The Stairs – Part 1

I woke up in a different bed. The walls were different, and I saw pictures and other random things I didn’t recognize. Then I remembered, I was visiting my sister.

“Yeah,” I said, holding a hand over my eyes. “Jet lag sucks.”

Staggering to my feet, I found my bags and rummaged for a change of clothes and a shower kit.

Shuffling to the hallway I ran into Emily, Candice’s oldest daughter. All of fourteen. I spot the metal band encircling her head.

Tapping her on the shoulder, I say, “Emily, right? Where are the towels?”

Needless to say, she screams like a sorority pledge at a summer camp lake in the middle of the night. A quick knee to my groin she darts to a room and slams the door with shouts of mom and intruder.

I’m doubled over on the wood floor when Candice shows up. “What did you do, Butch?” The lights behind her makes her look like an angel. The angel of death.

It hurts to talk, but I squeeze out, “Looking for a towel.”

Candice opened a cabinet or closet and tossed a towel on top of me. Next, she moved to where Emily ran off and explained who I was and where I came from.

“My plane was delayed,” I muttered, correcting the story Candice had decided was the truth. There is no way I’m missing my parents fiftieth wedding anniversary. It wasn’t my fault I had to travel from Norway. Nothing like being employed by the largest tech company on the planet. At least the way the company tells it.

I have to wait a few minutes for the water to get hot, but the shower washes away the last of the last three days of travel. Refreshed, I dress and head downstairs for breakfast.

“Candy,” I shouted. “You got mom’s famous waffle recipe? I could go for a few of those.” My stomach rumbled at the mention of food.

“Uncle Butch?”

Looking down, I saw another crumb-snatcher. “You’re Barnaby, aren’t you?”

The red head kid nodded. “Yeah. Just like you.”

“No kid,” I said. “I’m Butch.” Putting on a smile, I ruffle his hair.

“It’s past dinner time,” he said looking up at me.

“What?” I look at my cell. Dead. “Shit!”

“I’m tellin’,” Barnaby said, his voice rose in pitch. “Mom! Uncle Barnaby used a bad word.” He turned and headed for the stairs, beating me by several steps. Crap on a cracker.

Why was I worried? I’m an adult. At least my bank says I am. Them and my credit card debt.

At the top of the stairs, my foot slid. I couldn’t tell what it was, but it felt slicker than vegetable oil on ice. My foot took my leg, and both went airborne. My other leg was still cocked back in walking stance. Gravity did what gravity does and yanked.

My head, along with both shoulders hit every step on the way down. I heard cracks and snaps as I took the express route from the second floor. The carpet was soft and warm where I sprawled at the base.

“Oh, my God,” someone said. “Butch!”

“I wanna pony,” I said. Or that is what Barnaby said I said. I don’t believe him.

A glass door opened in front of me and I saw a security guard smile at me.

Two older women were in front of me, wearing matching light blue blouses.

A long table with a digital clock set to 13:07 and 04/15/2017 as a date. There was some pens and a small sign in the middle of the table. It said free checking when you set up direct deposit.

Tellers at a counter waited on two other people.

It was cold and my steps echoed as I walked.

I smiled at the two old ladies that turned to look at me.

Then a bright orange light appeared. I felt warm then unbearably hot.

When my eyes next opened, I recognized my surroundings. Dull grey walls. Machines that made beeping noises. A tall pole with a two bags dangling from hooks. Pillows that weren’t comfortable.

“At least it ain’t the morgue.”

A male voice called my name from the shadows. “Butch.”

“Vic?” I said.

“What the hell happened?” Vic stepped from the shadows and into the light around my bed. “It sounded like a herd of elephants running through the house. The banister is broken in several places. Not to mention the gouges in the wall.”

“Tripped at the top of the stairs,” I said. The lighting in the room increased. Mom stepped away from the window.

“Barnaby,” she tusked. “You had us all scared to death.” Her round face and piercing blue eyes looked at me. Anger and fear floated just behind those eyes.

“Sorry,” I said. “Still jet lagged.”

“We know,” Candice said. “We’ve talked to Barnaby about his stuff in the hallway. You broke his favorite remote controlled car.” Her head tilted and her eyes flashed. “He hasn’t stopped crying about it. Plus Emily is still calling you a pervert. Why is that?”

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “If I remember correctly, I put in a surveillance system for your house. It monitors exterior as well as interior.” My hand went to the side table, and I my fingers curled around my phone. Touching the power button, it flared to life. I felt the cord tug. “I have access to the cloud storage where footage is kept. Maybe I should have my lawyers look at it and see what kind of settlement I should ask for.”

My mother, sister, and brother-in-law looked like statues. Their collective mouths shut with a snap like a nail gun. Blotchy red marks covered their faces.

“It’s about time, boy,” another male voice said from the door.

“Dad!” I smiled at the only person who never gave me a hard time.

“How’re you feeling?” He stepped in closer. “The docs say there’s nothing wrong with you.”

“Aside from being tired and pissed off,” I cut my eyes at the three people on my left, then looked back at Dad. “I’m right as rain.”

“Good to hear,” he said and shook my hand.

“I still say you should be here overnight for observations,” another man entered the room. He had on the customary long white coat and stethoscope around his neck.

“I might take you up on that offer,” I said.

“No, please,” Candice said stepping forward. “You can stay with us. It’s just for a week.”

“Whatever,” Vic muttered. My mother was silent.

After all was said and done, I was headed to the cashier’s desk.

Dad leaned in close as we strode down the hall. His voice pretended to be a whisper as he said, “Son, you should probably have Vic and Candy pay. After all, it was on their property.”

Vic’s footfalls staggered and Candice groaned.

“Dad,” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “I like how you’re thinking, but to be honest, it was just an accident. Besides, I have medical coverage.”

In a not-so-quiet voice, Vic said, “I’m sure Battle Tech Games has excellent coverage.”

Turning to look at him, I said, “I used to work for Battle Tech. They were a great company. So great that Sherman, Inc. bought them.”

“Wait.” Vic stopped where he was. “You mean that Sherman, Inc. owns Battle Tech Games? The Sherman that manages networks for multi-billion dollar companies, on top of the Fed?”

I nodded. “They did. Then shut them down and incorporated all of their property and employees into their systems. I was one of them. Network administrator. I did a lateral move.”

“You’re lying,” Vic said and Candice nodded her head as she clutched her husband’s arm.

“Check,” I said. “Use the brain in your pocket and confirm.”

“Barnaby,” Mom said.

Vic pulled his phone out and flicked his finger over the screen.

“Since I’ve been there over four years, I’ve used some of my other benefits,” I said. “Tuition reimbursement to get a Masters in Computer Security. Stock purchases to set up my retirement. And let’s not forget about the miles on my card to pay for my ticket here from Stockholm.”

“Dammit,” Vic spat as he scrolled through whatever he was reading on his screen.

“I stopped several breaches and the next thing I know, I’m heading up their IT SecOps teams.” I pulled a business card from my pocket. “Here.” Extending my fingers, I held the card toward my sister so she could read it.

“IT Security Operations,” Candice read out loud. “Are you kidding me?”

“You got the card in your hand,” I said with a smirk. “Keep it.” Turning back to my original direction, I kept walking.

“He’s not a little boy anymore,” my mother said to dad. A compliment. Begrudgingly, but still.

“He hasn’t been a little boy since he was fifteen,” dad responded. “He knew what he was doing. Just because you all didn’t have faith in him.”

“He needed help through school,” mom said, lowering her voice a smidge.

“No,” dad said. “He didn’t. Sure he was falling asleep. But the reality is he was bored. How do you think he graduated with honors? None of the teachers could explain it.”

An older woman with a lite blue blouse appeared in my vision. I knew her. Mrs. Harrington. One of my high school teachers. She was standing next to another woman. This one I didn’t know.

“Are you OK, son?” My father and mother were touching my shoulder.

“Yeah,” I said, rubbing the side of my head. “Not fully recovered from the jet lag and ambulance ride.”

“I’ll fix you some waffles when we get home,” mom said. “They’re your favorite.”

“Yes. They. Are.”

Approaching the cashier window, I slid my insurance cards, my driver’s license, and one of my credit cards to the man behind the counter. He copied my license and insurance cards. Processed my credit card and handed me the receipt.

The date above my signature read 04/14/2017.

A digital clock flashed in my vision with a time of 13:07 and a date of 04/15/2017.

The receipt came into focus.

“Is that the correct date?” I looked at the cashier.

“It is,” he responded with a smile. “All day.”

“Thanks,” I said. “Looks like I’ve been out two days.” Touching my cellphone, I call up my email receipt for my airplane ticket.

“You slept most of yesterday,” Candice said. “You’ve been in here only ten hours.” Glancing at her watch, I saw her fingers twitch then she nodded.

“Interesting,” I said, then signed the receipt. Taking my copy, I left.

“Barnaby,” my mom said, walking up behind me. “You can ride with me and Dad. Candy and Vic have their sports car.”

“Thanks, mom,” I said and showed a smile as we walked through the parking lot. “Why do you call Candy, Candy and not Candice? You’ve always called me Barnaby instead of Butch.”

“That is your father’s name and you should be proud of it,” she said. “It’s like a tradition.”

“I see that Candy named her youngest kid Barnaby,” I said as the lights on their Lexus blinked. “I bet that kid won’t get called a purple dinosaur.”

“Is that why you kept introducing yourself as Butch?” she said stoping at the passenger side door. “I never knew.”

“The constant stuffed replica wasn’t a give away?” I opened her door as dad approached. “Everyone except you and dad got me one.”

“I never noticed,” she said as she slid into the leather seat. “I guess I should have.” Her ears turned red.

Dad drove us to Candy’s house.

During the quiet, I ran over the movie that played in my head. I had never been in that building that I remembered, but it seemed familiar. We passed by several buildings as we passed through downtown. One of them was Ridgemont Bank and Trust. “A bank,” I whispered. “Why would I be in a bank?”

“What was that dear?” My mom turned and looked at me.

“Nothing,” I said. It wasn’t nothing, but I wasn’t sure what it was.

Special Delivery – Knight Shift

“With the storm that’s raging,” Glenn said as he meandered through the cube maze. “I hope no one is outside.” Lightening strobed outside spreading light over the dim interior of the office.

“I gotta drive home in this crap,” David said as he passed Glenn.

“Be safe,” Glenn said with a wave. “Did you drive your SUV?”

“Nope,” David said. “I got the compact. Gonna be swimming by the time I get home.”

Glenn laughed twice. “It more bark than bite,” he said. “If you’re quick, you should be ahead of the deluge.”

“Thanks,” David said and moved for the elevator. “Good luck. Hopefully, no calls.”

“Yeah,” Glenn said, walking down the row labeled Knight Shift. He walked past three cubes waving to the people sitting at computers. “Ladies. Gentlemen. Get logged on and get the game fired up. Tonight we raid the tunnels under the Sky Fortress.” The three other people responded with mild shouts and furious keyboard typing. He sat at his own desk and logged into his work machine. The screen filled with his email and the side monitor with the vitals display. There were three members listed as on duty.

With a raised eyebrow, Glenn tilted his face up and called, “Hey? I have three members on duty. Anyone else have vitals displayed?”

Two of the other three people responded with no.

“I’ve got Digger,” Jessica said. “He’s been stable for the past five minutes.”

“OK,” Glen said. “We might have to delay the raid—”

“He just signed off,” Jessica said. “I’m clear until the four am check.”

“Well, crap,” Glenn said staring at his own screens. “It seems I’m not going to make the raid.”

“Too bad,” Vince said.

“So sad,” George added.

“Suckage,” Jessica chimed in at the tail end of the list.

“Right,” Glenn said. He skimmed his emails and deleted several. Three required responses, and he checked on a request for vacation.

The sounds of heavy keyboard tapping and quick shouts carried over the walls.

George let out a cry, “Medic!”

“Offline,” Glenn replied with a cheek in a hand. “Use the potions I put in the vault yesterday.” He sighed. “There goes making money on the markets.”

His eyes rolled to the vitals. Fringe showed as off line and a second later, her icon left the screen.

“One down, two to go,” Glenn said leaning back and putting his hands behind his head. “It would be cool if they were on the same mission and both clocked out at the same time.” He propped his feet up on his desk and watched the monitor.

Jessica let out a whoop and shouted, “We’re passed the first rock troll clan!”

Glenn rolled his eyes and let out a sigh, bringing his feet to the floor. “Great.” Leaning forward he put his chin in both hands and stared at the vitals monitor.

Lancet’s vitals blinked, then jerked to the top of the display. The color changed from blue to deep, pulsating red.

Glenn jerked back, banging his chair into the wall. “Dammit!”

“Cool it over there,” George said. “Just because you have clients—”

“Shut it,” Glenn said as he reached for the belt he kept hanging from his cube wall. “Lancet’s vitals are spiking. EMT First Class Wilson responding to call for Lancet.” Clicking his belt in place, he bounced his fingers over the keys and transferred the readout to his wrist panel. Snatching the helmet, he lowered the face shield.

“Good luck,” Vince called.

“Have fun storming the castle,” Glenn said and left his cube with a wave. As he approached, the large bay doors opened and the monitor over the archway flashed a message about air traffic and the current weather.

Stepping onto the landing, Glenn checked this wrist panel. “That’s about fifteen miles. Full power should get me there in about two minutes.” A flash of lightning lit up the sky and surrounding area as if it were midday. His red and white uniform glowed from the reflective fabric it was made of. “OK,” he said and activated the power he was born with. “Make that five minutes.”

Shrinking to the size of a dime, he touched the belt at his waist and small rockets propelled him into the rain-filled sky. Once he oriented, he leaned forward and blasted off in that direction.

Using his wrist panel, Glenn navigated toward the indicator on his map. “At least she only a few blocks from the ER.” Using his fingers, he zoomed in on the surrounding area. Lancet was in an alley behind Blaster’s Bombastic Bazookas. “What was she doing at a gun shop?” Breaking his eyes away from the map, he darted around an antenna and descended to rooftop level. “Just about there.” Completing a banking turn, he zoomed down the alley. “There,” he said as his indicator on the map got closer to Lancet’s

“Stupid bitch thinks she can just bust in on other people’s business,” a large shadow said. “I took her out barehanded.”

“You did Oxhide,” another form said.

Glenn approached and landed close to the wall. “Crap,” he said in a whisper. “The bad guys are still here.” He touched the side of his helmet and activated the light enhancing screen. The bigger form stood close to seven feet in height and almost that wide. He didn’t have on a shirt, but his torso and arms were covered in thick black hair. The shorter man was well under six feet in height. Spaghetti thin arms dangled form the wet baggy shirt. Heavy jeans covered his legs and feet.

“Take that mask off her,” Oxhide said to the shorter man. “Let’s see who she really is.” He pulled a cellphone from a pocket and positioned it close to the prone form of Lancet. A flash blinked from his phone. “Go on, String. Yank dat bitch off.” The smaller of the two reached forward with both hands and spindly fingers.

“Can’t let that happen,” Glenn said. Blasting from the wall, he zoomed at the reaching form. A quick tap on his belt made a snap-hiss sound and a translucent gray field appeared around the small figure. As his speed picked up, Glenn tucked his legs up and wrapped his arms around his knees. Pulling his chin down, he sealed his eyes shut.

Oxhide glanced up and saw a small gray sphere speeding toward String. “Whassat?”

The force of the collision on String’s jaw spun the thin man around and flattened him on the cold, puddle laden ground. A wave from the splash washed over Oxhide’s legs, adding more water to his already sodden jeans.

Glenn splayed his legs and arms. He reoriented and focused on Oxhide’s head.

Looking at his down companion, Oxhide called out, “String?” He leaned forward and shook the shoulder of String. There was no reaction from the thin man.

Glenn touched another button on his helmet. “I’m an EMT,” Glenn said. The amplifier bounced his voice off the alley walls. “I’m here to pick up Lancet and get her to an ER.”

“Who said that?” Oxhide said, his head darting around to different spots. “Show yourself.” His his big hand curled into fists. “You ain’t takin’ her no where. I earned this trophy.” He jabbed a thick finger at the prone form of Lancet.

“People aren’t trophies,” Glenn said as he hovered across the alley floor to the far wall.

“Shut up,” Oxhide shouted. “I get five grand when I bring her mask in.”

“Just ask her for it,” Glenn floated closer to Lancet. Glancing at his wrist panel showed blood loss and her heart rate was dropping.

“It don’t work that way,” Oxhide said. “It’d be like asking me to come quietly. Not happening.”

“Fine,” Glenn said as he landed next to the large man. Activating his natural born power, Glenn grew to his normal five foot six inches. His gray forcefield adjusted to encompass the change in mass.

With wide eyes and flailing arms, Oxhide shouted, “Shit!” as he floundered backward.

“I’m gonna take my patient,” Glenn said stepping forward. “And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“Careful, little man,” Oxhide said as he regained his footing and composure. “I pack a punch.” In a smooth motion Oxhide’s tree trunk arm swung in a large arc. A pointy tooth grin smeared on the big man’s lips as the bowling ball sized fist careened at Glenn’s head.

Flexing both knees, Glenn lowered his entire body as one unit. He brought both fists up to cover his face as the hairy arm passed over his helmeted head. Extending his knees, Glenn resumed his full height and kept going. “Little is in the eye of the beholder.” Reaching forward with a dump-truck sized hand, he pushed Oxhide into the far wall.

Oxhide’s head and one shoulder poked over the webbing between Glenn’s finger and thumb. “How…what…?” His arms and body were pinned against the slick brick wall. His feet dangled a foot off the pavement. He shifted his head and saw a finger pushing into a hole the size of serving tray in the red brick wall and quieted. His entire body slumped as it was held suspended above the ground.

“Dispatch,” Glenn said, sticking a finger onto his helmet. “Have PD waiting for me at the nearby ER. I have two captives detained.”

“Understood EMT,” the electro-female voice said over the earbud.

Glenn pried Oxhide from the wall and closed his fingers around the hairy man. Scooping String in the other hand, he shifted both villains into the same hand. Pinching Lancet’s uniform, he pulled the woman from the ground and rolled her into his palm. She moaned and her eyes blinked as he looked down at her. “You’re safe now.” A wan smile appeared on her shadow covered face.

The next night, Glenn walked into his cube. The other Knight Shift team was there, and they were setting up their machines. Going through his normal routine, he sat at his computer. The white envelope sitting on his keyboard made an eyebrow raise. “This can’t be good.” He ripped the seal and pulled out the paper. Reading the form, he saw it was a reward check for the capture of Oxhide, which lead to the arrest of an entire ring of villains taking out low level heroes to steal their masks and release their identity.

Next he checked his email. It was full of the standard items, except for one. There was one that came from an anonymous email server. Clicking on the email, Glenn read it:

EMT Wilson,

Thank you for rescuing me. I was leery about the Special Delivery service, but you have assured me of not only the value, but the safety you offer. It is a great comfort knowing people like you are out there watching our backs. Thank you again.

Lancet

PS: My real name is Emily. If you respond to this email, I’ll get it. Please include your phone number.

Happy Holidays and Stuff

Here we are at the end of the year. This means that (at least where I live) we have a lot of holidays. These are listed in order of when they happen. Let’s start with October.

Halloween:

Not a holiday (religious or other). It is a festive time and there are decorations for it. There’s movie and tv shows dedicated for that time as well. For the majority of the people, this is usually the start of cool weather. And over saturation of sugar and excess.

Veterans’s Day:

Is a government sanctioned holiday. Typically many institutions are closed. Many, not all. So what this means is you have to do something, but it will be closed. Honestly, this is a day to say thanks to those that gave all. You know, so you could have a day off and drink beer while you watch television. I’m a veteran, so don’t send hate mail.

Thanksgiving:

Another government sanctioned holiday. Unlike Veteran’s day, the majority of places will be closed. The exception is grocery stores and retailers. Yeah, retailers. It used to be they would open an hour early on the following Friday. Then it became midnight. As of 2017, several opened at noon on Thanksgiving day. Yeah. If you worked retail, you were screwed. This is typically the “official” beginning of the holiday shopping season (shopping season, let that sink in. Hunting season?)

Festivus:

This is just crazy. Personally, I approve.

Click here for more information.

Hanukkah:

Religious based holiday. The way I see this one, it is a celebration of family and faith. The gift exchange is low (or so I’m told). I’m sure somewhere someone goes overboard. However, the practice isn’t as wide spread as others. Keep at it.

Christmas Eve:

Not a holiday, but don’t tell anyone that. Most employers will nicely let their employees go home early. The internet will be slammed, so don’t try to get a last minute deal. Driving to a nearby store. Forget it. Traffic is deadly and chances are the store is empty, if not closed.

Christmas Day:

The word that is the base for this is Christ. Think about that while you’re ripping up the paper on all of those presents that put you in $5,000 credit card debt. Seriously. Yes, I know this is a religious holiday. So I ask, what religion? Dr. Seuss had it right. Go Grinch.

The Day After Christmas:

Not a holiday. But let’s be honest about it. You’re tired or hungover. The best sells happen this day. Pawnshops get a lot of stock this day. That and eBay. Think I’m lying? Look at that closest or junk drawer. You have one.

New Year’s Eve:

Not a holiday, but it works like Christmas Eve. Plus, you have to find out where to go and celebrate. If you are waiting until now, you’re too late. Be prepared for late night explosions, and Prince’s 1999 blasted at full volume.

New Year’s Day:

International Hangover Day. You stayed up way to late and drank way too much. Clean up crews dominate the streets and large vehicles block your ability to drive anywhere.

Ground Hog Day:

The unofficial end of the string of holidays for the fall / winter seasons. No one recognizes this as a holiday except the news stations and Pennsylvania. Do your research, this is urban legend that most of us just humorously accept. This is just silly. The movie was good.

Delta

Delta’s fist connected with the lantern-jawed thug. The force of the blow spun the tough around and made his knees fold, laying him flat on the dirt covered cement floor. She turned her head in different directions, ensuring no one else was in the room. The lower portion of a bruise poked out from beneath her mask and spread dark purple over her cheek.

Reaching to the spot on her face, she said, “Crap!” She winced from the effort. “I have enough trouble outside of uniform looking like Tammy Birch. This isn’t going to help.”

A noise pulled her attention across the open room. “Allen.” She stepped toward the sound and picked up her pace. Tiny dust clouds puffed behind her as she ran through the door on the far wall.

Cresting the door, she slowed as she stepped into the narrow hall. There were no lights and no windows. “Dark is an understatement,” Delta said and touched the corner of her mask as she moved the length of the hall. Recessed doors and crappy graffiti played with the light enhancement of the lenses in her mask. Pausing, she tilted her head forward.

Another sound came from up ahead and to the right. “That should do it,” she said and dashed toward the door.

Flowing with her steps, Delta kicked the door open and darted forward. Nothing happened.

With a loud thunking sound, two bright light sprang to life in front of her. “Shit.” Throwing her hands over her eyes, she tapped her mask and deactivated the light enhancement lenses. Blue, red, and white dots swam in her vision as she held her fist, ready for anything.

“It seems, the lady of difference,” a deep voice said. “Is prone to making mistakes.”

“Dammit, Slag,” Delta shouted back. “Just let the kid go. This is between you and me.”

“I agree,” Slag’s voice oozed across the room from another direction, making Delta jerk both her fists and her head in the direction. “It is between you and me. However, young Mr. Birch here, owes me money. Money for his habit.”

Delta’s hands lowered, but she brought them up with a snap. “What?” Her eyes made out the shadows, and she focused on the shorter one.

“Ahhh,” Slag’s voice sounded closer. “So it is true,” he said. “You do know Allen then. Another chink in your armor.”

Delta let out a low curse. “I’m gonna put an end to your business.” Her jaws flexed as her masked face aimed at the large man wearing a long dark coat. “You will do hard time in the Hynge.”

“That is a possibility,” Slag said, raising a finger. “In fact, I simply surrender.” Reaching over he turned a dial on a control panel, dimming the lights to a less painful glare. “Take me in.” He held his hands out in front of him. “Your choices are simple. Take me in and hope I don’t let it slip that your brother is addicted to Urge and that I know who you are. Or kill me and ensure that your secret is safe and sound. A man in my situation can make that decision, Tammy.”

Behind her mask, Delta rolled her eyes to the struggling figure on the chair. She saw the ropes holding him in place. Sweat and dirt-covered his face. An eye was swollen shut. “Allen,” she whispered.

“You’re taking incredibly too long to make a decision, young Tammy,” Slag said with a raised eyebrow and a heavy sigh. “It’s —”

Her power built up and propelled her forward, clearing the fifteen feet in the blink of an eye. A hand cocked back drove forward with a single finger extended. The feral howl escaped her small mouth as the finger buried deep into the eye socket of the tall man. Flinging her hand back, she tossed the item behind her. “I have another choice,” her whisper growled into Slag’s ear.

With gritted teeth, Slag stifled his howl of pain. A gloved hand clutched at the side of his head and covered his now empty eye socket. Both of his knees lowered him to the dirty floor, where he supported himself with his free hand.

“I can leave you a warning that I will do what it takes to protect my family from the likes of you,” she said and turned toward the seated form of Allen. “As for you,” she said, breaking the ropes constraining his shoulders. “You will work hard to overcome this addiction.” Taking the younger man by the arms, she pulled him to his feet. “Mom and Dad would be disappointed.”

Allen staggered and turned to face his sister. “Shut up,” he spat. “You and your sanctimonious ways. I’ve had enough of your—”

Delta’s glove covered hand slapped the stubble spattered face of Allen, making it take a violent turn and stopping the words he was saying. “My way, or the highway. Remember, I control the money, house, and cars.”

Allen looked at his sister with widening eyes. Slowly, he shook his head. “No. No, you can’t. I need a place to live. Money. Mom and Dad wouldn’t want—”

“Mom and Dad wouldn’t want a lot of things,” she said as a smirk danced on her lips. “I may be a hero on the side. But, I’m the worst villain in your life.”

Pulchritudinous

The Silver Shield braced against the streetlight and held tight to the silver shield he was well known for. “Dynamo, come in,” he shouted, knowing the communication device in his helmet would pick up the words. “We’re being overwhelmed.”

“Ugh,” Dynamo’s voice said. “I can’t help. Holding this bridge up while rescue workers get the wounded and dead. Who’s left on the reserve roster?”

“Pulchrit…Pulchritude,” Kris said over the communication channel. She cradled her arm as she staggered across the street away from Silver Shield. “I can’t say his name.”

“Call him,” Dynamo said.

“Are you kidding me,” Silver Shield said as the large blue fist slammed into his defenses. The force pushed her back, bending the light post. “He’s never been in a real street brawl before.”

“He’s stopped these bank robbers without a single injury,” Kris said. “All he needs is an opportunity.”

Silver Shield rolled to the side and deflected the follow-up blow from the blue brute trashing downtown. “Not now,” he said. “This behemoth has killed five dozen people with collateral damage alone. “Star Flyer is down and she was our powerhouse. Pulchrit-a-whatever doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Neither do you, it seems,” Pulchritudinous said landing next to the Silver Shield.

Using both hands he shoved the other man to the side and stared at the twelve-foot blue giant. Spreading his smile, he flashed his dazzling white teeth. The monster raised both fists above his head and let out a roar.

“There’s no reason to be angry anymore,” Pulchritudinous said as his golden colored locks ruffled in the non-existent breeze. “Please be calm and we can talk about whatever you would like.” A sparkle flared from a tooth making those nearby blink. “No harm will come to you once you calm down.”

The blue giant twitched as his hands came crashing down. Both garbage truck-sized fists stopped inches away from the blue-eyed man in front him. Letting out a growl, he pulled his hands back and raised foot over the beautiful man.

“I can assure you,” Pulchritudinous said and cocked an eyebrow, “that harming me is impossible as would be harming you. Please, consider just talking.” Once again he replaced his smile and the battle tossed street seemed less war zone and more sidewalk bistro.

“How is he doing this?” Silver Shield scrambled to his feet and ran out of the brute’s path. “He hasn’t even done anything.”

“He’s doing something for me,” Kris said as she stopped and smiled at the backside of Pulchritudinous.

“Whatever it is,” Dynamo said. “The workers here are moving faster and civilians are helping. Hell, I feel like I could hold this twenty-ton bridge all day.”

“I do feel refreshed,” Silver Shield said as he pushed a truck out of the way and escorted a few wounded-walkers to safety. “But what is he doing to stop the Blue Beast?”

“Please, stop what you are doing,” Pulchritudinous said as Blue Beast placed his foot on the ground. “I’ll gladly listen to you. Together, we can come to an agreement.”

The Blue Beast grunted and his knees buckled. His large rump slammed into the remains of the street, making a local earthquake. “Pretty,” he said and reached for Pulchritudinous. “No hurt, pretty.”

“Thank you,” Pulchritudinous said, again with a smile a politician would kill to have. “We are all grateful that you have decided to take a safer course of action.” He walked forward and reached a hand out, touching a tree trunk of a finger. “Please be at peace.”

A short moan came from the large creature. His eyes softened and the scowl on his mouth flattened.

“That’s it, big guy,” Pulchritudinous said. “Take a seat and relax.”

The Blue Beast plopped his large backside onto the asphalt. Cracks spider webbed from the impact. Both of his eyes fluttered and his head nodded. The bull-sized shoulders slumped and his entire body went horizontal onto the destroyed road.

Letting out a heavy breath, Silver Shield said, “Finally.”

“Shut it,” Kris said.

“Go on, big guy,” Pulchritudinous said, stepping closer. “You’ve earned the rest.”

Heavy snores escaped the Blue Beast’s throat.

“He’s asleep,” Kris said. “It’s about time.”

“I don’t get it,” Silver Shield said. “How did he do that?”

“It’s easy,” Pulchritudinous said. He turned and smiled at Silver Shield. “No one wants to mess up the pretty.”