Page 114 of The Not So Super Hero

Days grew longer.Tension higher.A lack of normalcy.The world had been flipped on its head.Time seemed to have reversed to the days when Rebirth did as they pleased.Chaos spread.Riots broke out in cities.The Mutant Reform Society became the talk of the notion as many tracked down mutants.Many were beaten, or worse.Their once radical ideas of “cleansing” the world of mutants didn’t seem so radical anymore.Public opinion changed.People were frightened.

Bailey avoided the garbage across social media at all costs.Streaming was his safest bet, but those among the safety house whispered or he overheard talk of recent events.He spent most days rewatching shows or attempting to learn some self defense from Chris.Difficult with his leg, but he got an idea of how to throw a decent punch.

“Have you heard from Zane?”Bailey inquired when Chris brought out the breakfast—more like brunch—he prepared for them.

“Sorry, I haven’t.Last I heard Leona was spotted nearby, and they were monitoring her, but that’s it.”

Bailey hummed, a disappointed glint to his eyes.

“I know it’s tough right now, but we’ll get through this,” said Chris.

Bailey wished he had such optimism again.He wasn’t sure when it left, but suddenly he missed the cheer that had once always burned within.A piece of him had been ripped away, like an unfinished puzzle that itched to be complete.

“What do you think will happen afterwards?”Bailey asked.

“What do you mean?”

“If Rebirth is taken down for good, what will happen?”

“Hopefully, everything will go back to normal,” Chris answered.“Nate and Natalia will be heroes.I’ll return to work.You’ll go back to school and Zane will be a custodian.”

“You think he’ll go back to working as a custodian?”

“You’ll probably have to kick him back into shape.Why?What do you think will happen?”

Bailey wasn’t sure.Going back to normal didn’t feel possible.Didn’t Zane even admit to that being a ridiculous thought?The truth of his mutation had been revealed.What were the chances the government would leave him alone?Especially when he was helping already.It would only prove how helpful he would be to have around.Perhaps Chris was only saying that to be nice, hoping it would relieve him, but it didn’t.

Bailey’s “normal” life felt so far away that it didn’t feel tangible.When he thought back on it, normalcy seemed so out of reach.How could everything return to normal when so much had happened?

Zane thought along those same lines, but they were put on hold after the absolutely horrendous piece of garbage Natalia was showing him.

“No,” he said.

“You have to,” she argued, having far too much fun based on that devilish grin.

“I’m not wearing that.”Zane pointed at the suit laying on his hotel bed.While he approved of the colors, black from head to head, he would never wear tights.

“You need to protect your identity.Do you want to return to your normal life?”Nate asked, a humored cadence to his voice.

While the suit wasn’t anything grand, like Natalia and Nate’s, the outfit was still too much.The last thing Zane ever wanted was a damned super suit.Why were they always tight?That made no sense.What if it ripped?What if he got a wedgie?Tights gave the ultimate wedgies.He was not picking his ass in the middle of battle.Let him wear jeans or sweats, for fuck's sake!

“I rather die,” Zane growled, glaring at the garment like that would vanish it to the dark dimension.

“Put it on.If you don’t, then you’ll never go on a normal date with your precious Bailey,” Natalia said, wincing when Zane whacked her in the back of the head.

The twins left to give Zane some privacy and waited for at least fifteen minutes outside his door until the man finally stepped out.The moment he did, Nate fell to his knees, overcome by tears of joyous laughter.Natalia had her phone ready.She took a picture immediately.

“I will break that phone if you do not delete that,” Zane said.

Nate wheezed, on the verge of death, and Zane hoped he died.The asshole.

“But Bailey needs to see this,” Natalia giggled.“Oh, whatever, we’ll probably end up all across social media so the whole world will see you in all your tight glory.”

“They better not.”

“They will.”

“They better fucking not.”