Page 111 of The Not So Super Hero

“But—”

“Don’t but me,” Marceline ordered, which shut Zane up real quick.He could envision her rubbing her temple and wondered what sort of face she would make if she were there with him.“Darkness lives in all of us.People are not born with a destiny to be good or evil.There is only right and wrong and the choices we, as individuals, make for ourselves.In the end, the only thing that defines you are the choices that you make.You decide who you are, Zane.Simple as that.”

Marceline’s words struck a chord in his chest that he couldn’t quite explain.It felt as if his whole life he had been a puppet tied on the end of the string, but suddenly the puppeteer was gone.He could move entirely of free will, and with free will came the hard decisions.Where did someone start when they had never started something before?

He wasn’t sure, but perhaps knowing he could begin anew was a start?And maybe not knowing what to do afterwards was better than knowing it all.

CHAPTER 33

Zanehadbeengonea while.Bailey didn’t want to ruin the moment.He sat twiddling his thumbs, attempting to watch TV, although not a single word stuck.Then the door opened.He whipped his head to the side so fast he almost gave himself whiplash.

“It’s fascinating you’re still alive,” Zane said, chuckling.

Bailey offered a playful glare that Zane smiled at.It was obvious Zane had talked to Marceline, and it was obvious things went well.Though Zane’s eyes had a reddish tint and his cheeks were a little damp, the smile remained.The way he held himself made him a little taller—not that the bastard needed it.The air around him felt warmer, like the cold exterior he had worked so hard to maintain had suddenly slipped away.

“I know,” Bailey joked, shrugging his shoulders.“I may have bad luck, but none of it has killed me yet.”

“And somehow that makes you lucky.”

“Did you talk to Marceline?”he asked, hoping for a little elaboration.

Zane nodded.He sat on the edge of Bailey’s bed.Bailey took his hand, interlocking their fingers.

“I did,” he replies.

Knowing that they talked relieved him because Zane was more than prepared to head off with the twins, to fight Antoine.

“How is she?”he asked.

“Good.She’s married, has two kids.They’re living in Arizona.She wants me to visit sometime.”

“When this is all over, you should go.”

“You mean we?”Zane asked, glancing at Bailey with an almost hopeful expression that made his cheeks light up like a Christmas tree.

“I...well, I mean...if you want me to.”

“You’d probably die without me.”

“I would not.I’ve lived most of my life without you.Don’t use my bad luck to avoid saying you’d miss me.”

Zane didn’t deny nor confirm that statement, which made him smile.However, every joyful moment felt short lived, for it only reminded them both that they would be separated soon.Although it was not by force, it still hurt.There were questions, countless ones that bombarded them, but remained similar in nature.

How could Bailey be safe if he was already attacked once before?How long would it take to find Antoine?Could he even be beaten?When would they see each other again?How much more of their lives had to be put on pause because of this?Would Zane be ok?Would Bailey be ok?Would any of them be ok?

All were questions only the future could answer.It left an almost stale taste in the air.

Their remaining time together should have been sweet, like in the movies.The two should have spent their nights cuddling, whispering sweet nothings and acting like their troubles didn’t exist.Except real life was nothing like the fairy tales.Both laid awake at night wondering about their futures.Neither spoke much about what was to come because they were trying to avoid the inevitable.

The day came when Zane could join Nate and Natalia while Bailey was healed up enough to leave the hospital.That day was the quietest one of all.It felt almost like the past, the way the two didn’t speak, and Zane avoided Bailey like the plague.He took no offense to it.

Chris came to their room around noon, appearing as uncomfortable as Bailey felt.Still, he smiled and said, “There’s an escort waiting for you in the lobby, Zane.You can head down when you’re ready.Bailey’s escort will be here shortly and, as promised, I will stick to him like glue.”

If there was anything that could help quell everyone’s fear of Bailey being attacked again, it was Chris remaining at his side.He had battled Rebirth before.

“I’ll wait outside,” Chris said, gesturing behind him before disappearing out the door to allow Zane and Bailey some privacy.

First, there was tense silence, one that had the taste of rotten eggs.The cold air coated Bailey’s skin like a film.Then Zane took hesitant steps towards Bailey, clenching his hands at his side.Neither had a clue what to do or say, so Bailey did the best that he could.