The fastest man alive didn't see me, at least I think he didn't. If he saw me and still ran past, that would make this even worse. I was at the beach for my day off; the forecast called for good weather all day. So I grabbed my surfboard and spent the day on the water. I'm a powerful swimmer most days; I had recently healed from a minor muscle sprain in my right thigh and thought a day of calm on the water would be good to get myself back to it.
It happened so fast. I first heard people screaming in the distance, a sun umbrella tossed into the air, then another, and another. The minimal midday crowds were moving fast, leaving the shoreline. I froze. I was still on my board out on the water, and I thought staying still was safer than trying to run out whatever was heading my direction fast. When I saw the shoreline sand lift into the air like a shimmering wall, I knew it was speedsters, the Flash perhaps. I couldn't tell; their suits are so similar, and I can't tell them apart in motion. In a second reaction, I went underwater, thinking I'd be safer underneath than above. I was wrong.
I quickly felt the vibrations from their speed; the water began to ripple, then boil, and before I knew it, I was being crushed under the waves, rolling over and over again. I tried to gasp for air or scream, but the water quickly filled my mouth and lungs. I was drowning. I was drowning, and I couldn't see any sign of help. No Aquaman or his wife, Superman can swim, but he can't read minds, and I wasn't making a sound. If I was, I was part of the melody of the crashing waters around me. When the water calmed seconds later, I sank quickly. My chest felt like it had caved in, my legs immobile, my arms heavy. I fell into the darkness below me. I never thought I'd die being unheard, unseen, by my heroes. As my mind faded into nothing, I felt strong arms gilded in gold lift me out of the water. My spirit left my body, and I saw The Flash, Superman, and Aquaman trying to resuscitate me, knowing at the same time they failed. They looked unlike I've ever seen: heavy, hollow, grieving. I never thought I'd die surrounded by my heroes.
END
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The Ones Not Saved
FanfictionHeroes can't save everyone, and they know it. These stories are not about our heroes; they are a first-person pov of the unknown victims lost in the crossfire.
