Not Your Normal Bad Day

"Wow, Jason! You really aced your role as the school bully today. Bravo! Got a future in theater or something?"

Brushes dust off his uniform dramatically.

"Okay, now where do I go? It's not like I can just lift this debris and waltz back to class. I'm not a demolition expert… yet!"

Pauses, listening to Sarah's distant voice.

"Hearing Sarah call my name? Kinda worries me, but I won't lie, it's a little exciting, too. Maybe she's secretly in love with me? Or maybe I'm just delusional. Probably the second option."

Sighs dramatically.

"Alright, time to channel my inner adventurer! I need to keep moving before another explosion turns me into a Diego pancake!"

"Who knew a field trip would turn into a disaster movie? I just wanted to see some cool reptiles, not become part of the scenery!"

Glances at the rubble.

"Okay, Diego, focus. Find the exit before you become the main character in 'Diego vs. The Debris.' Spoiler alert: it's not a happy ending!"

I turn on my phone's flashlight, illuminating the darkness around me.

"Okay, let's see what we've got here… Whoa! This place looks like a scene straight out of a disaster movie. But I didn't sign up for a horror flick!"

As I scan the area, my heart races when I spot the broken enclosures of the reptiles.

"Uh-oh. Breaking them free? This is like a reality show challenge, and I'm not sure I signed the waiver. Some of these snakes are venomous! Let's tread lightly, Diego."

I approach each shattered enclosure cautiously, my flashlight beam dancing across the floor.

"C'mon, don't be a wimp. Just a few geckos… How bad can it be? Oh man, this is my weak spot!"

My heart skips a beat as I spot a few geckos scurrying about.

"Aww, look at them! They're so cute! Just look at those little faces! Who could resist? I could binge-watch a whole series about geckos! I need to snap a pic for my collection!"

I crouch down, careful not to startle them, my excitement bubbling over.

"Wait, though. Mom told me no bringing home another gecko. But they're so tempting! Just one little guy wouldn't hurt, right? But then again, that's a crime. They're owned by this laboratory!"

I glance around nervously, suddenly aware of my surroundings.

"Laboratory property… These creatures might be radioactive or something! You guys know what I mean? What if I end up with superpowers? Like your friendly neighbor! You know, bitten by a radioactive gecko instead of a spider? Does that make me Gecko-Man?"

I chuckle nervously, trying to lighten the mood, but the thought lingers in my mind.

"Okay, focus. No taking geckos. Let's just admire them from a distance.

I roam around, my heart pounding as I try to find an exit.

"Okay, Diego, focus. There's gotta be a way out of here! Let's see… an elevator? Great, just what I need! Oh wait, the power's out. Perfect! Looks like I'll be taking the stairs… if I can find them."

As I continue my search, I stumble into the cellular regeneration lab.

"Whoa! This place looks like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie. Do I really want to be here? I could end up as a science experiment if I'm not careful. But… emergency exits? I bet they've got one!"

I scan the room, my flashlight beam revealing various high-tech equipment and glass containers filled with strange substances.

"I mean, if they're regenerating cells here, surely they've got a back door, right? Let's see… can I just waltz in?"

I approach the locked door, tapping it lightly.

"Locked? Of course it is! But I'm not giving up that easily. Time to put my charm to the test! Let's see if this baby works."

I pull out my entrance pass and scan it against the door's reader. The machine beeps, and I hold my breath.

"Come on, come on… Don't leave me hanging here!"

To my surprise, the door clicks open.

"Yes! I knew I had what it takes! Who needs luck when you've got a valid pass?"

I step inside, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Alright, Diego, let's see what lies beyond. Hopefully, it's not a bunch of angry scientists or a rogue experiment! Fingers crossed!"

As I enter the laboratory, I find the place in disarray, but thankfully, no angry scientists in sight.

"Phew! No mad scientists. Just a lot of broken vials. Let's be careful not to trip on anything… or end up with a face full of mysterious goo."

I navigate through the wreckage, scanning the shelves and countertops, and then I spot a door at the far end.

"Could that be the emergency exit? Finally! But seriously, who puts passcodes on emergency exits? That's just asking for trouble!"

I approach the door, glancing at the keypad beside it.

"Alright, let's see what we're working with. A passcode… Who would've thought I'd need to hack my way out of here? Time for some creative problem-solving!"

I step back, crossing my arms as I ponder.

"Maybe I can just guess? Or… I could totally try '1234'—classic, right? But knowing my luck, it'll probably be something way more complicated like 'SAVEME123!'"

I take a deep breath, determined to figure it out.

"Okay, think, Diego! There has to be a way to get this door open. I just need to stay calm and... maybe the right code will magically come to me?"

"Alright, let's brainstorm a bit. How about 'reptilelover24'? Nah, too cheesy. Or 'DrGenesistheGOAT'? Still not quite right. Come on, think, Diego!"

I glance around, feeling the pressure build. "Come on, Diego, you just need to get out! Oh, wait—what about '320310'? I remember reading an article that said reptiles date back to around 320-310 million years ago… and I bet these scientists read that stuff too, right?"

I take a deep breath, typing in the code with hopeful fingers.

"Here goes nothing… please work!"

Suddenly, the door clicks and swings open with a surprising ease.

"Ha! See? Genius strikes again! Watching and reading all those reptile articles finally paid off!"

I can't help but grin, feeling a rush of excitement.

"Who knew my obsession with reptiles would help me escape a lab disaster? Now, let's see what lies beyond this door!"

I step through the doorway, feeling pretty proud of myself—until I realize this isn't an exit at all.

"Wait… this isn't the emergency exit." I look around at the dimly lit space, crammed with all sorts of mysterious equipment and shelves lined with vials. "Who even thought to hide a whole room behind a passcode?"

I chuckle nervously, my voice echoing in the empty lab. "I mean, it should've been obvious—who needs a password just for an emergency exit?"

I glance around, curiosity mixing with frustration. "Great. I've cracked into a secret room… but I still don't know where the exit is."

In my curiosity, I can't help but wander further into the room. To be honest, it's kind of terrifying in here—the whole place feels like it's hiding something big.

There's this single vial in the middle of the room, set apart like it's some rare treasure, with layers of security around it. I stare at it, and an uneasy feeling creeps up my spine.

"Yeah… that's definitely ominous," I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. "I should probably get out of here before I find out why they're keeping this thing under lock and key."

But even as I think that, I hesitate, drawn in just a little bit closer.

---

Another explosion rips through the lab, this one louder and sharper than before.

I stagger back, throwing my arms out to catch my balance.

"Oh, come on!"

The floor rumbles like it's about to give way. I glance up and—

"Whoa! Not good!"

The ceiling starts to crack and crumble, huge chunks breaking free and tumbling down around me. I duck, dust filling the air.

When the chaos settles, I peek up. The vial in the center of the room—it's still standing, totally unharmed, like it's mocking everything around it.

Just then, a stray spark flickers out of a busted wire above, hissing as it zips through the air.

I hold my breath, watching it sizzle… until it lands right on the security lock around the vial.

"Oh no…"

I watch in frozen shock as the lock system starts… to release.

The spark ignites in an instant, exploding with a deafening BOOM!

I barely have time to shield myself as the vial shatters, releasing a thick, strange mist that floods the room, swirling in the air.

Before I know it, I'm coughing hard, breathing in whatever's inside that vial.

"Ugh—What… what is this stuff?!"

The blast hits me full-force, launching me backward. My body slams into the floor, the world spinning around me.

My eyelids grow heavy as the haze fills my lungs. I try to get up, but my arms feel like lead.

Just as the room fades into darkness, my last thought flits through my mind:

What… was that stuff…?

Diego stumbled backward, barely able to keep his footing. His vision blurred as he struggled to stay upright, but the strength in his legs gave out, and he slumped to the ground, breath shallow.

The strange liquid from the shattered vial pooled around him, shimmering eerily in the dim light. It seemed almost alive, snaking across the floor and inching toward his skin.

The liquid began to crawl up his arms, like it was drawn to him, seeping into his pores. It pulsed under his skin, following the path of his veins as if it were trying to merge with him.

A chill spread through his body, sharp and piercing, like shards of ice coursing through his veins. Then, the cold transformed into a searing heat, radiating through every nerve, every muscle fiber. It was as though the substance was sinking into his cells, altering them, becoming part of him.

Dark lines appeared on his skin, twisting and pulsing in time with his heartbeat as the strange liquid fused with his very being. Diego's breaths grew shallow, his consciousness fading, but he sensed, just before slipping into darkness, that something within him had changed… irrevocably.

Then, silence.

"With that, the entire secret room in the lab was buried by debris."

One week later...

Diego lies unconscious in a hospital bed, machines beeping softly around him.

Suddenly, I jolts awake.

"Rango!"

Mark, Sarah, and his mom, Denice, are standing by his bedside, their eyes wide in shock.

"Oh hi! Where am I?"

They remain speechless, just staring at him in disbelief.

Denice: (suddenly rushing forward) "Diego!"

She wraps her arms around him, worry etched on her face.

(slightly confused) "Mom? What happened? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

(looking around) "What happened? Why am I in a hospital?"

Denice wipes her tears, still hugging Diego tightly.

Denice: "You've been unconscious for a week, Diego. After the explosion at Gen Industries…"

Mark steps forward, relief evident on his face.

Mark: "Dude! It's great to see you awake! We were worried sick!"

Sarah nods, a smile breaking through her earlier worry.

Sarah: "I'm just so glad you're okay!"

Denice pulls back slightly, looking at Diego with watery eyes.

Denice: "I can't believe you're fine! I thought… I thought we lost you."

I gives her a reassuring smile.

"I'm here, Mom. I'm alright."

Mark grins, trying to lighten the mood.

Mark: "So, did you dream about Rango, the chameleon sheriff?"

I chuckles, remembering the quirky character.

"Yup! Somehow, he's pretty cool."

Mark laughs and adds a teasing tone.

Mark: "So, did any geckos pop up in your dreams too?"

Sarah rolls her eyes, but a smile creeps onto her face.

Sarah: "Just what we need—Diego dreaming about geckos saving the day!"

The group shares a light-hearted laugh, the tension of the previous week starting to ease.

The atmosphere in the hospital room shifts as the door creaks open. Two individuals step inside—one in a sharp suit and the other wearing a long white lab coat, unmistakably a scientist.

Mr. Thompson: (adjusting his glasses) "Diego Cruz, we need to have a private conversation."

Denice looks at Mr. Thompson, concern etched on her face.

Denice: "Is this really necessary? He just woke up!"

Sarah stands quietly, observing the newcomers, a hint of worry in her eyes but remaining silent.

Mr. Thompson: "It's important for Diego's safety. We just need a few minutes."

Denice crosses her arms, still wary but willing to listen.

Denice: "If this is about the explosion, you can talk to him, but I'm staying close by."

Mr. Thompson nods, acknowledging her concern.

Mr. Thompson: "Of course. We won't keep him long."

I glances between my mom and the newcomers, unsure but sensing the importance of the conversation.

"Alright… I'll talk to you. But I want my mom nearby."

Mr. Thompson looks to Denice and then back to Diego.

Mr. Thompson: "For privacy, it might be best if she steps outside for a moment."

Denice hesitates for a moment, then nods slowly.

Denice: "Okay, but I'll be just outside the door."

As Denice steps out of the room, the door clicks softly behind her. Diego turns his attention back to Mr. Thompson and the suited man, ready to hear what they have to say.

With the room now quiet, Diego braces himself for the revelations to come.

Mr. Thompson takes a step closer, the suited man standing guard by the door, arms crossed and eyes scanning the room for any sign of trouble.

Mr. Thompson: "This is just a simple question. We found you in front of the cellular regeneration lab. Did you enter that lab?"

My heart races, thoughts swirling in his mind.

In my thoughts: I was caught, didn't I? Am I going to prison? I didn't steal anything, though. Wait, does he think I stole some geckos? I know lying is bad, but I didn't take anything! If entering that room is such a big deal, I might be in trouble. I want to live freely and go to college!

Mr. Thompson continues, his tone serious but calm.

Mr. Thompson: "We have a very important research facility within that lab, and it seems the door was left open. Did you happen to open it?"

My nerves tighten as he grapples with the implications of Mr. Thompson's questions.

In my thoughts: What do I say? If they think I'm involved in something illegal, I could be in deep trouble!

Trying to keep his voice steady, Diego finally replies.

"No, I didn't open it! I was just searching for an exit, and then there was another explosion. After that, I don't know what happened next."

Mr. Thompson studies Diego's face for a moment, assessing his sincerity. The suited man shifts slightly, still keeping a watchful eye on the door.

I shifts uncomfortably, hoping his words will clear him of suspicion. The tension in the room hangs heavy as they await the next question.

After a long moment of contemplation, Mr. Thompson finally nods, seemingly convinced.

Mr. Thompson: "That's right. There's no way someone from our team could have opened that door."

I can't help but smirk internally, a thought bubbling up.

In my thoughts: Yup, maybe you should come up with a more creative password next time! Not that I could break it, but I'm sorry, Mr. Thompson. I didn't steal anything—just hoping this will all slide by.

Mr. Thompson continues, his tone softening a bit.

Mr. Thompson: "By the way, we will be covering your medical bills, so don't worry about that."

I feels a wave of relief wash over him, mixed with a hint of guilt.

In my thoughts: Oh, they seem kind. Sorry again for lying, but…

I responds, forcing a smile.

"Thanks, sir, but I'm okay now, right? No more questions?"

Mr. Thompson nods, his demeanor lightening.

Mr. Thompson: "Yup, thanks for cooperating."

As he and the suited man prepare to leave, Diego notices the man lingering for a moment, a suspicious glint in his eyes, making Diego uneasy.

With that, Diego's friends and mom return to see him, relief washing over their faces.

As my mom stepped out to talk with Mr. Thompson and the suited man, Sarah and Mark exchanged glances, clearly eager to know what was going on.

"Hey, what did they ask you?" Sarah inquired, leaning closer with a mix of curiosity and concern.

I shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. "Nothing to worry about. They just asked if I stole some geckos."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you didn't steal any geckos?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to sound casual. "Come on, I didn't! I promise."

Sarah looked a bit more serious. "But really, are you sure? They wouldn't just ask that for no reason."

I nodded, feeling the weight of their concern. "Seriously, I didn't take anything. I was just looking for a way out after that explosion. That's it."

Mark leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Well, if they do give you a hard time, just let me know. We'll figure it out together."

I laughed, appreciating their support. "Thanks, but I'm sure it'll be fine. Let's just hope my mom can sort everything out."

"By the way, I didn't expect you to be here, Sarah," I said, trying to keep the mood light.

She smiled softly. "I just worried. I'm the class president, you know."

I returned her smile, trying to convince myself that her concern was purely friendly. "Yeah, I appreciate it."

"Since you seem okay, I'm leaving now. See you in school," she said, starting to head for the door.

"Wait, you can stay," I thought, wanting to spend just a little more time with her.

But she waved. "Yup, bye! See you at school."

Mark suddenly piped up, "Wait, you seem disappointed she's leaving. Do you have a crush on her?"

I shot him a glare, my cheeks heating up. "What? No way! It's not like that!"

Mark grinned, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction. "Oh, come on! You totally do!"

I shook my head, trying to brush it off, but I couldn't help the smile creeping onto my face. "Just drop it, okay? She's just being nice."

Mark chuckled. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say."

I chuckled along with Mark, but inside, I was a different story. Did I just get exposed now?

Thoughts raced through my mind. What if he's right? What if Sarah really does see me differently? I mean, we've been friends for a while, but could this be more?

I glanced at the door where Sarah had just exited, wondering if I had read too much into her concern. No way... she's just being a good friend. Right?

"Hey, you still with us?" Mark snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, just... thinking," I replied, shaking my head to clear it.

Mark smirked. "About Sarah?"

I rolled my eyes. "Let it go, will you?" But deep down, I couldn't shake off the feeling that maybe, just maybe, I was in over my head.

The next day, I was finally discharged from the hospital. As I stepped outside, the sunlight hit my face, and I felt brand new.

"Woohoo! Freedom!" I exclaimed, stretching my arms out like I'd just escaped from a cage.

My mom chuckled and shook my hair playfully. "Just don't make me worry next time, okay?"

"Yup, I promise, Mom," I replied, grinning.

Then a thought struck me. "Wait, Mom, how's my pets? You said I've been unconscious for a week. Did you feed them?"

She nodded reassuringly. "I did, just like I promised. You don't need to worry."

Relief washed over me. Thank goodness! I hope they still remember me! I couldn't wait to see my axolotl, Mr. Dragon, and my gecko. "I can't wait to see you guys!" I said excitedly, already envisioning their little faces lighting up when I walked through the door.

"Let's go home," my mom said, and we made our way to the car, the anticipation bubbling inside me like a kid on Christmas morning.

As we drove along, I couldn't help but vent my frustration. "Why are the streets so loud? It feels like everyone is honking like crazy!"

My mom glanced over, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'loud'? The windows are closed. It's not that bad."

I sighed, trying to cool down. "But it feels like the horns are right next to us!"

"Honestly, I can barely hear them," she replied, shaking her head. "And it's not like you can't get used to it."

In an attempt to drown out the noise, I reached for the air conditioning controls. "I'm just trying to cool off," I said, wishing for some relief.

"Don't even think about maxing it out," she warned, shooting me a disapproving glance. "It's already cold in here!"

"But it feels good at that level!" I protested, hoping she'd relent.

"No way," she said firmly. "Just deal with it. You'll be fine."

We finally arrived home, and as I stepped out of the car, something felt off. It was as if everything around me was moving in slow motion while my reactions quickened, leaving me confused.

"Can we rest for a moment?" I asked my mom, who was just getting out of the car, her brow furrowed in concern.

"You don't look so good, Diego!" she said, immediately worried as she helped me toward the house.

Once inside, I collapsed onto my bed, feeling completely drained. As I glanced at my pets in their aquariums—Mr. Dragon the gecko and my axolotl—they seemed fine, swimming lazily and basking under the light. But despite their calmness, I knew I needed to rest. Maybe I wasn't fully recovered. I closed my eyes, thinking that just five more minutes would help.

Mark found out that I was discharged from the hospital and decided to visit my house. I heard his footsteps echoing in the hallway as he approached our unit. He was talking animatedly about anime, and then there was a loud fart that startled me. Wait, how am I hearing that?

When he rang the doorbell, the sound seemed deafening, making me wince. I strained to catch snippets of the conversation with my mom.

"Hey, Aunt! Thanks for having me over!" Mark said cheerfully.

"Of course! Diego's in his room resting," my mom replied.

"I hope he's feeling better! I brought pizza. You know, the good kind!" Mark said, his excitement palpable.

I was really confused about what was going on in my head. How could I hear everything so clearly when my room was supposed to be closed out?

Then Mark knocked on my door, the sound booming like thunder. "Hey, Diego! I brought pizza! Let's eat—this will definitely heal you up for sure!" His voice felt like a shout right outside my door.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I opened the door.

When I opened the door, I expected Mark to notice me, but instead, he looked around with a confused expression, moving around the room like he was searching for me. He checked behind my desk, under the bed, and even in the closet.

"What… what is he doing?" I thought. "Hey, Mark, I'm right here!"

Mark froze, eyes widening in terror. From his perspective, the room looked completely empty, and my voice seemed to come out of nowhere. "D-Don't… Are you pranking me? Where are you hiding?" he stammered.

"What do you mean?" I replied, just as confused. "I'm right in front of you!"

I waved a hand in front of his face, but he didn't react at all. Panic began to settle in as I realized he couldn't see me. I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, and he shrieked, stumbling back. "Oh no… is this a ghost?!"

Suddenly, I felt a weird tingling sensation. When I looked down, I saw that my upper body was slowly becoming visible, floating in mid-air. My own eyes went wide in horror. "WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?!"

Mark's jaw dropped as he watched my half-visible form, his face pale with shock.

He let out a scream that could probably be heard down the block. "AAAAAHHH! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"

"Mark! It's me!

"Diego… you're… only halfway there! This—this is like something out of a horror movie!"

I looked at my own fading body, completely freaked out. "Oh god, Mark, I don't know what's happening! Why am I disappearing?!"

We both stood there, staring in utter terror as my whole body finally reappeared. Neither of us could process what had just happened.