Titan Part I: The Fallen Hero

Michael Martinez

I end up in a place called Chicago. I run into the city and look around. The city looked like a dump. It smelled and people threw their trash onto the ground. Suddenly I hear a weird noise. I see several cars with bright flashing lights passing by. Suddenly I see a car driving like crazy. I look closely and see the car heading toward a pedestrian. I run as fast as I can. I push the pedestrian out of the way.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

"Yes," The pedestrian says.

"Just stay here," I tell him.

I look around and see if anyone is looking. I was about to run but then I realized that I should probably disguise myself. I run into a clothing store and grab a hoodie, a red mask, and black gloves. I run after the car so fast that no one can see me running. I jump and land on the back of the car. I crawl across the back of the car. I try to grab the cover of the car but I accidentally pull it off.

"Oops," I say to myself.

The guy looks behind himself and sees me.

"Who the f*** are you?"

"You're worst nightmare!" I say. I look at his car and see bags of money.

"Let me guess. You stole that?"

"What do you think?" He says, pointing his gun at me.

"Go ahead, shoot me. See what happens!"

He starts shooting me in the head but I don't feel anything. The bullets bounce off me.

"What is it with humans and their guns?" I think to myself.

I snatch the gun out of his hand and threw it away. The guy looks in front of him and sees that he is about to hit a storefront. However, I turn the car and makes it hit a fire hydrant. The guy hurries out of the car with two bags of money and tries to run away. I give him a 5-second head start before running after him at super speed. Is that the right term? I am not sure. I appear in front of him.

"How did you-"

"Get in front of you. Won't matter for long."

I grab him by the collar and punch him in the face, knocking him out. I hear police sirens and I run away. I hide in an alley and watch the police haul the bank robber away.

"I am telling you. The guy appeared right in front of me."

"Yeah Yeah Yeah! Tell that to the judge!" An officer says.

"Well that was fun," I told myself.

"Psst, come here," a voice says.

I turn my back and see the pedestrian that I saved earlier. He was dressed in raggedy-looking garbs.

"Oh hey, it's you. If you want to thank me then you're welcome."

"No, I have come to ask you questions."

"Like what?"

"How did you move so fast? Why are you wearing that ridiculous costume?"

"Before I answer your questions, can you please tell me your name?"

"Michael Martinez and you are?"

I take off my mask and hoodie.

"James Anderson."

We shook hands.

"Well James, so can you tell me what you're story is?"

"It is a long story. What I can tell you is that I am an alien and I-"

"Wait an alien, like Superman?"

I nod my head.

"Also, why are you wearing that costume?"

"I was running after the guy who tried to run you over."

"I am still learning my powers. But let's talk about you. What is your story?"

"Mine isn't that great. I lived with a big family. However, my parents wanted me to be a worker. However, I am a genius and I wanted to get a college degree and work as an inventor or scientist and build something that could help our planet. However, when I was accepted by a college, my parents told the college that I couldn't go. I was furious and left my family and my home."

"Wow. That is sad. Have you tried to get a job?"

"No one will accept a homeless Mexican."

"What does being Mexican have to do with you getting a job?"

"Have you heard of racism?"

"No, not really."

"Well, there are people who don't trust others simply because of their nationality. For example, us Mexicans are considered dirty and lazy. However, we're actually hard workers and just want an opportunity in America."

"If it means anything, I don't care where you're from. Also, I have an idea. What if I get a job?"

"Aren't you an alien?"

"I will find a way."

I try to get a job but no one would accept me because I didn't have proof that I was able to work in the US. I go to Michael for help.

"Let me guess. They won't let you work unless you have proof of US residency?"

"How did you know?"

"I am an illegal immigrant. I know how you feel. Don't worry. I came up with a solution but first, we'll need a computer."

I sneak Michael into a computer room at a nearby college.

"This feels wrong," I say.

"Only if we get caught," Michael says.

Michael gets on the computer and starts doing his nerdy stuff. I stand and watch. It takes a long time.

"I am done."

"How did you create legal documents?"

"Simple. I hacked into the US documentation files and managed to create a false identity for you. It accepted and created papers certifying you as a legal US citizen."

He hands me a small book.

"What is this?"

"You're passport."

"For What?"

"Uh for when you want to travel. Wow, you really are an alien."

I show my papers to the business and they accept my resume. I am put to work at a restaurant as a waiter. My powers help me be very successful and soon I am promoted to head waiter. I am very well paid and soon I have enough money to rent an apartment. In addition, I help Michael become a legal US resident and get a job as well. He eventually rented his own apartment.