As an ordinary genius

It was another regular evening for Ethan. After a long day at work, he parked his electric car in the garage and checked on his ongoing project—a compact, energy-efficient motor. He made a few notes on his progress, cleaned up his workbench, and headed inside.

Kicking off his shoes, Ethan plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV. The local news was on, and a bright-eyed reporter stood in front of a massive building with the words "S.T.A.R. Labs" etched into the facade.

"Good evening, Central City," the reporter began. "We're standing outside the soon-to-be-completed particle accelerator at S.T.A.R. Labs, a groundbreaking project that promises to change the future of science as we know it."

Ethan leaned forward, intrigued.

The camera panned to the sleek structure behind the reporter, its steel and glass exterior gleaming in the evening sun.

"This state-of-the-art facility," the reporter continued, "will conduct experiments on particle acceleration and potentially unlock answers to some of the universe's greatest mysteries. Dr. Harrison Wells, the lead scientist behind the project, has assured the public that the accelerator is completely safe and will be operational in just a few days."

Dr. Wells appeared on the screen next, speaking confidently to a crowd of reporters. "This is a milestone for humanity. The particle accelerator will open doors we've only dreamed of. S.T.A.R. Labs is committed to making science accessible and impactful for everyone."

Ethan watched with fascination. "A particle accelerator... That's insane," he muttered.

The broadcast cut to an interview with a local physicist. "The possibilities are endless," she explained. "From studying the origins of the universe to advancing medical science, this project could truly reshape the world."

But not everyone was optimistic. A brief segment highlighted concerns from local citizens. "What if something goes wrong?" one man asked. "We're dealing with forces we barely understand."

Ethan switched off the TV, his mind racing.

He paced around the living room, still processing what he'd just seen. A particle accelerator—right here in Central City. It sounded like something out of a science fiction novel.

Part of him was excited by the possibilities. What if they discovered something revolutionary? But another part of him couldn't shake the unease he'd seen in the protesters' faces.

Ethan glanced toward the garage door. He had always loved experimenting and pushing the boundaries of what was possible. But this? This was on an entirely different level.

Unable to keep his thoughts to himself, Ethan called Priya.

"Did you see the news about the particle accelerator?" he asked as soon as she picked up.

"Yeah, I caught it," she replied. "It's a huge deal, isn't it?"

"It is. I can't stop thinking about it," Ethan admitted. "The scale of it, the potential impact... It's mind-blowing."

"Knowing you, you're probably thinking about how to build one in your garage," Priya joked.

Ethan laughed. "Not quite. But it does make me wonder—what if something does go wrong?"

"Ethan, you worry too much," Priya said. "These people are experts. They know what they're doing."

"Maybe," Ethan said, though he still felt a nagging sense of curiosity—and caution.

Later that night, Ethan sat at his desk, scrolling through articles about particle accelerators. He read about their potential to unlock new dimensions of physics but also about the risks involved.

As he finally shut off his laptop and prepared for bed, one thought lingered in his mind:

"What's going to happen when they turn it on?"