When Hell Runs Cold

Chapter Six

Alysia looked between the raw chicken in front of her, and her hands. The chicken sat there, mocking her, as it had been doing for the past twenty minutes, most likely laughing at her inability to use her newfound powers.

She sat down on the floor of her kitchen, shivering slightly at the touch of the cold tiles.

Any normal human would've been shocked by setting a human on fire, but Alysia's mother had told her about the chance of being a super before she died.

Although after countless years of being called a disappointment by her father, who used to be Ziren City's resident superhero before Blitz, she had lost hope. Years ago, she had wanted the same powers as Inferno, but now? She just wanted them gone.

She didn't want to be power-hungry and selfish like her father.

Henry Lockheart was a monster disguised as a hero, only helping people for fame and power he felt when people looked up to him.

Her father didn't give a damn about the well-being of the public. He was selfish, arrogant, and manipulative. He manipulated her into thinking she was worth nothing because she was ordinary. And for the longest time, she'd believed him.

Yet, even after all of the abuse and suffering, Alysia couldn't bring herself to pull the plug. She couldn't stop paying the hospital bills. She couldn't let him die.

Alysia cleared her mind, focusing on the chicken in front of her. She tried to focus all of her energy onto it, groaning when it didn't work. Alysia sighed, resting her head in her hands.

Why now?

Why did her powers have to show up when she was a member of Gevasi? Why couldn't they just have not shown up at all?

Well, you would've died. The voice in her head said, causing Alysia to roll her eyes. And by being such a wimp about it, you'll be a disappointment just like Dad said.

"Rude." she muttered under her breath. Alysia stood up, putting the chicken in the oven, before sitting at her small kitchen counter.

This was pointless.

Trying to get her powers to work was like struggling with a lost bar of soap in the shower— frustrating and a waste of her time.

***

After her failed attempt with the chicken, Alysia decided to clear her head and take a walk with April.

The pair walked through Selcouth Park, being quiet for a few minutes before Alysia glanced at the redhead.

"So, how's celibacy going?"

April let out a short laugh, "Well I figured out that I can't knit to save my life." She ran a hand through her sleek red locks before continuing, "I was trying to make a hat, and well long story short, I didn't make a hat." she muttered.

Alysia laughed at the frown on April's face. "You could always try baking."

April whirled around to face her."You didn't tell me that baking could help!"

She felt a smile tug at her lips, "Well, I kinda wanted to see you fail at knitting."

April lightly elbowed her."You're so mean!"

"But you love me anyways." Alysia smiled sweetly, causing April to sigh and roll her eyes.

A few more moments passed by, April beaming  at the group of children who passed by. "Oh did you hear the news?!"

"What news? Is someone pregnant?"

"No, the news about Lux! The badass queen herself." April squealed.

Alysia slightly tensed, kicking a pebble along the dirt path they were walking along, watching the cloud of dirt that formed. "What news?" She repeated.

"The woman's a freaking hero, Lyss.  You know the Luddingtons? The ones you used to babysit for?"

Alysia nodded, trying to keep her face impassive. She trusted April with everything, but she couldn't let her get mixed up in all of this.

"Well apparently she was at the Luddington's, to do what she usually does, and like there were these other two thieves who were threatening Blair and Kingston Luddington. Then, one of the guys was going to shoot adorable little Kingston, and do you know what she did?" April rambled, excited.

"Hmm?"

"She scorched the dude! And by scorch I mean scorch.  The dude was found at the crime scene, with like third degree burns. It's weird. She has the same powers as your dad, right?"

Alysia shrugged. "Yeah, weird."

***

"Coffee?"

Alysia glared at Nathan, "I didn't realize you were stalking me now." She muttered, snatching the coffee from him anyways. "You can leave now. I'm pretty sure oncology isn't over here."

He rolled his eyes, taking a seat in the uncomfortable hospital chair next to her. He fitted awkwardly into the seat, his tall body too big for the small hospital chair. Even sitting down, he was nearly a head taller than her, just like Blanchard.

She sighed, "I liked it a lot better when you were flirty and nice."

"And I liked it better when you were friendly too, but we don't always get what we want." He retorted. "I didn't want pepper spray in my eyes, but you sprayed me anyways."

"And I didn't want to be thrown against a wall, but you did it anyways." She lifted the cup of coffee to her lips before pausing, "You didn't poison this did you?"

Nathan gave her a look. "Do you think I'm an idiot or something?"

"Do you really want me to answer that question, Carstairs?"

"We're in a hospital." He deadpanned, running a hand through his dark hair. "The cameras are still on. So no, it's not poisoned."

Alysia glanced at him through the corner of her eye before taking a sip of the coffee. She cringed at the taste of the overly sweet coffee. "Wow, this is... sweet. Do I look like I put a thousand creamers in my coffee?" she placed the coffee cup under her seat, on the shiny white hospital tile,  before crossing her arms.

"Yes."

"I put whiskey in my coffee sometimes, so obviously not." When Nathan gave her a weird look, she sighed. "What? Never heard of Irish Coffee?"

He shook his head. "I have a proposal for you, and if I were you, I'd really consider saying yes to it."

And that's Chapter Six! What were your thoughts? What are your opinions about Nathan so far? Please don't hesitate to comment or vote if you enjoyed it!

And here's today's question of the day!

QOTD: Who's your favorite superhero from either comics, TV Shows, or movies?

Personally, Spiderman's my favorite, but that might just be because I freaking love Tom Holland! Plus, who wouldn't love Tom Holland?