Break: An Urban Hero's Journey

by Wes Grant

  That night Nick had trouble falling asleep. He was conflicted with the thought of his best friend maybe working for Mr. Platinum. He feared Dean would tell Mr. Platinum his real identity or would actually try to kill him. He was his best friend but time and money change people. The next day was pretty much the same; all he could think about was how it was going to end with his best friend, so he worked out in his gym to release some tension. He had asked Neil and Von to come work out with him.

  While working out Nick asked Von, “Your brother seem a little strange?”

  Von replied, “Stranger than usual?”

  Nick replied, “Like did he talk about working with certain people or what he did on his last year in the military.” Neil replied, “Why? You afraid to tell him your secret because he works for the military. Is that why you haven’t told him yet?”

  Nick responds, “I don’t know. He seems different. A little more cold.”

  Neil replies, “He was at war. He’s seen things you and me can’t even imagine. Right Von.” Von repli es, “Yea, I mean he has kept to himself more than he used to. He doesn’t really talk about what he went through over there, but I figured in time he would tell me.”

  Nick replied, “Yea, maybe you're right. Maybe I’m just thinking too much.”

  Neil asked, “Why are you asking all these questions. Do you think he’s mixed up in some bad stuff.”

  Nick replied, “No, you’re right. He’s not that different from when he left. Still a cocky jerk.” Neil puts his arms around both Nick and Von’s shoulder and says, “And that’s why we love him.” They begin to laugh. Nick gets a message on his phone. When he looks at it he sees its from Dean and it says to meet him at the abandoned factory tonight. Neil asked, “What wrong?”

  Nick replied, “Nothing, just my mom. Let's get back to working out, some of these people giving us the evil eye for being on this machine so long.”

  Neil replies, “Let them look. You can kick all their butts, even in base form.”

  Nick chuckles and replies, “Whatever man. Let's just finish up.” Later that night Nick went to the old abandoned factory they used to play in. The moon was full with no clouds in sight. The inside of the building was being lit by the moonlight. The building was scheduled to be torn down soon to make way for a mini mall or something. It had missing walls, and the wood floor creaked like a haunted house. Spear was remembering the fun times he had there, while looking at the spots he and Dean used to beat the other team when they played laser tag. After he finished reminiscing, he turned around to leave and saw a figure standing in front of the open window. Spear walked closer to it.

  The figure said, “So it is you.”

  Spear stayed silent.

  The figure said, “Don’t worry, I turned off my cam link and I set up something to jam their tracking.” Spear said, “You can take off the mask, Dean.”

  Dean took off his visor and mask and looked straight at Spear. Spear replied, “So you figured it.”

  Dean responded, “You made it pretty obvious. Does Von know what you do?”

  Spear responded, “Does Von know what you do?” Dean replied, “Of course not. And how come you sound different from the last time you were dressed like this?” Spear said, “Oh, I was getting over a cold.”

  Dean replied, “I would have figured it out right away if you sounded normallast time.” Spear replied, “Would it have made a difference?” Dean replied, “Of course, why would you say that?”

  Spear asked, “Weren’t you ordered to kill me by Mr. Platinum?”

  Dean replied, “Mr. Platinum? What kind of name is that? It sounds like a rapper’s name.”

  Spear confused asked, “If you weren’t sent to kill me by him, then why did you attack me on the roof the other night?” Dean replied, “I was sent to test your abilities along with mine and my suit’s.”

  Spear asked, “Why?” Dean responded, “I’m not s upposed to speak about this, but the government realizes the growing threat of people like you with abilities. I was chosen along with a select few to undergo an experiment to increase our speed, agility, and strength so that they could have a group to deal with the people classified as Breakers without the public’s knowledge. We’re called ‘Catchers’”

  Spear said, “So you’re part of a conspiracy.”

  Dean said, “No, I’m not part of a conspiracy.”

  Spear replied, “Sound like a conspiracy to me.”

  Dean replied, “It’s not a conspiracy! Think of me more as an agent to protect the people from the shadows, from the things the regular police can’t handle.”

  Spear said, “Oh, like me. Well, that will make my job easier. Hell yeah, this will be fun working together like we used to when we were kids.”

  Dean replied, “Not exactly.”

  Spear asked, “What do you mean?”

  Dean said, “After I test my abilities, the next time we meet I’m supposed to capture you and give you to the government.” Spear surprised asked, “What!? Why me? I’m protecting these people.” Dean said, “You’re one of them.”

  Spear said, “No, I’m not. I do nothing but help people.”

  Dean replied, “You’re a Breaker, we don’t know if by unlocking those abilities you’ll go crazy or something.” Spear replied, “No, the government just doesn’t like having someone that can do the job better than them, that’s not under their control.”

  Dean replies, “You’re too sloppy.”

  Spear asks, “What do you mean?”

  Dean replies, “Think of all the damage you cause when you fight.” Spear responds, “First off, that’s not my fault. These guys are trying to kill me, they’re the ones causing all the damage. I’m just the one that beats them and leaves them for the authorities.”

  Dean said, “Exactly, we’re made to be more efficient.” Spear said, “Efficient my ass! I’m the one protecting those people in the city. Are you gonna stop the thugs from raping girls or robbing helpless people?”

  Dean said, “That’s not my objective. I’m supposed to capture Breakers that show up.”

  Spear said, “And what, leave the people to fend for themselves?”

  Dean said, “Nick! It’s not your job to protect them.” Spear said, “Dean, actually it is.” Dean yells, “Nick! This isn’t a game. Stop playing pretend hero because if you don’t, I have to bring you in. Just put up the costume, never do this again, and everything can go back to the way it used to be.”

  Spear says calmly, “Remember the promise I made to you before you left for the army?”

  Dean replies, “What?”

  Spear continues, “I promised you that I would watch after your family like they were mine.” Dean said, “That’s what this is about. Hey, listen, I’m thankful that you watched over them this whole time, but this thing you’re doing, it has to stop.”

  Spear said, “When your brother got shot, I went on a search to find the person responsible.”

  Dean said, “Well, did you?” Spear said, “Yeah, but in the process, I realized that not only your brother and family need my protection, but all the innocent people out there.”

  Dean said, “And like I said, I’m thankful, but if you continue, thenit doesn’t end well for you and me.” Spear said, “What if I beat you?”

  Dean leaned his ear forward and said, “Excuse me.” Spear said, “What if I beat you in a fight, will you let me go?” Dean said, “What do you mean? Like an actual fight?”

  Spear replied, “Yea, a fight between you and me. Looser does whatever then winner asks. Come on, we never actually got to have a true rematch from the time you and me became best friends.”

  Dean replied, “So when I beat you, you’ll stop this Spear business.”

  Nick replied,“And when I beat you, you’ll leave me to do my superhero thing.” Dean said, “Are you serious? You do know from the time I left I’ve been training and getting stronger. When’s the last time you even took a martial arts class?”

  Spear repl
ies, “Five years ago, but that’s not the point, will you fight me or not?”

  Dean replies, “You can’t win. I’m faster, stronger, and still the master of aerials. You wouldn’t stand a chance.” Spear replies confidently, “So I take it you’re scared.” Dean replies, “Yeah, in your dreams. OK, have it your way, I’ll fight you, and because I’m your best friend, when I beat you, I’ll let you go and you have to stop being Spear.” He then began taking out his sword.

  Spear puts out his hand and says, “No weapons, we wanna know who’s stronger, not whose weapon is better.” He then put his rods on the floor.

  Dean says, “OK,” and put his sword down onto the floor. He then says, “You ready, cause I’m not gonna take it easy on you.” Spear replies, “Do you ever? And Dean, sorry.”

  Dean asks, “Sorry for what.”

  Spear replies, “For kicking your butt. I just figured I’d say it ahead of time. You might not be conscious hear it.”

  Dean replies, “Oh, so some of my confidence is rubbing off on you.” Spear replies, “No, it’s more that in the past few months real life experience has made me understand my true potential.” Dean replies, “That cool and all but you ain’t never experience fighting against a Catcher.” They both ran at each other and started attacking. Spear swung with his right hand; Dean ducked and spun into a backhand and went into a sweep kick. Spear ducked under the backhand and jumped to a one-hand stand to avoid the sweep kick. He then flipped himself back to his feet but was caught off guard by Dean’s 180 degree roundhouse kick. He blocked it but was tossed across the room. He backflipped and landed on his feet sliding back and saw Dean running at him to follow up the attack. Right before Dean got to him, he faked swings with his left and swept Dean with his left leg and went into a back kick with the right, catching Dean in the air. Dean blocked the attack but was sent flying through a wall. Dean flipped and landed on his feet sliding back. Spear ran through the hole in the wall and tried to attack Dean. Dean dodged by doing a double front flip over Spear kicking off his back. As Spear stumbles Dean follows up with a spinning kick. Spear dodged spins and went into an over-the-head sidewinder kick. Dean dodged and did a triple backflip into a kick. Spear rolled out of the way, and they continueddodging out of the way of each other’s attacks. Spear dodged one of Dean’s attacks and went into windmill kicks; Dean jumped and did a side spin out the way of the windmill kick, landed, and did a 720 degree roundhouse kick at Spear. Spear grabbed his leg and swung him around and threw him. Before Spear let go, Dean kicked him in the face with the other foot as he was let go. Dean then landed on his side and slid to his feet.

  Spear tilted his head and cracked his neck. He then tilted it to the other sideto crack it and said, “So are you done warming up?” Dean twisted his body to crack his back and says, “I was waiting for you to get serious.” He then twisted his body the other way to crack his back again and says, “Ready to get your butt kicked?”

  Spear says nonchalantly, “I’m tellin’ ya, it’s not gonna happen.”

  Dean replies, “That’s what you think.” They both went into a fighting stance and stared at each other in silence. A piece of wood from the ceiling then hit the floor. At that second, they both ran full speed at each other. Dean jumped to punch Spear. Spear slid on his back and kicked him with both legs, sending Dean flying through the ceiling into the floor above. Spear spun and jumped up through the hole Dean made, but was caught off guard by a spinning kick from Dean as he came out. Spear was sent flying through three walls and slammed into a brick beam. Dean followed after and tried to punch Spear. Spear spun out the way, and Dean’s punch demolished the beam.

  Spear replies, “Damn, somebody’s been drinking their milk. Too bad it didn’t make you grow any taller.” Dean yells, “Shut up, Nick,” then disappeared. He reappeared right in front of Spear catching him off guard and began a barrage of punches on him. Spear was hit over a dozen times in a few seconds, then was punched in the face sent flying through another wall. Dean appeared over Spear front spinning very fast as he came down kicking Spear in the gut, sending him flying down through three floors. Spear flipped and landed on his feet. Dean jumped down the holes to attack. Spear sees him coming and disappeared then reappeared in front of Dean catching him with an uppercut. Dean leaned back and dodged the uppercut but was caught by a back kick from Spear sending him flying through two walls. Dean backflipped and landed on his feet, sliding back but then went into a 1080 spin to kick Spear. Spear dodged out of the way and grabbed Dean’s leg. He swung him around into the wall and with him half way through the wall began to run while holding him. He dragged him through the wall breaking through the sheetrock and studs. He then tossed him into a support beam. Spear ran at Dean to attack again; Dean catches him off guard by recovering instantly and jumps straight at Spear. Before Spear attacked, he stepped up on Spear’s right leg and knees, hitting Spear in the face. He then went into a back kick, sending Spear flying through the room. He disappeared and reappeared right above Spear as he’s flying back skidding on his back. Spear sees Dean and tried to kick him into the ceiling once again with both his legs, but Dean grabbed both his legs and flipped over slamming Spear through the floor to the bottom floor. Spear hit the floor hard and was stunned a little bit. He was laying on his back looking through the holes he made when he sees Dean coming straight at him. He dodged out of the way, as Dean punched the ground, making a small crater with dust in the air. He then continued his attacks on Spear and did not let down. Spear was being pushed to his limits, and he knew he might actually lose this fight if he didn’t finish this soon. Spear thought of a strategy, but it was risky, he would only have one chance to do it. He dodged Dean’s attacks and threw a couple himself, but Dean dodged them as well. He then jumped back and made it look like he stumbled on something. At that moment, Dean used that chance to attack Spear by disappearing and reappearing right above him as he stumbled looking like he was about to fall back. Like it was in slow motion, Spear put his one leg behind him to catch himself and used all his strength to crouch and do a super backflip kick catching Dean in mid air. Dean was sent flying up through the floors, and Spear rolled back and jumped straight up through the floors himself to catch up to Dean. Dean flew up through four floors, and halfway through the fifth floor, Spear kicked him, sending him breaking through the floorboards and slamming into a brick beam. Spear followed up to finish him with a punch, but Dean grabbed the beam behind him and pulled himself up out of the way, and as Spear punched through the beam, Dean kicked him in the face with both feet. Spear was sent flying down two floors but backflipped and caught himself. Dean jumped up to the top floor, and Spear jumped up to follow after, but right before he was about to break through to the top floor, Dean busted through spinning and caught Spear with a 2880 spinning tornado kick. Spear was sent flying on an angle through one floor then a beam, then another floor then a beam, and another floor then a beam until he broke through all the way to the basement. He was beaten, battered, and covered by rubble. Dean jumped down to the bottom floor and walked toward the rubble. His suit was dirty and torn. He wiped the blood from his lip and dusted off his suit. He had cuts on his face and felt exhausted.

  Dean said, “See, Nick, I told you, you couldn’t win. Now since I’m still your friend, I’ll give you one more chance. Just take your stuff and never be Spear again.”

  Out of the rubble one heard a word being mumbled, “Promise.”

  Dean replied, “What?” Bricks and rocks started dropping down from the pile of rubble Spear was buried underneath. Spear pulled himself out of the rubble slowly, all bloody, bruised and normal size. The ankle weights fell from out of his pants and his clothes were ripped from all the damage he’d taken.

  Dean said, “I guess you’re done because you’re looking a little thin.”

  Spear then mumbled again, “Promise.” Dean said, “You still talking about that. Man, forget the promise! You did the job, you took care of my lil bro and family. You don’t have to
be this person anymore, and we can go back to being best friends.”

  Spear screamed, “It’s not about you anymore! It’s about me.” Dean said, “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Spear replied, “When you went away to fight in the war, you made a promise to protect this country. That promise I made to you that day started out just about your family but grew into something more. There’s a war out there on those streets, and there are innocent people out there that can’t defend themselves caught in the middle. It’s bad out there, Crime and violence is winning. I made a promise to you, your family, and also to those people out there. I promised that I would train hard so that I could defeat anything that threatened my friends, family, or any innocent.”

  Dean replied, “But this isn’t your job.” Spear responded, “The army gave your life purpose. This identity gave my life one. So I’m not gonna let anything get in the way of that.”

  Deansaid, “So what’s that mean?” Spear said, “That means from now on I can’t afford to lose. To you or anybody else!” His clothes were so ripped up that the weights on Spear’s wrist just fell off just from everything he'd been through.

  Dean replied, “You still wear those weights around your wrist. They make no difference, you can’t beat me.”

  Spear looked at him with a determined look in his eye and replied, “We’ll see.” He then disappeared and reappeared next to Dean and with his right fist, punched him in the gut while in normal form. Dean stepped back a couple of steps slowly holding his stomach then fell to his knees.

  He then snickered and said, “I guess you still hav e fight in you. I was wondering if I would get to use my full strength.” He reached to his side and pulled out what looked like a long capsule. He pulled off the cap and in it was a needle. He then stabbed himself in the arm and injected himself with what was in the capsule.

  With a serious face, Spear looked down at him and said, “What was that?”

  Dean replied, “An experimental animal adrenaline shot to work with the chemical already in us.”