Alpha Male (10 page)

The camera turned back to the woman and she stared into it. "Shocking stuff. As we said, more and more people are calling into the station with similar reports over the last couple of weeks. This is Barbara Fox. Back to you, Bob."

"You guys seeing this?" Eddy asked, ecstatic. "We need to find this guy! Take him in, and make him one of us."

"You really think that bullshit’s true?" Xavier asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Eddy asked. He lifted his arm into the air, gesturing upward with his hand. "We just sicced a monster on a guy who flies and you don't think this is possible? We need to find this guy as soon as possible."

"We've got a few guys around here with seedy connections. I guess, I'll start asking around," Xavier said, and left. Ivy watched him roll his eyes as he passed her. If he noticed her gaze, he didn't show it.

"This is exactly what we need," Eddy said as a long gleeful smile crept across his face. His eyes lit up, and he turned to Ivy. "Have our people stake out some of these mom and pop places. Tell the owners we are there to protect them. If the guy shows up, follow him, but stay back, ok? Once we know where they’re staying, I'll handle it from there."

Ivy didn't say a word. She just got up and walked out while Eddy went back to watching the television.

Chapter Ten.

Two teenaged boys ran down the street, dodging between the people trying to get away. Each carried a purse with a broken strap, and each kept looking over their shoulder with panic in their eyes.

“I knew this was a bad idea!” one said.

“Just shut up and run!” the other said.

Behind them, Alpha Male sailed over the sidewalk, smirking as the two men struggled to get away. People grabbed for their hats and hair as he whizzed over their heads.

"God damn it," one said as he collided with a woman carrying groceries. Her bags dropped to the ground, and she began to scream profanities. Alpha slowed just long enough to console her.

"It's OK, ma'am," Alpha said, with a warm smile. "I'm taking care of it."

"Fuck you too," she said, sneering as she flicked up her middle finger at him.

Alpha flew off, leaving the woman standing there, still screaming. No longer toying with the purse snatchers, he landed right in front of them. They both collided with him, and fell to the ground. One of the boys was rubbing his head where it had connected with Alpha's chest.

The other popped out a knife and scrambled to his feet. He jabbed at the hero, but the blade was ineffective. It was like striking a brick wall. Alpha backhanded the man, knocking him back to the ground. He took out his cell phone and dialed 911. It rang a few times before a tired sounding woman answered the phone.

"911, what's your emergency?" she said.

"Yes, this is Alpha Male," he said, in a stern, confident tone. "I have two purse snatchers subdued at the corner of Moore and Gibbons. I need a police officer here for the arrest."

"I'll have someone right out there," she said.

He hung up the phone and redirected his attention back to the two boys. The one he had struck was lying on the ground, facing the concrete. He sobbed and held his face while his friend watched with disdain.

"Pussy," he said.

"Fuck you, man," he replied, turning over. Alpha noticed something on the boy’s shoulder as he turned. It was a small Omega symbol patch stitched onto his jacket.

"It’s a little warm for a jacket, don't you think?" the hero asked.

"Fuck you man," the whiney one said.

"How about this," Alpha said, bending down. "You give me some info, I'll let you go. How does that sound?"

"Like I said, fuck you, man," he replied. His friend socked him in the arm.

"Shut up, you twit. Let the man speak," the calm one said.

"Smart kid," Alpha said, scooting in a bit closer. "Now, tell me about this group…"

"Switch, my name is Switch. And, there ain't much to tell. We’re in a gang named after your enemy from the cartoon. Omega Man."

"I know the reference, but I don't know much about your group beyond that. What's your plan?"

They both laughed at him. Switch spoke first. "Sure, you're big and scary, but you ain't crazy. Eddy; that motherfucker's crazy as hell. And he hates you."

"We all hate you," said the other. The red on his face had grown significantly since they’d begun speaking.

“Remember, you tell me what I want to know, and I’ll let you go,” Alpha said.

Switch laughed at him and said, “You already called the cops. I ain’t stupid. It’s not like you can just tell them we got away from you!”

Alpha’s lip turned up in anger and he clenched his fist. The sound of sirens caused him to relax a little and when the police pulled up, he forced a smile before turning to them. Two uniformed officers stepped out of the vehicle, hooking their clubs on their belts before walking up.

“Got us some more?” said the officer as he approached.

“It’s been awhile, but I’ve got you a couple of gang bangers apparently,” Alpha said, gesturing towards the two captive kids as if they were on display.

“Man, this asshole said he’d let us go if we gave him information,” said the kid with the red face.

“Shut up, man!” said Switch. “We ain’t no tattletale assholes.”

“But we hate him,” he replied.

“Just shut up,” Switch said.

“I think this is pretty cut and dried,” the officer said. “If we need you to testify, you’ll be there?”

“Of course,” Alpha said, smiling. “Chief Guerra knows how to contact me.”

“You know, I always forget, but my kid would love an autograph. Do you think you could help me with that?” the officer asked.

“Of course. What's your last name?”  Alpha asked.

“Brooks,” he replied, messing with his hat.

“I have some photos lying around. I’ll do my best to get it in your box by the end of the day,” Alpha said, giving them both a slight salute.

“You off to save some more people today?” the officer asked.

“Things are so calm around here these days; I think I’m going to do some charity work instead,” Alpha replied as he levitated off the ground, before flying down the street and out of sight.

“Calm? Hasn’t anyone told this guy about that asshole with the mind bullets?” the second officer said. “What's it called? Telekinesis?”

*****

Al and Larry sat at the table inside Her Holy Reckoning shelter. They both devoured the canned spaghetti within seconds, and looked up, hungry for more. The place was packed, leaving little room at the table, and even less food in the kitchen. They both waited for a few moments, but then gave up when they saw the cook cleaning out the empty pot in the sink. Larry got up first, and threw his hands in the air. He flashed the cook an ungrateful look, but the fat scruffy man didn’t pay him much attention. Al followed his friend, grabbing up both of their plates and leaving them in the wash bin next to the trash can.

“Let’s go,” Larry said as they walked down the hallway towards the front door. “I’m thirsty, and there’s a little Italian grocery store just up the street from here.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Al said.  Larry turned around and stopped, looking his friend in the face.

“Whatchu mean that’s not a good idea?” Larry asked, his face sour.

“We’ve been hitting too many lately,” Al said, looking a bit confused. “I just think it’s a good idea for us to maybe slow down. Plus, we’ve still got some food left over from the last one.”

“Yeah, food, but we’re out of drink,” Larry said, taking a step closer. “You know how I get without my drink.”

The door behind Larry opened, casting the afternoon sun into the hallway. Through Its blinding light, came the dark figure of a tall, broad man. Al watched until the man’s costume came into view. Staring at Alpha Male, Al’s skin turned red and his teeth gritted. The veins in his neck began to bulge as the powerful anger rose in his chest. Larry saw the change in his friend and turned. Alpha Male stared at Al with a look that Larry couldn’t have mistaken. “You!”

Al let out a powerful scream and thrust both hands out towards Alpha Male. Larry, standing between them, was caught up in the powerful blow and launched forward at Alpha. Both him and Alpha Male tore through the front wall, and out onto the street.

Alpha sat in a pile of rubble, rubbing his head for a second. He looked up just as Al stepped through the massive hole he had just created. He screamed again and ran at the hero. Alpha was up on his feet within seconds, bracing himself for the attack. The balls of his feet dug into the concrete as Al bombarded him with the power of his mind. Alpha pushed against the unseen force as it rippled his clothing like a strong wind.

Al let out another scream, grabbing his head in pain. Alpha took advantage of this and jumped at his attacker. With a single punch, he knocked the disoriented man to the ground, but Al’s mental abilities shielded him from any real damage. Alpha stood over him, baffled for one second, but continued his attack. As Al went into a protective fetal position, Alpha punched him, pounding against the invisible force field that protected his enemy.

Punch after punch landed, but only the ground beneath the crumpled up man broke. Al took the time to reorient himself, and then, just as Alpha was bringing down another blow, he exploded, thrusting the protective force out in every direction. Alpha Male was taken off guard and thrown into the building across the street. The bricks and wood crumbled as his body crashed through them. Al just stood there, watching in a daze of anger and confusion. He was so consumed, that he almost didn’t see Alpha Male flying towards him. Alpha’s punch connected with enough force to knock Al down the street. He smacked into a wall, causing an impact crater in the brick where he landed. Alpha was on top of him again, punching. Each forceful blow landed with harder ferocity until Alpha was yelling at the top of his lungs. He finally grabbed Al by his neck and looked him in the eye. There was nothing but hatred in them as the man struggled against the hero’s powerful grasp. Al was almost in tears; biting, clawing, and spitting like a wild animal.

“I was hoping for more,” Alpha said, carrying him back to the shelter. He punched Al square in the face, dazing him for a second. As the shock of the punch subsided, Al had a second of clarity. Alpha recognized it immediately and pulled back to punch again. Al’s eyes focused on the building nearest them, and pulled it down on top of them both.

*****

“That’s gotta be him,” someone said.

Al was drifting in and out as a blurry figured pulled him from the wreckage by the arms. He couldn’t make out their faces because he couldn’t open his eyes enough to focus. His head pounded, but it was his body that hurt the most. He just closed his eyes as they dragged him along.

“Don’t you think we should end Alpha Male while he’s out?” one of the voices said.

“Do you really want to go digging for him under all that…shit?” another replied. “Just help me pull. Eddy’s gonna want to see this guy as soon as possible.”

“Who’s this guy?” the first voice asked.  

Al managed to open his eyes, just enough to see Larry lying on the ground. His head was cracked open, and blood spilled out from the wound and onto the ground. Al grunted a bit, but he had to close his eyes again. Before long, the light had turned to dark, and he was in a damp enclosed place.

“Welcome home,” someone said.

Part two.

Lillian Webb sat in the sofa chair, resting her head against the large cushion. She had her eyes closed in order to block out the people that meandered around her. They wandered the large room, aimless and confused. On occasion, she'd look up, scanning the area for any changes, and then lay her head back down. The soft hum of the television helped drown out the constant sounds the patients made; their murmuring, slurping, and coughing.

She exhaled, and said, "I'm fucking bored." 

"Then why did you choose to stay?" asked Dr. Snyder. "You could have left seven days after you were admitted, but you didn't."

"I've been questioning that myself," she said. "I mean, I have my reasons. I'm just not sure if they are the right ones."

"You seem lethargic," he said, checking his note pad. "Is the medicine too strong?" 

"No, it's fine. I'm just bored. Boredom makes you tired. I'm sure that's in one of your medical books," she said.

"So, no anxiety?" he asked.

"No, everything is fine," she said.

“Ok, that’s good,” he said, writing. “Tell me about your daughter. Your sister…” He checked his notes. “Is taking care of her?" 

"Yeah…," Lillian said. “Margaret. She’s pretty pissed at me right now. She wasn’t thrilled to find out she was taking my kid for a while. I miss her so much. My daughter, I mean.”

“Do you think about her a lot?” he asked.

"I've been thinking about a lot of things. You guys won’t let me watch anything good, so thinking’s all I got; mostly about my actions. It was exciting, you know? But, at the same time, I know it’s crazy. I know there is something wrong with me. It’s just that rush, it’s so overpowering."

"I can imagine," he said. "Leaping off tall buildings in the hopes that a strong super hero will save you, is probably very exciting. But it's dangerous, extremely dangerous."

"I know," she said. "It was my daughter that made me want to stay, you know. I talked to her shortly after I was admitted. She convinced me it was for the best. She told me I’d scared her. It broke my heart."

"She sounds like a smart kid," he said.

"Oh, she is. She's so smart; a lot smarter than me." 

"I know we've talked about this before, but have you given any more thought as to why you do these things? Beyond the excitement? If you want, we can go somewhere private. My office, maybe?" 

"Look at this place," she said, glancing up at all the patients. A man was standing in the corner, counting his fingers. "Why get up? They don't care.”

"Ok, so tell me," he said. 

"I've told you before that I was attracted to him; hell, I had his kid."

"Yes, you mentioned that before," he said. "Have you given any thought to forcing a paternity test on him?"