Superheroics

Sebastian

Sebastian Halliday lived the perfect life. He was a hero. At least, half of him was. The half of him named Mr Phrenex. Mr Phrenex had superpowers, which meant he could see what people were thinking, or move things with just one little thought. He had other talents, of course, but they weren't as useful when trying to save people. Now, the media and the Lovington citizens loved Mr Phrenex, their mysterious savior. He battled evil, defeating the bad guys at every turn. There was nothing he could do wrong.

The other half of him? He was a veterinarian, saving animals and battling disease. Not as glamorous as being a superhero, sure, but his clients appreciated what he did for them. Sebastian lived modestly in a three-bedroom house on Gloria Lane. He had dinners with his neighbours. He coached the local children's soccer team every weekend. He hosted Lovington's annual charity picnics. Seb was very normal compared to his alter ego, he was pleased to say. It meant that he was doing his job of keeping his head down right.

There were bad days, though. Those days were the ones he remembered his old friend, his partner. He missed having Elijah around. Sometimes, when he forgot the past, he would defeat a new villain and turn to congratulate his sidekick on a job well done, only to realize he was gone. It had been five years since Elijah had vanished into thin air, and the ache of the abandonment never really healed, not completely.

Today was a normal day. Seb woke up, made himself breakfast, and ran down to the nearest coffee shop to grab some caffeine. The morning fog washed through the street as he shifted his hood over his head. His shaggy brown hair fell out the sides, Seb brushing them back impatiently while he exited the shop. He jogged the rest of the way to his work, getting his daily dose of exercise.

As Sebastian opened up the door to 'Sebastian's Animal Care', the pretty blonde at the front desk smiled sweetly at him. He knew she had harbored a crush on him a while back, but her interests had long faded, and she had since turned into the hardest working receptionist he had ever had. He greeted her, moving into the back room to see his first client, a beautiful grey cat by the name of Sasha, pacing in her cage. He had just pulled her out and given her the necessary shots when Maggie rushed back to him.

"Sebastian? There's someone here to see you," she declared, seeming a bit hesitant. Seb narrowed his eyes.

"New client or old?"

"Not a client. A very handsome young man. Told me his name was Elijah Englewood, and you would recognize it."

Seb's breath caught in his throat, and he gently placed Sasha in Maggie's arms as he drifted past her. As he left the room, his gaze rested on his old friend, and his mouth dropped open.

"Elijah," he murmured.