Max: What! But that's...
Tiffany: Harsh? I know. But I can't let myself think emotionally about that situation.
Max: But that doesn't make any sense. Aren't you guys supposed to be superheroes?
Luke quickly downed his meal and let out a massive belch.
Luke: Yeah.
Max: But...
Tiffany: No buts. We're staying put.
Ken also took a bite out of his food.
Ken: She has a point, Max. There are news stations covering the story all over the place, cars and vehicles trying to leave and of course, as per my calculations from the internet. About 500 spider bots. Trying to get in and out without notice would be almost impossible.
Rose remained silent and turned her head away from Max.
Luke: Yeah, just relax, Max. As a team, we've gotta think ahead. We can go in after a few hours.
Tiffany: And besides, you're not even a part of the team yet.
Max turned and looked at all the members of the team.
Max: You too, Rose?
Rose: (flatly) Yeah.
Rose still didn't turn her head.
Max paused with his mind, trying to understand as to why these people wouldn't try to save the victims of the attack.
He struggled with his thoughts for a second before continuing.
Max: No way!
Tiffany, Luke, Rose and Ken: Huh?
Max: I said, "No way!"
Max stood up as they all exchanged glances.
Max: There's just no way you guys are just gonna let people die.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Tiffany: Sorry, Max, but that's just how it is. We need to keep ourselves away from the public eye, no matter the cost.
Max: And so, what if the public eye sees us?
Tiffany: Huh?
Max: In all the comics I've read, every single hero would put his or her life on the line to protect people, no matter the cost.
Tiffany: Max, you don't know what you're asking for. Living in a world where everyone knows you have powers is absolutely horrible. You become a target and not just that, your loved ones too.
Max: Well, that doesn't matter. Even still, I've gotta do something.
Tiffany: No. It would be too risky. I'm not putting my teammates at risk.
Max: Fine.
Max sat down and started to eat his food, scarfing it down at an incredible pace.
Ken: You should chew, Max. It'll be fine. Don't worry about it.
Max: Like hell it will. I'm gonna go to save them.
Tiffany, Luke, Rose and Ken: Huh?
Tiffany: What?
Max: That's right. If you won't save them, then I will.
Tiffany: But what if you get caught?
Max: Then I'll....
Max paused for a moment to consider it. It was a very good point.
Max: Then I'll just figure something out.
Tiffany: But...
Max: No buts!
Tiffany: What!?
Max: There's no way in hell I'm letting people die just because I'd be on my own or because my identity was in danger. Those people need a hero, and that's just who I'm gonna be. That's the Hunter way.
Max was halfway through his meal.
Max: Right after I'm done eating up.
Tiffany stared agape at the young man for several moments before anything was said.
Ken: (smiling) Quite the inspiration, I must say.
Max: Huh?
Ken: Whaddya say, Tiff? Seems we can't stop him.
Tiffany took a deep breath.
Tiffany: Fine. He can come along.
Max: Huh?
Rose immediately turned around and took a deep breath.
Max: What's going on?
Luke smiled and simply put a finger to his head while Rose profusely apologised to Max.
Rose: I'm so so so so so so so... sorry.
Max: Huh?
It took him about a second to put two and two together.
Max: What!? You guys had a psychic whole conversation without me?!
Rose: Yeah, and I'm sooooooo sorry!
Max: But when did... and how did...
Tiffany: I signalled to Rose to start one about halfway through the news report.
Max: But why...
Tiffany: I was trying to find a way to keep you out of this. But, unfortunately...
Ken: It would appear that young Maximillian is even more bullheaded than you'd thought, isn't that right, Tiff?
Tiffany: Yeah, yeah...
Max: So you guys....
Tiffany: Were planning on going irregardless of the risk? Yeah.
Max: No way, that's so...
Max remembered that he'd been tricked.
Max: But hold on, why'd you try to get me to not try to save them?
Tiffany: Because I... I don't want to put your life at risk.
Max: Huh?
Tiffany: But since you're already raring to go, we might as well take you with us.
Ken: Hmph. Agreed.
It was at that point that a loud screeching could be heard from the principal's microphone in the room, almost as if intentional to silence the whole mess hall.