Killing Capes (18 page)

Dwight motioned to Lia, now unable to move under his own power, “Put them together. He should regenerate pretty fast.”

She looked doubtful, “Dwight, he’s dead. I watched Bernard kill him myself. I turned off his abilities.”

“Your powers would have worn off by now. If I know this bastard, he’ll be fine once he’s whole again.” He began coughing violently as Lia picked up the head.

She carefully lined up the severed neck with the head. Even as she pulled her hands back, a few thin threads of sinew began to form between the two. Within seconds, the only trace of Bernard’s treachery was a single hair-thin red line on Wulf’s neck. With a sudden gasp for air, the tyrant of New Haven shot up from where he lay. The menace came back to his features as he returned to life. The faded amber of his eyes flared with consciousness. He slicked his disheveled hair back with a blood-soaked hand.

By now, Dwight could feel himself slipping. The contest to keep his body together was all he could think about. Still, he had enough energy to watch as his boss rose to his feet and straightened his ruined suit.

Lia returned to Dwight’s side and put a hand to his chest, attempting to stabilize his ragged breathing, “You win, Wulf; it’s all yours,” he said.

The last thing he heard as his eyes closed was the slow laughter of the monster he had brought back from the dead, “Of course it is, Mr. Knolls. It always was.”

Dwight awoke back in Ellis’s medical suite. His sudden revival came with a rush of unbelievable pain. Every muscle in his body rebelled against the poison burning itself out in his veins. He had never experienced detox before, but he likened the sensation to his beating from Killstreak. Violent spasms rocked his body while he remained strapped to the gurney.

Deep down, Dwight knew that the aftereffects would pass. Despite his suffering, the results were worth it. He had not only saved Lia, but the entire city. He’d put the monster back on his throne because that’s what this city needed: a madman keeping everyone else sane. They needed someone so bad that the idea of crossing him was completely unthinkable. He wondered if that was Wulf or him now.

Ellis did what she could to help, but without the aid of more drugs, there was little available to her. She kept a TV on for him. The news reported that night’s events without any of Wulf’s usual subterfuge. It was a war between the Powers of New Haven; there was no hiding it. The normal citizens were in an uproar. Some groups were calling for the Capes to leave the city entirely.

Dwight knew that would never happen; they were too ingrained in their society. The media called it a miracle that the Referee had stepped in to end the conflict. In the end, a few million dollars in property damage was a small price to pay for the temporary peace.

By the fourth day, he was starting to feel like himself again. The excruciating episodes had become short-lived and irregular, and he could remain awake for most of the day. His head still ached behind his eyes and every muscle in his body was strained beyond use, but he was at least able to hold a normal conversation without wanting to pass out.

Lia and Ian both came to see him throughout the week. Somehow, the ravages of the serum hadn’t hit the smaller man as severely. The Doc assured them both there would be no long-term damage. Even though he was limping around, Ian looked more confident than Dwight had ever seen him.

Lia’s appearance surprised Dwight more than his roommate’s. The limiter on her head was replaced with a smooth plate, and she’d forgone the wig entirely. He could instantly sense her discomfort as she entered the suite. He felt the familiar touch of her powers in his mind. Still, she managed a pained smile as she eased her way over to the gurney.

“Not holding yourself back anymore?” he asked, indicating the missing device. He knew the question was pointless if she was just reading his mind constantly, but it felt good to be able to speak again despite the pain in his voice.

She sat down beside him on the bed, “I’m trying something different: control rather than suppression. These are my powers, and I’m the one in charge.”

“Didn’t like being a brainwashed minion?” It had hurt seeing her in that state; living in it must have been a nightmare.

“It was like being trapped behind thick glass, watching my body react to whatever he said. No matter how much I wanted to scream, nothing happened. I saw myself shut down Wulf while Bernard tore his head off. I sat on that cold floor and waited for his next order. I tried to do it to you. There was nothing I could do. I’m never going through that again. If an asshole like Bernard could control me, imagine what someone with actual intelligence could have done. I can’t risk that – even if it means I have to live with other people’s thoughts constantly.” She was resolute. The change gave Dwight comfort.

“That’s a brave way of looking at it. You need anything, I’m right here.” He closed his eyes, letting the first restful sleep he’d had in days come over him.

A few hours later, he got another visitor: the Doc knocked lightly. She entered, holding a tablet. Her hands kept the screen from him, pressed tightly against her chest. “It’s Wulf, he wants a quick word. You up for it?” she asked, taking a seat in the bedside chair.

Dwight thought for a second. The idea of speaking to his boss made him feel ill again, but he wanted to get this out of the way. He sat up, “Yeah, I’ll talk to him. Give it here.”

She passed him the screen. He rested the device on his chest. Wulf’s grinning face greeted him in a way that made his stomach turn. “Good morning, Mr. Knolls. How’s rehab treating you?” He was seated at his desk with his city behind him. The glare from the afternoon sun coming through the windows cast a shadow over his features. Wulf appeared unchanged; the line across his throat had completely disappeared.

“I’m going to need a few sick days. Hope that’s alright, considering I brought you back from the dead.” He wasn’t kidding. This had all been Wulf’s fault as far as Dwight was concerned. If his boss’s ego didn’t demand that stupid challenge, Bernard never would have been able to take charge. He thought about apologizing for Rampage’s death, but decided against it. The lizard didn’t deserve the respect.

Wulf steepled his fingers in front of his face. “I suppose, Mr. Knolls, but we’ll need to find you a replacement for your partner when you have the time. Your old one is being personally attended to for the foreseeable future. I don’t imagine you’ll be meeting again.”

The thought made Dwight shudder. Bernard’s regenerative powers would enable Wulf to live out all sorts of twisted fantasies on the poor man. Sure, he was an asshole who had nearly gotten them all killed for his dream of revenge. However, being left in the hands of the Wulf was a fate far worse than any death. He decided it would be best to drop the subject immediately.

“I’ve got a few people in mind. Tell you what; I’ll let you know when I’m available again.”

Wulf tilted his head in curiosity, trying to gauge Dwight’s newfound initiative, “If you insist, Mr. Knolls. Don’t keep me waiting too long.” He cut the transmission.

Dwight let the tablet fall against his spinning stomach. He noticed the cold pools spreading beneath his arms. His breathing and heart rate slowed as he eased back in his bed. Ellis collected the device and left without a word. He spent the rest of the day silently thinking about his future before he finally drifted off to sleep.

The next day, he felt ready to leave. In the morning, he attempted to stand with some difficulty. The resonating ache in his muscles had grown tolerable, if annoying. Walking was more of a challenge. He wasn’t capable of anything more than a slow stride. Still, the monochromatic walls and the endless news reports weren’t doing his sanity any favors. He found the jeans and t-shirt that Ellis left for him. In all likeliness, Ellis had destroyed the ruined clothing he was wearing at StarPoint. He’d probably be charged for the replacements.

As he prepared to head home, the door to the room opened slowly. Linda cautiously peeked in. She was dressed in civilian clothes; her plain slacks and cardigan were so mundane compared to the cape and spandex he was used to seeing her in. In her arms, she carried the same black duffel bag that had contained Ellis’s weapons during his cross-city sprint.

“Can I come in?” she asked, holding herself at the threshold of the doorway.

Dwight wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The last time they’d seen each other, she was ready to take him into custody for murder. He didn’t feel up for an argument, but doubted he would be arrested while she was in her casual wear. “Sure, come in.” He took a seat on the edge of the bed.

She walked over, sitting in the nearby chair. “Look, I know this is weird. I heard the news about Wulf and StarPoint – about the battle. I’m sorry I stopped you. You were trying to help, in your own fucked up way. This is just all so…” she stopped, lost for words, “…not you.” Her eyes were locked on the bag. He couldn’t blame her; the contents could probably level the city in an instant. “I don’t know, Dwight. You’ve got a name now. They’re talking about you like you’re dangerous.”

“There is a very strict list of reasons someone ends up in a briefcase for me. I’m not killing for sport.” He still wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince his ex or himself.

She was quiet for some time, still staring down at the black bag. “You’re right. Regardless of whatever Wulf wants you to be, you’re right. You saved the city, protected people. The normals are calling you their savior.”

He was skeptical, but interested in where this was going, “You’re okay with the fact that I’ve been killing Powers?”

“I’m not sure,” she said. Her eyes were wrapped in tears, “ but StarPoint can’t happen again. I don’t know where this leaves us, but you can call off your lawyer. I want to talk to
you
about whether we can work this out as adults.”

“Linda, this probably isn’t the place…” he trailed off.

“I know, but even if we’re done, I want you to know that it wasn’t all for nothing.” She continued crying. She held out the bag, careful not to shift its contents. “I’m not saying everything is okay, but I was wrong to keep her from you.”

Dwight suddenly realized that there weren’t high-tech weapons of mass destruction in the bag. He gently took it and tugged on the partially opened zipper. A five-pound ball of fluff and saliva leapt into his arms. The small dog began frantically dancing in his lap. Its auburn hair brushed against his face as he held her close.

“Molly!” he shouted, overcome with joy. The Pomeranian seemed equally as excited to see her human. Linda watched the two from a distance at first, then joined the reunion.

A knock at the door interrupted their celebration. The doctor entered, holding Dwight’s phone in one hand. She looked distressed. “You’ve got a call,” she held out the device.

Dwight shook his head, “I’m a little busy. Tell them I’ll call back.” All of his efforts were fixed on controlling the furry creature racing around the bed. The Doctor did her best to ignore the mess the animal was making of her medical suite.

              Ellis persisted, “No, you’ll want to take this. It’s important.” Her troubled expression was enough to communicate the severity of the call.

              He took the phone from Ellis. Linda retrieved the dog from his lap, pulling the panting creature close to her chest. There was nothing on the screen to identify the caller. Hesitantly putting the phone to his ear, he heard nothing through the receiver.

“Hello?” he asked.

              “Mr. Knolls,” Midas’s voice was distraught in a way Dwight had never heard him, “we need your assistance with a matter of some importance.”

              Dwight listened silently, pondering how the game had changed.

              “When can you come?”

About the Author:

You should do what you teach. As someone who has been teaching writing for almost a decade, I decided it was time for me to step up and actually get something published.

I've lived in Illinois all my life and, apart from a brief time as a foreign exchange student, have spent most of my time within eight hours of Normal.

I currently live here with my wife and dog. I teach English at a local junior high. No one ever envies my work.