“Well, it wouldn't be much of a negotiation if I don't see the product, right?” I quickly ran up to them, eager to finally meet the man who made me who I am, the one who made it possible to have these powers.
“Here I am, sir!” I said, more shouted at him. He looked at me, as if taking notes, arms crossed behind his back as he leisurely walked around me, inspecting every inch.
“You've raised the boy well, Miranda! He looks fit and capable,” he remarked. I stood there, not daring to move a muscle.
“Yes, we sure did,” my mom said, stammering over her words.
“What are his powers? What can you do, boy? Impress me,” Edgar inquired, his tone inquisitive yet clearly bored, as if he had millions of things left to do today—which I'm sure he did. I looked to my mom and dad for approval to go ahead and show him. My father was shaking his head earnestly.
“Well, sir, I'm invulnerable and can fight,” I replied quickly and sharply. Stan sighed, unimpressed. His guards were standing at the ready though one looked on edge at my words.
“To what extent? Do you have a limit?” I couldn't disappoint him, not in front of my parents! I rushed forward to the guard next to Stan, grabbed a grenade from his belt, and the guard instinctively raised his gun to my head. Stan stood there, still quite unimpressed.
Without hesitation, I ran off to the side pulling the pin and threw the grenade into my mouth. With a flash and a loud boom, it went off, smelling of fireworks.and tasting of lead. I spat the fragments out into my hand, coughing. I looked up with a big grin on my face, my mom and dad horrified.I think the explosion from the grenade was a little too loud even in my mouth, Rowan had finally woken up and was watching from the deck. Edger frowning still yet to be impressed.
“Is that all, boy? This isn’t the 1950s.” Edgar plainly said. That line hurt, how could he not be impressed? I just ate a fucking grenade! Before I could speak I saw him lift his hand to his mouth speaking into his watch.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate something truly extraordinary, beyond the rudimentary display.” Edger said stepping back a few feet, a smug grin forming. a few moments later I heard the sound of what I think was a train horn? Then there was a flash of a blue blur right in front of my eyes.
I heard Rowan squeal with excitement. His little voice trying to find itself “A-train” he said in awe, Sure enough there he was but something was off, he was sweating and heaving. Worst and most perplexing was the blood covering him. His little bag slung over his shoulder. Blood from his head down to his toes, and he didn't look damaged. So where did the blood come from?
“I’m–here–boss,” A-train said, exacerbated and bent over, his hands on his knees trying to find his air. “Is this the kid?” Edger flashed him a look of irritability. “Yes, you're late, try better next time.” I knew Edger was a busy man, but to talk so calmly to any supe is crazy. Wasn't he just a normal human?
There he was, One of The Seven. One of what I hoped would be a coworker in the Future, A-train stiffened, taking his hands off his knees. Finally catching his breath. I couldn't help but be star struck even if he was covered in blood, My mother on the other hand looked even worse than when i ate the grenade.
“What is he doing here, Edger? She spoke with little worry. What did she know that I didn't?
Edger was still eyeing me ignoring the A-train and my mom, with the same look of disappointment.
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“What’s the plan, Mr. Edgar? Why’d you call me? I was in the middle of something.” A-Train tried to keep his voice steady, but the deference was clear.
“A-Train, your schedule is secondary when I call,” Edgar said, his voice steady and cold. “You’re here to test the boy and, if circumstances permit, administer this.” He handed A-Train a vial of yellow/red liquid with an air of calm authority, as if the action were routine and unremarkable.
“What is that?” my dad asked, a little panicked.
“Jason, there’s no need for concern. This is part of an enhanced agreement—an opportunity to further ensure your boy’s success.” Edger spoke confidently and unapologetic. While I was internally panicking, Edgar calmly handed one of the best supes a vial and told him to ‘inject’ me with the mystery substance.
Wait, so you called me here to fight this kid? And then ‘inject’ him? Really?” A-Train’s tone dripped with sarcasm, masking a hint of underlying anxietyI mean technically I am. But still, also I don't remember him acting like this on TV? Is this just what he’s like in person when no cams are on him?
“Um h-hi Mr A-train, i'm a huge fan!” I felt stupid once everyone turned to look at me for what I said, Thinking about it a little more. Yeah I should probably focus, after all i have a little brother to impress and a mystery injection to avoid. A-train let out a little chuckle while Edger stood still with a stern look. “This is a joke right? It has to be or is this punishment for killing that rando chick on my way to the office that one time?” HE WHAT, A-train killed just a random person?! Why? Who was it? I don't remember seeing anything about this on the news. He thinks I'm a ‘punishment’? Never meet your heroes i guess.
“No, this isn't punishment, fool. I’m telling you, to inject this kid for my new deal with the parents.” He said it as though this was a normal thing to do?
“Now, quit wasting all of our time and do as I say. Be a good boy and I'll get you your candy A-train.” They both looked pissed. What was this new deal? I remember he offered, but I didn't hear my parents agree. Not like I had much to worry about, the needle would be breaking the moment it tried to get into my skin. I just hope my family will be ok.
“Um, sir. You can't inject me with anything? I'm literally invulnerable inside and out." I said that it was a thing of pride, and to me it was. I’ve never gotten sick nor any damage to my brain regardless of the abuse I put it through.
“Oh we won't be going through your veins, boy. We're going through your eyes.” The moment Edger said that A-train took off and next thing I knew he was right in front of me. The strange thing is, I couldn't see out of my right eye.
I don't know how but it worked, they had gotten it into my system, I hurt. Was this pain? I didnt fucking like it. It burnt and seared into my bloodstream as my vision blurred. It felt like every cell in my body was on fire. I soon collapsed to the ground holding my stomach and silently yelling. Edger stood there watching, waiting. A-train stood over me more as a guard for the others than as my assailant. I felt my hands, like they were tearing at the nails, all the way to my elbows. The finger nails turned black, then the fingers,then the back of the hand then it crept up the arm slowly and painfully. Necrotizing my arms. It stopped just shy of my elbows. This was unlike anything i've experienced before, not like I could anyway. Edger stood there watching face unchanging and eyes full of, was that curiosity?
A-train kicked me once I stopped moving, The gravel stabbing into my ribs as I lay there. The gravel didn't hurt but whatever they put in me did. A-train kept kicking me as if prodding for a reaction, till something boiled up out of me. Who where these fucks they werent like anything i dreamt? Was this a nightmare? Please let it be a nightmare. On top of loving starlight I looked up to A-train, he was a black SuperHero. I’m Native American, I thought he was the coolest man in the Seven! Why was he like this now? On TV he was always funny and nice and looking out for others? Was this a fake? Or was it really him?
I heard my mom and dad yell out my name as I lay there, my heart pulsing faster, my eardrums throbbing.
“Help the boy up, before his parents try something foolish.” It was Edger who commanded one of his guards to help me to my feet. They did almost as soon as they were told, picking me up by one arm and hoisting my right arm over their broad shoulder. As soon as I was able to hold my own head up the pain had subsided and I looked to Edger who was now holding a gun to my head and fired. He had no noticeable expression, just a plain face as though in a mask.
A-train stood behind me unmoving and acting ready to run off again. The bullet did what the rest always do and simply fell to my feet. I didn't even feel the usual TING of the bullet making contact this time, my body felt weird for a moment and the next thing i knew the man who had his arm around mine holding me up was sent flying.