Despite Gabriel’s heroics, the criminal underworld kept growing. As Gabriel cut the head off one criminal organization, another two grew in its place, and the city that was so beautiful had lost its vibrancy, swallowed underneath the unrelenting wave of crime. Once bustling with promise, it now seemed drained of what fight it had left. But despite the city’s struggles, one event was stirring up significant attention: the ribbon-cutting of Robert’s new venture. Dubbed the event of the year, it drew people from all around the globe. Reporters, bloggers, influencers, and fellow scientists all filled the streets for the historical event.

  Today was years in the making—years of blood, sweat, and tears—for Robert, who received the monumental, life-changing call three months ago that they were naming the brand-new lab in the city after him in Ravenswood College, the go-to college for every tech prodigy. Robert was a pioneer in the field of science now, a true innovator that people looked up to and were inspired by in the science realm. He put butts in seats and made science mainstream. He was no longer just a local celebrity; his cachet had spread far and wide, his achievements breathtaking and revolutionary. Everyone just had to have a piece of Robert James.

  The building rose high above the street, all sharp lines and glass, catching the glow of the city lights like a mirror. The buzz of car horns sounded, fans screaming and shouting in the background, mixing with the chatter of reporters clustered along a red carpet rolled out on the sidewalk. Cameras flashed in rapid bursts and photographers bent in all directions, catching quick smiles and handshakes as people made their way toward the entrance. Overhead, the bold letters spelled it out for the city to see: Robert James University of Science Department. Just beyond the glass doors, a ribbon stretched tight across the frame, waiting to be cut and claim its place in the city’s rich historic landmarks.

  Influencers stood on the red carpet as camera lights flashed, cameramen begging for their attention.

  “Mercury—Mercury, over here! To your left!” shouted one of the reporters, snapping photos of one of the biggest influencers in the world.

  Mercury turned to the camera, throwing up a peace sign and smiling, striking poses as the cameras flashed while he moved down the red carpet with his security in tow.

  “Listen, guys—it’s Mercury checking in! I know I said this event was marked in my calendar for months in advance but look.” The overexcited Twitch streamer waved his camera wide and high in the air for his audience to get a true appreciation of what was going on. The city was more alive than it had been in years, traffic built up as bystanders clamored to be a part of the unprecedented event in any way they could.

  “You see, my people? I give you guys the exclusive. Hashtag event of the year pending—and I’m taking all of the Veno Squad members with me!” The young, bustling, slenderly built, blue-haired, brown-eyed influencer raised his finger towards his lips. “Shhhh—I don’t know if this is an exclusive or not, but I would be damned if I didn’t show you who I’ve just seen behind the scenes turn up.”

  Mercury turned his camera again behind the railing. Heading into the venue was none other than fifteen-time Grammy-nominated rapper—A$AP Ferg.

  “Are you guys seeing this? I repeat, are you guys seeing this?! It’s freakin’ A$AP Ferg! I just streamed his Album of the Year, Pain Through the Looking Glass—literally on the way here, guys. I can’t believe this. Star-struck moment, y’all!” Mercury began to fan himself as he stood in awe of the Grammy-nominated rapper heading into the venue.

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  Mercury’s chat lit up with an abundance of messages on the live—fire emojis, muscle emojis, others spamming tuff, while the majority put shocked faces. Mercury couldn’t contain his excitement any longer and headed straight to the venue entrance, skipping and jumping along the way.

  Robert paced around the room nervously as he waited for his big moment. Nicole walked up to her husband, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder before adjusting his tie.

  “Honey, you can’t go out like that—your tie needs fixing.”

  “This is going to be a disaster, I can feel it in my bones,” Robert muttered.

  “Breathe, honey—breathe. Everything is going to be okay. Don’t doubt yourself now. You’ve brought people far and wide across the globe and united the entire city. You’ve gone past inspiring this city, baby,” Nicole said as she held Robert’s hand. “You’ve inspired people across the world with your inventions. Your science has inspired the next generation.” Nicole looked deep into Robert’s eyes, a tear escaping the clutches of her left eye. “And you made them proud—their sacrifices. Your mom doing the morning shift and your dad doing the night shift to make sure you lived out your dream and got out of that toxic neighborhood. Their sacrifices weren’t in vain. They’re looking down on you right now with smiles on their faces.”

  Robert looked to the ceiling, trying to conceal the flood of tears, but the barricade holding them back was far too weak. They flowed down his face as Robert laid his hand across it, pulling his fingers together to wipe the tears away from both eyes.

  “Mom… Dad… I know I didn’t take the scenic route you wanted. There were a lot of detours along the way—hell, I made a lot—a lot—of bad choices along the way to get here. But I steered my ship, and I came back to the principles you instilled in me. And I made it to my destination. I wish you both could be here with me now to share this moment, because it’s as much yours as it is mine. Without you, none of this could’ve been possible.”

  Robert took in a deep breath before exhaling and looking into his wife’s eyes, simply nodding.

  Finally, Robert got his breathing under control as Nicole gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. The muffled chanting from outside made its way through the walls to Robert’s ears—roaring voices shouting with excitement for the unveiling, for science, and for the promise of seeing A$AP Ferg perform. The noise swelled and ebbed like waves, rattling the glass frames on the wall. Robert turned to face the door, his heartbeat picking up, fingertips sweating, his nerves on a hundred.

  Then came the knock at the door. Robert’s eyes widened, his chest tightening as the door creaked open slowly.

  Gabriel stepped through, dressed to the nines, his tailored suit catching the light. He carried himself with the same effortless confidence that had become second nature to him, a presence that seemed to steady the very air in the room. For a brief moment, the roar of the crowd outside faded into the background—because all Robert could hear was the pounding of his own heart.

  Gabriel’s sharp eyes lifted, taking in his father’s freshly pressed suit, the neatly tied tie, and finally landing on his face. And there it was—the unmistakable weight of the world in Robert’s eyes. Gabriel smiled faintly, brushing the imaginary dust from his father’s jacket.

  “I’m proud of you, Dad,” he said softly but firmly, a grounding force amidst the storm of nerves. “Moments like this don’t come often. Take it all in—and embrace the moment.”

  Just like that, Robert’s nerves eased. The concrete walls of doubt cracked, revealing a smile underneath.

  “Thank you, Gabe. That means a lot, coming from you,” Robert said.

  The pair embraced, a quiet bond of strength passing between them. Then the stage manager poked his head into the room, clipboard in hand.

  “Rob—they’re ready for you now,” the stage manager said simply.

  Robert let go of his son, taking one last lingering look at his family before turning toward the door.

  “This is your time, Dad—your moment. Knock ’em dead!” Gabriel called out, his voice full of confidence, giving his father one last pep talk before Robert stepped out onto the makeshift stage.