"Took you long enough."

  Her expression becomes serious.

  "Oh, so you are not denying it."

  “Hard to hide anything from you.”

  “Why try to hide it from me?”

  "I knew I wouldn't be able to. Swab my utensils ?"

  "Something similar."

  "So how did you know I have changed ?"

  " It is a mother's instinct."

  " I see. "

  " Then get tested. "

  " Not yet. "

  " Why?"

  I switch on my powers, I unbind my emotions.

  I null nervousness.

  It disappears too quickly.

  I force my breathing to follow.

  Don't want the sensors in the room catching me lie.

  " No particular reason actually. "

  " Not an excuse. Do not lie to me, son."

  My hands tremble, I do not stop them. My body slouches every so slightly .

  I say weakly," I just need a few days mom. I want to feel human for a few more days."

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  "You are so cunning, it is almost scary. Even your mother is game."

  " I just don't want you to get on the bad side of the law. "

  " Of course not. I'll test soon, just not right now. "

  " How much time ? "

  " A month is enough. "

  "10 days."

  I sigh.

  "Fine."

  She shows concern on her face.

  "Do not be dejected. If the law finds out that you have hidden the fact that you are infected, it will be very problematic. I'm sure some people around you may have already noticed."

  "It is dangerous. The government has eyes everywhere. One wrong move is all you need."

  "I understand mother."

  Then she exhales, releasing all the tension. She lightens up. She asks," So, what is my boy's power ? "

  " Oh nothing much."

  "I can only alter reality. "

  For the first time in a while, she laughs genuinely.

  She stops. And then she starts laughing again.

  "That is absurd. A metaphysical power ."

  She takes a moment to catch her breath. Then she assumes her usual controlled demeanor.

  "Show me."

  I unbind gravity. My body feels some shellshock but I start floating. I levitate awkwardly in the air.

  Her jaw tightens.

  After I deactivate my powers, I fall on the chair. Damage unbound.

  My mother raises her hands and makes a signal. I do not interpret it.

  It was not for me.

  I ask her," What was- "

  "Elaborate."

  I sigh. She is precise.

  "I can essentially unbind things. Physical laws. Concepts. Constraints."

  "What are the drawbacks ?"

  "I can only use it on myself."

  "Yourself ?"

  "Yes, that is non-negotiable. Apart from that I can activate it for only 10 seconds as of now."

  She takes some time to digest it all. Then she makes eye contact and smiles.

  "Unbind- the truest measure of freedom."

  "Yes."

  "Be careful. Especially now."

  "I will be."

  "Also stay the night. Go tomorrow morning. Sleep in a comfortable bed for once."

  "When are you leaving for the red planet ?"

  "Tomorrow."

  "Have a safe journey. I'll show you my abilities in action some other time. Tonight you must rest."

  Just like that I wish my mother good night.

  I retire to my room. It has similar aesthetics to the house. It also has one more function, I can remove the concrete above me to get a glass roof. I get to see the moon above the sky.

  Stars are sprawled across a black canvas. Limitless. Infinite.

  I sleep under the night sky and I ponder about how far humanity has come.

  What would Alexander have felt if he knew what we were now ? Would he still be proud at the fact that we have conquered the solar system or weep because there is so much more ?

  I extend my hand towards the sky. I grasp it, it does not obey.

  I think about that woman. She was from Mars.

  I'm drawn to her powers, but I feel like I will lose myself in the vastness of them. They are as vast as the night sky. And I am comparable to a human in front of it.

  I fall asleep while swimming in these thoughts.