat Man's eyes would gleam with unexpected recognition, and he would not just respond with words. A flicker of power lingered in the air, one that could unravel secrets far beyond what Kenny had intended.

"Am I so obvious?" the Hat Man replied, his voice laced with intrigue. "Indeed, I read thoughts, feelings, and visions. But it seems there is more to you than meets the eye."

Kenny blinked, the implications clawing at him as he considered exposure. What if the Hat Man could see the truth beneath his shield? "What do you mean?" he asked cautiously.

"I sense some power within you, is it not?" The Hat Man leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What is it?"

Kenny's heart raced. How could this man know? "It's not something I talk about."

The man leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly. "But tell me, why do you think I'm following you?"

Kenny hesitated. His heart raced, and he felt an overwhelming urge to return to the safety of his friends. "You've been sitting here and last time I noticed you were following us," he finally said, taking the plunge. "It seems just… a little creepy."

"Creepy," the Hat Man echoed thoughtfully. "In a world where people rarely look beyond their own noses, perhaps a watcher is necessary."

"That's not why we're here," Kenny shot back defensively. "We came here to hang out, not to be your audience."

"Ah, but the World has a funny way of drawing in those it needs. Do you know what you want, Kenny?" the Hat Man asked, his voice low and inviting.

He had never considered what he truly wanted; he was always too busy trying to anticipate the events around him.

Kenny didn't answer but felt a burst of confusion. How did this man know his name? It was as if he could see through Kenny's persona, down to his fears and desires. "I—" Kenny faltered, the weight of personal reflection making him dizzy.

Curiosity got the better of him, Kenny couldn't help but blurt out, "Without following us, how do you know about me and my name?"

The man regarded Kenny with a piercing gaze, his eyes hidden beneath the shadow of his hat. "I have my ways, young man. But rest assured, I mean no harm to you and your friends," he replied cryptically.

Kenny's mind buzzed with the consequences of this encounter. He wanted to turn around, to run back and tell Emma and Tony everything, yet his feet remained glued to the floor. The Hat Man leaned in closer, and Kenny could smell something earthy—perhaps cinnamon—mixed with the enticing aroma of coffee.

Before Kenny could press further, Tony and Emma joined him at the table their expressions a mix of curiosity and confusion, their presence bringing a sense of normalcy to the charged atmosphere.

The hat man turned his gaze towards them, his eyes seeming to pierce through their souls with a knowing look. Kenny couldn't shake off the feeling that the man in the hat was observing him with a keen interest, as if unraveling a hidden truth.

"I'm sorry to intrude, sir. We were just curious," Tony piped up, trying to diffuse the tension in the air.

The man merely smiled, knowing glint in his eyes. "Curiosity is a powerful thing, my friends. But some secrets are best left undiscovered," he said, his voice carrying a hint of mystery.

Minutes turned, the man in the hat rose from his seat and made his way over to Kenny, his movements deliberate yet strangely graceful.

"I know about your gift, Kenny," the man whispered softly, his voice carrying a weight of wisdom and understanding. Kenny's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of fear and curiosity swirling within him as he grappled with the revelation.

"You have the power to see moments before they unfold, a rare gift indeed," the man continued, his words resonating with a strange kind of certainty. "But remember, with great power comes great responsibility."

Kenny was momentarily at a loss for words, his mind reeling with the implications of the man's words. Was his power truly a blessing, or a curse in disguise?