Beyond Good and Evil (Lams Superhero AU)

- Fourteen (Part One) -

I wake up in a cold sweat, panic overflowing as I look around me, looking for someone - anyone to be around.

“Shh, shh, it's okay, John. It was just a nightmare.”

I look up and smile gently. “Sorry, it was just so real. It was like..” I then sigh, not really able to finish my thought.

“What was it about?”

“I… I can't remember.” I then shake my head. “But it's alright, Mom. It was just a dream anyhow.”

She smiles at me and caresses my cheek. “Well, come on. I made breakfast.”

I lean into her hand. I wasn't sure why, but I had missed her touch so much. Even though I had just seen her before I went to bed.

In fact, it's just been me and my mom for a long time now. My father died when I was younger, and all my siblings grew to resent me and my mother. So, they took everything of my father's and left me and my mom to fend for ourselves.

But it's alright, we made do with what we had. As long as we had each other, there was nothing else we needed.

But still, even though I've been with her this whole time, there was this sorrow that came with her touch. I felt as if I hadn't truly felt her presence in years.

“John? Are you alright?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah.. I’m alright, I think I’m just.. Still waking up.” I say, offering a small smile. I didn’t need to worry her over anything. “I’ll meet you at the table, I’m going to get ready for work.”

“Okay, I’ll go make you a plate.” She says, kissing the top of my head. She leaves the room and I sit for a moment, trying to get over the weird feeling I was feeling a few moments ago.

That dream I had must have really messed with my head.

I try to shake it off as I change into my work clothes and meet my mom at the table in our small apartment. She did as promised and made me a plate of pancakes. I take my seat across from her and thank her for the food, digging into the meal.

We eat in silence for a bit and I eventually look up at my mom. “Hey, are you happy?” I ask.

“Happy? Of course I am. I have you in my life, what more could I ask for?” She asks, tilting her head.

“Well, I know, but like.. What about Dad? And my siblings?”

She sighs gently. “The rest of our family were not kind people. Your father's passing brought out the nastiness they tried to cover for so long. I do miss them, but they made their choice and I can’t dwell on that.”

“Right, but do you ever wish you had more in life? I mean, we used to be a pretty wealthy family, and now we’re living in a shitty two bedroom apartment, both of us working all the time.” I mumble slightly.

She frowns gently. “Is this about you not being able to go to school in New York?” She asks.

“It’s just.. USC is fine and all, of course. But I don't feel like I'm being pushed, or using my full potential there.” I say, sighing gently. “Everything about South Carolina is just.. suffocating.”

“Look, I know USC isn't where you wanted to go, but I believe that big brain of yours would have been bored at any school you went to. This is just a part of life you have to get through.” She says.

“I know, but New York would have been different, I just know it.” I say. “I don't know, recently I've just been… Longing for something.”

“Longing for something? What for?” She tilts her head.