Chapter 10: Sparks of Discovery

The abandoned warehouse on the edge of Tumberville loomed before them, its rusted metal frame and shattered windows casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. It had been Ace's idea to meet there—isolated, quiet, and far enough from town that no one would hear them if things went wrong.

Jessy pulled her jacket tighter around her shoulders as the group gathered near the entrance. Ace had arrived first, pacing near the door with his headphones slung around his neck. Alice came next, her backpack bulging with gear, followed by Jimmy, who looked more annoyed than anything else.

"Couldn't we have picked somewhere less... creepy?" Jimmy asked, kicking at a loose piece of rubble. "Feels like the start of a horror movie."

"Would you rather we tried this in your dad's backyard?" Jessy shot back, her tone sharper than intended.

Jimmy raised his hands defensively. "Point taken."

"Let's just get inside," Ace said, pushing the door open with a loud creak. Dust swirled in the dim light, and the faint smell of oil and rust lingered in the air. "Alice, did you bring the stuff?"

Alice set her backpack down and began pulling out its contents: flashlights, notebooks, a first-aid kit, and what looked like a homemade sensor made from old circuit boards. "I rigged this up last night. It's not perfect, but it should help us track any... energy fluctuations."

Jimmy eyed the device skeptically. "Energy fluctuations? You've been watching too much sci-fi."

Alice ignored him, adjusting the dials. "If you'd rather stand around and make jokes, be my guest. I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to measure whatever it is that's happening to us."

Ace stepped forward, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Alright, let's focus. We're not here to argue. We're here to figure this out. Alice, start with the sensor. The rest of us will... I don't know, try using our powers?"

Jessy folded her arms. "What if something goes wrong?"

"Then we stop," Ace said firmly. "We'll take it slow. No one's getting hurt tonight."

Alice powered up the sensor, the device emitting a faint hum as its small screen flickered to life. "Okay, everyone stay still for a minute. I want to get a baseline reading."

The group fell silent, the stillness of the warehouse amplifying the sound of the sensor. After a few moments, Alice frowned. "There's definitely something here. The energy levels are higher than normal. It's faint, but it's there."

"What does that mean?" Jessy asked.

Alice adjusted the dials. "It means there's something about this place—or us—that's causing a disturbance. I need more data to figure out what."

Jimmy sighed and stepped forward. "Fine. If we're testing this out, I'll go first." He rolled his shoulders, stretching his arms. "Let's see if this thing still works."

Before anyone could stop him, Jimmy crouched low, then leapt into the air. He soared upward, smashing through a weakened section of the roof and landing back on the ground with a thunderous crash. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the floor, and a cloud of dust rose around him.

"Jimmy!" Ace shouted, coughing as the dust settled. "We said take it slow! Are you trying to bring the whole place down?"

Jimmy grinned, brushing debris off his jacket. "Hey, it worked, didn't it? Still got it."

Alice glared at him but checked the sensor. "The energy levels spiked when you jumped. I think your powers are tied to some kind of kinetic output. The more force you use, the stronger the reaction."

Jimmy shrugged. "Sounds about right."

"Let me try something," Jessy said hesitantly, stepping forward. She pulled a small knife from her pocket, holding it tightly in her hand. Her heart raced as she focused, feeling the familiar tension build in her palms. Slowly, she threw the knife at a wooden beam across the room.

The blade flew with unnatural speed, embedding itself deep into the wood with a loud thunk. Jessy exhaled shakily, her hands trembling. "I... I didn't mean to throw it that hard."

Alice checked the sensor again. "Another spike. Jessy, your powers might amplify your precision and force when you focus. But it's not just physical—it's like your intent is driving it."

Jessy stared at her hands, unsure whether to feel amazed or terrified. "So, what happens if I lose control?"

Ace stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "That's why we're doing this. To make sure that doesn't happen."

Alice turned to Ace. "Your turn. Have you noticed anything new about your powers?"

Ace hesitated, then put on his headphones. The familiar hum of music filled his ears, and he closed his eyes, letting the rhythm guide him. Slowly, faint glowing notes appeared in the air around him, their colors shifting with the tempo.

The others watched in awe as the notes swirled and danced, forming intricate patterns. Ace opened his eyes, and the notes shifted, responding to his gaze. "I think... I can control them," he said quietly. "They're tied to the music. It's like they're alive."

Alice's sensor went wild, the screen lighting up with erratic readings. "That's incredible," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your powers aren't just reactive—they're creative. They're producing energy."

Jimmy whistled. "Looks like you're the fancy one, huh?"

"Enough," Jessy snapped, her voice cutting through the tension. "We're not here to compete. We're here to figure out what's happening. And we're not even close to an answer."

Ace nodded, turning to Alice. "What's next?"

Alice looked at the group, determination shining in her eyes. "We keep testing. We keep pushing. And we don't stop until we understand what's happening to us."

For the first time, the group felt a sense of purpose—a flicker of hope that, together, they could unravel the mystery of their powers. But in the shadows of the warehouse, something unseen stirred, watching, waiting.

And their journey was only just beginning.