Superhero

Chapter 44

Addison walked out of the diner and paused on the sidewalk, neatly stuffing the paper bag of food into a corner in her bag.
She continued walking down the main road, passing the bustling streets of Spring Valley. The sequin-lined road looked like the definition of a city, even reminding her of a few music videos she watched. She was glad that the storm had stopped, right before Fiolina arrived, and didn't know about it until the other girl told her.
The picturesque streets were soon lost from view once she turned into the secluded street to go back. She walked at the side to allow cars to pass but there weren't that many cars that came there so it was relatively safe for pedestrians.
But not safe in general, just from cars.
Addison picked up the pace, pulling her coat and hood on a little tighter as she walked since it was still cold from the rain.
There was a row of shops, but they were mostly closed. Once she passed those shops, she was alone again.
It was fairly dark too but suddenly Addison saw her shadow straight in front of her, surrounded by a bright white light. She quickly turned around and saw a car approaching, immediately going off to the side to let it pass.
But why did the light follow her to the side too?
Addison started to run. It was evident that whoever was driving the car was either drunk or crazy.
The car gained on her pretty quickly. It was speeding, growing rapidly faster. It was so fast, Addison didn't think she would succeed even if she ran in the opposite direction instead.
A dark silhouette, followed by an even brighter light, suddenly hit her before the car did. Addison suddenly found herself in front of the Kennedy home itself.
Before she could even comprehend what happened, the Superhero stood in front of her. Addison noticed how his pants and shoes were covered in mud, as if he sank knee-deep in quicksand and managed to get out.
But before she could say anything, Superhero gave her a nod and ran off, disappearing into his own light. Addison just stared in shock.
This was her fifth encounter with the Superhero.
Addison walked into the house, barely able to walk with her shaky legs. She didn't even get to take a deep breath when a flustered Felicia greeted her.
"Addie, where's Jake?" Felicia demanded, panicking. "Didn't he pick you up?"
"I- I don't know, he didn't come," Addison frowned. "I came home by myself."
Felicia gasped. "Oh my god... I sent him to Speedmart to get some things, and he said he'll stick around to pick you up. But you're here, and he isn't. Where could he be?"
Addison took her phone out and started calling Jake. His phone was out of reach.
"I tried calling him too, he's not picking up," Felicia groaned. "I texted him before the rain, the very terrible rain. He said he'll go there straight from work, but he still isn't back yet."
"Relax, Felicia," Addison comforted. "Maybe his phone just died. Or maybe he's just stuck in traffic?"
A loud sound came, followed by Jordan shuffling in.
"Jordan, have you seen Jake?" Felicia asked as he came in.
"No?" Jordan simply said, taking his muddy shoes off.
"What happened to your shoes?" Felicia asked in shock.
"Wet grass," Jordan shrugged. "Almost fell too."
"Looks like you actually did," Addison snorted. "Your pants are muddy too, almost up to the knees!"
Jordan frowned. "Actually, I didn't. It splashed all over me."
"Something tells me you stomped on mud puddles on purpose," Addison chuckled. She turned back to the worried Felicia and offered a smile. "I'm sure Jake's fine, Felicia."
Felicia nodded and frowned at Jordan's muddy shoes. "If I see you drag mud up the stairs, I'm evicting you."
Jordan shrugged. "Sure."
With that, he sighed and went up the stairs, holding his shoes in one hand. Addison still wondered what the beef between Jordan and Felicia was all about.
Addison shrugged and sat down on the nearest couch to take her shoes off. Felicia sat down too, fidgeting nervously as she waited. She looked so worried, Addison decided to wait with her.
"I'm sure he's fine, Felicia," Addison kept on saying. "He's probably just stuck in traffic."
The sound of feet came up the porch steps, followed by Jake entering the room, covered in mud. What Addison found weird was the fact that he wasn't wearing his usual varsity jacket, just a red t-shirt despite the cold weather.
"Jake, what took you so long?" Felicia immediately stood up.
Jake just handed her the plastic bag of stuff. "Been through an obstacle course just for this. The Speedmart in Spine Street didn't have eggs, and the one in State Town was closed too. I had to go to the one in Spinner Street to get it." Then he smiled at Addison. "Also, hi Addie. Sorry I couldn't pick you up."
"It's fine," Addison shrugged. "Someone gave me a lift."
It was true since the Superhero technically gave her a lift home.
"Oh, right..." Jake chuckled.
"Why are you covered in mud?" Felicia asked. "Did you fall?"
Jake sighed. "Well, there weren't any parking spots nearby so I had to park a little far. I was going back to the car after getting these when a stupid driver splashed mud all over me when speeding by."
"Stupid driver..." Felicia grimaced. "Go take a shower, Jake."
"Was going to, anyway," Jake shrugged. He turned to Addison and gave her a tired smile. "Anyway, I don't think I'll be coming for tuition today, Addie. I'm tired."
And with that, he went up to his room, dragging his muddy shoes up with him.
Felicia put the bag of stuff on the coffee table and sighed tiredly. "I just scolded Jordan, but my own son's doing it now."
She left the room, muttering, and returned with a mop. Addison quickly put her shoes back on and rushed up the stairs before Felicia could come.
Addison snorted and went to her room, glad that she could relax for the night, with no 'tuition' to bother about.

Dressed in pyjamas after a shower, Addison sat on her bed with the burger and fries she got. She decided to watch the evening news to see if her recent encounter with the Superhero was spotted. Then again, maybe not. Addison thought it barely just happened.
Addison almost dropped her burger when she heard the headlines.
"Superhero of Spring Valley saves landslide victims in Spinner's Hill."
"Oh my gosh!" Addison exclaimed.
She eagerly waited for the news to be read, and it was the first. Addison took a shaky bite of her burger and chewed it slowly.
"Due to the heavy rainstorm earlier tonight, a landslide has hit Spinner's Hill," the chirpy newscaster stated. "The Superhero jumped in to save two cars, one biker, and some of the animals, from being crushed under the rolling landslide."
"Oh my..." Addison murmured. She gasped when an image of the peak, where she and Jeff had been standing the previous week, was shown, covered in a heap of Earth and debris from the landslide. It was the exact same spot where they stood, admiring the view of Spring Valley.
And she also remembered something else.
"I dunno, maybe I'll go to Spinner's Hill. That's a view no one could get bored of and gets better at night."
Was Jeff there when all of this happened?