Chapter Eight: The Shadow Hunt
The next morning, New York wasn't the same.
News anchors spoke in frantic tones, headlines screamed about a "Green Explosion at Midtown High."
By noon, the videos had spread — shaky phone clips of vines bursting through tiles, of Billy's silhouette glowing faintly before vanishing in a blinding flash.
He watched from the reflection of a diner window, hood drawn low, hands trembling around a paper cup of untouched coffee. His face was everywhere. The city that had ignored him yesterday now feared him.
"Authorities suspect enhanced mutation," the reporter said on-screen.
"Officials urge the individual to come forward peacefully."
Peacefully. Billy laughed bitterly under his breath. He'd seen what happened to people with powers — they didn't get peace. They got cages.
He stood, leaving the coffee behind, and stepped out into the cold morning rain.
At school, chaos ruled. Students whispered in clusters. Teachers hushed them uselessly. And near the back gate, two black vans with tinted windows waited.
They weren't police. They were cleaner, quieter — the kind that didn't flash badges until they'd already surrounded you.
Inside one of the vans, Agent Keller adjusted his earpiece. "Target hasn't shown. But someone will crack. Kids always do."
His partner, Agent Rios, didn't look up from the tablet. "Kid's dangerous. You saw the footage. That wasn't mutation — it was elemental. If he sneezes wrong, half this block turns into a jungle."
Keller smirked. "Then we better find him before he sneezes."
They stepped out into the rain, scanning faces.
Meanwhile, Billy had slipped into the alley behind the school, his hoodie soaked, heart hammering. He could feel the earth's pulse beneath him — nervous, agitated, like the planet itself knew he was being hunted.
He had one plan: find somewhere quiet, somewhere green, and hide.
But when he turned the corner, a familiar voice stopped him cold.
"Running again, Billy?"
Marcus.
The same bully whose ribs he'd nearly broken last week.
Marcus stepped out of the shadows with two of his friends, smirking. "Didn't think you'd show your freak face again."
Billy's pulse raced. He didn't want this — not now. "Marcus, just… leave it. You don't understand what's going on."
"Oh, I understand," Marcus sneered. "You think you're some kinda superhero now, huh? Big man with his vines?"
The others laughed. Billy stepped back, his breath visible in the cold. "I said stop."
Marcus shoved him. "Or what?"
The world slowed.
For a heartbeat, Billy saw flashes — vines, green lightning, Marcus' face twisted in fear. Then something deep within him snapped.
The pavement cracked. Roots shot upward, slamming into Marcus' feet and yanking him off the ground. The others screamed, stumbling back.
Billy gasped, grabbing his head. "No—no—stop!"
But the vines didn't listen. They were angry. Hungry. They coiled around Marcus' arms and legs, tightening until his face turned pale.
"Billy, please!" Marcus screamed.
Billy's heart twisted. "I'm sorry!"
He raised his hand — and the vines obeyed, retreating in a rush, dragging back into the earth. Marcus collapsed, gasping, trembling in shock.
The other boys ran, shouting, "He's a monster!"
Billy dropped to his knees, staring at his trembling hands. His veins glowed faintly again. "What's happening to me?"
And from somewhere deep inside, a whisper — not the tree this time, not Maskborn — but something colder.
"You are no longer just you. You are what the earth chooses to defend itself. You are balance… through destruction."
Billy's breath came fast. "I didn't want this."
"Want has nothing to do with destiny."
Back at the vans, Keller's earpiece crackled.
"Sir, we've got a seismic anomaly at the east lot—side of the school. Possible target sighting."
Keller's eyes lit up. "Move in."
Rios smirked. "Guess recess is over."
They advanced — boots splashing in puddles, rifles low and ready.
Billy ran. Through the alleys, across wet asphalt, through the park where everything seemed to whisper his name. The city itself was starting to feel… alive. Every step he took, vines quivered along the sidewalks, sensing his fear.
He reached the park's edge — only to find black vans closing in from both sides.
Spotlights cut through the rain.
"Billy Moore!" a voice boomed through a speaker. "This is a containment operation. Do not resist!"
He froze, raising his hands. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths.
"Please," he shouted, "I didn't mean to hurt anyone!"
"On your knees!"
Billy hesitated. He could feel the vines under his feet twitching, waiting.
"Now!"
He knelt — but the moment his palms touched the wet grass, something ignited.
A pulse of green light exploded outward. The vans shook violently as roots erupted from beneath them, flipping one on its side. Agents stumbled, shouting orders.
"Contain him! Contain—"
A wave of vines lashed across the park, tearing up benches, snapping lampposts. Billy screamed, clutching his head. "Stop! Please stop!"
But the power didn't stop. It poured out of him like a storm unleashed.
Lightning crackled through the roots — bright green veins spreading through the ground.
Then he saw her.
A woman in a long gray coat, standing perfectly still amid the chaos.
No weapon. No panic. Just calm eyes, watching him.
She raised a hand — and the vines stopped midair.
Everything froze.
Billy blinked, panting. The storm around him trembled, then fell silent. The vines recoiled like frightened snakes, sinking back into the soil.
The woman stepped closer. Her voice was smooth, steady. "Billy Moore. My name is Helena Cross. I'm not here to hurt you."
Billy stared, shaking. "You're with them?"
"I'm not with them," she said. "But if you don't come with me now, they'll make sure you never see daylight again."
Behind her, the agents were regrouping. Keller shouted orders, guns ready.
Billy looked between her and the soldiers. The power still flickered beneath his skin. "Why should I trust you?"
Helena smiled faintly. "Because I know what you are. And because the man hunting you… once hunted me."
Billy froze. "You know about him?"
"Maskborn," she said softly. "Yes. And he knows you've awakened."
Before Billy could speak, a sharp whistle split the air. Keller shouted, "Take the shot!"
A tranquilizer dart streaked toward Billy—
Helena moved faster. She raised her hand, and the dart stopped midair, suspended in front of his chest.
Billy's eyes widened. "What—how did you—"
"Questions later," she said. "Move now."
She snapped her fingers. The ground beneath them split open — a tangle of roots forming a tunnel straight into the earth.
"Go!"
Billy hesitated only a second before diving in. Helena followed, and the roots sealed behind them, shutting out the rain, the shouts, the sirens.
The world above was gone.
They slid down through darkness, dirt, and glowing green light until they landed in a vast underground chamber — ancient, alive, breathing.
Massive roots twisted through the walls like veins. Soft, emerald light pulsed in the air.
Billy stared, speechless. "Where are we?"
Helena turned, brushing the dirt from her coat. "Somewhere the surface world forgot. The Green Sanctum."
He looked around, awe mixing with fear. "You built this?"
She shook her head. "No. This place was grown long before us. You were meant to find it."
Billy's voice trembled. "Why me? Why not someone stronger? Smarter?"
Helena studied him carefully. "Because strength doesn't move the earth, Billy. Belief does. And whether you realize it or not, the roots believe in you."
Billy looked down. His hands were glowing again — faint, rhythmic, alive.
Helena continued, "But if you want to survive what's coming, you'll have to learn what your power truly is. Not just vines and plants. You control the will of the living world itself. And that means—"
A loud crack interrupted her. The chamber trembled.
Billy's head snapped up. "What was that?"
Helena's expression darkened. "He found us."
A metallic voice echoed through the cavern — distorted but unmistakable.
"Running into the roots, little sapling? You can't hide forever."
Billy's breath hitched. "Maskborn."
Helena stepped in front of him, eyes glowing faintly. "Stay behind me."
The roots along the walls began to wither, black veins spreading through them. A blue glow appeared in the distance, followed by the slow, steady sound of footsteps.
Maskborn emerged from the shadows, the edges of his mask flickering with lightning. "You've been busy, boy. Impressive. But it's time we finished what was started."
Helena's voice hardened. "You'll have to go through me first."
Maskborn tilted his head. "I intend to."
Billy swallowed, his heart pounding like thunder. The chamber darkened, vines stirring nervously around him.
The final whisper came from the ground beneath his feet: