I’d like to thank everyone who showed support as I put up the story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The idea for this story was mostly inspired by the Marvelous Bob by Michael Buonauro: http://web.archive.org/web/20040701223236/http://www.unknownhero.com/ . Make sure you check it out, he was a very talented guy.
My next project will be a little different, going to do some Medieval Fantasy about a character I developed with Mark Tesone. We will be collaborating and co-writing the tale together. I hope you enjoy what we have in store. Look for chapters of the new story early next week.
Showing posts with label Hero's Story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hero's Story. Show all posts
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 28
I exhaled as the weight of the situation filled me. Dead. Julie dead, Bill dead, I couldn’t let this madman take my Son’s life. I tried so hard to be a hero, to save people’s lives. All I had done was ruin them. Shit, I turned a small time burglar into a serial killer.
“Daddy, please..” My Son sobbed, his big brown eyes desperate and filled with fear. What had I done? Looking into his pleading eyes I wished I could take it all back. Never fly again, just spend time with my kids, with my wife, have my family back again. Go on a picnic, tuck the kids into bed, go swimming in the pool. I knew it could never be, not after what I’d done.
Suddenly an idea popped into my head. I inhaled deeply. “Jolt, you let the boy go, or I swear, I will finish what I started when we first met.” My words were bold and self-assured, confident. It was an act, hopefully I could talk him down and it wouldn’t come to…
“You shut the fuck up! I’m in charge now! I’m in control! No more needles, or Wardens, no more rules! This is my world and I’m about to steal everything you’ve ever loved. Destroy everything you ever touched!”
Insanity filled his eyes; there would be no reasoning with him. I looked to my ex-wife.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
I looked directly at Jolt. “Last chance kid.”
“Fuck you old man.”
Had to be perfect. I bent my knees slightly and flung myself at Jolt. I grabbed his arm with my left hand and my Son’s shoulder with my right hand. I tossed my boy towards his Mother as I tackled Jolt through the wall.
It only took a moment before Jolt lit up; electricity burst from his hands and covered my back, racing up my arms. Without looking, I knew where it was. I hugged Jolt tightly; the shock pierced my skin and tore at my insides as he increased the power. I flew us straight into the pool. Six feet deep we plummeted into the water.
Giant arcs of lightning leapt from the surface of the water. It hurt worse than anything that had ever happened to me. Worse than the Messiah, worse than the tank. Millions of needles poked my skin, wrenched my guts and burned my insides. I could feel my heart ready to explode. I opened my eyes and watched as Jolt overloaded himself and burned out.
His eyes went white as he stopped moving. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care. To see death, to stare in someone’s face as they slide away, no one should have that power.
My body went limp as a gray mist formed to cloud my vision. No longer did I feel the sting of electricity, or the pain of tense muscles. I floated to the surface, my back exposed to the cool night air, face down watching Jolt sink. I couldn’t move, I was too weak to even lift my head out of the chlorinated water.
After a short time I felt delicate hands grabbing at my shoulders, pulling me out of the pool and onto the concrete. I looked up wearily. Staring down at me, blonde hair like a halo, eyes filled with tears, it was my wife.
“This was your secret?” she sobbed, “I would have understood.”
“I, I know.” I tried to reach a hand up to comfort her, but my arm wouldn’t move. “Is he, alright?”
My son poked his head into view, a scratch on his neck, but he was fine. “Dada?”
So weak, so cold, I fought back a wave of darkness that threatened to take me. I had to focus just to breathe.
“So, sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Staring up into the caring, tear filled eyes; I knew I had made the wrong choice. I knew that I should have stayed with her, raised our family. What a fool. There was no time left though. No time left to make it right.
“I love you.” I murmured. It was a strain to even move my lips. It took all my strength to push the sound out of my mouth.
“I know. I know”. She stroked my face with her slender cold hand. It’s the last thing I felt before the darkness closed in on me.
“Daddy, please..” My Son sobbed, his big brown eyes desperate and filled with fear. What had I done? Looking into his pleading eyes I wished I could take it all back. Never fly again, just spend time with my kids, with my wife, have my family back again. Go on a picnic, tuck the kids into bed, go swimming in the pool. I knew it could never be, not after what I’d done.
Suddenly an idea popped into my head. I inhaled deeply. “Jolt, you let the boy go, or I swear, I will finish what I started when we first met.” My words were bold and self-assured, confident. It was an act, hopefully I could talk him down and it wouldn’t come to…
“You shut the fuck up! I’m in charge now! I’m in control! No more needles, or Wardens, no more rules! This is my world and I’m about to steal everything you’ve ever loved. Destroy everything you ever touched!”
Insanity filled his eyes; there would be no reasoning with him. I looked to my ex-wife.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
I looked directly at Jolt. “Last chance kid.”
“Fuck you old man.”
Had to be perfect. I bent my knees slightly and flung myself at Jolt. I grabbed his arm with my left hand and my Son’s shoulder with my right hand. I tossed my boy towards his Mother as I tackled Jolt through the wall.
It only took a moment before Jolt lit up; electricity burst from his hands and covered my back, racing up my arms. Without looking, I knew where it was. I hugged Jolt tightly; the shock pierced my skin and tore at my insides as he increased the power. I flew us straight into the pool. Six feet deep we plummeted into the water.
Giant arcs of lightning leapt from the surface of the water. It hurt worse than anything that had ever happened to me. Worse than the Messiah, worse than the tank. Millions of needles poked my skin, wrenched my guts and burned my insides. I could feel my heart ready to explode. I opened my eyes and watched as Jolt overloaded himself and burned out.
His eyes went white as he stopped moving. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care. To see death, to stare in someone’s face as they slide away, no one should have that power.
My body went limp as a gray mist formed to cloud my vision. No longer did I feel the sting of electricity, or the pain of tense muscles. I floated to the surface, my back exposed to the cool night air, face down watching Jolt sink. I couldn’t move, I was too weak to even lift my head out of the chlorinated water.
After a short time I felt delicate hands grabbing at my shoulders, pulling me out of the pool and onto the concrete. I looked up wearily. Staring down at me, blonde hair like a halo, eyes filled with tears, it was my wife.
“This was your secret?” she sobbed, “I would have understood.”
“I, I know.” I tried to reach a hand up to comfort her, but my arm wouldn’t move. “Is he, alright?”
My son poked his head into view, a scratch on his neck, but he was fine. “Dada?”
So weak, so cold, I fought back a wave of darkness that threatened to take me. I had to focus just to breathe.
“So, sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Staring up into the caring, tear filled eyes; I knew I had made the wrong choice. I knew that I should have stayed with her, raised our family. What a fool. There was no time left though. No time left to make it right.
“I love you.” I murmured. It was a strain to even move my lips. It took all my strength to push the sound out of my mouth.
“I know. I know”. She stroked my face with her slender cold hand. It’s the last thing I felt before the darkness closed in on me.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 27
I tore across town. My brain was clouded by everything that had happened, that was happening. It was me. Whoever it was, they were after me. Julie, Bill, dead. Now my family in danger, it was all my fault.
I don’t know how long it took to get to my ex-wife’s house. Probably minutes, it felt like hours. I came through the back door, hovering off the ground, trying not to make any noise. The house was quiet. Too quiet. My heart sank as I feared the worst.
Then I heard a sniffle from upstairs, followed by a short shush. I flew slowly up the stairs and into the hallway. I stopped outside the open door into my Son’s bedroom. A man stood, holding my son, smirking at me. A knife in his left hand, head shaved bald, a wife beater with a few drops of blood across the chest. Jailhouse tattoos covered his shoulders and arms.
“So, we meet again?” His voice was gritty, but held something familiar.
“Dad-“ My son pleaded, the man pushed the knife against his neck harder and stopped him.
“Do, do something.” My ex-wife stood in the corner, arms wrapped around our Daughter. Tears streamed down her face.
I must have looked puzzled. The Man’s eyes narrowed in frustration for a moment. Then, like a light bulb going off in his head, he smiled. It was the Devil’s smile. Smug and self-assured, evil. Small arcs of lightning crackled from his fingertips and leapt to my Son’s cheek.
“Jolt.”
“Now you remember?” Contempt leaked from his mouth. “Now you remember!? I was just a kid trying to get some clothes?” Anger flared in his eyes. “They sedated me for three months until they found a shot that would rob me of my powers. After that, it got worse. I was a soft kid in prison.”
I lifted a hand and took a step toward him.
“Don’t you move, you listen to me, you son of a bitch!” Ex-wife whimpered, son sobbed. “They passed me around like a piece of meat. Beat me, stuck me, raped me. Oh, I took it over and over again. It’s all your fault!” Red rage covered his tongue as he spoke. “I was just a kid trying to get clothes, look what you made me?! A killer!”
“I’m –I’m sorry, I didn’t..”
“Well you know now!” He cut me off, his temper rising, his eyes wide with death. “You’re never going to forget now! I killed your friend, your girlfriend, and now I’m going to kill your kid.” He pressed the blade tighter against my Son’s neck; blood trickled from a small cut.
I don’t know how long it took to get to my ex-wife’s house. Probably minutes, it felt like hours. I came through the back door, hovering off the ground, trying not to make any noise. The house was quiet. Too quiet. My heart sank as I feared the worst.
Then I heard a sniffle from upstairs, followed by a short shush. I flew slowly up the stairs and into the hallway. I stopped outside the open door into my Son’s bedroom. A man stood, holding my son, smirking at me. A knife in his left hand, head shaved bald, a wife beater with a few drops of blood across the chest. Jailhouse tattoos covered his shoulders and arms.
“So, we meet again?” His voice was gritty, but held something familiar.
“Dad-“ My son pleaded, the man pushed the knife against his neck harder and stopped him.
“Do, do something.” My ex-wife stood in the corner, arms wrapped around our Daughter. Tears streamed down her face.
I must have looked puzzled. The Man’s eyes narrowed in frustration for a moment. Then, like a light bulb going off in his head, he smiled. It was the Devil’s smile. Smug and self-assured, evil. Small arcs of lightning crackled from his fingertips and leapt to my Son’s cheek.
“Jolt.”
“Now you remember?” Contempt leaked from his mouth. “Now you remember!? I was just a kid trying to get some clothes?” Anger flared in his eyes. “They sedated me for three months until they found a shot that would rob me of my powers. After that, it got worse. I was a soft kid in prison.”
I lifted a hand and took a step toward him.
“Don’t you move, you listen to me, you son of a bitch!” Ex-wife whimpered, son sobbed. “They passed me around like a piece of meat. Beat me, stuck me, raped me. Oh, I took it over and over again. It’s all your fault!” Red rage covered his tongue as he spoke. “I was just a kid trying to get clothes, look what you made me?! A killer!”
“I’m –I’m sorry, I didn’t..”
“Well you know now!” He cut me off, his temper rising, his eyes wide with death. “You’re never going to forget now! I killed your friend, your girlfriend, and now I’m going to kill your kid.” He pressed the blade tighter against my Son’s neck; blood trickled from a small cut.
Friday, October 2, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 26
Back at work the next day, my boss was gone again. After work, I waited until dusk then decided to fly by his house and check up on him.
The lights were all off, the front door was unlocked. I opened it and poked my head in.
“Bill, you home? It’s me.” I heard a wet cough coming from the next room. My heart sank; I could feel what was coming next.
“Oh shit.” He was alive, barely. His face was blood and puss. Arms, legs and fingers all broken. Burn marks dotted his skin, torture, looked like he’d been electrocuted in a few places.
“Bill, who did this?” I knelt beside him.
He coughed blood and forced a smile. “So. Sorry. Lasted so… long..*hurk*gave... finally told him.”
My jaw dropped, this was about –
“You, tor-tortured till I told him about you.*kaff* Tried… to be hero… good like you.”
“Goddamnit, it’s my fault. I’m so sorry Bill.”
“Told… told him your name, just your name, so sorry-“ he coughed once more then closed his eyes and stopped. Stopped moving, breathing, living.
My phone rang. I chocked down the lump in my throat, it was my ex-wife calling.
“Yeah?” I answered.
“Da-Daddy?” My son, he sounded terrified.
“Buddy?”
A deep voice answered. “Come home, save him if you can.” Then laughter. Laughter coated with insanity. Laughter soaked in murder.
The lights were all off, the front door was unlocked. I opened it and poked my head in.
“Bill, you home? It’s me.” I heard a wet cough coming from the next room. My heart sank; I could feel what was coming next.
“Oh shit.” He was alive, barely. His face was blood and puss. Arms, legs and fingers all broken. Burn marks dotted his skin, torture, looked like he’d been electrocuted in a few places.
“Bill, who did this?” I knelt beside him.
He coughed blood and forced a smile. “So. Sorry. Lasted so… long..*hurk*gave... finally told him.”
My jaw dropped, this was about –
“You, tor-tortured till I told him about you.*kaff* Tried… to be hero… good like you.”
“Goddamnit, it’s my fault. I’m so sorry Bill.”
“Told… told him your name, just your name, so sorry-“ he coughed once more then closed his eyes and stopped. Stopped moving, breathing, living.
My phone rang. I chocked down the lump in my throat, it was my ex-wife calling.
“Yeah?” I answered.
“Da-Daddy?” My son, he sounded terrified.
“Buddy?”
A deep voice answered. “Come home, save him if you can.” Then laughter. Laughter coated with insanity. Laughter soaked in murder.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 25
I didn’t sleep, just flew around all night. I couldn’t go back to Julie’s house, didn’t want to risk the cops finding out who I was. After breaking the Fantastics out it was just too dangerous. Stopped some minor crime that night, but I couldn't focus.
I shouldn’t have called 911 from my cell phone, shouldn’t have left the roses, shouldn’t have walked through the blood. Fingerprints, footprints, my cell number, the police would come asking questions. None of it really mattered, Julie dead, I was alone. Besides, what prison could hold me?
Got home as the sun came up, watched some TV, showered, couldn’t sleep, I didn’t even try. I had to go to work, what day was it? Wednesday. Shit, I missed two days without calling in. At least the boss was on my side, he’d help cover for me.
I went into work a mess. Purple bags under my eyes, vision hazy, couldn’t focus. I had to act as normal as possible. Co-workers gave me a hard time, they made jokes about where I was.
“What happens in Vegas, right?” elbow nudge.
“So what? She keep you up,” pelvis thrusting “alllll niiight?”
“Anime convention?” Wink. “It’s cool lots of people are into Furries.”
I was not amused, “Grandmother died” was my excuse. At least it shut them up.
Boss was a no call, no show. Unusual for him and shitty, I could have used someone to talk to. Went straight to the bar after work, I should have been looking for her killer.
Seven beers and two shots later. “Who am I? Fuckin’ CSI? I’m no detective.” I said to no one.
The bartender cocked a brow, “Think you’ve had enough? You got a ride home pal?”
I scoffed, “Pssshh, I’ll fly.”
“Drunk asshole.” Bartender left me alone after that.
I left two beers later. Flew home, damaged an overpass and destroyed two billboards on the way. Flying drunk is harder than driving.
Fell asleep with my head in the toilet, puking and crying.
I shouldn’t have called 911 from my cell phone, shouldn’t have left the roses, shouldn’t have walked through the blood. Fingerprints, footprints, my cell number, the police would come asking questions. None of it really mattered, Julie dead, I was alone. Besides, what prison could hold me?
Got home as the sun came up, watched some TV, showered, couldn’t sleep, I didn’t even try. I had to go to work, what day was it? Wednesday. Shit, I missed two days without calling in. At least the boss was on my side, he’d help cover for me.
I went into work a mess. Purple bags under my eyes, vision hazy, couldn’t focus. I had to act as normal as possible. Co-workers gave me a hard time, they made jokes about where I was.
“What happens in Vegas, right?” elbow nudge.
“So what? She keep you up,” pelvis thrusting “alllll niiight?”
“Anime convention?” Wink. “It’s cool lots of people are into Furries.”
I was not amused, “Grandmother died” was my excuse. At least it shut them up.
Boss was a no call, no show. Unusual for him and shitty, I could have used someone to talk to. Went straight to the bar after work, I should have been looking for her killer.
Seven beers and two shots later. “Who am I? Fuckin’ CSI? I’m no detective.” I said to no one.
The bartender cocked a brow, “Think you’ve had enough? You got a ride home pal?”
I scoffed, “Pssshh, I’ll fly.”
“Drunk asshole.” Bartender left me alone after that.
I left two beers later. Flew home, damaged an overpass and destroyed two billboards on the way. Flying drunk is harder than driving.
Fell asleep with my head in the toilet, puking and crying.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 24
I knew where he was, her ex-husband. After the split I kept tabs on him, just in case. It had been so long that I’d forgotten about him. I didn’t think he was a threat.
Bloody smudges decorated my body as I flew toward his shitty duplex rental. I’d hurt him, I’d beat him until he begged Julie’s forgiveness, then I’d crush his windpipe and watch the light leave his eyes.
The green glow of a television seeped from his dark living room. I burst through the window, plaster and glass erupted like a volcano.
“James!” I cursed his name.
“Eh, what the hell?” he leapt off the couch, startled.
I was on him in a flash, my hand around his throat; I lifted him into the air and reeled my other hand back in a fist.
“You are going to pay, you piece of shit!”
“Wha? What’d I?” he was terrified, something in his eyes made me stop. I studied the deep brown pools filled with fear and confusion. I exhaled deeply and looked around.
The place was a shithole; empty pizza boxes and beer cans scattered everywhere. James reeked of booze and body odor. He wore a gross undershirt and boxers stained with pizza and jism.
I opened my hand and dropped him to the ground. He didn’t kill her, he probably hadn’t left his house for days.
James stood and rubbed his neck. “Jesus you crazy asshole! Lookit what you did to my window! You just come here to ruin my life some more?”
The adrenaline left me, my shoulders slumped.
“I’ve got nothing left!” James waved his arms violently. “Go ahead and finish the job! Go ahead and kill me.”
I started toward the door.
“Now you’re gonna leave? Why’d you even come?”
I opened the door and stopped.
“She’s dead. Someone killed her.” I spat over my shoulder.
He stood silent, his gazed dropped to the floor as the news sunk in. Then his mouth tightened and his eyes narrowed.
“You let someone kill her? Some fuckin’ hero. Where were you?”
I flew off as he yelled behind me.
“Where the hell were you?”
Bloody smudges decorated my body as I flew toward his shitty duplex rental. I’d hurt him, I’d beat him until he begged Julie’s forgiveness, then I’d crush his windpipe and watch the light leave his eyes.
The green glow of a television seeped from his dark living room. I burst through the window, plaster and glass erupted like a volcano.
“James!” I cursed his name.
“Eh, what the hell?” he leapt off the couch, startled.
I was on him in a flash, my hand around his throat; I lifted him into the air and reeled my other hand back in a fist.
“You are going to pay, you piece of shit!”
“Wha? What’d I?” he was terrified, something in his eyes made me stop. I studied the deep brown pools filled with fear and confusion. I exhaled deeply and looked around.
The place was a shithole; empty pizza boxes and beer cans scattered everywhere. James reeked of booze and body odor. He wore a gross undershirt and boxers stained with pizza and jism.
I opened my hand and dropped him to the ground. He didn’t kill her, he probably hadn’t left his house for days.
James stood and rubbed his neck. “Jesus you crazy asshole! Lookit what you did to my window! You just come here to ruin my life some more?”
The adrenaline left me, my shoulders slumped.
“I’ve got nothing left!” James waved his arms violently. “Go ahead and finish the job! Go ahead and kill me.”
I started toward the door.
“Now you’re gonna leave? Why’d you even come?”
I opened the door and stopped.
“She’s dead. Someone killed her.” I spat over my shoulder.
He stood silent, his gazed dropped to the floor as the news sunk in. Then his mouth tightened and his eyes narrowed.
“You let someone kill her? Some fuckin’ hero. Where were you?”
I flew off as he yelled behind me.
“Where the hell were you?”
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 23
I knelt down and touched her cheek. So cold. I closed her eyes and took a step back. I stood frozen, unable to move or think. On instinct my hand slid into my pocket, fingers dialed 9-1-1, shaking hand brought the phone up to my ear.
“911, what’s the nature of your-“
“She’s dead.”
“Wha, Sir, who is dead?”
“Jul- my girlfriend. In the bathroom.”
“Okay Sir, stay calm, what’s the situation?”
“Some-someone killed her.” Stomach churned.
“Is the attacker still in the home?”
“No, no one’s here. No one, oh God.” Throat burned like acid. “She was all alone like this.”
“Sir, breathe, stay calm, what is your location?”
“1518 Marigold, Jesus fuck, it’s different.” I gagged.
“Sir?”
“It’s different from the others, I know her, I love her.” I gagged again; acid burned the back of my mouth.
“Sir, calm-“
I threw up. Stomach wrenched, I doubled over in pain. Phone fell to the bloody tile. Warm chunks burned my tongue.
“Sir?” the Operator’s voice called out from the floor.
Again liquid filled my mouth, tried to choke it down, I couldn’t. Spit the grossness out onto the counter. Knees trembled. I fell on all fours. Another wave came up, filling my throat, I forced it back down. Grabbed my forehead with a bloody hand and took a deep breath.
“Sir, are you still there?”
Another breath, fuck, fuck, shit, fuck. Two more breaths, count one, two, fuck!
“Sir, Sir, are you alright?”
Alone, I was all alone, she was so sweet, who would hurt her?
“Who!?” I screamed, launching a fist at the vanity. Wood shattered.
“Sir?”
I picked up the phone, blood dripped off of it and down my arm.
“He did it. He-he couldn’t let her go.”
“Who? Who is the attacker, are they-“
“I have to go, I have to-“
“Sir, wait there until the police arrive.”
“I have to go, fuck, I’m going to kill him.”
“No, stay right where you-“ click.
I closed the phone and stood.
I looked at her one last time. It wasn’t right, like a beautiful vase that someone took a bat to. Closed my eyes, remembered her touch, her laugh, the taste of her mouth.
Red fog crept up my body, clouded my eyes. I took off. I’d find him and kill him with my bare hands.
“911, what’s the nature of your-“
“She’s dead.”
“Wha, Sir, who is dead?”
“Jul- my girlfriend. In the bathroom.”
“Okay Sir, stay calm, what’s the situation?”
“Some-someone killed her.” Stomach churned.
“Is the attacker still in the home?”
“No, no one’s here. No one, oh God.” Throat burned like acid. “She was all alone like this.”
“Sir, breathe, stay calm, what is your location?”
“1518 Marigold, Jesus fuck, it’s different.” I gagged.
“Sir?”
“It’s different from the others, I know her, I love her.” I gagged again; acid burned the back of my mouth.
“Sir, calm-“
I threw up. Stomach wrenched, I doubled over in pain. Phone fell to the bloody tile. Warm chunks burned my tongue.
“Sir?” the Operator’s voice called out from the floor.
Again liquid filled my mouth, tried to choke it down, I couldn’t. Spit the grossness out onto the counter. Knees trembled. I fell on all fours. Another wave came up, filling my throat, I forced it back down. Grabbed my forehead with a bloody hand and took a deep breath.
“Sir, are you still there?”
Another breath, fuck, fuck, shit, fuck. Two more breaths, count one, two, fuck!
“Sir, Sir, are you alright?”
Alone, I was all alone, she was so sweet, who would hurt her?
“Who!?” I screamed, launching a fist at the vanity. Wood shattered.
“Sir?”
I picked up the phone, blood dripped off of it and down my arm.
“He did it. He-he couldn’t let her go.”
“Who? Who is the attacker, are they-“
“I have to go, I have to-“
“Sir, wait there until the police arrive.”
“I have to go, fuck, I’m going to kill him.”
“No, stay right where you-“ click.
I closed the phone and stood.
I looked at her one last time. It wasn’t right, like a beautiful vase that someone took a bat to. Closed my eyes, remembered her touch, her laugh, the taste of her mouth.
Red fog crept up my body, clouded my eyes. I took off. I’d find him and kill him with my bare hands.
Monday, September 28, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 22
We slept in the woods that night. Spoke in hushed tones. Our bodies shivered, not from the cold, but from what had just happened. Adrenaline was replaced by fear and doubt. In the morning we said our goodbyes. They’d go on the run; I knew I’d never see them again. I remember thinking that life seemed just a bit lonelier. If only I knew what I’d done to myself.
I headed home, watched my apartment from across the street for two hours before going in. Bionic erased any electronic evidence of what happened, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. I crashed as soon as the door closed behind me.
I woke up two days later. Took the longest shower of my life, headed to IHOP and ate the biggest meal ever, flew to the top of the tallest building in town and just sat. It was midday; I just listened to the cars driving past, the people shopping, working, living life. For just an hour I felt close to normal. Well, normal for me.
After the last few days my “costume” was trashed. Jeans shredded, shirt filled with bullet holes. Lost my leather jacket when the tank shot me. I spent some time picking up some new clothes, a dozen roses and a batch of fresh cupcakes.
When the sun had finally set, I flew over to Julie’s house. The window was closed but unlocked. I opened it and slid inside.
“Julie?” I didn’t want to scare her.
She wasn’t in the bedroom, or upstairs at all. I headed downstairs and into the living room. An end table was flipped over; the lamp that usually sat atop it lay in a thousand pieces in the far corner of the room. Into the kitchen, it was worse, pots and pans littered the floor, utensils were strewn across the counter, pictures torn off the wall.
“Julie?” My heart pounded loudly in my chest.
Into the hallway, blood pooled on the hard wood, leaking out from the bathroom. Opened the bathroom door; mirror lay in shards, porcelain shattered, bloody towel rack ripped of the wall.
I dropped the roses; they fell into the sea of blood covering the tile floor. My heart sank. Red hair drenched in wet crimson, her limbs twisted impossible directions. Her eyes open, white haze filled them, mouth open slightly, lips glossy with lipstick.
“Julie”.
I headed home, watched my apartment from across the street for two hours before going in. Bionic erased any electronic evidence of what happened, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. I crashed as soon as the door closed behind me.
I woke up two days later. Took the longest shower of my life, headed to IHOP and ate the biggest meal ever, flew to the top of the tallest building in town and just sat. It was midday; I just listened to the cars driving past, the people shopping, working, living life. For just an hour I felt close to normal. Well, normal for me.
After the last few days my “costume” was trashed. Jeans shredded, shirt filled with bullet holes. Lost my leather jacket when the tank shot me. I spent some time picking up some new clothes, a dozen roses and a batch of fresh cupcakes.
When the sun had finally set, I flew over to Julie’s house. The window was closed but unlocked. I opened it and slid inside.
“Julie?” I didn’t want to scare her.
She wasn’t in the bedroom, or upstairs at all. I headed downstairs and into the living room. An end table was flipped over; the lamp that usually sat atop it lay in a thousand pieces in the far corner of the room. Into the kitchen, it was worse, pots and pans littered the floor, utensils were strewn across the counter, pictures torn off the wall.
“Julie?” My heart pounded loudly in my chest.
Into the hallway, blood pooled on the hard wood, leaking out from the bathroom. Opened the bathroom door; mirror lay in shards, porcelain shattered, bloody towel rack ripped of the wall.
I dropped the roses; they fell into the sea of blood covering the tile floor. My heart sank. Red hair drenched in wet crimson, her limbs twisted impossible directions. Her eyes open, white haze filled them, mouth open slightly, lips glossy with lipstick.
“Julie”.
Friday, September 25, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 21
I shook my head to clear the haze. Had to act quick, do something, anything, before I was overwhelmed. Couldn’t take another hit from that cannon.
Soldiers grabbed at me, their hands trembled with fear. They may have seen battle, but I was an inhuman enemy. I shrugged them off and bolted for the tank. My hands grabbed the cool, rough metal and I lifted. Damn it was heavy. Grunting, I heaved with all my strength and flipped the metal behemoth over.
Steel grated against earth as the tank wobbled like a turtle on its back. More soldiers opened fire on me. I barely felt the bullets anymore. Time was running out, I had to hurry. I made my way through the hole in the side of the building. Ran into a pack of guards in the hallway, I didn’t do any permanent damage.
Flare and Lady Speed were three floors straight down. I looked for an elevator, with none in sight I improvised. Balled up my fist and punched the ground as hard as I could. Skin tore, blood dripped from my hand but I ripped a hole in the floor.
I shot down, head first, arms stretched in front of me, hands balled into fists. Three floors, straight down. Covered in dust, scraped, bruised, but still in one piece.
I flew toward the holding cells, more soldiers, quick but tiring work. Finally made it to the cells, they were more like cages. Flare and Speed were strapped down; wires and sensors dotted their naked bodies. Covered in Purple bruises from torture and abuse. Anger surged through me. I tore the doors off their cages, broke their shackles and found them clothes. Lady Speed was in bad shape, barely able to stand. Flare was in slightly better condition.
Cell phone vibrated in my pocket, the screen read: “On roof, surrounded, hurry.” It was Bionic.
I asked Flare if he was okay and he nodded weakly.
“Grab speed and follow me.”
He scooped her into his arms as I rocketed through the ceiling. Eight stories straight up and I burst through the roof. Flare was behind me, flames erupted from his feet.
One look and I could see; Bionic was hunkered down, soldiers swarmed toward him, blood seeped from his shoulder. I swooped in, grabbed him and the four of us flew off into the darkness of night.
Soldiers grabbed at me, their hands trembled with fear. They may have seen battle, but I was an inhuman enemy. I shrugged them off and bolted for the tank. My hands grabbed the cool, rough metal and I lifted. Damn it was heavy. Grunting, I heaved with all my strength and flipped the metal behemoth over.
Steel grated against earth as the tank wobbled like a turtle on its back. More soldiers opened fire on me. I barely felt the bullets anymore. Time was running out, I had to hurry. I made my way through the hole in the side of the building. Ran into a pack of guards in the hallway, I didn’t do any permanent damage.
Flare and Lady Speed were three floors straight down. I looked for an elevator, with none in sight I improvised. Balled up my fist and punched the ground as hard as I could. Skin tore, blood dripped from my hand but I ripped a hole in the floor.
I shot down, head first, arms stretched in front of me, hands balled into fists. Three floors, straight down. Covered in dust, scraped, bruised, but still in one piece.
I flew toward the holding cells, more soldiers, quick but tiring work. Finally made it to the cells, they were more like cages. Flare and Speed were strapped down; wires and sensors dotted their naked bodies. Covered in Purple bruises from torture and abuse. Anger surged through me. I tore the doors off their cages, broke their shackles and found them clothes. Lady Speed was in bad shape, barely able to stand. Flare was in slightly better condition.
Cell phone vibrated in my pocket, the screen read: “On roof, surrounded, hurry.” It was Bionic.
I asked Flare if he was okay and he nodded weakly.
“Grab speed and follow me.”
He scooped her into his arms as I rocketed through the ceiling. Eight stories straight up and I burst through the roof. Flare was behind me, flames erupted from his feet.
One look and I could see; Bionic was hunkered down, soldiers swarmed toward him, blood seeped from his shoulder. I swooped in, grabbed him and the four of us flew off into the darkness of night.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 20
We stood on the roof of the Super 8 facing the direction of the holding facility. Though we couldn’t see it, I knew it was there, I could feel its presence. I was about to make a life changing action, but I had no choice. Flare and Speedy were my friends; they were like me, and except for Julie, my only friends.
I looked at Bionic, I could never read his expressions but I just assumed he was as nervous as I was. Maybe worse, I mean he wasn’t invincible.
“Okay, you know the plan. I get Flare and Speed; you ‘talk’ to the computers and erase everything they have on us.”
He nodded; we’d gone over it more than once.
He wrapped his scrawny arms around my neck and wrapped his legs around my waist. I was wearing a Bionic backpack.
We took off towards the Federal holding facility. I flew slow and cautious, keeping my eyes open for helicopters, but the skies seemed quiet. When we got within sight of the facility I sped up. The closer we got, the faster I flew. Bionic’s arms almost choked me as he clung to my back.
The building was intimidating. Tall, cream white stone, guards with machine guns, twenty foot tall fence with barbed wire wound across the top. Military vehicles with guns mounted on the roof. Only one word entered my head, “unreal”.
We were spotted approaching; guards pointed at us and shouted commands at each other. Hummers with turrets mount to the top drove toward us. No time to lose, no time to think, I flew through the fence, arms outstretched. Metal flew everywhere stunning some of the soldiers momentarily.
I dropped Bionic; he took off blasting some crazy gun at everyone who got in his way. Weird orange energy left the gun in blobs and when it hit someone, they fell instantly to the ground, stunned, unable to move, but unhurt.
I turned my attention back to my task. Bionic had told me where Flare and Speed were being held, all I had to do was fight a small army to get there. I grabbed a nearby soldier and tossed him into a group of his friends, knocking them down like bowling pins. Had to be careful, couldn’t risk killing anyone.
One of the Hummers sped toward me, bullets whizzed past me, the sound was frightening. One of the bullets hit me in the shoulder and I somersaulted backwards. The pain was intense. Bending at the knees I propelled myself toward the vehicle, grabbed the turret with both hands and ripped it from the roof. I twisted and hurled the scrap at the side of the building as hard as I could.
The broken gun ripped a hole through the side of the holding facility. Guards scattered as brick and metal shrapnel flew through the air. I dove toward the hole as fast as possible. I didn’t make it. As I neared the opening a tank turned the corner of the building and shot at me.
I’d never been shot by a tank before. It hurt like a motherfucker. The huge shell hit me in the side and tossed me like a rag doll. I hit the dirt and slid at least a hundred feet before I stopped. My ears were ringing, dust in my eyes clouded my vision, everything seemed far away for a moment. I looked up and saw soldiers descending on me, machine guns pointed at me. It felt like someone else, like I was watching something on TV that wasn’t real, that wasn’t me.
I looked at Bionic, I could never read his expressions but I just assumed he was as nervous as I was. Maybe worse, I mean he wasn’t invincible.
“Okay, you know the plan. I get Flare and Speed; you ‘talk’ to the computers and erase everything they have on us.”
He nodded; we’d gone over it more than once.
He wrapped his scrawny arms around my neck and wrapped his legs around my waist. I was wearing a Bionic backpack.
We took off towards the Federal holding facility. I flew slow and cautious, keeping my eyes open for helicopters, but the skies seemed quiet. When we got within sight of the facility I sped up. The closer we got, the faster I flew. Bionic’s arms almost choked me as he clung to my back.
The building was intimidating. Tall, cream white stone, guards with machine guns, twenty foot tall fence with barbed wire wound across the top. Military vehicles with guns mounted on the roof. Only one word entered my head, “unreal”.
We were spotted approaching; guards pointed at us and shouted commands at each other. Hummers with turrets mount to the top drove toward us. No time to lose, no time to think, I flew through the fence, arms outstretched. Metal flew everywhere stunning some of the soldiers momentarily.
I dropped Bionic; he took off blasting some crazy gun at everyone who got in his way. Weird orange energy left the gun in blobs and when it hit someone, they fell instantly to the ground, stunned, unable to move, but unhurt.
I turned my attention back to my task. Bionic had told me where Flare and Speed were being held, all I had to do was fight a small army to get there. I grabbed a nearby soldier and tossed him into a group of his friends, knocking them down like bowling pins. Had to be careful, couldn’t risk killing anyone.
One of the Hummers sped toward me, bullets whizzed past me, the sound was frightening. One of the bullets hit me in the shoulder and I somersaulted backwards. The pain was intense. Bending at the knees I propelled myself toward the vehicle, grabbed the turret with both hands and ripped it from the roof. I twisted and hurled the scrap at the side of the building as hard as I could.
The broken gun ripped a hole through the side of the holding facility. Guards scattered as brick and metal shrapnel flew through the air. I dove toward the hole as fast as possible. I didn’t make it. As I neared the opening a tank turned the corner of the building and shot at me.
I’d never been shot by a tank before. It hurt like a motherfucker. The huge shell hit me in the side and tossed me like a rag doll. I hit the dirt and slid at least a hundred feet before I stopped. My ears were ringing, dust in my eyes clouded my vision, everything seemed far away for a moment. I looked up and saw soldiers descending on me, machine guns pointed at me. It felt like someone else, like I was watching something on TV that wasn’t real, that wasn’t me.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 19
We grabbed a room at a Super 8 just outside of town. I work IT all day and fight crime all night; I can’t afford to stay anywhere else. Bionic was antsy, we both were. It’s not every day you decide to break into a federally run prison. I lay on the hard mattress, on top of the ugly flower patterned comforter, trying to clear my head, trying to sleep.
My phone rang, caller ID said it was my wife, ex-wife. I answered.
“Daddy?” It was my son’s voice. Unexpected guilt slammed my stomach.
“Uh. Hey buddy.”
“Um, Daddy, when are we going to the park? You said we could go to the park and we didn’t.”
“I know.” Broken promises, one after another. Hadn’t seen my kids in weeks, hadn’t missed them. Out of sight, out of mind.
I heard my ex-wife’s voice in the background, “Put the phone down. Who are you talking to? Give me that phone.”
“Okay Daddy, bye.”
She took the phone from him. “Hello?”
“Hey.”
“Don’t call here unless you are going to talk to me.”
“Sorry, he called me.”
“Whatever, listen, unless you are going to be a real father and be around your kids, don’t talk to them.”
Click. She hung up the phone.
Reflex kicked in, “I love you.”
Bionic looked over at me, his face puzzled. I shrugged and tossed the phone down on the bed.
I closed my eyes and let the black shadow of relaxation wash over my body.
I woke up to Bionic standing over me, shaking me gently. I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked outside. Night had come, it was time.
My phone rang, caller ID said it was my wife, ex-wife. I answered.
“Daddy?” It was my son’s voice. Unexpected guilt slammed my stomach.
“Uh. Hey buddy.”
“Um, Daddy, when are we going to the park? You said we could go to the park and we didn’t.”
“I know.” Broken promises, one after another. Hadn’t seen my kids in weeks, hadn’t missed them. Out of sight, out of mind.
I heard my ex-wife’s voice in the background, “Put the phone down. Who are you talking to? Give me that phone.”
“Okay Daddy, bye.”
She took the phone from him. “Hello?”
“Hey.”
“Don’t call here unless you are going to talk to me.”
“Sorry, he called me.”
“Whatever, listen, unless you are going to be a real father and be around your kids, don’t talk to them.”
Click. She hung up the phone.
Reflex kicked in, “I love you.”
Bionic looked over at me, his face puzzled. I shrugged and tossed the phone down on the bed.
I closed my eyes and let the black shadow of relaxation wash over my body.
I woke up to Bionic standing over me, shaking me gently. I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked outside. Night had come, it was time.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 18
I reacted almost immediately. I swooped down, grabbed Bionic and took off. There was no way I was going to fight Government Agents; I didn’t want to end up on America’s Most Wanted. I took Bionic up to the top of a building a few blocks off. It’d take them a while to get to us, if I hadn’t lost them.
“What the hell is going on man?” I looked him over, his clothes were torn and he had bruises on his arms and legs.
He looked at me pleadingly. Of course, he couldn’t speak. He made his hands into the symbol for a telephone and held it up to his ear. I understood, pulled out my cell phone and handed it to him. He closed his eyes for a moment as he grabbed my phone, and then held it near my face so I could see the screen.
My cell phone screen went black, green words started scrolling across the screen. “We were abducted by the FBI. They took us to a holding facility and ran tests on us. They still have Flare and Speed. We need to rescue them.”
My powers were straight forward, but his powers were just cool.
“Okay, do you know where they are?” The idea hadn’t really sunk in. I was standing there planning on breaking into a Government prison to spring two people with super powers. Yeah, my world was a little screwed up.
Bionic closed his eyes again and the GPS map came up on my phone, he then mapped directions to the Facility.
“Let’s go NOW!!!” The green letters scrolled across the screen.
“No way. You are beat to shit and I’m in no condition. We lay low, rest for the night and head out tomorrow evening.”
His eyes got wide and he shook his head. It was like talking to a child. “NOW!!!”
“No, if we go now we’ll both end up captured, or worse. We go tomorrow, end of discussion.”
It was then that I heard the whirling thump of a helicopter. I looked in the direction of the noise and saw a black helicopter flying toward us quickly. Black helicopters, I am not shitting you. I felt like I was in a really bad conspiracy movie.
I grabbed Bionic and headed off, we’d find a hotel and lay low for the night and then tomorrow we’d free Flare and Lady Speed.
“What the hell is going on man?” I looked him over, his clothes were torn and he had bruises on his arms and legs.
He looked at me pleadingly. Of course, he couldn’t speak. He made his hands into the symbol for a telephone and held it up to his ear. I understood, pulled out my cell phone and handed it to him. He closed his eyes for a moment as he grabbed my phone, and then held it near my face so I could see the screen.
My cell phone screen went black, green words started scrolling across the screen. “We were abducted by the FBI. They took us to a holding facility and ran tests on us. They still have Flare and Speed. We need to rescue them.”
My powers were straight forward, but his powers were just cool.
“Okay, do you know where they are?” The idea hadn’t really sunk in. I was standing there planning on breaking into a Government prison to spring two people with super powers. Yeah, my world was a little screwed up.
Bionic closed his eyes again and the GPS map came up on my phone, he then mapped directions to the Facility.
“Let’s go NOW!!!” The green letters scrolled across the screen.
“No way. You are beat to shit and I’m in no condition. We lay low, rest for the night and head out tomorrow evening.”
His eyes got wide and he shook his head. It was like talking to a child. “NOW!!!”
“No, if we go now we’ll both end up captured, or worse. We go tomorrow, end of discussion.”
It was then that I heard the whirling thump of a helicopter. I looked in the direction of the noise and saw a black helicopter flying toward us quickly. Black helicopters, I am not shitting you. I felt like I was in a really bad conspiracy movie.
I grabbed Bionic and headed off, we’d find a hotel and lay low for the night and then tomorrow we’d free Flare and Lady Speed.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
"Hero's" Story - Chapter 17
It was dark when I woke up. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed but my head still pounded and my body felt stiff and weak. I sat up and leaned against a chimney. Guilt ate at my gut, it was complete self defense but I’d killed another person. I shook my head to clear the rush of thoughts that attacked my brain.
A ringing came from my jacket pocket. My cell phone. I pulled it out; it was scraped and scratched up, but still functional. I made a mental note to write a positive review online.
“Hello.” I flipped the phone open.
“It’s Flare!” I heard gunfire and commotion in the background. “Jesus, they’ve got us surrounded.”
“Who? Where are you?”
“The Lair.” I could hear Lady Speed scream in the background. “Shit man, you’ve gotta help us. Oh Shi-“. There was more commotion, some banging, more gunfire, possibly an explosion, and then the line went dead.
I took a long deep breath and slid the phone back into my pocket. I was in no condition to fight, but hopefully I could regain some strength on the flight. It’d take me at least three hours to get there at full speed. I stood shakily and took off for the Fantastic’s Lair.
It took me five hours to get there. The Lair was destroyed; bullet holes and scorch marks everywhere. Some spattered blood, but not much. The doors were caved in, windows broken, glass everywhere. All of Bionic’s computer stuff was gone. After a second sweep I noticed that everything interesting was gone. All their technology, all their costumes, everything that made them heroes was taken.
Whoever broke in wasn’t just trying to kill the Fantastics, they were trying to capture them.
“I thought I saw someone comin’ in ere.” A homeless guy wearing a tattered trench coat stood in the doorway to the basement.
“Who are you?”
“Jus’ a guy. Sleep out back, in tha alley. They’re gone ain’t they?”
I nodded.
“It’s a damn shame. They was always nice to me. ‘Specially the computer guy. Always shared ‘is sanwiches with me.”
“Did you see who took them?”
“You gotta brain in that head a yers? Course anyone knows who took ‘em. It’s the goddamn Government. Big brother, alla that shit. Goddamn motherfuckers can’t keep their hands outta a good thing. Gotta fuck it all up.”
I sighed, “Thanks.” Crazy old man.
I flew outside and up above the city, I wasn’t a detective and had no clue where to find them or even where to start looking. That’s when I noticed a man running through the street. He looked terrified, close behind a dozen men in black suits carrying guns were chasing him. I flew closer, it was Bionic and he was being chased by Federal Agents.
That crazy old man was right.
A ringing came from my jacket pocket. My cell phone. I pulled it out; it was scraped and scratched up, but still functional. I made a mental note to write a positive review online.
“Hello.” I flipped the phone open.
“It’s Flare!” I heard gunfire and commotion in the background. “Jesus, they’ve got us surrounded.”
“Who? Where are you?”
“The Lair.” I could hear Lady Speed scream in the background. “Shit man, you’ve gotta help us. Oh Shi-“. There was more commotion, some banging, more gunfire, possibly an explosion, and then the line went dead.
I took a long deep breath and slid the phone back into my pocket. I was in no condition to fight, but hopefully I could regain some strength on the flight. It’d take me at least three hours to get there at full speed. I stood shakily and took off for the Fantastic’s Lair.
It took me five hours to get there. The Lair was destroyed; bullet holes and scorch marks everywhere. Some spattered blood, but not much. The doors were caved in, windows broken, glass everywhere. All of Bionic’s computer stuff was gone. After a second sweep I noticed that everything interesting was gone. All their technology, all their costumes, everything that made them heroes was taken.
Whoever broke in wasn’t just trying to kill the Fantastics, they were trying to capture them.
“I thought I saw someone comin’ in ere.” A homeless guy wearing a tattered trench coat stood in the doorway to the basement.
“Who are you?”
“Jus’ a guy. Sleep out back, in tha alley. They’re gone ain’t they?”
I nodded.
“It’s a damn shame. They was always nice to me. ‘Specially the computer guy. Always shared ‘is sanwiches with me.”
“Did you see who took them?”
“You gotta brain in that head a yers? Course anyone knows who took ‘em. It’s the goddamn Government. Big brother, alla that shit. Goddamn motherfuckers can’t keep their hands outta a good thing. Gotta fuck it all up.”
I sighed, “Thanks.” Crazy old man.
I flew outside and up above the city, I wasn’t a detective and had no clue where to find them or even where to start looking. That’s when I noticed a man running through the street. He looked terrified, close behind a dozen men in black suits carrying guns were chasing him. I flew closer, it was Bionic and he was being chased by Federal Agents.
That crazy old man was right.
"Hero's" Story - Chapter 16
He didn’t have all my powers. He could jump high, but he hadn’t flown at all. That was the difference, he couldn’t fly. Now all I had to do was use it to my advantage before he murdered me with his bare hands.
The “Messiah” was taking his time walking over to me, he raised his arms in triumph and the crowd of cultists was invigorated. Seeing their master standing over the “imposter” had them in a frenzy. When he finally stood over my bleeding, bruised, battered body he lifted his arms. A silence took over the crowd.
“Now you see! The non-believers have sent their puppet to kill me! But I still live! As it was predicated, as it was written I am the Son, I am God! Now I will slay this demon and prove it to the world!”
A savage growl left my lips as I summoned what little energy I had left and pushed myself off the ground. I wrapped my arms around the lunatic and flew as fast as possible straight into the air. He squirmed and wriggled, but I held him tight. When he couldn’t break free he started punching me in the side of the head. My brain pounded, my vision grew dim but still I shot upward. The air grew cold, the wind whipped at us, the ground below disappeared, only clouds remained. I’d never flown so high. The air started growing thin, still I would not relent.
Finally I couldn’t breathe, the air was dead cold, no sound could be heard, the “Messiah” was no longer trying to wriggle free, but he was trying to hold on. I stopped flying and looked into his face where I saw absolute terror.
“Sorry.” Was all I could say as I changed directions and shot us towards the ground. I flew faster than ever before. The wind tore at my face and deafened me, still I flew faster. The clouds broke, I gripped him tight as we sped closer to the ground. Once we got below the tops of nearby buildings I shoved him away from me. I leveled out and stopped, he plunged into the concrete. There was a massive explosion of concrete and dirt as he burst into the ground. It sounded like a freight train running into a skyscraper.
I hovered above the crater and waited for the dust to clear. After what seemed forever, I could make out his limp body in the bottom of the pit. His clothes shredded, blood seeped from his mouth. He didn’t move or breathe. I killed him.
I felt so weak, my head spun, the adrenaline left my body and I realized just how messed up I was. I took off towards home, but only made a block before I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I landed hard on top of a nearby building and blacked out.
The “Messiah” was taking his time walking over to me, he raised his arms in triumph and the crowd of cultists was invigorated. Seeing their master standing over the “imposter” had them in a frenzy. When he finally stood over my bleeding, bruised, battered body he lifted his arms. A silence took over the crowd.
“Now you see! The non-believers have sent their puppet to kill me! But I still live! As it was predicated, as it was written I am the Son, I am God! Now I will slay this demon and prove it to the world!”
A savage growl left my lips as I summoned what little energy I had left and pushed myself off the ground. I wrapped my arms around the lunatic and flew as fast as possible straight into the air. He squirmed and wriggled, but I held him tight. When he couldn’t break free he started punching me in the side of the head. My brain pounded, my vision grew dim but still I shot upward. The air grew cold, the wind whipped at us, the ground below disappeared, only clouds remained. I’d never flown so high. The air started growing thin, still I would not relent.
Finally I couldn’t breathe, the air was dead cold, no sound could be heard, the “Messiah” was no longer trying to wriggle free, but he was trying to hold on. I stopped flying and looked into his face where I saw absolute terror.
“Sorry.” Was all I could say as I changed directions and shot us towards the ground. I flew faster than ever before. The wind tore at my face and deafened me, still I flew faster. The clouds broke, I gripped him tight as we sped closer to the ground. Once we got below the tops of nearby buildings I shoved him away from me. I leveled out and stopped, he plunged into the concrete. There was a massive explosion of concrete and dirt as he burst into the ground. It sounded like a freight train running into a skyscraper.
I hovered above the crater and waited for the dust to clear. After what seemed forever, I could make out his limp body in the bottom of the pit. His clothes shredded, blood seeped from his mouth. He didn’t move or breathe. I killed him.
I felt so weak, my head spun, the adrenaline left my body and I realized just how messed up I was. I took off towards home, but only made a block before I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I landed hard on top of a nearby building and blacked out.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 15
It was afternoon, I was at work. My boss came to my cube and pulled up CNN’s website. Top Story, a cult was having a rally outside a local Federal Building. All wearing white robes with symbols tattooed down their arms. They were starting to get rowdy; there were already reports of scattered altercations with the cops.
“Take the rest of the day off.” My Boss winked.
As I flew near the scene, things had gotten even uglier. Cultists were throwing rocks at the building, riot cops descended on the crowd. Suddenly a man leapt from out of the crowd. By leapt, I mean he jumped thirty feet in the air. The cultists went crazy, chanting “Messiah” as the man landed in the center of the riot cops and started pummeling them with his bare hands.
He’d downed over a dozen cops before I plowed into him and sent him skidding across the cement. The crowd grew quiet. In a flash the “Messiah” was up, he ran at me, superhumanly fast, and punched me in the jaw. I’d never been hit so hard in my life. The blow hurled me fifty yards into a parked van.
Cheers erupted from the cultists. I lifted what was left of the van and threw it at him. He took one step forward, caught the van and tossed it at the police. He jumped at me and we exchanged blows. After a few seconds blood poured from my nose and mouth. He barely had a bruise. He grabbed me by the throat, leapt high into the air and body slammed me through the roof of the federal building. My body shredded through five floors and finally stopped at ground level.
He lifted me by my hair, looked me in the eye and said.
“I am the Messiah!” His voice was loud, high from adrenaline and filled with crazy. He laughed, wound up his fist and punched me through the front of the building.
I hit the pavement a bloody mess. Cultists shouted in frenzied tongues. I was about to die. About to be murdered by some methed out David Koresh wannabe with powers. He was faster and stronger than me. He had all my powers amplified. As he walked over to finish me off, something clicked in my brain. He didn’t have all my powers.
“Take the rest of the day off.” My Boss winked.
As I flew near the scene, things had gotten even uglier. Cultists were throwing rocks at the building, riot cops descended on the crowd. Suddenly a man leapt from out of the crowd. By leapt, I mean he jumped thirty feet in the air. The cultists went crazy, chanting “Messiah” as the man landed in the center of the riot cops and started pummeling them with his bare hands.
He’d downed over a dozen cops before I plowed into him and sent him skidding across the cement. The crowd grew quiet. In a flash the “Messiah” was up, he ran at me, superhumanly fast, and punched me in the jaw. I’d never been hit so hard in my life. The blow hurled me fifty yards into a parked van.
Cheers erupted from the cultists. I lifted what was left of the van and threw it at him. He took one step forward, caught the van and tossed it at the police. He jumped at me and we exchanged blows. After a few seconds blood poured from my nose and mouth. He barely had a bruise. He grabbed me by the throat, leapt high into the air and body slammed me through the roof of the federal building. My body shredded through five floors and finally stopped at ground level.
He lifted me by my hair, looked me in the eye and said.
“I am the Messiah!” His voice was loud, high from adrenaline and filled with crazy. He laughed, wound up his fist and punched me through the front of the building.
I hit the pavement a bloody mess. Cultists shouted in frenzied tongues. I was about to die. About to be murdered by some methed out David Koresh wannabe with powers. He was faster and stronger than me. He had all my powers amplified. As he walked over to finish me off, something clicked in my brain. He didn’t have all my powers.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
"Hero's" Story - Chapter 14
A meeting appeared on my calendar at work the next day. It was a one on one with my boss. I’d taken off as soon as he had recognized me the day before and hadn’t figured out what I’d tell him.
I sat down in the conference room as he closed the door.
“First of all, don’t try to play dumb. I know it was you.”
He just trumped my first tactic.
His eyes lit up as a light bulb went off in his head. “That’s why you are always tired, and why you come in late all the time!”
There was nothing else to do, so I nodded.
“Shit! What you’re doing is important man. From now on, whatever you need, just ask. Your secret is safe with me.”
I sat, dumbfounded and alone in the conference room. I didn’t even get to talk. What the hell just happened?
I got a lot of sly winks, high fives and shoulder slaps from my boss after that. He was in on my secret; he was the only one in on both halves of my life and it made me feel awkward.
Soon after that, I was on patrol and picked up a couple selling meth. A guy and a girl dressed in white robes with greasy hair and arms tattooed with weird symbols. They were selling to some college kid when I caught them. They immediately got on their knees and bowed before me.
“Do not strike us master, we are earning money for the cause?”
“What cause?” Yeah, I was baffled.
“The second coming has shown himself. God’s hammer will strike the wicked.”
“Are you serious? I’m taking both of you to jail.”
They got up quickly and sneered at me. “You are false! You are an imposter! He will smite you! The Messiah will smite you!”
I’d had enough crazy cultists chat for one day, so I hauled the pair off to the police station. The entire trip was a headache. They went on and on about the second coming and judgment day and how selling meth was “God’s Work”. The two of them kept ranting and raving, even as they were locked up.
As I left the police station I remember thinking ‘I’m glad to be done with this’. Why am I always wrong?
I sat down in the conference room as he closed the door.
“First of all, don’t try to play dumb. I know it was you.”
He just trumped my first tactic.
His eyes lit up as a light bulb went off in his head. “That’s why you are always tired, and why you come in late all the time!”
There was nothing else to do, so I nodded.
“Shit! What you’re doing is important man. From now on, whatever you need, just ask. Your secret is safe with me.”
I sat, dumbfounded and alone in the conference room. I didn’t even get to talk. What the hell just happened?
I got a lot of sly winks, high fives and shoulder slaps from my boss after that. He was in on my secret; he was the only one in on both halves of my life and it made me feel awkward.
Soon after that, I was on patrol and picked up a couple selling meth. A guy and a girl dressed in white robes with greasy hair and arms tattooed with weird symbols. They were selling to some college kid when I caught them. They immediately got on their knees and bowed before me.
“Do not strike us master, we are earning money for the cause?”
“What cause?” Yeah, I was baffled.
“The second coming has shown himself. God’s hammer will strike the wicked.”
“Are you serious? I’m taking both of you to jail.”
They got up quickly and sneered at me. “You are false! You are an imposter! He will smite you! The Messiah will smite you!”
I’d had enough crazy cultists chat for one day, so I hauled the pair off to the police station. The entire trip was a headache. They went on and on about the second coming and judgment day and how selling meth was “God’s Work”. The two of them kept ranting and raving, even as they were locked up.
As I left the police station I remember thinking ‘I’m glad to be done with this’. Why am I always wrong?
Monday, August 24, 2009
"Hero's" Story - Chapter 13
I kissed Julie for the first time shortly after I got back. I remember the day exactly; it would have been my wedding anniversary.
A few weeks later I was in divorce court. I gave my wife full custody of the kids, I didn’t fight for anything. I knew I couldn’t be a father and the other thing at the same time. I regret it all now, but it was probably the right thing for everyone.
That evening I went to Julie’s house, she left the window open for me. I flew in and saw her lying on the bed, dressed in red lingerie. Candles burning, rose petals and champagne.
“Cupcakes.” I mumbled.
“What?”
“Never mind. You look…amazing.” I skipped patrol that night. It was incredible. I’ll keep every detail of that night in my brain for as long as I live.
I ducked out a little before dawn to fly home. I noticed a car on the road swerving badly. As I flew in closer the driver lost control and sped up into oncoming traffic. He was about to ram head first into another car when I swooped down and lifted his car up. Damn drunk drivers. I set the car down gently in a nearby parking lot and stepped to the window to reprimand the driver.
It was my boss. His jaw dropped as he recognized me. “You” was all he said.
A few weeks later I was in divorce court. I gave my wife full custody of the kids, I didn’t fight for anything. I knew I couldn’t be a father and the other thing at the same time. I regret it all now, but it was probably the right thing for everyone.
That evening I went to Julie’s house, she left the window open for me. I flew in and saw her lying on the bed, dressed in red lingerie. Candles burning, rose petals and champagne.
“Cupcakes.” I mumbled.
“What?”
“Never mind. You look…amazing.” I skipped patrol that night. It was incredible. I’ll keep every detail of that night in my brain for as long as I live.
I ducked out a little before dawn to fly home. I noticed a car on the road swerving badly. As I flew in closer the driver lost control and sped up into oncoming traffic. He was about to ram head first into another car when I swooped down and lifted his car up. Damn drunk drivers. I set the car down gently in a nearby parking lot and stepped to the window to reprimand the driver.
It was my boss. His jaw dropped as he recognized me. “You” was all he said.
Friday, August 21, 2009
"Hero's" Story - Chapter 12
They turned to look at me and like a flash the woman had my hands and legs cuffed. Super speed apparently was her thing. I didn’t even struggle.
“Who are you?” the leader asked. Thin, brown hair, flames danced around his knuckles as he stood, ready to fight.
“You’re like me. I came from up north to find you. You’re like me.” I snapped the handcuffs like they were plastic toys.
“Those aren’t free you know?” The woman reprimanded.
“Sorry, you’re right. Can we go somewhere and talk?”
They took me to their secret Lair ; I swear that’s what they called it. The leader was Flare, he could shoot fire from his hands and feet. If he shot flames from his feet he could fly. It burned the hell out of everything around and he was clumsy, but he could fly. The woman was Lady Speed, and she was really fast. The third guy was Bionic, he was really handy and could kind of “talk” to machines and get information out of computers. The only downside was that he couldn’t talk to humans. Whenever he opened his mouth it just sounded like a modem trying to handshake.
Flare, Bionic, and Lady Speed, they called themselves the Fantastics. And people wonder why I don’t have a super hero name.
I spent the weekend with them. They seemed like good people. They weren’t quite like me though and I still felt alone, even among them. Flare told me about a few others like us. He shared some stories about criminals with power they put away. I’ll never forget the last thing he told me before I left.
He said, “Watch the ones you put away. You know, the ones with powers. They all escape eventually.”
“Who are you?” the leader asked. Thin, brown hair, flames danced around his knuckles as he stood, ready to fight.
“You’re like me. I came from up north to find you. You’re like me.” I snapped the handcuffs like they were plastic toys.
“Those aren’t free you know?” The woman reprimanded.
“Sorry, you’re right. Can we go somewhere and talk?”
They took me to their secret Lair ; I swear that’s what they called it. The leader was Flare, he could shoot fire from his hands and feet. If he shot flames from his feet he could fly. It burned the hell out of everything around and he was clumsy, but he could fly. The woman was Lady Speed, and she was really fast. The third guy was Bionic, he was really handy and could kind of “talk” to machines and get information out of computers. The only downside was that he couldn’t talk to humans. Whenever he opened his mouth it just sounded like a modem trying to handshake.
Flare, Bionic, and Lady Speed, they called themselves the Fantastics. And people wonder why I don’t have a super hero name.
I spent the weekend with them. They seemed like good people. They weren’t quite like me though and I still felt alone, even among them. Flare told me about a few others like us. He shared some stories about criminals with power they put away. I’ll never forget the last thing he told me before I left.
He said, “Watch the ones you put away. You know, the ones with powers. They all escape eventually.”
Thursday, August 20, 2009
"Hero's" Story - Chapter 11
After a few hours on the Internet I came up with reports of “Super Heroes” in about a dozen cities. There was a news interview with three of them just a few hours away. I decided I’d take a three day weekend and head there soon.
Getting time off of work while you are on final warning is a bit tricky. Luckily there was an opening second shift. I snagged it. Most people with powers work second shift. You head in late enough to sleep and get out early enough to patrol. The shift change was the first thing to save my job, which was good. There was no money in “crime fighting” and whoever heard of a homeless “Super Hero”?
A couple weeks later I got my time off, packed a backpack and flew the next state over to find these Super Hero guys. I combed the city with no luck the first night, stopped some minor crime. The crooks in this city seemed less surprised by my powers. Obviously these Heroes had made an impression.
I ran across them in action on the second night. They were stopping a bank robbery. I hung back and watched them work. One guy, seemed to be the leader, shot fire from his hands. Another guy was strapped with crazy gadgets and was firing some kind of futuristic gun. The third one was a woman, and from what I could tell, having a big rack was her power.
After they stopped the robbery, I flew down and said, “Hey.”
Getting time off of work while you are on final warning is a bit tricky. Luckily there was an opening second shift. I snagged it. Most people with powers work second shift. You head in late enough to sleep and get out early enough to patrol. The shift change was the first thing to save my job, which was good. There was no money in “crime fighting” and whoever heard of a homeless “Super Hero”?
A couple weeks later I got my time off, packed a backpack and flew the next state over to find these Super Hero guys. I combed the city with no luck the first night, stopped some minor crime. The crooks in this city seemed less surprised by my powers. Obviously these Heroes had made an impression.
I ran across them in action on the second night. They were stopping a bank robbery. I hung back and watched them work. One guy, seemed to be the leader, shot fire from his hands. Another guy was strapped with crazy gadgets and was firing some kind of futuristic gun. The third one was a woman, and from what I could tell, having a big rack was her power.
After they stopped the robbery, I flew down and said, “Hey.”
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
“Hero’s” Story – Chapter 10
I’d seen Julie a couple more times. We talked and flew around, she liked heights. I was on final warning at work for coming in late. I found a studio apartment downtown; it helped to be near the action. I slept less than ever. I survived on a diet of Red Bull, Monster, coffee, and Mountain Dew, it felt like college all over again.
One day at work, lawyers served me divorce papers, the separation from my wife hadn’t really sunk in until then. On patrol that night I heard a security alarm going off at a GAP. Burglars. Burglars were generally only mildly more intelligent than muggers. I flew down to check it out and noticed the door was ripped off its hinges and the doorframe was scorched.
I stepped into the store and saw a scrawny kid with a fohawk trying on cloths, not what I expected at all.
“Hey kid, down on the ground.”
“Better keep walking, mind your own business old man.” If he looked 23, he sounded 17.
I walked toward him. “Kid you’ve got no idea what you’re up against. I’ll ask you one more time, get down.”
I’ll give him this, the kid was about action. He extended all ten fingers and white arcs of electricity shot at me. Have you ever stuck your finger in an outlet? It’s like that times a thousand. The force tossed me into a rack of thongs. As I tried to clear my head, I heard him walk over to me.
“I’m Jolt. Remember it when the cops find you.” Jolt? The kid named himself after a soda? Where the hell do people come up with these names?
I pushed myself forward and tackled him into a display of polos. He looked amazed and confused. Good, it was his first time meeting someone else with powers too. We trashed that GAP; what he didn’t electrocute and fry, I knocked over or smashed. In the end I had to fly his unconscious ass to the police station and warn them in person. The cops were confused as hell and begged me to take him. Yeah, your tax dollars hard at work.
After that I sat atop a McDonald’s billboard on the side of the highway and thought. If there are more people like me, how could I find them?
One day at work, lawyers served me divorce papers, the separation from my wife hadn’t really sunk in until then. On patrol that night I heard a security alarm going off at a GAP. Burglars. Burglars were generally only mildly more intelligent than muggers. I flew down to check it out and noticed the door was ripped off its hinges and the doorframe was scorched.
I stepped into the store and saw a scrawny kid with a fohawk trying on cloths, not what I expected at all.
“Hey kid, down on the ground.”
“Better keep walking, mind your own business old man.” If he looked 23, he sounded 17.
I walked toward him. “Kid you’ve got no idea what you’re up against. I’ll ask you one more time, get down.”
I’ll give him this, the kid was about action. He extended all ten fingers and white arcs of electricity shot at me. Have you ever stuck your finger in an outlet? It’s like that times a thousand. The force tossed me into a rack of thongs. As I tried to clear my head, I heard him walk over to me.
“I’m Jolt. Remember it when the cops find you.” Jolt? The kid named himself after a soda? Where the hell do people come up with these names?
I pushed myself forward and tackled him into a display of polos. He looked amazed and confused. Good, it was his first time meeting someone else with powers too. We trashed that GAP; what he didn’t electrocute and fry, I knocked over or smashed. In the end I had to fly his unconscious ass to the police station and warn them in person. The cops were confused as hell and begged me to take him. Yeah, your tax dollars hard at work.
After that I sat atop a McDonald’s billboard on the side of the highway and thought. If there are more people like me, how could I find them?
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