Bubbled

Chapter 1: Two Birds, No Stone

"Well THAT'S new," I said as I trapped two robbers into a bubble each. I faked a villainous chuckle as I cast both my hands out with flexed fingers controlling the bubbles. I've never controlled more than one at the same time before, so I was more than excited to be doing so.

I gotta say, it was nice discovering, yet, another way of using my powers considering this was such a routine night. After all, I was in a store parking lot again, had missed dinner again taking down bad guys who weren't even villains. Really, they were just two pathetic robbers who, for some reason I'll never understand, decided to rob a Subway Deli. I mean the bread here is good, not gonna lie, but the lettuce is soggy.

As of today, I've been crime fighting for three months. Happy anniversary to me! So I'm still pretty new to this "hero" thing.

Even in three months, I hardly had a costume, if you can call it that. A cropped black cotton T-shirt, high waisted spandex shorts, black fishnet tights, black knee-high socks, and black high-top converse provided by the most high-end place I've shopped at. Target. If you pronounce it "Tar-jay" it sounds super high end(*wink wink). I diy-ed some leather gloves that only covered my knuckles and stopped halfway up my forearms. My long, strawberry-blonde hair was pulled back into a big ponytail right in the center of my head, not too high and not too low. Perfect for fighting crime. Or in this case, fighting the Subway Stealing Duo. Making their debut tonight!

Along with small, gold hoop earrings, I wore a light, breathable black mask, like the ones doctors wear, that covers my nose and cheeks all the way down to my chin, revealing my light blue eyes and thick, straight eyebrows. Nothing about my costume represents bubbles, but it reflects my attitude, so at least I'm making some sort of a statement. Tyra Banks would be proud.

Oh yah. Bubbles. That's my newly found power. Harmless stupid bubbles, right? Indeed my friend, you are so very wrong.

I can make bubbles out of anything, including the air around me. By producing elements and rearranging molecules, I can create bubbles of all densities, which make for good force fields and, as you can see, trapping sandwich robbers.

From ten feet away, I brought the bubbles higher with the robbers in them, and made them pop about 30 ft up. When the robbers hit the ground, one of their guns fell out of their hand and spiraled away. I quickly cast a small bubble around it and brought it to hover over my hand.

I only bubbled the second robber and brought him 5 ft up into the air as I popped the small bubble with the gun in it. I turned the gun over in my hand. The cold chill of its steel instilled a sense of power in me. A sickening power. My finger transitioned to the trigger and I aimed right at the first robber who I left on the ground unbubbled.

"Y-you wouldn't," he inhaled sharply as he brought himself on his hands and knees. "You're just a kid," he sneered.

Oh wait a second. 'Did I hear a tone of fear behind that voice?' I thought pretending to be surprised. All bad guys are cowards and that's the truth.

Gotta admit, I was a little surprised at the fact the robber didn't mention me being a girl. Guess the world is changing, huh.

"Yah? How old were you when you fired you first gun?" I said in the low voice I use to sound serious.

His eyes went wide and his mouth parted as if to say something, but he gave up and lowered his head in defeat.

By releasing the second robber from his bubble, the second robber dropped to the ground. I then bubbled his gun and brought it to me and bubbled the other gun I already had in my hand. I crushed the two in the bubbles and threw the remnants to the ground.

"I don't kill," I whispered, but I know by their expressions and how the three words hung in the air, that they got the message.

"Anywho," I started in an exaggerated happy tone, "the cops are on their way so I'll be babysitting you guys until they arrive." I made sure to enunciate the word "baby". I chuckled as they looked annoyed with my excessive comments. Sure they aren't necessary and I'd probably save a lot more breath not saying them, but come on. Who doesn't like annoying bad guys, right?

"Oh yah," I said as I remembered to trap them in one large bubble. I sat down a few yards in front of them, cross-legged and tilted my head looking at them like a little kid watches TV. This always annoys bad guys and I can tell by the way they look away embarrassed as if they're circus animals and I'm the audience.

I heard the wail of police sirens pierce the cold air. Two officers came out of there car to thank me. I made sure to stay in the shadows, so my eyes were harder to see.

One cop came closer and said," Um. My daughter's a huge fan." He seemed a little uncomfortable. Was he...shy? Had I gained authority over the police? I know the mask gives me a sense of power and maturity, but I was just a 16 year old girl behind this mask. Not a scared girl, but not confident enough to lead the city.

"I want you to know Jump City needs a hero," he continued. His gaze was meaningful and intense. He looked around the age of my dad. Maybe a little older.

Jump City needs a hero.

Was I not the hero? Was he implying I'm not the right hero for Jump City. Well, excuse me, but crime rate has plummeted ever since I became public.

"Um-" I began, but he quickly cut me off. "You are the strong icon this city needs to feel safe. Thank you for your service," he said he handed me a slip