No Such Thing as Super-Heroes

[midst_of_threads]

There is someone in her forest.

Flynn runs her hand over her creature's back, and then sends it fluttering away into the trees with a flick of her wrist.


Her first creation, her guardian, lets out a small growl.
"I know," Flynn says.
"Go. Get rid of them."

It slinks into the forest, feline features molded from broken glass.
It quickly vanishes from site and Flynn pushes down a flash of loneliness.

Comments

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry suddenly notices that he still with the rifle. Putting it aside he speaks.

"I am checking on you..." Henry says defensively.

[unadalturedstrength]

"I mean with that crazy monster lady," Gabe says "You are not like this, even if you were just trying to draw information out of her.

He turns around and lets the hot water hit him in the face.

"I almost think you don't care." He adds mockingly.

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Fuck!" Henry says wounded.

Uncaring about the shower and his own clothes, Henry steps forward and hugs his cousin.

"You almost died," Henry says burying his face on Gabe's chest "I can't even begging to..."

[unadalturedstrength]

Gabe hugs back.

There should be something noticeably different about this hug.

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Ow" Henry says when he notices the claws. He breaks the hug and steps back pulling Gabes hands into view.

The nails are black, thick like the fingers and definitely sharp.

Henry looks up in confusion and stares at the cat-like eyes.

[unadalturedstrength]

"Not my fault," Gabe adds quickly "while you are talking with miss basket case, I tried to experiment with my power. Figured you would want me to. I called the transformation, but just a bit. Kept mostly human..."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"You didn't have claws when I walked in..."

[unadalturedstrength]

"I didn't... They grew when you touched me," Gabe says "I had only a bare wisp of power, just enough that my senses felt sharper and my head didn't feel different..."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Wait. Your head?!" Henry says stepping back.

[unadalturedstrength]

"Oh yeah," Gabe says "When I changed it messed my head a bit. Not sure how to explain but it goes away when I change back."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"You should have told me sooner!" Henry says "Fuck! Huh, recite the alphabet... No, calculate 13 x 7 and then recite the alphabet."

[unadalturedstrength]

"91 and I know the alphabet," Gabe says.

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"I am testing your memory and mental capacity, idiot!"

There is a round of mental testing. It clarifies that Gabe isn't mentally damaged in any noticeable way. Whatever the transformation does with his head is harder to pin down, but "animal-like" is a suitable descriptor but not quite there.

"We should check on Flynn," Henry remembers.

[unadalturedstrength]

"Yeah, Flynn..." Gabe asks "Why you are acting so weird around her? A crush?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Gabe! I... honestly don't know, it is like my mouth runs on automatic" Henry admits "it is freaking me out. It is not a crush."

[unadalturedstrength]

"I promise not to be jealous," Gabe says lifting Henry's head and kissing him "as long she shares of course."

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry death stares.

[unadalturedstrength]

Gabe smiles.

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"Finish your shower," Henry says "I will change out of these wet rags and check on Flynn."

Henry will proceed to do what he says, keeping the rifle in their dormitory, apparently his hands are better weapons now.

[midst_of_threads]

Flynn found the kitchen and is currently sitting on the kitchen table surrounded by piles of empty wrappers.

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry enters the kitchen, he changed clothes but it is pretty obvious he got under a shower at some point. He notes the wrappers but doesn't comment.

"How are you? We have real food but most is canned, so is a marginal value of real."

[midst_of_threads]

"Good," Flynn grins at Henry at tears open another wrapper, eating the granola bar inside in three bites.

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

"I am actually going to do something for myself and Gabe," Henry says "it wouldn't be any trouble cooking for three instead of two."

[midst_of_threads]

Flynn hops off the table, gathering the wrappers up in her arms. One flutters to the floor by her feet. "Thanks! That would be great."
She looks around, "Where's your trash?"

[there_is_no_such_thing_as]

Henry points trash-wards.

"You are welcome..." Henry says "you can help, or you can just hang out. I cook better when I am working alone, but talking."