Debts To Be Settled

1

Tommy would never consider himself fortunate. The universe gave him enough luck not to die, and he made due with it. He continued to strive towards the seemingly unattainable goal of safety. The universe didn't help him, but it, at least, didn't stomp mercilessly on all of his efforts. If anything, Tommy would say it laughed at his struggles, deciding he was unworthy of some adventurous life of misfortune or tragedy. It didn't settle well in his stomach, but Tommy would take what he could get. He was born with this innate desire to live, after all, so he would continue to strive towards that goal. If being pathetic allowed him some modicum of security, he would take it with as much dignity as he was allowed.

Tommy has been- well, not rewarded, but granted certain accommodations for his efforts. If he keeps his head down, not engaging with anything, people don't have a reason to look at him too long. If he doesn't demand their love or attention, they do not give him their hate and cruelty. If he ebbs with the flow, he will not be swept away by the current. Every foster kid eventually learns this lesson, even the problem children who realize that mellowing out is the only choice for their survival. Tommy, once upon a time, was one such problem child, but he let the world sand down all of his sharp edges until he was a smooth stone able to roll through any problem thrown his way.

There has really only been one curveball in Tommy's life. He was part of the minority of people with supernatural powers. Having powers is considered a blessing by many since it allows them greater freedoms than the rest of the city gets, but Tommy's powers are chains around his wrists. He has the highly sought after power to heal physical wounds. He isn't the best healer on the island but having a healer is infinitely better than not having one. The heroes- as part of the government- take anyone with healing powers, promising it is for their safety. Villains will take people with healing powers, too, but they usually don't lie about the reasoning behind their actions. In a world where titans clash with one another, having someone to heal all the wounds for one side instead of the other is valuable.

Tommy actively chooses not to be part of that world. He does his best not to interact with heroes or with villains. He won't even look at vigilantes or anyone who falls in the 'other' category. Tommy is concerned for himself, first and foremost. If he wants to live a relatively peaceful and, dare he say, happy life, he will continue to keep himself away from the collateral damage people with powers leave in their wake as they try to take control of the island. He does what he's learned always works: he keeps his head down, he keeps his words light-hearted, and he never leaves his current residence without a mask of amusement on his face. If anyone suspects that he is harboring a secret as dangerous as healing powers, they will tear apart the life that Tommy has fought tooth and nail to have for himself. He will be taken by one side or the other, heroes or villains, and neither prisons are particularly good places to be.

Tommy will make that decision again and again. He will ignore the radio informing him of heroes or villains dying. He will ignore the people in the streets lamenting the loss of their loved ones due to the fights. He will ignore the unending fire burning in his chest that simply desires to heal the world instead of watching it destroy itself. Tommy knows that fire will reduce the world to ashes before he is able to achieve anything worthwhile.

Despite all of this, Tommy finds himself unable to walk away from the situation he, rather lamely, stumbled upon. He was on his way back from the convenience store, a plastic bag loosely held in his hand. His other hand was inside the pocket of his faded red hoodie. He took a shortcut, the same one he always uses, and he knew the moment he stepped into the dark, damp alley, he would regret his decision. He didn't know why until he was standing next to a widening puddle of blood, black in the low light but sparkling with red every time the distant street lamp flickers to life. As smoke comes from fire, the blood is pouring from a wound inflicted on a human.