Rewriters [Completed]

Chapter 20: Shock

After everything that happened, it seemed as though things were finally returning to some kind of normalcy. Finally, after probably more than a month, Kaleo was able to resume writing and even Lysa became more willing to help him. It was a big change from when they first started and while he was happy about it, he was still worried about her.

At Mrs Alvin's request, he talked to her about the possibility of going to therapy. Her responses were unenthusiastic and despondent, and he understood why. There was little hope for the therapist to help her effectively without revealing the big secret.

If only there was a way to clear her name, Kaleo thought as he handed the paper card that indicated him as a member of the book club to the security guard.

"You haven't gotten the permanent card yet?" the security guard asked, handing it back to him.

"Wait, what permanent card?" Kaleo asked.

"Julia mentioned about it a long time ago," Lysa mumbled.

The security guard rubbed his chin. "Julia probably forgot. Those kids got theirs pretty quickly last time. Don't forget to ask her for it."

"Thank you, we will," Kaleo replied as they were let through. He was so used to the paper card that he forgot that it was supposed to be replaced at one point.

Shrugging it off mentally, he opened the door to the club room. As they entered, Julia was holding a remote, pointing it at a TV that wasn't there before.

"Hey guys, just testing this out before I leave," she said. "Don't mind me."

He nodded, deciding not to ask her about the card now and took his usual seat, saying a quick hi to the Four Musketeers, who were the only ones other than Julia there. They waved, except for James who was taking a nap, and Lysa gave an awkward wave back.

"Was there a TV before?" he asked.

"We just got it yesterday," Julia responded while smacking the remote against the table. She murmured something under her breath. "Don't ask me why."

"Um okay."

Before she broke the remote, they managed to get the TV to work. Everyone crowded around it as it jumped to a news channel by default.

As Julia adjusted the volume, Kaleo heard the words of the news reporters clearly. Apparently, the crime rate increased as compared to the first months of the year. They mentioned something about Harbinger being absent for a while, and beside him, Lysa shifted uncomfortably.

The reporters moved on to interviewing some random journalist that he didn't bother learning the name off.

"Why do you think the crime rates are going up?" one of the news reporters asked while the other put on a mask of forced professionalism.

"There has been less superhero presence on our streets. Ten years ago, when the first superheroes appeared, they dropped the crime rates down to nearly zero for a long time. When the supervillain Harbinger was still active, superhero activity was at its peak. Without him in the picture, it has dropped. It allowed crime to rise as a result."

The journalist paused. "It implies that the superheroes do it to maintain their fame. Take Statue for example-"

If Julia had not switched off the television, Kaleo might have exploded from anger. How dare that person criticise superheroes when they did so much for the town? How dare that journalist talk like that about Statue?

He wished he had gotten that person's name now.

"No more TV for you teens," Julia said. "You all look like you are going to blow."