by H D Forth
At least that’s wahat the internet said, and te internet never lies. I’d play it safe and put on some gloves. I was pretty sure that I had some at home. I could rememerbe putting some away, though the footage had already been flushed from my temporary memory, so I couldnt go abc kand make sure. DIdn’t matter anyway, gloves would be easier to get.
The clock had finally run down on my new jacket and I returned to hte first shop. I met with the teller, scanned my card even though she alreadyt had the bag ready for me. “Thank you for shopping with us.” She said with a smile. IT looked surprisngly real for someone that worked i9n retail.
“It sbeen a pleasure.” I said.
When I got home, I shedded my cltoihees in a flash nad started putting ony my new costume.
I let out a little giggle as I examined myself in the bathroom mirror. That was about the only use I ahd for the bathroom anymore. While I was somewhat water resistant, I shouldnt co about repeatedly soaking myself in water.
My nbody simply wasnt up to hadnling it yet, though it appeared ot be and upgrade that seemed fairly feasible. For a moment my mind started to wonder about all the things yuo could do when you were truly water proof. Like shower sex, or pool sex, or hot tub sex. Godsdamned it Val, she’s really gone and contaminated my mind.
Back to my hero look, before she can derail me further. I had cut my black hair down to a manageable length, it didn’t look brilliant, but what can you do? I tried ot make my brown eyes look fierce as I scowled into the mirror. I was somewhat taller than before, somewhere near the 190 cm are.
I had even managed to get the robot to recreate the scar on my arm. I was glad that I had, when I folded my arms it made me look more menacing. The scar was one of the only reminders I had of my parents, I wasn’t going to give away the scar for anything in the world.
I was wearing a black duster over black tshirt and urban camo cargo pants, that combined wiht my blakc work boots and I would strike an intimidating figure in the dark. I hoped. I really hand t had a lot of experience innitimidating people. Emmet had also told me repeatedly that I lacked any sense of fashion.
As I looked over my face I realized something. I didnt have a mask… Slightly panicked I ran into my bedroom, going to the miscellaneous section. I quickly found the only masks I ahd in the entier house, along with the only gloves.
Somewhat despririted I walked into the bathroom again. I slipped on the balaclava, last year had held a particularly vicious winter and the Towers were made to simulate the weahter of their environment. The balaclava was thick and covered all but my eyes and mouth. I looked a beast blooded idiot as I slipped on the winter gloves.
I thought about the face of Val’s sex robot. A quick search on the internet revealed that any public action made wiht that face required a different license. My eyes boggled as I saw the price, it was clear that it had been made for tv or porn. There was no way I could afford to pay for the license.
Balaclava it was…
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Having finally assembled my costume, I boldly went out to look for trouble so I could stop it.
By that I, of course, mean that I peaked my head out of my apartment. It was situated in the middle of the hallway. When I saw the coast was clear, I burst through the door, gunning it for the leftmost end.
There was a small alley between my apartment complex and the one on the left. I planned on jumping over the railing and landing in the alley, then making my way from there.
Right until I reached the end of the walkway. I caught myself on the railing and looked down at the drop to the ground. It didn't sound like that much. Five floors, it was just five, I literally had more fingers than that. If you counted both hands. I had known at least one baby that could count higher. Yet when translated into a fall, five floors were incredibly tall.
I bravely stormed down the stairs and onto the ground floor. I wasn't breathing hard, even though I felt like I should be.
Now where to go? I knew there were some pretty bad neighborhoods in my area. Then again it wasn't like my own neighborhood was overly pleasant. I had been a newly minted adult, moving out of an orphanage with no degree when I moved there.
There was about a three km walk towards Tenth Street. It was literally known for the gang that ran it. The Tenners, I didn't actually know what the street was called, I had just always actively avoided it.
I had heard that multiple gang members had been thrown in jail by the police for murder, though. I swallowed. It was probably best to stay local. Definitely.
I assessed my inner watch, it was mid-afternoon. Maybe not the best way to start looking for crime, but it would hopefully do. It wasn't that I was afraid to go out looking for bad people in the dark, it was my first time that was all. Sometimes its good to play it safe, I thought. Though inside I felt like a coward for my reasoning.
With that, I started my patrol, by nervously walking the streets. Walking the streets like a hero, not a lady of the night. Different kind of walking. Besides, I doubted anyone would stop some dude in a duster, a balaclava and winter gloves and ask, "How much?" I snorted at the idea.
The first half hours of patrolling the streets yielded little more than a few looks. Not that unexpected really. I was surprised by how many older people smiled at me. Weird. I guess they must've been able to tell that I am a hero or something like that.
I was just beginning my second hour of hero work when I heard someone young started yelling. It wasn't all that unusual, it was around the time when parents came to pick up their children from visiting their friends. I had been running towards more than one screaming child to find a parent struggling an unwilling child into a bicycle or car. Now that was something to feel sorry for.
This time, however, I only walked briskly, until I heard the child cry, “Leave me alone!” Then I started running. Who knew what kind of trouble the child could be in. I approached the side street where the cries were coming from. I slowed down and peered around the corner.
I could see a little boy, maybe eight or nine years old. He was desperately holding onto the handle of a bicycle, the shiny new paint gleaming in the sunlight. On the other side of the bike, was an older child. This one was maybe ten or twelve, I had so much trouble placing children in their age brackets, didn’t matter he was older and bigger.
The older boy had a wicked smile on his face as he pulled the kid's bike out of his hands. The little one fell over as he did landing on the ground and crying. "Nooo," it damn near broke my heart to look at. The bigger kid got on the bike, it was a little small for him, but he didn't seem to mind.
I started towards the crying child as I watched the bully, slowly cycle away on the gleaming new bike. I kneeled down next to the child.
"Hey," I said softly, pitching my voice to have a slightly higher pitch. I didn't know if it was subconscious or not, but I was pitching my voice to mimic Madam Mireaux's.
The little kid looked up at me curiously. “W-w-w-who are… you?” The kid managed to get out through his tears.
I felt a little embarrassed, but I persevered. “I’m a hero. Did that young man over there take your bike?” I asked.
He started to answer, but he was mostly incoherent. Finally, he just nodded.
"And you want me to get it back for you?" I asked. He smiled and nodded at me. He actually smiled, and it felt so precious. Like the rise of a new innocent sun into a cloudless sky.
“Why don't I go get it then?” I asked, getting to my feet. The older kid was quite far away now, he seemed to be going towards a bunch of other boys around his same age bracket.
“Can you really catch him?” The kid next to me asked.
I looked down at him and winked, “There’s only one way to find out.” I said with a smile of my own. Then I took off running.
Then I called power from my core. From one step to another, I felt energy and strength infuse my limbs. My strides lengthened as I propelled myself farther with every step. Soon I was zooming down the stre
et towards the kid on the stolen bike.
I jumped as I approached, flying past him and smashing into the asphalt of the street. It was tough, and I wasn't that heavy. It didn't crack, though it would’ve been cool. I took a few more staggering steps, in an attempt to slow myself down afterwards.
I turned around. The kid riding the bike was rolling towards me. He looked at me incredulously as I strode towards him.
"There are few things that every man, woman, and child should know," I said. Grabbing the handlebars, I brought the slowing bike to a full stop. Power still suffused me as I lifted the boy off the bike. "Think before you act. Mind your manners. And always be kind." I spoke each sentence with finality. I looked the kid in the eye. "Did you think before you stole my young friend's bike?" I asked.
He shook his head. I didn’t say anything, and the silence wore on him until he finally spoke up, “No.”
I nodded. "What kind of manners do you have, where you think taking something from someone just because you're bigger then them is right?" I knew at that moment that it was technically what I was doing, but I was taking it back to the rightful owner, so it was okay.
"I don't." He said quietly, looking down at the ground.
“Was it kind to take away his new bike?” I asked.
“He was running around school bragging-” He started to say, but I interrupted him.
“Was it kind to take away his new bike?” I repeated.
The kid swallowed, “No.”
I nodded, looked him in the eye. "Do better next time," I said, and clapped him on his shoulder.
I returned to the kid and gave him his bike back. "Remember to take good care of it. A new bike is expensive, and your parents worked hard to buy it for you." I told the little man and ruffled his hair.
He scrunched up his nose, but he was still all smiles. "That was soo cool! Youwerelikewooshwoosh! AndthenyouwerelikeBadoosh! Youslammedintotheground and and and," He struggled to lift the bike over his head like he was holding a great trophy. "Itwasawesome!"
Above Average Heroic Deed:
Retrieve a stolen bike, and educate the thief.
Rewards: 100 Tessian Points and 15 Credits received.
"Thanks, kid," I said with a smile.
The kid frowned at me, for a moment before tentatively asking, “Why do you wear a sock over your head?”
Fucking Balaclava. I hope to the gods Kani could come up with something better.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Having finally assembled my costume, I boldly went out to look for trouble so I could fix it.
But that I of course mean that I peaked my head out of my apartment. It was situated in th middle of the complex. When I saw the coast was clear, I burst through the door, gunning it for the left most end.
There was a small alley between my apartment complex and the one on the left. I planned on jumping over the railing and landing in the alley, then making my way from there.
Right until I reached the end of the walkway. I caught myself on the railing and looked down at the drop to the ground. It didn't sound like that much. Five floors, it was just five, I literally had more fingers than that. If you counted both hands. I had known at least one baby that could count higher. Yet when translated into a fall, five floors was incredible tall.
I bravely stormed down the stairs and onto the ground floor. I wasn't breathing hard, even though I felt like I should be.
Now where to go? I knew there were some pretty bad neighborhoods in my area. Then again it wasn't like my own area was that nice. I had been a newly minted adult, moving out of an orphanage with no degree when I moved there. There was about a three km walk towards Tenth street. It was literally known for the gang that ran it. Tenner, I didn't actually know what the street was called, I had just always actively avoided it.
I had heard that multiple gang members had been thrown in jail by the police for murder, though. I swallowed. It was probably best to stay local. Definitely.
I assessed my inner watch, it was mid afternoon. Maybe not the best way to start looking for crime, but it would hopefully do. It wasn't that I was afraid to go out looking for bad people in the dark, it was my first time that was all. Sometimes its good to play it safe, I thought. Though inside I felt like a cowards for my reasoning.
With that I started my patrol, by nervously walking the streets. Walking the streets like a hero, not a lady of the night. Different kind of walking. Besides I doubted anyone would stop some dude in a duster, a balaclava and winter gloves and ask, “How much?” I snorted at the idea .
The first half hours of patrolling the streets yielded little more than a few looks. Not that unexpected really. I was surprised by how many older people smiled at me. Weird. I guess they must’ve been able to tell that I am a hero, or something like that.
I was just beginning my second hour of hero work, when I heard someone young started yelling. It wasn't all that unusual, it was about the time when parents came to pick up their children from visiting their friends. I had been running towards more than one screaming child to find a parent struggling an unwilling child into a bicycle. Now that was something to feel sorry for.
This time however, I only walked briskly, until I heard the child cry, “Leave me alone!” Then I started running. Who knew what kind of trouble the child could be in. I approached the side street where the cries were coming from. I slowed down and peered around the corner.
I could see a little boy, maybe eight or nine years old. He was desperately holding onto the handle of a bicycle, the shiny new paint gleaming int the sunlight. On the other side of the bike, was an older child. This one was maybe ten or twelve, I had so much trouble placing children in their age brackets, didn’t matter he was older and bigger.
The older boy had a vicious smile on his face as he pulled the kids bike out of his hands. The little one fell over as he did landing on the ground and crying. “Nooo,” It damn near broke my heart to look at. The bigger kid got on the bike, it was a little small for him but he didn't seem to mind.
I started towards the crying child as I watched the bully, slowly cycle away on the gleaming new bike. I kneeled down next to the child. “Hey.” I said softly, pitching my voice to have a slightly higher pitch. I didn't know if it was subconscious or not, but I was pitching my voice to mimic Madam Mireaux’s.
The little kid looked up at me curiously. “W-w-w-who are… you?” The kid managed to get out through his tears.
I felt a little embarrassed, but I persevered. “I’m a newly minted hero. That means that I just started. Did that young man over there take your bike?” I asked.
He started to answer, but he was mostly incoherent. Finally he just nodded.
“And you want me to get it back for you?” I asked. He smiled and nodded at me. He actually smiled and it felt so precious. Like the rise of a new innocent sun into a cloudless sky.
“Why don't I go get it then?” I asked, getting to my feet. The older kid was quite far away now, he seemed to be going towards a bunch of other boys around his same age bracket.
“Can you really catch him?” The kid next to me asked.
I looked down at him and winked, “There’s only one way to find out.” I said with a smile of my own. Then I took off running.
Then I called power from my core. From one step to another I felt energy and strength infuse my limbs. My strides lengthened as I propelled myself farther with every step. My step as I was able to pull my legs back faster. Soon I was zooming down the street towards the kid on the stolen bike.
I jumped as I approached, flying past him and smashing into the asphalt of the street. It was tough and I wasn't that heavy. It didn't crack, though it would’ve been cool. I took a few more staggering steps, in an attempt to slow myself down afterwards.
I turned around. The kid riding the bike was rolling towards me. He looked at me incredulously as I strode towards him.
“There are few things that every man, woman and child should know” I said. Gr
abbing the handlebars, I brought the slowing bike to a full stop. Power still suffused me as I lifted the boy off the bike. “Think before you act. Mind your manners. And always be kind.” I spoke each sentence with finality. I looked the kid in the eye. “Did you think before you stole my young friends bike?” I asked.
He shook his head. I didn’t say anything, and the silence wore on him until he finally spoke up, “No.”
I nodded. “What kind of manners do you have, where you think taking something from someone just because your bigger then them is right?” I knew in that moment that it was technically what I was doing, but I was taking it back to he rightful owner, so it was okay.
“I don’t.” He said quietly, looking down at ground.
“Was it kind to take away his new bike?” I asked.
