totally meta

chapter 26

Henry burst into the bank, slowing down just enough to take in the situation. Hostages were scattered, some hiding under tables, others pressed against the walls. The robber stood in the center of the chaos, a hulking figure surrounded by an invisible shield that shimmered faintly. It wasn't just any shield—it was specifically designed to stop people like Henry.

Every time Henry tried to rush toward the robber, the shield pulsed with energy, sending him flying backward. This guy had done his homework, knowing full well how to counter superspeed. But Henry wasn't about to give up. He scanned the room for anything that could give him an advantage, and that's when he noticed someone in the corner—a terrified young man, his hands giving off a dull heat.

Henry approached him carefully, crouching down to avoid attracting the robber's attention. "Hey," Henry whispered. "You're a meta-human, right?"

The man nodded, his eyes wide with fear. "I... I didn't mean to show it. I can melt metal with my hands, but I—"

Henry cut him off. "You're not in trouble, okay? But I need your help."

The man looked even more nervous. "Help? No, I can't... I don't want to hurt anyone."

"You won't," Henry said firmly. "That shield—it's stopping me from getting to him, but it doesn't block other powers. If you can melt that machine he's wearing, the shield will go down, and I can stop him. We can save everyone."

The meta-human hesitated, his hands trembling. "But... what if I mess up?"

"You won't," Henry reassured him. "You're scared, I get that. But right now, you're the only one who can help. Trust me, I won't let anything happen to you. Just focus on melting that device. Once it's gone, I'll take care of the rest."

The man swallowed hard but gave a small nod, gathering his courage. "Okay... I'll try."

Henry gave him a quick, reassuring smile before returning his focus to the robber. "Hey!" he called out, moving to the other side of the room to distract him. "How about you let these people go before this gets worse?"

The robber sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You think you can stop me? Your powers are useless here, Flash."

Henry grinned, feigning confidence. "Maybe. Or maybe you're just afraid."

While the robber's attention was on Henry, the meta-human crept forward, his hands glowing hotter and hotter as he approached the device on the robber's back. It looked like a modified generator, pulsing with energy, the source of the protective shield.

With a deep breath, the meta-human reached out, pressing his hands against the metal. For a second, nothing happened, but then the device began to sizzle, the metal warping and melting under his touch. The shield flickered, then disappeared entirely as the generator crumbled into a molten mess.

The robber's eyes widened in shock as he realized what was happening. "No!" he shouted, turning to face the meta-human.

But it was too late. In a flash—literally—Henry was on him, knocking the robber to the ground before he had a chance to react. Using his speed, Henry quickly tied him up with some electrical cords lying nearby.

The hostages erupted into cheers as the threat was neutralized, the tension in the room finally breaking. Henry turned back to the meta-human, who was staring at his hands in disbelief, the glow fading as his powers settled.

"You did it," Henry said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You saved everyone."

The man looked at Henry, still processing what had just happened. "I... I can't believe it. I really thought I was going to screw up."

"You didn't," Henry assured him. "And no one's going to treat you like a criminal just because of your powers. I'll make sure of that."

The police rushed in, securing the robber while Henry and the meta-human stood aside. As the officers took the situation under control, Henry gave the meta-human one last nod. "You've got nothing to be afraid of. You're not alone."

With that, Henry sped out of the bank, leaving the scene behind. But as he ran, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Today, he'd proven once again that meta-humans weren't just threats—they could be heroes too, given the chance. And as long as Henry was around, he'd keep fighting to make sure people understood that.