Assemble (Book 2)

1.2

May 29, 1986

"Happy Birthday Tony!" I shouted as my fist thumped on his door. He opened the door, shooting daggers at me. "Have a nice sleep?" I ask him, as I wave to the half naked girl in the corner, hurrying to get dressed. "We didn't sleep much." Tony said winking at the girl, who blushed wildly. If I weren't standing here, I think they would've gone at him again. "You're disgusting." I tell him. "Well you don't have to be here." He responded, trying to shut the door but I blocked it with my foot. He huffs and the girl looks between the two of us. We both know I could break this door down so easily, so he reopens the door. "Don't let your mother see her. She'll have a hissy fit." He rolls his eyes at me, but we both know he cares about his mother more than anything. "Who even is she?" The girl, now fully dressed, asked. "Aunt." I answer at the same time Tony responds "Sister." My smile grows as I look at Tony diabolically. "Aww you love me." I smile at him and ruffle his hair. Then I turn back to the girl, my smile fading. "Now get out." I order her. Fear flashes across her face as she runs out of the room and hopefully out of the house. "Good, the pests are gone. Get dressed. Your mom made breakfast." I order him, pushing him back into his room. "Oh and Tony," He re-opens his door, staring at me, annoyed. "I love you like a brother too." He rolls his eyes but flashed a smile, closing the door.

After breakfast, I went out to buy a cake, though I didn't even know if Tony wanted a cake. He wasn't ever really clear on things like this. Not that I cared. I would've gotten him a cake whether he wanted one or not. Tony was a special kid. He was just like his father in so many ways. Most days I wish he had more of his mother in him. Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. You wouldn't know if I was talking about Tony or Howard if I said that to you without context. Luckily, Howard grew out of his playboy ways. But Tony was headed in the same direction. Tony was by far the brightest kid I knew. I mean, just last year at 15, he was accepted into MIT, full scholarship. I don't know how he does it. But I'm sure some of it is genetics. Like father, like son, right?

While I walked the streets back, taking more of the scenic route, though in Massachusetts it's hard to find anything rural. Yet, with my amazing way of losing direction, I had found it one day when I was walking home. There were some farm houses not too far from the city that I absolutely adored. There was a little girl that would always wave to me when I passed by. She was sweet. But today as I passed by, something was different and off about her wave. Trying not to pry too much, I walked a little closer to the fence and got a closer look. She was laying down near the fence, not because she was tired, but because of another reason. A reason that made my blood boil. The girl had bruises all over her face, a black eye obvious from where I was. She also looked to be bleeding but I couldn't quite tell. So I hopped over the fence, trying not to be seen. "Come on, please be alive." I mumbled to myself as I did mouth to mouth. Suddenly, she gasped for air and I turned her to her side as she spit up some blood. "Who did this to you?" I asked her, picking her up and cradling her in my arms. She winced, at my touch and I knew that the damage was worse underneath her clothes. "My dad." She mumbled into my jacket. He was going to pay for doing this to her.

I had gotten her to a hospital, and after briefing them on everything they needed to know I left. I went back home. "There's blood on your jacket." Tony observed, as soon as I walked in the door. "Is your mother here?" I asked him. He just shook his head. "Good. She'd be upset if I told her what I was doing." I took off her jacket as I climbed the stairs into my room. Throwing open the closet door, I saw the thing I needed. He is going to pay. My head kept replaying the image of the small girl in my arms, bloody and broken. So I made the choice, and I changed into my . He is going to pay. "What are you planning on doing?" Tony asked as I walked out of her room. "Not of your concern Tony." I replied as I made my way to the front door. "Whatever you're doing you shouldn't go out the front door." He told me. "I've snuck out more times than you. And whatever you're doing, you shouldn't go out the front door, dressed like that." I had to admit he had a point. I grumbled as I passed by him. "Clara." I sighed, looking back at him. "Be careful." I smiled at him. "Don't worry about me." Worry about him.

I knew a weapon would've made this easier but frankly, in this exact moment as I leapt from roof to roof and crept in the darkness, I knew I was too pissed off to care. He is going to pay. I kept imagining the girl. Her face all bruised. That image fueled my angered towards the man. How dare he lay a hand on her! How dare he lay an uncaring hand on her. His own daughter. I leapt over the fence for the second time that day, though it was night now. If anyone had seen me, they would've seen steam blowing out of my ears and my red face. I didn't knock at the door, though it would've made a good comedic effect. I kicked the door down, seeing the man look at me in shock. "Who the fuck are you?" He yelled, as he staggered backwards, arms reaching for the shotgun on his wall. "You hurt someone I care about. You hurt her badly. I'm going to make you hurt just as bad. Oh honey, I'm your worst nightmare." In a matter of seconds, before he had a chance to grab his shotgun, I had my hand around his throat. I dragged him to the wall and held him there, squeezing his life away, as if it were so useless. Then I threw him to the ground, hearing something crack. I smiled menacingly, as he screamed out in pain. He was screaming for help, but there was no one around to listen. No one for miles. As I punched and kicked and beat this man, I felt no remorse - no regret.

With a loud yell, releasing all the anger I felt towards this man, 

I punched him one last time, his body lying limp at my feet.

I was leaving no trace that I had been there as lit the house on fire. I felt nothing as I walked away, the house exploding as I kept walking. Letting all evidence of me being there, in the ash, disposed of. He paid for it.

______

A few days later, I visited the girl in the hospital. She was resting after her surgery. The doctors said I saved her life. She had been bleeding internally and had a broken rib. I was just glad I got to her when I did. My hand rested on hers as I watched her sleep, making sure she was doing well. The doctors had also informed me that there was a fire and her dad didn't make it alive, so she would have to be put into foster care. After doing intense research, I found that they were good people. This had definitely let me relax a little. I was glad she would be in good, safe hands. After everything she had been through, she deserved some love. I squeezed her hand a little, getting up to leave. "Wait." I heard her voice squeak. I turned around, smiling at her. "Where's my dad?" She asked me, dear in her eyes. "He won't bother you anymore. You're going to live with someone else, someone who will love you." She sighed, relieved. Before I had the chance to leave, she called me again. "Wait. What do I call you?" I have her a questioning look. "What do you mean?" She smiled largely. "Your superhero name. What is it?" I shook my head. "Darling, I'm no superhero." I told her. "You're my hero." I smiled, kissing her head. I made my way to the door before stopping at the doorway. "Saint. Call me Saint." Then I was gone.