by Pozel, Derek
“I’m not done with him yet,” Garrett said to the power within him when it raged to feed.
Patriot pushed himself off the street, but Garrett sent a knee into his face to drop him once again.
“How does it feel to be human with just a touch,” Garrett stood over Patriot, baring his teeth. “You better get used to it.” A vicious smirk formed across Garrett’s face when he watched him struggle to rise off the street.
“Enough of this,” Patriot roared with newfound strength. Patriot flipped upward with his powers of flight and hammer kicked Garrett right in his shocked face. Garrett’s entire body jerked upward, his feet left the ground behind. A roundhouse kick crashed into Garrett’s sternum before he realized what happened, the navy blue sky dominated his vision.
Garrett clutched his chest and cursed the useless vest. His lungs struggled to fill with much needed air until he rolled to his side. His dazed eyes scanned the street for a second before his vision focused on Patriot a few feet away. Both men were bloody, out of shape and grasping at their wounds.
“Ready to give up yet?” Garrett groaned when he rose.
Patriot chuckled and looked up at Garrett. “We both know that’s not going to happen.”
“Yep, not after everything we have done to each other,” Garrett raised his dark blue eyes to the man who was once his idol.
“You’re right,” Patriot said.
“You killed her, kidnapped her, locked me up and you almost put your friend in the hospital.” Garrett relaxed his body. His nerves calmed like they always did when he faced an Afflicted. His afflicted sense deafened for the first time since he encountered Patriot. All was quiet on the block, except for their harsh breathing.
Patriot swallowed hard. “You took my daughter and my best friend away from me.”
“Your best friend needed help,” Garrett said. “I didn’t take her away. I just told her the truth.”
“You took it all away,” Patriot said in a hushed voice.
“Me? All you do is take people away,” Garrett leaned against a parked car to steady himself. “You took Emma away from her family you selfish bastard.”
“I didn’t know how to find her parents,” Patriot backed away from Garrett, eyes darted around the street. “She was dead when I found her. Then she came back to life before my eyes. I didn’t even know who she was at that time.”
Garrett tilted his head. “You’re a liar and a bad one at that.”
Patriot shoulders slumped. “I needed her to remind me why I protect all these people,” Patriot fanned his arms outward. “She needed someone to look after her.”
“She had someone, she had her family and she had me,” Garrett jabbed his thumb into his chest.
“You failed to protect her that day.” Patriot said.
The words hurt Garrett more than any of the hits he received today. “You’re right, I did and so did you.”
“You just would’ve taken her powers eventually, you parasite,” Patriot stretched his arms. “You’re drawn to us.” Patriot let a smile squeak across his lips. “You have more power than you realize and I know all about it.”
Garrett shrugged. “I really don’t care what you think you know about me.”
“I know the pain you feel, the guilt you feel for taking a life,” Patriot stepped forward. “The doubt if you’re doing the right thing. Like me, you have an advantage. Fear is something both of us do not possess. Your powers make you fearless when it comes to the Afflicted. The other Afflicted, fear you because you represent the loss of our gifts and the eventual fall into normalcy.”
“I’m not fearless,” Garrett shuffled his feet.
“Really? A 13-year-old boy charges into a battle between two Afflicted without a second thought,” Patriot glanced around the street. “Look at what you’re doing right now.”
Garrett furrowed his brow. Fragments of his drugged induced talks with Patriot scratched at the surface of his subconscious. All those words and memories most likely gone, but their ghosts slumbered in the recesses of his mind.
“I’d say that makes me reckless and determined,” Garrett said.
Patriot’s face reddened and he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “Enough.”
Garrett raised an eyebrow. “We both have blood on our hands, but I don’t go walking around looking for praise.”
“You think I do this for praise?” Patriot squeezed the bridge of his nose. “I do this because no one had the courage to stand up for the people of this city. I used to be an assistant district attorney before I gained my powers. I saw how this city was falling apart first hand. I picked it up the pieces and put it back together.”
“Being nearly invincible doesn’t make someone courageous. It gives you an unfair advantage,” Garrett eased himself off the car. “Then you met me and everything is even for once.”
“I’ve had enough of your mouth,” Patriot said. “It’s time we end this and let the people decide who the hero is and who is the villain in our feud.”
“I don’t care either way,” Garrett lunged towards Patriot. His arms reached and caught only air. Patriot exploded up into the air before Garrett reached him.
“Damn it,” Garrett found his footing and searched the skies. He knew Patriot stalled and wanted to kick himself for falling for it.
Garrett’s eyes searched the moon kissed sky when the first iron spike whizzed by his head. He turned in time to avoid another. On the corner by the church Patriot ripped off pieces of the wrought iron fence and lobbed them haphazardly at Garrett. The fence posts drove themselves into whatever surface they came into with whether it is car, tree or home.
“Be careful you’re going to hurt an innocent person you idiot,” Garrett screamed and raced back towards the intersection. The spikes flew as fast as Patriot could tear them off the fence.
Patriot ignored his words and continued to throw more. Garrett ducked and weaved his way forward to the cornered superhero.
Patriot dashed over to a nearby fire hydrant and kicked it free in Garrett’s direction. Water burst from the ground and cascaded all around them.
Garrett dropped onto his back just in time as it soared over his body. He rolled onto his feet and opened his eyes wide in horror; it was too late to move. He felt it though, when a fencepost ripped into the right side of his abdomen.
A scream echoed throughout the upscale neighborhood. Garrett clutched the post with his left hand and tugged. Pain exploded throughout his body and he grew woozy from the loss of blood. A river of red seeped between his steel clad fingers and ran down the warm metal. A murmur escaped his lips.
Out of the corner of his eye, Garrett saw Patriot reach down and snag a manhole cover from the street. Garrett dragged his body away from the hero and left a trail of red behind him. His vision filled with stars the harder he tried to slither away. The strength drained from his left arm while his right pressed on the wound around the still embedded fencepost.
“The victory is mine,” Patriot said. “It’s my story to tell.”
Patriot stood over him with an object raised over his head. Garrett tried to rock his body upward to move, to escape, to live and it failed him. His fingers reached out to grab something, anything and they grasped Patriot’s ankle to hold on for dear life.
“Screw you,” Garrett winced when he spoke. He heard the clang of the manhole fall onto the street and a thud soon after. Garrett knew he found his target and all it took was a light touch to even the odds.
Garrett kept his hand on Patriot and crawled up his body. Blood poured from his wound, his strength almost exhausted. Adrenaline mixed with his afflicted power pushed him over the edge.
Garrett sat on Patriot’s chest and pinned Patriot’s arms with his knees. His blood soaked fingers gripped Patriots hair and he slammed Patriot’s head into the pavement. He alternated between punches and driving his forearm into the bloody pulp of his enemies face. His right arm gripped the fence post to keep it steady.
“It’
s over,” Garrett struggled to say even a word. He felt Patriot’s power call out to him, all he had to do was answer. He heard feet stamp on the pavement from the streets surrounding them. Streaks of blue, gold, and dull gunmetal clouded his already blurred as figures began to emerge from the buildings and church.
“Freeze,” a police officer’s voice rang in Garrett’s ears. “Get those hands up.”
“Not yet,” Garrett’s head wobbled on his neck when he looked down and saw the broken face of Patriot. He began to raise his hands and stopped halfway. He smirked and let them drop onto Patriot’s head instead.
“It’s done,” Garrett called to the power within Patriot. It answered him, along with a pop from behind. A cry escaped from his lips from the intense burst of red-hot pain to his back.
He collapsed into a tangled heap next to Patriot. Another gunshot echoed through the street and then a white light surrounded the two enemies. When he sealed his eyes shut, he welcomed the void with an unburdened heart. He was finally free from his crusade.
Chapter Thirty
The brightest light Garrett had ever seen welcomed him when he opened his eyes. Ethan’s bearded face blocked the long tunnel he expected to see. He groaned and stirred, his body responded with a shudder.
“Garrett you’re awake,” Ethan jumped from his chair with tears in his eyes.
“Am I alive?” Garrett’s eyes tried to focus on Ethan’s face.
“You barely made it,” Ethan gripped the rail on Garrett’s bed. “We thought we lost you a couple of times.”
“Is he alive?” Garrett’s chest heaved and he found his whole body hurt.
Ethan drew his thin lips tight and nodded. “He’s going to be fully recovered in no time. Apparently, there are super powered doctors too. Go figure.”
“How am I alive?” Garrett said through his dry lips.
“Heard an angel swooped down and shielded you,” Ethan said. “You have someone looking out for you.”
“A beautiful one,” Garrett’s eyes rolled back in his head and sleep claimed him once again. The unmistakable remnants of a smile formed on his lips.
Ethan sat by Garrett’s bedside for hours. He sent a text to Denise and to Garrett’s parents that he was awake. They all responded they were on their way. He scooted back in his uncomfortable hospital chair, watching his best friend sleep. His eyes grew heavier and a grin spread across his lips.
“You’re going to make it,” Ethan said. “You have to.”
The door burst open and startled Ethan from his catnap. A pudgy man in a well-tailored gray suit entered. His gray hair with strands of black was combed to the side, framing his square head. Brown eyes locked onto Garrett.
“Who the hell are you?” Ethan turned to face the intruder and crossed his arms across his chest.
“Thomas Jamison, director of the AIA.” He extended his right hand. “You must be Ethan.”
“Yes, I am,” Ethan frowned when he shook Thomas’ hand. “What can I do for you Mr. Jamison?”
“It’s Thomas, I hope their pointless feud is over now,” Thomas said. “There are bigger things to worry about. No offense.”
“None taken,” Ethan stroked his chin. “I think it finally is.”
Thomas reached into his jacket pocket and pulled free a business card. “Tell Garrett if he’s done hunting heroes I have a job for him.”
Ethan took the card. “Does he have a choice?”
“This situation with Patriot has caused some problems for us and everyone else,” Thomas gripped the rails alongside Garrett’s bed.
“What do you mean?” Ethan said.
“There’s a power vacuum now that Patriot has been,” Thomas cleared his throat, “prematurely retired by your friend here.”
“I still don’t follow,” Ethan leaned forward in his chair.
“Patriot and the Assembly kept the bad Afflicted in check in this city and most of the country. They were afraid of them. The word has already gotten out about their battle and who won it. Now do you understand?”
“Oh, shi-,” Ethan’s mouth fell open.
“Exactly,” Thomas hovered over Garrett. “The doctors said he will make a full recovery and I need him. Let me rephrase that. The country needs him and I can keep him out of jail.”
“Why would he go to jail? He didn’t do anything wrong,” Ethan leaped from his chair.
“He killed a man and assaulted the leader of the Assembly,” Thomas’ eyes slid to Ethan. “You think his actions would be brushed under the rug? No, the AIA is his only chance. People will come for him and we can keep him, his family and you safe.”
“This is all too much,” Ethan said.
“We’ll work everything out when he’s conscious,” Thomas said.
Ethan stood with a blank stare across his face.
Thomas turned and walked to the door. “I’ll have our people posted throughout the hospital to keep him safe until he makes his decision.”
“Sage erased my identity already. So, I guess I’m in,” Garrett mumbled with his eyes half open. Ethan dropped the business card on the floor and turned to Garrett. Tears swelled in his red eyes once again.
“Garrett, you’re awake again,” Ethan said.
Thomas paused at the door. “You’ve made quite the mess, are you ready to clean it up?”
“Yes,” Garrett groaned with a curt nod.
“Good, I’ll be in touch. Now get some rest and heal up.” Thomas said over his shoulder. “It was nice to meet you Ethan. Keep him out of trouble until he’s fully recovered.”
“I will,” Ethan said with a frown.
Garrett opened his mouth and quickly closed it when the door slammed shut behind Thomas.
“So, he’s the head guy for the AIA,” Garrett said. His eyes never left the door.
“Yeah, I guess it is,” Ethan said. “Strange guy, he’s very direct and to the point. How are you feeling?”
“I feel like pain,” Garrett wheezed when he shifted. “Everywhere.”
“No, how are you really feeling,” Ethan pressed on.
“Fine I guess,” Garrett swallowed the lump in his throat. “We’ll see.”
Garrett stared at the door ahead of him. “Have you talked to her?”
Ethan rubbed his eyes. “Yeah, I did. She was here a couple of days ago with Greg. We are taking it slow. It is a lot for her to process. I can’t even imagine how she feels about all this.”
“It’ll work out,” Garrett managed a weak smile and found even smiling hurt.
“Thank you, Garrett,” Ethan gripped Garrett’s hand.
“For what?” Garrett took a slow deep breath and found his eyes began to tear up.
“You put my family back together,” Ethan said. “You brought my little sister back.”
“You would do the same thing for me,” Garrett rubbed his eyes.
“What’s the plan after you get out of here?” Ethan said.
Garrett turned his attention back to the door. “He’s right though. I complicated everything. Looks like I’m getting a comfy government job,” Garrett’s eyes met Ethan’s and he smirked. He fought the drug-induced weariness and kept his eyes open. “Looks like I’m going to be a henchman now.”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Ethan said. “You never did before.”
“They need my help,” Garrett shifted in the bed, his right side burned from the awkward movement. “With the Assembly probably screwed up because of me. I need to do what I can.”
“You need rest first,” Ethan rubbed Garrett’s head. “Whatever you want to do, I’m there for you.”
“No, you’re going to have a family,” Garrett said. “Family first, then you can help your reformed evil best friend wage war on the villains of the world.”
Their laughter filled the sterile room and something seemed off to Garrett. The guilt was gone. He was a free man for the first time in fifteen years.
“Get some sleep,” Ethan said and checked his phone.
“Morgan is on her way too. When did this whole Morgan thing happen?”
“She came to see me?” Garrett mumbled. “Seriously?”
Ethan smiled from ear to ear. “Denise and I were surprised too. You’re a good guy.”
“Who likes to do bad things,” Garrett finished Ethan’s sentence.
“Is it over?” Ethan asked.
“For now,” Garrett breathed a sigh of relief and let his head crash back down on the pillow. It did not take long before exhaustion called him back to its embrace. This time there would be a reason to open his eyes. There was light in the darkness because he had something to wake up for, he had a new life to experience.
Derek lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife. This is his first published novel. He is currently working on his second novel and most likely his third. You can follow Derek or reach him at:
dereksdesk.wordpress.com
[email protected]
