THE ZIBLINGS

Chapter Six: A Glimpse of Hope

Bolt woke up and found his father sitting behind his desk, reading a book. "You've been asleep for two hours that's only when I got back. I saw you crouched on your desk; your eyes were bloody red. Were you crying for hours. What happened, huh, son?" Wallet asked his child.

Bolt gaped at the floor remembering what happened, "My siblings aren't back yet?" he asked hoping to change the subject.

"Well Bolt, your brothers and sister are still fighting the Snake Lord, so no they're not back yet," his father answered hastily, "Now back to the subject, what happened, I want you to explain everything to me in detail."

Bolt didn't want to but he knew he had no choice. He took a deep breath and filled him on, on what happened. How Blaze and Whipney were scolding him about the fight with the Rat Pack, how they heard about the Snake Lord, how Bolt tried to fight with his siblings but they wouldn't let him. He kept on repeating the part about when Morph mocked him for trying to help others. Finally, he reached to the part when he was crying and it brought tears to his eyes but shook of the sadness.

His father was all ears; he was a very attentive listener and he nodded as Bolt spoke. He smiled warmly and put a hand on his son's shoulder. As far as he knew, his eldest sons and daughter crumpled his child's self-confidence. "Listen, Bolt, I want to ask you a question: why do love superheroes," he posed.

"Because it's what they do that matters most, how hard they try, what spurs them on and pushes them beyond their limits. They never fight for revenge or to kill; only to become the strongest they could possibly be. That the answer I believe in," Bolt said and smiled hoping he would become one of them someday.

"You seem sad, Bolt," his father said and locked eyes with his son, "you're as brave as any of the heroes. Here I'll tell you what: I won't ground you ever again," this didn't seem to intrigue Bolt in one bit, "I'll tell you this story, I always remind myself of it at times like this.

"Once I had a friend who always judged me for my bad marks and attitude. I needed someone on my side to protect me from him. But you know what, I was wrong."

"You were?" Bolt said in amazement.

"Totally," Wallet said, "I didn't need any one. I had the self-confidence in myself all along, deep down inside. I used it as a shield to block all doubt and negativity. And no one was able to scold me again. Sometimes, Bolt, if you want to do something so desperately, you have to be your own superhero."

Bolt smiled at his father, the broadest smile all week, his father did it he boasted his son's self-esteem.

"The situation is bleak; the Ziblings are tied up and beaten. I repeat the Ziblings have been taken hostage. It seems that we're all doomed." The reporter claimed.

"Oh, no! Blaze, Whipney, Morph... they can't die. What are we going to – Dad, why are you smiling," he said astonished by his father's grin.

"Because you're going to free them, son," his said and stared at his son, "you can do it."

"Me?" he asked pointing at himself, "why...are you sure?"

"Hundred percent," his father said confidently.

"But what if I don't succeed," Bolt looked at the floor his confidence toppling again, "What if I can't win on my own and the Snake Lord killed my siblings."

"Some smart boy told me it's what you do that matters most, how hard you try. He didn't say anything about succeeding. Now, get ready. Wear your suit." Wallet said and smiled at his son. He ruffled his hair. Bolt couldn't believe his father. He went and dressed up. "Dad, how are we getting there? My brothers and sister took the flying plane."

"I know a better way," his father said, he touched his son's back and snapped his fingers. They disappeared.