The second attack on Killian High School ended just like the first one. The media talked about this for weeks. The police did some digging and cleanup. The school was stopped for another week. Students and faculties alike went to seek help from mental health professionals. A lot of people left. There have already been two attacks. Who knows if there would be a third?

Brandon sat in his room quietly.

After sealing off Jaison and walking out of the school, Brandon met up with a serious-looking man who called himself a representative of the President of the United States. The man referred to himself as Mr. Trent.

The two had quite a chat.

“Mr. Bai. You know why I am here.”

“You are mistaken.”

“Your name is Brandon Bai. You and your brother received some sort of supernatural power. You are suspected to be related to the events with Mr. Henry Dirvin. Your brother hired a group of mercenaries to attack your high school, which you disposed of. Lately, your brother held an entire school hostage and killed over 80 people, including at least 50 police officers. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t have you arrested right now.”

“Because I am one of the good guys. I am the one that ultimately stopped my brother. Without me, there’s no telling how many more people would’ve died.”

“That doesn’t mean you will stay good forever. You have to understand: the government will not let a teenager whose mind is still growing to hold such power.”

“First of all, I am legally an adult. Second of all, Mr. Trent, you also have to understand something: You can’t take my powers from me.”

“Really? I know you are powerful, but if it’s between you and the United States military, I will bet my money on our guns anytime.”

“And how are your guns doing with your Department X targets?”

“Excuse me?”

“I know why you are here, Mr. Trent. If the government wants to take me by force, you would have cleared the surrounding and brought in the military already. No point in holding back after you have seen what my brother could do. You want to make a deal with me, so I took a peek into some of your top secret documents...”

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“That’s illegal!”

“Once again, what are you willing to offer? Those vengeful spirits and murderous supernatural madwomen aren’t going to stop themselves.”

“In that case, I will just be frank. The President is willing to clean up your mess as long as you work with us. You are not the first supernatural being in this world, and you will not be the last.”

“Using power against power. That’s some X-men level strategy. I’m in...on one condition.”

“What is it?”

“I work as a private contractor. I am not under the command of the government or the military. I don’t take orders. You have a problem that needs solving, you call me, and I solve that problem for you for a price.”

“That’s not standard protocol…”

“You have seen what I can do. Are you really willing to lose me for such a small detail?”

“I need to speak with the President…”

“Be my guest.”

“Mr. President...ok..ok I understand. That’s a deal, Mr. Bai. I look forward to working with you.”

Ever since Jaison showed his face in front of the world, Brandon knew the government would track him down sooner or later. It’s the government, for god’s sake, not SCPD in Arrow or GCPD in Batman. They’re neither blind nor stupid. Working with the government was the best plan Brandon could think of.

The path of war wouldn’t work. Even if he could technically defeat the US military, which he probably could, there was no way he would raise his weapons against men and women who were just doing their duty.

Total submission wouldn’t work either. Brandon had no intention of following every command from someone. Thanks to the watch, he had both the right and the power to say no to that option.

That leaves the private contractor route. Enough freedom for him and enough profit for the government. Plus, he never planned on stopping what he does anyways. Working with the government just made fighting those who have failed their duties much easier.

The first floor was silent. Brandon closed his eyes. He could sense his parents sitting on the sofa, mourning the loss of their son. They saw what happened, but they had no idea what was really going on. All they knew was that at the end of the day, his son was not just killed but was also known throughout the world as a murderous psychopath. The government censored out most of the details, but there were too much chaos and too many casualties to act as if nothing happened.

The people were easily fooled, but they weren’t blind, deaf, and brainless.

The Bai family was planning on moving to another city.

Brandon didn't tell his parents the whole truth about himself. After what happened to Jaison, there was no way they would allow him to do what he wanted to do. It’s fine. He didn't need their approval.

His cell phone rang. Brandon looked down and saw the caller ID.

Selena.

He sighed and tapped the red cross.