Super

10 - You Burn Down A School One Time...

"We understand how dangerous a mask can be. We all become what we pretend to be."

– Patrick Rothfuss

✩ Annie ✩

"No offence, but I want to set you on fire," Arson snarled at IH who just shrugged nonchalantly. Only the Invisible Hand would be that indifferent about his death.

"None taken."

"Your sister was a spy," Electro's voice remained measured as he tried explaining to Arson for the eighth time that IH had been doing the country a favour. 

"You're LYING!" Arson shrieked, his head exploding into flames. 

After Mateo Vitelli showed up, things got a little hectic. The Claw had shoved me out of the way, trying to get me to safety, but Vitelli had knocked her out easily. She lay unconscious, her breath coming in shallow pants as I stood over her protectively. 

That's when the Invisible Hand had showed up, teleporting in with one hand in Gold's, and one hand in Bat Boy's. Gold Thrush stuck out like a sore thumb against their dark costumes. 

Mist and Electro appeared shortly afterwards, held as prisoner by H2O, who had managed to take control of Mist while she was in gaseous state. Electro just glowered at her, doing what she said to try to save his sister's life. Finally, Lodestone waddled in, dragging Alloy's groaning body as he started to gain consciousness before dropping him in the corner next to the Claw, who by now was snoring lightly. Needless to say, we weren't doing very well.

Brother and sister lay in a corner, unconscious while the rest of us stood our ground against Vitelli. Brady's head was on Lila's chest, which rose and fell softly. If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought they were the closest of siblings who fell asleep next to each other. Asleep, they looked so peaceful, not harbouring the permanent scowl they wore whenever the other was around.

"Electro's telling the truth," IH spoke softly, one hand outstretched to keep Arson at bay while the other held me behind his back. I knew that part of the reason he clung to one of my hands was so he could teleport me out of there if things got bad. "I have the proof."

"You killed her," Arson was trembling from rage. "I'd like to return the favour." IH froze. The temperature seemed to drop a good 10° as I started freaking out. What did Arson mean? Did IH have a sister?

"Liam, think about it," IH winced as Arson screamed at the mention of his name. He was only thirteen and he was crazy with grief. It made me sad; nobody should experience that kind of sadness at such a young age. "Her records stop a month after President Xavier's inauguration, she had an internship with Vice President Rhodes allowing her the perfect access to the president's private files, and Mr Vitelli here hasn't even bothered denying it." IH jabbed a thumb towards where Vitelli stood stalk straight, shoulders back, hands clasped in front of him and lips pursed as he tried to read us all.

Mateo Vitelli was older than I expected, but younger than he looked. With his shining bald head, I easily thought he was mid forties, maybe older, but my eyebrows shot into my hairline when IH whispered that he was only thirty-three. The next shock was Vitelli's eyes. Dimmed from age, his black-coffee coloured eyes matched the suit he wore perfectly. It was tailored to fit him just right and it gave him the impression of being tall and powerful. I didn't doubt the suit.

Then Vitelli did something unexpected. Slipping his fingers into his pocket, he pulled out something long and dark and leathery and tied it around his head. It was a mask!