So Not a Hero (33 page)

I glanced around slowly. I was in a hospital room. “How long have I been here?”

“Two days,” Martin answered. “You wouldn’t happen to know how far up you were, do you?” he asked as he arched a brow.

“How far up where?” The pounding in my head had dulled to a slow throb.

“How far up were you when you decided to take a stroll outside?”  The condescending tone hooked up with the pompous demeanor and made me want to risk whatever recovering I had made just to throttle him.

I moved my arm just enough for him to see my glare. “Really high. Enough that I didn’t expect to live.” Then I lowered the arm and groaned. “Maybe I didn’t. If you’re the only visitor I’ve had, I’m probably in Hell.”

He laughed and I heard him move around to the other side of the bed. “I’m going to guess you were at least thirty, maybe thirty-five thousand. I wouldn’t have thought your durability powerful enough to survive a fall from that height without serious injury. However, it appears you’ve become a Class Six.”

I jerked upright in the bed, staring at him. I couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d told me that I’d grown another head. “What?” I looked down at myself. The thick hospital blanket covered me to my waist, and the hospital gown was a shade of lavender that would have looked more appropriate in a children’s ward. There was some bruising on my arms and when I threw back the blankets, I could see scrapes and cuts as well on my legs.

“Did your associate use the sequencer on you?” His voice contained a hint of both scientific interest and fascinated curiosity.

I shook my head. “No. He was going to use it to screw up everyone else’s power and when we fought, the damned thing exploded.”

He tilted his head to the side, looking at me. Probably into me. “Hmm, interesting.”

“What?” I’d long since learned that anything Martin found interesting didn’t bode well for others. “Is something wrong?”

“I think the device’s destruction may have given your genes a tiny nudge.”

I sighed and flopped back down on the pillow. “How much has my weight increased?” Would I put holes in the floor just by walking now? The only other Six I’d heard of was a former wrestler who weighed in at almost a ton. After a couple of weeks of accidentally smashing things, mostly just by moving, he’d decided to cut his losses. He climbed aboard a large cargo ship, waited until he was halfway across the Atlantic, and then jumped overboard.

Short of a nuke, it would be the only way to kill a Class Six.

Martin laughed and shook his head. “I believe I’ll let you find out the specifics of your new abilities yourself. Why ruin the surprise?”

I lifted my head and glared at him. “You suck.”

He nodded and looked at his watch. “Perhaps. However, I think you’re going to realize soon enough that your ‘curse’, as you’ve always considered it, is going to be less of a burden. If you decide that you want help dealing with the new you, give me a call.” He turned and walked towards the door.

I swallowed the lump in my throat that was probably formed from calcified pride. “Martin?”

He paused and looked over at me. “Yes?”

“Thank you. The training you gave me, you know, for resisting mind control helped me break free from Daniel’s charismatic influence. Otherwise, he would have won.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “No need to thank me, darling. It was a necessity.”

“A necessity?”

He nodded, maintaining that predatory grin. “I very well couldn’t risk having the woman sharing my bed susceptible to being manipulated by anyone else but me. Now could I?” He left the room and the door closed behind him with a thump I barely noticed. Martin’s words ran around in my head.

A few minutes later, I forced myself to get out of the bed. Carefully though, so I didn’t bust through the floor. I was sore in spots I didn’t know existed and the contusions stood out like neon signs on my arms and legs. I lifted up my gown and saw my stomach and back were equally adorned with purple spots. I dropped the gown and walked towards the window, wondering what was to come next. Turned out, it was a visit from Mister Manpower.

“Knock-knock,” Greg said as he came into the room holding a vase of flowers.

I turned around quickly and reached back to hold the flaps on the gown shut. “Hey.” I shuffled with one arm behind me over to the bed and sat down on the edge. My teammate might have seen me in my panties on national television, but I wasn’t sure if either of us could handle the ramifications of him seeing my bare ass.

He set the flowers on top of the table near the door, next to three other overflowing vases. Right after getting up, I’d peeked at the cards and knew that one bouquet each were from the EAPF, the CPD, and Alexis’ parents. The note from Lexie-chan’s family thanked me for helping save their daughter’s life. It had made me cry for a solid ten minutes.

“How long have you been awake?” Greg asked.

“About an hour. One of the nurses came to check on me when I pulled the EEG leads off my chest.” I snickered a little. “She nearly knocked the door down. I guess she thought I’d died.”

“Well, you did give us all quite the scare. First responders to your landing thought you were dead upon impact.”

I winced. I remembered the scream I heard right before I hit. “Did anyone get hurt?”

“Other than you? No.”He grinned. “Amazingly, you landed in an empty parking lot near the train station. Left a ten-foot deep crater and rattled windows for a couple of blocks.”

I breathed a sigh and slumped my shoulders. “I was worried I was going to hurt someone.”

“But you didn’t,” Greg said. “You saved the day.”

I shrugged and then tilted my head to the side. “What about Daniel?”

It was Greg’s turn to sigh. “Gone. The hovercraft landed on a golf course north of the city. The techs from the EAPF think Daniel managed to regain some flight control before crashing. Minor property damage and no civilians injured.”

“I’m going to pound his face in when we catch him.” My hands balled into little fists.

“Understandable. I’m more concerned about the bio-sequencer. Considering what he did to Richard and the others, he could do a lot of damage with it.” Greg ran his hand through his hair.

This time, my smile came with a side-order of giggles. “I wouldn’t worry too much about that, Greg. I kind of smashed it before he could use it on the city. Even if he manages to build another, he won’t have my blood to power it.”

He nodded. “That’s good and bad. Without it I’m not sure we can undo what he did to the rest of the team.”

I nodded as images of Richard slamming his head down on the floor came flooding back. “How are they doing? Is Alexis okay?” Sure, I was concerned for all of my teammates. But my worry for the little ghosting girl overrode the others.

“Her surgery went well and they’ve moved her out of intensive care. She’s expected to make a full recovery.”

“Good. What about the others?”

He leaned against the table. “Richard is two floors below us in one of the Psych Ward’s padded rooms. He’s locked into a straight-jacket to keep him from hurting himself and they are limiting the amount of time anyone has contact with him. Otherwise—”

“Otherwise, they’ll attack him,” I finished.

He nodded. “Robert’s in the burn unit at Mercy General. The doctors think they can save his legs, but right now, they’re just trying to keep him stabilized. There’s an Enhanced Healer in London that might be able to help him. The EAPF has reached out to their British counterparts to ask for his assistance.”

“And Darla?” I remembered the glee in Daniel’s voice as he gloated about the punishment he’d inflicted on the pretty blonde.

“She’s stable. Her body keeps metabolizing the extra … girth, at least until she starts absorbing sunlight. Then she instantly returns to her larger size.” He sighed again and looked out the window. “Without Daniel’s device, I don’t think they’ll ever be the same again.”

I shook my head and bit down on my lower lip for a moment. “I know you’re probably not going to like this suggestion, but I think there may be a way to fix what Daniel did to them.”

“How?” Hope flowed onto his face and saturated his voice.

“Martin’s power. He can put their genes back to normal. I think.” I gave a small shrug. In my mind, we had nothing to lose. “Or at least, close to normal.”

Greg’s jaw tightened and he looked at me with a displeased expression, as if he’d eaten something sour. He’d obviously had enough of making deals with Doctor Maniac. “Why would he help?”

“Just leave that to me.” I said with a smile. “I have an idea.”

EPILOGUE

Two weeks later, I sat in a café near the convention center, trying to enjoy an iced mocha. The television on the wall across the room was turned to the local 24-hour news channel. The tagline running across the bottom of the feed read, “Good Guy Kayo Stops Major Fist’s Downtown Rampage.” The still photo in the corner was taken right after I’d punched Fist through a wall, the camera catching me in a rare heroic pose. It was actually pretty embarrassing.  

According to Greg, the positive press was a good thing.

Since the Good Guys hadn’t returned to full strength, I’d been working double time keeping the city safe. Kurt hadn’t been super happy about the extra patrols, mainly because they cut into our private time. However, when I suggested that we meet for quick dinners and promised to spend at least three nights in his bed, he readily agreed.

He was also very understanding about my actions at the tower and accepted my thousand apologies for knocking him out.

“I was afraid that Daniel would hurt you himself if he thought I was resisting his control,” I explained. “My biggest fear was that he was going to kill you.”

“I understand,” he’d said, wrapping his arms around me. “Hurt like hell, though.”

The coffee mug was almost to my lips when Martin slipped into the chair across from mine. The arrogant smile plastered on his face stabbed right through to my last nerve. I closed my eyes to get over the image of me using the mug to cave in his skull. When I reopened them, I felt more in control and less likely to see if he would actually fit inside one of the thermoses for sale on a nearby shelf.

“What do you want?” I asked harshly. I put the mug back down on the table and cradled it with both hands, to keep them from wrapping around his throat.

He held up both hands. “I come in peace, darling.” He smiled and I hated the way it made me feel. Particularly in my lower regions. “Are you getting used to the new abilities?”

I peered at him over the top of the sunglasses. “The biggest issue is remembering that things are less breakable now.”

Martin had refused to answer the question about my increased density at the hospital. I had thought it was because he didn’t want to give me bad news. It wasn’t until later, when I mentioned to a nurse that the dura-steel bed was holding up impressively, that I learned the truth. I might have gained Class Six invulnerability, but I’d lost the extra mass. Now didn’t weigh any more than the typical girl my size.

There had been other changes in my Enhancements as well.

He laughed and brushed his fingertip over pale lips. “Yes. No more special chairs. Or beds.” The annoyed emphasis on the last word was not lost on me. Kurt had been rather enthusiastic to learn that I could be on top without concern for ruptured organs.

“Yeah, I’m a real girl now.” I injected a sneer into my words.

Martin was unfazed. “Are your teammates recovering? All the little happy soldiers back to normal?”

I had managed to convince Greg to agree to a deal. In exchange for not revealing the true identity of Doctor Maniac to the press or public at large, Martin had agreed to use his abilities to repair the damage Daniel had done to the rest of the team.

Richard’s charisma powers were back to creating pleasant feelings, though I suspected he would be more reserved about using them on others in the future. Martin had fixed Darla’s metabolism, for the most part. She still had to limit her sun exposure or else exercise an extra hour to burn off the excess weight. This development had led to her change her uniform to something a bit more modest. Just in case she found herself in a prolonged battle on a sunny day. Robert had regained immunity to his quantum flames, but he still feared getting burned again. He steadfastly refused to attempt to fly and had taken an extended leave of absence from the team. Hopefully therapy would help him get over his new-found pyrophobia.

“They are fine.” I said as I arched a brow. “Is that all you wanted? To see how your patients were doing?”

“I was curious, yes. However, there is another reason for this impromptu visit.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a manila envelope. He placed the envelope on the table and slid it towards me, keeping his hand on top of it. “I also brought you a present.”

I stared at the package for several seconds before bringing my gaze back up to his. That goddamned smirk was back and more annoying than ever. “What is it?” I really didn’t want anything from him. In my mind, he’d already done enough.

“Something I think should interest you.” He leaned forward and stared at me. His steel blue eyes glimmered with a feverish intensity. “A little bit of information I feel generously compelled to share.” There was no way he was going to let me have the envelope and open it later. It would be here and now, or not at all.

I reached out and took it from him. When I folded up the opening flap and reached inside, my fingers brushed against a thick paper. I glanced up at Martin, he nodded quickly and tapped on the table with a well-manicured fingertip.

“Don’t rush,” he said. “I don’t want to miss a single moment of your expression.”

The dread I felt doubled and I pulled out a piece of heavy parchment, folded down the middle. When I opened it, several small photos fell out, landing on the table. My eyes drifted down to them and a gasp, barely audible to anyone other than Martin, escaped from between my lips.

There were four pictures in total, each featured a little red-haired girl. In one, she was sitting on couch, holding a stuffed rabbit with crooked ears and blue jean overalls. In another, she was in a high-chair, wearing a conical party hat, and looking happily at a single candle stuck in a chocolate-iced cupcake. The other two were taken in a bedroom with pink-flowered paper adorning the walls, the child surrounded by plenty of toys. She seemed healthy and happy. My vision blurred as I cycled through each photo over and over.

“She lives right here in Charlotte and her name is Harmony,” Martin said after a few moments. “At least, that’s what they named her. I would have gone with something less virtuous.” He clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

I looked up at him through the tears hung in my eyes. “I’m warning you, Martin. Stay away from her. I mean it.” I wiped my eyes and glared at him, jaw clenched.

“She’s my daughter, too. What type of father would I be to leave her among un-Enhanced peasants?”

I put both hands on the top of the table and leaned forward. “I’m only going to say this once. Leave her be or I will rip off your fucking head and kick it into low-earth orbit. You got that?”

He laughed again, showing not the least bit of concern regarding my threat. “Such motherly protection. I can see why you’re good at being a hero.” His eye turned hard. “You know, as well as anyone, that I do not put up with threats. However, since my weakness for you continues to be a thorn in my side, I will abide by your wishes. For now. But you are sorely mistaken if you think I’m going to stay away forever.”

“Martin …”

He stood up and straightened his jacket. “I have faith that, one day, you’ll be by my side again.. We will gather our daughter and be one whole, loving family.” His eyes sparkled with malicious happiness. “I wonder what her Enhancement is?” Then he smiled down at me, gave a tiny bow, and strolled out of the café. Within seconds, he’d vanished in the lunchtime crowd filling the sidewalk.

I spent another ten minutes looking at the photos, fingers brushing over the images. Harmony. My daughter. I wondered if I’d ever see her with my own two eyes. Hold her with my own two arms.

“This just in,” the newscaster on the television said, interrupting my thoughts. On the screen under his image were the words ‘Breaking News’. “It’s being reported that the supervillain known as Landslide is rampaging through the terminals at Douglas International Airport.”

I stood up and scooped up the photos, tucking them safely into an inside pocket of my brand new black and blue uniform. Several of the café’s patrons looked from the television to me, the look on their faces spurring me into action. There was a bad guy on the loose and it was time for me to get back on the clock.

The communicator in my ear chirped into life. “Kayo, this is Mister Manpower. Have you heard about the airport?”

“Affirmative,” I said as headed towards the door. “I thought Landslide was doing 25-to-Life down in Guadalajara.”

“So did I,” Greg said. “Richard and I are on our way. ETA: two minutes.”

I stepped outside into the brilliant sunshine-filled morning, clear blue sky overhead beckoning me. “Roger that, Manpower.” The grin that came across my face was impossible to restrain. “I’ll meet you guys there.”

In addition to changes with my durability, I’d also lost my ability to run at super speeds. And while I occasionally missed it, I couldn’t be too upset. Considering what I’d gained as a replacement.

As the citizens on the street—and those visible through the window of the café—pointed and snapped photos, I bent my knees slightly and threw myself upwards. A burst of giddy excitement ran through me as I shot into the air like a missile, one arm stretched out in front of me. I soared up above the buildings and paused, hovering in place, just long enough to look down at the crowd below. Their cheers and shouts of encouragement made my heart beat faster, and I gave them a little waving salute before zooming away in the direction of the airport.

As I headed into the good fight once more, I took a second to realize that I had always believed that I was destined to be a bad guy. However, with the supportive sounds of the people below still ringing in my ears, I was starting to think I’d been completely wrong.

Maybe I was a hero after all.

THE END