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SUPER HERO CHRONICLES - CITADEL: RISE OF THE HEROES (PART 5)

In an alternate universe, where superpowers are realised, the city of Citadel, Australia, finds that our resilience makes us who we are - sometimes we fight, while other times we simply give in.

By Travis BerketaPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 29 min read
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RECAP: After being kidnapped from his home, Professor Samuel Hopper realises his fate and who is pulling the strings. Upon returning from Egypt with the Talisman of Sekhmet, Jennifer Hans struggles to maintain her hold of her human self, while Courtney Maize's transformation has her rethinking the life that she is living.

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Eight Years Ago…

Outside Federation Apartments,

Citadel, VIC Australia

18th August 11:40pm EST

“I’ll see you around. Thanks for the help.” [Image by Travis Berketa]

Courtney had thought about going into the apartment and crying in Seth’s arms; that was over two hours ago; now she stood in the alley beside Federation Apartments wondering how she would broach the subject of being a freak with her fiance. She had already flown around Citadel and its outlying suburbs, and had even considered flying to Wheatfield, where her brother and sister lived; but how would she be able to talk to them, when all that came out was static – not only that, they would probably die of a heart attack. Her brother, Sebastian, and sister, April, had taken over the parenting duties when her parents had died. Courtney was only eight-years-old, but she remembered the devastation on April’s face and how she crumbled at the funeral.

“Quick! Down here!”

“He’s comin’, man – he’s comin’,” a desperate voice alerted his partner, as two shadowy figures turned into the alley.

Courtney was startled back into the real world. The figures hid behind the large skip, as they scanned the main street.

“He’s gone after Johnny and Tony,” said the man who had directed them down the alley, “We’ll be safe as long as you don’t do anything stupid.”

“Me?” the desperate accomplice questioned. “I said we shouldn’t a done it, but you and Tony thought it’d be a good idea.”

“How was I to know that that Thunder guy was going to be...?”

BOOM!

The alley trembled a little and Courtney gasped, which got the attention of the two men.

“Who the hell are you, lady?” the apparent leader asked, as he got up from behind the skip and made his way towards her. “Smitty, we’ll have to deal with this.”

Smitty moved cautiously away from the skip carrying a khaki backpack, but glanced back several times towards the main road before settling his eyes on her. He took in her green dress, purple mask and flowing cape, and then looked at his accomplice. “Who… who is she, Dekks?”

Courtney did not know what to say nor did she know what to do. She began backing away, raising her hands in submission, when her purple gloves came into view and she remembered what she could now do. She felt a sudden tingle rise up through her legs, up her spine and into her hands.

“Back off!” she commanded, but the men could only hear static, as she sensed the surge of power within her.

“What the hell is that?” Dekks cried aloud, as he pointed to Courtney’s now glowing form.

“Shit, Dekks – I don’t like this, man… it’s an alien!” Smitty panicked, as he clutched the backpack to his chest. “I’d rather take my chances with Captain Thunder!”

‘We’re not gonna do anything to ya, lady, so just let us go and you can have the alley to yerself,” Dekks said slowly and deliberately, as he backed away.

“I’m sorry we did what we did,” Smitty confessed, “I promise we won’t do nothin’ like that again.” Just then he hurled the backpack towards Courtney, who instinctively raised her hands to shield herself from the projectile, only to fire electricity from her hands.

Dekks and Smitty were thrown back from the energy blast; the former knocking into the skip, while the latter was flung out onto the main street like a rag doll. Sirens were heard approaching and the realisation of what had happened hit Courtney. Before she could even think, she found herself flying to the top of the building, endeavouring to escape the chaos below.

As she landed, Courtney tried to calm herself, while watching the unconscious men. She gasped and held her breath with the fear that she may have just murdered two people, but released it when she noticed the man called Smitty beginning to stir.

“Nice work.” A strong, deep voice surprised Courtney. “I thought that I might have to come and assist you, but it looks like you had it all under control.”

Courtney turned to see a masked man in a grey costume standing next to her. She could not help but notice his muscular physique, which was emphasised by his tight grey one piece costume. Seeing the large yellow T on his chest, Courtney asked, “Are you Captain Thunder?”

The man smiled. “Not sure what you said there, but – I’m Captain Thunder.” He put out a hand to shake hers.

Courtney hid her hands behind her back, as she was not sure whether her abilities would send the hero zapping off the roof.

Captain Thunder looked at his hand and then at her and awkwardly withdrew it, folding it under his other arm. He inspected the alley and saw Dekks slowly getting up, only to fall down again. “So what do you call yourself?”

Courtney was about to introduce herself, but then thought twice. She pointed to her mouth and then made a cutting motion with her hands.

“Oh, you can’t speak,” Captain Thunder stated, before motioning with his hands and saying, “I can sign. I know Auslan, if that makes it easier for you.”

The model-turned-superhero sighed, static sounding with the breath; she regretted not paying as much attention to Seth when he had to learn Australian Sign Language for one of his movie roles, that way she may have been able to communicate with Captain Thunder. Instead, she said slowly and deliberately, “I… just… got… these… pow-ers…”

Captain Thunder focused on Courtney and smiled, “I think I got that… you just got these powers?” When she nodded, the hero pumped his fist. “Alright, we’re on speaking terms.” But then his mind picked up on something as he considered her. “You say you just got your powers, but you organised a costume just in case?”

Courtney looked down at her green skirt and purple boots, and then blushed.

Just then sirens interrupt their conversation, as they both turned their attention down towards the alley. Four ambulance officers were dealing with the two shocked men, while several police officers inspected the scene, as a second police car arrived.

“Well it looks like our job here is done,” Captain Thunder stated without taking his eyes off the incident below, “They were four perps who had just robbed a service station about three blocks away. I got two of them, while the other two slipped away into the alley… but I guess you saw them go in there and took care of it.” He looked at Courtney and smiled, “Not bad for a novice.”

Courtney did not know whether to take the comment as a complement, but had no real time to react as Captain Thunder turned to leave.

“I’ll see you around. Thanks for the help.”

Courtney watched the captain take flight and he was soon lost in the darkness of the night sky.

The Panthian Corporation,

Citadel, VIC Australia

19th August 12:22am EST

“We couldn’t find the robot, but we got the next best thing… the prof himself.” [Image by Travis Berketa]

“What have you done with my family?” Samuel Hopper shouted, as the gag was removed from his mouth.

“Shut up!” Severoin yelled, as he whacked the professor across the face, before handing a swipe card across to one of his henchmen. “Mickey, get the professor into the room. I’ll let the client know that he has his visitor.”

Mickey grabbed the professor’s arm, but the hostage kicked the henchman in the groin. “I’ve seen all of your faces! I’ll report you and if you’ve done anything to my family, so help me, I will kill you!”

Mickey fell to his knees, as his two large accomplices took hold of the professor. Severoin kicked Mickey to the ground, “Get up! Ya makin’ us look bad – first ya let a girl take ya down and now a mad professor – what the hell are ya here for?” Next Severoin grabbed the professor’s chin, pressing his fingers into the man’s cheeks; pulling out a knife from his belt, he held it against the professor’s throat. “Next thing I cut will be ya tongue. You’re only needed for ya skills, not ya mouth, understand?”

The professor nodded.

“Now take him ta the room.”

“Yes, Mister Severoin,” Mickey said, while hobbling away, followed closely by the two brutes who were escorting Professor Hopper.

Severoin gave a gold-toothed grin and sheathed his knife. He licked his lips as he pulled out his mobile phone. Upon looking up his contacts, he pressed one of the buttons.

“Mister Panthia?” A pause. “We couldn’t find the robot, but we got the next best thing… the prof himself.” An angry tirade sounded on the other end of the phone. Severoin held the phone out, wincing to himself and then, as a lull came over the speaker, he replied, “As I told ya, we couldn’t find the robot, but I figured if I brung ya the prof, he’ll be able to build ya another one.” Panthia’s voice muttered something to which the hired thug said, “Fine – only ‘cause we lost the original robot. I expect the money transferred safely into the account by morning?” A pause, then Severoin closed his phone, swore to himself and placed it back in his pocket.

The Hans Residence,

Coburg, VIC Australia

19th August 5:36am EST

Jennifer’s eyes fixed on her parents, but they were not the eyes that her parents were used to seeing. [Image by Travis Berketa]

“Jenni, this isn’t like you to come home at such early hours of the morning,” Mirabella pointed out, as her daughter stumbled through the door.

“Yep, mum. Sorry, won’t happen again,” Jennifer said nonchalantly, as she attempted to push past her parents.

“But that’s the problem, Jenni – lately it’s been happening all the time.” Gustave stressed as he grabbed hold of his daughter’s arms, so that she would pay attention. “You come home late. You’re asleep for most of the day. You’re falling behind in your studies. Do you even go to your classes anymore?”

“It’s been like this ever since you returned from Egypt,” Mirabella added, with the fear evident on her face. “Are you sure that nothing else happened during the accident? Your injured leg has recovered, but mentally… it’s been five months, Jenni. Maybe you go and see the doctor again, she said she could organise someone to talk to.”

Jennifer’s eyes fixed on her parents, but they were not the eyes that her parents were used to seeing. “I’m fine – how many times do I have to tell you? Just let me through so I can get some sleep!”

Gustave and Mirabella stepped back, as Jennifer pulled her arms away. Tears welled up in Mirabella’s eyes; “You have changed, Jenni.”

Jennifer sighed and hung her head. “I’m going to bed.” The talisman glistened as she walked past her parents and into her room.

Gustave hugged his wife and attempted to reassure her. “She is dealing with the trauma as best as she can. We will get someone to come in and talk to her. It’ll cost a bit more, but we must get our daughter back.”

The Panthian Corporation,

Citadel, VIC Australia

19th August 5:42am EST

“We can make the greatest plans, Professor Hopper, but incompetence will always be our downfall." [Image by Travis Berketa]

Professor Samuel Hopper was alone in the small room that had been his prison for the past five or so hours. He sat on the stretcher bed. His only view was a locked door and a toilet and sink sitting off to the corner, opposite the door. He wondered about his reason for being here. He wondered about his family. He feared that he may not come out of this alive. Just then there was a beep, the lock clicked and the door slid open. The professor rose cautiously.

“Ah, Professor Hopper, we find ourselves in an interesting predicament, don’t we?” Padrick Panthia III greeted his prisoner. “I take it you did not want to cooperate with my associates and that is why you have joined us here at the Panthian Corporation.”

The professor gritted his teeth and charged at Panthia, but the businessman was superhumanly fast and was able to evade the attack and push the professor into the opposite wall with ease. The professor fell to the ground at Panthia’s feet with his nose bleeding.

“I will allow that one attack because I figure that you had to give it a try, but do not think that I will be so forgiving if there is a second attack.” Panthia asserted, as he dragged the professor across to the bed and dumped him half on it. “Let me reassure you that this was not a planned abduction – I outsourced the retrieval of the robot you were working on and, of course, things did not go to plan.” He sighed, as he pondered on the situation. “We can make the greatest plans, Professor Hopper, but incompetence will always be our downfall. We have seen it throughout history…”

The professor wiped at the blood dripping from his nose and sat himself up groggily on the bed. “If this is a mistake… let me go. I promise I will not say a thing to anyone. I just want to be with my family…”

Panthia went into his pocket and produced a pocket pack of tissues; unwrapping it, he handed them to the professor. “Oh, no, I can’t do that now, Professor… you see I’m not a man who looks a gift-horse in the mouth, so to speak – I have big plans for you,” he then crouched low and pointed a warning finger, “but understand that I have no plans for your family at this time… however, that can change.”

Professor Hopper saw the sincerity in Panthia’s face and decided that it would be best for his family if he cooperated. He took one of the tissues from the pack and dabbed at his nose. “What do you want from me?”

“I knew that you would come around, Samuel,” Panthia said with a rare smile, as he placed a hand on the professor’s shoulder. “I need your robot.”

The professor placed his head in his hands. “I told the other men; I do not know where the robot is! I do not work for C.U.R.E. anymore! The plans and everything were left at the labs – there is nothing more I can do!”

“Well, it seems we have a dilemma, professor,” Panthia said, as he pondered his next move, “C.U.R.E Laboratories had a break in last week, but sadly the plans to your robot were not found.”

“I cannot do anything about it! I do not have any ties with C.U.R.E. anymore and I do not have any plans for the R.I.C.K.I. Robot,” Professor Hopper stressed. “Please, just let me go. I cannot help you.”

“Well, that’s where you are mistaken,” Panthia said with a shake of his head, “There are many things that you can do for me. Firstly you can answer some questions; what exactly did the R.I.C.K.I. Robot run on? I’ve heard stories, but I would like to hear it from you, professor.”

“A rechargeable Lithium-ion battery… uh… and I installed a Solar battery,” Professor Hopper replied, a little puzzled, “The Lithium-ion battery was there as a back up to the Solar, but since we were in the initial stages we never…”

“Yes, but what gave it the power to be intuitive?” Panthia interrupted.

“How did you know it was…?” the stunned scientist questioned.

“Let’s call it a lucky guess,” Panthia replied, waving the matter away. “The fact is I know it was intuitive and I want to know the reason behind it.”

“The R.I.C.K.I. robot was stolen just a few weeks after we found that it was intuitive. The tests that I ran did not amount to anything. I was hoping to gather more data, but…” Professor Hopper explained nervously, while adjusting his glasses.

“Was the robot empowered by the Jewel of Bast?” Panthia got straight to the point in an irritated tone.

“Jewel of…” The professor looked baffled. “What?”

Infuriated by the professor’s lack of understanding, Panthia grabbed him and thrusted him up against the wall. “Do not toy with me, professor. It is far too early in the morning and I need answers. Was the robot empowered by the Jewel of Bast?”

“Uh… I… I do not know. Doctor McCormack said that she was testing something for our benefactor… Rutger Solace. During my tests, I could not access the chest panel behind which she placed the item… but R.I.C.K.I. was calling it the ‘cardiac stone’… he… he could not tell me much more about it!” Professor Hopper stressed, before Panthia unceremoniously dumped him on the bed and walked across to the door, seemingly in thought.

“Do you believe me now?” the professor almost pleaded, as he wiped at his bleeding nose once more. “Will you let me return to my family?”

The door slid opened, even though Samuel did not see Panthia do anything to open it. “I need another robot, Professor,” the business man said without turning around. Then, just as he was almost out the door, he turned and added, “I will also need you to fulfil a few other tasks, so get some rest, because you will start in a few hours.”

“But, it took me five years to get the RICKI robot to the stage that it was…” Professor Hopper shouted, “There is no way that I could make it again without the plans. I have only ever made the one!”

“Well, you’ve had the practise, so now you will make another one – but this time it’s for me.” Panthia stated menacingly, before the door slid closed behind him.

“I cannot do it without the plans!” Professor Hopper yelled as he raced up to the door and banged on it. “I cannot…”

Defeated and alone again, Professor Hopper slumped down on the bed.

Federation Apartments,

Citadel, VIC Australia

19th August 5:53am EST

In the midst of her tears, she fell asleep. {Image by Travis Berketa]

The door to the apartment clicked open and Courtney sneaked into the hallway. She had finally summoned up the courage to come home, having sat upon the roof for hours wondering whether she should explain herself to Seth. Then she realised that in order to do that, she would actually have to speak and be understood. Checking her watch, she hoped that Seth was still sleeping – he usually did not wake until around eight o’clock.

A sudden clamour in the bedroom above startled her as she crept through the kitchen, into the laundry. Rummaging amongst the unwashed clothes, she pulled out one of Seth’s T-shirts; the one with Captain Thunder and the motto “Here comes the BOOM”. Feeling a little weird about it (having just met the hero), Courtney decided to put the shirt on anyway. Next, she bundled up her green and purple costume, wrapped it in her cape and placed it into an old Glamoúre Fashions bag; hiding it in one of the laundry cupboards that she knew Seth would never go into. Finally with a deep breath, she made her way out into the kitchen.

Courtney listened for any sounds coming from upstairs – there were none. Feeling the electricity still coursing through her body, the model’s courage dissipated and she began having second thoughts about coming back. Would Seth ever really love her now that she was some sort of electrical woman? How would she even communicate with him? Courtney walked to the staircase and fixed her gaze on one of the photographs hanging on the wall. Seth had his arms around her and they were both smiling. She stood there trying to convince herself that everything was okay, but deep down she felt that it was not. The events of today would have repercussions on the rest of her life, unless she was able to fix it.

Courtney could not hold back her emotions, as tears began to fall. Instead of climbing the stairs, she went across to the lounge room and lay down on the couch, grabbing the throw rug and winding it tightly around her. In the midst of her tears, she fell asleep.

The Stone Foundation

Citadel, VIC Australia

19th August 8:13am EST

"...with the speed and dexterity of a panther, he leaped over the desk thrusting his claws into the two guards’ throats, before they even had a chance to react." [Image by Travis Berketa]

“So why would Panthia send his little boy to negotiate this deal?” Tyler Stone questioned, with a smug look on his face. He sat comfortably behind his desk in the newly renovated office. Paton took in the granite coloured power suit, complete with the flashy, silver Spinnex watch, and contrasted that with the cocky, worn face of the forty-eight year old. “The word is that your father sent you away. People were saying you were dead or something?” Tyler quizzed with a grin. “Is this one of those phoenix rises from the ashes situations… or maybe prodigal son? You come back after being gone for so long and old man Panthia invites you back into the…”

Paton stood in front of Tyler Stone’s desk and examined the room, as Tyler continued to talk. Paton’s extraordinary senses picked up the scent of the five men waiting outside the door, and his ears picked up the sound of their guns clicking the bullets into the chamber. The two men standing behind Stone were also carrying firearms, but they were not so willing to hide theirs.

“Hey, Junior, I’m talking to you!” Stone‘s roar grabbed Paton’s attention. “You don’t waltz into The Stone Foundation and expect a meeting with me at any time you see fit, then just stand there ignoring my questions! This is MY office… MY establishment – and you will answer when I ask you a question! Is that understood, Junior?”

Paton looked up at the two stooges on either side of Tyler Stone and then sighed, shaking his head, before returning his attention to the businessman. “Stone, back in April, my father explained to you how the city runs. He was a little concerned about the business dealings the Stone Foundation have been carrying out,” Paton stated calmly, “apparently you didn’t seem to understand what he meant when he said that anything that runs through this city is Panthian Corporation property. Your gun-running the past few months has taken away various business from Panthian, which has made my father pretty unhappy. However, he understands that you’re new to Citadel and has decided to let you off lightly – this time. So I’ve been sent to collect a ‘courtesy fee’ – if you like – for allowing you to continue business… say, $500,000.”

“A $500,000 courtesy fee,” Tyler repeated with a smile, “I like that… but, you see, Junior, in my world there’s such a thing as competition. And if Panthian can’t keep up with the competition, then perhaps you should think of getting out.” He made a show of looking at his expensive watch and feigned a look of surprise. “Well, will you look at the time, Junior! I think you need to disappear from here, before daddy gets worried that his little boy won’t be returning from his pointless errand.”

Stone’s laugh annoyed Paton. He leaned hard on the businessman’s desk, eyeing Tyler with a dark stare. The two men behind Stone reach for their guns, ready for any action that may take place.

“Stone, look at me,” Paton commanded, seemingly paying no attention to the stooges. “You don’t seem to get the trouble that you’re in. The Stone Foundation may be strong in Bastion City; but in Citadel its foundations will crumble. Your company will be short lived, along with anyone else who is associated with you.”

Stone said nothing for a few seconds, and it was in that time that Paton could smell the businessman’s fear.

“How dare you!” Stone shot up out of his seat and pushed Paton away from his desk, “You really don’t know who you’re dealing with, do you? I’m Tyler Stone – the brother of Tyrus Stone – he owns Bastion City! Any threat to me is a threat to him – and you do not want to threaten Tyrus! He will bring your pitiful corporation down to its knees!”

“Well, maybe your brother doesn’t like you as much as you think he does,” Paton said with an intimidating grin. “Otherwise he wouldn’t have sent you here to try to take over a city that you’re incapable of taking… it’s going to look bad for you and The Stone Foundation when you’ve just set up shop and then have to tell big brother that you failed here in Citadel.”

Tyler signalled for his men to dispose of Paton. “I’ve had enough of this!” He shouted, but Paton could sense the fear behind it. “Your father will get your body, Junior. I have no use for it.”

“Excellent – I guess we both know where we stand,” Paton stated, before ejecting the claws from his gauntlets and with the speed and dexterity of a panther, he leaped over the desk thrusting his claws into the two guards’ throats, before they even had a chance to react.

The five men waiting at the door, burst in only to find Paton holding their boss face down against the desk with his deadly blades aimed at the back of Stone’s head. Sensing the gunmen’s hesitation, Paton grabbed a handful of Stone’s hair and yanked his head up.

“Don’t shoot!” Stone ordered, as he felt the sharp point of the blades on the back of his neck. “He… he’ll kill me if you don’t do as he says.”

“I’ll kill you anyway,” Paton retorted, as he plunged the blades into the back of Stone’s neck, before dive rolling over the desk once more and ending with his blades in the stomachs of two of the henchmen.

With such poor reaction times, Paton swiftly ended the lives of another two guards without them firing a single shot. The final guard dropped his gun and backed away with his hands in the air. Paton leaped onto him, sending him crashing to the ground.

“Tell Tyrus Stone about what happened here! Citadel is my city, so anything that happens within her borders will be known to me. And if he tries anything else, he will end up like Tyler Stone – understand?” Paton stressed, as he placed his blades underneath the frightened man’s chin.

“Ye… yes, Mister Panthia.”

Hearing that name made Paton grit his teeth in hate; “I am not Mister Panthia… Call me Pantha and I will be stalking the streets of this concrete jungle, taking down anyone who dares try and take it from me.” Paton growled, as he clipped the man’s chin with one of his blades and jumped off him.

The man brought his shaking hands to his bleeding chin and as he looked up, like a ghost, Pantha was gone.

Federation Apartments,

Citadel, VIC Australia

19th August 12:13pm EST

“I heard about what went on last night.” Seth informed Courtney, while handing her the mug. [Image by Travis Berketa]

“… at around nine o’clock last night. The unusual storm passed through very quickly, but managed to destroy the Glamoúre Fashions rooftop. Police report that nobody was injured, however there were several employees still missing…”

Courtney stirred, before a waking realisation reminded her where she was. She sat up to find Seth standing by the couch with a cup of coffee. He was dressed in his jeans and a white t-shirt, his hair was slicked back with hair-gel. Looking at the television, Courtney noticed that the midday news was on, but she was worried about saying anything.

“I heard about what went on last night.” Seth informed Courtney, while handing her the mug. Panic went through Courtney’s body – how could Seth know about her turning into an electrical freak? Did they have footage on the news? She looked at the screen once more, but the reporter continued telling the viewers about the strange storm. “Are you alright?”

Courtney did not want to alert her fiancé to her new, peculiar way of speaking, so she nodded and took a sip of coffee. She sighed at the taste. It was just the way she liked it; strong and sweetened with honey.

Seth began feeling a little uncomfortable, as he brought his own mug of coffee across to the couch and sat by Courtney. He took a drink from his cup, swallowed and then said, “Uh… Reisha rang from the hospital; she wanted to know if you were okay. I told her that you were curled up on the couch… you know, sleeping.”

“Mmm,” Courtney replied with a nod and a smile, before taking a mouthful of her coffee.

“She told you to take the rest of the day off, but she’ll send a car for you tomorrow at nine-thirty in the morning,” Seth said, not sure how to deal with the awkwardness that Courtney was displaying.

“Mmm-hmm,” Courtney responded.

Seth sighed, placed his mug on the coffee table and turned directly to her. “Alright, Court, this is too weird for me. I woke up to find you on the couch and now you won’t even speak to me… have I done something wrong?” Courtney shook her head. “Look, I know yesterday was your birthday, but because of your Glamoúre thing, we said we’d do something tonight… so I didn’t forget, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Courtney took heed of Seth’s worried face and decided to accept her fate in order to spare her fiancée’s feelings. “Uh…” she began, before saying slowly, “Last night something happened to… me…” Courtney realised her voice was completely her own and the relief hit her hard. “Oh my god – Seth – last night I… and the roof came down and I… Oh, I’m so sorry I made you worry!” She placed her mug on the coffee table and reached across to pull Seth into her arms for a hug.

The actor accepted Courtney’s embrace with a solid hug of his own. “You had me going there, Court,” he said, “For a moment I thought we were in a bad place.” As Courtney released her grip, he moved in and lay on top of her, kissing her on the lips. “Are you sure you’re okay? From what Reisha said, it sounded like last night was crazy scary.”

Courtney ran a hand over Seth’s clean shaven face. “I’ll be okay. I’m just a bit shaken. It was a strange experience.”

“You should have woken me when you got home,” Seth pointed out, as he sat up, “You didn’t have to sleep down here alone… especially after such a rough night.”

Courtney sat up and pulled her knees in towards her chest. “I… I just needed to try and work through it by myself… I think…”

Seth checked his watch and then sat up. “I’ve got the audition soon. Do you want me to cancel it?”

Courtney shook her head. “I’ll be okay, Seth. You go.” And to reinforce her statement, she threw the blanket at him, swung her legs off the couch and placed them onto the carpet. She grabbed her mug once more and took a mouthful.

Seth placed the blanket over the backrest of the couch, got up and grabbed his jacket from the armchair. As he put it on, he offered once more, “I can stay if you want. The audition can wait. You’re more important to me than a movie role, Court.”

“I’m fine,” Courtney said, taking another drink. She noticed the worry in her fiancée’s eyes. “It’s alright, Seth, I’ll be okay. You go and do the audition; you’ve run through those lines for almost a month.”

“Well, I have been the hard working little actor,” he replied with a smile. “You make sure you’re dressed and ready when I get back, because I’m going to get you to forget all your troubles with a big birthday bash.”

Courtney nodded. Seth kissed her lovingly and left the apartment. Grabbing both the mugs, Courtney got off the couch and walked to the kitchen, placing them on the sink. She looked at the mugs and then at her hands, wondering about the abilities she displayed last night. Raising her hand, she attempted to re-enact the scenario in the alley, but no matter how hard she tried the electricity that had blasted from her hands the night before did not come.

“I must be going mad,” Courtney said to herself, as she opened the dishwasher and placed the mugs inside. Then a thought occurred to her – “The costume!”

Courtney rushed into the laundry and opened the cupboard. The Glamoúre Fashions bag was right where she left it. She pulled the bag out of the cupboard and opened it – nothing.

“Where is it?” Courtney exclaimed aloud, as she rummaged through the cupboard.

She pulled out the entire contents of the laundry cupboard – still nothing. Tears began to run down her face, as she realised that the costume was definitely not there. Courtney slumped onto the tiled floor in tears. She felt like she was going mad.

The Hans Residence,

Coburg, VIC Australia

1st September 6:36pm EST

Suddenly, Jennifer’s eyes glowed a vibrant green and she shoved her father to the ground. [Image by Travis Berketa]

“Jenni, it’s for your own good.” Gustave stressed.

“I’m not going to go to a psych!” Jennifer yelled, “I’m twenty-two years old. You can’t make me do anything anymore! I’m old enough to make my own decisions!”

“Age does not matter. I am still your father. I want what is best for you,” Gustave sternly said, “Now you are going to see the psychiatrist that your mother booked, so that you can sort these issues out.”

Suddenly, Jennifer’s eyes glowed a vibrant green and she shoved her father to the ground.

“Jenni!” Mirabella screamed.

Jennifer’s hand lit up and her parents watched in horror as their daughter held a fireball above Gustave.

“You do not order me around, old one!” Jennifer snarled, threatening to let the fireball loose on her father. A panicked expression overcame Jennifer, as she fought to neutralise her burning hand.

Her parents’ fear kept them from responding. Finally, the glow disappeared from Jennifer’s eyes, and she pulled her hands to her breast. She emitted a sob. “I’m sorry… so sorry…” And with that, Jennifer raced out of the house.

“You do not order me around, old one!” Jennifer snarled. [Image by Travis Berketa]

To continue the story, follow the link to:

Super Hero Chronicles - Citadel: Rise of the Heroes (Part 6)

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About the Creator

Travis Berketa

I am a father. I am a teacher. I am a writer.

I love reading fictional stories and I love writing fictional stories.

I hope you enjoy my contribution to Vocal.

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