The Zetta Sonic
What’s Left

Alex didn't let himself sleep too long. He tried hard to open his eyes to see what was happening. There, the moonlight helped him see more clearly. He saw two other men firing some kind of strange-scented gas. The gas managed to prevent the swarm of bees from flying further. Instead, the group flew back into the forest.

One of the men ran to her. Alex nodded in disbelief. He saw his own father. If it's another joke from ICPA — he means, Tiger — then Alex is ready to beat him. But this time it was different. He recognized his father's voice. He also recognized the change in appearance. Especially, she recognized a strong sense of longing when father hugged her tightly.

“Mi— What kind of dream is this?” Alex asked almost without a sound. Every word shuddered, pushing his tears out.

“This is not a dream. I'm here, Alex. You are safe now.” Mark Hill withdraws from his son. He observed how Alex had wounds on every part of his body. Bruising and bleeding. Alex smiled at him and he smiled. “You found your way.”

“No. I failed,” whispered Alex. His eyes feel heavy.

Mark started screaming. “Alex! Alex, open your eyes! Alex!” Seeing no response, Mark turned to his partner. “Dominic!”

“No need to shout.” Professor Dominic was already kneeling beside him. “Let him down, I need to check his wound.”

Alex could still hear his father's cryptic conversation with the professor. Over time, the voice began to fade until it disappeared completely. When the darkness came back to him, Alex thought he would see another Alex. It turns out that this time is different, Alex sees the darkness as a friend who helps her sleep in peace.

Alex wakes up in a brighter state. The moon is no longer visible. The sky began to change color. The sun will rise soon and the conditions will be warmer. Alex was already feeling warm first by the thick blanket covering his body and the warm compress on his forehead.

Professor Dominic's face was blown away. “Wow. That's quick. Surprising.” Then he looked at Mark. “I'll be there for a while, smoking. Wait, that's not the right reason. I'll be there so you can chat.”

Seeing the professor start to move far away, Alex moves to get up. However, Mark's hand stopped him. Mark didn't have to press his son's body, just put his hand over Alex's chest to prevent it. Alex has no strength to fight. He was tired and wanted to rest.

“This is the strangest dream I've ever had,” Alex said.

“This is not a dream,” his father said again.

“What happened?” Alex changed the question. “What has really happened?”

Mark was silent for a moment. He cast his gaze on the village of Kloster. The place looks beautiful, just like a luxury resort protected by weapons and secrets. Mark took a short breath. “Much has happened. We know that,” he replied without looking at Alex.

“You know who I am. Gavin said it?” Alex looked at his father.

Mark turned. “He didn't say anything. I-i know. I just... know.”

“Just like that? Hows it? Since when?”

“Fish canning factory.”

“You lied.”

“But, how can?”

“I know. I saw you through the camera. Repeatedly. Every time you go home or go out with your friends, I see it from the surveillance cameras. We left you home alone. I know Preston and Bellsey will take care of you, but..” Mark stops again. He turned his gaze then took a deep breath before returning to Alex. “We should have been there, your mother and I. We were supposed to be there to make sure you weren't involved.”

“You recognize me in uniform—”

“Yes. I know even if you're Zetta Sonic. I've been watching you from a distance, Alex. I'm your father.”

Alex doesn't know what got into him. Her tears flowed nonstop. He lifted his body and Mark made no attempt to stop him this time. Alex gets the hug he always wanted from the person he misses. There is no need for words to be spoken. The hug was enough. Alex gets it until he's satisfied and there's no more tears there.

Mark smiled again. His hands ruffled his son's hair. “You grew too fast until I was afraid of not recognizing you again.”

“Why didn't you say anything?”

“How about you?” This time, Mark snorted amusedly. “You could have talked to me. No need to hack ICPA systems like that. You get yourself caught up in big trouble. I'm afraid of losing you.”

“You're afraid Nadira will take me away?”

“No. I'm afraid you're gone, Alex. I know there's a lot you can do. I gave you all those perks, remember?”

From behind, Professor Dominic chuckles. “Absolutely. He prepared it all for you so you could join ICPA.”

“You prepared me to be an ICPA agent?” Alex slipping.

“That's right, Hill Junior! Your father always said you were an amazing kid. He said the ICPA and the world will need you. So, he gave you various facilities. And, maybe directing you to take various courses on the internet?”

“Wait! You know about that? All?”

Dominic's comments made Mark take a sharp glance. Dominic hurriedly kept his distance again after retrieving the stainless bottle from his backpack. “Sorry, just wanted to take this. Please continue your chat.”

Mark sighed short and continued. “Ya and no. I know you're a smart kid. ICPA only recruits the best people. So, I thought you could take part in it. I mean, you could be the operator behind the scenes. I didn't expect you to. So. hmmm, phenomenal agent like this. ICPA leaders in various countries praised Zetta Sonic. Nadira says your appearance is right. The world needs you.”

Alex's turn is silent now. He shook his head slowly. “No, dad. The world doesn't need me. There are too many threats in this world. They don't need additional monsters like me.”

“Hei! My son is not a monster! Nobody calls you that, not you. Understand?” sahut Mark fast.

“But, I— I— I killed Damon— then—”

“Being an ICPA agent puts you in a lot of difficult positions. Sometimes such decisions have to be made. You're not a monster. You did the right thing. You did your job. You protect the world—”

“No!” Alex yelling. His throat and chest hurt. He doesn't want to remember those memories anymore. His tongue was bitter every time he talked about it. He knew his hands were starting to tremble. “Daddy completely do not understand! This power.This bloodlust. I'm not human anymore, dad. I'm monster. I... I...” His words can't come out anymore. Alex turned his face away.

“Listen to me, Alex,” he said softly. Mark clasped Alex's arm, trying to see his son's face. “That's why we're here. Finish what you started. Also fix the mistakes we have made in the past.”