I woke up to pain.
“Ow!!! Fuck. Fuck!!” I shouted, as my body seized up. I stopped moving and a sense of relief washed over me, before the pain slowly ebbed back. The growing pains were worse than yesterday.
“You ok?” Eric asked.
“No” I replied, already tired. I lay in bed for a few more minutes till I’d come to terms with the fact the pain probably wasn’t going to just disappear. I stood up wincing, and Eric frowned at me.
“Are you… taller?” he asked. I shrugged, the movement sending waves of pain through my back.
I trudged to the bathroom and locked the door. Then I caught a look at myself in the mirror.
“What the hell man?!” I shouted.
-
I sat in the refectory eating breakfast with Eric. It was Sunday morning, two days after the fight with the monster thing. It had been everywhere on the news, everyone at school was talking about it, and everyone had an opinion on it. There was one big question everyone had from the fight, including me. Where the hell was Athena? The fight had gone on for about twelve minutes before I’d even showed up, so there was no way she wouldn’t have heard about it. She was supposed to be the poster girl of New York, but she’d just upped and disappeared for a few days. Usually she dealt with stuff like this, and she dealt with it well.
Comparatively yesterday had been a disaster. The only one who wasn’t really getting shit was Chrysalis, and even then people were saying she didn’t do enough and left before the fight even finished. I felt like my criticisms were unfair. First off, I wasn’t a superhero. Secondly, I had no way of knowing that I was strong enough to break the road. I’d beaten the thing anyway, so at least there was that. The blue and pink duo were getting dragged through the mud, which did put a smile on my face.
They’d totalled 21 cars just from this fight and injured at least 37 people. Two people had died of their injuries, which was kind of insane. The people had come together and were trying to sue, but there wasn’t anyone to sue. The duo hadn’t made a reappearance though, which was a good sign. Hopefully it would stay like that. I sighed. I just felt bad for the deceased’s families. The news report on the TV changed coverage of the fight to something about the Bederson Research Centre and Eric suddenly perked up.
“Hey, are you going on the school trip there?” he said.
“Dunno” I replied, tired.
“I think you’ll like it. If you want to come, you might need to tell Ms Jane. She took a register of everyone who wanted to go at the start of physics. She sent an email as well. I think it was $30, and you need permission from your mum or dad. That should be fine, right?” he said.
“Yeah” I mumbled back.
I winced, shifting in my seat slightly. If things weren’t going better today, then I’d have to cancel on Chrysalis again. I could barely do anything like this. I’d missed four phone calls yesterday, and I’d probably miss more today. I groaned, resting my forehead against the table. This had to be something to do with my superstrength, but it didn’t make sense that the muscle pain was all over my body.
I sighed. Eric had been right earlier. I was noticeably taller, and definitely more muscular. I’d be celebrating if it didn’t hurt so damn much. Hopefully this was the extent of it; I didn’t want to suddenly grow mandibles or and extra set of legs.
“Morning guys” a voice called out to us. It was Rachael, and she was with Keiko. “Morning” Eric said as they sat down. I groaned back, closing my eyes.
“What’s wrong with him?” Keiko asked.
“I think it’s growing pains. He’s had them since Saturday” Eric said. There was a beat of silence in which I had no doubt everyone just stared at my pained expression, before Rachael spoke up.
“So Eric, a bunch of us were thinking about doing something for Quinten’s birthday next Friday. Are you down to help?” Rachael asked. It was weird to hear her voice sound so cheery.
“Sure. Shouldn’t you be asking Lucas though?” he replied. There was another beat of silence.
“Uh… do you want to help Lucas?” Rachael asked.
“I’m good” I wheezed.
“Seriously? It’s your cousins birthday” Keiko said.
“I’ll get him a gift” I said groaning.
“A gift? We’re all getting him gifts. The least you could do is help us plan something for him.” she said frustrated. I looked up still slouched to see she was glaring at me.
“It’s just his birthday. He doesn’t really care” I said yawning.
“God you’re so weird. Are you a psychopath or something?” she said, a look of disgust passing across her face.
“I’m just trying to tell you Quinten doesn’t like celebrating his birthday. What’s your problem with me man?” I said getting agitated. It was ten o clock on a Sunday. I didn’t need her whining in my ear.
“Yeah, I’ve got a problem with you. You’re weird” she said, getting angry.
“Hey, calm down guys” Eric said looking between us.
“Yeah, there’s no need to get riled up” Rachael said looking at Keiko. Keiko shot me a glare.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
“I have no idea how the two of you are related. Your parents clearly didn’t raise you properly” she said.
I slammed my fist into the table, denting the surface. Everyone turned to us, and the cafeteria went silent. Keiko looked at me with a look of shock.
“Lucas calm d-“ Rachael started.
“TAKE THAT BACK!” I said, pointing at Keiko with a rigid finger, vehemence dripping from my voice. Eric grabbed my shoulder, but I pushed him off. I stood up, trembling with anger. Pain lanced through my body, but I ignored it.
“What the hell is going on here?!” A teacher said, walking up to us. I ignored him, walking towards the door.
“Stop young man!” the teacher shouted, but it was already too late. I barged out the doors then ran back to my dorm.
-
I sat wrapped in covers, staring out the window. What a bitch. Who even talked like that to other people. She didn’t know anything about me or my parents. She didn’t know anything about me. She didn’t know anything. I sighed and hung my head. I shouldn’t have shouted though. Or broken the bowl. I should’ve just got up and left. I buried my face into my pillow and groaned. Now Eric probably thought I was weird too.
My phone buzzed. I checked it. It was a text from Chrysalis. It read Still in pain? I sighed again. I didn’t want to say yes, but I also didn’t want to get shot because I was in too much pain to dodge. Hmmm, I still wanted to hang out with her though. She was more fun than anyone here, that was for sure. I texted back. Yh. Do you still wanna hang out?
I didn’t wait long for a reply. Yh. Meet at the Flatiron? I’ve got a surprise for you. She was down. Perfect. What kind of surprise? I hope it wasn’t anything weird. I grabbed my balaclava and opened the window. Now I just had to get used to swinging around whilst in pain. I hope nobody asked me to stop any muggings, because I’d be useless.
-
“Who? The ski-mask speedsters?”
“Yeah. Wow, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that name. I just thought of them as clowns. Their costumes were ass”
“Says you!”
“Hey. I’m not a superhero. And anyway that’s besides the point. I’m just glad we haven’t seen them again”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why?! They killed people”
“I know but… I feel like you’re being a bit harsh. They were trying to help”
“By throwing cars at buildings?”
“Ok fair, but all they need is a bit of guidance. I think after this whole fiasco they’d probably listen to some constructive criticism”
I sighed, and took another bite from my burger. I wasn’t getting through to her. Well it didn’t matter. Those idiots probably wouldn’t come back again. I finished the final bits of my burger in two quick bites and stood up, stepping onto the side of the building. I winced slightly but ignored the pain breathing deeply.
“You okay?” Chrysalis asked, concerned.
“No.” I replied curtly. I pressed my back and feet to the wall and looked out over the city. I was really starting to enjoy these views.
“Hey, I’ve got something that might cheer you up” Chrysalis said. I frowned.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Here” she said dangling a bag over my head. I grabbed it, and opened it, seeing a black hoodie and full mask. I pulled out the hoodie. It had a symbol embroidery of a spider on the front.
“Uh… what is this?”
“I mean you’re old hoodie got burned so I thought I’d get you a new one” she said.
“Oh… thanks. Why the symbol though? And the mask?”
“It’s supposed to be a costume. Don’t you like it?” she said. I sighed.
“I like it. I mean it’s nice, but… I’m not a superhero. Having a costume might make people misunderstand” I said. There were a few seconds of silence when Chrysalis’ wings fluttered, and she appeared above me floating upside down.
“Why’re you so against being a superhero?”
“I don’t know… I’m just not one.”
“That’s not an answer”
“I guess I’m just lazy. I don’t want that type of responsibility”
“I mean you helped a bunch of people the other day”
“That was different. I saw it from school and I-“ I paused, realising I’d just given away a part of my identity. Chrysalis realised instantly too.
“Uh… forget I said that”
“Wait you go to that prep school?!”
“Maybe”
“Wow. I mean that’s a pretty fancy school. Are you smart or rich?” she asked.
“Neither. Can we stop talking about this”
“I guess. But only superheroes have secret identities you know?” she said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes.
We both perked up at the sound of sirens down the street. We glanced at each other.
“Are you…?” Chrysalis said. I shook my head.
“That’s all you. I’m already in enough pain, I don’t need to get shot” I said. She nodded and zipped away. I sighed, turning back to the view of the city. I stretched out, a jolting pain passing through my body. Climbing back to the top of the roof, I glanced at the hoodie in my hands. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try. I slipped into the hoodie. It was a bit big, but I liked it. I looked around, ducking down before I swapped my balaclava for a mask.
It felt a lot more constricting, but I could breathe easier. It was thinner than the balaclava, and the lenses worked nicely with the mask. They hid my eyes as well, which was pretty neat. I lay flat on the ground and looked out over the sky. The pain had subsided a bit since this morning, everywhere but my feet. I slipped off my shoes and felt the pressure decrease, the cooling breeze a heavenly reprieve. I glanced at my shoes frowning. That was weird. It was like my new shoes were already too small. I laid back down sighing. I’d be able to buy new ones, but I just prayed that I wouldn’t keep growing inhumanely fast. Eric had already noticed, and I don’t think it would take much more for other people to notice either.
The sound of shouts rang out from below, and I instantly hopped to my feet. Crap. I hope it wasn’t anything serious. I peered over the edge and felt my heart shoot into my mouth. It was a huge lizard. If the manhole cover was any indication, it’d come out the sewer and started chasing after people. I steeled myself, tensing, and jumped off the edge of the building. I felt my heart leap for a second, and pain shoot through my body. I ignored it and shot out a web, swinging through the air then vaulting, and landing a few feet from it. My entire body protested, yelling at me to stop moving about so much. The pain was only getting worse, but I deigned to ignore it. I shot out a web and yanked the monster towards me, pain shooting through my arms. It flew through the air and crashed to the floor a few feet away from me, before roaring in protest.
My danger sense buzzed, and I hopped over an attempt to swat me, before the lizard roared in my face again. It seemed to ready itself and then charged at me surprisingly fast. I panicked, darted to the side and swung wildly, hitting him in the eye. Intense white-hot pain shot through my arm, freezing me in place. The lizard stopped instantly screeching as it reeled from the blow. It rolled on the floor kicking his legs violently as he screeched. The pain faded slightly, and I backed away. That could’ve been bad. It continued squealing clutching at it’s eye.
“Uh… sorry?” I said, unsure of what to make of the situation. It roared at me and then crawled back to the sewer and disappeared without a trace. What the hell? That had been weirdly easy. People stared at me and started cheering and clapping. I gave an awkward wave, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through my arm. I slid the manhole cover back over the sewer and turned back to the building I’d jumped off, slowly crawling back up.
That had been weird. Had that been Geck, or just a big lizard? Geck was one of Athena’s big villains. Supposedly. That’d just seemed like a scared animal to me. Maybe it was a rivalry thing, or maybe his eyes were just his weakness. Who knew? I reached the top and glanced over at my shoes and then down at my unmatching socks. Crap. I must’ve looked stupid. I sighed and laid down on the floor. I my arms and legs were already seriously tired from just climbing up a few stories. Geez. The sound of fluttering buzzed overhead and Chrysalis landed.
“Did I hear roars from back here?” she said concerned.
“Yeah, it was this giant Lizard. I hit him. He ran away” I said nonchalantly.
“Uh… what?”
“Massive lizard, like ye big” I said, making a wide gesture with my hands. “I think it might have been Geck, but I never seen a good picture him, so I'm not sure”
She stared at me, then glanced back down at the streets below, and then back at me.
“I don’t know how you can say you’re not a superhero”
I shrugged and winced.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to hang out for a while. If someone spots me and expects help when I’m like this, we’ll both be in trouble”
“That’s fine. Just let me know when you’re back in action. Taking down the bear cartel will be a lot easier then”
“Sure thing”