Chapter 26: The Apartment
After a long day of work and his date, Derek finally returned to his apartment.
He was exhausted.
For once, he didn't want to investigate anything.
He didn't want to think about the Python Paradox.
He didn't want to think about superheroes.
He just wanted to relax.
Derek noticed the food his girlfriend had prepared for him.
A plate of delicious Nigerian-style rice sat on the table, along with fried plantain.
Derek smiled.
"She actually made all this for me."
He sat down and started eating.
"Nice."
The food was surprisingly good.
Derek continued eating while watching television.
A football match was playing.
Then Ronaldo scored.
Derek immediately jumped up slightly.
"SUUUUU!"
He laughed and continued watching the match.
For a while, everything felt completely normal.
Then his phone started receiving messages.
Several family members were asking him for financial help.
Derek didn't hesitate.
He transferred money to them.
"Done."
He put his phone down and continued watching television.
His life seemed almost perfect.
He had a successful career.
He owned his apartment.
He didn't have to pay rent.
He earned a very good income from architecture, sometimes reaching six figures and potentially much higher depending on his projects and contracts.
He had his family.
He had a girlfriend.
And he had a comfortable place to live.
Then—
BOOM!
A massive explosion sounded somewhere outside.
Derek immediately stopped watching television.
He looked toward the window.
"What was that?"
Another distant sound followed.
Derek reached for his remote control.
He pressed a button.
CLICK.
The apartment's reinforced soundproof windows activated.
The outside noise became heavily muffled.
Derek had installed numerous security systems throughout the apartment because he knew that people sometimes broke into buildings.
His doors and important areas required codes.
Several sections had additional reinforcement.
The apartment itself had been constructed with extremely durable materials and could withstand serious impacts.
Derek had invested heavily in his home.
After all, he owned the apartment.
He wasn't paying rent.
He was the owner.
Derek looked around his living room.
"Can't even relax for one night."
He picked up his phone again.
The television continued playing quietly.
Outside, the situation was getting worse.
Derek sighed.
He could investigate.
He could become Transition.
He could find out what caused the explosion.
But he didn't immediately move.
Tonight, Derek Davidson was trying to enjoy his normal life.
And for the moment, he decided to stay inside.
He leaned back on the couch.
"Whatever is happening out there can wait."
He returned his attention to the television.
For Derek, being Transition didn't mean he had to be Transition every second of the day.