Acceleration

Chapter 9: Straight-Up Heroics

A wave of lightning burst through the lab as Erin skidded to a stop, removing his helmet with a grin.

"Dude, that was awesome!" Tommy shouted, holding up both hands for a high five. Erin slapped them with a laugh.

"Come on, Auntie, you've gotta admit that was pretty cool."

Jessica chuckled and nodded. "I'll admit it—you looked pretty cool out there."

Erin beamed and tugged his jacket off over his head.

"And right on time too," he said, glancing at the clock.

A knock at the lab door made all three whip their heads around. Jess ran to the entrance while Erin sped over to hide his suit in a nearby cabinet. When the door opened, Lisa, Marlin, and Elizabeth stepped inside.

"Hey guys," Erin greeted, casually leaning on the fabricator. Tommy was already flopped on the couch, pretending to be asleep.

"We figured we'd come grab you," Lisa said, looking at her phone. "Apparently, Hypersonic just stopped another villain."

"Hypersonic?" Erin echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"That's what he's calling himself now," Elizabeth said, wandering around the lab, peeking at every gadget and wire.

"This place is awesome. Do you always hang out here after school?"

Marlin smacked Tommy on the head, "waking" him up. "We don't. These nerds come for the free coffee."

"I hate coffee," Tommy muttered, smoothing his hair as he sat up.

"Any cool projects you're working on?" Lisa asked Jess.

Erin's eyes darted to the sketchbook open on the fabricator—his new suit design in full view. While the others were distracted, he grabbed the notebook and flung it out the window. A faint thwack followed as it hit the bushes below.

"We should head out," Elizabeth said, checking her watch.

"You're really particular about time," Lisa noted as they exited the lab.

Erin hugged Jess goodbye and followed the group out.

***

"What is this stuff?" Elizabeth asked, poking at the bottom of her drink.

"Boba tea," Marlin replied with a sip.

"I know what it's called. What's in the bottom?"

"Wait—have you seriously never had boba?" Lisa gasped.

Erin leaned over conspiratorially. "I think this stuff is disgusting. It's okay if you agree."

"You think it's vile because you're a cuck," Lisa snapped.

Before he could fire back, a glob of boba hit Erin square in the eye. Elizabeth began coughing violently.

"Wrong pipe?" he asked, wiping his face with a napkin.

She nodded, struggling to breathe. "Wrong pipe."

Tommy clapped his hands. "So! Hypersonic, huh?"

Erin shot him a warning glare. Much as he enjoyed the superhero gig, he wasn't keen on outing himself in front of everyone.

"He's pretty cool," Marlin said with a shrug.

"I definitely feel safer with someone like him in town," Lisa added.

"Technically, he's breaking the law," Elizabeth muttered, sipping again.

Tommy raised a finger and mimicked a lisp. "Erm technically, he's breaking the law."

Elizabeth squinted at him, confused.

"What he means," Erin whispered, "is that your take was kind of dumb. Sorry."

"I don't care that it's illegal," Elizabeth clarified. "It's obvious he's helping people. I think he's exactly what this city needs."

"How long have you lived here?" Erin asked, steering the conversation away.

"Since the start of high school," she said, leaning back.

"Why are you hanging out with our dumbasses?" Lisa asked.

Elizabeth shrugged. "My grandpa said I should make friends. You guys are kind of all I've got."

Lisa tilted her head, amused. "Okay, girl-to-girl—do you have a boyfriend?"

"Lisa!" Marlin gasped. "Personal boundaries!"

Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't really know anyone. Anywhere."

Lisa smiled. "Well... you picked the biggest losers in town to befriend."

"We're not that big of losers," Erin mumbled.

Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Dude. We definitely are."

Erin slumped forward in defeat. Elizabeth reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Being a loser's not so bad," she said with a smile.

Her hand lingered for a second longer than necessary before she grabbed her drink again.

Erin looked at Lisa, eyes wide with a silent "Did you see that?" look.

Lisa gave him a face that read either: "She totally did that on purpose," or "You've got a huge booger hanging out of your nose."

Erin wiped his nose. No booger.

***

Erin walked alongside Elizabeth, the orange glow of sunset casting long shadows on the sidewalk.

"Thanks for walking me home," she said as she stepped onto her porch.

"With supervillains running around, someone's gotta play escort," he joked.

For the first time, a real smile crossed her face.

"You're not that bad, Evidrone."

The front door opened, and her grandfather stepped outside.

"Walking her home now?"

Erin raised his hands. "It's not like that, sir. I swear."

Hotrod burst into laughter. "Kid, relax. I'm not her father. Go deal with him if this ever gets serious."

Erin chuckled. "I'll see you around, sir... hopefully."

"Not so fast."

Erin froze. Hotrod walked down the steps to meet him.

"You shot lightning out of your hand today."

Erin scratched the back of his neck. "So, uh... you saw that?"

Hotrod nodded. "Yep. Never figured out how to do that myself."

"Wait, seriously?"

"Seriously," Hotrod said. "And you're faster than I ever was."

"What was your top speed?"

"Five seventy-six. Miles per hour."

Erin's jaw dropped.

"You broke the sound barrier already. I'm a little jealous," the old man admitted.

"You think it's biological?" Erin asked.

Hotrod shrugged. "Maybe. You heal slower than I did, though. Your hands still have scrapes. Mine healed instantly."

Erin glanced at his hands—sure enough, tiny scabs dotted his knuckles.

"Interesting..."

Hotrod clapped him on the shoulder.

"Get home safe, alright?"

Erin nodded, then vanished in a burst of electricity. Sparks clung to nearby lampposts as he disappeared into the night.

Hotrod stood on the porch, watching the afterglow of the lightning trail.

He chuckled. "Kids these days..."