The Spark

Tyler woke up to the buzzing of his mobile phone. It had been a week since Jax's surprise EP was released on all digital streaming platforms.

He stared at his screen, reading the notification over and over. "No way," Tyler muttered, his heart pounding in his chest. He quickly opened the app and scrolled through the comments, already seeing the buzz around the new release. "Jax just dropped fire!" "This EP is everything!" "Resurrection is a banger!"

Tyler couldn't wipe the grin off his face. This was huge. The exposure from being on Jax's EP was like a rocket booster for his career. He immediately opened up social media, seeing the surge of shares and comments about the EP. People were really feeling "Resurrection."

As the day went on, the song's plays skyrocketed. The buzz was real, and it wasn't just fans hyping it up. A few notable names in the industry were starting to take notice too, sharing the track with their followers. Tyler's follower count was steadily climbing, and his inbox was flooded with messages from people in the industry who wanted to connect.

The next morning, Tyler was barely awake when his phone buzzed with a call. He squinted at the screen—Jax was calling. "Yo, Ty, you up?"

"Yeah, what's up?" Tyler answered, his voice groggy.

"You been checkin' the numbers, right? 'Resurrection' is blowin' up, man. We got some serious heat."

Tyler sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. "No way. How big we talkin'?"

"Big, bro. We're talkin' playlists, radio spins, and maybe even a few live shows. I've been getting calls all morning. This track is takin' off."

Tyler could hardly believe it. He jumped out of bed, pacing his small apartment as the reality of what Jax was saying hit him. This wasn't just a local buzz—this was the kind of attention that could change everything.

Later that day, Tyler met up with Jax at the studio. Jax was grinning from ear to ear, and the team at the studio was buzzing with excitement. "You did good, Ty," Jax said, clapping him on the back. "We're just gettin' started."

They sat down to listen to the track again, and it hit differently now, knowing the world was out there vibing to their creation.

"Next move," Jax said, leaning back in his chair, "we gotta capitalize on this. I'm talkin' live shows, more collabs, maybe even a music video."

Tyler's mind was already spinning with ideas. "I'm down for whatever, man. Let's make it happen."

As they brainstormed, Tyler's phone buzzed with a new notification from the system. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

"Quest Update: Collaborate with another rapper - Complete. New milestone unlocked: Release a single."

Tyler's pulse quickened. The system was already pushing him to the next level. A single? This was happening fast, but he felt ready.

"Hey, Jax," Tyler began, "I know we're riding this wave, but I think this might be time to release a new single. You think you could hook me up with some studio time? Maybe even connect me with Kai?"

Jax looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I got you. Kai's been workin' with some heavy hitters lately, especially after 'Resurrection,' but I'll see if I can get you in for a few sessions. Just make sure you come with that fire."

Tyler felt a surge of relief and gratitude. "Appreciate it, Jax. I won't let you down."

"Better not," Jax replied with a grin. "Now let's ride this wave, and keep pushin'. I'll hit you up when I got the sessions booked."

As they wrapped up, Tyler couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. The more his name spread, the more likely it was that someone from his past might recognize him. Especially if they were planning a music video for "Resurrection." The thought of his face being out there, seen by thousands—maybe even millions—was both exhilarating and terrifying.

As he walked home, the worries began to gnaw at him. Carlos and Rico were still out there, and if they saw him, they'd know exactly where he was. He couldn't afford to be recognized—not now, not when things were finally starting to take off.

Tyler's thoughts raced as he considered his options. How could he stay in the game while keeping his identity hidden? A mask? Disguises? The more he thought about it, the more paranoid he became. One wrong move, one slip-up, and it could all come crashing down.

By the time he reached his apartment, the excitement from earlier in the day had been replaced by a nagging sense of dread. Tyler knew he needed to find a way to protect himself, but he wasn't sure how.