Sabrina Smith was just an average girl. Average, perhaps, would have been a better way to put it under different circumstances. She loved video games, anime, and sports just like any normal kid. What she loved the most, however, caused her to be the subject of ridicule amongst her peers; superheroes. A taboo subject in today's society, ever since "The Day." She loved reading old comics and watching movies. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman were her favorites. She even had her very own secret collection of videotapes, comics, and action figures. Her father gave them to her, before his passing.

The young girl could not fathom why society was the way it was. Why did all evolved humans have to die for no reason? Just because some of them did horrible things, did not make them all bad. If she had powers, she would surely fight back against the bad guys. She would help people and use her powers for good. She had wanted nothing more than that; to be a hero.

On a sunny Monday morning, Sabrina, dressed up for school in her uniform, lay sprawled out on her bedroom floor, playing with her superhero action figures. It had become a morning routine of hers, to just immerse herself with the toys. She would create different fantastical scenarios every day, swinging the figures of Superman or Batman around, having them defeat various super villains, and saving people from harm.

She heard a loud, sharp knock on her locked bedroom door, as she was immersed in her own little world.

"Sabrina, we're gonna be late!" came her brother Joshua's voice, urgent and impatient.

"Oh, shit," Sabrina said quietly. She hastily gathered her cherished pile of figures on the ground, placing them in a wooden box, hiding it in a secret compartment under her bed. "I'll be right there!" she yelled, quickly donning a black hoodie, masking her true passion from prying eyes.

As she swung open the door, her younger brother's disapproving gaze met hers. He was tapping his feet impatiently as he looked at his sister disdainfully.

"How many times do I have to come get you? Next time, I'm leaving without you," the boy said coldly.

"Sorry, sorry. I guess I lost track of time again," Sabrina said with an awkward smile while rubbing the back of her head.

"I know what you're doing in there. Playing with Dad's old toys again? That shit's gonna get you killed one day."

"W-what are you talking about?" Sabrina said quietly, placing an arm over her brother. "We're gonna be late, remember? Let's go!"

"Sabrina... just try to stay out of trouble, please."

"You should be telling the jerks at school that, not me. I didn't do anything wrong!" she said as she walked down the stairwell.

"Our family is already under a microscope, thanks to Dad. And your weird ass isn't making it any better. Just... try to be normal, please. Do it for Mom, at least," he said with a somber voice.

"Okay," she said hesitantly, reaching the bottom of the stairs. "Good morning, Mom," she said with a smile.

Her mother, Jackie, was sitting on the couch as usual, watching soap operas with a cigarette in hand. Sabrina had gotten used to that sight, eventually becoming more detached to her mother's state. Jackie didn't work much. She did not need to, after her husband passed. Sabrina's father's insurance money, after his death, ensured a comfortable lifestyle for her family. They had a big house, a nice car, a fridge full of food, and a wonderful pet dog. Truly the American dream. Sabrina had almost everything she needed to live a comfortable life. But, it just was not right, Sabrina thought. The government just killed off her father, then paid her family handsomely. It sickened the young girl, but she had no choice but to accept it.

"Sabrina, don't cause any trouble, ya hear?" Jackie said disinterestedly, not even turning around to greet her daughter.

"Y-yes, ma'am," she replied with a heavy sigh.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Joshua, keep your sister outta trouble, please."

"I'll try my best," he said with a shrug.

"Hey Robin! Who's a good boy?" Sabrina said, squatting to greet her black chihuahua, giving him a few pets before leaving. "Take care, mom!" she said, as she walked out the front door.

The two siblings walked to school on that sunny morning. They lived very close, only having to walk half a mile. Their path to school was scenic, as the spring flowers were in full bloom. They lived in a small town in South Carolina; a town that was not very welcoming to any notions of Superheroes. Solara had very strict laws when it came to anything pertaining to that matter. That was why the young Sabrina kept her little box a secret from everyone else.

"Please don't tell anyone at school," Sabrina pleaded with her brother, her hands clasped together in a begging motion.

"You really think I want that backlash?" Joshua snarled. "I already get side-eyed just for being your brother. Not to mention, you blabbering on about Dad being a hero. So fucking stupid," he murmured.

"I-I'm sorry," Sabrina said.

"If you're really sorry, just shut your mouth and do your schoolwork from now on. Maybe then, you'd make some friends."

"O-okay."

The two siblings arrived at Solara High School, joining the crowd of students making their way inside.

"I'll see you later, bro!" Sabrina yelled, walking to her homeroom.

"Whatever," Joshua muttered, quickly leaving his sister's side.

"Hey, it's the freak!"

"Don't talk to her, she stinks!"

"What's up with the hoodie? Pretending to be a vigilante today?"

Sabrina sat down at her desk in the back of the classroom, ignoring the murmurs from her classmates. Her desk was vandalized with hateful words as usual. 'Freak, weirdo, loser,' the usual things etched on her desk with markers, her classmates snickering and laughing around her. She simply wiped it off, and sat quietly with headphones in her ear, gazing out the window, and daydreaming about heroes.

Sabrina tried to maintain a positive attitude, even though most of her peers hated her. She even felt the bond with her mother and brother slipping away, day by day. Joshua would hardly talk to her anymore, only scolding her when she misbehaved.

I want to leave this place. I want nothing more than to leave this place and never look back! I swear, as soon as I graduate, I'm going to leave.

Morning slowly turned to afternoon as Sabrina's classes dragged on, the whispering and taunts from her classmates slowly consuming her. Sabrina, remembering her brother's words, just kept her head down in silence.

Lunchtime was a relief for the girl. The only time she could get away and find solitude. She hurried to the library and sat at a small table in the back. No one would ever bother her there. No one ever came to the library around that time. They would usually go to the cafeteria to eat and be with their friends. During those thirty minutes of peace, she would blissfully read comic books that she had snuck in, keeping them hidden at the back of her binder. Sabrina was happily reading her comics while snacking on an apple. She got so lost in her stories, she did not notice the person approaching her.

"That stuff is contraband, ya know? You could get in serious trouble if you're caught reading that."

"W-what? Huh?" Sabrina said nervously, quickly covering up the book with schoolwork. "I-I don't know what you're talking about! I'm just working on my math work," she said, sweat slightly dripping from her forehead.

She was greeted by a girl she had not seen before. She stood before Sabrina with piercing green eyes, brown hair, fair skin, and a mischievous grin.

D-does she go to this school?

"Well, lucky for you, I don't really give a shit. But, you should really be more careful," the girl warned, her tone laced with amusement. "You're Sabrina, right? Quite the legend, you are!" she continued with a smile.

"I-I am?"

"Oh yeah! Every one knows about your stories. Like, how you put that school bully in his place for picking on some poor nerds. He had to get stitches on his nose! Oh, and that time you wore a blanket around your neck like a cape. That was a classic! I'm surprised they didn't expel you for that one!" she burst in laughter. "And the most interesting one…" she paused, leaning in to whisper in Sabrina's ear. "The story you used to tell about your dad. How he was wrongfully murdered for being a secret superhero. Epic stuff."

"I-I'm trying to put my shameful past behind me now," Sabrina said quietly.

"Well, you did bring yourself a lot of attention with your antics," the girl snickered. "I think it's cool, though. You see, I'm a secret fan of yours," she said quietly, holding a finger to her lips.

"Y-you are?" Sabrina said, her eyes suddenly bright with excitement.

"Oh, yeah! You probably have tons of secret fans out there. They're probably just too scared to approach you, seeing as you're an outcast and all."

"I-I see," Sabrina said, here bright eyes returning to normal. "That makes me feel a little better, I guess. Now I know that I'm not alone," she continued, looking up at the girl with a smile. "What's your name?"

"I'm Lily. Nice to meet you, Sabrina Smith!" the girl said, returning a warm smile. "Mind if I take a seat?"

Sabrina had made a friend that day. The first one she had in quite some time. A glimmer of hope sparked within her. Perhaps it was the beginning of something new.