Learning Control

Chapter 23: Being There

"Virgil?" his mother called softly as she walked in.

Virgil jumped from where he sat at the desk, and wiped away his tears before turning to see his mom.

"Hey, a stóirín, are you okay?" (my little child/sweetheart).

Virgil shook his head with a sob, and more tears streamed down his face. "I want to go back. I m-miss my friends."

"I know, my dear, but it will be okay. Your father and I are working something out right now."

"Why are you still here? He-he kidnapped you!"

"Because he never intended us to get hurt, and I still love him so much." Sophia grabbed Virgil's hands and pulled him up, leading him to the bed. "I know you don't like him, and I'm not asking you to forget what he has done. He was a cruel and powerful villain, but he sees his team as family. He treated me right. He would have burned the whole down world for me if I had asked. It had hurt me when we separated, but I couldn't bear to let you be part of that life."

"He... He's killed people before."

"I know, dear. But he's become better. He and I had changed. You know, I wasn't always the most innocent person either. Having you, that changed me, I became better. And I know that if you give him a chance, you'll see how much Noah has changed as well."

"I don't want to. He ruined everything for me! People at school had found out he's my father, and even though I didn't believe it, everyone was scared of me! I was treated like a villain, even when all I did was try to protect my friends! It's because of him I lost my legs, that our home burned down, I'm just glad you didn't get hurt."

Sophia seemed to hesitate and looked off for a moment. She tried to find something to say but Virgil beat her to it.

"You did get hurt, didn't you?"

"Oh darling, it's nothing as serious as what happened to you. I'm still in one piece!"

"Was it Shadow? Did Shadow hurt you?" Virgil asked, becoming very angry.

"He would never raise a hand against me. The night I lost you, the night that man came for us. He had grabbed my arm and well..." Sophia pulled the glove sleeve down and revealed a large scar wrapped around her arm. It was an electrical burn. "He electrocuted me, and I guess something caught fire because I remember flames. I tried to call out to you."

Virgil felt more tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I was just so afraid and- I-I couldn't move! Then everything fell and I blacked out. I woke up in a hospital, and Thomas, the man who's been taking care of me ever since, was there to help. He-he's the one that created my prosthetics. He's been like a father to me, but he got hurt when he tried to protect me. I hope he's okay."

"He sounds like a good man, I'm sure the heroes will make sure he'll be okay."

"Yeah, he's just so self destructive sometimes. He always throws himself into work, never taking care of himself."

His mother pondered for a moment, then asked, "Tell me about your friends."

Virgil smiled at the memory of them, though his vision became more blurry and he tried to blink the tears away. "I had- have... I have quite a few. One of them is named Patton, we share the same room at the academy. He's always so kind, and smiles all the time. He's so gentle and he's always helped me when I got upset or had a nightmare. Then there's Logan, they're boyfriends now I think. It happened right before... well before I left. He's super smart, and has helped me study or train. I-I want to be a superhero, so I need to work extra hard because of my legs, and he really helps with that."

"They sound so wonderful."

"They are. And-and there's Janus, he's a huge trouble maker but still really fun and supportive. He's pulled a lot of pranks on me, but he's always had my back. Then, I made two new friends this year. They're twins, Remus and Roman. Remus instantly befriended Janus and they've been huge trouble makers this year," Virgil laughed at the memory of them. "They're lucky they haven't managed to get into detention yet."

"Everyone needs friends like that." Sophia smiled wide.

"Yeah, honestly I think they like each other. I hope they're okay. Then there's Roman, and he's really awesome but also annoying. He's loud and obnoxious, always challenging me, but he's a really fast learner and is great at fighting. Not to mention kind, charming, and just..."

"Radiant? Has a smile as bright as the sun? Handsome?"

"Yeah... wait- no! Mom!"

Sophia laughed loudly. "You love him! Look at you, my little romantic boy!"

"Stop, it-it's not like that! He's annoying and frustrating and-"

"Has eyes that you just get lost in? Does he have a good fashion sense?"

"You should have seen him at home coming, he wore a giant red dress! He really knew how to dance too, his eyes are like chocolate and his hair is so wavy."

"You two danced, huh?"

"A-as friends! He doesn't like me like that, so we're friends!"

Sophia's face dropped in disappointment. "He's not into men?"

"Oh he definitely is, and so am I, it's just... I don't know. He deserves someone better than me, someone like him! Energetic, bubbly, brash, charming... and that's just not me."

"Well, how do you think he sees you?"

Virgil grabbed a pillow and hugged it. "I don't know, I think he thinks I'm amazing? But that's just 'cause I'm a really good fighter and designer. It doesn't really matter, cause I'm probably never going to see him again. Oh, Maggie! She's probably so worried about me, and the other little kids too."

"Kids?"

"I hang out with the younger kids, the ones who are orphaned or disabled. Maggie doesn't have any parents, and she's missing a hand. She really loved me, I was like a big brother to her."

"I wish I could meet her. I'm so proud of who you've become, I wish I was there to see you grow."

Virgil tried to give her a smile, but his chest hurt. He really wished she was there for him while he was growing up, or that he knew his friends were okay. "You're here now."

Sophia pulled Virgil into a hug. "And I'm here to stay for you. I'm never going to leave you again. I'll make sure everything's okay."