Chapter 7: Secrets in the Woods

Daniel Walker always felt like an outsider in his own home. His parents, constantly busy with work and never quite on the same wavelength as him, didn't understand his love for fantasy, comics, or the world of superheroes. They wanted him to focus on "real life"—on school, chores, and responsibilities. But to Daniel, those things were dull. He had always yearned for something more, something extraordinary.

Lately, the tension at home had been worse than usual. His dad, a strict businessman, was always criticizing him for not being "serious enough." His mother, though kinder, was distant, wrapped up in her own world. Daniel felt invisible, like he didn't belong there, like he didn't belong anywhere. So when the arguments became too much, when the feeling of not being understood gnawed at him, he'd escape.

The woods behind the school had always been his retreat. It was quiet, peaceful, a place where he could dream about the world beyond the ordinary. Today was one of those days—he needed to clear his head. His father's voice still echoed in his ears from their last argument about Daniel's grades and his "ridiculous obsession with fantasy nonsense."

He trudged through the underbrush, his hands stuffed into his pockets, kicking at stray branches and rocks. The air was cool, the light filtering through the leaves in gentle shafts. He loved this place—it was the only spot where he felt he could breathe.

As he moved deeper into the woods, Daniel heard something—voices, faint and distant. His brows furrowed. He wasn't expecting to run into anyone out here. Curious, he edged closer, trying to move quietly. The trees were thick, casting long shadows, making it easier to stay hidden. As the voices grew clearer, he recognized one of them. It was Maxim.

Daniel crouched low behind a bush, trying to get a better view. He didn't mean to spy, but something about Maxim intrigued him. He had always been a bit mysterious, keeping to himself at school, but Daniel never suspected anything out of the ordinary—until now.

Maxim was standing in a small clearing, staring intensely at a rock in his hand. Daniel watched, holding his breath. Was Maxim... talking to the rock? He blinked, wondering if he was seeing things. But then, something strange happened. The air around Maxim seemed to shift. The rock trembled in his hand, and with a sudden jolt, it flew out of his grasp, hovering for a brief moment before falling back to the ground.

Daniel's heart raced. He had seen it. He had actually seen it.

He clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from gasping out loud, his mind spinning with the implications of what he had just witnessed. Magic? Powers? This was straight out of the comics he loved so much. Was Maxim... a superhero? Or something else entirely?

He couldn't believe it. His heart pounded in his chest as he slowly backed away, careful not to make a sound. He had to get out of there before Maxim noticed him.

---

Over the next few days, Daniel couldn't stop thinking about what he had seen. He was consumed with curiosity, but also a sense of caution. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, and a part of him wondered if he had just imagined the whole thing. He needed proof.

So, he started watching Maxim more closely, though from a distance. He'd see Maxim slip away after school, heading in the direction of the woods. Daniel would follow, keeping a safe distance, hiding in the shadows. Every time, Maxim would go to the same clearing, the same stone, and try again. Most of the time, nothing would happen. But on the rare occasion when something did—when a rock lifted, or a gust of wind swirled around him—Daniel's suspicions grew stronger.

Maxim was hiding something, something incredible.

Days turned into weeks, and Daniel kept his secret, waiting for the right moment. He didn't want to confront Maxim too soon, not until he was sure. But the more he watched, the more he became convinced. Maxim had some kind of power, something beyond anything Daniel had ever imagined.

One afternoon, Daniel couldn't take it anymore. He had seen enough. The mystery, the secrecy—it was driving him mad. He had to know the truth.

---

It was a crisp afternoon when Daniel finally decided to approach him. He had waited until Maxim was alone, in the clearing, practicing again. This time, Maxim had managed to make a small stick rise into the air, holding it for a few seconds before it wobbled and fell.

"Okay, that's it," Daniel muttered to himself, stepping out from his hiding spot.

Maxim froze as soon as he heard the rustle behind him. He spun around, eyes wide, his heart leaping into his throat.

"Daniel?" Maxim's voice was laced with shock and suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

Daniel held up his hands in a gesture of peace, his heart racing, but his face full of excitement. "I know what you're doing," he said, trying to keep his voice calm. "I've seen you. I've been watching."

Maxim's stomach dropped. He took a step back, his mind racing, unsure of what to do or say. "You... what?"

Daniel stepped closer, his voice a mix of awe and enthusiasm. "You've got powers, man. I don't know what they are or how you got them, but I've seen it. You're not like the rest of us, are you?"

Maxim's heart pounded. He felt like he'd been caught red-handed, but Daniel's tone wasn't accusatory. It was something else—admiration? Curiosity?

"Look," Daniel continued, lowering his voice as though they were discussing some dangerous secret, "I haven't told anyone. I swear. I just... I want to understand. You're like a superhero, Maxim. And I think that's amazing."

Maxim stared at him, his mind spinning with a thousand thoughts. He had been so careful, so sure that no one would notice. But now, standing here with Daniel looking at him like he was something out of a comic book, he felt a strange mixture of fear and relief.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Maxim wasn't sure what to do—deny it? Admit the truth? Daniel clearly wasn't going to let this go.

Finally, Maxim sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You can't tell anyone," he said quietly, his voice serious. "Not a single person. Promise me."

Daniel grinned, the kind of grin that only came from realizing your wildest dreams were coming true. "I promise," he said, crossing his heart. "But I've got so many questions... and I'm going to help you figure this out. Whatever it is, we're in this together now."

Maxim felt a strange weight lift from his shoulders. For the first time since discovering his powers, he didn't feel completely alone.