The Alien Within

Chapter 29: "Racing Thunderbolts and Rivals"

As the relay teams lined up, the tension in the air was even thicker than the humidity left behind by the storm.

All eyes were on the track as Riverdale Academy and their rivals prepared for the showdown of the century.

The cream of the crop from each school—Michael Raynolds from Hazelwood High, Ivy Rivers from Crescent Heights, Eve Parker from Southernhill College, and Bridget Mills from Fiver Academy—were all waiting to prove themselves.

The stadium was buzzing, both online and offline, as fans debated who would come out on top. James Rudbick, sitting comfortably with his father, Mr. Rudbick, was busy sharing images and videos from the morning's events with SSG officials.

Some of the SSG officials didn't totally push Mr. Rudbick's claims away as many did. Some actually believed he might be on to something and they gave Mr. Rudbick a chance by coming to watch Tessa's performance and see if there really is more to what they are being told.

While the rest back at the agency just sees Mr. Rudbick's words as drivels of a drleranged man. The plan to take Tessa away after the competition was in full swing.

They hadn't found enough evidence on Adrian yet, but James' eyes were set on Tessa, and Mr. Rudbick's pride in his son was evident.

"She's the key, Father," James whispered, watching Tessa intently from the stands. "We'll have her soon."

Mr. Rudbick nodded, his gaze cold and calculating. "After the relay, we'll make our move."

Little did they know, Adrian's quiet, unassuming presence on the track might be the wrench in their plans they hadn't accounted for.

---

Meanwhile, the alien abilities within Adrian and Tessa hummed quietly beneath their skin. The subtle vibrations of the Earth's sound systems were almost imperceptible to everyone else, but to them, it was like hearing a distant symphony.

Tessa's heart raced, not from nerves, but from the anticipation of what was about to come. She glanced around, feeling the wet grass beneath her spikes, the tension in the air, and the energy coursing through her alien blood. She could feel it—the power, the speed, the storm inside her waiting to be unleashed.

Adrian, standing a few lanes over, took in a deep breath. His confidence in Tessa was unshakable, but today, for the first time, he would step onto the track not just as her silent protector but as her teammate. And though the world didn't know it yet, they were about to witness something extraordinary.

The stands at Riverdale Central Stadium were buzzing with anticipation as fans from all over gathered to witness the relay race.

It was the event of the day, and no one could stop talking about it. There was a general air of excitement, but the real gossip was centered around the fact that Adrian had been slotted into Riverdale's relay team, filling in for an injured teammate.

"Adrian? On the relay team? Are you kidding me?" one of the spectators asked, half laughing.

"Man, he's good at football, but this? He'll burn out after the first 100 meters," another student from Riverdale chimed in.

"You know, if he messes up, we're toast. Fiver Academy will be all over us!" a third grumbled, rolling his eyes.

Despite the skepticism, there were a few loyalists, particularly the Riverdale girls, who continued to support Adrian fervently. One girl shouted, "Adrian's not just a pretty face! Watch, he's gonna burn that track!"

The boys nearby laughed. "If he even finishes the first lap, I'll eat my shoe."

Meanwhile, Adrian stood on the field, calm as ever, stretching his muscles. He felt the electric buzz of competition in the air but was unbothered by the doubt swirling around him.

Across the stadium, Josh, Bridget's cousin, gave him a long stare, smirking.

"Didn't know they were pulling football players for track. What's next? A cheerleader for a coach?" Josh muttered under his breath.

The first round of the relay was split into sections, with each team fielding four runners. Adrian's group was stacked with tough competition from the likes of Michael Raynolds of Hazelwood High and Snow Jackson of Redstone Grammar School, who looked like they were born running.

As they lined up at the start, there were chuckles among the athletes from other schools. One runner from Ivy-Bridge Academy leaned over to another, whispering, "They seriously think a football guy is going to keep up with us? Hilarious."

"Just don't run too fast, you might give him a heart attack," his friend teased.

The whistle blew, and the race was on. Immediately, Adrian exploded from the blocks, his feet barely touching the ground as he shot forward like a lightning bolt.

There was no hesitation, no warm-up jog—just raw, alien speed.

The crowd gasped, then roared in disbelief as Adrian took the lead within seconds, passing Michael Raynolds and Snow Jackson as if they were running in slow motion.

His stride was smooth and effortless, like watching a gust of wind sprint across the field.

"Did I just see that?!" shouted one of the Ivy-Bridge supporters, nearly spilling his soda.

"I blinked and missed it!" another hollered.

Riverdale fans erupted in cheers, and the doubters who had mocked Adrian seconds earlier were now gaping in awe.

"Okay, forget the shoe, I'll eat my whole uniform if this guy isn't part jet engine!" one boy mumbled.

On the field, Adrian kept up his blazing pace, the sound of his own heartbeat drowned out by the roaring crowd.

In his mind, everything was clear and calm. He wasn't running for the glory; he was running to prove something—to himself, to Tessa, to the doubters.

He heard the faint voices of his teammates cheering him on, but what he focused on was the finish line, the baton clutched in his hand like a weapon of destiny.

Tessa watched from ahead on the tracks, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. She had expected nothing less.

Even Coach Thompson, who had initially doubted Adrian's track abilities, was now jumping up and down, accidentally locking hands with Ms. Caldwell in the excitement.

The sudden realization made him pull back awkwardly, stumbling slightly as the overwhelming joy nearly knocked him off balance. He grinned sheepishly, trying to regain his composure, but Ms. Caldwell just chuckled and whispered, "You did good."

Coach Thompson was so high on cloud nine that he almost slipped on the wet grass. "I-I didn't see that coming," he stammered, his cheeks flushed pink as Ms. Caldwell gave him a playful peck on the cheek.

Back on the track, Adrian handed off the baton with perfect timing, setting up the next runner to continue the race.

Riverdale fans were on their feet, cheering louder than ever.

By the time the final runners lined up—Tessa, Bridget Mills, and the other stars—it was clear that Riverdale was now the team to beat.

But Bridget, ever arrogant, wasn't fazed by the excitement.

As she prepared for the final leg of the race, she turned to her fans and waved with cocky confidence, as if the victory was already hers. "Watch me crush this!" she yelled, to the delight of the Fiver Academy supporters, who began taunting Riverdale fans.

"Riverdale's got nothing on Bridget!" one Fiver fan shouted.

"She'll leave them all in the dust! Tessa's fast, but she's no Bridget!" another added.

But Riverdale's fans, led by loyalists like Oxlade and Karl, didn't flinch. "Y'all can talk all you want, but we know what's coming. Tessa doesn't run—she flies!"

Karl shouted back, to laughter and cheers from the crowd.

Oxlade chimed in, grinning, "Y'all think Bridget's fast? Please. Tessa will be home and eating lunch before Bridget even finishes the race!"

As the baton passed to Tessa, the entire stadium seemed to hold its breath. Bridget had gotten a strong lead, leaving everyone behind and waving at the crowd arrogantly, but in an instant, Tessa appeared out of nowhere, moving so fast it looked like she had materialized out of thin air.

The crowd erupted in disbelief. "Where the hell did she come from?!" someone shouted.

"Told ya!" Oxlade yelled, nearly knocking over a Fiver fan in the process.

Tessa blurred past Bridget and the other runners like they were standing still, her feet barely touching the ground.

The wind didn't even have time to catch up. Bridget's smug grin vanished as she realized what had just happened, but by then, it was too late. Tessa crossed the finish line in a flash, a full second ahead of everyone else.

The Riverdale fans went wild. "We told you! We told you!" Oxlade screamed, dancing with Karl.

On the field, Tessa stood with her hands on her hips, barely breaking a sweat.

Adrian nodded at her from the sidelines, his eyes twinkling with pride.

"She's more than a runner. She's a storm," he whispered to himself, smirking.

Ms. Caldwell clapped her hands in delight, and Coach Thompson was still dazed by the earlier kiss, his head somewhere above the clouds. The entire stadium was abuzz, and as the celebrations continued, the fans from both sides knew one thing: this competition was far from over.