Midnight

Chapter 2

Zephyr's POV:
I felt something brush against my skin, but I couldn't see what it was. My eyelids felt heavy as if someone decided to glue them shut. Although I felt much warmer than before, pain continued to shatter across my body. My head was spinning and my stomach churned. I noticed that the wounds that were scattered across my body had been bandaged. Where am I?

My eyes fluttered open, and a discomforted moan escaped my throat. I shrieked at the sight of someone sitting right in front of me. My wrists and legs were bound tightly, and I appeared to be on some kind of sofa.

"Looks like someone finally decided to wake up, congratulations sweetheart."

I struggled against the rope, but every nerve in my body began to scream at my sudden movements. I grunted as I tried again, trying to pull the rope apart.

"I wouldn't exert myself if I were you," Vertigo suggested, sitting back in his chair. He was wearing a grey hoodie with sweatpants, but his mask was covering his face. It wasn't like mine, where it only went around my eyes. His mask had covered every inch of his face, I wonder how he was able to breathe in that.

"W-what's going on?" I asked weakly.' "What's with the rope?"

"Oh, that? It's just a simple precaution, just in case you thought you could trick me."

"Oh please, are you really that paranoid? I'm injured, I couldn't even attack you if I wanted to." I snapped.

"It's the line of business, I must be prepared for any outcome." He explained. "Now, my assistance is not free. I expect you to answer each and every question I have. Who did this to you?"

My hands began trembling and I bit my lip. "There's a new Villain clan that emerged a few weeks ago, called Ignis. In my entire career, I've never seen work that devastating. No offense."

"None taken, continue."

"I dunno if you heard, but all the superheroes in Silver City have mysteriously gone missing. I realized that the timelines of the emergence and their disappearance matched up. I thought I could—I t-tried to..."

"You tried to take them down by yourself."

I nodded. "I thought I could do it...but they expected me to storm them. And then they took me as their captive too. And as you can see, stuff happened."

"While I was in there, I learned about their plan and all. But it's still somewhat a blur, they tried to wipe my memories and manipulate me like they did with everyone else. But it didn't work for some reason, and they got angry and tried to torture me into working for them. Maybe the mind control didn't work because I'm already used to a lunatic that tries to get into people's heads, so I built a sort of resistance to it." I continued. "Just kidding."

"Har har." He deadpanned. "So this clan is trying to kidnap superheroes and manipulate them into fighting for their side?"

"That's not all, they're after anyone with powers specifically. Superheroes, Supervillains, they don't care. But some people were exempt because they don't have powers. I think they're trying to get rid of non-powered humans." I explained further. "Any other questions?"

"Why didn't you just go home? Why come here?" He asked.

"T-they know my identity," I admitted shamefully. "I couldn't risk going home. It's better off if everyone thinks I'm dead." I tried not to think about my family, but I couldn't help but worry and realize that they could be in a lot of danger, just because of me.

"But you thought it was okay to risk my safety?" He asked with his arms crossed.

"Vertigo, we're the only two left in the city," I said softly. "I didn't know what else to do, or where else to go. I'm really sorry for dragging you into this, I can leave if you want."