Superheroes Suck

Chapter 23: You Don't Even Like Superheroes

Everything felt a little different the next morning. It took me a little while to put my finger on why, but then the weight of last night's events hit me.

I woke up to the flashing of my phone's screen, eventually getting up when the banging on my front door. I walked halfway there before realizing that I had forgotten I wasn't wearing pants, so I rushed upstairs and threw on the first pair that I happened to stumble upon.

Murphy and Penn stood impatiently on the other end. As soon as I had opened the door, and they noticed that it was me on the other side of the door, the two engulfed me in a hug. Penn was the first to pull back, while Murphy was a bit more reluctant to let go of him.

The moment just before I had been kidnapped suddenly flashed before me, Murphy's startled cry as Stromer lifted me off the ground and into the night.

"You have no idea how worried we were about you." Penn spoke first, "You should have seen how worried we both were, Murphy especially."

My stomach sank, as I realized how worried he had to have been. I disappeared before his eyes and I couldn't be bothered to call or even consider how my kidnapping could have affected him. In my defense, it was a little traumatizing, but the same could be said for Murphy.

Murphy growled back "Dammit Penn..."

"He was out of his mind looking for you. After you were taken, he came straight to me rambling about saving you and that we can't tell your mother because... he was honestly so panicked he wasn't all that coherent. I don't blame him, but we split up in hope of finding you somewhere nearby. Murphy saw you dropped off by Spitfire and he called off the whole search party."

I couldn't help but interject, "Search party?"

"Just me, the lacrosse boys, pretty much every free person on Murphy's father's payroll, and Murphy himself."

"That's a lot of people." I muttered to myself, thinking of the hoards of people that Murphy's father must employ. "Thank you."

Although that sentiment was meant for both of them, it was directed towards Muphy, who had gone above and beyond for me in the last twenty-four hours alone. I appreciated it more than he could ever realize.

"Noves, you are my..." His smile faltered a little bit, "...my best friend and I would do anything for you. Spending the night combing the city was nothing, if anything I should thank you. I made my day's goal of steps five hours ago so my Fitbit game is going strong. There is no way my mom can catch up at this point."

There's Penn, trying to spare my feelings and distract me at the topic at hand. Although I admit part of that had to be true, he and his mother had a fierce rivalry going on, challenging each other and comparing their daily and weekly step accomplishments.

Murphy stood silent, looking off beyond the two of us. "That thank you applies to you too Murphy."

"Enough of all this sappiness, we're all tired." Penn nodded and headed towards his home, happily oblivious to the storm boiling behind him. Once he was out of earshot, Murphy turned to me. "Don't scare me like that again."

"I'll try my best."

We both know that it was highly unlikely I'd stay out of trouble long with my track record with heroes of the super variety. And villains for that matter, somehow trouble seems to always find me.

"Your best isn't worth much when everything it out of your hands." He growled lowly, barely a whisper under his breath. "I don't think I can forgive that Spitfire for ever getting you involved."

Echoing my earlier response to Spitfire, I simply said, "Well I would have gone splat that first time if it weren't for him. Me getting picked up that time was pure dumb luck, and everything else was a consequence of that event."

"I meant it when I said you can't keep scaring us like that, you can't keep putting yourself in danger like that. Maybe you quitting that paper was a good thing, it can only lead you further into the world of capes and crusaders. You don't even like superheroes, maybe it's for the best."

Something in me stirred hearing his say that losing something that meant the world to me was probably for the best. I understood where he was coming from, but the way he said it infuriated me.

"Well it's a good thing Mr. M Maddox promised me a job there if I wanted to come back. Not an internship, a damn job." I pulled out the business card he had handed me just before I left. It had felt heavy in my pocket then. "I think I better give him a call."

I strode off without another word.

Of course I felt bad, I had stormed off like a petulant child after Murphy had spent the night combing the city for me. He had watched me whisked away by someone who had made it known he wanted to do me harm.

Photography has always been my love, my strength, my best friend. When my parents were off, too busy for me, I used my photos to keep my company. I'm never alone when I have my camera and when my pictures surround me, telling stories and holding onto moments of the past.

Still, I didn't need to blow up at Murphy. That was completely unnecessary. I need to use my words, dramatic exits are really only effective in the movies. Though, I had too much momentum to turn around at that point.

So I shot Murphy a text, apologizing for blowing up at him instead of rationally talking to him about my frustrations. He sent an equally long text for his comment, explaining that the lack of sleep and craziness of the night had gotten to him. Again, I felt horrible for what had happened although equally proud that I had clapped back like that.

I did in fact call M. Maddox about his offer. It took ten minutes of me checking and rechecking that the number on the screen was correct and another twenty of just staring at the call button before my hand darted out and pressed it. My stomach sank as I heard ring once...then twice...and then the click signalling that he had picked up.

Before I could say anything to introduce myself, a deep voice rang out, "I've been expecting your call Miss. Renier."

Holy shit, that sounded like a line from the rich villain from some stupid 70s superhero/action flick. Foreshadowing maybe?

Also how the hell did he know it was me calling? Oh wait, there are a dozen reason explanations for that. He might have caller id, or maybe he asked HR for my number so he'd know to pick up when I called. Not everything has some crazy explanation.

I took a moment to collect myself and then spoke in the clearest voice I could muster, "Hello Mr. Maddox, I was just calling to tell you I'd like to take you up on your offer."

I heard him chuckle on the other end of the line, "Straight to the point. I like that."

"Well there's no better way." I shot back, suddenly conscious of how crazy informal that came off as.

That only seemed to amuse him further, "Good. I am glad you thoroughly considered my offer and responded so promptly, better so with a favorable result."

"As if you expected anything less."

A faint chuckle rang through the phone, "Expect a call from our Human Resources department within the next week, detailing what is to be expected of you and when you should come in for assignments. I doubt you'll see too much of the inside of the office. I imagine they'll have you come in once a week and you'll submit everything electronically."

"That sounds great." That sounds more than great, it sounds amazing.

"Well if that is all, it has been a pleasure speaking with you Miss. Renier."

"Thank you for the opportunity Mr. Maddox, I look forward to seeing you soon."

As soon as I hung up the phone, all my pent of excitement seemed to be released. I couldn't help but to jump up onto the couch. I let all of my excitement, and maybe a little repressed rage, fear, etc., out and it felt so good. This was something good in the midst of all the bad. Even if it had been to spite Murphy.

I am so excited for school tomorrow. The odds of being kidnapped from school are considerably lower than the places I've been frequenting.

Plus Stromer seems to know where I live, or he at least has an idea. That is definitely something that's going to bite me in the ass soon.