Electric Storm

Chapter 6.2: Sunset on a Roof

Steve takes me out running again. He was right. Step by step. I'm getting faster. I'm getting fitter. And a little bit of me is happier. But not all.

We stop halfway round the lake for water and for me to catch my breath. The view of the still water is beautiful and calming.

When we start running again, I chat happily to Steve. I don't notice whatever causes me to slip. I land, face first on the ground. When I look up, I see dark waters that smash furiously into the shore. I feel the cold, damp ground scrape my bare skin.

I could be on the sandy beach in Malibu. I could be on the fiery shore outside the falling Triskelion. Or I could be in the cold waters that night.

I can't breathe.

The wind attacks my face as I run from the house and the monster who tried to touch me.

My fingers shake.

The sea foam spits as I grip the railing. Slippery and ice cold.

My eyes squeeze shut.

A metal arm drags me up the beach. A bloodied hand drags me away from his body. A haunting touch snakes up my back.

I turn quickly to the person behind me, punching him before he can hurt me.

"Don't touch me!" I cry.

"Katy, it's me. Steve. You know me." He raises his hands in defence. "Breathe Katy. Just breathe."

"Steve?" Tears slip out my eyes. I collapse against the trunk of the tree. "I'm sorry." Blood starts to trickle down my face.

It's black.

I cry more.

He said step by step. He didn't say I'd be stepping backwards. What's the point anymore? I'm just crawling deeper into a hole.

"Is it ok if I sit next to you?"

I nod.

He sits down silently.

"Are you going to give me a great speech on moving forward or doors or something?" I choke.

"No. I don't think you need that."

I look up, surprised. Steve always has the motivation to share.

"I think you just need a friend. And as your friend, who's been through this before, I suggest you sit here for a minute and breathe. And when we go back, you should make a list."

"A list?"

"Separate your feelings into what's real and what isn't. Split the depression and the grief. Express your feelings and make sense of them. And if you want to share that's fine, we can talk through them together. If you don't, that's ok. It's your choice."

"Ok. I can do that." I glance up at his soft smile. "I trust you Steve."

"And I trust you to make the right choice."

I grab my knives as my boosters lift me up. Spiderman has already swung towards the scream. 

'SUNDAY, scan the area.' I instruct. The night vision switches on so I can see my surroundings. SUNDAY creates a map that directs me towards the cry. I do not like what I see. There's a young woman, who's intoxicated but not enough that she doesn't know what's happening, and there's a man with a knife. He's pulled her into the alley. He's threatening to stab her. He's grabbing her.