burnt - k. smith (the rewrite)

p r o l o g u e

Being a journalist had become your ideal job when you realized that there was nothing better than settling down in a big city with big heroes and even bigger opportunities. Of course, it was a nerve-racking experience, being jostled around on a cramped bus, clumped together with people who reeked of substances you didn't want to know of. 

It wasn't the smell or the fact that you were clumped together with a bunch of drug addicts that was making you sick, though. It was the message your eyes kept scanning over again and again. You read it like it was the first time you had, despite it being your fiftieth. 

Morning, Y/n! We're so happy you have you on the team! I am fully aware of your status on the job. You just graduated! Congrats, by the way! I wanted to alert you that, despite your current position in the job, I have reviewed your past works and am truly impressed. Unfortunately, I am unable to make it in next month for an important interview with the Ninja and was wondering if you would be able to fill in the position for me. Please get back to me as soon as possible. 

It was a message from one of your co-workers, Bethany. Beth and you had been conversing for a while, only a few dry messages here and there, but she seemed the most friendly of the bunch given the fact that she was assigned to all the newbies. Nobody wants to deal with fresh meat when it comes to journalism. 

You tapped your foot anxiously, licking your dry lips. Of course, meeting the Ninja was a wonderful opportunity. When the news came, you were bounding your way out the door! But as soon as the reality hit you...as soon as you realized it was the Ninja you were meeting in real life on your first job...

Shivers crept down your spine like a slithering creature. Your stomach dropped just thinking about it. There was a million chances you would mess up. 

The robotic voice beeped on, announcing the next stop on the bus. Thanking some higher power that enough people left so you could stand without someone huffing hot breaths down your shoulder, you took up a seat towards the back, rolling your sore ankles. 

You'd already sent back a message three weeks ago to Bethany, replying with a simple, Of course! Thank you so much for trusting me with this opportunity. 

She then gave you directions to speak to a man named Charlie, who would answer everything you needed to know about the interview, even the tiniest things. 

Biting your lip, you tucked your phone away as the bus pinged again, the automated voice popping up through the speakers. Dragging your luggage behind you, you started on your way back to your apartment. 

It was a hopelessly romantic place with a rickety bed and shutters that had collapsed the moment you touched them. You loved the place, despite its appearance. It was your home, and had been for the past two months. After moving from your hometown, this was the only place you could afford in a city where everything was worth something. 

The smell of cigarettes and rotting wood wafted into your nostrils. Disgusting, but it was some place to stay, and you would never forget it because it was your first home. Or maybe the black mold would have some deadly lasting effect and that would be the reason you would remember this place. You chose to look on the bright side. 

Paper thin walls revealed the arguments of neighbors on one side, and noises you'd rather not hear on the other. 

Setting the heavy bag down, you listened to the radio buzz softly. A few moments of silence passed before the interview flooded your mind once again. 

"I might as well do something about it", you grumbled to yourself. The wooden chair creaked under your weight, the desk groaning as you leaned on it. Paper and pen in hand, you began scribbling ice breaking questions. 

How are you? 

How's saving the world all the time? 

Okay and to the point of the interview...

Of course, we would love a demonstration of your power! 

It was such an honor to be able to interview you all! 

You groaned, stuffing your head into your arms. Sleep tugged at your eyes, threatening to pull you under. You almost dared to fall asleep until a knock sounded at the door. 

Hesitantly, you opened it to reveal a tall brunette standing with a collection of newspapers clutched to her chest. Anezka, your neighbor, stood at 6'2". Probably the tallest girl you knew. 

She had a smile like sunshine and the IQ of a fish, with an irresistible sprinkle of freckles across her nose. If she had made smarter choices during school, she could have been a model. 

Her stringy brown hair hung in a low pony tail. 

"Anezka, I'm really tired right now. Can we talk later?" 

Currently jobless, Anezka took you moving in as a free opportunity to seek out a job at the place you worked at, hence the collection of newspapers. 

"So I was thinking," she said, finger flying into the air, "we could go over these and whichever story is the most interesting, you and the Ninja could talk about during your interview." 

"The interview is a week from now, I don't think that any of that will still be new to the public. It'll be old stuff the crowd is already bored of. They'd want to know about the Ninja's personal lives, and that's what I've been directed to try and uncover." 

"Yeah, okay. So I found these in the stand outside, and this one in particular really caught my eye." Anezka waved her hand dismissively, completely disregarding the fact you never invited her into your apartment. She took up the seat you were previously sitting at and spread the papers across the desk. 

As much as she pestered you sometimes, it was a sweet gesture. One year older than you and Anezka was still a sweet-faced child. You knew that she was using you to get a job, but she also genuinely cared about helping you. At times it got annoying, but the company was occasionally nice.   

With a sigh, you swiped your hand over your head and dragged a seat to the desk. 

Anezka's finger drifted from one report to the other. "I was thinking about the most recent story. The one where Cole was patrolling and he saved a person falling from a building?" 

"That sounds good but it only pretains to Cole. It has to be a collective work." At this point, you were just spitting nonsense in hopes Anezka would become bored of your dry attitude and leave. 

"Alright, well how about this one?" Her finger drifted to another story that had been circled in blindingly bright yellow highlighter. " 'Ninja save the city, but can they save the hearts of the civilians?' " 

Your brow furrowed. "What?" You did nothing to hide the annoyance, nor the confusion in your voice.

Anezka showed you the article. "It says here that the citizens are beginning to doubt them. Doubt doesn't go away in a week, especially not when it's so many people. Someone out there has to be wondering what the Ninja have to say about this, and of course it dives a little bit into their personal lives." 

You thought about it for a bit. "I'll talk with Charlie about it tomorrow." 

Anezka offered you a childish smile before sweeping up the rest of the newspapers, leaving the one you were currently looking at. "For sure. Let me know how it goes!" 

You nodded, concealing your yawn. Anezka left with another wave and shut the door behind you Within an instant, you had already neglected the paper and collapsed onto your rickety bed, grumpy and irritated. 

If one more person had the audacity to ruin your soon-to-be slumber, you would personally throw a riot in their apartment. 

With that last, sleepy thought, your eyes fluttered shut.