by TJ Klune
“It’s the head injury we’re watching the most,” he told him. “There’s some swelling, but it should go down. The breathing tube is for his lung. If there’s repeated pneumothorax, we’ll need to consider surgery, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
“When will he wake up?” Nick asked, fidgeting in his chair.
Doctor Chaudry smiled at him. “Soon, Nick. Probably within a couple of days. He’s healthy and strong. He’ll have to take it easy for a while, but I think he’s going to be fine.”
* * *
He was finally left alone as night began to fall, the rain slacking off to a miserable drizzle. The officers had shifts to get to, or they needed to go home to their families. Officer Rookie volunteered to stay with Nick, but Nick shook his head. Before he left, Officer Rookie wrote down his phone number on a piece of paper, telling Nick to call if he needed anything.
“Why, Officer Rookie, you sly dog. Way to slip me your number while I’m in a vulnerable place—”
Nick was almost offended at how fast Officer Rookie fled the room.
Turning back to his father, he hesitated before reaching out and touching the back of Dad’s hand. His skin was warm, and Nick struggled to swallow past the lump in his throat.
“Hey,” he managed to say. “Um. Becky told me that it was okay to talk to you. That you probably wouldn’t hear me, but she thinks it helps. She’s—uh. She’s your nurse. She seems really nice, I guess. So. That’s good.”
Nick looked at his hand atop his father’s. He was paler than his dad. He’d never noticed that before.
“I’m—” He coughed and cleared his throat. “I’m proud of you. I’m sorry if I don’t tell you that enough. I am. I don’t … I don’t know why we don’t say that to each other more. I know I screw up sometimes. And that’s my fault. I don’t mean to be this way. Not always. I know it’s rough. Without her. I don’t even know how we got this far. But we did. And we’re going to go further. I need you. I don’t want to do this on my own. You’re my dad.” A tear trickled down his cheek, but he didn’t wipe it away. “I’m grounded, remember? So it’d be pretty great of you to wake up now so I don’t do anything I’m not supposed to.”
His dad’s chest rose and fell as the machines beeped and hissed.
Nick lay his head down on the side of the bed near their joined hands.
He stayed that way for a long time.
15
Nick lay in bed that night, fuller than he’d ever been in his life, though he hadn’t had much of an appetite when he’d sat down at the Caplan table. Mary hadn’t taken no for an answer, and Nick ate what was probably an entire cow’s worth of meatloaf.
The bed was soft, and the room warm, but the sheets were slightly scratchy, and the shadows crawled in weird shapes on the walls. He could never sleep well in unfamiliar places, and with the added stress of everything that had happened, he didn’t think he was going to nod off any time soon. Oh, he was exhausted, but it was to the point of being too tired to actually sleep. It didn’t help that his brain was in overdrive without any sign of slowing.
And to make matters worse, he’d tried to call Seth again, only to have it ring once before going to voicemail. His phone was turned off. Nick thought about calling his aunt or uncle to find out what the hell was going on, but in the end, decided against it. Martha had left a voicemail while he’d been sitting with his father, telling him she loved him, and to call her if he needed anything. They would be by in the next couple of days, she said. And then, weirdly, she ended the message by saying, “I know things may seem a certain way. But there’s a reason for everything, Nicky. I need you to remember that. We love you, and we’ll see you soon.”
He saved the voicemail.
There were texts from Gibby and Jazz while they were at his house, telling him his room smelled like boy, and that they were absolutely not impressed with how many pairs of tube socks he owned. Jazz also said his bed was comfortable, but when Gibby tried to kiss her while she was sitting on it, she pushed her away, because she wouldn’t do that to Nick. Also, Gibby had just eaten a cold piece of pizza from Nick’s fridge, and her breath smelled like onions and olives, and it was disgusting.
He smiled at the messages before locking the phone and setting it on the small nightstand.
He punched the pillow a few times, trying to find a comfortable position to lie in so he could attempt sleep. He pulled the comforter up to his shoulder, lying back down and facing the window, the light from the streetlamps soft through the second-story window.
And then—
There.
Someone stood on the roof of the house across the street.
He fell out of bed with a squawk, cursing as he pulled himself back up toward the window.
The figure was gone.
* * *
It was near eleven when he sat up in the bed, rubbing a hand over his face. His head was buzzing. He hadn’t taken a Concentra since the morning before. He’d have to ask Mary or Cap about it. Dad had them locked away at home, but there were the emergency doses at school they could get. He wasn’t going to school for the rest of the week, but maybe someone could get it for him.
He reached over and grabbed the remote to the small TV sitting on top of the bureau of drawers against the wall. It was probably older than Nick, but Mary assured him it worked fine. He didn’t have the heart to tell her he was grounded and couldn’t watch TV.
Maybe he could find some stupid infomercial or a DIY channel that could help bore him to sleep.
He hit the power button.
The screen came to life.
A voice filled the room as a graphic flew across the screen. “Local. Breaking. Weather. Sports. This is … Action News with Steve Davis.”
Steve Davis appeared on-screen behind a desk, smiling widely. Nick had never noticed how his teeth were so big. Or so white. “Good evening,” Steve Davis intoned. “We are continuing to follow the story from earlier today where a building collapsed on the 1600 block of Sixth Avenue. In what can only be described as chaos, the skies above Nova City were alight with an ongoing event between the Extraordinaries known as Shadow Star and Pyro Storm. The all-out fight began late last night and went well into the early hours of the morning, during which Shadow Star and Pyro Storm showed each other no mercy. Though no deaths have been reported, the battle between the Extraordinaries did spill into the streets of Nova City, eventually leading to the destruction of a condemned apartment building. As the building collapsed, an officer of the Nova City Police Department was injured.”
Nick’s breath lodged in his throat as his dad’s picture appeared on the screen. He was against a blue background, in uniform. “A police spokesperson has confirmed that Aaron Bell, an officer with NCPD for twenty years, was injured while rescuing a member of the transient population.”
Steven Davis smiled wider. “If that name is familiar, it’s because Officer Bell was involved in an altercation two years ago in which he assaulted a witness in a high-profile case. A detective at the time, Officer Bell did not face charges, but did receive a demotion. The witness filed a lawsuit against Aaron Bell and Nova City, which was settled out of court.”
Nick wanted to punch Steve Davis’s perfect teeth down his throat.
“The spokesperson also said that Officer Bell, while in the intensive care unit, is expected to make a full recovery. Nova City General released a statement, saying Officer Bell is listed in fair condition, though they declined to comment further.”
His dad’s picture disappeared as the camera centered back on Steve Davis. “And now, in an Action News exclusive, we go to Rebecca Firestone.”
The screen switched to a rainswept street corner that Nick vaguely recognized. Rebecca Firestone smiled beatifically. She held an umbrella in one hand and a microphone in the other. “Thank you, Steve. The events of the past twenty-four hours have shown an escalation in the violence between Extraordinaries. In their short yet complex history, Shadow Star and Pyro Storm have bee
n adversarial, but have always managed to keep the ferocity to a minimum. That changed today.”
Rebecca Firestone disappeared when an aerial shot replaced her. It showed a cloud of smoke and dust rising from a collapsed building, debris spilling out onto the street. “This was the scene earlier today when an apartment building collapsed in a fight between Shadow Star and Pyro Storm. Officials say the building was condemned due to structural integrity issues and was scheduled to be demolished last year. However, due to ongoing lawsuits from former tenants and a legal quagmire concerning the replacement of the building, the demolition was postponed indefinitely. In the interim, the Haversford Apartments became a haven for the transient population of Nova City. The city attempted to dissuade people from entering by boarding up the building and placing a fence around it, but Action News has learned that in the last year alone, the fence had to be repaired forty-seven times. A spokesperson for the housing development issued a statement in conjunction with the mayor’s office, stating that while every attempt was made to keep people from entering the building, they, and I quote, ‘can’t be there twenty-four-seven to enforce this.’”
Rebecca Firestone appeared again, eyes sparkling. “And here to explain today’s events is Shadow Star himself.”
Nick almost fell off the bed as the camera shot pulled back.
There, standing in the inky darkness next to Rebecca Firestone, was Shadow Star.
He was in full costume, the lenses over his eyes slightly narrowed. He stood with his arms clasped behind his back. His broad shoulders were squared, and he looked calm and confident. His costume glittered under the lights from the camera. It took a moment for Nick to realize why his stance looked familiar. The cops, in the hallway. They’d stood the same way.
For the first time since he became aware of Shadow Star’s existence, Nicholas Bell felt … nothing.
Wait.
That was a lie.
He felt something, but it wasn’t like it’d been before. Even days ago, the very sight of Shadow Star would have sent him into a fit of teenage hormones, most likely ending with flop sweats and a partial erection. His eyes would be wide, and he’d be breathing heavily through his mouth, taking in every single inch of Shadow Star that he could.
It wasn’t like that now.
Now, Nick felt … He didn’t know how he felt. While there was a trace of that obsessive attraction still clinging to the back of his mind, it’d been replaced by something different. His palms were sweaty, his stomach twisted slickly.
It didn’t help that Shadow Star was smiling at Rebecca Firestone, smiling as if Aaron Bell didn’t lay unconscious in a hospital, a tube shoved down his throat. As if Nick wasn’t in a strange house in a strange bed because he had nowhere else to go. As if Nick hadn’t just had what was probably the second worst day of his life. Fiery disappointment bled through his rib cage, lodging firmly in his chest.
“Thank you, Rebecca,” Shadow Star said, voice modulated to a deep pitch. “It’s nice to see you again.”
Rebecca’s smile widened. “We appreciate you speaking with us in what I’m sure is a busy time for you.”
Shadow Star shrugged. “It’s always busy in Nova City. Crime never sleeps.”
Nick barely avoided rolling his eyes.
Rebecca chuckled. “I bet it doesn’t. Can you tell the viewers what happened today?”
Shadow Star looked directly at the camera. “Of course. Early this morning, the villain known as Pyro Storm attempted to gain access to Burke Tower. It’s not the first time he’s tried it, but he’s become more aggressive in his tactics.”
“Why is he trying to get into Burke Tower?”
“I don’t know, Rebecca,” Shadow Star said. “I haven’t discovered that yet. But it doesn’t matter. What Pyro Storm was trying to do is against the law, and he must be stopped. And since I’m the only one capable of such a thing, I did what I had to in order to ensure the safety of those inside Burke Tower.”
“Burke Tower,” Rebecca Firestone told the viewers, “is of course where Burke Pharmaceuticals is located. We asked the contractor who runs security for Burke Tower for a statement, but have yet to receive a response.” She turned back to Shadow Star. “In the past, you’ve been able to keep the skirmishes between you and Pyro Storm to a minimum. What’s changed?”
“I don’t know,” Shadow Star said, and he sounded frustrated. Nick almost felt sorry for him. “Something’s changed. He’s becoming unstable. I urge the good people of Nova City to stay as far away from him as possible. He’s dangerous. A threat to our way of life. I’m going to do everything I can to stop him and to keep the city safe.”
“You’re so brave,” Rebecca Firestone said, putting her hand on his arm.
“Holy shit,” Nick muttered. “You’re embarrassing yourself. Turn it down, Firestone. Have some dignity.”
“It’s not a matter of bravery,” Shadow Star replied. “It’s about doing what’s right.”
Rebecca Firestone frowned as if she hadn’t expected that answer. She recovered quickly. “An NCPD officer was injured in the line of duty today in direct correlation with the battle between you and Pyro Storm. Is there anything you’d like to say to the family of Officer Bell?”
Nick held his breath.
Shadow Star turned away from Rebecca and looked at the camera again. “Yes, there is. If they’re watching, I would like Officer Bell’s family to know I will do everything I can to make sure justice is served. I hope I can be strong enough to make sure something like this doesn’t happen to anyone again.”
“What a lovely thing to—”
“There’s more.”
“Oh. Sorry. Go right ahead.”
Nick felt as if Shadow Star were staring directly at him. “I promise you. I won’t stop until Pyro Storm has paid for his crimes. He won’t get away with this. I meant what I said in the alley when our picture was taken.”
Rebecca Firestone blinked. “What? What picture? What alley?”
Shadow Star cocked his head, as if hearing something in the distance. “The city needs me,” he growled. “I must heed her call.”
There was a swirling burst of light that cast shadows all around. By the time the glare faded, Shadow Star was gone.
Rebecca Firestone looked flustered, as if she had a lady boner on camera and didn’t know how to deal with it. Nick could understand that completely. “Well, you heard it here first. Shadow Star has promised he will take out the menace known as Pyro Storm. A fitting end to what will surely be a day to remember. Back to you, Steve.”
“Thanks, Rebecca. That was certainly illuminating. He seems to be the hero that Nova City needs. In other news, do squirrels have feelings? One expert’s answer may surprise you. Stay tuned.”
Nick grabbed the remote and turned the television off.
The room fell into darkness.
I meant what I said in the alley when our picture was taken.
Had he meant…?
It’d been raining.
Nick had accidentally probably on purpose kissed the side of his head.
Then—
There we go. Shadow Star, you don’t need to smile because you’re brooding and deep or whatever.
Exactly. I breathe the shadows of the dark, and—
Everyone say I think Nick is super cute!
I think Nick is super cute.
“What the hell?” Nick whispered. “He couldn’t have—”
Right?
But what if?
Did it even matter? Weren’t there more important things to focus on?
He picked up his phone. The screen lit up. He stared down at it.
He was on the cusp of something big. Something great. He didn’t want it, but he didn’t know if he had a choice.
He called the one person who could help him. The one person who could make it all okay.
It rang once. Twice. Three times.
A voice spoke.
“You’ve reached Seth’s voicemail. I’m pro
bably busy. And nobody calls anyone anymore unless it’s an emergency. Send a text like a normal person. Unless it’s an emergency.”
He didn’t leave a message.
He remembered the way his father looked in the hospital, bruised and beaten.
He remembered being told that Before had become After.
Maybe it had all been leading to this.
Here. Now. This moment.
This was his origin story.
He found another name on his phone.
Highlighted it.
And yes, he hesitated, for the briefest of moments. The brave often do.
But in the end, he did the only thing he could.
It rang once. Twice. Three—
“Nicky,” a voice said, sounding smug. “Isn’t it a little late for you?”
He took a deep breath and said, “Owen. I’m ready now. How do we do it?”
16
Nick sat by his father’s hospital bed, holding his hand.
People came and went.
They smiled at him softly, sympathy clear on their faces.
He hated it.
* * *
Dad looked the same.
There were no changes.
He hated that too.
* * *
“You were going to tell me something yesterday,” Nick said suddenly. Gibby looked up at him warily from across the table in the hospital cafeteria. If Nick closed his eyes, he could almost pretend they were at school having lunch. Seth would be by his side, Gibby and Jazz across from him. Owen would be stealing food, grinning wickedly.
“What?” Gibby asked. She looked over at Jazz, who shrugged. They’d brought Nick his homework after school, but Nick didn’t care about that.
“Yesterday. In that supply closet. Before Officer Rookie came in. You said that you were tired of all of this. That there was something you had to tell me. What was it?”
Gibby looked away. “I don’t remember.”
