I exited the bathroom, dragging the infusion pole along with me. A popular Afro-beats song played on my lips. I bopped my head in time with the tune, not bothering to hoist my pants above my thighs. I had nothing to be ashamed of.

I waddled toward my bed, passing two empty cubicles along the way.

“Getting settled in, Chetachi?” Dia Mater grinned from her spot on a chair.

I sputtered, losing my grip on the pole. My pants slid the rest of the way, pooling around my ankles. I stood there for one horrible minute, staring at her then at my pants. Blood heated my cheeks.

Oh, snap. I had everything to be ashamed of. These were my bad boxers. Someone, kill me now.

Dia Mater had the grace to look away. “Bad time?”

I coughed and rubbed the back of my neck. “Not really, no.” The pants went back up. I didn't need a neon sign to know to fasten them this time.

Dia Mater smiled as I neared her. A Get-well card rested in her lap. Her gaze settled on the Sarmiento brace supporting my left arm, and her delicate features crinkled. “Need help with that?”

“Nah. I can manage,” I said. “It’s just a broken arm.”

“Oh, wow,” she intoned. “Much manly. Many strong. We peasants cannot help but awe at your machismo.”

Her laughter was infectious, and I chuckled alongside her. I rolled my pole up to the bed and got in.

“This is the part where you berate me for getting into all kinds of trouble,” I said.

The mirth died on her features.

I flinched. “Or am I jumping the gun?”

Dia Mater crossed her arms. “No. You are right.” Her eyes narrowed behind her dove-shaped mask. “Kabash is away, and counseling isn’t Ardent’s greatest strength. That left Catherine and me. I figured you'd appreciate it more getting chewed out by a fellow Super.”

Actually, I would have preferred Catherine. Dia Mater was a tough one to fool.

“What happened out there, Chetachi?” she started.

“I gave my report—”

“I read that. I want to hear it from your mouth.”

I sighed. “Fair enough. I went looking for an acquaintance in Sagidi—”

“The boy you mentioned in your report? Jason, was it?”

No, Lekan. But I wasn’t about to correct her. “Hmm. I was over at Jason’s place when the fires started. I helped, but the situation turned haywire when the Villains appeared.”

“You mean the Four-oh-Four.”

“Yeah. Them.”

Dia Mater pursed her lips. “A sizeable chunk of eastern Sagidi lies now in ruin, Chetachi. A fair few people were displaced. Four of that number perished. A situation almost as bad as the gas explosion that put that little corner of Newtown on the map.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. I’d held onto the hope that no innocent had died. But it was a lot of fire, and the thugs had been armed to kill. How could I ignore that?

Dia Mater studied my reaction. “These incidents don't happen in isolation. If you can help uncover the series of events that led up to this, please do so. Not for my sake, Chetachi”—her gaze bore into mine—“but for the sake of all those who suffer because of it. These people woke one evening to find their entire world ripped out from beneath them. You owe them this much.”

And this was why I preferred Catherine. What did Dia Mater want me to say? That the Four-oh-Four had pulled strings high up in the city authority to gain a vested interest in Sagidi? That they'd tried to run people out of their homes, and when Lekan fought back, they escalated by razing a quarter of the Area?

I told her as much anyway, save for the entire bit with Lekan. Dia Mater listened with a frown.

“We knew about that,” she said. “About the syndicate trying to seize the territory.”

I was not surprised. “So why didn’t you stop them before things got this bad?”

“It's not that simple, Chetachi.”

“I'm not seeing why it isn't.”

Dia Mater shook her head. “Two reasons. Two obstacles we battled at the same time. One of them is the Sagidi Intervention Fund. The other is the Sagidi Revitalization Project.”

“The first is a trust set up for the victims of the explosion, yeah?”

“Yes. And the second is a plan to rebuild the entire Area. Both troublesome in different ways.”

How could a trust be troublesome?

Dia Mater read my expression. “Consider this. Three billion naira was donated by the Petroleum Ministry and the city, not counting support from private philanthropists. Half that money is marked for transfer to impostors, who were planted by public officials to pass for Sagidi residents.” She clucked her tongue. “Meanwhile, the Revitalization Project kicks off. Contracts and long-term leases are awarded rapid-fire to shadow corporations, most of which have connections with the syndicate. On paper, both of these projects are commendable. But in execution . . .”

I swore. “Where do we even start from?”

“From wherever we can,” Dia Mater said. “We’ve been fighting the authorities on both issues, using the judiciary and public sentiment on social media. But you can't fan outrage forever, and bureaucratic red tape is frustrating, especially when trying to expose corruption to those feeding fat on it.” She gazed outside the window. “Sometimes, I wonder if we aren't going about this the wrong way. Where do we draw the line between playing their games and employing overwhelming force?”

She had that look again. The one she’d adopted when we discussed a myriad of topics back at the cafeteria. How much of her frustrations did she keep bottled up behind the mask?

“Anyway,” Dia Mater said, turning back to me, “I hope you understand why it sometimes seems like we are toothless, even though we labor behind the scenes. Due process is a bit of a bitch to follow.”

I smirked at her words.

Dia Mater’s glower returned. “Let’s get back to your case. You are saying you found yourself an unwitting participant in a turf war between the Four-oh-Four and the Sagidi residents?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“And you didn't call for help because?”

“Busted phone,” I said. “I submitted it as proof.”

Dia Mater tapped her heels against the plastic seat. “What about Activity's claim that you unleashed a giant rat on him?”

I didn't need to fudge the truth on that one. “He spooked the rat. I had a run-in of my own with those creatures. See my arm? Rat-bite leading straight to fracture.”

“And how did you get that?”

Ugh. She was poking at my story, looking for lapses in my report. “Someone else was on the scene,” I said. “A Super who helped combat the Villains. He’s the one who brought the rats. I mistook him early on for the Four-oh-Four.”

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Dia Mater hummed. “We know one Super matching that description, but I can’t fathom why he’d attack Activity unprovoked. If he is active in Newtown, we need to take measures and alert the proper authorities.” Her eyes roved over my face. “You are holding out on me, Chetachi. There is something you aren’t willing to tell.”

There was. But after meeting Lekan myself, I couldn’t bear to turn him in. I’d leave it to AV to come clean.

Dia Mater's warm eyes bore into mine.

“Never mind,” she said, ending the stare-down. “This is the point where I commend you for standing up for the common folk—”

“No, I don’t deserve praises.”

“I think you do. Great job, Chetachi. The city isn't pleased with the property damage, but that's understandable, considering what you were up against. Neviecha, on the other hand, would be sanctioned.”

I sat upright, jostling the intravenous line. “Wait, what? Don’t do that. If he hadn't shown up, I would’ve ended up dead.”

“He broke some serious rules regarding weapons engagement. Someone could have been hurt by his bomb.”

“He made sure there were no risks before activating it. Plus, we were in the middle of a battle. He had no time to request permission to self-destruct.”

“Those rules are enforced for a reason—”

“And what should he have done? Ditched the mecha and ran? You don't want the Habakkuk falling into the wrong hands.”

“What we don't want, Chetachi,” Dia Mater said, eyes hard, “is for the Federal Government to proscribe our organization all over again. We play by their rules, or we don't play at all.”

“You doubted those words three minutes ago.”

Dia Mater froze. “I don't expect you to get it now. But you will. Someday. Just trust that we know what we are doing. We've seen enough examples from neighboring countries to conclude that the alternative isn't an option. Should a time come when the Hero Council and the Federal Government find themselves at deadly loggerheads, everybody loses.”

Then let us all lose.

I blinked right after thinking that. No. That was wrong.

Dia Mater rose and placed the card atop my bedside table. “Shame we couldn't end our convo on a happier note. Why are you so stubborn, Chetachi?”

I managed a smile. “I thought that was why you added me to the team.”

“Cheeky,” she said, poking my shoulder. “But false. I was scared Rabidor would maul you in some dark alley if we let you go free.”

That actually sounded like something Rabidor could do.

I sank into the bed, feeling a little fatigued. The mattress was much softer than the last one I’d been assigned, though it still qualified as a weapon of war. “You remember what you told me? About finding my reason for being a Hero?”

Dia Mater perked up. “Yes? Have you found it?”

I let out a breath. “No. At least, I don't think so. But I feel so angry whenever I see people cheated or oppressed. When I pulled those corpses out of the rubble in Sagidi? I felt something. When the protesters tried to force your team out of the site? I could barely contain my rage. The thugs tried to gut people on the streets two days ago, and I stepped in before I even realized I was moving.”

I ran my good hand across my face. “It’s just . . . I feel all this anger inside me when confronted with injustices, yet I can't help but act selfishly the instant push comes to shove. Why is that?”

“It’s because you are human,” Dia Mater said, and her words sounded sincere. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that you are at odds with yourself.”

“Isn’t that a bad thing?”

“It isn’t. Not for you anyway. You act like a machine. Your ability to focus on a goal and remain unfazed by changes in the status quo is nothing short of mind-boggling. Teenagers shouldn’t live that way.”

“I haven't felt like a teenager in years.” Not since Nenye's injury, at least.

“Well, start practicing,” she said, and her eyes twinkled. “Just remember to never lose sight of yourself. You are on the right path, Chetachi. And I think it’s fine that you are struggling and questioning your choices. You will make an excellent Hero.”

Her words warmed my cheeks.

“One last thing before I leave,” Dia Mater said, eyeing my brace. She held up a pen and a radiant grin snaked across her lips. “You have to let me sign that!”

I laughed for the second time that day. “Go ahead.”

Dia Mater pumped her fist—a gesture I answered with an eye roll—and signed a chicken's scrawl on my brace. “Get well soon,” she said.

“Thank you.”

I lay there after her exit, a goofy grin plastered on my face. Someone rapped on the door and I offered a giddy ‘Come in.’

A skeleton walked into the room.

Okay, that was rude.

Not-skeleton had flesh, eyes, blood, and hair, but he was emaciated in a way that suspended belief. The newcomer crossed the room to my bedside without a word and settled into the chair. Wide nostrils flared over gaunt cheeks. I met the striking grey eyes and saw in the sharp features and jerky movements a mannerism I was familiar with. I knew this person.

“AV?” I said.

AV nodded. His chest heaved beneath his clothes. Febrile lips trembled with a cough. “Chetachi, we meet in the flesh.”

I swallowed—realized I was staring—and lifted my gaze to meet his. “Well, that wasn't creepy.”

AV raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

I waved it off. “I was under the impression you never left your hideout, which in my mind's eye is a bomb-proof shelter twenty thousand meters under the ground.”

“My housing unit is not twenty thousand meters under,” AV said. “About three hundred? And I do leave. On occasion.”

“I was joking.”

AV’s brows fell. “Oh.”

“To what do I owe the honor?” I asked before the awkwardness could grate.

“I wanted to thank you,” he said. “In person. I got in touch with my cousin through the girl Sarah, as you suggested. Lekan has left the Luminary Center. He's headed out of Newtown as we speak.”

“How's Jason?” I asked.

“Recovering. He would need a hard collar for a while, but I have the best neurologists and orthopedists in the city monitoring his condition. He might experience minor long-term damage, mostly neuropathic pain, but nothing that would hamper his current lifestyle.”

Well, that was a relief. “Good to hear.”

“It's the least I can do. You went over and beyond the obtainable to fulfill your end of the bargain. I will not forget this.”

“So would the top brass, apparently.” I gestured around the room with my eyes.

“The med bay isn't bugged. Even if it was, I retain administrative control.”

“Okay. But I think Dia Mater's on to us. Wouldn't your visit all but confirm her suspicions?”

“I heard you fought the Villains alongside a Super that commanded rats,” AV said, straight-faced. “Not showing an interest is grounds enough for suspicion. I made sure to cross paths with her just for this.”

Hiding in plain sight, I see. “Smart.”

“I won't be making any money transfers directly to you,” AV said. “And I advise against transferring money from the dummy I got you into your main account. Pro-now would definitely uncover the truth behind this someday.” He heaved. “But the fact remains that you fought off the syndicate to defend my cousin and the people of Sagidi. We might have acted against the law in doing so. But all that is on me. I will take the fall for my actions when the time comes.”

Oh, right. I had forgotten about the reward. Seven whole months of emolument sat waiting for me in an unconnected account. It was more money than I'd touched in a lifetime. And it was mine. To use as I saw fit.

“If something happens to me,” I said, “you make sure that money gets to my mom.”

“That can be arranged.”

“Oh, and one more thing, can you help me up?”

AV leaned into me. My fist slammed into his gut. He coiled on the floor in the fetal position, wheezing uncontrollably. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

“That was for the giant rats,” I said, checking that the intravenous line protruding from my vein was still in place. “You knew exactly how your cousin had been terrorizing the gangsters, yet you deemed it fit to withhold that piece of information from me.”

AV hacked out his lungs. “I-I didn't expect the both of you to get into a fight.” He paused to cough some more. “I thought the thugs were all you had to fear.”

“That was your reason?”

“There was a good chance you'd refuse the mission if you knew what it entailed.”

“Of course, I would!” I hadn’t had a proper night's rest since returning. Terrible shadows haunted my dreams.

AV rose. First, on all fours, then to his knees. He collapsed into the chair.

“You have every right to be irate,” he said. “Words cannot express enough how penitent I am.” He wiped the spittle off his chin, trembling.

Now I felt like the bad guy.

“Yeah, well, do better next time,” I said with a grunt. “I’d already offered to help you. You didn't have to play chess with my well-being to get me on board.” I raised an eyebrow. “You don't look so good. Something I should know?”

“It will pass,” he said. “I am still recovering. Acute Chest Syndrome. But that is on me for neglecting my health.”

A long moment of silence passed between us. He got his breathing back on track.

I cleared my throat. “May I ask a question?”

“If it is in my power to reply.”

“Lekan said he didn't murder anyone. And the guys at the Christian Center were fiercely protective of him. He didn't strike me as the malevolent type either.” I adopted a frown. “If you weren't lying when you mentioned you were indebted to me, I want to know the truth. Someone died; some people did. And both the SRA and the Hero Council blame Lekan for it. What happened?”

AV didn't speak. Light-colored eyes focused on the wall, staring but not quite seeing. I had encountered that expression enough times on mom's face to tell. He was relieving a buried memory.

“Lekan didn't kill anyone,” he said at length. “He tried to dispose of two corpses and set his rats to gnaw on them because he thought he was protecting me.” Our eyes met. “I did it. I killed those people. And my cousin has had to live with the burden ever since.” He withered as he spoke. The admission lightened a load within him.

I had more questions but was reluctant to pry. Who had he killed? Where had this happened? How had he gone from murder to scoring the most important job on the Newtown Hero Council? And why had he let his cousin stay hunted as a fugitive if he knew the truth?

All of that died on my lips as Alewo bounded into the room.

“Chetachi!” he hailed, waving a bag of assorted snacks. “Great weather we’re having today, eh? How are you feeling?” He noticed AV a few moments later. “Huh? Who this?”

AV spared a pained smile.

I studied AV, filing my thoughts into a corner of my mind. I didn't have the worst lot in life among my teammates. I'd always known that. But I’d underestimated how broken they might be.

AV and Alewo bickered, already discussing tech jargon within minutes of meeting each other.

My days at the Hero Council were only just beginning. My time as Chetachi—exam repeater and broke pizza guy—was light years behind me. Within three weeks and change as a superhero, I’d racked up enough experiences to sate a lifetime.

What would the next day bring?

An answer formed in my mind as Alewo unwrapped a box of chocolates.

More of the same.