He escaped again. They couldn’t escape. The villain was trapped. In the nightclub, sprinkling water and four heroes surrounded him, and even an experienced hero was with us to help us. Yet he still got away, THAT DAMN FUCKER. I SHOULD HAVE KILLED HIM THE FIRST TIME.

I kicked the seat in front of me out of frustration. “Vivio, calm down. The police are searching the area and will find him,” Wavist said. I didn’t like those words, ‘Police are searching’ my ass. We have the resources, but currently, that is being put into a dumb war in South America over a superhuman gang. What some bullshit.

Most of the United States has a shortage of heroes, with one hero for every three villains, and in Chicago, that’s the most prevalent. Yet the only things people nowadays care about are villain rights, Hero rights, and dumb politics. We nearly arrived at the P.W.H. district where all the heroes and their families live.

“How is Rockheart doing? I saw her bleed a lot,” said Energy Knight. Ugh, Energy Knight, aka Tyler Brandon. He takes an interest in sixteen-year-old Rich Penelope for her charm of music, yet this loveable idiot doesn’t see the 10 out of 10 right in front of him trying to get him. I’ve seen him just hanging around Penelope, and she doesn’t like him.

Like he ignores the signs, I swear. I ask him to go to lunch, hang out alone somewhere, and even come over to my living courters, and he makes an excuse not to go. “She is. I got a call on my headpiece that she is stable. She should be fine tomorrow.” said Wavist

I looked outside to see the protesters who were protesting stuff like villain rights, Hero's abolishment, killings of innocent civilians, Heros are for the rich and Human Genocide. Like god, it’s 12:30 at night. Can people go home, do these people have lives, or are they just brainwashed?

Luckily, the district was in the sky, so heroes and their families could walk around safely without people harassing them, but sadly, not all cities have this luxury. We drove near the beam where there was a gate entrance. The gate opened, and we got under the beam. The district was about 3,000 ft up from the ground with multiple entrances. It also has defenses against any villains..

“Going up,” said Wavist. The hero district was a mile-long area-wide stretch of land of buildings and some homes. Even a mall area. Wavist drove the Hypercar to the main building of the district, the Public Worldwide Heros, or P.W.H. for short. It was a large building with a typical corporate style. We all took off all our masks as it was safe here to reveal our identity as people all know each other in the P.W.H. district.

We got out of the car and entered the building. “Oh, nice seeing your back, Anthony, and young heroes. How was your patrol?” I heard the clerk say in her stupid, cheery accent.

“Not well. Some problems started in the void district, and we encountered the blood villain. As well as arresting Alica, one of the Kereos members, and the other member of the Kereos, is dead. I think the blood villain engaged in a fight and killed one of them, don’t know why but… I just hope Kereos isn’t up to anything,” Anthony said. Kereos is one of the three powerful Chicago tri-crime rings, the other two being Helldivers and Bitchgirls.

“Oh, hey at least you caught one of the Kereos members, but ensure you file a report on the villain by tomorrow,” she said, and then I saw the clerk give over some papers.

Thank god I didn’t have to do paperwork. The last time I did that, it took over an hour to complete. “Oh, good news. Some heroes are coming back to Chicago and a new hero applied. She will be here later tomorrow.” She said.

“Oh, so he is coming back too,” Tyler said. “Yeah,” she said.

I could tell by his look he wasn’t pleased. His father was the strongest hero in Chicago, and he often made Tyler train every day to get stronger, to ‘take his place’ once he retired. I mean, Tyler just wanted to be in college, but because of being a hero and had power, he just took special classes. I mean, sure, you can be a civilian, but from what I can tell, his father didn’t let him.

“So you said we got a recruit,” Said Anthony. “Yes, she is a high schooler. She got her powers recently, and she filed papers with her parents last night.”

This looming dread came over me. I remember losing four recruits, all kids. I mean, I have only been a hero for six months and four recruits died. Octoplum was just a kid of a hero family and died for me. Now she will be another victim.

I cried as the memory came back with hate also being in the mix. Both Anthony and Tyler looked at me. I ran off in embarrassment, not wanting to look weak.

“Hey wait,” I heard Tyler, but I didn’t care. I ran out. I just wanted to go home.

...

I was in my bedroom, alone. I didn’t have any parents, only my little brother who just lived with me, and looked up at me. My parents died in a villain attack on the damn Bitchgirls. With that, the fucking retard blew them up.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

I lying down in my pajamas ready to go to sleep. Then I heard a knock on the door. “Ugh,” I said in annoyance as I got up and went to the door. Each hero got a house or lived in an apartment. Since it was only me and my brother, we lived in a small apartment like a hotel.

I open the door to see Tyler there in his normal clothes. “Uh, hello. Viana, I just... wanted to make sure you were, ok,” He said. I could tell he was looking away from me. Was he nervous or scared? Then I panicked. My crush was at my door. The only time I didn’t want him near me. I looked like a mess. I didn’t have my makeup, and worse, my hair looked so messed up.

“I’m ok Tyler. You can leave now,” I said, shaking in worry. I didn’t want Tyler to see me like this. I slowly closed the door, but then he stopped it. “No, Viana. please, can we just talk?” He wanted to talk with me, I mean we talked usually on the job and in front of others, but alone.

“Ok,” I let him in. He was in my apartment, just us and my brother sleeping. I thought of all the scenarios.

We both sat on the couch in the living room. It was silent.

“Uh, Viana. Are you ok? You just ran away from everyone.” He asked. He cares. Come on, he doesn't like me. Why would he care about me? Does he just ignore me? I mean, we just hang out as friends, but whenever I want to be alone, he just chickens out. Now he was asking me if I was ok.

“Listen Tyler, I just want to... look strong in front of the other heroes,” I said. What a bullshit answer, but it should work. I didn’t want to share my feelings. Then I felt his hand, which was warm and soft.

“Viana, I’m not stupid... I don’t want to lose you too. I know you have issues with villains... but I don’t want to see you suffer, I can’t even open up to my dad, he just says to ‘walk it off’ or ‘you will get used to it.' Please just tell me the truth... do you need help? Tyler said. It was pointless. He was persisting. Should I tell him to leave? Should I confess? What should I do...

I was silent. The air felt as if it was thickening every second. Then He said. “Listen, you are not alone. I lost them too and others. Considering you as an outcast because of your actions, I care about you. I want you to grow stronger. You have the potential to be one of the best heroes,”

I looked down and cried. I didn’t understand why; he was just saying lies. I was just a worthless power-holder compared to those heroes. What did he know about me?

“Stop lying to me. I’m worthless. I couldn't beat some new villain twice.” Then he got closer. I felt my heart beating so fast it felt like it was about to explode. “Listen, Viana. I... I don’t want to see you like this.”

He hugged me, then I felt all my worries washed away. It felt as if all my pain had vanished. I hugged him back, even though I wanted to kiss him, but I think that was asking too much.

Then I stopped hugging him, and I backed away from him. I felt that time slowed down. It was like hours, years, hell eons. Then, after all the time built up, something came out.

“I’m sorry. I was just being stupid,” I said, just embarrassed,

"it's okay, Viana, but first you need to be more confident,"

"Ok. thank you," I said. I stopped crying, feeling better, then I yawned, as I felt too tired to even just stay awake. My work was getting to me. I need to use the water chamber tomorrow.

“Oh, you’re…” Tyler said before he yawned too. “Can I crash here for tonight? My house is on the other side of the district,”

"Sure," I said, but what if...no, I'm not ready for that.

“Good night Viana,”

"Good night Tyler,"

I saw Tyler lying on the bed, and I felt myself being touched, starved. No, I can’t cuddle with him. I mean, he will wake up and I don’t know how he would react. Would it be wrong?

Then Tyler snored. Geez, he's a fast sleeper. I faced temptation, snuggled with Tyler, and hoped I wake up first or sleep in my bed alone, dark and cold.

I opened my door quietly, then walked over to the bed and snuggled in the sheets with Tyler. I knew this was wrong, but it just felt so good. The warm feeling came back as I slowly closed my eyes.

...

I Woke up, but I felt cold again. I looked to the side, and I was alone. Then I looked down. My pajamas were still on. I got up in confusion and saw Tyler making breakfast. I could smell the eggs and even pancakes. Then I looked at the clock and it was 9:00 am.

“Oh, uh... good morning, Viana,” then I remembered what happened. He knows. “Uh, sorry. I was just cold.” I said.

“Don’t lie to me. You know how I am with people touching me. So explain yourself,” He said. Then It went quiet as if time stopped. I didn’t know how to respond. Should I confess? Should I stay quiet?

My body didn’t want to get up off the couch. I violated Tyler's space, which I shouldn’t have done. Now he is going to report to me about sexual harassment. If I’m lucky, they can be sexist and not care. The worst case is I’m kicked out on the street with my brother… No, I can’t let that happen. Then I got the courage to walk over there. I knew one thing that could work in the hope of those problems not happening.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that, I just… love you," I quickly yelled, so I hoped I could get out of this mess.

“Love me!” Tyler said. After I processed those words and realized what I said, I looked away. “No. No. No. Not like that,” I said, lying through my teeth now blushing. “I… kind of knew, but I wasn’t sure about it.” I looked back at Tyler and I saw his face, red as a tomato.

“Are you nervous?” I said, now awake more than ever and confused.

“N… yes, I liked you for a while. I knew you were asking me out the first few times, and I'm scared to ask out girls." after he said that, I laughed slightly. "I'm sorry what?"

"It's just a personal fear," Tyler said. I could tell he was not joking. "oh sorry, I didn't mean to laugh, it's just..." I said.

"Listen, Viana, don't joke about that. It's personal." Something was wrong, but didn't push further. "Ok, I'm sorry for laughing and hugging you in your sleep," I said, now stopped laughing.

"It's fine, I forgive you. I get you going through some things too, but please don't do that stuff," Tyler said. He was right. Looking back on myself, I'm almost an adult. I forget this because of my power or my stubbornness, but I'm acting like a child. Kicking the seat, not listening to orders from experienced heroes, and just emotionally stressed. Then there is Tyler, the same age, heroic, smart, and charming. He was stronger, faster, and more experienced than me. I wanted to be like him for my brother so I could connect with him more. I just couldn't live without him. He saved me back at the abandoned site and helped me. That's why I loved him.

"Hey, are you doing anything on Monday?"

"Yeah, I'm hanging out with Penelope and other heroes."

"Hey, are you doing anything on Monday!!" I said louder.

"Yeah, like... oh," Well, he is more of a lovable idiot.