The Undoing of Sidekicks | ✓

thirteen

(a/n: dedicated to faithprieto for the kind comments ! hope you continue to enjoy <3 :))

thirteen

I COULD THINK of more exciting things than creeping after Josh in the dark. There was a tangible chill to the air, that late-summer cold that clung to the nights, slithering beneath coats and jumpers. It sent shivers down my spine as I crept along the edge of a rooftop, keeping one eye on my watch and the other on the dark figure hurrying through the streets. Yet there I was, gravel spraying up behind my heels as I sprinted across the rooftops to follow him. 

Josh ducked through an alleyway, cutting to another street. I glanced at the watch, following the red dot. Zazu's drone was hovering close by, keeping a bird's eye on where he was going. I'd have to get across the wide street to the other row of buildings if I wanted to have any chance of keeping up. 

Well, I do like a good challenge. 

I twisted my arms, tilting my head to the sky. Golden light burst from my eyes as I called on my powers, drawing on that inner well. They swelled up within me, exploded through my fingers as they reached with golden tendrils toward the gravel-topped roof. I was lucky there was gravel here, no doubt. I tilted my head, forcing the gravel to roll closer to the roof's edge.

And then they rolled over, suspended in mid-air. The rest of the gravel quickly followed as I clenched my fist, forcing it to gather in a massive cloud of gravel. Then it shaped itself by my will, forming a lithe bridge crossing the street. I crossed it in a dozen quick strides, then waved my hand behind me. 

The gravel crashed onto the street. The groan of impact echoed through the street, and I heard glass shatter as they rained down on the unsuspecting cars. Cars alarmed started wailing, lighting up the night. I was already moving away, accelerating as I continued following that red dot. 

Where the hell are you going, Brann? 

Vaulting across the gap between two more buildings, I frowned at the clock. He was moving rather quickly. Glancing down at the street, I could see his shadowy form stride with determined steps forward. We were heading into rather dangerous San Helios territory. All cities had their shady alleyways and dark neighborhoods, and this was ours. 

Welcome to Laitry Lane. It was a neighborhood frequented by those who didn't seek to remain on the right side of the law. Fun place to hang for a superhero, in my humble opinion. Most people who went here had stolen items to trade away on the black market, or were planning to steal those aforementioned items. Some went here for new drugs, chemically engineered to target different synapses than the one's the addicts had already dosed to death. Some went here for a good fight. Some went here and never returned. 

Well, you're kind of at fault there, my subconscious was kind to point out. I was slightly inclined to agree. San Helios had a rougher reputation than most, simply because the biggest superhero names were those of our villains. Here, there were no pillars of righteousness. No grand capes to swoop in and save the civilians. 

Except you have on here on vacation, I mused. Josh hurried past another alleyway. I saw his head sweep from side to side, careful as he looked at his surroundings. A frowned graced my face as I stared him down from my perch on the rooftop. 

My watch buzzed, grasping my attention. Zazu, telling me to be CAREFUL. I tapped the screen twice. 

"Yeah, yeah." I replied. Her words from before har burrowed into my mind, but were temporarily pushed aside. Now it was Nymph's time to focus, "One thing at a time."