The Paladin: A Teenage Superhero Story

Chapter 1

Friday

November 19th

I wearily made my way to class, with eyelids that felt like they were weighed down by lead sinkers. It had become very clear to me that going out on a Thursday night was a bad idea, especially when combating armed men into the wee hours. To explain it simply, I'm a superhero, or a vigilante, depending on your point of view. In my off hours, you can typically find me laying some hurt on the local miscreants in the south side of Tar City. Yet, even though I was pretty good at it (at least I thought I was), I still received the odd ass kicking from time to time. Last night was one of those times. My arms were achy from smacking around some pimps I had come head to head with, and my spine was sore from when said pimps responded, in kind, with a Louisville Slugger. To top that off, I had a brutal migraine from lack of sleep. Thankfully, the day was nearly over for me. I had AP Computer Engineering and Software last, which was about as enjoyable as school could get for me, so there was light at the end of the tunnel. Shuffling through the halls, I avoided frenzied freshmen blitzing past me on their way to their class. I pulled open the door to computer class, found my usual seat, dropped my bag, and planted my face squarely on my desk.

"Long night?" A voice asked from behind. It was a female voice. This could be bad. I could deal with the injury and fatigue, but hallucinating was really going to bum me out. My curiosity got the better of me. I raised my head and peered towards the origin of the voice. She was new, that was the first thing I noticed. Either that or I didn't recognize her, both were distinct possibilities. She was probably a sophomore like me, based on her look and how she carried herself. Latina, with electric blue eyes framed by a pair of black-rimmed glasses, she had sharp features; high cheekbones and a small pointed nose with a petite build. She also had a mass of flowing black hair, tied up in a loose bun atop her head, cocked to one side as she analyzed me. Whoever she was, I was intrigued. Sticking out like a sore thumb amongst the nebbish nerds of the AP Computer Engineering and Software class, she seemed to be making an effort to start a conversation.

"Yeah, something like that," I confirmed, barely having the energy to sustain a response. Her smile nearly blinded me with pearly white teeth.

"School problems?" she guessed. I scoffed. At that moment, school was not at the top of my list of worries. Getting shot by a .45 was ranked a little higher, though pre-calculus was more likely to kill me.

"No, no school problems," I assured her. She analyzed me further, before making her second guess.

"Lady problems?" she guessed again raising an eyebrow presumptuously.

"No, I don't have lady problems," I replied getting a little defensive. You'd need a lady to have lady problems. Who the hell are you? Why are you so curious? I put down my head again giving up on the conversation.

"Man problems? I don't judge," she prodded once more.

"No! And who are you exactly? Why are you so curious?" I demanded. The door closed and Mr. Haynes walked in with the attendance clipboard in hand.

"Ah, Booker I see you have already met our new student. I hope you're giving her a big STCH welcome. Class this is Alicia Romero. She just transferred in from Greenhold. How are you enjoying Tar City so far?" he asked. Her name was so familiar but somehow I couldn't place it. Maybe she's related to someone I know. It was starting to bother me, but I ignored it and continued listening for clues.

"I like it so far. Hopefully, it'll continue to be great," she answered. The way she said it was so disingenuous, it was a challenge not to snicker. Like you've seen the real Tar City. I stifled my laugh, and class continued as usual. I assumed my prone position, planting my head back onto the desk, which in retrospect was a big mistake.