Villainous Us

Reconnection

The Hauntress

Let's just say, I had a rude awakening Tuesday morning.

Boss. Psst, boss. Wake up.

I cracked one eye, finding Gerard standing in the base of my room. He had his hands in his pockets, his head cocked sideways to line up with mine. He was one of only two spirits to know my real identity and where I lived, but at this specific moment, I regretted telling him either.

"Gerard," I said, closing my eyes again. "How can I help you at this ungodly time?"

Just relaying some news, he said, taking a seat at my desk chair. I was getting acquaintanced with that new fellow we went to the hospital for, right? So I asked him a few simple questions like, "What's your name?" and "Where ya from?" He told me he was in the Sinister Six with you, and I asked him about his powers and what he thought of you. He said you were great, by the way. I slowly started to recognize him and he was actually a really good time to talk to. We actually got on the topic of--"

I cut him off there. "Gerard, please," I said, forcing myself to sit up as I rubbed my drooping eyes. "Cut to the chase."

Oh, right! So, anyways, you remember Iron Crisis, don't you? He's that young sport with the terrible attitude you worked with in the Sinister Six?

"I remember him," I answered, squinting unsurely at my ghost pal. What was he getting to?

Mobster was telling me he saw Iron Crisis at the hospital yesterday looking for you. Searched the whole damn place for any sign of you, but you were already long gone.

"He did?" I asked, but it was a stupid question. What would Iron Crisis want with me, especially so long after I left the league?

You think he's trying to recruit you back to make the league a Six again? Gerard asked, standing again to look out the window at the crumbling city.

"It's possible..."

I didn't want to admit it, but I liked the idea of Iron Crisis looking for me, for whatever reason it may be. I just hoped it didn't have to do with me rejoining the Six. There was no chance I was going to do that, but if it was help he was looking for, I wasn't about to shy away from that. It'd be nice to see him again after all this time.

"Thank you for telling me, Gerard, but next time if you can just wait until morning, I'd be a little more appreciative."

He looked confused at this. What time is it?

I picked up the clock on my nightstand. "It's five in the morning."

He chuckled, dismissing my irritation. That ain't bad at all! When I was your age, I was getting up at this time every morning to help my father deliver milk.

I rubbed my temple trying to ward off a headache. "You don't say."

My father was such a good man, he continued. His spirit is back in Ireland though. Been at least a decade since I've seen him. I might ask you for a week off sometime so I could go pay pops a visit. Maybe next Christmas?

"Of course," I answered, lying down again and turning to face the wall away from him. I pulled the sheets up over my head, hoping he might take the hint and leave.

Oh, that's right. I forgot how early it was. You go back to sleep. Sleep, he echoed. I forgot what it feels like to sleep, I've been dead so long. How I miss--