Acceleration

Chapter 30: Son's Deceit

"I'm telling you," Erin said, wincing in pain, "He was me."Erin's charred skin has crumbled, revealing a fresh pink layer underneath. Despite this, his feet were still razed, and Jess and Dan were trying to mitigate the horrible bone damage that he'd endured.

The friend group had made their way to Liz's house, the only place Erin could think that Revnid wouldn't have memories of. Everyone remained in their fancy suits and dresses, now covered in dust and rock."So the evil speedster that has been running around is... you?" Marlin asked. Erin thought before responding, "Not me as in ME, but a version of me with no joy or happiness. Just... anger."

Erin was lying on Liz's bed, and she was gagging due to the sight of his feet."I don't think I'm ever sleeping there again."Tom was looking at the suit, which had been peeled off and placed on a chair in the corner of the room. Needless to say, it was useless. The color was burnt out of the suit, replaced by charcoal. The fabric itself was shredded, barely holding together.Erin yelped in pain as the metal wing that had embedded itself into his skin was torn out by Dan."Do we really have to fix my body this much? I thought I'd heal naturally... but like really fast?""Broken bones can heal wrong and have to be broken again, " Jessica explained, "Your body is so messed up right now that if it healed, your feet would be lumps and you'd have metal in your scapula."

Another shout came from him as Dan yanked another piece of debris from his back. Liz groaned in disgust and left the room. She'd liked her house for as long as she'd lived there. Her parents were both working, doing their best to keep up with the growing medical bills she was causing them.

Liz found Lisa on her couch, staring through the blinds. She had tears streaming down her face, but she remained quiet."We don't need a lookout you know," Liz said softly, "If Revnid knew where we were he'd be in here already.""I need a distraction."Liz sat down next to her friend. Lisa finally turned from the window and slouched against the velvet-like cloth.

"What's going on?" Liz asked. Her friend was quiet for a bit, before answering."Erin almost died today... to protect us."Liz nodded, "You're taking it pretty heavy huh?""I've known Erin longer than anyone," She explained, "We were friends the day we were born. Our parents were best friends. When his dad died, his mom kinda drifted.""Do you like him?" Liz asked, her impulsive thought spilling through her lips."WHAT?" Lisa jumped, "NO! I'm dating Marlin!"Liz apologized profusely but felt deep in her heart a sense of relief. She wanted him for herself. The memory of her impending doom pierced her mind, and she realized how selfish the thought was.

"He's like my brother. I've seen him become such a strong person, overcoming his issues. I can't stand to see him hurt," her tears began to flow again, "And now it turns out, he's out there. He's hurting. My Erin is okay, but another part of him is lost. Angry."She turned to Liz, "We need to help him.""Revnid?""Yes!"

Liz was taken aback, "The guy trying to kill us?""He's not trying to kill us, he's trying to get his life back," Lisa responded, "From a selfish standpoint, I get that. What would you do for a chance to live a little longer?"Liz stopped and thought. She'd give anything, as long as it meant keeping going with the people she'd found herself coming to love.

"OUCH!" Erin screamed from her bedroom. A few seconds later the ground walked out. Erin's feet were heavily bandaged, and Liz could see them taking shape once again."Someone's walking up," Lisa said. Erin sat down next to Liz, wincing in pain. Jessica swallowed and opened the door before it was knocked on. Erin's mom, Tanya is what Liz remembered her by, entered the house.

"What's going on?" She was already on edge, "Have you seen what's happening around town! The whole park exploded, and the school-"She stopped, staring at her son's damaged body."Baby, are you okay?" She jumped to the ground, inspecting his wounds. "Mom I'm good," Erin pushed her hand off his raw skin."What happened, what's going on?"Erin looked at Liz. The normal heroic appearance he held cracked for a moment, and she could see the nervousness behind his eyes. Liz took his hand."Mom, you have to listen, and don't be mad..."

***

Erin woke up around four in the morning. Dan had managed to find a small vacation spot for Liz's parents to go to for a week, allowing them to crash at her house until something was worked out. Erin could hear his mom and aunt arguing in the room. Liz had her head on his shoulder, and a line of drool came from his mouth. Marlin was passed out on the floor, Lisa was curled up in a corner, and Tom was on the other side of the couch.His mother had not responded well to the news of him being Hypersonic. He understood the secret had been kept for almost a year, and putting your nephew in danger for that long without telling a parent might raise some anger. The hardest part of convincing her was his doppelganger. But, now that she knew, Erin felt she could understand any danger Revnid would pose if he came to their house.

They'd receive a call from the school, the damage the speedsters had done was so significant that it would be closed for over two weeks. November 20th, is just 19 days away. Erin wasn't excited. A deep anxiety had filled the pit of his stomach. If Revnid knew where he was at all times, he could pop up at any time.Erin's mom came out of the room and rubbed his head. He pressed it into her stomach, exhausted.

"Baby... I hope you know I'm not mad at you.""It doesn't seem like that," Erin whispered back.She pulled his eyes to look at hers."You lied to me, so obviously I'm not happy about that, but I will forever be proud of what you've done."Erin felt a little bit of warmth seep into the cold he was feeling."No matter what baby, superpowers or not, you're always going to be my hero."