THE ADVENTURES OF TEKEON

#7. OUT OF SIGHT

"How can I help you, sir?"

I cleared my throat, trying to manage the pent-up anger. "My website has been experiencing downtime after I upgraded my hosting plan. Can you guys get it resolved?"

"Oh, we apologize for any inconvenience. Can we just get a few more details?"

Walking out the double glass doors of Cross-Bakes, I squinted at the sun, holding my phone up to my ear as I replied to customer service. "Sure, whatever."

"Can you kindly-"

"It's him!!!" A passerby screamed, pointing at me.

Startled, I managed to mutter into the phone. "This isn't over. I'll call you back."

The passerby grinned as he approached.

My blog about Tekeon had gone viral some days ago so and every time I went out, it was common to meet a few people who recognised me. I took this guy as 'just another fan' until he unsheathed a microphone from his gray trenchcoat.

"Trent McCoy," Blitz analyzed. "Journalist for New Chronos Desk, a news program on NCN."

Trent gestured over his shoulders, and a camera crew came pouring in from a corner of the street behind him.

I ran.

Not the media, anyone but the media. It would be a nightmare caving under their subtle pressure and revealing my superhero alter ego to a live audience.

"Blitz, please tell me there's a shortcut to the woods."

"You're in luck," he replied. "Turn left."

I obeyed and saw the entrance of Lake Vew Park.

"Cut through the park and take the subway to Petant Lane."

"Got it!" I sprinted on the sidewalks. The sound of marching feet followed me.

"Hold up, please! We just want to ask a few questions! How are you so fast?"

Ignoring them, I stretched out a hand, reaching for the park's gates in a hopeful gesture. All I had to do was step off the sidewalk, cross the road, and enter through those brown gates. But my heart skipped a beat as a news van intercepted me, screeching to a halt right in front of my path.

"Is this even legal?" I yelled.

The driver's window slid down. "Technically, it's not illegal. And hey, I'm just following orders."

"Mr Jason, can we have a second of your time?" Trent called from behind. He was close.... I needed a plan B.

Blitz intervened. "The boutique beside you has a backdoor leading into an alleyway."

"One second is up. Leave me alone!" I dashed into the boutique,its bell jingled on my entry, and the customers jumped in shock.

Without slowing down, I weaved my way through the flowers on display, bursting into an inner room before finally spilling out the metal backdoor into a rundown alleyway.

Fear clouded my judgment, causing me to tense my muscles and materialize the Tekeon armor.

Blitz chided me. "Jason, what do you think you're doing? If anyone sees Tekeon in the spot Jason ran off to, they'll put the pieces together!"

My jetpack popped out. "I know, that's why I'm flying away from this chaos."

"A simple analysis of your trajectory can still give away your identity. Desolidify the armor, quickly."

Trent's voice reached my ears. "You saw him go through the back door? Thanks for the info."

It was like the world was in slow mo as the back door swung open.

I didn't want to be seen. Down in my soul, I wished I could just vanish. My hands blocked my face, a reflexive physical expression of my deepest desire.

What Trent said was mind-blowing, unexpected, and had me second-guessing his vision. "There's nobody here."

His camera crew squeezed through the door.

"No way he could've gone far." One of them commented.

Trent jogged past me. "C'mon let's see if we can catch up to him."

These guys can't be serious, I thought.

When they had all left, I slowly accepted the fact that they were unable to spot me.

"Blitz," I whispered. "Am I..."

"Invisible? Negative, the news crew was just miraculously struck with partial blindness from your charisma."

I faceplmed. "Got it, I unlocked a cloaking ability."

This time, Blitz's voice was delighted and void of sarcasm. "That is correct. Congratulations."

Grinning, I rubbed my palms together. "Sweet! This is so going to upgrade my crime-fighting."