Ms. Platt was driving me home as my pops couldn’t pick me up, work and all that, and mom was sick. The latter I knew to be a lie.

As we drove quietly along the streets of Brighttown. I couldn’t help but smile as I recalled Doctor Jorgenson's colorful face making and expressive eyebrow movement as Ms. Platt raked him and Director Susan over the coals for the deal they offered me. The doctor claimed he had nothing to do with the offer and even glared at his co-worker who kept a stone face the whole time.

Eventually they settled on an eight year optional deal, where four of those eight years would be under community service. And the last two years of the four required community service wages were increased depending on performance. With the last four years being optional yearly extensions. Plus the copyright and likeness stuff were in my favor as Ms. Platt explained it.

She pulled into my driveway, parked the car, turned to me and gave me her business card. “Here’s my number if you need anything. Remember starting next Monday you will go straight to BEI after school. It will look like the same car your dad usually picks you up in. But the person driving it will be a BEI officer. Tomorrow the BEI will pick you up at twelve so be ready. Have a goodnight Mikhail.”

“Goodnight.” I said as I took the card and walked to my front door. Ms. Platt didn’t leave until I opened the door and went inside.

“Moooooom?” I called out. No response as expected. She was gone for the rest of the night and I won’t see her until tomorrow morning.

I went into my room, kicked off my shoes and jumped on my bed. BEI thankfully cleaned my bloodstained clothes before they released me. I closed my eyes and allowed sleep to take me.

I awoke, startled, to the sound of something slamming. My heartbeat was fast and I knew that I would soon hear the arguing.

“He’s my son Meja! Mine!,” I glanced at the clock, it was four in the morning. “He’s going to stay in school!” I laid there holding the blanket close.

“Anna, it's his life, especially now more than ever!” My father shouted back.

“You’re letting him throw his life away! Just like you did when he quit soccer! He’s a fucking great soccer player that can make it Meja. But you allowed him to squander his fucking potential!” Mom shouted back.

“Anna, he doesn't love soccer! He never did! You want that for him.”

“It’s because you filled his head with your ideas. You corrupted him.”

“I corrupted him by teaching him to think for himself?”

“YES! MEJA! What kind’ve parent teaches their child to question everything. To be fucking paranoid!”

“Well you should fucking be glad I did! Look at the world we live in. And even then he’s still naive! Do you know how close he was to signing a plea bargain with the BEI? DO YOU!? He was going to call me to tell me not to hire the lawyer I got for him.They were going to have our son by the fucking balls for eight years. And then some if he made it big!”

The shouting stopped as their conversation went to some murmuring I couldn’t hear for a couple of minutes.

I heard their door open and close then footsteps making their way down the hallway. I quickly wrapped myself up, faced away from my door and pretended I was asleep. Whoever it was stopped by my door but continued on their way. Soon after darkness took me again.

I awoke to the sounds of bird chirping and a chilly room. The way I like it. Rubbing my eyes as I checked the time, eleven twenty. Soon! I jumped out of bed and made my way to the kitchen. Mom was there making breakfast. She gave me a smile, a plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

“Good afternoon, Mikhail,” She said. “How did you sleep?”

“Afternoon mom,” I said between a yawn. “I slept pretty good considering the day I had. Thanks for brunch. Where’s dad?” I grabbed a fork and was about to dig before I heard mom click her tongue. I paused and looked at her.

“What do we say first? And your dad left for work.” She said as she prepared her own plate.

I inwardly sighed. But I put my fork down, put my hands together and prayed. “Thank you God.” I grabbed my fork and dug in.

“Mikhail, your cousin Adrian is having a birthday party tomorrow. It’s been a while since you saw the family. Let’s go yea?” She said before she took a bite.

“Umm. No thanks mom. You know me. I don’t like parties. Also,” I took another bite and swallowed before I continued. “I gotta be at the BEI.” I lied, kind’ve, I planned to ask the BEI if I could hang around some more.

“This won’t distract you from your studies will it?” She asked quietly.

“Not really and you know I don’t need the best grades to be what I want to be.” I said with a smile but it quickly faded after she gave me her ‘look’.

“Son, you can be so much more than a fireman or cop.” Also a supe she left unsaid. “You can save people by using the brains you have. You’re so smart you can be a doctor or a scientist.”

“But I don’t want to be those things mom. They don’t interest me.” I also wasn’t sure if I could even become those things, I also left unsaid.

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She sighed. “So do you know what you’re going to do at the BEI today?”

“I don’t know but they should be picking me up at twelve so I gotta go get ready.” I stuffed the last bits of food into my mouth, swallowed, leaned over the counter and gave a kiss.

“Thanks mom!” I hurried back to my room and did the morning routine. Grabbed fresh clothes, took a shower, brushed my teethesis, dressed, gave my mom a hug goodbye and was outside by eleven fifty-nine.

A gray car pulled in and I immediately went to the passenger seat. Only to be disappointed as a man I didn’t recognize, gesturing for me to go to the back, was already in there. I gave a thumbs up.

I went into the car, put on my seatbelt and smiled at my two escorts. The one in the passenger seat turned around and offered a handshake which I took. “Mikhail I’m Harold and this is my partner Jason. We’re going to be your escorts to and from the BEI until you can drive there yourself. Or fly. Whichever comes first. Any questions?”

“Nice to meet you guys. And nope none.” I replied.

Harold smiled as he turned around and said “Told ya.”

Jason shrugged and handed over some money. “Welp,” He put the car in reverse. “Aaand we’re off.”

Wait a minute. “You’re not the two guards that escorted me yesterday were you?” I asked.

“Dammit Jason.” Harold said as he gave cash to a chuckling Jason.

“Indeed we are kid,” Jason said as he maneuvered the car out of the drive. “By the way, you got a nice house. How many rooms?”

“Three bedrooms, three restrooms, a dining room, living room, and a backyard with a pool!” I answered.

“Pretty sweet. You invite your friends over to swim a lot?” Harold asked.

“No, not really.” I replied as I watched the streets roll on by.

“What, no friends?,” Harold said as he opened a bag of sun seeds. “Also want some?”

“No, thank you.” I raised my hands and waved him off. “I have friends, it's just that I don’t really want to hang out with them after school.” I said as I thought of my small group of friends. I lost a lot after I quit soccer.

“And why’s,” Crunch. “That?” Harold said as he put a handful of seeds in his mouth.

“Well I see them basically everyday. So I just want to be by myself when I'm home.” I said.

“I feel ya kid.” Harold said.

The rest of the drive was quiet and uneventful.

Jason pulled into the parking complex of the BEI. “Aaand we’re here.” He said. I couldn't help but smile as Harold shook his head.

I opened the door and was greeted by a woman with blonde hair and black roots carrying a clipboard. “Afternoon Mr. Tal. I am Doctor Nyssa. I will be your doctor while you’re working with the BEI. What did you have for breakfast?”

“Bacon, eggs, and pancakes.” I answered.

She pouted. “No veggies or fruits? Is this your usual breakfast?”

“It’s the usual Saturday breakfast at my house.”

“I see,” She said as she wrote on her clipboard. “So you eat your fruits and veggies?”

I tapped my chest. “Of course.”

“Do you have a sweet tooth then?” She said as she turned and began walking.

I guess I follow? “Not really. I don’t care for candy or ice cream. If anything, I really like meat. Especially bar-b-q.”

“Wonderful,” She made some more notes. Unfortunately I couldn’t see what she was writing, a bit too tall for me. “First the bloodwork, then we will head into training where you’ll meet the rest of your team. Hold out your finger please.”

“Oh! Who's on my team? A-Girl? Kid Atom? The Mighty Panda!?” I asked as I did what she requested. I would’ve loved to work with The Mighty Panda. Every villain feared him. Also he had a panda-mobile.

I was going to continue but stopped as Nyssa pricked my finger with some white thing. Ouch. “You won’t know them as they’re not the big names.” She replied as she opened the door.

“Oh. Bummer.” I said as I followed Nyssa in.

“What we ain’t good enough for ya?” A small pale girl walked up to me and said as I entered. She barely reached my chest. Though I wasn’t really tall for my age as well. She had french braided brown hair, wore a pair of jeans, blue converse and a black ‘Clash’ t-shirt.

“Oooooh? What did you hear Natie?” A deep voice sounded. I broke eye contact with Natie. Only to see a tall buff man in a gray muscle shirt, black jeans and sandals said as he put down the weights he was lifting and walked towards us. He had curly black hair and a full beard. As he got closer the word buff didn’t do the man justice.

I thought this was a juvenile program thing?

“Hahaha! He can’t believe it either Michael. Don’t worry new dude Michaels fifteen. My name’s Capri but you can call me Cap for short.” Another girl said as she walked into view and offered me a fist bump. She was taller than me, tanned skin, and black hair. She wore a green crop top, blue jeans and roman sandals.

I gaped. “Fifteen?” I said numbly as I fist bumped Cathy. Michael the fifteen year old man I mean boy chuckled as he gave me a shaka sign.

“Yea I know. My folks tripped out as well.” He said.

“Hey are you ignoring my question?” Natie waved her hands to grab our attention.

“Sorry I was just understandably shook by the appearance of the boy-man known as Michael.” I answered and got a giggle from the two girls. While Michael frowned.

“Alright everyone gets one joke at my expense. You used yours. It gets kind’ve annoying you know? People making remarks about your appearance.” Michael said.

I nodded. “Ah. Yea sorry.”

“Saul, good. Just remember you used your one.” He replied.

“Hey! My question, remember? You were bummed out about not teaming up with the big bois and girls.” Natie stated.

“Well to be honest who wouldn't be? They’re pretty cool. Nothing against you guys obviously.” I answered.

“He’s got a point Natie,” Capri said. “We were all the same when we came in.”

“Not me!” Natie said indignantly.

“Ok everyone but you.” Michael said as he poked her forehead. Causing her to glare at him while she rubbed it.

He looked at me. “Alright so I have telekinesis and can meld into objects. My supe name is Anima.”

“Your powers have nothing to do with your body?” I asked in disbelief.

He shook his head, smiled, then flexed like Arnold Armstrong. “All naturaaal biology.”

Capri shook her head with a smile. “Well you know the show Avatar?” She asked.

I nodded.

She held up two hands, one wreathed in fire and the other lightning. “I’m the Avatar dude! I’m here to bring balance. Supes' name is Avatar obviously.” She said with a chuckle.

I looked at Natie. “For now just know that I hear very well. Supes name is Noctis.” She said, Then they all looked at me expectantly.

I smiled. “I’m,”