Thanagarian

Chapter 23

When I opened my eyes to the bright light and burning pain everywhere I made out the blurry outline of someone. I tried to jump up but the pain in my ribs sent my right back down. The person grabbed me under my arms and lowered me gently back onto the gravel. "Good, you're up. I was worried you were dead."

I pushed myself up on my elbow and my vision slowly cleared to reveal a green eyed boy with chestnut brown hair and a worried expression. "I don't die easily." I replied, my voice weak and hoarse.

"Obviously," He snorted. "You just got shot with a freaking bullet and crashed onto a freaking roof top from freaking twenty feet up! It's a miracle you're not flat!"

I narrowed my eyes.

He held out his hands in surrender and backed off a few steps. "I didn't mean it that way!" I raised an eyebrow, but stayed down.

"Where's my axe?" I asked quietly, my breathing raspy. "It helps me heal." I leaned against a wall with a sigh of relief and he handed me my axe. I slammed the handle down on my opposite palm and the head flickered and fizzed to life. It would still take a while, but healing would be accelerated. He sat down next to me. "Who are you anyway?" I asked. "Just some random boy on a roof a couple hundred feet above the street?"

"It's only twenty or thirty feet and I do parkour. My name's Brian. I take it you're the legendary Hawk Kid?"

"Didn't know I was a legend but yeah, guess so."

"My adopted sister talks about you all the time. Calls you Wings."

"You're Misty's brother? I thought she was an only child."

"She was, my parents adopted her. Our home situation wasn't the best so she and I ran away. I stayed at a foster home for a while and she went on to conquer the Big Apple with her dog, Angel."

"I know Angel." I replied quietly, remembering the white dog's serene expression.

"Yeah, she's good girl. Had a few pups too. She's fixed now."

"That's good." I said.

"I guess. Anyway, do you need to go to the hospital?" I looked at my damaged, bleeding wing, the angry bruise forming around my ribs beneath my armor and the scattered feathers all over the roof top. "I'll be fine." I managed.

"Okay, if you say so. How long have you been a hero?"

"I don't know, a few months maybe."

"What's it like? Saving people I mean."

"Certainly not easy." I said, shifting uncomfortably. "But it's worth it. I'd better get back, the kid's waiting."

"The kid?"

"This kid I live with, he's nine or something. You'll see him soon enough, but if he doesn't listen it'll take longer."

"Oh, that's cool. Will I ever see you again?"

"The city's like, five miles long. What do you think?" I asked, a hint of amusement in my voice.

He laughed and pointed at his head. "Brain fart."

"Happens to the best of us." I said. "See you around, Brian."

"See you around, Hawk Kid."

I watched as he ran across the roof top and with a powerful jump landed on the neighboring building about three feet below. It was as if he flew without wings. I found myself watching the empty space and turned away, the fresh wave of pain reminding me that I had to get home somehow. I couldn't walk, it would raise too many questions. Maybe I could fly? I flexed my wings. The one that got shot hurt, but I could deal with the pain. It was my ribs that scared me, the pain could get bad enough that I blacked out, and a roof top may not be handy. I sighed, that was just a risk I had to take.

I tucked my axe into my belt and with a might thrust was off the roof. I almost cried out in pain but bit my lip, drawing blood. Spots danced at the edge of my vision but I managed to make it home. Garth was playing with his trucks on the rug and Rocket was laying beside him, completely unconcerned that a dump truck was driving over her tail. When she saw me she wagged her tail, upending the dump truck and sending its contents of dog treats flying

Garth turned around and looked at me, making a face. "You look dead."

"Thanks, I try."

"No, I mean it, you should lay down."

"What do you think I was going to do, stand on my head?"

"You don't need to get snappy." He retorted, hands on his hips.

"Shut up, Garth."

"No! I have the right of free speech! It's in the Constitution and-"

"Shut. Up."

"Free Speech! Free Speech! Free-"

"Shut up Garth!" I screamed. He shut up and stood there, looking meek and small. I gripped my ribs that had now started burning. Pain lanced through my side and I just made it to the bed before I collapsed.

"I'm calling Hawkgirl." He said like a child threatening to call their mother.

"Go ahead." I answered painfully. "Tell her to bring a sandwich."

"I will. With salami."

"Eww." He knows I hate salami, I dislike eating any meat that was once a liquid. I lay sprawled out and painfully lifted my arms to remove my mask. It clattered to the floor and Garth whipped around.

"I think we'll need more than just a sandwich." He said, his mouth hanging open and green eyes comically big. I was wheezing now, trying to breath as little as possible. Thankfully Hawkgirl had left us with a com from the Watchtower in case of a situation just like this, an easy way to reach her. I saw Garth pick it up and fumble with it. "Is this thing on?" He said into the earpiece. "Hello?"

"Red button." I wheezed. He pressed the red button and then spoke into the com.

"Hello? Hawkgirl?"

"Right here, what do you need Garth?"

"I think Abi's dying."

She sighed. "Fantastic. I'll be right there."

About half an hour later she arrived with the fluttering of wings and was met by Garth who looked like a worried mother. "Where is she?" Hawkgirl demanded.

"Over there." Garth said, pointing at the bed. Hawkgirl came over and looked at me.

"Holy crap. Abi, what did you do?"