At the start of Conner’s second month of working solo, the Shining Darkness had erased most violent crime from Miracle City. As such, he began looking for other work his Super Mask persona could do to better his home.
|X|
One day, Conner had been listening to the news on his phone on his way to math class. It was then he heard a report of a massive thirty-car pileup on the Miracle City bridge. Dozens of people were trapped under the wreckage, with rescue crews struggling to save them.
Conner’d never considered his powers could be used for rescue operations. Thanks to his militaristic training to hunt down the criminal element, he’d only thought about which skulls were the right ones to knock together. However, the moment Conner understood lives within his reach were in danger, his guts twisted with concern, and he didn’t hesitate.
Conner Rushed to the school's top floor, catching a few confused glances from his fellow students, but none who cared enough to ask what he was doing. After he found an empty room, Conner changed into his baggy uniform and filled it out when he transformed.
In his empowered state, the Shining Darkness jumped out of a window and traveled across the sky faster than anyone in the surrounding city could see.
|X|
Within minutes, Shining Darkness reached the end of Miracle City and arrived at the titular bridge. Leaping from the closest rooftop, Shining Darkness landed on the bridge with a grace that should have been impossible for a man his size.
Miracle Bridge was suspended over a massive lake and had toll booths at the city’s entrance. Fortunately, it didn’t seem the bridge had sustained any damage from the wreck, but it was still filled with a traffic jam of cars. Half of them were abandoned, and the others were occupied by people too scared to flee.
Evidently, though, enough people had remained behind to move their cars aside for first responders, as there was a clear path going down the middle of the road.
Ignoring the news reporters and police at the bridge’s toll booths, Shine flipped over them, saw smoke and flames coming from further down the bridge, and raced toward it. With his speed, Shining Darkness reached his destination in seconds.
Dozens of crunched and burning cars were stacked on each other like a demented Jenga tower, with several more that had swerved into the bridge's suspension cables.
First responders were on the scene. Most were working the fire hoses to douse the flames, while others were making attempts to clear the wreckage as cries for help came from within.
As a blur of black and white, Shining Darkness dashed to the side of the chief figure on the scene and introduced himself, “Hello, captain.”
Freaked out by Shine’s sudden arrival, the captain recoiled and exclaimed, “Jesus…! Wait. The Shining Darkness?!”
Nodding confidently, Shine answered, “Yes, captain. I’m here to help. Just tell me where I’m needed.”
Stepping back from the Super Mask as several other firefighters looked on in shock, the thick mustached Captain responded, “What the Hell…?! No way! Get outta here! You’ll just get in the way.”
Although disappointed by the reaction, Death Head had trained Shine to deal with police who didn’t want their help. The Super Mask assumed the same principle applied to this situation.
“With all due respect, I can move literal tons at a time, and those flames can’t hurt me. If you just point me where to go, we’ll be able to save everyone in minutes or less.”
Gritting his teeth as his mustache furled, the fire Captain exclaimed, “I said no, you glory-hunting freak! Stick to the police. They actually need your help.”
Shining Darkness wanted to press the issue but hesitated for a moment as a handful of other firefighters gave him venomous glares. However, a single voice managed to break the tension before Shining Darkness had to act.
“But, Captain! We can’t-,” One of the firefighters working a hose began to plead.
“Shut it, Lieutenant! We don’t need this amateur’s help!”
Listening to his tone, Shining Darkness grew mixed feelings. The Captain genuinely seemed to believe what he was saying, but at the same time, there was unmistakable pride in his statements.
Is he really trying to chase me off just because of ego, or is he actually worried I’d get in the way…? Ugh. This is getting asinine!
Putting more authority into his voice, Shining Darkness stated, “If there are lives on the line, I’m not going anywhere.” Paying no attention to the Captain’s yelling, Shining Darkness started marching toward the pileup.
However, the Super Mask was pleasantly surprised when he heard the Lieutenant call out, “Shine! If you can move the cars off them, we can get the civilians out! But be gentle with them! There’s still probably civilians in some of those cars!”
Smiling warmly under his monstrous mask, Shine replied, “Understood! Thank you, Lieutenant.” He then started toward a now-expecting group of first responders who had been trying to pry open the wreckage.
“What the hell are you doing?! We can’t trust a Mask with our jobs! We aren’t the blue balls! ” The Captain shouted.
“Yeah! What are you doing, Lieutenant?!” One of the Captain’s supporters exclaimed.
“Shut up! I’m not letting any more innocent people die just because you idiots want to look good again! Especially not now that we have someone here who can save everyone!” The Lieutenant yelled back with an almost agonized voice.
Although Conner hadn’t turned around to watch this debate, he could tell from the exasperated grins on the first responders working on the wreckage that this verbal lashing had been long coming.
Once he was beside them, Shining Darkness did his best to keep his composure despite the pained screams and asked his allies, “Where do you need me to start?”
Pointing to one of the closer vehicles, one of the men answered exhaustedly, “Start with this one.”
Following the professionals’ directions, the Shining Darkness used his incredible strength and carefully moved each car from the jenga tower of wreckage. As he worked, Shine helped to pull the injured from any vehicles that still held them within.
With each person saved, Conner felt a mixture of unspeakable relief and overwhelming sorrow. Relief at the fact these people still drew breath, but sorrow from seeing the bruises, burns, and broken bones riddling them.
Soon enough, the Super Mask’s efforts reached the bottom of the pileup. As Shine carefully lifted an SUV in one hand and a burning Cadillac in the other, he and the other heroes found a family of five buried beneath. A father, a mother, and three children.
Although the whole family had sustained injuries, the mother and father were the worst off. Apparently, the entire time they’d been buried, the parents had used their bodies to shield their children. As a result, the two were nearly covered head to toe in terrible burns. Regardless, they were still very much alive.
|X|
By the end of this ordeal, over forty lives had been pulled from the wreckage and the jaws of death. Shortly after, as the firefighters provided what emergency care they could, a swarm of ambulances came rushing in.
As all the injured were loaded up, Shine approached the bottom family's mother. She was the only one still conscious, so he wanted to apologize to her personally, as he felt responsible for the injuries he’d failed to prevent.
However, before the Shining Darkness could say anything to this woman, she began crying joyfully as soon as she saw him.
“Thank you… Thank you!” She exclaimed with as much strength as she could through her tears and third-degree burns.
Stunned for a brief moment, Shining Darkness looked at this woman for a moment. It wasn’t just her tone. He wasn’t sure if it was the light hitting her differently or him seeing what he wanted to see, but it almost looked like some of her burns had shrunk. Regardless, the Super Mask changed his intended tone.
Placing a hand on his chest, Shine told the mother, “You and your family still breathing is all the thanks I could ask for. I pray that you all make hasty recoveries.”
As the paramedics finished loading the woman into the ambulance, Shine heard her mutter, “A saint… A real saint.”
Watching the ambulances drive off, Shining Darkness thought, A saint…? I wish. I would trade in any of my powers right now if it meant I could’ve actually healed you.
But as the Super Mask finished his self-criticism, he felt a hand on his shoulder as the Lieutenant told him, “Hey, Shine. The boys and I just wanted to tell you good work and thank you for your help.”
Turning around to face the Lieutenant, Conner saw a good chunk of the firefighters had gathered to congratulate him. The only exceptions were the sulking Captain, his supporters, and the men still working on extinguishing the remains of fires.
“Seriously! You’re a miracle worker! We never could have saved half that many people without your help!” Another firefighter called out, soon followed by countless more cries of the same sentiment.
Internally, Conner was nearly moved to tears by the gratitude. The reminder he’d just saved dozens of lives tugged heavily on his heart. Externally, though, he kept a relaxed composure.
Extending a hand to the firefighter Lieutenant, Shining Darkness replied, “I should be the one thanking all of you for trusting me. I wouldn’t have known what I was doing without your help.”
With an impressed smile, the Lieutenant took Shine’s hand and said, “Haha… How about we just say we’re all even with each other, then?”
With a firm shake, Shining Darkness answered pleasantly, “That sounds like a great idea to me, Lieutenant. Now, I hope you don’t mind, but I have other business that I need to return to, so I’ll have to head out.”
“Damn, really?” The Lieutenant asked, sounding genuinely disappointed. “Oh well. I suppose you would be a busy man… Good luck out there, brother!”
All at once, cheers of echoing sentiments rang out from the other firefighters. Immediately, Conner was relieved he wore a mask that covered his blushing face.
Wow… Okay. This is all very flattering, but I’m just trying to make it back to school, Conner thought.
Speaking aloud, Shining Darkness stated, “Again... Thank you all.” Not wanting to risk embarrassing himself with how flustered he was growing, Shine turned around and leaped away.
After reaching the roof of a secluded building to make sure his path wouldn’t be traced, a thought occurred to Conner. He’d realized this was his first time working in broad daylight since becoming the Shining Darkness. Even during his tenure as Incognus, Death Head typically had him working night shifts with few exceptions.
“Hrm… I wonder if day shifts will affect how people think of the Shining Darkness,” Conner muttered.
Deciding such things were beyond his immediate control, Conner got back on track and raced back to school.
However, it was only after he super-sped back into the building, powered down, and changed into civilian garb that Conner noticed the clock on the wall of the empty room. Evidently, he’d taken too long to make sure he wasn’t tracked, as there were only five minutes left in class.
Ah… shit! Those were the only words that came to Conner’s mind.
|XXX|
After returning home from being chastised by his math teacher and principal, Conner was expecting the same from his parents. The school had called them, after all.
Opening his family’s apartment door, Conner was immediately confronted with the booming noise of, “Conner McClain! Come meet me within the kitchen this instant!”
Oh, good… Mom’s home early from work.
Grimacing slightly at his mother’s call, the young man reassured himself that he had a valid excuse of saving lives.
Dashing to his mother’s side, Conner saw she was in the middle of preparing dinner but had stopped to talk with him. Meanwhile, Leslie, now thirteen, was in the living room, watching television. Strangely enough, it was the news, despite her preference for cartoons.
“Hi, Mom,” Conner said, sounding as respectful as he could.
“Hello, Conner,” Ellie replied with stern patience, clearly waiting for him to begin.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, “Alright… I’m sorry I missed math class today, but I was-.”
Cutting her son off, Ellie stated, “What would make you think I would concern myself with that triviality?! I am well aware of what activities you kept yourself preoccupied with this morning! Your reckless escapades are being recounted on the news as we speak!”
“I… Reckless?” Conner asked while snapping his face toward the television. Taking an actual look at what was on the news, Conner was floored by what he saw.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
The firefighter Captain was being interviewed, with the title beneath him reading Reckless Super Mask’s Actions Injures Dozens. As the Captain went on, the man was lying through his teeth as he spun a narrative about the Shining Darkness acting without thought and maiming every person saved on that bridge.
Folding her arms, Ellie began, “Care to explain your-?”
Shocking his mother silent, Conner’s hair and eyes flared white as his voice burned, “That lying bastard!”
As Conner was in his pseudo-transformed state, Leslie shrunk back from her brother. Crawling back on the couch, she even picked up a throw pillow to use as a makeshift shield.
Staring at his little sister’s fearful reaction to his outburst, the blue of Conner’s eyes returned as he asked, “Sis…? I didn’t-.”
“Conner McClain! The use of such language is not how your father and I raised you to speak!” Ellie exclaimed as her fierce expression returned.
Straightening his posture, Conner’s hair and voice returned to normal as he replied, “Er, yes, Mom! Sorry!”
Looking at the television, Ellie went on, “So, would you care to explain your actions in this fiasco, young man?”
“I… Wait,” Conner said as he glanced between his mother and the television. “You don’t seriously believe I’d do something like that, do you?”
Folding her arms, Leslie replied curtly, “What I am asking for is your account of the events.”
“I… Hrm…” Conner muttered as his face tensed and he wracked his photographic mind.
“Conner…?
Rubbing his brow, Conner said, “Sorry, Mom. I was just gathering my thoughts… So, I snuck out of school when I heard about the pileup, but when I got to the scene as Shining Darkness and offered help, the captain told me to leave. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t hear it, and it became clear to me he was more concerned with glory than actually saving lives. So, I ignored the man and went to help despite his protests. Almost immediately, other firefighters started helping me by instructing me on how to best move the cars. Once all the civilians were rescued, the other first responders thanked me and said they wouldn’t have been able to save half those lives without my help… And, yeah. That’s it.”
For a moment after hearing her son’s story, Ellie took in several deep breaths as if gathering oxygen for something. Surprising her kids, immediately after her last inhale, even more than before, her face was enveloped by all-consuming rage.
“That absolute scum! Who does he think he is?! Besmirching my heroic son’s good name! I’ll wring his neck for this! That bottom of Humanity-!”
The unrivaled vitriol in Ellie’s voice was so stunning that her children had no doubt in their minds that she would make good on her words if given the chance. Conner and Leslie had seen their verbose mother angered before, but this time, it seemed like she would burst a blood vessel from sheer fury.
Stepping back as Leslie slipped off the couch, Conner pondered, Jesus! Is she getting this mad just for me…? How would she have reacted if I told her the truth about how badly Powerhouse beat me?
As images of his mother rampaging through Miracle City raced in his mind, Conner felt his sister step behind him and switch to using him as a shield instead of the pillow.
While their mother continued to vent, Leslie remarked, “Wow… Between your fire voice, you actually giving a good explanation, and now Mom losing it, today’s getting crazy.”
Looking back at his sister, Conner told her, “Uh… Sorry about that, Sis. Scaring you, that is.”
“Wha? Oh, it’s fine, Bright-Eyes. You’ve just never yelled with your fire voice around me before... It was freaky, is all,” Leslie explained with an amused smirk.
With a mix of relief and hesitance, Conner replied, “Oh, cool… Still, I’m-.”
Cutting the conversation between her kids short, Ellie finished her tirade with a guttural scream. Taking a deep breath, Ellie let out one last sigh, combed her hands through her freshly frizzled hair, and recomposed her stance.
“Phew… Apologies for that outburst, my darlings. My temper flared uncontrollably once the slander was made clear to me… Conner, dear?”
“Yeah, Mom?” Conner asked with casual intrigue as both he and Leslie relaxed.
“What are your plans to correct this issue going forward?”
Cocking a brow at his mother’s question, Conner replied, “I mean… I’m mad at him, but I wasn’t planning to do anything other than keeping at my job.”
“What?!” Leslie exclaimed from behind her brother, making him jump slightly. “Conner, you have to do something! He’s making Shining Darkness look bad! You can’t let him ruin your brand!”
Folding his arms, Conner said, “He’s just some jerk on the news. Who cares what he’s saying?”
Fishing her phone out of her pocket, Leslie replied with irritation as she started tapping away, “Seriously? I swear, this is why I keep telling you that you need to use social media.”
Frowning, Conner remarked, “And I keep telling you that it’s a waste of mine and everyone else’s time! I’ve got better things to do and real people to talk with. Heck, I bet Lana would be done with her book by now if she didn’t spend so much time-.”
Suddenly, Leslie reached up and shoved her phone’s screen in her big brother’s face, showing him a thread of posts. Nearly each one read people’s opinions about how Shining Darkness was a reckless and selfish glory hog. Amongst the hate, only a handful of voices were attempting to defend the Super Mask’s character.
“This is the most popular chat site about your alter-ego, Bright-Eyes! People are turning on you like crazy! And if they do that, you lose money, and you can’t keep being a Mask.”
“What?! No…! I…” Conner tried to voice his objections but was floored by the reality put in front of him. Steeling his gaze, Conner lowered his sister’s arm and stated, “No. You’re right, Sis. I have to do something. So… My plan stays the same.”
“What?”
“Excuse me, young man?”
Elaborating to his confused family, Conner said, “Actions speak far louder than words. I’m going to keep saving lives, show the world without a shadow of a doubt the kind of man Shining Darkness is, and to Hell with what men like him have to say.”
Looking at her phone as it pinged after Conner made his declaration, Leslie smirked and said, “Hmm… I think you might have a point there.” Grabbing the remote off the couch, she exclaimed, “Quick! Let’s check out channel 12!”
Jumping to channel 12, Leslie put on an interview that had already started. The interviewee in question, Conner recognized as the mother of the family at the bottom of the pileup.
Sitting with the woman was a young-looking reporter, who asked, “And what about claims from Captain-?”
Cutting off the reporter, Leslie proclaimed, “They’re interviewing the people you saved, Conner! I bet-.”
“Leslie, please! We need to listen,” Ellie scolded her daughter as the family refocused on the interview.
“He claims that the so-called Super Mask caused your injuries with his reckless showboating. Is this true?” The reporter asked. Conner could tell from his tone that this guy was on the fire Captain’s side of things.
Despite her wounds and bandages, the mother was evidently enraged, exclaiming, “I don’t know what that bastard’s on about. The Shining Darkness saved me and my family. My babies never would have been saved if it hadn’t been for him. He even took the time to wish us the best. I just wish I could thank him in person again.”
Visibly shaken, the young reporter asked awkwardly, “Uh- but- But we- Erm, our reports claim that all of you wouldn’t have been nearly as hurt if he’d stayed out of the way.”
“Then your reports are wrong! Get better ones!” The mother exclaimed, “He lifted two burning cars of me, my husband, and our kids! Nobody else could’ve-!”
With a sudden cut back to the Channel 12 newsroom, the interview ended without warning. While the anchorwoman began discussing more discourse around Shining Darkness’ rescue, Conner and his family recoiled in surprise.
“That was weird… I’m gonna post about it and see what others are saying,” Leslie remarked as she buried her face into her phone.
Leaning toward the television slightly, Conner remarked, “Yeah… Nothing about that made sense.”
“What do you mean by that, Conner?” Ellie asked her son.
Sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor as if to meditate, Conner said, “I learned from Death Head that hospitals don’t allow patients in critical condition to be interviewed so soon. They need at least a day to make sure the patients are stable… And that sudden cut… Either the news is really desperate for a good story and thinks making me look bad is the way to go, or someone else is behind this with more sinister motives.”
Scowling at the television, Ellie asked, “And who would do such a thing?”
Rubbing his chin, Conner replied, “John and I have been looking into that since we beat Penspot. I’ll let you know as soon as we have something.”
Closing his eyes, Conner processed his suspicions lightning fast.
So, if someone really is trying to manipulate things from behind the scenes, then it’s probably the same people or person that Penspot answers to… But who the Hell are they? If they’re truly the head of all of America’s organized crime families, they’d possibly hold power that rivals the government. How do I go about digging into an organization like that…? Ugh, this is infuriating. I just want to save lives. Why do these people have to get in my way?
Opening his eyes, Conner heard his mother tell him, “Well, it is reassuring to know that you are investigating the issue. Inform me if-.” Stopping herself mid-sentence, Ellie started sniffing at the air.
“Oh, darn it! The lasagna’s burning!”
As his mother rushed back to the kitchen, Conner thought, Maybe… Miracle City’s almost clear of crime, and I can cover just about any distance I want with my Jump Travel… Once I’m sure the city’s completely safe, I should start expanding my efforts to other cities in America. If I can’t find any clues here, then I guess I’ll just have to look elsewhere.
Knocking Conner out of his concentration, Ellie suddenly shouted, “Aw, sweet! People are siding with you already! That lady did a number on the firefighter Captain’s side of the story!”
Raising his brow, Conner contemplated, Good Lord, I’m glad these apartments have thick walls, or my family would’ve outed me months ago.
Smiling at his sister, Conner chuckled and replied, “Thanks for the update, Sis. It’s good to hear.”
|XXX|
Sometime later, in an undisclosed location, four individuals had gathered in a black void.
The first two were the figures of the Shadow Council members, Austin and Heather. After them was an older gentleman dressed in military attire with a large white mustache, General Irons. The last one was a woman in a business suit who appeared the same age as Heather, Sandra Cast.
Pointing at Cast, Heather mocked, “That was quite the shitshow of a coverup. Wasn’t it, Cast? The first person that reporter interviewed wasn’t even someone who took a bribe.”
Glaring at Heather, Cast snapped, “No! That stupid bitch did take the money, but she went off-script anyway! Austin, we need to kill her!”
“Agreed! A good show of force is in order, I’d say!” Irons added.
Rubbing his temples, Austin told the group, “Would you all just calm down and think a moment? If we’re going to have that woman killed, it needs to be inconspicuous. Instead of sending hitmen out, we should have her and her family pass away while in the ICU from what would otherwise appear as natural causes from their wounds.”
“Ah! Tactical and levelheaded as always, Austin! Good plan,” Irons stated sincerely. “Do you think we should also target the rest of the people Shining Darkness saved?”
“Why would we do that?” Heather asked innocently.
Raising a finger, Irons explained, “If we can make them all pass away in the same manner, we can frame it as Shining Darkness’ presence having some sort of harmful effect on people. Cast’s fumble could be a blessing in disguise.”
Stroking his chin as Cast smoldered, Austin replied stoically, “That’s a good suggestion, but it would be much harder to pull that off… We might need to target every known citizen he’s ever saved… I’ll look into the feasibility after the meeting.”
Folding her arms, Cast frowned and asked, “Speaking of which, could we move on to the next topic? What information do you get from the Shining Darkness’ DNA, Austin? It’s been a month.”
Tensing his stare at Cast, Austin nodded and replied, “Very well… I am sad to say that my scientists failed to acquire any concrete information.” Waiting for his associates to process the information, Austin was pleased they had no questions yet and continued, “What we do know is that whatever Shining Darkness is, he is something similar but different than magic.”
“The fuck?”
“What does that mean?”
Grimacing at being interrupted when he didn’t expect it, Austin hesitated momentarily before explaining, “His DNA is infused with an energy that my researchers described as ‘Magic, but more.’ From what I’ve gathered, whatever is empowering this man, it’s beyond even our strongest Magicians. Also, unfortunately, whatever this energy is, it is hampering my scientists’ efforts to match his DNA to anyone we have on record. One of their scanners even melted when they thought they were getting close. All we know for certain about the Super Mask is that he’s based out of Miracle City, can move faster than the speed of sound, has durability greater than a tank, and can exude at least dozens of tons of force even without his incredible speed.”
“That is… Shit. What the Hell is going on here? What even is this freak?!” Cast exclaimed.
Folding her arms behind her back, Heather added, “I have to echo her sentiment, Austin. I’m not used to not being able to find answers when we apply ourselves. Do you think we should start making efforts to capture Shining Darkness?”
Before Austin could answer, General Irons added, “If brute force is the name of the game, we could utilize the AD-12 Cybernetics and combine it with a subject injected with the Alpha Serium. If we did that, we’d be able to send a real living weapon to bag and tag this monster. And if that’s not enough, we could call in the Master Magician, Ace, and his brother.”
“Those two Magicians barely listen to us even with the money we pay them to keep to themselves,” Austin stated. “They’re a last resort, if at all.”
Tapping her foot intentionally loudly, Cast asked, “So what should we do then?”
Straightening his suit, Austin replied, “First, we must gather more concrete data on the Shining Darkness. See if we can determine his full range of abilities, limits, and weaknesses while continuing to slander him. Once we have that, we’ll determine the next best choice of action.”
“Is that it? A somewhat lacking answer if you ask me,” Heather commented.
Sighing through his nostrils, Austin replied, “I understand the loss of control in Miracle City is unnerving, but patience has always been one of our strong suits. Whatever this… this thing is, we must have all the information before taking direct action against him.”
Stroking his mustache, Irons asked, “But… What if he learns who we are and what we’re doing and comes after us? We still have the necessary firepower to stop him if push comes to shove, yes?”
“Of course we do. Second-Tier spells were able to hurt him. He’s not unstoppable. And besides… My intuition tells me his critical thinking skills are only going to atrophy with time. With the kind of power he has, he likely believes that he can rely on it to solve all his problems. He’ll never track us down with that mindset… Now, unless we have any other business to discuss, I’d like to end things here. I have a dinner to attend with my family.”
“Oh! Tell Daniel I said hi,” Heather remarked pleasantly.
“Of course,” Austin answered with equal familiarity.
Nodding, General Irons said, “I suppose there’s nothing else to cover at the moment. And I’m starving myself.”
Gritting her teeth, Cast replied, “Fine… I can handle things on my end.”
“You’ll need better reporters,” Heather told her in a sing-song tone.
“Shut up!” Cast exclaimed as she reached into the air. Then, from the black void, a handle appeared in Cast’s hand. As she pulled it down, she completely vanished in a blink of light.
Following Cast’s lead, the other three Shadow Council members pulled on materializing handles and disappeared in the same way.
|X|
Sitting at his office desk, Austin Majors suddenly came to life, pulled his VR sunglasses off, and let out an exhausted sigh.
Pressing a combination on a pin pad in his desk, one of the drawers opened itself for him. He then placed the glasses in the drawer and closed it with an audible click.
Standing up and away from his heavily secured desk, Austin walked across his 100-ft diameter private office and went for his marble double doors. When they opened automatically for him, Austin was greeted by two suited men standing at the ready.
“Your limousine is warmed up for you, Mr. Majors. And your wife and daughter are on their way to meet you at Le Bernardin,” one of the men told him.
“Very good, Bernie. Is Richard working as my driver tonight?” Austin asked.
“Of course, sir,” Bernie answered.
“Excellent. Follow me, boys.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Majors,” they answered in unison.
Walking out of his office building while escorted by his handpicked bodyguards, Austin couldn’t help but think more about his discussion with his coworkers.
I had to let them think I have a handle on the Shining Darkness’ thought process, but… He was able to discern Penspot has a hire up and convinced her he works for me in mere moments. He’s not stupid, at least. Claiming that he’ll become over-reliant on his powers is wishful thinking at best… I need more information on him, but he moves so fast it’s damn near impossible to track him! And if we tried to kill everyone he’s ever helped, that could be as much as a tenth of Miracle City’s population! That’s a logistical nightmare! Dammit! What the fuck am I going to-? Stop it! Stop it, Austin, and calm yourself!
Raising his hand to his face, Austin moved his fingers in seemingly random patterns before his palm glowed gray, and he stated, “Calm.” While his head was enveloped in this gray light, Austin moved his fingers again as he conjured another glow and said, “Deepen Wisdom.”
The second Austin lowered his hand from his head, he was breathing heavier and sweating slightly as if he’d gone for a jog. In response, his men immediately produced a handkerchief and a bottle of water for him.
Wiping his forehead and taking a drink, Austin thought, Even First-Tier spells can exhaust me if cast in quick succession like that. I need to remember not to start casting so rapidly just because I’m shaken… Alright. Well, there’s nothing I can do about the Shining Darkness until I’ve gathered more information on him, and Daniel and Lizzy deserve my full attention at dinner.
Coming out of the instinctual movements down the halls he’d memorized, Austin walked into his private parking garage. Waiting just as Bernie said, his limo driver, Richard, had the car running and the door open for him.
Stepping in with his bodyguards right behind him, Austin told his driver, “To Le Bernardin, Richard.”
“Of course, sir,” the older man replied.
Then, as Austin’s luxury vehicle started, he had his final business-related thought of the night. I swear, if it weren’t for my own spells and the Hartummim’s help, the stress of this job would have aged me another thirty years by now.