When Hell Runs Cold

Chapter Five

The clacking of the keys on a laptop was the first thing Alysia heard when she woke up. She definitely wasn't in the Luddington's car anymore.

She tried to recall what happened at the Luddington mansion.

The two robbers.

Kingston.

The fire.

Getting shot.

How could a heist go so wrong?

She opened her eyes, a slight groan escaping her lips as she sat up. She curled her fingers around the edges of the cool metal table that she was on top of.

"Finally, you're awake." A deep, distorted voice commented. Alysia looked at the source of the voice, inching back when she saw the familiar mask. "Do you know what a nuisance you are?"

She felt her face for her mask, eyes widening when she realized that Whirlwind knew exactly who she was. She leaped off the table, holding in another groan of pain.

"You know, I took that bullet out of your side for you. A thank you would be nice. It was disgusting." Whirlwind stood up, crossing his arms. "If you wanna rip your stitches, go ahead, try to run. I'm faster than you."

She grabbed the glass that was sitting on the chair next to her, chucking it at Whirlwind's face.

He didn't even flinch. He simply used his powers to move the glass to the side, before frowning as it smashed on the floor. "That glass was expensive. Are you done?"

She glared at the vigilante, biting her lip to keep herself from letting out another groan of pain. She needed to get out. She glanced around the small room, her eyes landing on her satchel.

Whirlwind glared at her. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will. Don't try it."

"I think not." Alysia tried to get to her satchel, groaning as Whirlwind grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
She whirled around, throwing a weak punch at his face, before ripping his mask off. Her eyes widened when she saw the face under the mask.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Alysia glared at Nathan Carstairs, pulling her arm away from the man."And to think I thought we were becoming friends."

"Well I need to know who you were somehow."

"Does your dad even have cancer? Or was that a lie too?" She stared into his blue eyes, awaiting an answer.

He rolled his eyes, leaning back on the sleek black desk. "My dad has cancer. And seeing you at the hospital was purely a coincidence. One I took advantage of. You wouldn't have been caught anyways if you hadn't stolen from me."

"Well sorry, not everyone has the kind of money you do. A lot of us struggle." Alysia retorted. "Has anyone told you how two-faced you are?"

Nathan rolled his eyes once more, deciding not to answer her question.

"So what now? You can't turn me in, because I know your identity. The cops don't like you either. Seems like we're at a stalemate, Carstairs."

"God, has anybody told you how inconvenient you are?"

Alysia's lips curled up into a smirk, "Yeah, actually. I've heard that a few times. Now I don't know about you, but I'll be taking my jewels and leaving now. You try to turn me in, I'll turn you in too."

***

Alysia sighed in annoyance as she felt herself bleed through her shirt. She went over to her room, grabbing the first-aid kit. She sat on the bathroom counter, pulling her t-shirt off, making a face at the nasty wound.

She stitched herself up, wincing everytime the needle went through her skin. Once she was done, she tossed her grey t-shirt in the hamper, before grabbing another and pulling it on.

Her phone rang and she frowned as she looked at the caller ID.

Blanchard.

Why would Blanchard call her?

She was a super, Alysia realized, and Gevasi was not very welcoming towards Supers. She hadn't realized the severity of it until she was put into the position many others had been in.

She took a deep breath, picking up, and holding the phone up to her ear. "Blanchard."

***

When Alysia walked into Expresso she saw Eric give her a pitiful look, which only confirmed her fears.

Blanchard was going to kill her.

She shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat, urging her new-found powers not to show up. She didn't know what had caused them to manifest.

She knocked on Blanchard's door, entering when she heard Blanchard allow her to come in.

Blanchard gestured to the seat in front of him, "Sit."

Alysia sat down, nervously pressing her nails into her palms. He spent a few minutes observing her before sighing.

"You're a super." Blanchard stated. "I should kill you, you know. We don't allow Supers into Gevasi. And members of Gevasi are not heroes, Lockheart."

"I know, sir. I couldn't let that boy die though." Alysia muttered, not making eye contact with the man.

"Thieves have one job. Stay in the shadows, Alysia. Now everyone in Ziren City thinks of you as a hero, which isn't acceptable here." Blanchard explained, as if she was a small child.

"I didn't know I was a Super, sir. If I had, I would've told you. I'm not a hero, I'm a thief. But please, if you're going to kill me, spare me all of this talk and get it over with."

Blanchard sighed. "If you were anyone else, you would be dead right now."

Alysia looked up at him, confused. "You're not going to kill me?" she asked incredulously. Blanchard shook his head.

"You've been a great asset for Gevasi, Alysia, but I have to fire you, or there might be rebellions." he held out his hand for Alysia to shake.

Alysia hesitantly shook his hand. "Uh thank you...?"

"You're lucky I have a soft spot for you, kid." Blanchard told her. "I'll transfer enough money for your hospital bills for the next two weeks. I don't say this to a lot of people Alysia, but if you ever need anything or a place to hide, you can come to me."

Alysia nodded, trying to hold back tears of relief. "Thank you sir."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Did you think Nathan was Whirlwind all along? Who's your favorite character so far?

QOTD: If you were a super in Ziren City, would you be a vigilante, hero, or villain? Or none of the above?

I wouldn't want to be a villain because it seems like too much work, so I might choose vigilante because there are less rules!

Remember to vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter! Feedback means a lot to me :)