Misfits

Chapter 7

The entire house was gathered in the living room, watching the Channel 9 News report. Dusk could feel her tail’s tip twitching back and forth. She felt nervous. It occurred to her that this was on a national news channel, meaning her father could be watching, or her old friends, or even the Kelly and Natalie, the school vipers. She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about everyone she knew finally knowing what she was.

The day after the interview, the reporter, Daniel, and Monica had disappeared again without a trace. Yesterday, they had received a phone call from Daniel telling them that the news story would be on tonight at nine o’clock, thus the reason that everyone was in the living room.

The intro to the News rang throughout the surround sound, and a deep announcer’s voice informed them that they were watching the best News channel in the US. After the brief introduction, it quickly switched to two anchors behind a desk with a large 9 on the front. Behind it sat an aged man with white hair with streaks of brown in it and wore a smile that looked like his cheeks had been stapled in that shape. The other was a thin woman with light brown hair and a face that looked 90% plastic. Both of them were wearing formal attire.

“Thank you for joining us here tonight,” said the man in a sooth calming voice. “Our top story tonight; the man accused of attacking a security guard at the UN building with a screwdriver on the end of a broomstick has pleaded guilty to attempted murder.”

“That’s right, Bill,” continued the woman. “Jason Truman claimed that he was unhappy with the way that the ‘peace’ negotiations were going between the US, Bengasi, and Syria, and they were intentionally ignoring his ideas that could work to keep the peace. At the time of the assault, Truman was under the influence of several drugs, including bath salts, methane, and merajuana. His trial is scheduled for next week. He is expected to get up to ten years in prison.” Subconsciously, Dusk wondered that of all weapons to attack the United Nations, why would you use a screwdriver on a broomstick? Then, she remembered why they were watching the news, and returned her attention to the TV.

“In other news, the President has issued a statement regarding the accusations of the plot of a future rigged election for a second term.” The screen switched to the President, reading form notecards on a podium, two Marians on either side of him.

“I swear on my honor, not only as your president, but on my honor of a man, that there is no truth to these accusations, and I have no objections to the launching of an investigation into the matter, for I have nothing to hide.” Dusk had heard about the accusations, but she wouldn’t be able to vote by the time of the next election, so there wasn’t much she could do about it. The screen once again showed the news desk.

“Tonight we have a special story, brought to you by our very own Marian Frey. Marian?” The camera changed toward the reporter that had spoken to them, and Dusk heard a collective intake of breath throughout the living room.

“Thank you, Bill. We all, as kids, have always wanted to have a super power. Movies and TV shows have promoted this idea, but we have never thought of the idea of it actually happening. A little over a week ago, I was approached by a person who thought that they had a story that would catch everyone’s interest, and boy was he right.” The camera changed to cut scenes of different interviews. It dawned on Dusk that some of these interviews weren’t from this house. She remembered what she had been told on her first day here; how there were several safe havens throughout the country. Maybe this was where Daniel and Monica had been all this time.

Scene by scene, it showed and explained different people, though it appeared that he reporter had been true to her word and no names were mentioned. Dusk watched as Amelia’s power was explained, and as Mark turned into a girl before the camera. New faces were explained to, including one man who could duplicate the voices of other’s perfectly, or one woman who looked like an overgrown cat.