WEREWOLF SYSTEM

5 YEARS LATER

John Wilson's POV

The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the quiet sitting room as I leaned back into my favorite armchair. A mug of coffee sat untouched on the side table, its warmth long gone. In my hand, the TV remote felt like a lifeline as I flicked through the channels, pausing for only a moment on each one. News anchors prattling about politics, an overly dramatic soap opera, reruns of a crime series—I skipped them all.

Then, a familiar jingle caught my attention. My thumb hovered over the button as I landed on Channel 231: Helios Medical Channel.

The screen brightened, showing a polished commercial of pristine white labs and state-of-the-art equipment. A group of scientists in lab coats smiled at the camera, their faces glowing with purpose. "At Helios Lab," a soothing female voice narrated, "we're dedicated to the future of medical advancement. From groundbreaking research to life-saving treatments, our goal is to shape a healthier tomorrow."

I nodded along, as if I were part of the audience they were addressing. "That's the spirit," I murmured to myself. After all, I'd played a small part in their mission once, having featured in one of their TV commercials. It had been years ago, but I still remembered the script I had to rehearse—talking about the lab's revolutionary vaccines.

The screen shifted to show a patient smiling as a doctor handed them a prescription. The camera then panned to happy families, children running through parks, and elderly couples walking hand-in-hand, all accompanied by the tagline, "Helios Lab: Where Hope Meets Innovation."

But as the ad wrapped up, I noticed the banner scrolling at the bottom of the screen: "Dispelling the Myths: Don't fall for conspiracy theories about Helios Lab."

I frowned slightly. There it was again. Over the years, rumors about Helios Lab had floated around—unethical experiments, secret projects—but I never paid them any mind. People always needed something to criticize when they didn't understand progress.

Switching the channel back to Helios Medical always felt like a reminder that I was aligned with the good side of history.

"John!" Lina's voice called out from the kitchen. "Are you just going to sit there all morning? Breakfast is almost ready."

I smiled faintly and turned off the TV. "Coming," I called back, standing up and stretching.

Kyle Wilson's POV

Upstairs, I shoved another stack of books into my bag, trying to make room for the last notebook. My room was a mess—clothes draped over the chair, an unmade bed, and shoes scattered around—but none of that mattered today. What mattered was making a good first impression at Hilton Way College.

My new uniform hung on the wardrobe door, crisp and spotless. I ran a hand over the fabric, feeling the unfamiliarity of it. Starting at a new school wasn't exactly on my list of favorite things. It wasn't the first time I'd been the "new student," but that didn't make it any easier.

"Kyle! Breakfast!"

"Coming!" I yelled back, grabbing my phone and slipping it into my pocket.

Downstairs, the smell of bacon and eggs greeted me before I even reached the kitchen. My mom was by the stove, expertly flipping pancakes, while Dad sat at the dining table, sipping his coffee.

"Morning," I muttered, sliding into a chair.

"You're up early," Dad commented, raising an eyebrow.

"First day," I said with a shrug. "Can't show up late."

Mom placed a plate of food in front of me, and I couldn't help but smile. She always made breakfast special on important days. "You nervous?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Nah," I lied, shoveling a forkful of eggs into my mouth.

Dad chuckled, setting down his mug. "You'll be fine, kid. Just be yourself."

Easy for him to say. He wasn't the one walking into a new school where everyone already had their cliques and groups. But I nodded anyway. "Yeah, I guess."

As we ate, Dad started talking about something he'd seen on TV. "You know, Helios Lab is doing some amazing work. I saw one of their new ads this morning. Really inspiring stuff."

I tuned him out halfway through. He was always talking about Helios Lab like they were some kind of superheroes. Sure, they had cool technology and all, but did he really have to bring them up at every family meal?

"…and they're tackling diseases no one else can even touch. It's incredible," Dad finished, looking at me expectantly.

"Yeah, sounds great," I said, forcing a smile.

Mom shot me a warning look, and I quickly added, "I mean, it's cool that they're helping people."

Dad seemed satisfied with that.

After breakfast, I went back upstairs to finish packing. I grabbed my uniform and headed to the bathroom to change. Staring at myself in the mirror, I adjusted the tie, trying to make it look less stiff. The boy staring back at me looked nervous, his dark eyes filled with uncertainty.

"You've got this," I told myself quietly.

When I came downstairs, Mom was waiting by the door with my bag. She gave me a quick hug. "Good luck, sweetheart. Call me if you need anything."

"I will," I promised, stepping outside.

Dad was already by the car, keys in hand. "Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said, climbing into the passenger seat.

John Wilson's POV

As we drove to Hilton Way College, I glanced at Kyle out of the corner of my eye. He was quiet, staring out the window, lost in thought. It wasn't easy for him, I knew that. Moving around so much because of my job had taken a toll on all of us, but especially him.

"You know," I said, breaking the silence, "Hilton Way has a great reputation. You'll have opportunities there you wouldn't get anywhere else."

Kyle nodded but didn't say anything.

I wanted to say more, to tell him how proud I was of him, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I focused on the road ahead, hoping he understood.

When we pulled up in front of the school, Kyle hesitated for a moment before opening the door. "Thanks for the ride," he said, grabbing his bag.

"Hey, Kyle," I called after him. He turned back, and I gave him a reassuring smile. "You're going to do great."

He smiled back, a little more confidently this time. "Thanks, Dad."

As he walked toward the school gates, I sat in the car for a moment, watching him. My mind drifted back to the Helios Lab ad I'd seen earlier. Progress was a funny thing—it could be scary and exciting all at once.

But for now, my focus was on my son. No matter what the future held, I knew he'd find his way.