"Hero-Ish."

Chapter 31: Born for This.

CHAPTER 31: Born for This.

It's been several months since Derek died and since then, Desmond struggled to continue life without his best friend. However, it was difficult as he grew completely guilty about what he was forced to do. In the time passed, Desmond finally went to Lou to apologize for putting him through what he did. Sadly, however, due to the events that happened, he lost his store and after it closed down, Lou decided to go back to his home country.

The men and women he saved in Augustine's lab went on to continue their lives. Some went back home to their families while others chose their own paths—some were terrified of their gifts and were afraid of what would happen if their loved ones found out. Of course, Desmond couldn't blame him, but it made him grow the courage to confront his mother about his own gifts and come clean to his mother about his powers and about Augustine. Lucky for him, she still accepted him for who he was.

After graduation, Desmond went to a local community college to get his degree and even managed to get a part-time on campus. He and Allison moved in together and shared an apartment. Of course, he did check in with his mother every now and then.

Even though he felt free, Augustine was still out there and still posed a threat to not only his life, but others as well. Because of Augustine and his serum, a new breed sprung out with humanity. Reports of people with superpowers spread throughout the country and New York was no exception.

For the past few months, crime had gone up in the city and Desmond knew he couldn't just sit by while others suffered because of one man.

One afternoon, on his way home from work, Desmond stopped by Derek's grave.

Desmond stood in front of the grave of his deceased best friend. Emotions rattled up in his chest like an enclosed body, ready to explode at any given moment. He lowered his head as tears descended from his eyes and his lower lip quivered. Finally, his head lifted and Desmond stared at the gravestone in front of him.

"Hey, Derek," he huffed. "I—it's me. Look, I—I don't know if you can hear me, but if you can, I just want to tell you that I'm sorry. This is entirely my fault. You're dead because of me. I should've saved you and I didn't. I—I'm sorry." He paused for a moment and licked his lips before he continued. "I just hope you could forgive me one day. Anyways," he took a deep breath and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"What I came here to tell you is that I've thought about what you said—about me being a superhero. I wanted to tell you that I'm going to give it another shot.

Desmond lowered his head once more and stared at the grass. He sucked in his lower lip and chewed on the skin before he looked back at the tombstone.

"I—I miss you, buddy." He cried. He sniffed and rubbed his nose and whipped his eyes. "And I swear, I'm going to find Augustine, no matter what it takes, and make him pay for what he did to us. That, I promise you."

Desmond blinked his eyes and cracked a small smile on his lips. "W—well, I'm gonna get going; Allison's waiting for me..." He then stepped forward and placed a hand on the surface of Derek's grave. "...I'll see you around, buddy."

Desmond turned and departed from the grave site.

Desmond walked solemnly throughout the streets of New York like another average Joe, minding about his own business as the citizens went on with their daily lives. As he walked through the streets, there came a distant cry for help. Desmond's head suddenly lifted at the screams and shouts of panic as a window washer dangled from his railing, several feet from the ground.

"Help!" He shouted, his voice screaming.

Pedestrians watched out of fear, while others recorded from their cell phones.

"I'm slipping!" The window washer cried out. "I—I can't hold on!" He struggled as his fingers wrapped around the bar. Suddenly, he lost his grip and his body dropped, only to be caught by the hook around his belt; he now hung upside down, swaying back and forth like a wrecking ball. He then blared on the top of his lungs, "SOMEONE HELP ME!"

Desmond looked up at the scene in front of him and then looked around him, watching those around the scene remain helpless, unable to do anything. He then looked up towards the man who dangled as his heart thrust in his chest.

Sirens quickly blared through the streets, heading towards their direction. But it was too late.

The hook holding the window washer suddenly snapped and the man dropped, descending through the air like a bowling ball. The crowd screamed and shouted.

Desmond's arm instantly reached out towards the falling man. A low rumble of force vibrated as an invisible rope shot out and wrapped around the man, stopping him from continuing his descent and splattering his brains on the ground.

The mob gasped at the scene before their eyes as the window washer was slowly placed back on the ground without any damage to his body. The crowd suddenly rushed towards him to make sure he was all right, while others searched for the one responsible for saving his life. However, Desmond was already several feet away from the commotion with a hoodie over his head and a smile over his lips.

This was what he was meant to do, what he was born for.

He was meant to be a hero, and he was going to be one—even if it meant wearing spandex.

THE END.