Insomnia Wake #Wattys2016

Chapter 11 - There Are So Many Laws That Even Police Forget Them

The sun was setting on Selenium City. The events of the day had been simply incomprehensible, and there had been a lot of pain and struggling, but in the end we took away determination. We didn't want to be powerless like that any more, and I'm sure each of the three of us formed our own goals that day.

What was mine? I decided that I would work my way up the Squadron Squad ladder in an attempt to find out who this "Prometheus" guy really is, and what he really does. Well, with the rest of the Odd Squad of course.

What was Buddy's goal? I knew he wanted to search for Berk if he was indeed out there somewhere in this world, but I also knew that he was more ambitious than that. I think that his goal was similar to mine, to move up the organization's ranks, but probably to make sure that such an incident never happened again.

What about Ariel? What could possibly be going through her head? Perhaps it was as simple as just trying to enjoy every day that had been given to us. I've always had trouble trying to figure out what makes her tick.

This walk back to headquarters was too quiet for me. There was a slight tension in the air, regardless of how much none of us wanted to admit it. "So Buddy, what was up with your power back there? I thought you said it couldn't affect any hair other than your own."

"Oh yeah, that." He thought for a few seconds. He started absentmindedly kicking a pebble down the street. "I honestly didn't know that I could do that. I just suddenly knew in that moment that I could, and that it was my best shot." He kicked the pebble a little too hard and it rolled out of our way. He sighed. "I'm sorry about that by the way. I didn't want to hurt you guys as well, but I knew that if he was indeed right by me, then constricting every hair in the area would get him too."

"Oh, that's fine," said Ariel. "Hey, have you named that attack yet?!"

"Named it? What am I, twelve?"

"Come oooon, it's fun! Plus didn't you already name an attack 'Hairnet'?"

His face contorted as he strained his mind in trying to come up with something. "How about Dread Lock?"

"I like it!"

"That works great for that constriction thing," I said, "but what about that vein-looking thing you did? What about Embody Hair?"

"Oh come on Neuman, don't encourage her!"

"Ew no! It should be Bawdy Hair because the technique is so gross!" Ariel stuck out her tongue to show her disapproval.

He smiled. "I guess that's a pretty good name though. The 'Embody Hair' one, that is."

We all laughed and shortly after arrived at headquarters. When we stepped in all we saw was people scurrying about. There was a small crowd huddled around the receptionist's spot.

Finally, the receptionist girl burst under pressure. "You guys do realize that if you stop being informants than this sort of issue would only become more common?!"

The crowd only got more enraged.

"The Squadron has too much authority!" yelled someone.

"Yeah! Just take down the entire Squadron!" yelled another.

What is this mess?!

Masamba burst into the room on the other side. He walked over to a girl and nodded. The girl nodded back, then formed a massive block of glass at her side. Masamba put his hand on it and shattered the entire thing instantly, creating a loud and horrific sound that made the room go quiet. With a wave of the girl's hand the shattered glass disappeared.