Flashf0rward

Chapter 11: Homefront

Wren

Looking at myself in the small bucket of water in my house, I saw the stubble that was growing on the side of my chin, knowing I hadn't shaved in a long time. Thankfully, I didn't really need any form of razor, since I'd learned to use an alternative. Raising my hand, I felt the familiar feeling of my stomach clenching as the tip of my finger heated up. Slightly dragging it across my skin, I could feel the tips of the small strands of hair burning off.

Ever since I used these powers more and more, I discovered something interesting. I was immune to my own abilities. I could still be burned by fire, but if I was attacked by my own plasma, I would be left completely unharmed, which was how I was able to shave without burning my face off.

Soon, I was as clean-shaven as I could be. Looking at my slightly red skin, I splashed it with some water, seeing the steam come off my face. Knowing I had to get my duties started soon, I got dressed, wearing what I normally did, my new black bomber jacket and jeans that I'd picked up from the last raid on the city.

Opening my drawer, I noticed something inside. Right next to my bomber jacket was my dad's old hunting jacket, the one I'd worn after the world went to hell. I had worn it through the first year of protecting Ivy until we'd been captured by Reservoir. Looking at it brought back memories, not all good ones, but it also reminded me of the argument she and I had last night.

Knowing that I should probably go apologize to her, I sighed and adjusted my jacket, walking to the front door. As I opened it, I was greeted by Katrina, who was standing there mid-knock. "Oh! Hey. Sorry, didn't know you were already up." She said, smiling. I shook my head, returning the smile. "It's alright. You need something?"

She nodded. "I just wanted to show you how well the garden's coming along." I motioned to her. "Lead the way." The two of us walked away from my cabin and into the main part of town. The sun was now getting to be high in the sky, and the whole village was up already. The marketplace was bustling with people gathering supplies, or just wandering around and enjoying the beautiful day.

Placing my hands in my pockets, I spoke to Katrina. "So, um...how are things?" I said, trying to make small talk. Katrina turned to look at me slightly as we walked. "Good. Our crops are growing better than ever, thanks to me. If this soil keeps being useful, we shouldn't run out of veggies anytime soon."

I sighed. "Good. Can't wait for a whole other year of boiled carrots." She laughed a little. "You're not bored of them yet?" I shook my head. "Not the way you make them. You seem to know how to make everything taste good." Brushing some of her platinum blonde hair back, Katrina smiled. "Well, how about I make dinner for you? Put that to the test?"

Surprised by her unexpected offer, I blushed a little bit before clearing my throat. "I, um...sure. If you're not busy, that is." She gently bumped my shoulder with hers. "I should be asking you that question. After all, you are the one leading this place." I shook my head. "Please don't say it like that. I've already got enough to think about as is." The smile dropped off of Katrina's face. "Sorry...I didn't mean to make things worse."

I looked at her. "No, it's fine, really. Just not something I'm used to, y'know?" Katrina shrugged. "I don't think anyone can get used to it." Then, I heard someone shouting my name from behind me. "Wreeeen!" I turned and saw a single kid with light brown hair. Smiling, I kneeled down. "Hey, Archie, how you doing buddy?"

Archie smiled, showing a noticeable gap in his teeth. "Look what happened!" I widened my eyes. "Whoa, nice! You lost your first tooth, huh?" He nodded excitedly. "Yup! Pulled it out last night, an' then my mom told me that I'm gonna be a big boy, just like you!" He pointed at me, and I ruffled his hair. "Well, maybe not like me. A bit more handsome, maybe. See this ugly face?" I stuck out my tongue and crossed my eyes, making Archie laugh hysterically.

Poking his nose, I motioned my head. "Head back home before your mom finds out and kills both of us, ok?" Nodding, Archie ran off and waved to me. "Bye Wren!" Standing up, I heard Katrina giggling behind me as I turned around. "What?" I asked with a smile. She shrugged. "Nothing. Your face isn't that ugly, y'know." I laughed and waved my hand. "Now you're just being silly."

We kept walking through the crowd, saying hi to the various people we knew. Then, a familiar voice raised above the mob. "Wren! We need to talk!" Katrina looked at me with an exasperated glance. "Oh, no..." Turning, I saw Clarence Hightower and a few of his "loyal followers" walk up to me. Sighing, I rubbed my cheek. "What do you want, Clarence?"

He pointed at me accusingly. "You and your sister have been ignoring me for the past week now, when you know that what I want to talk to you about is important!" I crossed my arms. "Let me guess. You want to start a separate human council, right?" Hightower nodded. "We're as much a part of this village as you, so why should a metahuman control everything?" His followers shouted in agreement.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I closed my eyes. "Clarence, I've told you this a thousand times. I'm doing this because everyone thinks I should. But this is not a democracy. We can't just have people changing leadership because they want to. I'll decide who comes next." Hightower's eyes narrowed. "So you're saying you don't think us normal humans are worthy, huh?"

I was trying my best to stay calm. "That's not what I said, you're putting words in my mouth." Hightower waggled his finger at me. "Oh, no, of course not, but that's what you're thinking. That's what you're all thinking! You and her, and all of your other metahuman friends!" He pointed to Katrina, who was standing behind me.

Speaking loudly so everyone could hear, I stood in place. "We're not enemies, Hightower. Everyone in this village is on the same side. Metahumans and humans alike. I don't think either side is better. I'm not stooping to your level and causing a fight where there isn't one." Hightower crossed his arms. "What about your sister, hmm? Why does she get special treatment? She's not one of you. Is she?"

When he mentioned Ivy, I clenched my fists and was about to step forwards when Katrina grabbed my arm. "Don't." She said in a barely perceptible voice. Thankfully, that stopped me, and shortly after, several of the guards walked in. "Alright, break it up, both of you. Nothing to see here folks, move on."

The silent marketplace slowly returned to its hustling and bustling routine, while Hightower and his gang walked away, staring at me. Sighing, I looked back at Katrina. "Thanks." She shook her head. "Don't mention it. Those guys are jerks." As we kept walking towards the garden, Hightower's words kept echoing through my mind.

Finally, we reached a small house on the right side of the town hall, which was entirely covered in grass. The ground was all soil save for a small path through the middle. Several trees, plants, and vegetables were growing here, with enough food for the whole village. I looked around, impressed. "You've been doing a good job."

Smiling, Katrina knelt down to a small bud. "Thanks. I think this one is good to start growing." Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on the soil. Then, I saw the bud begin to grow at rapid speed, as if there was some sort of time-lapse being shown. The bud grew into a large green sprout in a matter of seconds. Pulling it from the ground, Katrina showed off the fully-grown carrot.

Offering it to me, she smiled. "Try it." Taking it from her, I ate a piece and hummed in agreement. "Nice. You're gonna turn me into a bunny with how much of these I'm eating." Katrina giggled and poked my nose. I wriggled it in return, which made her laugh even more. Sighing, the both of us just stayed there for a minute, staring at each other.

As I was about to say something, the door to the greenhouse opened, and we turned to see Jude standing there. "Am I interrupting anything?" He asked, and we both turned to face him. "No, um, no." I said, trying to hide my blush. Was Katrina doing it too? Focusing on Jude, I tilted my head. "What's wrong?" Jude frowned. "Some of the guns are missing from the armoury. And I haven't seen Ivy all day." My eyes widened. "Aw, no."