The Hatching Potion (0)

The First Tribute

The room went silent as the gas began to dissipate. Smoke filled my home as I quickly transformed into my regular form. I groan as I tried to move. I clutch my chest as the poison's heat engulfed me. Twitch really did a number on me.. More than I was expecting. Speaking of.. where was the little sucker? Well.. that didn't matter. That smoke and cask is gonna be a huge problem. I bent down to my folks to my level. They were coughing hysterically in the darkness, but otherwise unfazed.

"Come on fellas," I said as I bring them on top of my back. "This place isn't any good for you guys. Guess you're staying with me for the night huh?" No response. "Well.. Let's make this quick."

I slowly walk on the glass shards to bring my parents to the safety of the basement. The gas was rising in the air. It wanted to get out. It wouldn't go down. Just.. gotta make sure they're ok. As I made my steps, I felt a hot metal ring underneath my foot. The pain stung my fragile body as I instinctively lifted my legs. I look down. The lantern, all but shattered on its side. I went around it, making my way to the basement, just a couple of feet away. As I walk, I felt the stream of wet footsteps going to the direction opposite of mine. Twitch left.

I settle my parents down on my bed underneath the Atomic Man poster. I scan their bodies. No injuries. No scars. Just a lot of coughing. Hopefully that didn't mean blight.. I think there's some medication upstairs for that. "Hey. You guys okay?" I ask. "Hey.. Sorry about that."

"ZAC.." My mom mumbled her suffering. "You nearly scared me to death. I thought you were going to die. Cough. Cough."

"Well.. I'm alive aren't I?" I chuckle.

"That awful rat.. Cough. Where did he go!?" my dad shouted.

"He left. Away from here, Dad. No need to worry about him anymore."

"Good.. If I see him again, I'll blow his brains out! I'll... I'll!"

"Enough Dad.. Just.. rest. You guys need a breather after today, don't you think? You'll be safe down here. Just stay. I'm gonna check up with something. "

"Wait!" my mom called out. "Cough. Cough. Where are you going, young man? You have no reason to go out."

"I'm.. just gonna check up on Twi-"

"No! No going out! Especially not to see that madman!"

"But he let me go.. He let all of us go mom! I just need to talk with him."

"And blow up? Get killed!?"

"Mom.. Please.. I have to do this. Listen.."

"You mother's right son. No going out! I.. I may be sick, but I can still ground you!"

"Can you guys listen for once! I'm your son!" They stood silent. This was the first time I was ever angry at my parents. My head began to sweat. "His didn't kill you guys because I got in the way. He may come back here again for me.." I grab a golden arrow deep within my body. It could've killed me. He could've added more. I look up at the poster with Atomic Man looking into the skies, prepared to go out in the world. Twitch cared. He cared about me. He wanted me more than anything. He wanted someone to talk to. Someone to help him out. He's crazy, but that can be fixed. Who am I to ignore his call? "I... just gotta make things right. Make things straight for us. I'll be back."

"Wait!" my dad shouted. I stopped to look at him. "Cough. Bring.. Bring the rifle with you. And get some meds first! You're.. you're pretty frail with that... If he attacks.. give him hell. Give him all hell!"