Page 40 of The Not So Super Hero

“You’re already aware that I adopted Zane,” Chris said.

“It was six years ago, though I knew him for some time before that,” Chris explained.

“Our story is a long one that I cannot tell you on my own. Zane has the right to his privacy, and he may choose whether or not to reveal the truth to you, but the least I can do is explain my side, if that’s alright with you? ”

Bailey nodded. Of course it was all right, he was dying to know! Though he wished to know every aspect of the story, Chris was right. Bailey didn’t want to invade Zane’s privacy, especially when the guy was in fucking surgery.

“Do you think Zane would ever tell me his side of the story?” Bailey mumbled.

Chris smiled. “Oh, I think Zane is inevitably going to share a lot with you.”

Bailey’s face reddened, causing Chris to laugh.

“Zane cares for you much more than you think. Don’t let his cold demeanor fool you.

He’s actually a huge softy,” Chris said.

Bailey couldn’t respond to that, not verbally, at least. Instead, he smiled bashfully, rubbing at the back of his neck while trying not to appear proud to hear it. It didn’t work.

“Do you know what else happened six years ago?” Chris asked, watching Bailey for the realization that set in the moment Chris spoke.

“Rebirth, they were brought down.”

“Mhm, can you recall anything else?”

A lot happened in six years. He swam through his memories for anything to pinpoint, though got nowhere.

“I’ll give you a hint,” Chris said, not at all surprised that Bailey couldn’t figure it out. “Raiffel.”

That name certainly sparked Bailey’s memory. He snapped his fingers, immediately remembering something that he wouldn’t have guessed had happened six years ago. It was talked about on TV but quickly covered up after the news of Rebirth came out not long afterwards.

“Raiffel Academy,” Bailey said. “It was that huge school for mutants to study, only the best of the best got in there. It was closed down, wasn’t it?”

Chris nodded.

“What does that have to do with anything? It closed because the owner was embezzling money or something, wasn’t it?” Bailey asked.

“That’s what people were told,” Chris explained.

His voice dropped to an even softer whisper, making it difficult to hear, though Bailey hung off every word.

“In actuality, the owner, Law Raiffel, was one of the founders of Rebirth. There were many children at the academy, most who were taken there against their will. Imagine the chaos that would have erupted from the public when they discovered an entire academy of mutant students was being taught by some of the most feared people on the planet. What do you think would have happened to those kids?”

Nothing good. There was already prejudice against mutants, even more so during the days of Rebirth. Bailey imagined most would lead sad lives, lives that they didn’t deserve but the public forced upon them.

“You lied for them.” Bailey wondered if that was what the other office spoke of, but that wouldn’t make sense. Everyone lied, didn’t they? It had to be a decision made by the government not just one person.

“We did, yes,” Chris responded, his eyes darkening at the memory. “Many of us investigated the academy long before it fell.”

“Because of Law? It was just a school though, wasn’t it?” Bailey felt it wasn’t, so he had to ask hoping to get some clarification. Slowly, things were making a bit more sense. The picture wasn’t perfectly clear, but it was getting there.

Chris hummed, hesitating to answer. He examined the room to check if anyone was listening, then replied, “It was a school, but there was more to it than that. Sadly, some kids weren’t students. They were test subjects.”

Zane’s hatred towards hospitals made sense. Bailey wanted to believe Zane was nothing more than a student, but he knew that wasn’t true. There was far more darkness in Zane’s past than he could ever imagine. It sent a shiver down his spine.

“That is a part of the story I cannot tell you.” Chris gave Bailey an apologetic smile that had the boy nodding in understanding.

“Anyway, it was determined that the best route to take for the children was to keep as much of it under the radar as we could. They sent those with homes back. We found the family members that we could. Some even became heroes.”

“And Zane?” Bailey interrupted.

Chris frowned, looking to the Emergency Room. His eyes remained locked there while he spoke. “He was an annoying little shit even back then.”

Bailey couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t surprised to hear it.

“Once I left the pizza I had gotten for lunch out. The brat put so much hot sauce under the cheese that when I took a single bite, it felt like my mouth was on fire!” Chris exclaimed, laughing at the memory. “I wanted to beat his ass for that, but...”

For some reason, Chris’ joyous expression turned bitter.

“But what?” Bailey whispered.

Chris finally looked away from the doors to focus on Bailey. The expression on the man's face was peculiar, not quite happy, but not sad either. There wasn’t a word for it, no matter how much Bailey tried to think of one.

“But it was the first time I ever heard his laugh or ever saw him act like a kid, even after I had been around him for months. Then when I discovered he had nowhere to go, not even distant relatives, I,” Chris shrugged, crossing his arms. “I wasn’t sure if I was the father type, if I would do him any good, if I could help, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to let anything bad happen to him. ”

Bailey’s smile stretched from ear to ear. A warmth built in his chest. He couldn’t help but feel incredibly thankful towards Chris, maybe even the world, for giving Zane such a great father. He was lucky to have Chris, who clearly loved him very much.

“So, what did you lie about?” Bailey inquired, causing Chris’ eyes to go wide like he forgot about it.

“You even heard that part?” Chris gave Bailey a taunting smirk. “Eavesdropping is bad, y’know.”

Bailey smiled sheepishly, hoping Chris would explain. In a way, he did, but in a way he only made it worse.

“Let’s just say Zane is a unique case. His desire to be mediocre actually has a reason other than his laziness.”

Bailey was beginning to understand that. The more time he spent with Zane, the more he realized Chris was right. Zane was certainly special. Seemed Zane really hated that, wanted normalcy, but couldn’t obtain it.

Before Bailey could inquire more, the doors to the ER opened. Chris and Bailey lurched to their feet. The doctor made their way towards them carrying a clipboard. Bailey’s throat went dry, so Chris was the one to ask, “How is he?”

“Your son is going to be fine, Mr. Walker,” the doctor said proudly with a smile that eased a relieved breath from Bailey.

“I’m sure you know he needs to train his body more to handle the pressure his mutation puts on him.

I’d say he would do better next time, but if he keeps it up without proper training, I can’t guarantee his safety. ”

“Of course, I understand. I will speak to him about it.” Chris nodded vigorously.

“There was some internal damage, but with his healing I’ll be surprised if he’s bed ridden more than a couple days.”

Bailey wanted to ask how someone with internal bleeding could be on their feet so quickly, though it seemed Zane really surpassed expectations.

He was happy to hear it, though, feeling the tension release in his aching shoulders.

Chris wrapped an arm around Bailey’s shoulders, giving him a soft squeeze.

“Thank you so much. I actually think the most painful part of this ordeal will be when Zane wakes up,” Chris said.

Bailey snickered. Regardless of the bad mood Zane would likely be in, Bailey couldn’t wait to see him.