Page 108 of The Not So Super Hero

Bailey didn’t know how to bring it up or where to begin.What did Zane have to face to prepare for Antoine?He mulled this over until something clicked.

“Have you ever considered finding Marceline?”he asked.

Zane froze, jaw slack and eyes dim.That might have been a sign that Bailey asked the right question.Or a very wrong one, if someone asked Zane.

“Why would I do that?”Zane asked, his voice barely carried over the sound of the TV.

“Because you know Antoine will use her against you, and I’m sure you’ve realized by now that he probably lied to you as a child.”

Zane snorted.“Doubtful.”

“I’m sure he did.Marceline, you need to find and talk to her.”

“What good would that do?”Zane grew defensive, arms crossed and tone low.Though he spoke to Bailey about his past, that didn’t change mean he had grown comfortable.

“The more you run away from it all, the more Antoine will use it against you.I know if you spoke with her, it’ll help, not only with Rebirth but also with your feelings too.”

Zane scowled.His brows creased, a mixture of frustration and discomfort set upon his features.Bailey hated to make him give such a look, but it had to be said.He was certain that if Zane spoke with her, it would help, and he was even more certain that she wanted to speak with Zane, too.

Antoine was a manipulative bastard.The likelihood of him lying to Zane during his youth about Marceline was high.No, it was 100% because it was all he ever did with Zane.So, if Zane faced Marceline, then he faced the past.At least part of it.He had to start somewhere and if that was the place to do it, then so be it.

Bailey could only hope Zane took the advice.

CHAPTER 32

“YousuggestedZanegetin contact with Marceline?”Chris asked, mildly slack-jawed and equally smirking.

Zane left earlier in a foul mood, leaving Chris and Bailey alone.This has been happening since Bailey proposed his plan.Zane left any chance he got, returned to check on Bailey, then disappeared.Bed rest would last a couple more days, then Bailey would leave.On crutches, but that was far better than the hospital.The aroma of cleaning supplies had grown unappealing real fast, plus the food was horrendous.Chris occasionally spared them by bringing food.

“That’s impressive,” Chris snickered from Bailey’s bedside.

“You could help, right?You’re a detective, and she worked for Antoine.Do you have anything about her on file?”he countered.

“We do, actually.”

Bailey’s heart pumped faster than raging rapids.“Really?”

Chris nodded, crossing his arms.He scratched at his scalp while avoiding all eye contact.“We know where she lives, could easily get in touch with her if Zane wanted.”

Bailey’s jaw dropped.If Chris had known, why hadn’t he said anything?Why didn’t he mention anything to Zane?Wouldn’t it have been a good idea?Marceline was someone dear to Zane.Still was.Talking to someone from his past, someone he needed to speak to, it would have helped in so many ways.

Before he asked, Chris sighed.His brow furrowed, squirming a moment prior to explaining, “I always thought about bringing it up, but Zane, when I brought him home, he—Bailey, it was bad.He was bad.I always worried if I even suggested it, that he would finally snap and I couldn’t risk it.”

“No, I understand.He didn’t like me bringing it up now, so I’m sure just a few months ago he would have sooner ripped his own hair out than even considered it.”Bailey sent Chris a reassuring smile.As irresistible as always.

“I’ll try to talk him into it,” Chris said, patting Bailey’s uninjured leg.“He won’t be able to stand against Antoine if he doesn’t.”

Bailey agreed.Although it hurt being incapable of more, he was happy that Chris was around.If speaking with Marceline helped Zane move on, then it needed to be done.Chris left shortly afterwards to find Zane.They worked on a limited schedule, so their best bet was to get Zane to cave.

He wasn’t far.Zane never wandered far from Bailey, even in the middle of a sort-of fight.Chris rolled his eyes, then sat beside Zane on the chairs lining the hospital halls.A silence fell over them.The natural hustle and bustle of the hospital grew dim.Zane sat, arms crossed and head low.His hair grazed his cheeks, keeping his eyes from view.

“Bailey’s right, you know,” Chris said, breaking the silence.“Speaking with Marceline, it’s the right thing to do.”

Zane tasted blood after biting his cheek.His nails pressed crescent shapes into his arms.

“I know the idea of it scares you.We have no idea what she’ll say,” Chris added.

“Or if she’ll even talk to me,” He interrupted, barely more than a hiss between his clenched teeth.“For all we know, Antoine could have been telling the truth.She may want nothing to do with me.”