Ancient Evils, New Heros

Part 9

December 23rd

It was week after Chris's funeral. All of Ash's friends and her father's friends all showed. Alyssa was there with Ash and was somehow able to keep her from crying. That was the first day in Ash's life where she didn't make a sound. Now Ash was looking for Christmas cards with Alyssa at Rite Aid. Ash hasn't been talking as much since the funeral so Alyssa became worried for her mental health. Alyssa rarely left her side, except when they were in school. Every now and then she would notice Ash stare off into space and she looked so distraught. Like now, she had the card in her hand but she wasn't reading it. It was just there. Alyssa nudged her.

"Hey Ash, are you alright?" Ash jumped a bit and stared at Alyssa.

"Not really, I still haven't gotten over his death. I couldn't even say goodbye." Alyssa knew she wanted to cry so she pulled her into a hug.

"It's going to be okay. I will do everything in my power to make sure you are happy, I promise." Ash nuzzled into Alyssa's shoulder and hugged back.

"Thank you." It had been 4 weeks since Ash's father was killed by Scarlet. She didn't go out as her vigilante self as often anymore. Something however was going to change that and bring that side back to the surface.

20 minutes later

They finally walked out of the store and were walking home. It had started snowing and Ash couldn't tell if she was the cause or not, she had been practicing her abilities but she hasn't gotten much better. It wasn't snowing hard and Ash was glad for it. It did feel like she was being watched though but when she tried to find the cause of it, she found nothing. Alyssa noticed this.

"Why do you keep looking around?"

"I feel like I'm being watched." Alyssa quickly looked around too.

"I don't see anyone."

"I know, I think I'm just being paranoid. I still don't like it."

"Neither do I, I'm the only one allowed to look at you." Ash's face turns crimson.

"Hehe, true."

"Have you noticed that Midnight hasn't been showing up as much?" Alyssa changed the subject and confused Ash.

"Midnight?"

"Right, there is this fan page dedicated to the vigilante. People were trying to come up with names for him and someone suggested Midnight, it stuck."

'I have a fan page?' "I have noticed, I wonder what he does?"

"Me too." She had a suspicious look on her face.

"What's that look for?"

"Well I have been thinking, I notice that you have bruises out of nowhere. You seem more tired than usual and the whole thing with the storm. I'm thinking you might be Midnight."

'Crap!' "Well... I am Midnight." She said that reluctantly. Alyssa stopped walking and her mouth was hung open.

"Really? Are you really Midnight?" She really wanted to know. Ash sighed as she lifted up her hand. She made sure no one was looking as she covered her hand in electricity. Alyssa stood there in awe.

"I really am Midnight. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Ash stopped the electricity and put her hand in her pocket.

"Don't be sorry, heroes have secret identities. When did you get those powers?"

"When I was 4 technically but it's a long story."

"Well then why don't you tell me it back at home, I can make some hot chocolate and find a movie. Then you explain the story. Sound like a plan?" Ash smiled gently.