The Dinner Treaty

Chapter Ten - A Brush with Common Crime

My cast is holding up well, a few days have passed since I split it open and it seems to be good as new. If the nurse noticed anything when I went for a checkup yesterday, she didn't say anything. Apparently, it's healing well and it'll only need a week or two more. One of the perks of having powers I suppose -  quick healing. Not even Mum knows I have powers... yet. That'll have to change sooner or later, but for now, I'm content to keep that little secret to myself.

It's Wednesday again, the first Wednesday in a week or two where my brothers are actually coming. They conveniently 'forgot' to come last week, with PinK hunting obviously being far more of a priority.  Little do they know - if they came to dinner they'd be closer to PinK then ever. The thought makes me smile. Still, unless they ditch us for a PinK sighting, they should be coming tonight. I just hope they don't grow brains suddenly and realize PinK's broken arm is more than a coincidence. 

"Aelia! Can you do me a favour?" Asks Mum, shouting from the kitchen. "Sure Mum, coming," I yell in reply. I hop out of the comfort of my beanbag and exit my room, making my way towards the kitchen. "What do you need?" I ask Mum, who was rummaging around in the pantry. "We'run out of milk, could you run to the shops and get some?" "Sure thing," I reply and take the handful of coins she hands me. "Thanks, Aelia -  get something for yourself as well while you're there." I smile and start to put on my shoes - slip-ons for today, they're the only things I can get on without help. "Thanks, Mum, I'll be back in five."

I walk out the door, money in hand, and head towards town under a bright afternoon sky. When I get to the dairy, I go straight for the candies and grab a box of my favourite sweet: Sherbet. It's sour and sweet and fizzy and delicious! I grab a bottle of milk and make my way to the counter. "That'll be 6 dollars 90c please" drones the shopkeep, obviously wishing she was out enjoying the sun. She couldn't be too much older than me, actually. 

The standard exchanging of pleasantries are suddenly interrupted by the slam of a door being thrown open. A man in black, cheap clothes and a DIY beanie-balaclava bursts in and points a gun at the girl behind the counter. "GIVE ME THE MONEY," He yells, spittle flying out of his mouth. The girl is barely concealing her fear as she hands over the coins I'd just given her. "You think you're funny?" He demands. "Give me the money. Now." The girl starts to cry and sniffle. "We've got no more money," she chokes out "I just emptied the till." 

The man obviously doesn't believe her, and he closes the distance between us. "Give me money or else this girl here gets it." he snarls, pressing his gun to my head. I roll my eyes at the cheesy quote he used. Gets it? Come on. It's so unoriginal. Still, there would be time for cringing later. For now, I had to use my skills to take this idiot down. Pretending to fix my hair, I grab the barrel of the gun, twisting it to the floor. Using my super-human strength, I flip the man over my shoulder with a grunt. I really need to practice more. While he regains his senses, I wrestle the gun out of his grip and point it at him. With a steady voice, I begin to issue commands to the man. "You are going to take off that ridiculous beanie, hand those coins back to the shopkeep and walk to the police station. If you fail to do any of these then my brothers are going to hunt you down. You might have heard of them, they just so happen to be the heroes of this city." The man looks shocked but does as I say and hands back the money to the girl who wears a startled expression on her face. 

Just as the robber is about the exit the shop, a thump on the roof makes me look up. Carter jumps off the roof and his face contorts in confusion when he sees me. "Aelia? I heard there was a robbery happening and came as fast as I could. Whats happening?" he asks. I snort and gesture to the man who stands awkwardly beside me. "Eh, don't worry about it bro, I got it sorted. But if you wouldn't mind taking this guy to the police station that'd be great. Mum's expecting me and the milk to be home soon." Carter looks impressed, and something else. Pride? "Will Do, A, see you tonight?" I smile at him and hand over the gun. "Sure thing."