by Pozel, Derek
A brilliant white beam of energy raced along the face of the building, shearing the face off completely from the blast of energy. The white beam left a cloud of smoke and ashes, which started to drift down to the street. Two more bodies dropped to the pavement at the point where the beam had originated.
Minutes passed before Patriot regained his senses. He rolled onto his hands and tried to rise from his knees. He surveyed the area for any sign of Coldfire.
“I should be dead,” Patriot said in between his ragged breaths. “Where did the light come from?”
He caught a glimpse of Coldfire and crawled to him. The villain lay on the sidewalk, unconscious or dead next to a boy.
Patriot dropped to his knees and pressed a finger on the boys neck to check for a pulse. It was quick and unsteady. “At least you’re alive,” Patriot said.
His hazel eyes hidden behind his goggles began to swell with tears. “What have I done?” He said when he saw the injured and dying around him. There was death, tears and memories to haunt him forever. He created this hell.
Chapter Two
The autumn breeze curled its way through the branches of the weeping willow trees. It caused them to sway and swagger like drunken men. The sun was nothing more than an enormous orange orb which fought for dominance against the gray dreary clouds. Garrett plodded along the narrow cobblestone path. The breeze tousled his short black hair. His dark blue eyes scanned every name on the headstones he passed. He searched for the one that mattered most to him. He recognized an angel off to his left and knew he had found her.
It had been over 13 years since he first came to this bastion of the eternally sleeping. The waking nightmare of her funeral haunts him to this day. In a single moment on the streets of Chicago, his heart had grown cold as her body.
His shoulders slumped; his eyes glued to the ground, watching his feet grow heavier with every step. Through the fog of memories, he remembered the nervous smile they shared. The first and only time they held hands, their only kiss.
Garrett stopped dead in his tracks when the statue of a sullen angel greeted him with her hands clasped together in prayer. He swore he saw the angel’s eyes move, to watch him, to judge him for his actions past and present.
Garrett stepped forward and sunk to his knees onto the grass before the statue. Unsteady fingers lurched forward to touch the cool granite. A bitter chill swept through his body when his eyes saw Emma’s day of departure.
Garrett swept his eyes to the sky. “Hello,” his voice shivered. The wind found new strength when he spoke and pushed back against him. He rubbed his stubbly face. His eyes fell back to the ground in defeat.
“I should have stopped by sooner,” he said. “I’m ashamed because I know you wouldn’t approve of what I’m planning to do. I never should have let your hand. I’m sorry, I told you to wait for me. I never should have let you go. I did and it killed you.”
“Things have changed since,” he paused to find the right words, “since the last time I saw you. My eyes opened that day and I saw my heroes were no better than the villains they fought. The only constant is my friendship with Ethan, losing you brought us closer. We’ve stuck together through the years. We have been through a lot. Some good, some bad.”
Garrett raised his eyes to Emma’s name on the headstone. “The day of our eighth grade field trip, my dreams came true. Then I found out I’m an Afflicted and I lost you. Maybe, I could’ve saved you, if I knew earlier. Patriot took you away from me. I can’t forgive him for what he did to you. He’s going to pay for it.”
Garrett curled his fingers into a tight fist and bit his lip. He rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat. “The Afflicted fight and people die. I wish I saw them for what they were, you were right. You knew they were dangerous. But now, maybe I have the chance to change things. Because now I know, I am one of them,” his words hung in the air.
He raised his hands to the headstone. “I have still have the scars hands from that day. It’s my reminder for leaving you behind.”
“These same hands,” Garrett examined the patchwork of thin scars, “are what I’m going to use to make him know he is not above the law. First, he has to know what it’s like to lose the people he cares about. I know you wouldn’t approve.”
Garrett ran a hand through his wavy hair. “I pretended to move on with my life. But, I spent those summers with my Uncle Jim to get away from my memories of you. Or, that’s what I told my parents. The truth is, he trained me how to fight. I told him what I was and he accepted me for who I am, like Ethan. I went to college, even got a job as a substitute teacher, because I had no idea where I wanted my life to take me. I know this is where and what I’m supposed to do. It’s strange, but I can feel this is my purpose, this is why I have powers.”
“I better get going,” he said. “Tonight’s the perfect night to paint a target on my back. I’m ready for this.” Garrett touched the granite headstone.
“Maybe tonight, I’ll be joining you,” he said when he rose from his knees. His blue eyes locked on Emma’s name on the headstone.
“Goodbye,” was all he could muster when he turned to leave. The wind picked up when he rounded a row of plagues and headstones. Leaves danced in the air around him while he walked with his hands in his pockets.
Chapter Three
The stars fought for control of the darkness when the lights from the city cornered them in their part of the sky. Tendrils of moonlight danced across the black waves of Lake Michigan, eventually they found their way ashore. The serene night was lost on the swarms of young adults, who began to crowd the streets and sidewalks of Wrigley-ville. It would be another night of drinking and laughter. The world would continue to spin its course around them.
Garrett stood as still as a gargoyle, forced to keep watch of the streets below. He peered over the edge to a normal life, two steps forward and 30 feet down.
“Man, it’s a long way down from here,” Garrett said into the phone. “Are you sure these phones are secure?”
“Yes,” Ethan said on the other line. “I talked to some security expert we had on a couple of months ago. They’re throwaways, pull the battery and toss it afterwards. You’re still going to go through with this if he shows up?”
“That’s the plan,” Garrett tugged at the navy blue ski mask, which covered his entire head. “A little FYI, the mask is itchy as hell and it’s hard to breathe in this thing. The gloves are good though. My mom put together quite the costume for this.”
“I’m sure she’d be proud if she knew what you’re doing with the Halloween costume,” Ethan said.
Garrett peeked over the edge again when he heard the sounds of a group of women. “A lot of good looking women here tonight, well I think they are. It’s really hard to see them from up here in the dark.”
“How about you change your mind about all this?” Ethan said. “I can meet you down there. We can go out for a drink. He might not even show up.”
“He will, for someone who moves through shadows,” Garrett puffed out his cheeks, “he’s pretty predictable. If he doesn’t tonight there’s always tomorrow. I’m not going to stop looking for them.”
“I understand,” Ethan said. “I get what you’re doing for my little sister. Be careful, all right. We’re not even sure if this will work.”
“It will,” Garrett glanced around the roof.
“ Are you nervous?” Ethan asked.
“What do you think?” Garrett answered. “I’m waiting on a rooftop to attack a superhero in the dark. I would have to go with a big yes. I need to do this though. I need to find out what I can really do.”
“Don’t get yourself killed out there,” Ethan said. “I really don’t want to have to explain this to your parents. How am I supposed to tell them you got yourself killed trying to attack a superhero?”
“You might be joining me when my mom gets through with you,” Garrett said. “All right, I got to get going. I need to focus and get ready for this, if it happens.�
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“Ok,” Ethan said. “It’s not too late—.”
“Bye,” Garrett pressed the end button on the phone and slid it into his jean pocket. He took a deep breath of the night air and began to pace around the rooftop. He used the pent up nervous energy the best he could. He adjusted the navy blue mask, tied and retied his black boots, and fastened the forearm strap on his navy blue gloves to find the right fit.
“I need a beer,” Garrett let his attention wander to the crescent moon. He remembered the time Emma told him it was God’s fingernail when they were children. The memory lingered in his mind when he gazed at the moon even to this day. Those memories were rarer nowadays. Those simple happy times lay anchored further in the past.
“I’m in over my head,” he said to himself.
Garrett’s heart thumped in his chest, a part of him hoped Shadow Guard would follow the same patrol he had for the past two months. The other part told him to make a run for the fire escape. His feet did not budge from their spot.
Garrett felt a tickle run up his spine. He opened his eyes wide and realized what he prepared for was about to begin. He broke into a cold sweat when the sensation grew more intense, it was the same sensation he felt the day Emma died. His eyes darted around to find the trigger. Whoever it was, they were close. Garrett did not notice the figure emerge from the dark surface behind him.
“You should not be up here,” a deep voice broke the silence of the rooftop, startling Garrett. “Leave the way you came and don’t come back here again.”
Garrett eyes fluttered in rapid succession. His breath caught in his lungs, panic swept throughout his body. Whatever confidence remained was swept away with a single breath.
“Not going to happen,” Garrett heard his voice waver with every word. He spun on his heels to see if it really was the Afflicted he waited for. He shuffled back a step he saw a shadow in the form of a man before him. He swore to himself and bit his lip.
Shadow Guard stood with his arms folded across his chest. He appeared to be wrapped in shadows from head to toe. The shadows moved and slithered along his body and dripped off him like thick oil, vanishing when they met the roof. The only things even remotely human about Shadow Guard were his hands. Jagged, dark gray metal gauntlets hugged his hands and his forearms up to his elbows. They gave this living figure of darkness a touch of being bound to the physical world.
“Well, you are definitely more terrifying in person,” Garrett said. “Especially with the dark green glowing eye thing you have going on there.”
“What are you doing up here?” Shadow Guard asked in a low guttural voice.
“Can’t a man wearing a mask enjoy the night on a rooftop?” Garrett slid a foot forward. “I bet you do sometimes.”
“No, I do not,” Shadow Guard said.
“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on hurting them,” Garrett pointed back to the streets below. “They’ll be just fine. They have you here, don’t they?”
“It is my sworn duty to protect them,” Shadow Guard said. “I will give you one more chance to state your reason for being here.”
“You heroes always think you know what’s best.” Garrett slid his right foot forward.
“Leave now, or I will remove you by force,” Shadow Guard said.
Garrett placed his hands on his hips. “By force you mean with your powers.”
A growl filled the air around them.
Garrett lowered his eyes to the rooftop and told himself it was only a trick. He focused on Emma’s little hand with the purple nail polish in his mind. Rage flowed forth and steadied his nerves. This was not the time for weakness or emotions, he would let his body guide him.
“Just so you know it’s nothing personal.” Garrett charged Shadow Guard head on.
Garrett swung his right fist at the glowing green eye, an easy target to hit on a man made from night. Shadow Guard anticipated the rush and used his power and melted into the darkness below his feet. The force of Garrett’s punch struck nothing but the air and nearly sent him to the ground.
“Dammit!” Garrett said under his breath when he regained his footing.
His mind shuffled through the information on Shadow Guard, his eyes kept vigil for an attack. “Ok, teleportation, shadow weapons and other stuff. Focus,” he said in a whisper the wind could not even hear.
“I know you’re still here,” Garrett said to the darkness around him. “You’re going to hide from me? That’s not what Patriot would do? He’d charge right in.” His eyes moved to every dark surface he could see.
“There’s way too many hiding places for someone like you,” Garrett said.
Garrett ran to the edge of the roof near the fire escape, and peered over the edge into the alley. Dim halos of light pierced the night when it invaded the alley. Garrett was relieved he decided to fight on the roof and not down there. He turned away from the alley only to catch a glimpse of a gauntlet before it smashed into his face. Garrett’s head reeled back from the punch, his feet slipped, and he began to fall backwards over the edge of the rooftop.
Shadow Guard grabbed Garrett’s shoulders before he could plummet into the darkness below. When he touched Garrett, the shadows we wore like armor vanished in a puff of black smoke. His spandex clad human form exposed for all to see.
Garrett flew forward through the air and landed face first with a groan.
“What are you doing to me?” Shadow Guard patted down his body while he reformed his armor.
Garrett lifted himself off the rooftop. “Problems?” he said while he rubbed his jaw. Shadow Guard jumped forward and gave him a swift punch to the side of his head, his armor faded once again.
Garrett’s head jerked to the side and he responded with a double-fisted punch to Shadow Guard’s chest. Shadow Guard jumped back, wincing in pain.
“What are you?” Shadow Guard said while darkness once again began to wrap around his body.
Garrett winced when he rubbed the side of his face. “I’m one of you and that was a cheap shot.”
“Enough stalling,” Garrett rushed forward with a fist pulled back. He saw the same metal gauntlet about to bludgeon his face and he threw his arm up to block the blow in time. Shadow Guard dipped around Garrett and sprinted across the roof.
“You don’t look too scary without all your shadows,” Garrett followed his prey. He sent a brutal punch at Shadow Guard’s face and connected right between the eyes. He followed with a uppercut to Shadow Guard’s stomach and caught him completely off guard. Garrett continued his onslaught with a flurry of punches to the his head and body, each harder and faster than the one before. Some were blocked, most connected.
Garrett threw a hard punch into one of his metal gauntlets and a loud clang echoed throughout the rooftop. “Son of…” he clutched his right hand.
Shadow Guard gulped in the night air from the small break from the relentless attacks. He brought his hands down near his hips. The darkness, which hugged his body, began to swirl around him like water going down the drain.
Garrett watched Shadow Guard and the darkness dancing around him. Shadow Guard pointed his outstretched arms at him and nothing seemed to happen. Garrett didn’t notice the darkness rise off the roof to form tentacles until they surged forward to ensnare him.
Garrett’s threw his arms up, crossed at his wrists to protect himself. Seconds passed before Garrett peeked behind his raised forearms. The long tentacles broke and vanished when they tried to grasp Garrett.
Garrett’s lips opened to reveal a toothy grin under his mask. “Looks like it didn’t work too well for you.” Garrett sprinted forward into the tentacles, they disappeared with each step.
Garrett did his best to ignore the pain in his right hand. He leaped forward when he neared Shadow Guard. His throbbing right fist led the way. He connected with the side of Shadow Guard’s head and followed with a cross punch. He nailed Shadow Guard square on the chin, causing Shadow Guards head to jerk upwards. Garrett finished with an elbow to Shadow Guard�
�s face and sent the hero face down to the rooftop.
“Good fight,” Garrett crouched down next to his fallen opponent.
Garrett closed his eyes when he placed his gloved hand on Shadow Guard’s back. He wasn’t sure how to take the power of another Afflicted, the last two times were accidents. Then he felt something stir within the superhero. It fought back against his touch. Whatever fueled Shadow Guard’s power was not ready to leave the hero.
“Looks like you need little more,” Garrett said.
“It’s not over yet,” Shadow Guard eyes snapped open and he pushed himself up into a spin. His elbow smacked Garrett in the eye, and sent him tumbling off his feet onto his back.
Shadow Guard took advantage of his attack and scuttled across the roof on his hands and knees. He stopped near the edge of the rooftop where it was darkest.
Shadow Guard slammed his fists into the rooftop. “Why won’t you work? Why are you denying me?”
Garrett lay on his back and watched the stars before his eyes. “This was not a good idea,” he coughed out his words. He rolled onto his side and pushed himself up.
Shadow Guard rose to his feet and brought his right arm straight down. Shadows dripped and slithered down off his arm and hung in the air before they touched the ground. The shadow shifted and flattened to form a blade, an extension of his right arm.
“Who are you?” Shadow Guard said.
“I’m a guy who doesn’t like the Afflicted,” Garrett locked on the shadow sword. “It’s time someone taught the Assembly they are not indestructible.”
“You choose to stand against us?” Shadow Guard said.
“Something like that,” Garrett said.
Shadow Guard charged Garrett with his shadow blade raised over his head. Garrett dropped into a defensive stance. He was not sure if he should test his immunity further or move out of the way of the attack.
Garrett narrowly sidestepped the blade when Shadow Guard attempted to cleave him in two. When the blade whistled past Garrett, Shadow Guard formed another blade with his left hand. Garrett never saw the left blade. All he felt was the metal fist when it made contact with his chest.
