Mind Over Mask

12. Arya

Once The Howler and I arrived at Twin Oaks, the scene was sealed off by police cars and helicopters. The officers had already secured the hostages, who were huddled together and still in their patient gowns.

"Nico?" I heard the Howler whimper, looking at one of the hostages.

Contagion was still at large, so it would appear. He was last seen on the hospital's roof, but when the helicopters arrived, he pulled the old vanishing trick.

"Should we look for Contagion?" I asked, looking to The Howler for guidance. This was my first rescue mission, after all.

The Howler looked confused, and pulled at my elbow. "Wait..." he said. "The hostages are our priority."

"What are you talking about?" I hissed, brushing him off. "They're safe. Contagion's still out there."

"He's a super," the Howler said firmly. "He's not a threat."

I couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth. Had he not been paying attention to the news? And did he not see what was happening right in front of his eyes — what Contagion did?

"I'll explain later," the Howler said. "But trust me."

I stopped paying attention to him, in part because I was annoyed by his sudden reticence. But my attention was elsewhere — I saw what looked to be a man crouching on the roof of a nearby grocery store.

The man leaped off of the roof and landed gracefully on the building next to him. My eyes widened when I saw a familiar red cross emblazoned on his cape.

Contagion.

I bounded after him, using the scaffolding to climb to the top. When I reached the roof, I saw him waving at me from the next building.

I jumped off the ledge, my leg outstretched and ready to kick his head in. Contagion took off his mask, and in his place stood a scrawny boy with short cropped black hair and dark skin. Burns licked his skin up and down.

"Taj?" I asked weakly. I froze mid-leap.

"Taj?" I asked again, stronger. He still didn't respond. How is he here?

I heard a thud before I felt the pain bloom in my lower back. It shot through my body like a fire, exploding in my head with a blinding whiteness. I heard someone calling my name in the distance, but I blacked out before they could reach me.