Hero Academy

Chapter 8 : Breaking and Entering

Diana's dad looked at his daughter with a suppressed frown when she told him about Aspen, "She's a tricky one. I don't doubt that she has her own ulterior motives and lies to most of the people she knows. Her power makes her arrogant. But she can be trusted, she is on our side. I have a friend who has vouched for her. Aspen White is not our enemy, nor the enemy of our enemies."

"Friend? Who's vouched for her and can we trust them? Dad, she does seem really interested in the break-ins."

"Yes she does, but she has been vouched for, Di," said her father, "It's her business and not mine. If and when she wants to tell you she will."

"Oh, dad come on. She's my best friend. How can I help her if I don't know?"

"Diana, it's not my place to say."

"But you've met her, we gave her a lift. Does she know you know?"

"I pretty sure she knows that The Captain knows," he said.

There was a short silence. Diana wanted – no, need to know what big secret Aspen was keeping but she knew better than to argue with her father. He valued people's freedom and own choices over everything else.

"What are you doing this evening then?" Diana asked, "We could watch that new comedy film me and mum want us to watch."

"No, sorry. I have work."

"Ah, the less official work I assume?"

Her dad nodded, "Enjoy the film with your mum though. I'll watch it another time."

Diana chewed her lip, "Could I join you? I want to help with a mission."

"Certainly not," said her mum as she came bustling into the room, "You're only a kid, Diana. You are training to be a superhero. You aren't one yet. Congratulates by the way for being put into hero's classes, we are both very proud of you. We always were."

"Definitely," said her dad.

"But that still doesn't mean that you can go on a mission with your father."

"It can help me learn," said Diana, "Come on, a bit of practical experience will be really good. And I've the same powers as dad, plus a bit of yours, I'll be fine."

"No."

"Mum, please."

"Diana, it's dangerous," said her dad, "I don't want to get you hurt. I get into some pretty big fights. But it is only surveillance and you would help me fit in."

Diana turned to her mum, "See, dad's on my side."

"No I am not," said her father, "I am merely stating an advantage. Darling?"

"You're not planning to get into any fights are you? No dangerous people are going to be there?"

"No. It is totally safe, or as much as it can be. As long as she does exactly as I tell her to I'm OK for her to come along. Are you?"

Diana's mum pursed her lips, "I don't know. I guess it would be good for her to get experience and she will be a doing this daily when she is older, but it is dangerous," her mum turned on her, "Diana if you promise to do exactly as your father tells you to do and you don't get involved in any fights or dangerous situations under any circumstances, you can go."

"I promise," said Diana, beaming.

"We are being absolutely serious," said her dad, "Do you swear?"

Diana paused for a moment, then she solemnly nodded.

*

An hour later Diana and her father were sat in the front seats of his car, hurtling down the motorway. They were both wearing casual clothes, dark but casual.