Being a Hero

Chapter 4

The song for this chapter is "Tongue Tied" by Our Last Night.

"If you avoid conflict to keep the peace, you start a war inside yourself." -Chris van Blerk

*Mabel's POV*

Have you ever had one of those rare days where you got off work and didn't have any plans only for the boss to call you in because of some disaster? Today was starting to feel like one of those days. I did not like going out in the field, but I just had to pick today to go shopping downtown. I was in the Macy's dressing room trying on a pair of blue jeans that I'd been eyeing. Normally I wouldn't spring for a pair this expensive, but these fit like a dream, hugging all the right places without feeling constricting. You haven't known frustration until you've tried to find a pair of women's pants that fit just right and had actual pockets.

I had one leg in and was trying to get my other foot in when that alarm on my phone went off. I fell against the side of the stall, caught off guard by the police alert. I pulled my phone from my purse and looked at the message. "Oh, come on," I said, leaning my head back against the wall and hitting the contact for Haven. Why of all the banks in town did some idiot have to try and rob the one right across the street from the mall?

I exited the changing room and saw how long the checkout line was. Everyone else with the app had gotten the alert too, and they were still skittish after the fiasco last week. I regrettably placed the jeans back on their rack and walked from the store, making a mental note to come back later for them.

By the time I'd found a safe area to change into my teal and purple spandex costume and stashed my belongings under a dumpster the others were only five minutes out. Nova and Stretch—Nancy and Louie—would be here, as well as Caitlyn hiding somewhere nearby. As I approached the police barricade already positioned around the bank, I held my head high. The whispers and comments started the second the growing crowd realized I was there.

"Is that Majesty?"

"Oh, they're in for it now."

"If she's here it must be bad."

The crowd parted to permit my passage, and I looked neither left nor right as I ducked under the police tape and kept walking. A few of the officers nodded respectfully or looked away nervously, but none questioned my being here. I approached the mobile headquarters where the police chief and commissioner were talking to someone in SWAT gear.

I did my best to ignore the looks and whispers, though I couldn't help the bitterness that crept up the back of my throat. If these people knew what my power truly was, they wouldn't be so delighted to see me. They'd be terrified. What else would be a reasonable reaction to someone who could change your perspective with a single word? They were lucky I was one of the "good" guys.

Could you imagine John with my power? He'd have charmed more women into his bed than Solomon by now.

I allowed myself a smile before greeting those I'd be working with today. "Captain Scott, Commissioner Sung," I greeted each with a nod of my head and shook the Captain's hand. I'd learned years ago not to bother offering the same to the Commissioner. The Korean Australian immigrant hated supers as much as he seemed to hate modern fashion. I swear that man wears more plaid than a cowboy. He couldn't pull the look off either. His slight Australian accent only made the impression stranger. Everett had laughed the first time he heard the Commissioner speak (thankfully on the news and not in person).

"Ah! Majesty, just in time. Our negotiator is stuck in traffic," Captain Scott said, flashing me a smile that was blinding against his dark skin. The African American police chief was the opposite of Sung in demeanor and dress, unconsciously straightening his uniform as he glanced between myself and his colleagues. He blatantly ignored the scowl Sung shot him. His smile brightened when he caught the SWAT officer's questioning look. "Hector, this is Majesty. Majesty, have you met Officer Grisby?" He asked, indicating the man in SWAT gear. "Just moved out here from New York."