Danny awoke with a jolt. Every molecule in his body was sore. He tried to sit up, but became lightheaded from the ordeal. That's strange. Danny thought to himself, Never felt that before. Danny began to gut up slowly, ensuring his legs wouldn't collapse under his own weight. He leaned against the wall and began to collect his thoughts. Danny glanced over at the portal It's off, he thought Good. Danny slowly moved to the stairwell, using the wall as his crutch. He was determined to report to his parents, tell them what happened. He felt himself regain strength and ascended the stairwell.

"Mom, Dad?" Danny questioned into the void space in front of him. Danny stopped for a moment, he felt strange, as though something wasn't completely right. Suddenly his bottom half sunk into the staircase, as if non-existant. Danny panicked at the sudden drop and began to struggle to pull his torso from the the stairs. He was about to yell for help when, just as quick as it disappeared his lower half re-materialized, causing him to stumble forwards into the kitchen floor. Danny's mind raced. What the hell was that? It happened so fast, I could've just tripped, I have been clumsy lately. I'm probably just groggy from passing out. Danny pushed himself onto all fours, hoisted his frame upright and continued into the kitchen.

"Danny M'boy! Ready for some breakfast?" John bellowed

"Hey Dad, I-"

John dropped his cutlery onto his plate, causing a loud crashing sound. "What happened to you?!" John's eyes went wide with fear.

"What are you talking about Dad?" Danny questioned, his voice faltering to panic. John could muster no words and handed Danny a spoon. Danny's reflection stared back at him as it always had, however his reflection boasted unglowing blue eyes and jet black hair. Danny tried to form words, but shock and fear clogged his throat. As panic set in, Danny's hand de-materialized allowing the fork to pass through and clatter on the floor. Danny watched the spoon clatter and fearfully staring at his hand, barely visible other than a faint outline. Danny's head snapped up to look at his father who was gaping at his altered appearance. Danny finally seemed to find words. "Dad, please - help me, I have no idea what this is." Danny begged his frozen father "Dad please!" Danny in a state of panic rushed at his father, looking for a hug, only to find his father's being pass through his. Danny, consumed by shock, fear and desolation fell again to all fours. "Marie!" his father's shaken voice bellowed. Danny's mother rushed down the stairs, her jet black hair trailing behind her, watchful blue eyes scanned the scene in the kitchen and stopped on Danny. She cleared the remaining steps and crouched down beside her son. She reached out a hand to turn Danny over and assess the damage, only to find it make no contact. Fear paralyzed her for a moment, then maintaining her reputation as the more composed of the two scientists, took a deep breath and began to speak softly.

"Danny dear, I know this is scary and this is all new to you, but I need you to remain calm and tell me what happened."

Danny took a moment to swallow the emotional buildup he was experiencing. "I - I turned on the portal. It exploded and I passed out. I didn't think anything like this could have happened." Danny tried to keep his voice strong, but it was betraying him "I-I'm sorry Mom"

"I-" Marie choked, shooting a quick glance to John "We, will do all that we can. Go back to the lab and we'll - run some tests"

The mother watched as her son got up slowly, head hung and shoulders slumped. She watched his figure walk down the stairs into the cold metal walls of the lab. Her gaze hardened to that of a scientist as Danny left her sight. Her focus turned to John, who was still looking at the spoon. "John," she said softly. The bulk of a man, turned to face her slowly. "We are scientists, and although we are completely unprepared for what is on the other side of that gate we have to study him." her gaze held its intensity "No matter what the cost. Yes, he is our son, but he is now a supernatural being as well. Science must take priority. We have to - examine him inside and out." she forcibly said, a great look of pain on her face. Her husband turned to face her, the light from the lamp adjacent to him casting an feature-amplifying shadow. He stood up and without a word grabbed his loving wife by the hand, gave her a silent nod of approval and began to move his heavy feet down the staircase.