Darin James: Voltage

Chapter 1 - Electrify

It all started on a typical Monday morning. I get out of the elevator, grab my camera, and walk over to Mr. Kent. I never ease drop on the conversations, I just happen to hear everything they say. Lois at the time was furious with Superman, why, something about he never sticks around to talk too her. She decided not to cover the story on the research lab, because Superman would most likely be there. So Mr. Kent and me took the company car and drove down to the Star Labs Research Facility. When we got there several news crews were already inside, snapping pictures, getting interviews and just getting in my way. Kent's was not one to get agitated, but I am nothing like Kent, I pushed and shoved a little bit. I eventually got through the thick crowd while being tailed by him. There was caution tape surrounding an electric generator. Again, I listened into some people's conversations and heard that the generator had malfunctioned and caused the fire. The fire trucks had already left which meant no more fire. Mr.Kent told me to take pictures of it and the scorched floor where the fire had been. I did what I was told, and didn't crossed the caution tape either. Police surrounded it, so no one could pass it (not that I would have). I looked around some snapping pictures and then I looked for around for Kent. He was getting an interview, so I left them alone. I noticed a small box on the wall, it was burned, I could hardly make out what it said,

T.E.C. was an acronym for the Tyler Electric Company.

I didn't touch it, I did not want to get shocked if there was any electric still flowing through it. I asked the police officer closest to me if they investigated the box. He said,

"Sir, I'm not able two release any information to the general public." I sighed,

"I'm not the general public. I am not a reporter, I'm a cameraman. I just wanted to know, off the record of course." He looked like he was thinking it through wondering if he should tell me or not. But he stood there puzzled, Mr. Kent came back and pulled me aside, he had concern in his voice,

"Darin, I don't want you to go any farther." I only looked at him and I understand what he was getting at. I asked him,

"Why?" It looked like had taken him aback by the question and I have regretted asking it too. He answered,

"This building is unsafe. There was structural damage during the fire." My eyes stayed on him and I nodded saying that I understood. He smiled at me and patted me on the back. He gestured for me to follow him and I did until, I looked back at that small TEC box on the wall. But that is all it took, the building started to collapse. I felt a large piece of concrete hit my back forcing me to the floor. I looked around to see where Mr.Kent was, I didn't see him anywhere. More rubble piled on top of me, most of my left leg was covered but my right leg was half exposed. I saw a live wire twisting around in the air above me and I could see the sparks flying from it. I saw more rubble falling, in the same moment a large jolt pass through my body, and I knew livewire had been pinned against me. I let out a yell, one I hadn't heard before, it fell as if someone was stabbing me with thousands of knives. My whole body went numb in seconds. I wanted to stop all the pain. I thought I saw a blue blur pass over top of me. I held my breath, soon I couldn't see or feel anything anymore. I was surprised that I survived that long, the electric shock passing through me should be killed me in seconds. If anything, the rubble was starting to hurt worse than the electric pulse. It felt like it was getting heavier and heavier every second. Then I saw small shimmer of light I immediately looked toward it. I heard rubble move and the light got bigger. I couldn't move any part of my body, so I was not able too push it, my sight was starting to double and things were getting blurrier. Then I saw a hand, but I thought I was imagining things. More rubble moved and a whole section in front of me broke free. Dust flew all around me I coughed trying to clear my lungs. I couldn't look toward my hand, but I felt something warm touch it. Then I heard someone ask,