Page 4 of The Not So Super Hero

“Maybe you have a mutation, the mutation of bad luck!” Amery teased, reaching across the table to poke at Bailey’s nose that was scrunched up in annoyance. He swatted her hand away.

“That still would have shown up on the tests. I am mutation free, but my luck sure as hell should count as one, anyway.” He crossed his arms, pouted, and leaned back into his chair.

Amery fell silent, stifling her giggles by eating her sandwich.

When lunch finally ended, she announced she would catch up with Bailey later.

He waved her off, remaining in the food court until about ten minutes prior to his shift.

Entering the cafe, he was happy that it wasn’t busy.

He wasn’t really in the mood for chaos. Martin and Darcie were already in the back, getting ready for their own shift.

Bailey joined them, eagerly talking with his co-workers about class, homework, the usual.

It was all perfectly normal. Bailey made snacks and coffee for the customers.

Martin flirted with any hot chicks that came in while Darcie got most of their numbers before him.

Martin bagged her to share. She wouldn’t because she, too, was evil.

In short, Bailey enjoyed his work. That meant the universe had to step in, or more specifically, Zane did.

The custodian entered the cafe showing the same expression of annoyance as ever.

Bailey didn’t have regular working hours, so he wasn’t surprised that Zane showed up when he was working.

However, Bailey had no idea why Zane looked so annoyed.

Even if he really, like, really, seriously didn’t want to, Bailey put on his best smile, that made Zane groan, and asked, “Hello, what can I get for you today?”

Zane glanced over his shoulder, then sighed and walked up to the counter to order.

It felt strange being close when most of the time Zane was at the end of the hall or across the road.

Seeing the towering man, who had to be at least 6’4, standing near Bailey’s, not short but sure as hell felt short now, 5’11 self was intimidating.

Zane didn’t look intimidating prior to this encounter.

However, those blue eyes, even with dark bags beneath them, were piercing.

Clear as a blue sky, a mirror reflecting whatever someone else thought.

Long silver hair framed an angular face and danced over his shoulders to cut mysterious shadows on his face.

The pierced lip that Zane continued to nip at, the stud in his nose, the piercings that ran up both his ears, they all somehow added to his Don’t Come Near Me effect sent a slight shiver down Bailey’s spine.

Zane was no longer on duty. He wasn’t in the uniform Bailey normally saw him in.

Instead, he wore jeans and a loose fitting black tee.

Simple, yet oddly fitting on his wide shoulders.

“French vanilla cappuccino,” Zane spoke, his tone coming across as it had before, monotone. It was incredibly low, almost low enough that Bailey couldn’t hear it. Zane quickly pulled out his wallet, got his money and tacked on, “And a blueberry muffin.”

Bailey took the money and rang up Zane’s order, then handed him his change.

Zane’s eyes lingered on Bailey’s hands. Bailey ripped them back to rest beneath the counter.

He rubbed his hands, feeling the burn scars that weren’t so obvious from a distance.

Rather than asking or even seeming to care, Zane feigned never having seen them.

Bailey was grateful he was ‘kind’ enough to do that.

While making Zane’s order, the TV released a shrill siren that had all attention turning to watch.

Breaking News flashed across the screen, changing the channel to the chaos of the news.

Sounds of screaming and destruction echoed throughout the café.

Pillars of smoke and flames danced across the screen.

A chopper caught the scene from above, relieving crushed cars on the street below.

Civilians sprinted through the streets, desperate to escape a cloud of green gas spreading from the central plaza.

The gas dissolved anything caught in its path, reducing it to a smoking paste.

Reporter Ashley Kempt narrated the horrors on the screen.

“What you see here is happening in Marshall City. I repeat, the villain known as Corrosion is attacking Marshall City. If you see any sign of green smoke, please, do not go near it. Get as far away as possible. We are asking all those in the Marshall City area to evacuate immediately.”

Everyone in the café watched. Even some who passed by strolled in to witness the news unfold.

“I repeat, evacuate Marshall City. Please follow proper evacuation procedures to not cause any more panic. Those in the surrounding cities such as Ringgold and Shore are asked to keep their eyes open and be prepared in case the chaos spreads.”

Whispers erupted throughout the café, some a bit scared, while others waved the reporter’s words off, claiming that heroes would be on their way. Everything would be fine.

Bailey jolted when someone cleared their throat loudly. Zane’s annoyed blue stare caught him. “My order,” he said, holding out his hand.

“Oh, right, my bad.” Bailey glanced back at the TV, more than interested and very concerned. Marshall City was near Ringgold and it was possible that they would put an evacuation into effect.

Shaking his head, Bailey quickly handed Zane his drink and grabbed him a muffin.

Before Bailey could wish him a good day or tell him to be safe, Zane left.

Bailey wasn’t all that surprised that Zane seemed uninterested, but whatever.

It wasn’t his problem if the dumb ass got into some trouble because he chose not to heed the warnings.

On the TV, they had already contained the smog of destruction to an area thanks to the on-site heroes.

Though there was no one on the task force strong enough to take on Corrosion, who was known for being a Level 8 mutant.

Their job was to prevent as much mayhem as they could until the big guns arrived, and they did a few minutes later.

And they did only a few minutes later.

“Scorch and Frostbite are on the scene,” Ashley Kempt spoke, sounding as relieved as most everyone felt. Seeing the two star heroes in their suits ready and raring to go made the entire cafe release a heavy sigh of relief.

Scorch was the first to jump out of the military vehicle that had come onto the scene in her deep red fire retardant suit.

Her long, flowing brown hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, keeping it from her dark brown eyes hidden behind a matching red mask.

Following behind Scorch was her twin brother, Frostbite, in his own dark blue suit.

He brushed back his curly dark hair, proceeding to hop up and down like he was warming himself up for the fight to come.

Chants and cheering filtered through the TV from the citizens being evacuated.

Neither Scorch nor Frostbite paid the cameras any mind.

They went straight to work, disappearing into the green mist that would kill even some lower level mutants.

“Both are healed up from their last battle against Gorgo just a few weeks ago in Brownsville, Virginia. The Mutant Officers on the scene have been able to keep the smog within the central plaza and most of the people of Marshall City have been evacuated safely. As we can see, Scorch and Frostbite have made their way in. Let’s wish them, and all the brave officers, the best of luck, and pray that this ends with as many lives saved as possible. ”

“Amazing, aren’t they?” Darcie’s voice chimed in, appearing behind Bailey with a bagel to munch on.

He leaned against the counter, facing Darcie.

“They don’t have to be heroes or risk their lives just because they happened to be born with the power to do so, but they do it anyway, though they know the risks.

Not just them, but all the heroes. I know I wouldn’t have the guts to do half the shit they do. They’re amazing, don’t you think?”

Bailey nodded, facing the TV to watch the smog practically evaporate.

Sparks of fire flashed within the cloud, preceded by a tower of ice erupting into the sky.

Though the battle was tough to decipher, everyone knew that Scorch and Frostbite were fighting for not only their lives, but everyone’s in the city.

For that reason, they were called superheroes.

“Yeah, they’re amazing,” Bailey whispered.