by R J Sorrento
“Nothing for you to worry about.” His voice was rough. “Now go.”
Margo stepped out. Fernando motioned for her to go with a sharp wave of his hand when she hesitated to walk away. He didn’t want her to see what he needed to do.
He got out of the car, watched until Margo was gone, and then slid in the back seat. He sat on Rita’s legs and feet, letting his full weight press onto her injuries. Rita cried out in pain. She tried lifting her hand to shoot an icy blade at Fernando’s neck but he subdued her, grabbing her slender wrist.
“Easy on the ice show. I’m ready for your tricks now,” Fernando growled.
“You let him get away, didn’t you?” Rita held back tears. “Dr. Almighty will be so disappointed in me.”
“Yes, and he’ll be angry with me, but you’re not confessing how Captain Stellar escaped. Leave that to me.” If Rita was wise, she’d save her tears for someone more noble than Ted.
“Why should I listen to you?” Rita hissed.
“Cal held back when he defended himself.” Fernando slid off one glove. “I’m not as kind and forgiving. What were you thinking? Ripping that little boy away from his mother?”
Fernando caught a glimpse of terror in Rita’s eyes. Normally he resented when people were afraid of him. They only saw his dangerous ability, not the man cursed with its burden. But knowing he could frighten Rita was exhilarating, and he fought against the overwhelming sense of power.
He set down his glove calmly. “Would you have killed that little boy if Cal hadn’t stopped you?”
Fernando didn’t wait for her response. He touched her arm with the palm of his bare hand and she let out an anguished cry that echoed in his chest. He burned a rough circle onto her skin and then released his hand. It left behind a mild burn, like a sunburn with blisters. He had held back; her actions had not warranted him to peel the skin from her bones or reduce her arm to dust.
Rita choked back tears, and Fernando was impressed by her strength. She was a worthy opponent, but she brought this upon herself by threatening a child and attacking Cal. “I’ll go along with your plan, I promise.”
“That’s what I thought. Let that burn remind you what I can do.” He picked up his glove.
Rita nodded with caution. Her hands shook.
“Let’s go.” Fernando slid the glove onto his hand and pulled Rita out of the car. “I’ll help you walk.”
Rita swallowed. Fernando caught her checking that gloves covered both his hands. He gripped Rita to steady her as they walked. She looked at him as though he were a monster, and perhaps she was right to think so. Fernando had never burned anyone intentionally until today. Margo waited inside the warehouse, relieved to see that Rita was still in one piece.
“Shall we?”
Margo spotted a burn on Rita’s arm and the tears in her eyes. Her brother had become reckless and cruel. He was willing to do anything to protect Cal, and it frightened her. Fernando had always been so cautious, never without his gloves, and now he was burning people. She feared what could happen if he lost control and used his power at full force.
“Leave the talking to me,” Fernando led the way to Dr. Almighty’s office.
Margo stood on the other side of Rita and helped support her weight.
* * *
Ted heard footsteps coming down the hallway and his heart raced. It thrilled him, knowing they had captured and returned Captain Stellar. He had even rehearsed what he would say to his ultimate superhero. They were going to create an alliance unlike any other. Ted would change the world, one city at a time. Everyone would know his name, no longer the loner, the one his peers laughed at.
Fernando opened the door with Rita and Margo behind him.
“Yes?” Ted shot up from his chair, eager to see Captain Stellar.
“We have bad news.” Fernando bowed his head.
“Oh.” Ted frowned, unable to hide his utter disappointment.
Rita let out a small sob, and Ted glanced at her. Her show of weakness only added to his dismay.
“Captain Stellar escaped. He was far too powerful.” Fernando stared at the floor. “He truly is your greatest work.”
“I see.” Dr. Almighty pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not surprised. I figured he’d be difficult to catch.”
“He has no interest in joining us,” Fernando continued.
“All the money in the world and I can’t have the one thing I want!” Ted slammed his fist on the desk like a petulant child.
Fernando, Margo, and Rita stepped back. They seemed surprised by his sudden outburst. A much needed boost in self-confidence. He hadn’t lost his ability to intimidate them.
“Gather the others in the training studio. I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.” Ted turned to stare at his wall of diplomas and certificates. He was not a complete failure, even if Cal rejected him.
“Yes, sir.” Fernando and Margo helped Rita out of the office.
* * *
“Pull yourself together, Princess,” Fernando grunted after they reached the training studio, irritated by the tears on her face.
“Fernando, stop,” Margo scolded, horrified by the state of Rita’s arm. He ignored his sister and glowered at Rita.
“I let him down,” Rita sniffled.
“He’ll get over it. He’ll dream up a new superpower and recruit another unsuspecting person.” Fernando frowned.
“I don’t think so.” Rita wiped her nose. “He never shuts up about the Holy Trinity. Well, Captain Stellar.”
“I’ll find the others. Ted will be here soon.” Fernando excused himself.
“Rita, I’m sorry for my brother,” Margo offered.
“Save your breath.” Rita covered the burn with her hand.
“He hurt you.”
“I said shut up, Magenta.”
Margo fell silent.
“Don’t look so sad.” Rita glanced at Margo. “I can handle myself.”
Before Margo could reply, Fernando entered with the recruits. The students made themselves at home in the studio, breaking off into smaller groups to sit on the floor. They talked among themselves, excitement in the air.
Vinnie broke away from the others to go to Rita. “Uh, hi, Princess.” He gave an awkward wave.
Rita pursed her lips, wrapping her hand around the burn to hide it better. “Hi, Vinnie.”
“Must be a big meeting, if Dr. Almighty is coming, right?”
“Yep.” Rita looked away.
Ted entered the training studio, his head held high. The room fell silent upon his arrival. The young recruits stood with excitement. “It’s so wonderful to see everyone. I’ve watched you grow over the past two weeks into such impressive fighters. I don’t usually say this, but,” Fernando rolled his eyes as the recruits hung on Ted’s every word, “this is the best group we have ever had in the history of Almighty Labs.”
Fernando watched the recruits smile and break out into applause. Their young faces looked so hopeful and proud. They were utterly enraptured by Ted, too clueless and brainwashed to know any better.
“However, I have unfortunate news.” Ted interrupted the recruits’ joyful outburst. “Captain Stellar will not be joining us today.”
Margo looked over at her brother, trying to read him, but his face was blank.
“In fact, he had no intention of ever joining us,” Dr. Almighty scoffed. “But I am not deterred so easily. If I gave up, even when my own colleagues had laughed in my face…well, none of you incredible young people would be here today.”
Fernando balled his hands into fists. Ted always knew how to prey on the weak, build them up, offer them a parental love they had never known. All for his benefit.
“If he’s not with us, he’s against us.” Dr. Almighty furrowed his brow. “We’ll track him down. Find his friends, his family, his lover…then, leave the rest to me. I will give Captain Stellar his greatest challenge. I’ll show the world my beautiful creations. Each and everyone one of you.”
Th
e recruits murmured with excitement.
“His rescue video helped people believe in superpowers. That the heroes from their comic book movies can exist. After all these years, my dream is coming true, thanks to all of you.”
The recruits cheered.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm.” Dr. Almighty beamed. “Who’s with me?”
Thunderous applause echoed in the studio.
Margo glanced at Fernando, whose stare could burn a hole through Ted’s chest.
Chapter 22
Cal woke in a cold sweat. The new part of his morning routine for the past six days. It had been a week since the attack from Princess Freeze near Jin’s apartment and every night since, his sleep was plagued by nightmares. Cal was haunted by the terror on the faces of the little boy and his mother. In most of his dreams, he saved the boy. But sometimes he wasn’t quick enough.
Rita would slice the boy’s throat with an icy blade. Blood spilled onto the white sidewalk.
Jin ignored his calls and text messages since then. Cal tried to convince himself that Jin refused to answer because he did not recognize the number from his new burner phone.
On the night of his fight with Rita, Cal had lied to Jin again. Said he was stuck working on a project at photography school. He would miss their date. Since Fernando had destroyed his phone, he couldn’t contact Jin until he made it home that night and found his phone number written on a notepad on his desk. His mom’s landline phone was finally useful.
After eating lunch, Cal tried Jin’s number once again. He knew Jin would have a break from class, so he picked up the tiny new phone. He almost crushed the device with his large fingers when he dialed the numbers.
“Hello?”
“It’s me, Cal.” He inhaled, prepared to rush through his practiced apology. “I know you’re mad, and you have every right to be-”
“Cal, stop. I read your messages, at least a hundred times.” Jin paused. “And I forgive you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. You’re under a lot of pressure with photography school. I know what that’s like. I’ve been so busy lately…honestly, I haven’t had much free time either.”
“Wow. I had a whole apology speech prepared and everything.” Cal exhaled harshly.
“You’ve had plenty of practice.” Jin’s voice had more bitterness than Cal was used to, and he winced.
“Can I make dinner up to you? Come over tonight. Gary and my mom are spending the weekend in Michigan for Labor Day weekend. We’ll have the house to ourselves.”
“I’d like that very much.”
“Can I pick you up?”
“I’ll drive over.”
“Really? It wouldn’t be a bother.” Cal rubbed the back of his neck.
“No, my car’s in the school lot. I can’t leave it there.”
“It’s fine. See you tonight. I’ll have dinner waiting.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Cal put down his phone. He smiled at first, but then his stomach twisted in knots. He was seeing Jin tonight, and he was too much of a coward to mention the fact that he’d been kissing another man.
Needing a distraction, he took a hot shower and dressed in a plaid button-down shirt and khakis. These were his go-to clothes for job interviews, buried in the back of the mess of his closet. He grabbed his mom’s keys and headed out the door.
He walked the quiet aisles of a local Asian grocery store, feeling like the only person around as he pushed the shopping cart. Scanning the shelves, he knew he needed plenty of rice for bibimbap. It was their first meal together on their first date. He hoped Jin would appreciate the gesture, even if Cal’s cooking wasn’t the greatest. He picked up scallions, mushrooms, and shredded carrots.
His mind drifted to the vibrant meals Fernando had cooked for him. Stop thinking about him.
Cries and wails from a child disrupted the store’s silence. Cal stopped in his tracks, leaving his cart to check things out and hoping he wasn’t too late to help.
“Are you okay?” Cal asked, panic in his voice. He turned down the aisle to find a young boy with tears streaming down his face, holding a bag of Japanese chewy fruit candies.
“He is fine. He’s just a brat. Won’t stop crying, because he wants candy.” The boy’s mother scowled, rolling her eyes as her son continued his tantrum.
“Sorry, I-” Cal stopped. He pictured the little boy Princess Freeze had captured, his eyes wide with fright. He wanted to rid himself of the memory, but it clung to his mind, showing him no mercy.
The woman raised an eyebrow at Cal and dragged her whimpering son to the next aisle.
Cal hurried to the checkout counter and paid for the rice, tofu, and vegetables. The elderly woman at the counter shook her head through most of the transaction.
At home, Cal cooked dinner. As he waited for the rice cooker to go off, he questioned why Jin had forgiven him so easily. Part of him feared Dr. Almighty was holding his boyfriend hostage, ordering him to answer the phone to set a trap for Cal. He was flooded with such paranoid thoughts. Even if it seemed ridiculous, he worried it was true.
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Cal rushed to the door, prepared for whoever stood behind it. If Dr. Almighty was up to something, Cal was ready this time.
He slowly opened the door and stood firm.
Jin stood alone on the front porch, dressed in his usual polo and khakis, a few pens in his front pocket.
“Come in.” Cal smiled, relieved. He wanted to hug Jin, to breathe in his fresh cologne. But he looked a little distant. Cal decided to give him a chance to warm up before he tried to touch him.
“Thanks for having me over.” Jin sat down at the table in the dining room.
“It’s the least I could do.” Cal headed for the kitchen. He returned with bowls of rice, tofu, vegetables, and different sauces on a long black tray. “I made bibimbap, like what he had on our first date.”
“That’s so…” Jin trailed off and began to cry. He covered his face with his hands, failing to stop the tears.
“Jin?” Cal reached forward and grabbed one of Jin’s hands.
“I can’t do this anymore, Cal.” Jin swallowed. “I wanted to tell you in person, but it’s not any easier to say this.”
“To say what?”
“That it’s over.” Jin wiped his eyes. “You and me.”
Cal wanted to sink into the floor and burrow down into the earth with one forceful kick of his feet. “But…we love each other.”
“It’s not enough. We’re growing apart. We have been for some time and it’s only gotten worse these past few weeks.”
“Jin, we can make this work,” Cal insisted. “I’ve been neglecting you the past few weeks, but can’t we at least try?”
“No.” Jin was firm. “I’m miserable. It’s not just the past few weeks. I’ve been trying to get you to move in with me for over a year.”
“Please, not that again.”
“I only asked you to move in because you’ve always felt like home to me.” Jin’s voice cracked. Cal reached for his hand, but Jin snapped it back, which stung him.
But Jin was right; Cal didn’t deserve to touch him anymore.
“I will never ask you to move in with me again. This isn’t an ultimatum.”
“Well-”
“I love you, but my heart can’t take much more.”
Cal was quiet, too numb to cry.
“I’m going to miss you, Cal Bolden.” Jin sniffed as he stood.
Cal followed Jin to the front door. He searched his mind for something he could say to make Jin stay, but it was no use. Jin had always been stubborn. Nothing would convince him to give them another chance.
“Goodbye, Jin,” Cal sputtered as he watched the first man he had ever loved step out the front door.
Cal made a fist with his right hand and punched a hole in the wall. He dragged his fist through the wall, ripping a jagged line across it. He sank to the floor, rubbing his sore knuckles and watched the suns
et through the front window.
Chapter 23
The morning light shone on Cal’s face, waking him from a distorted position. He had fallen asleep on the floor, never getting up after Jin left. The sunshine pried his eyelids open, forcing him to wake. The rays of light were indifferent to Cal’s pain and shone brightly like it was any other day.
Cal groaned, his hand still swollen and raw from the destruction to the wall, even with his healing powers. He examined the mess with regret, knowing his mother would be putting up the house for sale in a few months. His childhood home, where all of his memories lived, was going to become part of his past. Just like Jin.
He knew he should attempt to fix the damage, but he lacked even the slightest motivation to move from the floor, despite his discomfort. Jin should have been beside him this morning, tucked in close in Cal’s narrow bed. Instead, Cal was alone and aching on the floor, wondering if he’d ever see Jin, let alone hold him, again.
Cal felt a low rumble in his belly and a dryness in his throat. They were the only reasons he chose to stand up, since having powers tripled his appetite. He headed into the kitchen and found a box of Pop Tarts, most likely an item Gary had bought since Valerie refused to eat anything that sweet or artificial. Pouring himself a tall glass of milk, he took the box with him to the den.
Cal sunk into the worn, comforting cushions of the couch. He had always felt safe in this room as a child. Whenever he wasn’t feeling well, his mom would bring him soup and crackers on a dinner tray and sit next to him while he ate. The problems he had faced as a child felt so small and insignificant now, although they had felt like the end of the world at the time.
Cal grabbed the television remote and began flipping through the channels. It had been a long time since he had sat and stared mindlessly at a television screen, and he remembered why. Quickly bored and irritated with the relentless commercials, Cal turned off the television and resorted to pacing around the room.
He looked at the few photos his mom had hanging on the wall. She had never been interested in taking pictures, but she had a couple displayed at Cal’s request. There was a photo of Cal and Jin from their trip to California, which stung fresh wounds. He saw a photo of himself with his mom at a fundraiser walk she had organized for Multiple Sclerosis. Finally, he came upon an old family photo that included both of his parents.
