The Elevator

Marisol Martin poked the elevator button several times.

“Come on,” she muttered. “It’s taking too long.” Her phoned vibrated in her hand and she cut her eyes toward it.

Façade is moving into the vault. Get here.

“Move faster,” Marisol growled through her clenched teeth.

The elevator dinged and a second later, the doors parted.

Stepping toward the opening, she paused when she saw William Polachek leaning against the wall.

“Oh,” she said and color flashed on her cheeks. “Are you going down?”

“Yup,” William said. “Parking level three.” He pointed to the button panel that had P3 lit.

“So am I,” Marisol said and stepped into the elevator. She slid her backpack to the floor to wait at her feet.

The doors closed behind her and the elevator continued its descent.

“The villain Façade is robbing the Gutersberg bank,” the announcer said from the small video screen above the button panel.

“Great,” William said. “That was where I was headed.” He flipped his phone toward him and pressed a button.

“With the confusion, Façade is causing,” the news reporter said. “The authorities, and those of us here, are wondering where our city’s heroes are? There is no sign of Atramentous or Zone. Perhaps they are tied up with another emergency.”

“Figures,” Marisol said. “That Zone guy is a showboat. Hogs all the camera time and does very little work.”

“Are you kidding,” William said. “He’s the one that stopped that dump truck from smashing through City hall. It would have destroyed the building and killed most of the occupants. Plus Atramentous.”

Marisol’s jaw clenched tighter, and she stifled a growl.

A small bang sounded followed by a larger one. The lights flashed in the elevator and it jerked to a halt. Marisol and William stumbled.

“What the hell was that?” William asked.

“Don’t know,” Marisol answered. She glanced at the button panel. “We’re stuck between floor eighteen and seventeen.”

William dashed for the doors. Poking his fingers into the gap, he pulled. The doors opened a hands width. Above him, Marisol saw a light and a floor at his hair height.

“That gap is not big enough to go through,” she said.

“I was looking here,” William said and swung a knee into the widening gap. Pressing his shoulder into the opening, he pushed. “We should be able to get through there.”

“The elevator has experienced a technical issue,” an electronic voice said. “Please remain where you are until help arrives.”

“Fat chance,” William said with a grunt. “Can you get through and find something to hold the doors open?”

“I saw the bulletin at the beginning of last week,” Marisol said. “They cleared the floor. There isn’t anything on it.”

“Just check,” William said. “Someone always leaves something.”

A groaning sound came from above them.

“What the—”

The doors slammed together and sent William to the elevator floor. Marisol staggered back and gripped the support rail.

“We’re falling!” she shouted.

William struggled to get to his feet and gripped the same rail.

As fast as it started, the elevator stopped. William and Marisol slammed on the dark carpeted floor. The lights went out.

“Great!” William said. “Now where are we?”

Pressing a button on her cellphone, Marisol used the light to look around. “Dammit. The display isn’t working.”

Reaching forward William pressed the emergency call button.

“Security desk,” a voice said.

“We’re trapped in the elevator,” William said.

“A repair crew is on their way,” the voice said again. “Hold tight. Is anyone hurt?”

“No,” Marisol said. “Just banged around.”

“That’s good news,” the guard’s voice said. “It should take twenty minutes to get the tech in. If you need something, press the button again. I have to get some systems online.” The speaker clicked and the small room went quiet.

“Are you getting signal?” Marisol asked.

William’s face lit up from his cellphone. “No.”

“Well,” she said. “It looks like Façade gets away with robbing a bank.”

“Yeah,” William said and cut his eyes toward Marisol. “Unless Zone gets there.”

“I was thinking Atramentous,” Marisol said. “She’s better equipped than that showboat.”

“Showboat?” William glared at Marisol. “He’s damn good and knows it. Got a key to the city to prove it.”

“So does Atramentous,” Marisol said with a smirk.

Their eyes connected then darted to the backpacks on the floor.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

Rogue Telekinetic – Parking Lot Speeder

Jack Davis exited the bulk warehouse retailer. He moved his shopping cart through the parking lot and stopped behind his car. “Glad to have gotten here early,” he said popping his trunk lid. “Pulling through is nothing like backing in.” The large plate of cookies and two cases of bottled water fit into his trunk. Next, he pushed the cart to the stall with the rack. The cart locked with the one in front.

Getting into his vehicle, he started it and checked traffic. A woman with her child passed in front of him and a man pushing a cart was across the driving area. Jack shifted his car to drive and looked one more time. A crossover SUV pulled into the lane and sped down the driving area. Keeping his foot on the brake, Jack made eye contact with the driver.

The woman with child pushed the toddler between two other vehicles and turned to glare at the speeding vehicle. The man with the cart jumped out of the way of the speeding vehicle.

“That is a world-class jerk,” Jack said, as he released the brake pedal. His car inched forward and the speeding vehicle’s driver honked the horn, glowered, but never slowed. Jack applied the brake and shook his head. “Yup, a world-class jerk.” He reversed his path and parked his car. Getting out, he saw where the dark vehicle slowed and turned.

Jack hustled toward the dark car and slowed when he was two cars away. He took a large breath and pictured a wide metal strap wrapped around the vehicle. The strap covered the driver’s side and the passenger side.

The driver of the vehicle shifted his car into park and turned the engine off. Reaching for the lever he pulled the lever and pushed the door. It didn’t budge. Pushing again, it didn’t budge. Reaching across the passenger side, he pulled the lever and pushed on the door. Like the driver’s side, it didn’t budge. He pressed the lock buttons several times and repeated the opening process.

Jack maintained a steady flow of breathing. He put an additional band wrapping the vehicle from the back to the front and under the car.

The driver worked his way over the back seats and pressed the door release for the tailgate. It didn’t even unlatch. Switching to put his feet on the rear door, he pushed again. Still, the door didn’t open.

Jack watched as the shadowy form of the driver moved to the back seats. He saw as the man held a cellphone in his hand and tapped on the screen. “Can’t have that.” With a flick of a finger, the cellphone was knocked from the driver’s hand. The man scrambled for the device. When he pulled it up, it was in three pieces.

The driver threw the pieces of his cellphone on to the floorboard of the vehicle. Using the side of his fist, he pounded on the windows. Several people walking by looked at him, but kept going. He switched to his back and kicked the windows. Still, the doors and windows held.

After twenty minutes, perspiration flowed down Jack’s forehead and cheeks. He held his visions a few seconds longer, then let it go. His last effort, he pulled a door open, removing it from the hinges.

Staggering from his vehicle, the driver said, “What the hell was that?”

A man walking by pushing a long column of carts asked, “Are you ok, mister?”

“I am now,” the driver said. “My car was holding me captive.”

“It looks like you’re free now,” he said and kept pushing his cart line. “Be glad.”

“How’m I gonna explain this?”

“The same way you explain speeding in a parking lot full of people,” Jack said and disappeared behind several cars.

Wrong Uniform

“Whoa,” Supreme said, holding out his hands. “Stagg, it’s me.”

“Supreme?” Stagg asked, lowering his glowing fist. “What the hell are you wearing?”

“It’s a backup suit,” Supreme said as he stepped closer. “The color is off, I know. But the design is close.”

“No it isn’t,” Stagg said shaking his head. “You don’t have stripes. And the color is not just off, it’s wrong. Is that a utility belt? Way to low on your hips. Is that purple?”

“Lavender,” Supreme said. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m here to help with bringing in Adder.”

“Sure,” Stagg said with a smirk. “If you say so, snuggie.”

“Yeah,” Supreme said. He pulled on the backside of a leg. “It rides up when I walk or run.”

“I wasn’t referring to back there.” Stagg turned away and took a step toward the armored door.

“Right,” Supreme shifted his hips and glanced around for others looking at him.

“Don’t you have other suits?” Stagg asked over his shoulder. “I have three of these bad boys. I know they’re expensive, but that is ridiculous. You look like some kiddie show reject.”

“I have five,” Supreme answered. “They are all in the cleaners.”

“All five of them?” Stagg lunged forward and punched an Adder agent in the face. “You might want to come up with a better line.”

“It’s no line,” Supreme said. “I just got busy this week.”

“Week?” Stagg asked as she moved into the next room. “How busy could you have been? You haven’t been at the meetings, you don’t patrol. I mean, seriously.”

“Hey,” an Adder agent called out. “Who the hell is that?” He pointed a dark blue gloved hand past Stagg to Supreme.

“It’s Supreme,” Stagg said. “Or so he says. He hasn’t done anything yet, so the jury’s still out.”

“Really?” the agent lowered his weapon and pulled a cell phone out of a pouch. “I gotta get this.”

“Dude!” Supreme shouted.

“Hey, make that public,” Stagg said. “I want a copy.”

“I could text you,” the agent said. He snapped a picture and looked at his phone.

“I’m dressed as Stagg because I am Stagg,” Stagg said. “I’m not giving you my cell.”

“Hey,” the agent said with a shrug. “I work for a villain org.”

Stagg nodded.

“Are we gonna fight, or what?” Supreme said and stepped closer to the Adder agent.

“I don’t know, Princess,” the agent said. “Are we gonna fight?”

“Really?” Supreme said.

The agent pointed his weapon at Supreme and blasted five orange bursts at the lavender-clad man. The blasts bounced off Supreme’s chest and abdomen. Supreme stepped closer and crunched the gun in a fist. He punched the agent in the head, knocking him out.

“Nice shot,” Stagg said. “But you might want to fix that.” He pointed to Supreme’s backside.

“Dammit,” Supreme said and pulled on a leg again.

Obscura floated into the room. Her toes hovered inches above the floor.

“We’re just about finished mopping up,” she said and paused in mid air. “Who’s the new guy?” She pointed to Supreme.

“Oh, brother,” Supreme put a palm on his face.

“He says he’s Supreme,” Stagg said. “I’m not completely sure.”

“New uniform?” Obscura asked with a smile. “It looks snug.” She rolled a circle in the air as she pointed at Supreme.

“Tell me about it,” Stagg said. “That’s just wrong.”

“Stop,” Supreme said. “Have we taken these guys down, yet?”

“I’ll just get out and come after all of you,” a man said as he stumbled through a door. His hands were held behind him. “This is cruel and unusual…” He looked at Supreme then stopped talking. His eyes glanced over at Stagg and Obscura. Regaining his balance, he stood straight. “Who’s that?” He nodded toward Supreme.

“Supreme,” Obscura said. “We think.”

“That’s bold,” the man said. His costume looked similar to the other Adder agents but had epaulets and other items. “Is there something you want to tell us?”

“What?” Supreme asked with a high voice. “No. It’s just temporary while my other uniforms get cleaned.”

“If you say so,” the man said. “The cleaners. Like we all believe that one.” The group laughed. “Come on, man. I’ve got a dozen of these things. You should have at least a few.”

“Dammit,” Supreme shouted.

Blackmail

Sara walked to her cube and plopped into the seat. She sighed as she tapped the keyboard and entered her keyboard.

“What is that?” she asked, staring at the pink sticky note on her desk lamp. Snatching it, she brought it closer.

I know who you are.

I saw what you did.

Call me to arrange payment.

Her breath hitched as she crumpled the note. Jerking to her feet, she scanned the low walls of the cube farm. Everyone she saw was supposed to be here. “Who wrote this?” Sara growled low in her throat. “Dammit.”

Smoothing the paper on her desk, she pulled her cell phone from her purse. After poking in the number, she held it to her ear. It rang three times before someone answered.

“Good,” the man’s voice said. “You got my note.” A hint of danger carried over the small speaker.

Sitting down, Sara lowered her voice. “What do you want?”

“Meet me at twelve-thirty,” the voice said. “The pub on Fourth. You can’t miss it. And come alone.” The line disconnected.

“Great,” Sara said. “It has to be one of my former partners. Or someone they know.” Activating her address book, she scrolled through the names. “He’s in prison. She’s off-world. The Assemblage has him, her, and both of those.” Her finger pushed further into her contacts list. “That leaves her. But that was a man’s voice.” Sitting back, she sighed. “Could be her boyfriend or husband. No. Wrong team.” With a sigh, she put her phone on her desk. “I’ll just have to take my emergency equipment. Good thing I still have it in the car. That heist last night was perfect.”

Sara struggled to focus on work. Her eyes checked the clock on the wall, her computer, and her cell phone. She watched the minutes change on each one. Notifications popped up on her computer, reminding her of deadlines and meetings. At twelve-ten, she locked her computer and stood from her desk.

In the parking garage, she opened the trunk of her car. She pulled a small device from the large bag. Next, a metallic belt went around her waist. A few tugs and a her jacket covered it.

“Portable blaster,” she said holding onto the small device. “Belt for the forcefield. Now, let’s go meet this dead man.”

Sara shifted to the front of the car and slid into the driver’s seat.

It took her ten minutes to find a parking spot in a side alley around the corner from the pub. Keeping her growl low, she walked to the door of the restaurant and went inside.

The bubbly girl at the podium asked how many in her party.

“I’m waiting for someone,” Sara said. “He should be here any minute.”

“Oh, he’s here,” the male voice said over Sara’s shoulder. “We’ll take that both over there.” His hand pointed to a spot away from a window and not far from the kitchen.

That’s a good spot, Sara thought. No one will even notice.

The young woman walked them to the booth. Sara slid into a bench seat and put her hand on the tabletop. She kept the device under her palm, but her thumb on the trigger.

“Are you ready to pay up?” the man said as he slid into the seat opposite Sara. He had dark hair parted to the side and neatly trimmed beard and mustache. His eyes sparkled behind round glasses and his smile was bright.

“What is it you want?” Sara said through clenched teeth. “Who are you?” She pressed the trigger and a high-pitched whine came from the device in her hand. A dot glowed dark blue on one end.

“It’s me,” the man said. “Gregory Thomas. We went to high school together. Had English third period our sophomore year.”

“What?” Sara leaned back, her eyes narrowed.

“I work at Rubico, Inc. with you,” Gregory said. “I started at the first of the month and have been in training. Yesterday, I saw you get into the elevator and recognized you. I asked around and they pointed me toward your desk. I left that note.”

“About that,” Sara said and brought the device in her hand toward his chin. “You won’t get anything from me. Except for pain.”

“What?” Gregory said eyeing the device. He forced a swallow. “It was meant to be a joke. I saw you cheat on a test in English. You had a crib sheet.” His smile faltered as he looked her in the eyes.

“Uhhh….” Sara looked around the pub.

“You’re acting like some super villain,” Gregory said, then licked his lips. “You sound like that crazy one, Malygn.”

One corner of Sara’s mouth twisted toward the ceiling, followed by an eyebrow. “I am Malygn.”