Who Needs Superheroes?

Chapter 9: Sides, Secrets, and Reunions

I froze, unable to move a muscle. I was not very acquainted with the owner of the voice but I did recognize him. After all, a hero is never forgotten.

A tall and lithe figure stepped into a spot of light that had somehow found its way into the building. I had not been able to see his eyes previously, but now, I found myself staring at two clear green eyes. They blinked, awaiting a response.

"Uhh..hi?" I said, still in shock. What did I expect when I came here? To find the place empty and abandoned? No. I had a job to complete and it was too late to chicken out. "Battlesword? Sir, I came to-"

"I know why you're here," he interrupted, eyes looking me over with suspicion.

"Listen, I don't think you know what you're-" I said only to be cut off yet again by him.

"Of course I know," he shot back. "He sent you, didn't he?"

"Actually-" I tried again.

"Look, I don't-"

"LISTEN!!!" I screamed in frustration and Battlesword's eyes grew wide with surprise. When he had regained his composure, he motioned for me to continue with his hands.

"Thank you. No one sent me. The last time you and Fear had an episode, half of the people died and were harmed. The other half suffered greatly from the damage to the city. They lost their businesses and homes," I felt tears begin to prick my eyes but screwed my eyes shut until the wetness disappeared. "You don't understand what it's like to have everything taken away from you. If you start another war with Fear this town is going to seriously suffer and I'm not sure we can endure any more pain. I know Fear isn't quite civil, but you guys need to figure out a way to settle this struggle for power without putting anyone at risk.

Battlesword had been completely silent during my whole monologue. I had expected him to make at least a small sound, but I got no reply. He looked completely taken aback and even slightly guilty, but with another few seconds of silence he jumped up into the air and I heard a thud as I assumed he landed somewhere on the walls.

The walls of the factory were completely black and dark so I could not tell where he was exactly. It was only when I heard his voice that I was able to locate his approximate location.

"What do you want?" he asked, cutting to the chase. "Or more accurately, what does Fear want? I know you've been hanging around that bastard recently."

"Look, I've already told you that he didn't send me. I came here on my own. In fact, he doesn't know I'm here," I pressed, jaw clenching in mild annoyance. "I'm not his messenger."

"Ah, but you are; you just haven't realized it yet. Eby, no matter how much you may want him to be nice, he never will be. He's going to go through you just like his other girls and I'd hate for that to happen. You're such a bright girl, Eby. Smart, talented, beautiful," he said, listing off my attributes like a boy in love. I thought about what he had said and recalled a conversation I had had with Fear.

"I'm going to keep you around until I'm done using you, and then if you're lucky- major if- I'll dump you on your ass and move on to my next victim."

Maybe Battlesword was onto something. I had been stupid to place my trust in Fear so easily. Fear had warned me about his rash behavior, yet some part of me kept pulling towards him. I did not know what it was, maybe it was curiousity or even a slight- and I really mean slight- attraction to him. All I knew was that I was drawn to him.

I decided to give Battlesword the benefit of the doubt, after all, what had he ever done to me? He was the superhero. Fear was the supervillian. Battlesword had never done anything even the slightest bit evil. Why was I so hesitant to trust him?