The Dark Mist

The Showdown

                                                                                        20

Carl Attenborough wasn't much of an early riser. He liked getting to College at 9am. Seven in the morning was too early but he was getting paid for this, also The Dark Mist was funding his research and not the backwards College he was attending, so he was grateful for his help. He went up to the door to the Physics Lab with his key and as expected, he saw The Dark Mist sitting on the counter waiting for him. "Hope you weren't waiting long?"

"Just got here," said The Dark Mist hopping off the counter. He had a backpack with him that he held in his one hand. Looked like there was nothing in it.

"I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"

"The good news."

"I made improvement on the propulsion system."

"That is good news."

"The bad news is that it isn't perfect. I haven't been able to iron out the kinks, but if you'll accept that?"

"I'll take it for now. What can it do?"

"Well, I can't exactly give you a demonstration." For the first time, The Dark Mist noticed a bandaid on Carl's forehead and Carl nodded. "Exactly. It does propel you, but not exactly where you want to go. It doesn't go up and it's not smooth."

"I'll take it."

Carl nodded, went to the cabinet, opened it and took out a cylindrical object which was the size of his forearm. "Again, like the others you have, except more powerful and more dangerous, so be careful."

The Dark Mist put the object into his backpack. "What else do you have?"

"I think you'll like this. I was getting frustrated with the propulsion system so I thought, let me work on something else you might need." He took out a box from the cabinet that was the size of a shoe box, closed the cabinet and brought the shoe box to a table. The Dark Mist followed him. Carl opened the box and The Dark Mist saw some kind of blanket folded in there. Carl took out the blanket whipped it in the air, then draped it on his back. "It's a cape."

"What is it with everyone wanting me to wear a cape?"

"Not just any cape. I figured with it being cold out there, you'd need a jacket, but a jacket, especially a winter one can be bulky or clumsy and clunky. It would make you heavy when you want to be light on your feet, like that time in the convenience store."

"Yes, people love talking about that."

Carl nodded. "Now it is a bit heavy, but it's also thinsulate. Which means the material is thin but it will keep you warm. It has a hood." Carl put the hood on, then took it off. "But here's the bonus. It's bullet proof."