The Alister family library had always felt like another world to Yohanes. The tall walls were lined with dark wooden shelves, filled with thick books, and a brass chandelier cast a warm golden light across the room. That night, after dinner, Yohanes slipped quietly into the library under the pretense of wanting to read. But his real reason was much more specific—he was looking for clues.
Ever since his meeting with Kia, and the vague words about their parents' connection, his heart had been restless. He was convinced that among the hundreds of books and old documents belonging to the Alister family, there had to be something—an archive, a record, anything—that could give him answers. His fingers brushed along the spines of the books, pulling some out and reading the titles—most were about family history, business archives, or travel journals."It can't all be meaningless…" he murmured softly. His breath grew heavy, and his fingers trembled as he opened a dusty black folder.
Silence filled the room, broken only by the soft rustle of old paper. Then suddenly—
"BOO!"
"Waaahh—!"
Yohanes almost dropped the folder from his hands. His heart jumped to his throat as he spun around.
At the doorway stood Jovian, grinning widely with his arms crossed. "Hahaha! Got you! You look so pale, Han!"Yohanes quickly closed the folder, trying to hide his panic. "Jovian! Don't scare me like that!"
"But it's funny! You looked like a thief caught in your own house." Jovian stepped inside casually, his sharp eyes scanning the scattered books on the table. "Hmm… what are you really looking for? You seem way too serious."
Yohanes hurried to stack the books. "I was just… curious. Reading."
"Curious?" Jovian squinted, then sat down across from him, resting his chin on his hand. "Curious about what? Why at night? And why do you look like you're hiding something?"
The barrage of questions made Yohanes even more nervous. "Why do you always have to interrogate me?"
Jovian raised an eyebrow, smirking. "It's not interrogation. I just care. You've been acting strange lately—daydreaming more, keeping to yourself. And now I find you here, digging through old documents like some wannabe detective. Of course I'm curious!"
Yohanes bit his lip, trying to keep his face calm. "I just want to learn more about this family's history. That's all. Nothing wrong with that, right?"
Jovian leaned back in his chair, exhaled deeply, then spoke with a rare seriousness. "Yohanes, I know you're still adjusting. I know sometimes you feel like you don't belong here. But don't push us away like this. If you're searching for something… why not tell me?"
His words made Yohanes pause. He looked down at the black folder on the table. A part of him wanted to tell the truth, but his lips refused to move.
"I…" Yohanes took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I just want to find something that can answer the questions in my head. That's all."
Jovian leaned forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Questions about what? About who? Your family? Your past? Your… parents?"
The question pierced through him, freezing him in place. Yohanes met Jovian's gaze—eyes filled with genuine concern, yet sharp enough to see through him.
Instead of answering, Yohanes forced a stiff smile and shook his head. "No… it's nothing important."
"Liar," Jovian said quickly, his tone playful again. He leaned back and crossed his arms. "If it wasn't important, you wouldn't look so tense."
For a moment, silence filled the room again. The ticking clock on the wall echoed through the air. Jovian still watched him, but this time his expression softened. "Okay. If you're not ready to talk, I won't push. But remember, I'm your brother. You can fool everyone else, but not me. I've got special radar for when you're acting weird."
Yohanes let out a small laugh. "Special radar, huh?""Yeah—Jovian radar." He lifted his chin proudly. "And this radar says you're hiding something big."
Yohanes lowered his head and slowly closed the folder. He didn't dare say anything more, afraid something might slip out. "Maybe someday I'll tell you. But… not tonight."
Jovian went quiet for a moment, then stood up and ruffled Yohanes's hair. "Alright. I'll wait. But don't take too long, Han. I hate waiting."
He left the room whistling, leaving Yohanes alone once again—his heart still racing. The library fell silent, filled only with the smell of old books and the warm glow of the brass lamp. On the table, the black folder lay still—heavier now than it had ever been before.
The Night That Holds Secrets
Jovian's footsteps finally faded down the long mansion corridor, his whistling slowly disappearing into the distance. The silence that followed was heavy—almost suffocating. Yohanes still sat in his chair, his eyes fixed on the black folder lying on the large wooden table. His fingers hesitated to move, as if weighing whether he was truly ready to open something that perhaps was never meant to be touched.
"Why do I feel… this isn't just an ordinary file?" he whispered, his own voice sounding strange in the stillness of the room.
He took a deep breath and finally pulled the folder closer. The scent of old paper filled the air as he slowly untied the leather strap. Yellowed pages unfolded, covered in dense handwriting and faded photographs.His gaze stopped at one name written clearly on a page:
Burhan.
His heartbeat quickened. "Uncle Burhan…"The name felt like a secret door swinging open. He knew that name—someone who had once been close to him, a man who had given him a simple job years ago, someone he had thought was just an acquaintance. But here, the same name appeared on an official document, alongside other names he didn't recognize.
Yohanes touched the black-and-white photograph tucked beside the document. It showed four young men standing in front of an old building with a faded sign above it:
Pointless.
His eyes widened. His breath caught. "That building again…" he whispered.
A chill ran through his body. Why was Burhan's name here? Why did that building appear again? Was it just coincidence, or was there a deeper connection between his family, the Alisters, Burhan, and that mysterious building?He flipped through the next pages quickly, desperate for answers. There were short notes—almost like meeting reports—written in hurried handwriting.
"…no one must know…""…Pointless is only for the chosen…""…connection with the family—"
The ink on the last line had smudged, making it impossible to read.
Suddenly, a faint thud came from the window. Yohanes flinched, slamming the folder shut as his heart leapt into his throat. He turned sharply—only to see the curtains swaying gently in the night breeze. Nothing else. But in the quiet library, even that small sound felt like a warning—like someone was watching.
He slowly stood up, his reflection barely visible in the dark window. His face looked pale, his eyes uneasy."Why does all this feel… wrong?" he muttered.
He turned back toward the table, staring at the black folder again. He wanted to keep reading, but Jovian's words echoed in his mind: "If there's something you're looking for… why not tell me?"
Yohanes clenched his jaw. "No… not yet. They can't know. Not now."
With trembling hands, he carefully gathered the papers and slid the folder back onto the lowest shelf, hiding it behind a row of thick books. But even though it was out of sight, the weight of its secrets still pressed heavily on his chest.
The golden light of the chandelier dimmed, casting long shadows across the floor, as if the shelves themselves were reaching out to swallow him. Yohanes walked out of the library weakly, his mind spinning with unease.
Behind the slowly closing door, the black folder remained on the shelf—silent, waiting to be opened again.As if… it was calling to him.
Shadows in the Hallway
The library door closed softly behind him, its faint echo sending a chill down Yohanes's spine. The long hallway of the Alister mansion looked different that night—the hanging lamps were still on, but their yellow light was dim, casting the shadows of vases and shelves across the walls as if they were watching his every step.
Yohanes walked slowly, afraid even the sound of his footsteps might be too loud. His heart was still pounding, and the image of the black folder he had just hidden wouldn't leave his mind. "Why does it have to be Burhan? Why does it have to be Pointless?" he thought.
Then he stopped. From a distance, he heard a faint clinking sound—like a spoon tapping a cup. Not a ghostly sound, yet it still made his heart jump. He turned toward the dining room, and there, under the soft light of a small table lamp, sat Deon.
Deon was still wearing a casual home shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. In front of him was an open laptop, its screen casting a glow over his calm but focused face. A cup of coffee steamed gently beside it.
Yohanes froze, caught off guard. He thought about turning around and sneaking away, but Deon's voice reached him first.
"Han?" Deon called, his usual flat tone laced with curiosity. "What are you doing wandering around this late?"
Yohanes swallowed hard. His feet felt heavy as he walked closer. "I… uh…" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I was just thirsty. Wanted to get a drink."
Deon raised an eyebrow. A faint smile appeared on his face, but his eyes stayed sharp. "Thirsty? Out of all the places in this mansion, you came from the library. Do the books serve drinks now?"
Yohanes froze like someone caught red-handed. He forced a weak laugh, trying to sound casual. "I… took the wrong way. Hehe. I went in there for a bit—got curious about the old books. Then I remembered I was thirsty."
Deon leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "You've been getting curious at night a lot lately. Don't tell me you're trying to be like Father now. He also likes working until dawn."
"It's not like that," Yohanes said quickly, trying to sound calm. He walked to the water dispenser, poured a glass, and drank it down fast. "See? I really was just thirsty."
Deon watched every movement carefully. But instead of pressing further, he simply gave a faint smile. "If you're really just thirsty, stop looking so tense. You look like a student who just walked out of a math exam."
Yohanes coughed a little, almost choking on his water. "I'm serious, Deon. I just… couldn't sleep."
Deon closed his laptop slowly, his tone softening. "If you can't sleep, just tell me next time. There's herbal tea in the kitchen—Mother keeps some. It's healthier than wandering alone down these halls. You have no idea how creepy this mansion can feel when it's quiet."
Yohanes said nothing, staring into his cup. Deon's last words hit deep—almost as if he truly understood what Yohanes had just felt in the library.
Finally, Deon stood up, picking up his half-finished coffee. "Alright. You've had your drink. Let's go upstairs. If Father or Mother see you staying up this late, you'll get a long lecture about proper sleep for students."
Yohanes nodded quickly, forcing a smile. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Deon."
They walked side by side toward the stairs. Deon looked relaxed, but he kept glancing at Yohanes every now and then—his eyes filled with quiet suspicion. Yohanes, meanwhile, walked with a head full of restless thoughts.
That was close, he told himself. If I hadn't made that excuse fast enough, Deon would've known I wasn't just thirsty.
But deep down, he already knew—Deon had sensed something.
And the more he tried to hide the secret of Pointless, the more likely his family would discover it.
Breakfast That Almost Uncovered the Secret
That morning, the Alister mansion was filled with the smell of toasted bread and warm corn soup. It was a holiday, so the breakfast table felt more relaxed than usual. Effendi was busy pouring orange juice, Nadine was arranging fresh fruit in a crystal bowl, while Jovian—like always—came in with his usual cheerful face, as if the day off was his personal stage.
Yohanes sat in his chair, trying to look normal even though he still carried the tension from last night. He quietly spooned his scrambled eggs, though in his head he could still see the dark bookshelves, the black folder, and Deon's sharp gaze that almost caught him.
Jovian started the conversation cheerfully, his voice full of energy."Hey, by the way, last night I saw something hilarious in the library! Yohanes literally jumped in shock when I walked in. I thought all the books were going to fall!"
The spoon in Yohanes' hand almost slipped. He quickly straightened up, glancing at Jovian with a desperate look—a silent warning. A look that said: Don't you dare continue.
Jovian, not realizing at first, kept laughing. "Right, Han? You were like—whoa, your face was—"
"Jovian." Yohanes cut him off with a low, slightly hoarse voice. His stare was intense, and under the table, he kicked Jovian's foot lightly.
Jovian flinched and finally understood. He froze for a second, then pretended to choke on his toast. "Eh, uh, I mean... yeah, it was nothing, really. I was just teasing him. Don't take it seriously." He forced a laugh and took a big gulp of water, almost too fast.
Nadine raised an eyebrow, suspicious but choosing to stay quiet. Gibson glanced briefly at his sons, then turned his attention back to his glass.
But Deon—unlike the others—leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced on the table. His tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp."Funny," he said slowly. "Because, coincidentally... I also saw Yohanes wandering around late last night. He said he just wanted some water, but maybe there was another reason to visit the library, huh?"
The mood at the table shifted instantly. Effendi stopped moving his spoon. Nadine turned her full attention to Yohanes. Gibson's gaze lingered from behind his glass.
Yohanes swallowed hard. His heart pounded faster, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I... yeah, I just wanted to look at some books. I couldn't sleep last night. So I went in for a bit, then... suddenly Jovian came in and scared me."
Jovian quickly nodded, though a bit awkwardly. "Yeah, that's right! Exactly. Just fooling around. Yohanes gets curious when he sees those big old books. Nothing serious."
Deon didn't look away. He narrowed his eyes, his voice quiet but cutting."I see. Next time... if you can't sleep, just say so. This house is big, Yohanes. Not every place is safe to explore alone."
The words sounded like a subtle warning. Yohanes just nodded quickly, staring down at his plate, hoping the topic would change soon.
Nadine finally sighed, trying to ease the tension. "Alright, let's not make the morning so serious. It's our day off—let's just enjoy breakfast."
But the tension never really left. Even when soft laughter returned to the table, Yohanes could still feel Deon's eyes on him—sharp, observing, and full of unspoken questions. Deep down, Yohanes knew one thing for sure:Among everyone in that house, Deon was the hardest to fool.
A New Plan in the Garden
After that tense breakfast, Yohanes quickly asked for permission to go out to the garden. He didn't want to stay too long in the dining room—he was afraid of feeling Deon's sharp gaze pressing on him again.
The morning air in the Alister mansion's garden felt fresh. The grass was still wet with dew, and sunlight filtered softly through the moving leaves. Yohanes sat on a long wooden bench, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, as if hoping that with every exhale, his growing anxiety would also fade away.
But his mind kept replaying the scene from breakfast: Deon's piercing stare, his awkward signal to Jovian, and the way Nadine and Gibson quietly watched him—as if waiting for a confession he would never give.
"If this keeps up… I'll be found out," he muttered softly. His fingers gripped the edge of his pants nervously.
He looked toward the fish pond in front of him, trying to calm himself with the sound of the small fountain splashing water. Slowly, a new thought began to form in his mind—a plan. Uncle Burhan.
That name suddenly surfaced. The old man who ran a small food stall at the corner near the school. Yohanes remembered hearing that Uncle Burhan knew many of the students' parents—and even some old stories about the neighborhood. He clearly recalled that one time, Kia had mentioned that her parents often stopped by and chatted with him.
"If that's true… maybe he knows something. About my family. About… all of this," Yohanes whispered, his voice almost drowned out by the sound of the pond.
Images of the Pointless building, strange dreams, and his growing curiosity about Kia's parents all mixed together into a heavy weight on his mind. Yohanes felt a strong urge to search for answers beyond the mansion—from someone neutral. And Uncle Burhan seemed like the small door that might lead to the truth.
He clenched his hands tightly, as if sealing his own resolve. "I have to meet Uncle Burhan. Not now… but soon. Maybe at his stall, when there aren't many people around."
The plan made him feel a bit lighter. Even if uncertain, Yohanes felt as if he had found a way out of the confusion that had been trapping him. He stood up from the bench, brushed the dirt from his pants, and looked up at the brightening blue sky.
But beneath that small sense of relief, another feeling began to creep in—an uneasy one. As if this new step would open a door to a mystery much deeper… and far more dangerous.
The Steps That Carry a Secret
That day, Yohanes finally made up his mind. After spending so long thinking about it, he decided to visit Uncle Burhan's small stall. The plan he had been holding onto since that morning in the garden was now becoming real action.
But it wasn't easy. The moment he mentioned wanting to go out that afternoon, the Alister family immediately offered to accompany him.
"If you want to go somewhere, just say so, Han," Gibson said, folding his newspaper in the living room. "I can ask the driver to take you—or I can go with you myself."
Yohanes smiled awkwardly. "Ah, no need, Dad. I'm just going for a short walk. It's not far, just near the school."
Nadine, who had just come out of the kitchen, frowned slightly. "Alone? Sweetheart, if you need to shop or buy something, just tell us. We can send someone. You don't have to go by yourself."
For a moment, Yohanes fell silent. Deep inside, he felt warmth from their concern—but also panic. He couldn't let anyone come with him, especially since his purpose was to meet Uncle Burhan and ask about things that might be tied to the past. That was too risky.
"Mom, I just want to… you know, take a walk for a bit. I want to feel the air outside. It's a holiday anyway, so there's no harm in that," he said quickly, trying to sound casual.
Deon, who had been reading in the corner chair, turned to look at him, his eyes filled with quiet suspicion. "Are you sure, Han? You never suddenly want to go out without a clear reason. Don't tell me… you're hiding something?"
The question hit like a knife. Yohanes immediately forced a laugh. "Haha, come on, Deon. I'm just bored at home. Is that a crime?"
Una joined in while sipping her warm milk. "If you're bored, we can play together. Why go alone? Aren't you afraid of getting lost?"
"No, Una. I already know my way around," Yohanes replied, trying to reassure them. He glanced at Jovian, who was munching on chips, hoping he wouldn't say anything to make things worse.
But, as usual, Jovian couldn't resist. "Maybe he's going to meet his girlfriend. That's why he doesn't want company."
"Jovian!" Nadine scolded him, though she couldn't help smiling.
Yohanes's face immediately turned red—not because the guess was true, but because it was the perfect distraction. "Haha, yeah, maybe," he said with a grin, hoping everyone would believe that vague excuse.
In the end, the Alister family reluctantly let him go alone. Nadine only reminded him softly, "Be careful, Yoh. Don't come home too late, okay?"
Gibson added in a firm but warm tone, "If anything happens, call us. Don't hesitate."
As soon as Yohanes stepped out of the mansion, a mix of relief and tension surged inside him. The road ahead felt longer than usual.
Every step seemed to echo with whispers of what might happen. What if Uncle Burhan didn't know anything? What if he refused to talk? Or worse—what if Uncle Burhan was hiding something dangerous?
He looked at the row of houses and trees along the street. People passed by, children ran around, and the sound of vehicles occasionally broke the quiet. Yet in his ears, all he could hear was the pounding of his own heartbeat.
"I'm really doing this…" he murmured softly.
His thoughts spun wildly—his father's face, his mother's smile, the eerie Pointless building, and Kia's words about her parents possibly knowing his. All of it mixed together, forming a storm in his head.
"If Uncle Burhan knows something, I have to be ready to hear it. Whatever it is…"
He gripped the strap of his small bag tightly, as if it could give him courage. His steps were steady, but his heart trembled. The walk to that small stall at the street corner felt like a journey toward the door of truth—a door that might finally uncover the great mystery… or open up a burden too heavy for him to bear.
A Meeting at the Old Stall
Without realizing it, his long daydream had taken him somewhere far. When he finally came to, Yohanes found himself standing in front of an old roadside warung. The wooden door's paint had faded, and the small signboard above it swayed in the wind. The faint aroma of coffee and freshly fried snacks filled the air, stirring memories that suddenly tightened his chest.
His feet felt heavy, but a familiar voice from inside made him freeze."Come in, customer. Don't be shy."
That voice… he knew it well. The voice that used to scold him, joke around, and give advice when he was a child. It was Uncle Burhan.With trembling breath, Yohanes stepped inside. The warung hadn't changed much—simple wooden tables, a glass shelf filled with snacks, a large thermos in the corner. Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man with a kind face—now older, hair turning gray—wiping the table with a cloth.
Uncle Burhan lifted his head, and when his eyes met Yohanes's, he froze. The cloth fell from his hand. His lips trembled."Yo… Yohanes?"Yohanes smiled weakly, his eyes glistening. "Yeah, Uncle… it's me."
For a moment, the warung fell silent. Then Uncle Burhan rushed forward, grabbed Yohanes's shoulders, and stared at his face as if trying to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "Oh my God… it's really you… You're alive…"
A warm hug pulled Yohanes in. The old man's shoulders trembled. Yohanes hugged him back, tears falling freely. Every emotion—longing, pain, relief—all collided inside him.
"Uncle…" Yohanes's voice cracked. "I missed you.""I missed you too, son. You've grown up now. The last time I saw you, you were just a kid helping around this warung. God is good… He brought us together again."
They slowly released the embrace and sat down. Uncle Burhan poured hot sweet tea into a glass, his hands still shaking with emotion.
"Tell me, Han… where have you been all this time? How did you end up here? I thought… you were—" his voice caught, unable to finish.Yohanes looked down at the steaming tea. "A lot happened, Uncle. Things I can't easily explain. But I survived. And now I live with the Alister family."
The name made Uncle Burhan blink, as if it meant something to him. But he quickly covered it with a faint smile. "Alister, huh… Well, God works in mysterious ways. Still, seeing you here feels like a dream."
Silence filled the air. Yohanes gripped his glass tightly, then spoke hesitantly,"Uncle… I didn't come here just to see you. There are things I need to ask. About my parents… about the past… and maybe, about something I still don't understand."
Uncle Burhan's face grew serious. He took a deep breath, his gaze heavy. "Then you came to the right person, son. But remember… the answers you seek might not be easy to hear."
Yohanes swallowed hard, feeling tension rise in his chest. This meeting wasn't just a reunion. It was the beginning of something deeper, heavier, and perhaps far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.
The Secret Revealed
"I thought… you were—" Uncle Burhan's voice cracked, as if he couldn't say the word. He forced a small smile. "But thank God, you're here now."
Yohanes looked down, his fingers tightening around the glass of tea. "Uncle… I came because I want to know something. About my father and mother. About the past."
The air grew thick. The noise of the street outside seemed to fade, leaving only the tension between them. Uncle Burhan stared at Yohanes, his eyes trembling as if holding back an ocean of memories.
"Han…" he whispered, "there are things about your parents that they never told you. Things not everyone knows. And… they had their reasons."Yohanes's heart pounded. "Please, Uncle… I'm old enough to know. Don't hide anything from me."
Uncle Burhan sighed deeply and leaned forward, his expression grave."Your father, Han… he wasn't just an ordinary man like people thought. He was involved in something much bigger. A circle… people used to call it Pointless."
Yohanes's eyes widened, his body stiffening. That word—Pointless—echoed in his mind, the same one he'd seen tied to that old building."Pointless?" he repeated, his voice trembling.
Uncle Burhan nodded slowly. "It's not just an abandoned building, Yoh. It's a place your father used to visit often. There are secrets buried there. Even I don't know everything, but I know enough to warn you—don't go near it carelessly."
A long silence followed. Yohanes glanced toward the door, where the world outside went on as usual, while his own life was now tangled in hidden truths."And… my mother?" he asked quietly.
Uncle Burhan's eyes softened, filled with sadness and doubt. "Your mother knew. She always knew. But she chose silence… because she wanted you to grow up free from that burden. They both wanted to protect you—from something dark."
Yohanes clenched his fists, anger and confusion mixing inside him. "Why… why did everyone hide it from me? I'm their son. I have a right to know!"Uncle Burhan reached out, placing a trembling hand on his shoulder. "You do, Han. And now… the time has come. The truth is starting to find you, whether you're ready or not."
His voice dropped lower, filled with warning. "Han, if you ever decide to open that door—to uncover your father's secret—you must be ready to face the consequences. Never do it alone."
Yohanes sat in silence, tears welling in his eyes. Those words weren't the clear answers he hoped for, but they opened even more questions. Still, one thing was certain:His parents' secrets, the Pointless building, and everything connected to them—were no longer just shadows of the past.
And deep inside, Yohanes knew—this was only the beginning.
A Sign from the Past
"Then… my mother?" Yohanes's voice broke—soft but desperate.
Uncle Burhan didn't answer right away. He let out a long sigh, then slowly stood up and walked toward the old shelf at the back of the warung. His hands moved aside stacks of rusty biscuit tins and dusty wooden boxes until he pulled out a small metal can with a corroded lid.
He placed it on the table. His eyes were heavy, almost reluctant to let it go. "This… was your father's. He left it with me. He said if one day you came looking for him… it would mean the time had come."
Yohanes's fingers trembled as he touched the can. It felt cold, even though the air in the warung was warm with tea and fried snacks. Slowly, he opened it—the rusty hinge creaked. Inside lay an old bronze key, engraved with strange markings—interlocking circles forming a symbol.
"What is this, Uncle?" Yohanes asked, his voice shaking.
Uncle Burhan looked at him for a long moment before speaking softly, "That's no ordinary key. Your father called it… a marker. He said if you ever find the right door, the key will 'speak.' But be careful, Han. The wrong door… could lead you to a path with no return."
Tension pressed heavily in Yohanes's chest. He turned the key in his hand, studying the carvings that seemed to shimmer faintly under the warung's light."Where is that door, Uncle?" he asked urgently.
Uncle Burhan shook his head, his face dark with sorrow. "That's what I never knew. Your father was very cautious. He only said… 'the path lies between what seems empty but whispers in silence.' Those words have stayed with me ever since. I still don't know what they mean."
Yohanes fell silent, staring at the key as if it were a missing piece of a larger puzzle. His heart pounded, a mix of fear and a deep urge to uncover the truth.
Uncle Burhan leaned closer, his voice low and serious. "Han… if you decide to follow your father's trail, don't trust people too easily. Even those closest to you might be watching for them. Remember that."
The warning hung in the air, filling the small warung with the weight of unfinished memories.
Yohanes gripped the key tightly, his eyes glinting with determination. For the first time, he felt he was standing at the threshold of something that could change everything.