Administration Tower, Horizon University
Forge's brow furrowed over his tablet. "Registration bills are hitting Congress. Not just mutants. Metas. Anyone with powers."
Ezekiel's eyes swept the quad below. "Horizon already feeds data to SHIELD. But SHIELD has shadows. HYDRA always follows."
Jake's stomach dropped. "You mean—"
Forge cut him off. "You're being watched. Not as a student. As an asset."
Alloy's hum turned sardonic.
"Calling it now: shady men in suits. Act Two. They'll call Jake 'son' and offer him a deal. Cue ominous strings. Think violins."
Jake glanced at the Admin doors — two sharp-suited men lingered, blending too well. Their gaze slid over him like scanners before they disappeared into the crowd.
Forge lowered his voice. "Horizon was built as a sanctuary. But walls this high? They're cages too."
Jake felt the hum creep back under his skin. Horizon's sprawl suddenly felt… small.
Deadpool meta-cut: "And there's your paranoia seed planted. By Act Three, this place'll be less 'University' and more 'Truman Show.' Stay tuned."