Specimen

Eight-year-old Mike dreams of fire as a real danger. A fire breaks out in his room, and his mother sacrifices herself to save him. The tragedy shapes his early fear and sets the stage for the rest of his life.

At his grandparents' home, Mike's duvet smoulders and he ends up sleeping in a drawn bath. The close call foreshadows his unusual connection to fire. The event marks another early brush with danger.

Now 24, Mike is an unemployed minor-league player and still sleeps in a drawn bath. After reading a note from an old friend of his mother that says 'I believe you,' he drives to her hometown to meet Sheriff Jimmy Masterson. The encounter sets his direction toward the community centre.

Masterson suggests an athletic counsellor job at the community centre and begins to hint at Mike's mother's past. He reveals that Mike's mother was pregnant and unmarried. A fire starts in Masterson's trash can during their discussion, signaling danger and secrets.

Mike starts working at the community centre and meets Jessica Randall, the swimming instructor. He notices children painting the number 11 surrounded by flames, and James conspicuously fears water. Mike's empathy helps James, earning Jessica's approval.

During a jog with Jessica, they are confronted by Blaine, Jessica's ex-boyfriend. A fight erupts and Mike reveals his powers, with objects igniting and Blaine suffering burns on his chest. The incident confirms Mike's dangerous secret.

At a community centre baseball game, Mike envisions James being hurt by Bart. He intervenes to stop the bullying and protect the boy. The vision foreshadows the evolving responsibilities of his powers.

Back at the sheriff's office, Blaine claims Mike attacked him and has 'superhuman powers.' Masterson is skeptical until he sees a hand-shaped burn on Blaine's chest. The evidence begins to link Mike to dangerous abilities.

Mike swims with Jessica in the pool and notices the water warming unnaturally. Later at Jessica's apartment, they kiss and a new fire starts; Mike extinguishes it with his bare hands, leaving no burns. Jessica realizes he is the source of the flames.

Two powerful men emerge from a lake in camouflage biosuits—the alien bounty hunters Eleven and Sixty-six. Their appearance signals a larger world of experiments and threats beyond Mike's town. Mike's life is about to be pulled into a cosmic conspiracy.

Masterson visits Mike and explains that Mike's mother may have been an alien impregnated by extraterrestrials. Mike reacts with anger as a lamp bursts into flames nearby. He orders Masterson to leave, recognizing the danger closing in.

That night Blaine sneaks into Mike's motel room and Eleven arrives. Eleven kills Blaine after learning Mike's connection to Jessica. Jessica is then interrogated by Eleven, raising the stakes for their safety.

In a confrontation at the community centre pool, Eleven corners Jessica and a fire erupts. Mike arrives and a fiery battle ensues with Sixty-six intervening to save him. Mike defeats Eleven, but Sixty-six is wounded and leaves, leaving Mike with more questions about his origin.

Mike and Jessica flee town together, with precautionary measures in hand. On their way out, Bart bullies James again and discovers a fire in James' hall locker, hinting that Mike's influence may still be felt around town. The story ends on this ambiguous spark.