Page 120 of Flash Fire (The Extraordinaries 2)

“Wait,” Seth said, and when he turned back around, he held his head high, his shoulders squared. People gasped around them when fire began to leak from his hands, cascading down to the ground. The crowd took a step back as he rose in the air, hovering above them. Nick stared up at him in wonder, heart so full he thought it’d burst. His throat constricted when Seth looked down at him, smiling that one smile only meant for Nick. “I love you. And I’ve got your back.”

Nick’s eyes widened. “No, no, you don’t have to—”

Seth raised his voice, causing everyone else to fall silent as they looked up at him. He said, “I don’t want to hide anymore. I don’t know how I can do what I can do, but this—this thing in me is powerful, and you deserve to know who it is that can do the things I can. I’m done hiding behind a mask. I’m done staying in the shadows because I have fire and it can help chase the darkness away. You know me as Pyro Storm, but it’s just a name, and not even my real one.” He raised his hands to either side of his helmet. He didn’t hesitate as he pulled it off, his curls springing free. He let the helmet drop to the ground as cameras flashed and people gasped, the sound rolling over them like the wind. This was the picture that would be on the top of the front page and would spread across the world: Seth floating above the crowd, fire burning around him, faces turned up toward him in wonder. It would successfully divert the attention from Nick, though for how long was anyone’s guess. The headline read what was said next, and nothing would ever be the same. “My name is Seth Gray. I’m a student at Centennial High. And I’m the Extraordinary called Pyro Storm.”

BREAKING NEWS

Transcript from interview between Rebecca Firestone and Simon Burke

Rebecca Firestone

It’s been two weeks since the attack on Centennial High School. While the investigation is still ongoing, many questions remain. Why was the school attacked? Who was the intended target? What did Seth Gray, the Extraordinary known as Pyro Storm, have to do with what happened?

And what of Simon Burke? Simon Burke—whose son, Owen Burke, was revealed late last year to be Shadow Star and has since escaped from custody—remains a central figure in this mystery. Rumors of underground labs and pills that could turn anyone into an Extraordinary ran rampant after anonymous allegations spread following the Battle at McManus Bridge. Burke denied these allegations, and investigatorsfound nothing of consequence when they searched Burke Tower. However, it must be noted the Extraordinaries now known as Smoke and Ice stood with Burke when he launched the Save Our Children initiative. Smoke and Ice, twins, who worked for Simon Burke. Why then, did they attack the school?

I sat down with Simon Burke for a wide-ranging interview in his office at Burke Tower. No topic was off-limits. From the whereabouts of his son to the revelation that a student at Centennial High is the Extraordinary known as Pyro Storm, Burke was gracious and informative.

Rebecca Firestone

Thank you for agreeing to the interview.

Simon Burke

Of course, Rebecca. I’m happy to speak to you. In my line of work, transparency is paramount.

RF

I appreciate that. Let’s start with a big one. Where is Owen? Your son escaped from custody, killing one and injuring six.

SB

First, let me say that my wife and I send our sincerest condolences to the family of Jacob Lee. It is a tragedy, what has occurred, and the guilt Patricia and I feel over this is overwhelming. We are working with authorities to assist as best we can, but unfortunately, I have no idea where my son is. He has not attempted to contact me, nor have there been any sightings of him.

RF

Mr. Lee is the third person Owen allegedly killed. As a reminder to our viewers, last fall,Action Newslost two of its members in a helicopter crash caused by Shadow Star, the name Owen adopted when he became an Extraordinary.

SB

Yes, and it’s terrible. As we did with your fallen colleagues, Burke Pharmaceuticals will be taking care of the families of the victims. Anything they need, all they must do is ask. We have already set up scholarship funds for Mr. Lee’s children.

RF

That’s kind of you.

SB

I don’t see it that way. It’s not a kindness. It’s a necessity. Owen is my son and therefore my responsibility. He is also a murderer—a dangerous one at that. I only hope that no one else will suffer because of his actions.

RF

You don’t know where he is?

SB

No.

RF