Can We Be Heroes?

Chapter 53• Arguments

They took shelter in the husk of an desolate parking structure three districts over. The city noise was distant here—muted sirens, passing trains, the low hum of life continuing like nothing had almost killed them.

Shadow’s comm crackled back to life. He stared at it for a long moment before lifting it to his ear. “Hawks,” he said quietly.

Hex looked up sharply. “Shadow—”

“Report,” Hawks’ voice answered immediately, stripped of humor. He had tried to go into the pharmacy when he lost contact with Shadow but that's when he was ambushed by a group of low level villains. Clearly a distraction since whoever sent them knew he would beat them.

Shinso swallowed. “A villain going by Hit Ringer made contact. We barely got out. The pharmacy’s gone.”

“…Any casualties?”

“No.”

“Good.” Hawks exhaled. “Listen carefully. You did the right thing pulling back. I told you Angel isn’t—”

The device was ripped from Shinso’s hand. Vixen slammed it against the concrete wall hard enough to spark.

“Shut up!” he snapped.

Hawks’ voice crackled faintly from the damaged speaker. “Vixen—”

“I said keep quiet!” Vixen hissed. “ You lied. All of you did.”

Shinso spun on him. “Give it back.”

“No.” Vixen rounded on him, eyes blazing behind exhaustion and fury. “You hear him? Calm. Controlled. Like this was always the plan.”

Hawks’ voice cut in again. “Kid, listen—”

“Shut up,” Vixen snarled, crushing the comm in his fist. The feed died in a hiss of static and silence embraced them.

Shinso stared at the broken device in disbelief. Then his glare sharpened.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped.

“What’s wrong with me?” Vixen shot back. “We were just told Angel is a leash. A collar. And you called the guy holding it.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Vixen laughed bitterly. “Does the leash come in different colors? What, you get a purple one.”

Hex stepped between them. “Enough—”

“No,” Shinso said tightly. “I’m not done.”

His fists were clenched at his sides, knuckles white. “Project Angel is the only reason I’m not still trapped at home. It’s the only thing that gave me a way out.”

“And you think that makes it safe?” Vixen fired back. “You think they won’t turn you the second you stop being useful?”

Shinso’s jaw trembled. “At least they see me.”

That hit harder than a punch.

Hex sucked in a breath. “Shadow—”

“Maybe you are right.” Shinso continued, voice rising. “Maybe they see as only aweapon. Same as Solace. Same damn system—just dressed prettier. But maybe you could also be wrong. Are we seriously trusting the words of an assassin.”

“Are so brainwashed that you still defending them?” Vixen demanded. “After everything. You are vigilante Shinso. Shadow of all people should know just how corrupt heroes really are. They are two-faced and much more dangerous than villains. At least the villains don't hide their evil intentions. Why can't you see that it's all a pretty cage meant to keep us in line!”